When Brakes Talk, Drivers Should Listen

When it comes to driving safely, it’s easy to take your vehicle’s ability to stop for granted – until you really need it.

According to brake expert Akebono, your brakes often reveal possible serious situations when they make noise, pull, judder – another term for vibrate – or feel soft. Addressing these symptoms promptly enhances your safety and may save time and money in the long run.

These Car Care Council Tips Will Help You Save Money on Gas

While gas prices are at a two-year low, consumers can still take measures to be sure they are not spending money on gas they don’t need to spend.
“You can’t control the price of gas, but you can control how much gas you burn by performing proper maintenance and how you drive. Performing simple and inexpensive maintenance can save as much as $1,200 per year in gas costs,” said Rich White, executive director, Car Care Council.
The Car Care Council offers these gas-saving maintenance tips:

• Keep your car properly tuned to improve gas mileage by an average of 4 percent.
• Keep tires properly inflated and improve gas mileage by up to 3.3 percent.
• Replace dirty or clogged air filters and improve gas mileage by as much as 10 percent.
• Improve gas mileage by 1-2 percent by using the manufacturer’s recommended grade of motor oil.
• Driving behavior also impacts fuel efficiency. The council offers these gas saving driving tips:
• Observe the speed limit. Gas mileage decreases rapidly above 50 mph. Each 5 mph over 50 mph is like paying an additional $0.25 per gallon for gas, according to www.fueleconomy.gov.
• Avoid excessive idling. Idling gets zero miles per gallon. Warming up the vehicle for one or two minutes is sufficient.
• Avoid quick starts and stops. Aggressive driving can lower gas mileage by 33 percent on the highway and 5 percent in the city.
• Consolidate trips. Several short trips taken from a cold start can use twice as much gas as one longer multi-purpose trip.
• Don’t haul unneeded items in the trunk. An extra 100 pounds in the trunk reduces fuel economy up to 2 percent.

The Car Care Council is the source of information for the “Be Car Care Aware” consumer education campaign promoting the benefits of regular vehicle care, maintenance and repair to consumers. For a free copy of the council’s Car Care Guide or for more information, visit www.carcare.org.

Care Care Tip: Replace Your Wiper Blades for Safety

Are you tired of smearing, screeching and chattering wiper blades?

Do you dread another rainy drive without the benefit of an unobstructed view of the road?

Buy a set of wiper blades and install them yourself. It takes only a few minutes, and simple instructions are right on the box. If you have any questions, the experienced staff at Tysons Auto Specialties can help!

Your Car’s Timing Belt: Out of Sight and Mind

And now our monthly Car Care Tip courtesy of Tommy Tuneup!

Remember when cars used to have at least several rubber belts under the hood? Called “fan” belts or drive belts, they’ve been replaced on most late model vehicles with a single, “serpentine” drive belt. Another belt under the hood of most cars is hidden under a cover at the front of the engine. It’s the timing belt, often overlooked during routine maintenance.

Auto Repair: Wondering About Your Warranty?

And now our monthly Car Care Tip courtesy of Tommy Tuneup!

It’s a common misconception that only car dealers can perform the routine maintenance and repairs on a newer vehicle that is under warranty. In fact, it is law that consumers can patronize their neighborhood repair shop or do the work themselves without violating the manufacturer’s warranty, says the Car Care Council.

Consumers are protected by the Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act, enforced by the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), which prohibits a manufacturer from voiding the vehicle warranty because service was done by a non-dealer. According to the FTC, “It’s illegal for a dealer to deny your warranty coverage simply because you had routine maintenance or repairs performed by someone else. Routine maintenance often includes oil changes, tire rotations, belt replacement, fluid checks and flushes, new brake pads and inspections.”

Be Tire Smart, Play Your Part

Tom’s Automotive Tip of the Month:
Be Tire Smart, Play Your Part

Each June we celebrate National Tire Safety Week.

Tires are the critical connection between your car and the road in all sorts of driving conditions. To maximize tire life and safety, check the condition and inflation pressure regularly and have the tires rotated and balanced, says the Car Care Council.

“Your car’s tires affect its ride, handling, traction and safety, so this National Tire Safety Week be sure to do your PART and check the Pressure, Alignment, Rotation and Tread,” said Rich White, executive director, Car Care Council.

Did you know? Facts about filters: Get Out The Grit

Filters are an important part of regular maintenance. Air and fuel filters keep dirt and abrasive grit out of the engine. Problems arise when these filters get dirty and start to clog up. Many driveability problems, such as hesitation and rough idle, can stem from dirty air and fuel filters. For maximum effectiveness, they should be replaced about every 15,000 miles, but driving in dusty conditions can require more frequent air filter changes.

A Bright Idea: Check Your Vehicle’s Lights and Wipers

And now our monthly Car Care Tip courtesy of Tommy Tuneup!

Now that the days are shorter, it’s a bright idea to make sure your vehicle’s lights and wipers are working properly so you can be seen by others and your visibility is not compromised, advises the Car Care Council.

“Lights and wipers play a critical role in safe driving, as the chance of an accident increases if you can’t see or be seen,” said Rich White, executive director, Car Care Council. “From the driver’s seat you may not notice a light that isn’t working, so inspect all of your car’s lights and replace those that are out. Also, inspect and replace wiper blades so you can see clearly when wet weather hits.”

Lights are normal wear items that require periodic inspection and replacement. The lighting system provides nighttime visibility; signals and alerts other drivers; and supplies light for viewing instruments and the vehicle’s interior. In addition to replacing dimming, rapidly blinking and non-functioning lights, the following tips can help keep you safe: