Car Care Tips

Car Care Tips

Oil Level:

You’ll get a more accurate dipstick reading by waiting few minutes after turning off the engine, giving the oil time to drain from the crankcase into the oil pan. And make sure the vehicle is on level ground!

Engine Overheating:

If your engine overheats in summer traffic, turn off the air conditioner and turn the heater and fan to their highest levels. You’ll get warm, but you’ll cool down the engine.

Removing Carpet/Fabric Stains:

Rub stubborn stains with a damp cloth moistened with club soda or glass cleaner. Or try denture cleaner dissolved according to directions on the package. It’s a good idea to do a spot test first.

Windshield Wiper Blades

Replace Your Wiper Blades For Optimal Winter Driving Visibility.

Tire Pressure:

For a true tire pressure reading, check tires when they’re cold, after your vehicle has been idle for at least three hours. You’ll find a sticker on the underside of the trunk lid or edge of the driver’s door that tells the proper tire inflation for your car or truck.

Remember that over-inflated tires wear out more quickly in the tread center and under-inflated tires wear out more quickly at the tread’s outer edge. Under-inflated tires also cause an increase in rolling resistance, which can lead to increased fuel consumption.

Winter Tips for Vehicle

Make sure you have a heavy-duty ice scraper and snow brush in your vehicle. A whiskbroom also makes an excellent snow brush.

Cold weather reduces tire pressure, so check tire pressure often. See your owner’s manual for directions and details.

Cold weather affects battery efficiency. Most cold-weather breakdowns occur because batteries aren’t delivering full cranking power. Also check to make sure battery cables are corrosion-free.

In severe winter temperatures, you may have to change the grade of your engine oil. Check your owner’s manual for the viscosity grade recommended for your vehicle’s engine.

Put on snow tires if you live in major snow belt areas. Check your owner’s manual for details and recommended practices.

Check your wiper blades. Cold temperatures can make blades brittle, and ice on the windshield can cause nicks in the blades, decreasing performance.

If you’re planning a trip, take a blanket, extra-warm clothing, a collapsible shovel, a bag of road salt and an extra bottle of windshield washer fluid.