Fun Fact Friday is Back! And this week, we're talking about your tires.
Did you know that you should be aware of what your tire's speed rating is?
If you're not aware, you could be at greater risk for a blowout or a car crash.
Here are the top 10 car maintenance mistakes and what you can do to avoid them:
1. Mistake: Not getting someone to check your tires at least 2x a year.
Solution: Check your owner's manual for suggested pressure and rotation check periods.
2. Mistake: Not replacing your wiper blades when the rubber has hardened and makes squeaking noises.
Solution: Replacing your wiper blades very fall is ideal, and more frequently in certain climates.
3. Mistake: Not changing your spark plugs every 100,000 miles.
Solution: Check and replace your spark plugs, coolant and timing belt every 60, 000 and 120, 000 miles all together to save you time and effort.
4. Mistake: Filling up your car with higher-than-required octane.
Solution: Use the correct octane for your engine's rating ONLY. Not doing so wastes your money, and does not improve your engine's performance.
Are your headlights or taillights difficult to replace? Don't waste your time fiddling with them. We can put them on for you!
Just pop by and see us any time
We're over the mid-week hump again! That means two more days of driving in rush hour traffic, for most of us, to get to work.
Here are some tips to help you drive more efficiently to save gas:
1. Drive sensibly, not aggressively. Speeding, braking and rapid acceleration wastes gas and can lower your fuel economy by 33% at highway speeds and 5% in the city.
2. Observe the speed limit. Gas mileage usually decreases above speeds of 50 mph. Observing the speed limit is also safer.
3. Remove excess weight. Avoid keeping unnecessary items in your vehicle. This usually affects smaller vehicles more than larger ones, at a rate of 1%-2%/100 lbs reduction of your MPG.
4. Avoid excessive idling. Idling can use up 1/4 to 1/2 a gallon of gas per hour depending on the size of your engine and whether you have an a/c.
5. Using cruise control on the highway helps you maintain your speed, and saves you money on gas.
Drive smart, and have a nice car!
Don't use a vinegar-water solution to de-ice your windows and mirrors.
A common consensus among car detailers is that if the vinegar solution is not removed properly, it could remove the wax from your car and damage the paint, the seals and any chrome surfaces it comes into contact with.
Use commercial products instead, and follow the instructions closely on the packaging.
Scraping ice from your side mirrors scratches them, so put a sock on them!
The frost and ice will adhere to the fibers in the sock, and leave your mirror clean and clear.
We're over the mid-week hump, and a little bit closer to the long weekend. Use this time to put winter tires on your car. Don't wait! Otherwise, you risk waiting a long time for an appointment and paying a lot more than you need to.
Have a nice car!
Avoid costly 'surprises' by having your car checked for minor damages like scratches before you return your leased vehicle to the leasing company. Come and see us today for a free check-up and estimate.
Check out The Weather Channel's tips on how to Winterize your car!
Bare metal rusts when exposed to water, and salt on winter roads speeds up the process. Take are of rust on your vehicle right away the right way. Give us a call!