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You notice that suddenly your vehicle seems to be getting worse gas mileage than it did awhile back. Why? What happened? Like with most things on your vehicle, there can be numerous problems at the root of poor fuel economy. Let’s start with the simple ones and work our way to the more complicated issues: Tires: This one’s easy. Underinflated tires mean more rolling resistance (think about riding a bike with a low tire), and more rolling resistance means poorer fuel economy. Check your tire ...

So you got a new set of wheels – congratulations! You’re going to want to hang onto it as long as possible, so you’ll want to keep it maintained as well as you can. Here are some suggestions: First, read the owner’s manual carefully and stick to manufacturer’s recommendations for service intervals. There are certain things that are critical enough that failure to adhere to recommendations can void a new car warranty. Don’t let that happen! For instance, just about every manufacturer recom...

In the old days, a tune-up was necessary about every 35,000 miles. It would usually consist of setting the ignition timing, replacing the mechanical breaker points in the ignition, cleaning and adjusting the carburetor and replacing the plug wires and spark plugs. Today, of course, the carburetor’s job is done by fuel injection and the ignition timing and spark are controlled by the engine computer. Few vehicles still have plug wires anymore either, as the distributor was replaced by the compu...

So you come out to start your car one morning and the Check Engine light on the dashboard comes on…and doesn’t go back off again. You can’t really notice any difference in the way the car runs and drives, but it’s on anyway. What does it mean? Since the late 80s, most engine functions have been controlled by a central drivetrain computer. This includes emissions controls, fuel metering and delivery, ignition timing, shift points and many other elements of drivability and performance. The dr...

It can be a lot of work and attention to detail to get your car really clean…especially if it’s pretty dirty to start with…but here are some ideas for truly thorough cleaning that you may not have thought of! --A cheap foam paintbrush can get into crevices (like A/C vents) that might be impossible otherwise. As you loosen up dust from these spots, keep a vacuum cleaner nozzle at work in your other hand to suck up the dust and prevent it from settling other places. --A soft-bristled brush is ...

Often, drivers are mystified by how their cars actually work. It’s to be expected. Even an older car is a complex machine with many sub-assemblies that all work together to move it down the road. As a result, drivers tend to be a little intimidated by auto repair and often tend to not inform themselves by asking the necessary questions of a tech or a garage. Too often, that ends up being a big mistake. Here are some examples of the kinds of things you really should know before any auto repair ...

As a vehicle owner, you know that maintenance and repairs are worthwhile investments. Some vehicle repairs can be unexpected but easy enough to fix, a flat tire, a dead battery, or a blown fuse. However, some repairs require more time and more money to fix, a transmission problem, wear and tear to the vehicle over time, or a failed air-conditioner. Regular maintenance is key to prevent most repairs, but you never know what is ‘just down the road’ for your car or truck. Knowing how to make sma...

  Did you know cold weather puts an added strain on your car battery? When temperatures drop into freezing levels, your vehicle must work harder upon startup and also run its cold weather functions like heating systems, wiper blades, and the defroster.  There are simple steps you can take to winterize your car battery and ensure its best performance through this chilly season: Check the Fluid Levels: Pull of the cap off the battery to get to the hydraulic fluid inside. Using a hydrometer e...

If a tune-up sounds like a simple thing, you’d probably be surprised that many car owners actually forget to have one done regularly. In combination with other preventative maintenance like transmission flushes and oil changes, tune-ups can extend the life of your vehicle by inspecting and restoring vital engine parts. Tune-ups should be done at regular intervals, about every 30,000 miles, and especially in older vehicles. Things wear out overtime, so even if it’s been a few years, you may wa...

Your vehicle is a complex machine with many moving parts and functions. In order to keep those parts moving freely and to reduce damage as well as to keep out water and dirt, one of the most important things you can do is keep engine parts protected and lubricated with an oil change. Regular oil changes are vital to the life of your engine and can extend its performance for years, keeping the engines free of sludge. Most manufacturers recommend changing your oil every 3,000-6,000 miles, dependi...