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
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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
Don’t let your vehicle spook you!
Take care of your car’s fall maintenance now to keep your vehicle running at its best all October long. Important fall maintenance items include:
- Brake inspection
- Replace windshield wipers
- Check all fluids
- Inspect tires
- Test lights
- Check heater/defroster
What is a brake bleed?
A brake bleed is the process of removing air from the brake lines to restore your brake system to its best. Over time, small amounts of air can become trapped in your vehicle’s brake line. Air in the brake lines can decrease the effectiveness of your brakes significantly. If your brakes feel soft or spongy, you may need a brake bleed.
October is Fall Car Care Month, and now is the time to remember how addressing certain items like brakes, tires, belts and hoses and fluids, including oil, antifreeze, steering, brake, transmission, and wiper fluids, will help keep your car running smoothly and efficiently, saving money at the gas pump.
Other areas of the vehicle, such as heating and air conditioning systems, wipers, and lights, should also be checked periodically. #CarCare saves you money!
CARCARE.ORG
See How #CarCare Saves You Money - Be Car Care Aware
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.
We have all experienced a scary car symptom, such as seeing the check engine light turn on or the sound of rattling bones coming from underneath the hood. But have you ever experienced something spooky or paranormal while inside your car?
We are getting in the Halloween spirit and want to hear your spooky car story below!
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"We are new to town and were looking for a reputable shop. We found it with Northwest Auto. We brought our truck in for a free brake check and that's what they delivered. Actually they checked over everything and gave us a print out of concerns (all minor). Turns out our brakes didn't need any work, but when they do, we'll be going back to these guys for sure."
- P.
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)
Despite their relatively easy operation, cars are actually very complex machines. Cars need fuel to operate, but what does the engine actually do with it?
In general, a standard internal combustion engine — what the majority of fuel-powered vehicles have today — uses air combined with gasoline to produce power. It is a complicated process that relies on many different parts and specific timing.
BLOG.NATIONWIDE.COM
Learn how car engines work
Who is decorating their car for Halloween? 🎃
This one is amazing!
Whether you're a seasoned driver or new behind the wheel, there are certain things that every driver should know that they don't teach you in Driver's Ed - how to check tire pressure, how to check tire tread, how to jump-start a car, how to change a tire, and more.
What are some other things you wish you were taught when learning how to drive?
When winter arrives, the last thing you want breaking down is your car's heater and defroster.
Not only is a frosty car inconvenient—it's also dangerous. Heat is needed to remove ice and fog build-up on your windshield. Without a working heater, your ability to see the road clearly can be severely hindered.
If you notice that your heater is faulty or doesn't work as efficiently as it used to, it's time to have it fixed!
During the month of October, The Car Care Council recommends that car owners follow its Fall Car Care Month checklist and inspect their vehicles before the temperatures drop and the weather begins to change. It’s a small investment of time and money to help avoid the cost and hassle of a breakdown during the colder months ahead.
CARCARE.ORG
Motorist Checklist for Fall Car Care Month in October - Be Car Care Aware
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.
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!
One way to avoid a turkey of a Thanksgiving road trip is to make sure the vehicle you will be driving is running well. A 10-minute pre-trip check is a quick and easy way to help avoid the inconvenience of a breakdown many miles away from home, says the non-profit Car Care Council.
Check the following:
- Fluids
- Belts & Hoses
- Tires
- Lights
- Wipers
CARCARE.ORG
Don’t Let Your Thanksgiving Road Trip be a Turkey - Be Car Care Aware
Check engine light on?
The check engine light is your vehicle's way of letting you know that something is wrong. But don't stress - the best thing you can do is bring your vehicle into our shop for an inspection. Driving with the light on can make matters worse, and we will help find the solution that best fits the needs of you and your vehicle.
Is it bad to drive your car if it doesn’t have a gas cap?
While it isn’t a major issue if caught early on, you don’t want to continue driving without a gas cap for an extended period of time. You’ll lose gas and debris and moisture can get into the fuel tank, causing performance and fuel efficiency issues over time.
It’s inexpensive to fix, so take care of a lost, missing, or broken gas cap!
AUTO.HOWSTUFFWORKS.COM
Is It Bad to Drive Without a Gas Cap?
Happy Thanksgiving!
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"Great experience as a solo female traveling 1,000 miles from home. The team was knowledgeable and fair with pricing after running diagnostics on my jeep and replacing the parts needed to make sure I had a safe trip back home. Thanks again!!"
- A. H.
Nobody wants to get into their vehicle when they have somewhere to be and find that their car won't start. Many of our minds will go to the same place - the battery must be dead. But, if so, why? Here are 8 things that can drain your vehicle's car battery, even when your car isn't running.
CARBIBLES.COM
8 Things That Will Drain Your Car Battery | Car Bibles
You may not see them, or know much about them, but engine belts are always working to keep your vehicle moving. Losing a belt can mean immediate trouble for the engine and a breakdown for you.
To avoid being stranded, the non-profit Car Care Council recommends that motorists review their car's owner’s manual to ensure that belts are inspected and replaced at the proper intervals.
Driving in wet conditions can cause several issues, including lowered visibility or the need for longer braking distances. It can also cause your car to hydroplane.
Hydroplaning causes you to lose control of your vehicle, so understanding what to do in this situation is important. Learn what to do while hydroplaning here:
BLOG.NATIONWIDE.COM
Learn how to handle your vehicle when hydroplaning
Does your car sputter when you step on the gas? If so, this can be an indication of a problem with the fuel system, worn spark plugs, a bad catalytic converter, and more. A vehicle inspection at our shop can determine the cause of the issue and the repairs needed to get you back on the road with a restored vehicle.
Properly working brake pads are critical for your safety on the road. Here are some signs that you may be due for a brake pad replacement:
- The brake pedal pulses or vibrates when you press it.
- Your vehicle takes longer to stop than it normally does.
- A scraping metal or squealing noise when you brake.
- Car pulls to one side while braking
Motor oil is essential to your vehicle’s operation, protecting your engine from overheating, damage, and grime build-up.
There are a number of different options when it comes to types of motor oil and additives. Check out this essential guide to motor oil to learn more about what motor oil is best for your vehicle!
CARBIBLES.COM
The Essential Guide to Motor Oil | Car Bibles
Whether you are driving your dream car or just own a car that gets you from point A to point B, what do you love most about your vehicle?
Did you know that your vehicle's tires can wear down significantly faster if the tire pressure is low, the wheel alignment is off, or the suspension and steering components are worn?
When your tires have very low tread and are excessively worn, your ability to slow, stop, and control your vehicle is drastically reduced and your safety on the road is at risk.
We are starting to get into the holiday spirit 🎄
Check out this truck that is stunningly decorated for the holidays!
Driving with worn shocks or struts can result in an uncomfortable ride and a decrease in your ability to properly control your vehicle.
If you notice that your vehicle bounces excessively over bumps or vibrates at high speeds, it's time to have your suspension system inspected.
A car heater problem can be a bother, especially on cold days. Reasons behind a faulty car heater can include:
- Low coolant
- Bad heater core
- Clogged or broken heating controls
- Failing thermostats
Do you notice a strong smell of gas while driving or find yourself refueling more often than usual? These are the most common symptoms of a fuel leak. This is an issue that needs to be repaired quickly.
Read more on why it isn't safe to drive with a fuel leak.
CARBIBLES.COM
Is it Safe to Drive with a Fuel Leak? | Car Bibles
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- S. B.
Merry Christmas Eve!
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.
Understanding your vehicle's warning lights and what they represent will help you figure out what to do next once a light turns on.
Read more about the 5 most important warning lights and what they indicate.
CARBIBLES.COM
5 Most Important Warning Lights on Your Dashboard | Car Bibles
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.
Lyric, sporting a Northwest Automotive hat!
Lyric, sporting a Northwest Automotive hat!
Lyric, sporting a Northwest Automotive hat!
