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: 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 accelerate. Pull – Pulling is a sign you need a wheel alignment. Pulling occurs when your steering wheel is turning to the left or right on its own while you attempt to steer straight ahead. OEM – OEM parts are those created by the original manufacturer. OEM stands for Origi ... read more
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 Reviews
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 miles put on it. 2. Be on the Lookout for Rebates
When you know the life of your tires is coming to an end, start looking for manufacturer rebates on tires. Top brands like Goodyear, Pirel ... read more
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. 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 operating a vehicle (Doesn’t this one make you wonder what inspired the law to be passed?). 5. In Ontario, all sleighs must be equipped with a minimum of two bells. You will not be laughing all the way with only one bell because you will be slapped with a $5 fine. 6. If you planned on recreating the Kentucky Derby on a Canadian highway, we’ve got some bad news. It is i ... read more
Tires are one of the most important parts of your vehicle. Poorly maintained tires can lead to dangerous or deadly accidents at worst and a negative impact on your vehicle’s handling at best. It’s important for every driver to regularly inspect their tires for proper inflation, tread depth, and sidewall condition. Performing this quick, regular check can help you stay safe on the road. Step One: Check Your Tread Depth This step is probably one you know. Worn out tread on your tires can prevent you from maintaining traction on the road and even keep you from being able to brake properly in an emergency. To check your tread depth, place a penny between the tread blocks of your tire. With Lincoln’s head upside-down, you should not be able to see the top of the President’s head. If you can see any space between Lincoln’s head and the edge of the penny, your tread is worn, and it is time for new tires. Step Two: Check for Cracks on Your Tires Cracking hap ... read more
These days, cars are getting better gas mileage than ever before. You don’t even have to buy a hybrid anymore to own a vehicle averaging 30 or 40 MPG. Many car owners notice that after a while, their MPG starts to wane. It’s easy to brush this off if you are still getting decent mileage, but this decrease in performance is often a symptom of bigger issues with your vehicle. These are the most common reasons for a decrease in gas mileage: Bad Fuel Injectors: Fuel injectors are what puts fuel in your engine. If your fuel injectors are leaking or dirty, less fuel is making it to the engine, leading to a decrease in performance and gas mileage. Using the A/C Too Often: If you live in a milder climate, consider turning off the A/C and rolling down your windows instead. Having your A/C on wastes a lot of fuel on powering the system. At higher speeds, however, be sure to roll up your windows, as leaving them down creates drag. Your Driving Habits: If you are an aggressive driver, you may be ... read more
If possible, when replacing one tire, you should always try to purchase as close as possible to the existing tires on your vehicle. A matching tire will have the same tread pattern, construction, and size as your existing tires. We never recommend you use mismatched tires unless specifically recommended by the manufacturer of your vehicle. A few ways drivers will mismatch tires include: using tires with different tread patterns, using tires made by different manufacturers, using tires made for different seasons (summer vs. winter tires) and using tires with different sizes. Every unique tire is designed for a specific job, a specific handling capability and to work together with a set of matching tires. If you use mismatched tires, your car can experience unpredictable handling and braking, which can be dangerous in an emergency. Additionally, mismatched tires can cause your tires to wear unevenly, making the time to replace your tires again come sooner than expected. Ideally, you wo ... read more
Few things are more inconvenient than a flat tire on your way to work or an important event. No one ever expects it to happen, but people get flats and find themselves stranded every day of the year for various reasons. These are a few of the top reasons people find themselves with a flat: Extreme Temperature: If you’ve ever experienced a steep drop in temperature overnight, you may have noticed the “low pressure” light on your dash the morning after. For every 10 degrees Fahrenheit the temperature changes, your tires gain or lose 1 pound of pressure per square inch. When the temperature suddenly drops, your tires lose pressure. When the temperature escalates quickly, your tire pressure increases. Sometimes, in extreme heat, your tire pressure will expand beyond what your tires can handle, causing a failure in tire integrity. Leaking Valve Stem: The valve stem on your tire is the valve that opens to allow you to fill your tires with air. The valve stem automatically seals to keep the ... read more
Finding that fluid which is leaking from your car can be alarming. It is possible fluid leaking from your car could be normal, but other times leaking fluids are a symptom of a bigger problem with your vehicle. Before you panic, there are two questions you need to ask: 1) “Where is the fluid coming from?” and 2) “What does the fluid look like?” When determining where the fluid is coming from, first find out for certain whether the fluid is even coming for your vehicle and not the vehicle parked in the space before you. If you are unsure, just get down and take a good look under the car with a flashlight or your cell phone. Once you have determined that the leak is indeed coming from your vehicle, stick a piece of white paper or cardboard under the leak to catch some of the fluid and determine its color. Depending on the color, the fluid could be several different things: Red or Pink: Red or pink fluid is usually either transmissio ... read more
If you’ve ever taken a car in to be serviced, you’ve probably been asked by the mechanic, “What type of oil are you getting?” If you’re like most people, you probably just say “Whatever it takes,” or “Whatever you recommend!” Depending on your vehicle, the mechanic may recommend one of four types of motor oil: full synthetic, synthetic blend, conventional, or high mileage. Each type of oil has a specific chemical makeup and purpose it is best suited for: Conventional Motor Oil: Conventional motor oil is the most commonly used type of motor oil. It is ideal for late-model, light-duty cars with low to average mileage and simple engine design. Full Synthetic Motor Oil: Full synthetic motor oil differs from conventional motor oil in that it provides a higher viscosity level, resistance to oxidation and thermal breakdown, and helps prevent oil sludge from accumulating. Synthetic motor oil can also reduce engine drag and improve your vehicle’s horsepower capabilities. Synthetic oil is much ... read more