Showing posts with label car maintenance. Show all posts
Showing posts with label car maintenance. Show all posts

Friday, July 20, 2018

7 Busted Car Myths You Need to Know

image credit: pixabay.com

To satisfy our desire to maximize the performance of automotive vehicles per gallon of fuel, many people resort to techniques that seem believable at the time they were made.

But with the advent of technology and statistics, many of these supposed solutions were proven false. It is always good to know what is real and what are myths, this can help you make an informed decision whether it’s time to seek help from pros like the Toyota service appointment in order to resolve your car problems.

Here are some myths about cars and gases that were once believed to be true:

1. Cheap Gas Stations Sell Cheap Gas

For years, many people, especially drivers and car owners, believed that gas sold at unpopular gas stations doesn’t have the same quality as gas from branded gas stations.

This isn’t true, according to Consumer Reports.

All gas stations, regardless of size and popularity, are regulated by strict laws. They need to comply with government standards with regard to storage, pumping, and distribution in order to sustain operations. Besides, both large and small fuel distribution companies buy fuel from big oil companies.

The difference could actually come from additives that larger fuel gas distributors put into their product. Additives contain chemicals that are designed to clean older engines to enhance their performance. This may have created a slight difference then, but it should no longer matter nowadays with efficient fuel injection systems of modern engines.

2. Premium Gas = Better Mileage

Premium gas is designed for cars with powerful engines. Arguably, it creates a slight difference in power because of its higher octane rating. But it cannot create a significant difference in terms of distance covered per liter. The ability of premium gas to boost performance and economy is just a myth. Use premium gas only if it is recommended in your car owner’s manual.

3. Open Windows = More Fuel

In the not-so-distant past, many car owners believed that winding windows down to let fresh air in create an extra drag that could reduce mileage for the same amount of gas, to the extent that it would be cheaper to close the windows and run the car with air conditioning on.

This is a myth, Consumer Reports says. Tests showed that using air conditioning to keep the car cool at 65 mph impacted gas mileage by 3 mpg. On the other hand, using the same car at the same speed with the windows open has an unnoticeable effect on gas mileage.

4. Use Low Rolling Resistance Tires to Save Gas

The capability of low-resistance tires to reduce gas expenses is not entirely untrue, especially if they are properly inflated, but the amount you may save from them is so small that it may not matter to you. What really matters, Consumer Reports says, is the degree of tire maintenance and your driving habits. These can make a difference in your gas mileage regardless of whether your tires are energy-saving or not.

5. Warming up the Engine before Driving Makes the Car Perform at its Best

It’s a common practice, not too long ago. People had to start the car and let it run on idle for a while before driving it to allow the engine to reach a certain temperature. There might be some truth to it, considering the type and quality of oil, fuel, and temperature control methods they had at that time.

Running the engine before driving is no longer necessary nowadays. Modern cars are fitted with electronically controlled features that make a car ready for use the instant you turn it on.

6. Dirty Air Filters Reduce Gas Mileage

Dirty air filters did affect gas mileage a few years back. This, however, is no longer a thing to worry about these days. Modern cars are equipped with air flow sensors along with computer software that regulates the air/fuel mix, ensuring maximum fuel economy without regard to the quality of air.

Dirty air filter however do affect vehicle performance. Dirt or dust reduces the amount of air getting into the engine. This reduces to vehicle’s ability to pick up speed.

7. Filling Up during Cold Temperature Gets You More Gas

Gasoline becomes denser during cold weather. Relatively, you will need more gas to fill up your car when the temperature is cold. This is a principle many car owners believed but Consumer Report refutes, stating that because gas station tanks are placed underground, it is not quite affected by cold outside temperature. Therefore, you will still be able to get the same volume of gas whether you buy it on hot or cold days.

Monday, March 12, 2018

Car Shopping Made Easy


In our day and age, shopping has been made easier by checking reviews online and reading reviews. All you will need right after is to click on a few items, put in your card information, and check out.
However, when buying cars, we just can’t simply do things virtually. Anyone who wants to buy a car cannot simply read a review online, select a car they want, click a few buttons, and wait for the car and its key to be delivered at their doorstep.
Car buying did change because of the internet, but when it comes to the dealer, the same rules apply as in the past. This is because the car dealership had a franchise law. These kinds of things foster competition in selling cars.  An independent dealer should be able to provide a broad inventory and competent repairs. They have to show that to their clients so that trust can be established. On top of this, they will also need to sponsor a sports event, this way their brand names can be heard, and this will also be the reason for the comparison among the clients of car dealers.
It is costly to buy a car, and the process is like buying real estate. There are finances to arrange, as well as taxes and registration to handle. These things need an appearance from the buyer. There needs to be a physical exchange of paperwork before the car's keys are handed to you. Another thing is that a test drive should be provided to the buyer. With this, the buyer can test out a few cars before deciding which ones they would like to buy.
If the customer has a good service experience from buying his or her car from you, he is likely going to recommend buying a car from you to his family and friends. What’s the use of the internet if a car dealership website is being put up then? Well, in this day and age, information over the internet provides thorough information about a car before buying it. This way, you can spend less time really deciding which cars to test drive and which one to buy when you go to the showroom.

Now only are websites useful in buying an selling cars but also when you will need to look for a maintenance and repair shop should your car breakdown. 
In the near soonest future, these car dealers and repair shop are figuring out ways market themselves online. Even Subaru car shops let their site visitors know the kind of service they offer.So next time you buy a car, or looking for a shop to get them fixed, make sure your you go to the right source. 

Wednesday, January 18, 2017

Practical Tips for Keeping Your Car in Top Shape

There you go. You don't really have to be an auto expert to keep your car mint and shiny. The most important thing you must do is to follow manufacturer's instructions and recommendations. You should always remember that no matter how superb the quality of your vehicle may be , it will always deteriorate prematurely if you don't give it proper care. But to be sure that the vehicle you want is of guaranteed quality, you should get your maintenance service from Subaru car shop. They are trustworthy sources most car owners recommend.  

Tuesday, September 29, 2015

Important Car Components You Should Maintain Regularly

image credit: John Whitton (flickr.com)
Cars need proper maintenance to run efficiently. Except for some important parts, you don't need to actually test each car component every day just to make sure they are working properly. A good observation of the vehicle's sound and running performance is sometimes sufficient to let you know that it is in good shape. But there are certain parts that need greater attention than the rest. Ensuring that they are in proper working condition can help to keep your car efficient and safe for years.

Oil

Engine oil is the thing that keeps the rotating parts of your engine moving without heating up or getting worn out. It lubricates the parts and allows them to move smoothly. But leaving oil for too long inside the crankcase is not good. Oil works to lubricate the parts, but its extended use can cause it to lose its viscosity or thickness, which prevents moving parts from generating friction. This can cause damage to the engine parts. Oil that's been used for too long can contain small bits of metal which is no longer safe for your engine. It is always a good idea to change oil at least once every five months of use. This will keep your oil viscous and free from contaminants while it is stored in your car's engine.

For new cars, you can determine if its oil needs replacement because it has a monitoring system that keeps track of the oil viscosity and volume. Oil that's too thin can not help to protect your engine parts from wearing out faster.

Air Filter

This is the component that keeps your car engine taking in clean air when it is running. A clogged air filter reduces the power of the engine and increases its gas consumption. Under normal conditions, you should have your air filter changed once every 7,500 to 10,000 miles of use. But if your car runs on dusty roads on a daily basis, you should change the air filter more frequently.

Brake Pads

The brakes are one of the most important car components because they involve safety. There are no hard and fast rules on the frequency and length of time brake pads need to be replaced. The need to change them is dependent solely on your driving style, the size of your vehicle, and the quality of your brake pads.

For some cars, knowing that the brake pad is worn out can be done with the help of a mechanic. But for some modern cars, such as the BMW, this is no longer a problem because they are fitted with a sensor that detects when the brake pads wear down.

Another way to determine if your brake pads are worn out is to watch out for a scraping sound every time you apply the brakes. This sound serves as a warning that your brake pads are wearing out. If this sound escalates into a rough grinding noise, it is the ultimate sign that you have to change your brake pads at once.

Tires

Tires don't just allow your car to run and take you to places. They also work to keep you safe because they provide traction and prevent your car from swerving off the road. They stop effectively every time the brakes are applied. To make sure that your tires are safe to use, you must see to it that they are thick and their tread is deep enough to provide traction. Inflating the tires to the car manufacturer's standards is a way to make the car run smoothly. It takes years for tires to get worn out. If your tires are no longer new, you should inspect them once in a while. If you notice that their treads are getting even with their ridges, you should buy a complete set of tires to make sure that all four are running evenly for your convenience and safety.

Your car has many components and most of them are necessary, but there are only a few that really need regular maintenance. The four components that we mention here are the most important. You should see to it that these are well taken care of to keep your car safe and in good running condition for a long time.

And even more importantly, take your car to a reputable car maintenance team. If you're like most Subaru owners in Colorado, it is imperative that you trust only the best subaru repair Denver team to handle your car with care!

Wednesday, August 5, 2015

3 Facts That Might Change Your Mind About Your Preferred Car Color

Perhaps one of the things that come to mind as a major consideration for purchasing a car is the color of your ride. In most cases, car buyers make the choice based on preference. There’s more to that, however. Explore your car color options with these three facts in mind:



1. It is all about value. By choosing white, you are investing in a car that is more likely to find a buyer fast during a resale, said the Colour Popularity Report published by DuPont Automotive in 2012. That being said, however, you will need to take into account your car as a whole (and not just the color) for it to appear valuable to your market.

2. Bird attraction. Did you know that birds are most likely to “drop their bombs” on red, blue and black vehicles? Research involving 1,000 cars in 5 cities in England showed that these feathery friends find such colors more “attractive” compared to white, silver, green, and gray. However, there hasn’t been a proven explanation for this.

3. Low-risk. A study conducted by Australia’s Monash University showed the link between car crashes and car colors. With several other factors such as driving conditions taken in to account, it was found that blue, black, gray, silver, red and green, red cars seemed more accident-prone.

If big trucks are your thing, be sure to visit Subaru car shop a car maintenance service center that have earned people's trust over the years for the team's outstanding service. Ask the right questions and make a sound investment!