Summer Road Trip Tips

May 30th, 2019
The days are getting longer, school is out, and summer is almost here! The rising temperatures have a lot of people itching to hop into their car and head to a body of water or hiking trail. Summer vacations are a time to unplug, relax and have fun with your family and friends. They do, however, require a bit of preparation beforehand. If you are foregoing the airport in favor of a road trip, it’s important to give your vehicle a little TLC before hitting the road to ensure a safe, smooth trip. Nothing can put a damper on a summer road trip quite like vehicle trouble. Before heading out, it’s a good rule of thumb to do a quick check – and service if necessary – of some items on your vehicle. Summer Road Trip Tips
 
Your tires are the only part of your vehicle that come in direct contact with ...[more]
  Tags: auto repair
  Posted in: Auto Repair 101

Maximizing Your Tire Life

May 16th, 2019
If you’re like most people, the thought of opening your wallet to shell out money for tires isn’t at the top of your “things to get excited about” list. Unfortunately, this is a necessary part of owning a vehicle. How often you must replace your tires depends on your driving habits, how well you maintain your tires and the type of tires you purchase. Taking steps to maintain your tires will extend their life significantly, saving you time and money down the road! 
 
One step to maintaining your tires is regular tire rotations. A tire rotation is the simple act of moving 

Maximize the life of your tires

your tires from one position to another to ensure they wear evenly. You may be wondering how moving your tires around can increase your tire’s life. W ...[more]
  Tags: tires
  Posted in: Tires 101

Should I Repair or Replace My Tire?

April 25th, 2019
It’s early in the morning, and you are walking out the door to head to work. As you walk up to your car, you notice your tire is flat. “I just bought these tires two months ago,” you think. Unfortunately, no matter how new your tires are, they are always susceptible to being damaged by nails or other debris in the road. Can it be replaced, or will you have to buy a new tire? Flat Tire
 
The ability to repair the damaged tire instead of replacing it will depend on how large the puncture is, where the puncture is located and how quickly you spotted the damage. Sure, repairing the tire is the most cost-effective option but not at the expense of you and your passengers’ safety. Before deciding to repair your tire versus buying a new one, you’ll want to ensure your tire is a good candidate for a r ...[more]
  Tags: Tire Maintenance
  Posted in: Tires 101

How Do My Brakes Work?

April 11th, 2019
It’s a sunny day and you’re driving down the road with your windows down and music turned up. All of a sudden, the car in front of you stops abruptly, causing you to slam on your brakes. Thank goodness your brakes worked perfectly, and you avoided a collision. Until this incident occurred you probably haven’t given your brake system much thought. Sure, you know your brakes should be inspected and serviced every once in a while… but how do they actually make your car stop with just a tap of the foot? How Brakes Work
 
When you really stop and think, you realize brakes are a pretty amazing invention. They have the power to bring a large, multi-ton machine traveling at 70 miles per hour to a complete stop with just a push of the pedal. This ability is all thanks to science! 
  Posted in: Auto Repair 101

What’s Inside Your Tires?

March 28th, 2019
The construction of the modern tire is a testament to how far engineering and technology have come over the centuries. No more are the days of an air-filled donut comprised of rubber. Years of research by the world’s top tire companies have resulted in the tires we have today, which are full of state-of-the-art materials and technology.
 
TreadWhat is Inside Your Tires
 
The outermost layer of your tire is called the tread. This is the patterned rubber layer you can see. The pattern of the tread will depend on the type of tire you purchase and what use it is intended for.
 
Belts (or Belt System)
 
Directly below the tread of your tire are the belts. Most commonly, belts are construc ...[more]
  Tags: tire facts
  Posted in: Tires 101

Why You Shouldn’t Drive on an Empty Gas Tank

March 14th, 2019
You’ve probably been told at some point in your driving career to not drive your car while the gas tank is on empty, but did you know why that is? This recommendation is more than just an old wives’ tale—you can damage your car by ignoring that gas light for too long.Driving with no Gas
 
First, you should understand what your fuel light indicator really means. When you hear the familiar “ding” that accompanies your fuel light, your fuel tank has reached “reserve” levels, or around 10-15% capacity. It is possible to calculate how long that will last using your car’s average range, but we would advise against it, just to be safe. Avoid doing the math if you know you are the type of person to risk it and drive on empty anyway.
 
One reason it ...[more]
  Tags: auto repair
  Posted in: Auto Repair 101

How Potholes Can Damage Your Car

February 28th, 2019
Most of us have been taught to avoid potholes while driving. It was probably one of the very first things we learned behind the wheel! Although most us know driving over potholes is bad for our vehicles, very few know exactly why that is. These are the parts of your vehicle you should be worried about if you accidentally drive over a pothole:
 
Steering SystemAuto Repair & Potholes
 
If you hit a pothole, you risk misaligning your steering system. If you have noticed your vehicle pulling to the left or right while you are trying to steer straight, you could have a misaligned steering system. Other signs include uneven tire wear, squealing tires, or a crooked steering wheel while driving straight.
 
Tires...[more]
  Tags: auto repair
  Posted in: Auto Repair 101

Auto Repair Jargon You Should Know

February 14th, 2019
Unless you consider yourself a car enthusiast, you may find yourself feeling a bit lost when having conversations with your mechanic. At times, it can feel like you are speaking to someone using a different language with words like “grease monkey,” “kickdown,” and “oversquare” whizzing past your head like dodgeballs. Hopefully, this list of common auto repair terms will help your next conversation with your mechanic go a bit more seamlessly:Auto Mechanic Terms
 
  • Aftermarket – This term applies to parts which are not made by the original manufacturer. The best aftermarket parts will meet or exceed the quality of the original parts in your vehicle.
  • Hesitation – “Hesitation” refers to the lack of response which occurs when you first accele ...[more]
  Posted in: Auto Repair 101

How to Buy New Tires

January 31st, 2019

If you’ve never done it before, purchasing tires can be a frustrating and intimidating task. How do you know what brand is best? How do you get the best price? We will discuss these questions and more in this blog post.

1. Read ReviewsShop New Tires
It’s impossible to know how tires will perform after a few thousand miles… unless you read the reviews of people who already have those tires. When looking through reviews, look for people who drive a similar car to yours (truck, SUV, sports car, etc.) and skim past the reviews of people who have driven less than 25% of the tire’s lifespan. If a tire lasts 50,000 miles, look for the reviews of people who have driven at least 12,500 miles on the tires. Your car will always drive well on new tires. The true test of a tire’s durability comes after it’s had some ...[more]

  Tags: tire, Buy New Tires
  Posted in: Tires 101

Strange Traffic Laws from Around the World

January 17th, 2019
If you’ve ever driven in a foreign country, you’ve probably encountered your fair share of strange traffic laws. Did you know you’ll be fined for driving a dirty car in Russia or for driving without a breathalyzer in your car in France? Some of these laws are hard to believe!
 
1. In Russia, you will be fined for driving a dirty vehicle.
 
Strange Traffic Laws Around the World
2. In Germany, it is illegal to run out of fuel on the Autobahn.
 
3. In Alabama it is legal to drive the wrong way down a one-way street, but only if you attach a lantern to the front of your vehicle.
 
4. Here’s another fun one from Alabama: It is illegal for a driver to be blindfolded while operatin ...[more]
  Tags: Traffic Laws
  Posted in: Auto Repair 101
<< Previous 34567891011 Next >>