Raise your hand if you need an oil change! ✋
Are you familiar with your vehicle’s owner’s manual?
It may be collecting dust in your glove compartment. However, the owner’s manual contains important information regarding your vehicle’s proper maintenance intervals and features. Know how to reference it!
Ever wonder how far your car can continue traveling on an empty tank?
While it can vary anywhere from 30 to 50 miles, driving on an empty tank can actually damage your fuel pump and clog the fuel filter. Try to fill your gas when you get down to a quarter tank full.
Tire blowouts can be scary and hard to navigate. To correctly handle a blowout, keep the wheel straight, wait for the vehicle to slow down, and stay calm.
The best way to avoid a blowout is to keep your tires at the proper inflation pressure. Check your tire pressure at least once a month!
ALLSTATE.COM
What to Do If Your Tire Blows Out | The Allstate Blog
Experiencing car trouble during a road trip is never ideal. Having preventative maintenance performed before your road trip can give you peace of mind and allow you to avoid the headache that comes with car trouble away from home.
Things to inspect before a road trip include:
- Battery
- Belts and hoses
- Fluids are topped off and filters are replaced
- Lights and electrical components are working
- Brakes
- Tires
ALLSTATE.COM
Get Your Car Ready for a Road Trip | Allstate
All vehicle owners are familiar with their regular oil change, but here are 6 things that you might not know about engine oil:
1. It lubricates engine parts to prevent metal to metal contact and cleans up dirty deposits created during the combustion process.
2. Engine oils are rated in two ways: cold viscosity and hot viscosity, which indicates how the oil will respond to cold start ups.
3. Synthetic oils are distilled and rebuilt for better performance while mineral oils are essentially the same as when they are pulled from the ground.
4. Synthetic oils are more than just oil - they are scientifically modified to provide anti-wear, anti-oxidant, and anti-corrosion properties.
5. Added titanium in oils can actually reduce friction and engine wear.
6. Added magnetic particles in oil can also be beneficial because the magnetic particles cling to the engine to reduce wear upon start-up.
CARTHROTTLE.COM
6 Things You Might Not Know About Engine Oil
Who is guilty of this? 😂
Do you remember your first car? Let's face it - you probably drove a lemon. Whether it was a tin can or a straight up Flintstone-esque vehicle, chances are your first car has a special place in your heart.
What was your first car and what was your favorite memory of it?
EXTRAMILE.THEHARTFORD.COM
My First Car (A Compilation of Fond Memories)
Every time that someone mentions that they don’t have the proper setup to start camping, ask them one simple question. “Do you have a car?” If the answer is yes, then it’s time to fill them in on a little secret…It’s 100% possible to camp in your car! If you’re looking for ways to make car camping happen, here are some simple suggestions to get started.
AGIRLSGUIDETOCARS.COM
Gotta Get Away? 5 Ways Car Camping Has You Covered | A Girls Guide to Cars
Did you know that driving with excess junk in your trunk can have an effect on your vehicle?
An overloaded vehicle can:
- Decrease fuel efficiency
- Wear out your shocks and struts
- Wear down your tires faster
- Put your engine at risk of overheating
- Put you at risk for a tire blowout
- Reduce the effectiveness of your brakes
Keep your trunk empty and your vehicle clean to better maintain your vehicle overall.
Test your vehicle knowledge!
What did fuel injection replace in many cars?
A. Leaded Fuel
B. The Carburetor
C. Manual Transmission
D. Water Cooling in the Radiator
This is your vehicle’s oil pressure warning light. While it may look like a genie in a bottle, it’s actually an image of an old fashioned oil can.
It indicates that your car is either low on oil or your oil pump isn’t circulating enough fluid. This is a critical warning light, since driving with low oil can quickly damage your vehicle’s engine.
As the days get shorter, it becomes increasingly important to check that your vehicle’s wipers and lights are all in proper working order.
You may not be able to see from the driver’s seat if a light isn’t working, so take the time to test all exterior lights and replace any if needed. Also, test your wiper blades and replace them if they skip, smear, squeak, or appear to be dried out or frayed.
CARCARE.ORG
As Days Get Shorter, Check Vehicle Lights, Wipers - Be Car Care Aware
What is a tire rotation, and is it important?
A tire rotation is just that - it is the process of rotating your vehicle's tires or in other words, switching the placement of each tire. The purpose of this process is to simply make sure that they wear down evenly, which makes it important in terms of extending the overall life of your tires. A good rule of thumb is to have this performed every 6 months or so.
★★★★★
"Always great service, got right in for the pre-purchase inspection, then went back to the Dealer and bought it. Knowing that there were no hidden defects."
- R. L.
With shorter days and gloomy skies, you will most likely find yourself turning on your headlights more often. If you notice that your headlights look yellow or cloudy, headlight restoration is recommended.
We often underestimate the importance of having clear headlights - not only do these powerful beams let you see the road, they also let other motorists see you!
Your vehicle’s transmission is critical to the overall operation of your car, which is why an issue with the transmission should always be inspected at the first sign of trouble.
Here are 3 transmission problems that you should never ignore:
1. Issues switching gears
2. Leaking transmission fluid
3. Check engine warning light is on
When’s the last time you replaced your vehicle’s cabin air filter?
The cabin air filter, typically located behind the glove compartment, is responsible for filtering the air that comes into the cabin of your vehicle. This helps to remove pollutants and other contaminants.
Cabin air filters typically need to be replaced every 20,000 miles or so, and breathing in dirty air can be a danger to your health.
Start the new year fresh by taking care of your vehicle’s outstanding maintenance!
Not only does routine auto care and preventative maintenance help keep your car safe and dependable, but it helps save money and avoid car trouble.
Happy New Year’s Eve!
Is your check engine light on? If so, we recommend having your vehicle inspected by one of our trusted mechanics as soon as possible.
The check engine light can oftentimes indicate an immediate issue, especially when paired with other symptoms.
