You might think about an emergency kit before a winter road trip, but roadside emergencies or neighborhood evacuations can happen anywhere, at any time of year. On even a relatively short trip a breakdown could mean a couple hours in either the heat or cold waiting on a tow truck. Give yourself peace of mind
Did you know it only takes 1/12th an inch of rain and 35 mph to hydroplane? The roads are more dangerous when rain comes after a dry spell. In the first few minutes after it begins to rain, the water mixes with motor oils and oil from new asphalt, resulting in a surprisingly slippery roadway
Have you ever wondered how far you can continue to drive after the low fuel warning light comes on? It’s better to never let your tank run that low, but it can happen to anyone occasionally. Even if you’re off the beaten path, you probably don’t need to immediately panic. Your owner’s manual may
Your vehicle is running fine. So why bother taking it in for an inspection? A lot of reasons! 1. Cut repair costs. Discovering a worn component before it creates major problems can save big money. 2. Safety. A poorly maintained vehicle can drive you into a serious accident. 3. Better performance. This translates to improved
You’ve probably seen them lying around at the side of the road: someone’s outside sideview mirror that’s been knocked off by a driver’s not-so-perfect driving. And you realize the person who owns that vehicle now has lost an important safety feature. Having functional mirrors enhances your safety and that of drivers around you. You probably
Lots of people enjoy that “new car smell”, but there are other smells you may notice coming from your vehicle that can be a sign of a serious and potentially costly issue. By having the source of any odors investigated promptly you can avoid an unexpected breakdown or more extensive repairs down the road. Gasoline
With much of the country under stay-at-home orders for at minimum another month, a lot of us are working from home, shopping even more on Amazon than before, and getting groceries delivered whenever possible. Those fuel savings are welcome to the budget right now, but when your vehicle sits idle for too long, the battery
That little engine part called the spark plug performs a huge job in delivering a vehicle’s power, performance, dependability and fuel efficiency and should be replaced periodically. “Spark plugs are one of the hardest working parts of a vehicle. A spark plug can fire 400 times per minute per cylinder or 1,600 times a minute
Wiper blades may not be the most exciting topic, but they are pretty important. Most of us have had an experience when a sudden snow or rain storm hits while we’re driving; then when we turn on the wipers – nothing but streaks. This can be especially disconcerting at night when the glare of on-coming
If your vehicle’s windshield has a small chip or crack, don’t ignore it, fix it. According to the non-profit Car Care Council, disregarding a small crack now could lead to bigger problems later. “Windshield damage may happen unexpectedly, and should be fixed as soon as possible,” said Rich White, executive director, Car Care Council. “A neglected