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Have you ever gotten a little too excited using your parking brake? At some point, most of us pull up just a little too hard and get our brake lever jammed.  There are several situations that require a little extra braking power. Knowing when and how to use your brake will help you avoid sticky situations.  When should I use my parking brake? If you drive a manual transmission you might use your emergency brake every time you park your vehicle. You might even be using it when...

Do You Need Winter Tires? Are you curious about the difference between different types of tires? When it comes to winter tires and regular tires, the main difference between the two is tread depth. On winter tires the tread depth starts at between 8 and 9 mm as opposed to 7 and 8 mm on a regular tire. Winter tires have a wider and deeper groove within the tire tread which forms a larger channel for snow and water to travel through and maintains a grip on the road. One of the most important feat...

We frequently get questions about all-season tires when consumers are trying to make the right purchasing decision for  a set of new tires. As the title of the blog asks…”are all-season tires really all-season?” The answer is: it that depends on what part of the country you’re living in. All-season tires are a compromise from the very start. They’re designed for a forgiving ride, low noise, decent handling and good road manners. Maybe not as much as ...

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 repa...

Trick or Treat! Kids and adults both love Halloween with all the candy, costumes and fun of being up late. As witches, superheroes, ghosts and celebrities roam the streets in search of candy and treats, drivers need to be cautious when driving. Halloween can be a dangerous time for drivers and pedestrians alike. Statistics have shown Halloween is one of the deadliest days of the year for pedestrians. It is a night filled with darkness, increased pedestrian traffic and all sorts of distractions....

The US has a wide variety of climates, but generally, weather conditions are cold during the winter and hot in the summer. In southern states, summers are very hot and humid while in the Pacific Northwest, summers are warm with cool mornings and evening conditions. Winter in the South is mild, but in the North conditions are often very cold with lots of snow and below zero temperatures. How do all these variations affect your tires?    The temperature outside has various impacts on your vehicle...

Does your car have an unpleasant, lingering aroma? Usually your first impression will be to check for food that may have been left under seats. If the culprit isn’t food that has gone bad, there are several other reasons that may be the cause of the unpleasant smell. The last thing you want is your passengers in your being uncomfortable by the smell or worse question your hygiene. You need to find the source of the odor because an air freshener will only mask what could be a serious issue.    ...

Old tires can be found everywhere. From the shredded remnants of highway blowouts to mountains of rubber created in landfills, old tires are frequently cast off and forgotten. But what are the other options for tires that are past their prime? You can choose to take them to a tire recycling facility if one is available near you or even create a useful DIY product. Read on to find out all you need to know!   Why Should You Recycle Your Tires? In the US, over 300 million tires are disposed of eve...

If you’re considering buying a used car, your mind is probably whirling with all the possible unseen problems and damage you could be missing. Not to worry though! We’ve put together a quick checklist to help you ensure you don’t have any surprises pop up after the money has been spent.    Follow these quick guidelines the next time you’re out buying a used car:    Step 1 - Do Your Research!   The first step in buying any car is the research before you ever go look at the vehicle in person....

Road trips can be a lot of fun when they are properly planned. They are a great way to bond with your family and explore new places. We know that for most people, traveling safely and comfortably is of the highest priority. For your next road trip, don’t forget about one of the foremost safety concerns for your vehicle: its tires. The tires support the vehicle load, ensure responsive braking and maintain the direction of travel. To guarantee your vehicle’s tires are functioning adequately, th...