What Happened to My Fuel Economy?

June 29th, 2017

You notice that suddenly your vehicle seems to be getting worse gas mileage than it did awhile back. Why? What happened?Gas Milage

Like with most things on your vehicle, there can be numerous problems at the root of poor fuel economy. Let’s start with the simple ones and work our way to the more complicated issues:

Tires: This one’s easy. Underinflated tires mean more rolling resistance (think about riding a bike with a low tire), and more rolling resistance means poorer fuel economy. Check your tire inflation at least once a month, while the tires are cold, using a good quality tire gauge. Even a pound or two of underinflation can be enough to cause problems!

Air filter: The air filter is made of pleated paper or fabric elements which pre ...[more]

  Posted in: Auto Repair 101

The Latest in Green Tech Innovations for Tires

May 12th, 2016

When it comes to your car, oil isn't the only thing there's a finite supply of. Rubber has its limits too, and it's estimated by 2020, the supply of natural rubber in the world may be outstripped by demand. And of course, tires require a great deal of oil to produce as well. Tire manufacturers are constantly looking for ways to innovate and conserve resources in tire production. Here are some recent advances:

  • Dandelions: Yes, those humble yellow flowers you try to eliminate from your yard. Dandelions actually contain a minute amount of latex in their milky oil, and research shows they can actually produce about as much latex, pound-for-pound, as rubber plants. German scientists have cultivated 1-foot-tall dandelions for just this purpose. This isn't a new development, either -- in WWII, Amer ...[more]
  Posted in: Tires 101

Squeeze a Few More Miles Out of That Gallon of Gas

December 17th, 2015
If you’re past “a certain age,” you might remember when gas was $1.50 per gallon, or $1.00 per gallon, or 59 cents, or what-have-you…but the truth is that everything has gotten more expensive. After all, when gas was $1.00 per gallon, a nicely tricked-out Chevrolet Caprice Classic was selling for about $6,000 brand new. 

 
Now that we’re well into the 21st century, gas prices are likely to fluctuate, but one thing’s for sure: gas is likely to never be “cheap” again. We know that everyone’s trying to get a little more out of every dollar, and whether you’re driving a big SUV or a subcompact, there are things you can do to help your vehicle’s fuel economy: 
  Posted in: Auto Repair 101

Five Tips for Thanksgiving Travel

November 27th, 2014
1. Tires: Ensure tire pressure is properly serviced and maintained for both lengthy travels and everyday driving. Underinflation of tires can cause unnecessary wear and hardship to tire tread, causing tire failure or malfunctions. If not properly inflated, fuel economy can be severely decreased, causing drivers to lose about .6 miles per gallon due to improper tire conditions. Whether over or under inflated, tires can easily lose traction that could lead to an accident if not addressed. Service tires before Thanksgiving travel this holiday season to avoid unnecessary accidents, injury or inconvenience.
 
2. Headlights: Maintaining proper safety and visibility is imperative for winter driving conditions as travelers often drive in less t ...[more]
  Posted in: Auto Repair 101

Back-to-School Car Maintenance Checklist

August 14th, 2014
As summer quickly comes to a close, fall is right around the corner!  And with fall comes several items that need to be on the “back-to-school check list” to help students prepare for their upcoming school year.  
 
Completing a car maintenance checklist is imperative to both student safety and mobility.  It also underlines the importance of auto repair and tire service to maintain properly serviced vehicles. Use this simple back-to school checklist for tips to ensure auto repair and tire conditions are suitable for school travel this fall. 
 
Spark Plugs: Checking spark plugs is an easy inspection that can prevent an inconvenient vehicle failure. Soiled or damaged plugs could leave you stranded ...[more]
  Posted in: Auto Repair 101

Simple Vehicle Maintenance to Improve Fuel Economy

April 30th, 2014
With fluctuating fuel prices soaring higher each day, we will do almost anything to save money on transportation especially when it comes to conserving fuel.   However, traditional tips such as turning off the air conditioning and driving slowly are not the only ways to conserve gas mileage. In fact there are many simple, painless steps any vehicle owner can take to ensure their car is operating as efficiently as possible with minimal effort. Taking these steps to conserve gas mileage will not only save money, but also build healthy habits for your vehicle to ensure safety and maintain quality of the vehicle.
 
Be conscientious of your tire pressure. Most vehicle owners underestimate the importance of properly inflated tires.  When inflated properly, you can save nearly 4% on gas mileage. Under-inflated tires c ...[more]
  Posted in: Tires 101, Auto Repair 101