Back in the early days of automobiles, prospective buyers would kick the front tires as a quality test before making the purchase.  The phrase “kick the tires” eventually became synonymous with assessing the quality of something before making an investment. 

When it comes to your vehicle’s tires, merely kicking them will not tell you a lot about their quality or condition.  In this month’s blog post, we examine four practical ways to keep your tires maintained and stay confident that they are performing effectively and safely for you and your vehicle occupants.  Continue reading “Basic Tire Maintenance” →

Is your ride feeling a big rough or bumpy lately?  Do you notice significant squeaking or bouncing when making a turn?  If you are dealing with these issues or other unusual driving sensations, you may have a problem with the shock absorbers (shocks) or struts within your vehicle’s suspension system.  In this month’s blog post, we examine how shocks or struts play a role in your suspension system, and what to look for if there are developing problems. Continue reading “Addressing Shock or Strut Problems” →

Consider this nightmare road scenario:

You are driving along a dark country road late in the evening and a belt suddenly breaks.  Your vehicle is inoperable.  It’s late, and you fumble to find your phone in hopes that you can reach a roadside service for assistance.

Scenarios like this can happen, especially if you ignore important maintenance items like your vehicle belts.  In this month’s blog, we examine the function of your vehicle’s belts, and look at a specific problem you might encounter with a component of the belt system – the belt tensioner. Continue reading “The Belt Tensioner” →

Every driver knows the importance of regular oil checks and replacement.  Oil is the lifeblood of your vehicle, and without it, the engine would cease to operate.  Motor oil lubricates important engine parts, helps to regulate temperature, and works to keep your engine parts clean.

What many drivers may not know is that several of their vehicle’s systems also utilize fluids that share a similar purpose as oil does for the engine.  While these fluids do not require the aggressive maintenance checks as oil, they do need to be serviced at some point in the lifecycle of the vehicle. Continue reading “Vehicle System Fluid Flushes” →

In the not-too-distant past, vehicle owners often spoke about giving their vehicle a much needed “tune up”.  The term “tune up” has a different meaning today, but it is still an important maintenance function that should not be overlooked.

In this month’s blog, we examine the modern “tune up”, share its purpose, and what is involved with this service.  If you have not had your vehicle in to get a tune-up, we highly recommend it to increase the longevity and function of your vehicle. Continue reading “The Modern Tune Up” →