Keep your vehicle maintained..
How to Keep Your Wheels on the Road: Warning Signs
Signs You May Need New Shocks or Struts:
Roll or sway on turns.
Front end dives when braking.
Rear end "Squats" when accelerating.
Vehicle bounces or slides sideways on a winding, rough road.
Vehicle "bottoms out" (with a thump)
Help Your Car Keep Its Cool: Clean, Flush, Refill
To avoid problems resulting from rust, dirt and mineral deposits in the cooling system, it's best to give it an internal cleaning every year or two.
Power Loss
How long since the fuel filter was changed? A dirty filter is a common cause of power loss. As noted under "poor gas mileage", there can be many causes of this condition, most of which can be located with a diagnostic procedure.
Poor Gas Mileage
By keeping a regular check of gas mileage (miles driven divided by gallons used) you can tell if your engine is losing efficiency. Increased gas consumption may be accompanied by other symptoms listed in this website.
NOTE
Poor gas mileage also may be due to:
Under inflated tires
Engine running too cold
Transmission malfunction
Dragging brakes
Misaligned wheels
Properly maintain your tires.
No tire can provide good wet traction once the tread is worn below 2/32nd's of an inch (0.16cm) tread depth. Check your tires regularly and replace them at the proper time. Also, maintain the proper air pressure in your tires; check your vehicle manufacturer handbook or the door jamb for the proper air pressure for your particular vehicle and tires. Remember, tires can lose 1 psi for every 10 degree temperature drop.
Prepare Your Car For Winter Driving: Tips
Keep your gas tank over half full for added safety. In extremely cold climates consider installing an engine and/or battery heater.
Anti-freeze protection should be at least -25 degrees (50/50 mix 35 degrees).
Occasionally pour in a can of fuel line anti-freeze in very cold weather.
On cold, windy nights, park with the front of the car away from the wind.
On manual transmission cars, depress the clutch before engaging the starter so it doesn't have to turn the transmission gears which are immersed in 90W gear oil.
Door lock defroster is useless locked inside the car. Keep it in the house, purse, pockets or desk.
Tires deflate as temperature decreases one pound of pressure for every 10 degrees of temperature drop.
A 75 watt light bulb under the hood near the battery can help keep the chill off of the battery; this could help a cold start.
Check your wipers.
Install new wiper blades at least once a year to ensure good vision.
from your family of
Car Care Specialists
at
East Derry Tire & Auto, Inc.
