April is National Car Care Month: Time to Make Auto Care a Top Priority

Car Care Inspections Reveal 80 Percent of Vehicles Need Service

Analytics are big these days in business, sports and politics. When it comes to auto care, the numbers tell a very revealing story as 80 percent of vehicles need service, a new part and/or repair.

With so many vehicles in need of service, National Car Care Month in April serves as an important reminder to take action today so you can depend on your vehicle down the road. It’s easy to postpone vehicle maintenance when things get busy, but don’t put it off. Addressing minor service needs before they become major will help you avoid unexpected car trouble and unplanned costly repairs.

The Car Care Council reports that vehicles inspected at community car care events held throughout the country in 2015 failed one or more aspects of the inspection process. Some areas posting the highest failure rates include: low fluid levels (washer fluid 26 percent, engine oil 23 percent and coolant 19 percent); clogged or dirty air filters 19 percent; illuminated check engine light 13 percent; worn belts 13 percent; and needed battery service and wiper blade replacement 13 and 12 percent, respectively.

Many maintenance needs are quick and inexpensive to resolve, so it’s easy to make auto care a priority during National Car Care Month. To help you ‘be car care aware,’ the Car Care Council has many free tools available at www.carcare.org, including the popular Car Care Guide and a customized service schedule with email remainders that makes it simple to follow a routine maintenance program.

Spring Car Care

To Idle or Not to Idle, That is the Question

It is that time of the year when many motorists let their vehicle “warm up” or idle before driving. In fact, today’s modern cars are ready to drive in cold temperatures without excessive idling.

Unless you are trying to defrost the windshield or warm the interior of your car, idling is not required for today’s vehicles. In most cases, idling longer than 30 seconds is unnecessary. The best way to warm up your car’s engine is to drive gently at the start. Remember, a vehicle gets zero miles per gallon when idling and the result is lower fuel economy and wasted money.

The idea of idling before driving dates back to when cars were built with carburetors. With new fuel-injection technology, complex computer systems and thinner synthetic oils, drivers don’t need to warm up their cars before hitting the road.

According to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), “When a car idles for more than 30 seconds, it has several negative effects, such as increasing air pollution unnecessarily, wasting fuel and money, and causing excessive wear or even damaging a car’s engine components, including cylinders, spark plugs, and the exhaust system. Contrary to popular belief, idling isn”t an effective way to warm up most car engines."

Car Care for New Drivers

It’s never too early to learn the ABCs of car care.

• A – Always follow a preventative vehicle maintenance plan.
• B – Be sure to have your car inspected when you suspect there is a problem.
• C – Correct the problem to help avoid the inconvenience and potential safety hazards of breaking down away from home.

Most young people can’t wait to drive, but their car care education should begin well before their parents hand over the keys. Understanding the basics of car care before taking the wheel will help keep new drivers safer on the road.

1. Check all fluids, including engine oil, power steering, brake and transmission as well as windshield washer solvent and antifreeze/coolant.
2. Check the hoses and belts to make sure they are not cracked, brittle, frayed, loose or showing signs of excessive wear.
3. Check the battery and replace if necessary. Make sure the connection is clean, tight and corrosion-free.
4. Check the brake system annually and have the brake linings, rotors and drums inspected at each oil change.
5. Inspect the exhaust system for leaks, damage and broken supports or hangers if there is an unusual noise. Exhaust leaks can be dangerous and must be corrected without delay.
6. Schedule a tune-up to help the engine deliver the best balance of power and fuel economy and produce the lowest level of emissions.
7. Check the heating, ventilating and air conditioning (HVAC) system as proper heating and cooling performance is critical for interior comfort and for safety reasons such as defrosting.
8. Inspect the steering and suspension system annually including shock absorbers, struts and chassis parts such as ball joints, tie rod ends and other related components.
9. Check the tires, including tire pressure and tread. Uneven wear indicates a need for wheel alignment. Tires should also be checked for bulges and bald spots.
10. Check the wipers and lighting so that you can see and be seen. Check that all interior and exterior lighting is working properly and replace worn wiper blades so you can see clearly when driving during precipitation.

Be good to me, I’ll be good to you, says your car!

We know you love your car, and you know what, we love them too. So this week, we’ve decided to show you how you can extend your car’s life with everyday things. Even if you don’t plan on keeping your car so long, keeping your car in great condition will help you get more out of your car trade-in for your next upgrade!

1. Drive with care everyday

Being car considerate shouldn’t stop after the break-in. Drive with care every day and your car will reward you with longer intervals without repair. Do not race your car’s engine during start-up.This is a quick way to add years of wear to your engine, especially if it’s cold outside.

2. Don’t fill up if you see the tanker

If you happen to see a gasoline tanker filling the tanks at your local gas station, come back another day or go to a different station. As the station’s underground tanks are being filled, the turbulence can stir up sediment.

3. Go easy when you’re stuck

When stuck in mud or snow, don’t make the problem worse by damaging an expensive component. Gently rocking in an attempt to free the car is fine. But if it looks as though you’re really stuck, don’t keep at it.

4. Lighten up your key chain

Does your car key share a chain with a dozen or more other keys? That’s a pretty heavy load hanging off the car key when it’s in the ignition.The weight, combined with bouncing while you drive, can wear out the tumblers inside the ignition and eventually lead to ignition switch failure.

5. Park in the shade

Of course, a garage is always the ideal place to park your car. But if one isn’t available, minimize interior damage from UV sunlight and heat by always trying to park your car in the shade. If no shade is available or if you find parking under a tree results in bird droppings, use a car shade to minimize the sun’s impact.

How to Improve Fuel Efficiency

When you drive, you will want to improve the fuel efficiency of your vehicle. By doing so, you can also help save on wear and tear of parts of your vehicle. You can help improve the fuel efficiency of your vehicle by simply changing a few driving habits. The most effective step you can take to help reduce costs is to accelerate slowly and to brake over a longer distance. Speeding, braking, and rapid acceleration all lead to wasting gas. If you try to anticipate stoplights and signs, you will get better gas mileage. It is also important to slow down when driving. Gas mileage decreases once you go above sixty miles per hour. Also when you fill your tank with gas, make sure to do it when it is the coolest outside. By fueling it up in the morning or late at night, the fuel will be denser and result in you getting more for the same amount of money.

By keeping your vehicle maintained properly, you can also help with fuel efficiency of it. Having it in for a regularly scheduled maintenance check up will help ensure your vehicle is running the best it can. Be sure to check the tire pressure of your vehicle and by keeping your tires properly inflated it can improve your gas mileage by up to 3.3 percent. Properly inflated tires are safer and last longer. Also checking the alignment of your wheels is important as well. If you notice an issue with the tires, make sure to bring the vehicle in to your trusted auto care center as soon as possible. Catching an issue at the first sign can help you to prevent further damage and wear in the future.

Why Motor Oil Is So Important

Motor oil is more than just a reason to visit your mechanic on a regular basis (more on that later). It is the the protector of the engine. Here are th e4 ways oil protects the engine:

1. Lubricating moving parts
Lubrication is achieved by forming a minuscule barrier layer between moving parts. The lubrication, specifically between the piston rings and cylinder walls, helps to reduce friction, thereby reducing wear. This provides a longer life for the engine and better performance throughout its life.

2. Improving cylinder compression
The lubricating barrier mentioned above fills in any gaps between the piston ring and the cylinder wall. This improves the seal of the cylinder, which helps to improve the ability of the engine to compress the air-fuel mixture and to capture the maximum about of energy from the resulting combustion.

3. Cleaning and preserving
As oil is being produced, a variety of additives are introduced into the formula that help the oil to protect the engine from a variety of different conditions. These can include anti-frothing agents (bubbly liquids include a lot of air, which doesn’t lubricate as well), anti-corrosion agents (which protect against rusting), viscosity modifiers, detergents (which sequester carbon deposits and other insoluble materials in the oil), and pour point depressants (which allow the oil to flow at cold temperatures).

4. Cooling the engine
Oil isn’t as good as water at storing heat (lower specific heat), but it still has a significant conductive cooling effect on the engine via contact with internals and the oil galleries in the engine block. This is in addition to the heat reduction benefit of reducing friction between internal components. Many high-performance cars will feature oil coolers to help maximize this effect.

For Auto Lang Syne...New Year's Resolutions for Your Car

Here are some valuable tips to help you green your car and start off the year the right way.

1. Get your vehicle's body into shape
Most people resolve to get their body into better shape in the New Year. Why not make the same resolution for your vehicle? A simple vehicle maintenance regime -- including measuring your tire pressure, checking for leaks once a month, taking your vehicle in for regular tune-ups and reading the owner's manual -- will help you save money and fuel, and protect the environment. Maintenance regimes vary widely from one vehicle to another so check with the manufacturer of your vehicle and find a trained automotive professional to tune up your vehicle.

2. Be a fuel-efficient driver
Relax behind the wheel. Aggressive driving and speeding can increase your fuel consumption by as much as 35 percent. Slowing down, giving yourself more time and planning your routes ahead of time are just a few of the many things you can do to save money and fuel, and lower your vehicle's emissions.

3. Kick the idling habit
New Year's is a great time to start kicking bad habits like unnecessary idling. It's bad for your wallet, your vehicle, the environment and the health of people around you. Contrary to popular belief, the best way to warm up your car is to drive it at a moderate speed. Idling for 10 minutes a day produces almost a quarter-tonne of carbon dioxide emissions and costs you more than $80 every year!

Avoid using automatic car starters -- they encourage idling and waste a lot of fuel. Even on the coldest winter days (and as long as your windows are defrosted) today's electronically controlled engines allow you to drive away 30 seconds after starting the engine, even on the coldest winter days.

Another option is to use a block heater to warm your vehicle's engine before you start it. Use a timer so that the vehicle will be warm by the time you need it.

4. Check your tire pressure
Your tires need special attention during winter. Cold temperatures decrease the air pressure in tires, which adds to the rolling resistance caused by snow and slush. Measure tire pressure regularly, especially after a sharp drop in temperature. Operating a vehicle with just one tire under-inflated by 8 psi (56 kPa) can reduce the life of the tire by 15 000 kilometres (9,320 miles) and increase the vehicle's fuel consumption by 4 percent. For improved fuel efficiency and enhanced safety, give your tires the attention they need.

Happy New Year!

Windshield Ice and Snow Removal Safety Tips

Windshield ice and snow removal guide for winter driving.

To remove windshield ice and snow, you must have a mind for safety. The added stress on your windshield from the freezing temperatures can lead to disaster if you are not careful.

What matters most for windshield ice and snow removal?
Time is the most important tool. If you rush the removal, you greatly increase the risk of damage.

During the cold winter months, be aware of overnight weather conditions. Plan to get up early after freezing nights with precipitation.

How to prevent windshield ice and snow.

The best offense is a good defense. Listen to the local weather report and try to do the following:

• Park in a garage or covered area. 
• Use window covers or a tarp to cover your car. 
• If your budget is tight, make a windshield cover from paper bags or cardboard, then place the home made covers under the wiper blades. 

Any of these steps will reduce the chance of frozen water on your windshield. In other words, you will not have any ice or snow to remove at all!

Removing windshield ice and snow. 

• Before you get into your car, check to make sure no ice or snow is blocking your tailpipe. A blocked tailpipe could cause a build-up of carbon monoxide in your car. Even if you think it won’t take long, take the time to check the tailpipe and prevent the possibility of carbon monoxide poisoning in your vehicle. 
• Cold glass is under stress; applying heat too quickly causes more stress. Start your car and set the defrost and the fan to “low” to prevent the windshield from heating up too quickly. 
• Allow at least 5 minutes for the windshield to slowly heat up. 
• Use a plastic ice scraper and a soft brush to clear the ice and snow off of your windshield. 
• If you allow plenty of time for your windshield to warm up, a scraper and brush should be sufficient. 
• Use a left-to-right sweeping motion to remove melted ice snow. 
• Make sure you use the edge of the scraper which is designed to remove ice and snow from glass surfaces. Use of other edges of the scraper could scratch or crack the windshield. 
• Be careful if you find you need to chip ice from the windshield. Excessive force can damage the windshield’s integrity and cause cracks or breaks.

Lights Out? Check Vehicle Lighting

Winter is almost here and its arrival means fewer hours of daylight and upcoming holiday travel. Before hitting the road, it is a wise idea to make sure your vehicle’s lights are in proper working order, says the non-profit Car Care Council.

“Lights play a critical role in safe driving, as the chance of an accident increases if you can’t see or be seen,” said Rich White, executive director, Car Care Council. “From the driver’s seat you may not notice a light that isn’t working, so inspect all of your car’s lights and replace those that are out.”

Lights are normal wear items that require periodic inspection and replacement. The vehicle lighting system provides nighttime visibility; signals and alerts other drivers; and supplies light for viewing instruments and the vehicle’s interior. In addition to replacing dimming, rapidly blinking and non-functioning lights, the following tips can help keep you safe:

• Keep headlights, tail lights and signal lights clean. External dirt and debris can dim operational lights from being seen by others. 
• Make sure that your headlights are properly aimed. Misaimed headlights blind other drivers and reduce your ability to see the road. 
• If there is any doubt on whether or not your headlights should be on, turn them on. Lights not only help you see better in early twilight, they also make it easier for other drivers to see you. 
• Don’t overdrive your headlights; you should be able to stop inside the illuminated area, otherwise you are creating a blind crash area in front of your vehicle. 

“Some states have laws that require the headlights to be on with the wipers,” said White. “Keeping your vehicle’s lights properly cared for and replacing wiper blades periodically will help ensure a safer ride, keeping the road ahead well-lit and giving you a clear view.”

Germs & Toxins in Cars

4-SICKLY ELEMENTS FOUND IN MOST CARS

Whether it’s road testing a car or ownership, automobiles can be a sickly environment. Regardless of the car make and model, autos are susceptible to chemicals, microbes and allergens.

Chemical Reactions
Some health advisors recommend opening the window for 10-minutes before turning on the air conditioner. The purpose is to release the toxin, Benzene into the atmosphere, commonly found in vehicles.

Benzene is a cancer causing toxin or carcinogenic. Preliminary research indicates that vehicle upholstery, car dashboards, and air fresheners emit the chemical.

(*Although Benzene is linked to leukemia, very little research has officially associated vehicle interior surfaces to the carcinogen).

Allergens
Dust
Both urban and rural driving environments are predisposed to dust. Dust tends to accumulate along the dashboard. Allergens, including dust mites, mold and pet dander and other unsavory contaminants reside in the dashboard and floors of many vehicles.

Remedy: Regular interior detailing (vacuuming and sanitizing with a non-VOC cleaner) quells most allergens. Vacuum vehicles twice a month during the sultriest months.

Carbon Monoxide
In the summer–on congested roadways, cars can become a repository for carbon monoxide. In dense traffic, pollutants comprised of carbon monoxide trickle in via the AC vents.

Remedy: To prevent CO accumulation from circulating in the car, during heavy traffic, adjust the air conditioner’s settings to recirculate indoor air, only.

Auto care tip: During oil changes, have air filters replaced according to the instructions outlined in the car maker's owner’s manual. This enhances your vehicle’s indoor air quality while upholding your car’s fuel efficiency.

Bacteria

Based on Dr. Chuck Gerba, a University of Arizona microbiologist, vehicles are the “moldiest of all forms of transportation.”

Dr. Gerba’s study on microbes and cars, showed that the dashboard is the most germ ridden area of an automobile. Bacteria was also found predominantly around the coffee holder and change slot.

The germ study verified that car doors, floor mats and seats are rich with microbes as well. Muggy temperatures create a ripe for breeding ground for accelerating mold grow outdoors and indoors.

Remedy: First wipe the dashboard with a dry cloth. Then, follow up with a moist cloth, using a natural essential oil (i.e. eucalyptus, lemongrass) mixing the appropriate ratio of water and alcohol. The combination of alcohol and essential oil disinfects and lubricates the dashboard.

Winter Car Care Tips

It may be easy to forget about giving your car the tender loving care it needs to stay healthy. But with the heavy snow, icy roads and cold weather that winter can bring, now is the time to make sure to care for your vehicle. Cold weather makes pliable material stiffer and more brittle and can make fluids thicker. If you live an area with severe winter weather, you know how dangerous the roads can get and the unique problems winter weather can create for your car.

So, take a look through this list of winter car care tips:

Take your car in for a tune-up.If you haven’t taken your car to the shop for a while, now is the time to do so. A tune-up will help keep your car running longer and may save you money by detecting potential problems early.

Check your tires.On slippery or icy roads, your tires are extremely important to giving you stability and controlled handling. So, make sure to check your tires’ pressure and wear. You can place a penny on its edge in a tread groove to test a tire’s tread. If you can see the top of his hair or any of the tires background, it is time to replace your tires. Do this in several spots because tires don’t wear evenly. You should also take your tires in to get rotated and properly balanced. If you’re in an area with particularly severe winter weather, you should consider purchasing a set of snow tires, which are made specifically for snowy and icy surfaces.

Check your fluids levels.Make sure you check that the transmission, brake, power steering and windshield washer fluids and coolants are filled to proper levels. You should use de-icer windshield washer fluid which will help clear light ice and frost while preventing re-freezing.

Make a winter emergency kit.In addition to the emergency road kit you should already have in your car, it is a good idea to have a special winter car kit. This kit should include things like cat litter or sand for tire traction on snow and ice, an ice scraper and de-icing liquid.

Check your air filters.During the summer and fall, contaminants can get caught in your air filters and will eventually get caught inside your vehicle and cause problems. If you see any debris caught on the filter, it’s a good idea to get the filter replaced.

Winter Driving Tips

Winter driving often poses hazardous conditions for drivers, unfamiliar with navigating slick, icy roads. Here are five basic winter driving tips to observe.

Regardless of what time of year it is, it’s always a good idea to check weather reports and construction updates to plan travel accordingly, deferring travel until there’s a reprieve in any winter weather advisories.

Winter Driving Tip #1: Proper tire management
Tires influence traction, braking and overall road performance on unruly pavement. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) recommends checking tires at least once a month. Use a tire gauge to ensure proper inflation. Also, switch tires seasonally to accommodate driving conditions. (Winter tires have a 6/32 inch tread depth. New vehicle tires average 10/32-inch of tread)

Winter Driving Tip #2: Be prepared.
In addition to checking weather and road conditions prior to road travel, be prepared for unforeseen scenario. In the event of freezing temperatures and to avoid frozen gas line, maintain the gas tank at least 50 percent full. The National Safety Council recommends having a snow shovel, tire jack, jumper cables and chain emergency road kit. It also would be wise to have a bag of sand or salt, flares, solar panel crank radio, and a bottle of water.

Winter Driving Tip #3: Adjust driving distance and speed, drastically.
Unlike the ability to stop, slow down or turn on a dry surface, vehicles don’t have the same control on icy or snow covered roads. Over-acceleration causes automobiles under 10,ooo pounds to lose traction on snowy, icy road conditions. As a result, leave a three to four car distance at speeds under 35 mph; and, five to six auto spaces at speeds over 40 mph.

Winter Driving Tip #4: No time for cruise control.
Any slippery or traction-less road is unsuitable for deploying the cruise control system. Whether it’s rain, ice or snow.

Winter Driving Tip #5: Steer-less on skids.
In the event of a skid, let up on the gas, without slamming on the brakes. Steer less to gain vehicular control.

Bad Habits of Vehicle Owners

When it comes to your car’s “health”, you may be have some bad habits that seem perfectly safe (and smart), but can actually hurt your car in the long run.

Most vehicles are designed to have long lifespans when properly taken care of. But sometimes you may not even be aware that what you’re doing may actually be hurting your car, reducing its lifespan and decreasing its value.

Carrying too much weight.

Just like carrying extra weight around the midsection is bad for your health, hauling too much weight in your car is bad for its suspension, braking and exhaust systems. Having too much weight in your car can put unnecessary stress on some of its critical systems, leading to premature wear. Too much weight makes your engine work harder than it should.

What you can do: Take a look at what’s in your car. Can you remove some of it? Does that cargo carrier really need to stay on your car on a day-to-day basis, or can it be removed until needed? If there are items that can be removed to decrease the weight (and stress) on your car, do it now.

Ignoring a tiny chip in the windshield.

You notice a tiny, speck-like chip in the corner of your windshield. It’s not in your line of sight, so it’s no big deal to ignore it. Right? Wrong. That tiny speck can easily turn into a giant crack – and the need for a full windshield replacement – if it’s ignored. Not to mention the cost of repairing a small windshield chip is usually much lower than the cost to replace an entire windshield.

What you can do: Get the chip repaired immediately.

Never replacing your tires.

Keeping an eye on your tires is critical to the health of your car. But don’t just look at your tire tread – also pay attention to your car’s tire pressure. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) found that underinflated tires are up to 25 percent more likely to overheat, fail and cause an accident. Tire tread is also important, since not having enough tread can cause skidding, shaky steering and vibrations. Even if your tires look fine to the naked eye, it doesn’t mean they are.

What you can do: Check your tire pressure and tread depth every so often. You can use a penny to check depth by inserting the ‘heads’ side down into the tread. If the entire head is visible, you don’t have enough tread. A good rule of thumb is keeping your tires at 2/32” tread depth minimum.

Keeping your car in a heated garage.

You’d think that keeping your vehicle toasty warm during the cold winters is a good thing – and it is for your car’s engine. But not so much for your vehicle’s exterior. When you park your snow or ice-covered car in a warm garage, the heat melts the fluids, which mix with salt from the roads. This combination then sits in puddles on or near your car, and this increases risk of oxidation (rusting).

What you can do: Instead of keeping your car in a heated garage, opt for a non-temperature controlled garage or covered space. Your vehicle will still be protected from harsh winter winds and snow, but it won’t succumb to melting salt, ice and rust.

Not doing research before an auto repair.

Your car’s maintenance is so much like the maintenance of your own health – it’s always smart to be informed. If you have no idea what’s going on with your car, how do you know how serious the repair will be? You also won’t know how long the repair will take or how much the bill will be. Being proactive with your car’s “health” is the best way to take care of it.

What you can do: Do your own research about symptoms of problems before you visit an auto mechanic. This way you’re somewhat prepared for the diagnosis and repair plan, you’re not caught off guard and most importantly, you’re not taken advantage of. Studies have shown that some auto mechanics take advantage of ignorance by charging more than they would for a more educated customer.

Your car’s health is similar to your own – so much so that you might be committing a few bad habits that you think are fine. The first step is to become educated, and the next is to scratch those old bad habits by forming new, better ones. Your car’s lifespan will surely benefit from the changes.

Fall Car Care

Taking a few simple steps now can save you the headaches and cost of an emergency breakdown later. Whether you do it yourself or take your car to a professional service technician, here are four proactive steps to take this fall to make sure your car is ready for winter driving.

1. Battery – Keep the battery connections clean, tight and corrosion-free. Cold weather is hard on batteries, so it’s wise to check the battery and charging system. Because batteries don’t always give warning signs before they fail, it is advisable to replace batteries that are more than three years old.
2. Heater, Defrosters and Wiper Blades – Check that the heating, ventilating and air conditioning (HVAC) system are working properly as heating and cooling performance is critical for interior comfort and for safety reasons, such as defrosting. Fall is also a great time to check your air filters. Wiper blades that are torn, cracked or don’t properly clean your windshield should be replaced. As a general rule, wiper blades should be replaced every six months. When changing the blades, be sure to also check the fluid level in the windshield washer reservoir.
3. Tires – Check the tires, including the tire pressure and tread depth. Uneven wear indicates a need for wheel alignment. Tires should also be checked for bulges and bald spots. If snow and ice are a problem in your area, consider special tires designed to grip slick roads. During winter, tire pressure should be checked weekly as tires lose pressure when temperatures drop.
4. Brakes – Have the brake system checked, including brake linings, rotors and drums. Brakes are critical to vehicle safety and particularly important when driving on icy or snow-covered roads.

Getting your vehicle ready for winter while temperatures are still mild is a proactive approach to preventive maintenance that helps ensure safety, reliability and fewer unexpected repairs when severe winter weather strikes.

Looking to upgrade your vehicle? Call, Click or Stop by Elite Auto Sales today!

Avoid excessive heat where the rubber meets the road

Driving on under-inflated tires not only affects the handling and braking of a vehicle, it can also cause tires to overheat and increase the likelihood of a blowout. This problem becomes even more of a concern when road temperatures are extremely high.

More than half the vehicles on the road were found to have at least one under-inflated tire, according to the Rubber Manufacturers Association. It’s also been reported that 85 percent of motorists do not know how to properly inflate their tires.

Tires should be checked when a car has not been driven, and they should be inflated to the pressure recommended by the vehicle manufacturer, not the number molded into the tire sidewall. Manufacturer recommended tire pressures can be found on a sticker normally located on the driver’s door jamb, inside the glove-box, or inside the fuel filler flap. If the tires on your vehicle are not the tires originally provided with the vehicle , please contact the current tire manufacturer for the recommended tire pressure. Some vehicles use different pressures for the front and rear tires.

While checking the tire pressures—including the spare—drivers should also inspect the tire treads for adequate depth and any signs of uneven wear that might indicate a suspension or alignment problem.

Heat can zap the life from batteries

Most drivers think battery problems occur primarily in winter, but summer heat can negatively impact a car’s battery even more than the bitter cold of winter. Heat and vibration are a battery’s two worst enemies leading to internal breakdown and eventual failure. While drivers cannot do much about the heat, they can make sure their battery is securely mounted in place to minimize vibration.

Another potential summer problem is faster evaporation of the battery fluid, leading to corrosion on terminals and connections. Clean any corrosive build-up from the battery terminals and cable clamps, and ensure the clamps are tight enough so they will not move.

If a car’s battery is more than three years old, it’s a good idea to have it tested by a trained technician to determine how much longer it will last.

It's almost here!