Maintenance Tips for Your Vehicle
Buying a new can means starting out with a clean slate. It’ss up to you to do your part to keep it running like new for as long as you own it. New cars are expensive, but if you want to avoid the headaches that come with breakdowns, you need to maintain it properly from day one. It’s best to bring your vehicle in for regular maintenance, but when you can’t, here are some things you should check. Under the Hood Maintenance Your engine is the heart of any vehicle you buy. It is also the most important place for you to keep a close eye on overall maintenance. Your owner’s manual has a recommended maintenance schedule inside that you need to follow closely. Not only will this help your engine last longer, but it will keep your warranty valid. Oil Level: You should check the oil level in your car’s engine at least once per month. If it looks dirty or has more than the recommended miles on it, feel free to bring it into us for an oil and filter change. Air Filter: Depending on the time of year and where you live, your air filter will become dirty and clogged at different intervals. You should check it at the same time you check the oil level and replace it when it looks dirty. This will save wear and tear on your engine and help to keep your fuel economy low. Automatic Transmission Fluid: Check the condition and level of the automatic transmission fluid as per the chart in your owner’s manual. Be sure to have the fluid and filter changed per the recommended intervals or if it starts to look dirty or smells burnt. Belts and hoses: Today’s vehicles run on a single belt that operates all external engine accessories. If it breaks, you will lose electrical power, air conditioning and power steering. Inspect it for cracks or damage and have it replaced as necessary. Visually inspect the hoses for cracking, dry rot, or damage and have them replaced as necessary. Antifreeze/Coolant: Check the level in the coolant reservoir on a monthly basis when the weather is hot. Top of with an approved coolant mixed 50/50 with water. If it appears to be dirty or your car has reached the appropriate mileage, be sure to bring it in for a flush and refill. Other Areas of Maintenance Tires: These are the only parts of your car that should ever touch the road. They must be properly inflated in order for them to maintain full contact with the road and ensure you have full control of your vehicle at all times. Check the tires’ pressure at least once per month when the tires are cold. You should also have them rotated every other oil change to ensure maximum mileage. These are only a few of the more important maintenance tips for your new car. There are many more available in your owner’s manual for you to follow. If you have any questions about maintenance and how to perform the various tasks, please come in and talk to one of our service writers. They will be happy to go over your vehicle and point out its maintenance needs and how to take care of them with you.
1. “DO I NEED SNOW TIRES?” – Snow tires can be extremely important if you live in an area that gets snow, ice, sleet or freezing rain and temperatures of 40 degrees or colder. They are also a good idea if you are planning on taking road trips that will take you through snow or over mountains in the colder months. 2. “IF MY TIRES ARE MARKED ‘M+S’ ON THE SIDEWALL AM I GOOD TO DRIVE ON SNOW?” – You may see some tires marked with “M+S”, this stands for mud and snow. While these are most likely decent tires, they only deliver better traction in wet conditions than non-M+S tires. In cold and/or slick conditions, these tires may not provide you the traction and control you need. If it is true snow tires you are looking for, look for tires with a Mountain Snowflake symbol on the side. This means they have been tested and certified to perform under winter conditions.3. “I HAVE ALL-SEASON TIRES, SO I DON’T NEED SNOW TIRES. RIGHT?” – Unfortunately, this is not the case. Only snow tires can give you the stopping ability and secure handling you’ll need when driving on wet or icy roads. The difference is the rubber the tires are made of. Winter tires are made with a rubber that is softer and more pliable in winter conditions. The more flexible the rubber, the better traction you get on wet and icy roads. 4. “SHOULD I GET MY SNOW TIRES SIPED?” – Siping is the process of cutting thin slits across the surface of a tire to improve traction for driving in snowy, wet or icy conditions. Siping can also help manage tire heat when the road is overly hot. Most winter tires are already siped, but additional sipping may be needed for used or worn tires. 5. “IS IT OKAY TO BUY USED WINTER TIRES?” – It may take some work, but you can find some nice used snow tires. Here are a couple things to look out for though. One, make sure they are the right size. You can verify this by looking in your owner’s manual for you exact tire size. Second, measure the tread depth with a tread depth gauge. You may want to pass if there are 6/32nds of an inch or less of tread left on the tire. Third, be sure there’s not a problem with uneven wear. Did your tread gauge measurements show any tread depth difference between the four tires?6. “CAN I JUST BUY CHAINS INSTEAD OF SNOW TIRES?” – Chains are definitely important, and they definitely have their time, but chains are mainly for traveling at a slower rate on icy mountain roads. They aren’t made for highway driving, or driving at high speeds. Snow tires are ideal for everyday driving is areas with icy/snowy conditions. 7. “DO I NEED STUDDED SNOW TIRES OR STUDLESS?” – You can work with your tire dealer to go over what your driving habits are, and they will give you their recommendations. Studless snow tires usually work best in slushy areas, or areas with pact snow. Studded tires are mainly used in icy areas with heavy snowfall. The studs in the tires dig into icy surfaces and create more traction. –
20 things You Can Do to Save Gas While Driving
1. Drive less2. Warm up your car for shorter lengths of time – Idling your car for anything over a minute wastes fuel and omits large amounts of greenhouse gas. 3. Buy gas early or late in the day – Gas is cooler earlier in the day, and more dense. As temperatures rise, gas density falls and you get less of it when you pump.4. Slow down and drive steady – Driving fast increases drag, which increases fuel consumption. 5. Monitor when and how you brake – Braking excessively wastes gas.6. Turn off the engine – Turn off your vehicle you are waiting, excess idling is a major waste of gas.7. Eliminate wind resistance – Remove unneeded car racks and carriers.8. Avoid gas stations near the highway – Gas stations near the highway are usually the most expensive.9. Don’t wait until your tank is almost empty to fill up – You’ll be stuck paying for whatever gas you can find nearby.10. Monitor your tires – Under-inflated tires tend to wear out quicker and waste gas.11. Tune the engine – A properly tuned engine uses less gas.12. Change filters – Clean filters help to keep cars running more fuel efficiently.13. Use the correct motor oil – Using the wrong motor oil can cause the engine to work harder and waste gas.14. Turn off the A/C – Using you’re A/C too much can make your car a gas-guzzler.15. Drive a manual – Manual transmission cars are more fuel-efficient than automatic transmission.16. Manage your speed – Use cruise control whenever possible to manage your speed and conserve fuel.17. Choose the best route – The shortest route isn’t always the most fuel-efficient way to go. Use the route with the least stop signs and stop lights.18. Fill your gas tank near state lines – Due to different tax rates, you may save a bundle just by crossing into another state.19. Consider buying a fuel-efficient car – Even several models of affordable non-hybrids can get 40 miles per gallon.20. Download a gas app – Using an app can really help you save at the gas pump – sometimes more than $0.20 per gallon.
Hydroplaning 101
Picture this: You are calmly driving down the road, when all of the sudden your car starts to lose control as if it was on ice skates. The only thing is it is just raining, no ice in sight. This was most likely caused by a phenomenon called “Hydroplaning”. Hydroplaning occurs when a vehicle’s tires encounter more water than they can scatter. Water pressure in the front of the wheel pushes water under the tire, and the tire is then separated from the road surface by a thin film of water and loses traction. The result is loss of steering, braking and power control. Hydroplaning is one of the leading causes of fatalities in bad weather. If you find yourself hydroplaning, there are things you can do to help yourself recover. Take a look below and make sure you’re prepared.
1. Do not use your brakes. Your first reaction may be to hit your brakes when you start to feel a loss of control. Unfortunately, this is a big no-no. Sudden braking on a wet roadway can cause your vehicle to skid completely out of control.
2. Gently turn your vehicle in the direction it is hydroplaning. Again, this is going to seem like the wrong thing to do, but this will realign your tires in the direction you are heading and help you regain control.
3. Wait to regain control. The driver will be able to feel when he or she has regained control of their vehicle. Too many adjustments too early can sometimes compound the effect.
How to Prevent Auto Theft
Even if you have great luck and religiously lock your car doors, you still can fall victim to car theft. Every 45 seconds, a car is stolen somewhere in the U.S, according to the National Insurance Crime Bureau (NICB). Here are tips to prevent your vehicle from being stolen:
• Keep your vehicle locked at all times, even while driving.• When parked, never leave your keys in the car. Close all the windows and the sunroof.• Never leave your car running and unattended.• Avoid leaving valuables inside your vehicle where passersby can see them.• Install an anti-theft system in your vehicle if it doesn’t have one. Thieves are reluctant to steal vehicles if they know the cars can be recovered quickly.
Tips to Keep Your Car From Overheating
Engines can overheat when they are being worked too hard, and other times they overheat because there is a problem with the cooling system. Summer weather can definitely contribute to the engine overheating so this is a great time to review before anything happens. Keep reading to learn what to do in the event your engine shows sign of overheating and be prepared before you hit the road for any long trips.
Always have 1 spare gallon of coolant and 1 gallon of distilled water in your trunk.
Keep an eye on your temperature gauge while driving. It takes a little practice but is worth it since many people don’t notice until their car is overheating.
If the gauge rises, pull over when possible. If you see the temperature gauge rising or steam coming from under the hood, pull over, shut the vehicle off, and open the hood to allow the engine to cool off faster. However, if it’s unsafe or impossible to pull over, turn off your air conditioning and turn on your heat max hot and blower fan on high. This will cool the engine by pulling heat into the passenger compartment. Then, when conditions permit, pull over and turn the vehicle off.
1. Let the engine cool off before you do anything. 2. Check the radiator for leaks. 3. Refill antifreeze / coolant levels.4. Check radiator and hoses for leaks, blockages or bursts. 5. Carefully monitor the temperature gauge. 6. Keep a safety kit in your car with food, water, coolant, flashlight, blankets.
Checking Your Oil Made Easy
Engines need a thicker oil in the summer months because of the summer heat and its effects on thinning the oil out. When the weather cools down, you can switch back to a lighter, thinner oil, which will help preserve gas mileage in the winter months. Here’s how to check your oil though and see if it’s time for a change.
Getting You Car Ready For Warmer Weather
Now is the time to get your vehicle ready for those spring and summer road trips, and to check on those things that might have been ignored during the winter months. As drivers and vehicle owners, we do not want to overlook any important maintenance. Therefore, spring is a great time to focus on any vehicle maintenance that might need your attention.
Follow our Simple Spring Maintenance Checklist below: Wash, Wax & Clean the Inside tooInspect the tires & Tire Pressure Change your Wiper Blades Check under Your Hood Check Fluid LevelsCheck Alignment & Suspension Consult your maintenance schedule
If vehicle maintenance is not your thing, don’t worry, stop by our service department today and our certified technicians are available and ready. OUR SERVICE CONVENIENCE SAVES YOU TIME and MONEY ON YOUR REPAIR as we work on all makes and models including Imports. Our guests will enjoy many amenities while waiting for their vehicle in service not to mention you are always welcome to bring in your vehicle without an appointment. We take the stress out of servicing your vehicle.
Save money now and avoid expensive mechanical issues in the future. Trust us when we say that caring for your vehicle and following routine maintenance will ensure the safety and the longevity of your car!
Car Tax Cuts
Have you ever wondered what types of tax breaks you are eligible for? Want to learn more? Read on.
On the off chance that you utilize your auto only in your business, you can deduct auto costs, as indicated by the Turbo Tax site. In the event that you utilize your auto for both business and individual purposes, you should separate your costs based on mileage. Auto deductions are for a car, van, and pick-up or board truck utilized for business as indicated by the IRS web site. It is important to be aware that the commute between one’s home to work is a personal expense and not deductible.
However, if you drive from your usual work spot to another work related site whether it be a meeting in a different office, the store to buy office supplies or the airport, those are tax deductible miles. However if your employer pays you back for mileage, your miles are not deductible.If you use your car just for work then you will be able to deduct 100% of your expenses are deductible. This includes parking fees, registration fees, gas, and insurance. It’s important to keep your receipts to keep tabs on your expenses.
If you unfortunately happen to be in a car accident and the other driver isn’t able to fully reimburse you for the damage done to your car, you might be able to get a deduction for the amount you were reimbursed for as a casualty loss. This includes if the the value of your car goes down as a result of the accident.
Please refer to refer to IRS Publication 463, Travel, Entertainment, Gift, and Car Expenses https://www.irs.gov/uac/car-and-truck-expense-deduction-reminders). For a list of current-year and prior-year mileage rates see “Standard Mileage Rates.” There’s is also a table included for those who lease their vehicles.
Car Accident Avoidance Tips
In light of the new year, we’d like to go over a few accident avoidance practices. Drive safe everyone.
1. Check blind spots.
Side mirrors and review mirrors are not enough. Always do a head check before changing lanes. Also be aware of other vehicle’s blind spots as they could not be looking.
2. Judge the driver by the cars condition.
Typically a driver with an expensive car or a well-maintained car hints that they are cautious with their vehicle, which can also mean they are cautious drivers. Those who don’t take care of their car might not be as cautious.
3. Know your car’s limit.
Understanding what your car can do is an advantage. Don’t over do it – pushing it to drive through poor conditions if it can’t handle it is dangerous.
4. Keep your car in good shape.
Regular maintenance like oil changes, tire rotations and changing brakes not only help keep your vehicle in peak operating condition it also helps make you drive safer.
