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Prepare for the end of Daylight Saving Time with proper maintenance of vehicle lighting to ensure safety. After November 2nd, clocks “fall back” which causes most drivers’ commutes to be in darker lighting, being that dusk will occur during peak hours of evening traffic hours. As winter quickly approaches, vehicle lighting should be inspected to ensure optimum visibility for drivers in dim or inclement conditions that command top quality operations of both lighting and windshield wipers.   E...

As Halloween quickly approaches, the spookiest time of the year is right around the corner with plenty of goblins and ghosts to frighten even the most cheerful souls. However, nothing is more frightening than unwanted vehicle malfunctions or foreseeable failures. Prevent excessive auto repair situations with useful tips on Halloween driver safety coupled with careful driving habits to keep any vehicle rolling through this season. Through proper maintenance and inspections, auto repair does not ...

Through proper care and treatment of tires, serious or fatal accidents caused by blowouts are highly preventable if proper precautions are taken.  Because tire blowouts can develop from many situations, drivers should strive to be aware of tire conditions and schedule professional check-ups accordingly. This is especially true during transitional weather periods.  Take particular care to examine tire conditions as quickly changing temperatures can cause weak tires to fail.   Use these helpful t...

Staying current with brake inspection is imperative to avoid costly repairs or replacements. Most major malfunctions and repairs can be avoided with routine maintenance, coupled with driver awareness. Learn signs of needed brake repairs such as: noises, smells and other vehicle malfunctions. Through driver awareness of these symptoms, problems can be easily detected to prevent long-term damages. Use these following tips to detect early signs of needed brake repair and, when these signs appear,...

As most drivers can contest firsthand, tires are not invincible. Composed from many separate layers of steel-encased rubber fabrics and durable materials, tires eventually wear down and can cause vehicle owners costly repairs or even replacement. Understanding what measures should be taken to properly maintain tires will both lengthen tire life and support vehicle functionality and longevity. Tire Pressure Monitoring Systems (TPMS) introduce revolutionary tire protection technology to constantl...

Tire rotation is an easy maintenance item that has long term benefits for any vehicle. When properly maintained, tire rotations can improve fuel economy, extend tire life and provide drivers better handling through improved stability. Frequently servicing vehicles with tire rotations is imperative to sustaining tire tread by ensuring all tires are used evenly without excessive wear to one section or another. Normal tread wear is unavoidable due to uneven vehicle weight dispersal, vehicle perfor...

Tire Glossary A•B•C•D•E•F•G•H•I•K•L•M•N•O•P•R•S•T•U•V•W•Z A Air Pressure The amount of air inside the tire pressing outward on each square inch of tire, which is expressed in pounds per square inch (psi) or kiloPascals (kPa), the metric designation for air pressure. Airtight Synthetic Rubber Formulated with virtually impermeable butyl rubber, this material replaces the inner tube in modern, tubeless tires. Check you air pressure monthly, as some air loss occurs over time....

Snow tires (winter tires) are tires designed for use in winter conditions, such as snow and ice. They are an alternative to the use of snow chains. Snow tires are usually tires with a different rubber composition from all-weather tires. Cold-weather tires include a greater percentage of natural rubber and silica so there is not as much hardening as found in synthetic rubber in cold conditions: they provide better traction at lower temperatures. Snow tires provide more small-tread areas, increa...

A tire pressure warning light (see accompanying image) is a computerized measurement that alerts you when the pressure of one (or more) of your tires falls below 25% of the manufacturer’s recommended psi. Some cars alert you if your tire’s pressure is too high, but the majority of vehicles focus on the more common problem: underinflation. If Your Light Comes On Visually inspect all four tires for damages, then use a tire pressure gauge on the tire (or tires) that your system indicated had lo...

Cleaning Tires Nothing makes a car look sweeter than a shiny set of tires. But don’t put your investment at risk by using just any cleaner. Make sure to only use non-petroleum based products to clean the tires. A number of wheel cleaners may contain harsh acids, alkalis and/or detergents that can damage wheels and paint. However, there are products out there that are safe for all brands of tires as well as environmentally responsible. You can find them at an auto parts dealer near you. Tire St...