Differences in Fuel Efficiency in Winter

People are concerned with saving more money in a sluggish economy, and even more so during the winter when home heating costs tend to rise significantly. If you live in the northern half of the United States, you probably are well acquainted with the jump in your heating bills and the increase at the gas pumps. This can cause people to implement every energy-saving technique available to them to lower their costs. You can cut your costs and increase fuel efficiency for your car just by making some minor changes in your driving habits and taking other small measures.

Alter Your Driving Habits

The snow and cold weather do not adjust themselves according to your schedule and it does not care about your schedule. You will have to adjust your driving habits to the weather conditions not just to save money, but also to be safer on the roads. The easiest way to increase fuel efficiency is to plan your trips. If you have to travel to more than one place to take care of your business or shop, you should map out a route that will provide the most straightforward path to all of your destinations without having to crisscross the city several times. You can plan your trips by visiting the places that are the furthest from your home with the last stop being the place that is the closest to your home. This map would result in a complete circuit and you will end up back home after you have done your tasks. This will save gas, time, and eliminate frustration by reducing the time you spend in traffic. Some instances of road rage have been caused by frustration from being stuck in traffic or being irritated from traveling back and forth instead of making one circuitous trip. Since you will be spending less time on the road, you will reduce your risk of getting into an accident.

Keep Your Car Maintained

Keeping your car maintained can also help you save on gas while helping you stay on the road. Whether you have an Asian car model, a European car model, or an American car model, you should have an owner’s manual that will list the recommended schedule of maintenance tasks and when each task should be performed. Some systems on your car require more frequent inspection than others, so you should consult with your mechanic about having regular maintenance visits scheduled at the appropriate times. It would be wise to have a yearly winter vehicle safety inspection in addition to your regular general car maintenance calendar. This is to ensure that your car will be prepared for the conditions that are unique to winter weather, especially if you reside in the northern half of the country where the winters can get quite brutal. Regular checks can help with gas consumption because you will be able to monitor the condition of your car parts and replace worn or damaged ones that can prevent your engine from being able to combust and burn fuel efficiently.

What if I Need More Information?

If you need more information on how you can reduce fuel costs for your car, you can consult your local AAA office to get tips and advice or with your local mechanic. A good mechanic will keep detailed records of your service history and can keep you informed of any upcoming scheduled maintenance or potential problems. 

Shedding Some Light on Your Headlights

The oldest headlights were fueled by acetylene or oil and were introduced in the late 1880s. Acetylene lamps were popular because the flame was resistant to wind and rain.  The first electric headlights were introduced in 1898 and were optional. Two factors limited the widespread use of electric headlights: the short life of filaments in the harsh environment, and the difficulty of producing parts small and powerful enough to produce sufficient current to fuel the new headlights.  By 1904, acetylene lamps were the standard.  When Cadillac integrated their new electrical system in 1912, it changed the new standard to electric headlights.  This headlight system remained until the 1940s when the sealed beam headlight was introduced.  Now the new technology is LED headlights.  These provide the brightest and clearest view while driving at night and claim to last the longest.  

Headlights Lifespan

When headlights malfunction it is not fun.  The time they malfunction is when you need them most, especially if it is dark.  Headlights rarely indicate if they are about to quit working.  This is why it’s good to know the estimated life of your headlights.  You may not know their exact life span because there are so many factors that affect it.  Manufacturers usually have some type of estimate for this.  This lifespan estimate is developed using a complex formula involving voltage, watts, lumens and a few other factors. Each contributing factor, as well as real world testing, is crunched together and an approximate number is determined.  If you are getting near the end of this estimated life then it is a good idea to purchase an extra set of bulbs to keep until needed.

Headlight Maintenance

Headlight systems require periodic maintenance. Sealed beam headlights are modular so when the filament burns out, the entire unit is replaced. Most vehicles in North America made since the late 1980s use headlight lens-reflector assemblies that are considered a part of the car, and just the bulb is replaced when it fails.  Be sure not to touch the glass bulb with bare hands.  The oil or moisture from human skin can cause the bulb to overheat and burn out prematurely.  Headlight aim must be properly checked and adjusted frequently.  Misaimed lamps can harm other driver’s vision and stop you from seeing effectively at night.  Over time the headlight lens can deteriorate.  Sand and gravel can cause it to become pitted.  This will not allow light to pass through easily and could crack to let water into the headlamp.  Water on the bulb can cause it to burn out.  Water can also cause the headlight to short out.  Plastic lenses can often become cloudy or discolored.  This is due to the oxidation of the hard coat on the lens surface.  If this damage is minor it can be polished out.  You should use a good brand of car polish that is intended to restore the shine to chalked paint.  Major damage will require the entire lens to be replaced.  

Smart Headlights

Drive through a pounding thunderstorm or heavy snowfall at night and you’ll notice that your headlights glare off the precipitation more than the road ahead.  Scientists are developing a way to concentrate the light in between the drops or flakes to increase visibility.  The headlight is actually an array of bulbs. The system uses a digital camera to track the motion of individual raindrops or snowflakes and then uses a computer to predict where they will be.  Then it deactivates the bulbs that will glare off of the precipitation.  There are also headlights that turn in the same direction as the steering wheel to help see around corners.  There are many concepts that will help to make driving at night much safer.  

Which Transmission Type Best Suits You?

The automobile has transformed greatly from the very first Model T Ford to the latest and greatest models that are on the road today. Over the years, technology has allowed the consumer more than one way to propel their cars.  At first, the only method of transforming the power from the engine into movement was manual transmission. Now, there are three major types of transmissions available and these types are continuously being evolved into better and more advanced mechanisms that require the assistance of a knowledgeable and skilled mechanic to service them. You should make sure that your transmission, regardless of type, is operating in the safest capacity possible. 

The Automatic Transmission

The automatic transmission was invented to make it easier for more people to drive a car. This system uses a set of gears called the planetary gear-set to achieve different gear ratios while using those same gears. The name comes from the makeup of the part: a set of gears and rings that encircle and rotate around each other in the same manner as planets circle each other. The main part of the automatic transmission is the torque converter. This part serves the same function as a clutch in a manual transmission in that it multiplies the turning power of the engine, which is the torque. Several components inside the converter, the impeller and the turbine, face each other inside a metal round casing. Both parts have blades that propel transmission fluid along with a stator, causing a continuous flow of fluid that causes the power to multiply. Cars equipped with this transmission tend to be more expensive, are more expensive to maintain, and are not as controlled on slippery surfaces. 

The Manual Transmission

The manual transmission was the first available transmission on the first cars produced. This transmission requires you to use a clutch to shift between gears yourself. Therefore, you will have to become skilled in order to know when to shift gears and how to do it. Cars equipped with this system are less expensive to purchase and to maintain. A manual transmission car does not need to have the transmission fluid replaced as often as an automatic, and some do not require changing the fluid at all. Driving a manual transmission car requires practice, as you would have to get accustomed to using both feet for the brake pedal and the clutch, but such attention to these motions would mean that you would be less apt to become distracted by cellphones or other devices. 

The Best of Both in One System

A system that combines both automatic and manual attributes is called the continuously variable transmission, or CVT. This transmission system allows you to drive your car as an automatic but gives you the flexibility to be able to manually change gears on the fly. This gives the driver more control over the car and it combines the ease of driving an automatic with the precision of a manual gearbox. It would allow you to manually shift when traversing ravaged roads so that you will have better control and steering. This system is the most expensive and it is not widely available as standard equipment.  

Import Vehicles versus Domestic Vehicles

The battle between import vehicles and domestic vehicles has been raging since there have been imports and domestics. Some people believe that imports are better and others believe that domestics are better. People who live in areas that experience severe winter weather are most concerned about getting a car that will survive the winters and provide reliable, safe service. Each one has their benefits and drawbacks, and the key to deciding which one to buy is to determine which drawbacks are the most tolerable for you. It is always best to do your research on the cars that you like and make your decision.

Benefits and Drawbacks for Import Vehicles

Imports have been touted extensively for their dependability, safety, and reliability for many years. These cars have occupied the top ten lists in various automotive magazines, websites, and trade publications. These lists have been publicized as much as the reputation of the foreign car manufacturers. Asian car models have secured a well-deserved reputation for providing cars that are not only mechanically sound but also aesthetically pleasing with classic designs. European car models have the same reputation. They boast excellent fuel efficiency, which is very desirable in this weak economy. The main drawback to imports is that they are more expensive to purchase and to repair. Simple tasks such as brake repair or more complex repairs such as engine work can become very expensive because parts often times have to be ordered. Tariffs and other taxes add to the cost of purchase.   

Benefits and Drawbacks for Domestic Vehicles

Domestic cars had experienced a slump in quality towards the end of the twentieth century. People complained about the lack of quality cars coming from the American carmakers, which caused many people to start purchasing imports. In recent years, the quality has improved greatly and technology has improved to allow carmakers to be able to include safety features such as antilock brakes, navigation, and parking assist. One benefit is that they are less costly to purchase and it is easier to find the parts that you would need for repairs. They have also made improvements in fuel efficiency, making them less expensive to operate than they once were. Domestic cars tend to be larger than imports, which appeals to the American palate while the imports tend to be smaller with less interior room. 

How to Decide

In recent years, car manufacturers have begun to blur the line between import and domestic and the trend is steadily increasing. More cars are being produced with parts that do not originate from the original manufacturer. Due to the global economy, may be a moot point to discuss import versus domestic because many manufacturers are using parts that are not produced in the country of the car’s origin. Some Asian car models are made with American-made parts and some American car models are made with European-made car parts. Some cars are made with parts that are both foreign and domestic. You should research various cars to determine which cars would best suit you and your driving habits. You should consider the area in which you live and choose a car that would be dependable and reliable. 

The Importance of Tire Inspections

Tires, like many other parts of your car, will wear out as a result of normal use.  Unlike windshield wipers or oil filters, it can be very dangerous if a tire fails while driving.  A tire in poor condition will and can make it more difficult to control your vehicle.  The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration says over 78,000 crashes occur annually due to tire malfunctions.  Fortunately, for your safety, tires will rarely wear out without warning.  Tires are also very good at telling you why their life may be running out too quickly.  

When do I check my tires?

At least once a month or before long trips, tires should be inspected for needed repair or replacement.  There are two main parts of a tire, the tread and the sidewall.  The tread has steel belts that help protect from puncture and give structure.  The sidewall does not.  It is very important to carefully examine the sidewall for cuts, bubbling, or cracking.  If you find these signs, take the tire to one of our professionals for further inspection.  Next you should carefully check the treads.  The first thing to look at is the depth of the treads.  This will tell you how much life is left before new tires are needed.  One easy way of judging proper tire tread depth is to grab your spare change.  Find a penny and hold Abe’s body between your thumb and forefinger.  Place the penny in the grooves between the tread ribs of the tire.  If the top of Abe’s head is still covered, your tires are still good.  If you can see the top of Abe’s head or the tread is barely touching it, it’s time to replace your tires.  It is important to check tire tread depth on multiple locations of the tire.  If your tire’s tread is wearing unevenly take a note of where this is occurring.  One of our mechanics or tire professionals should be able to determine the source and help correct the uneven tire tread wear while the tire still has some useful life.  

What causes tire wear?

Four common causes of premature tire wear are improper inflation, misalignment, lack of rotation and front-end wear.  If tires are under-inflated, there will be more wear on the outside of the tread.  This may also result in excessive heat, which accelerates wear and may cause a blowout.  Conversely, over-inflated tires will wear more on the center of the tread.  Often, appropriate tire pressure will be listed on the sidewalls of the tire or on the driver’s side door frame.  If tires are wearing heavily on one side and have normal inflation, your wheels may be out of alignment.  Another aspect of the tire inspection is comparing tread depth between the front and rear tires.  Front tires will wear faster due to increased friction while turning.  A simple solution for this is regular tire rotation.  Swapping the front and rear tires every 6,000 to 8,000 miles will keep the life of your tires even.  The final test in this inspection is looking for even tread depth through the circumference of the tire.  Poorly balanced wheels and failing front-end components may cause the tire to wear more on one side than the other.  If you notice this type of uneven tire wear contact our professional repair facility for a thorough diagnosis.  

Other effects of worn tires.

A proper tire inspection will not only keep you safe but will help your tires last longer.  Correcting wearing issues on your tires can improve your fuel mileage.  Many of the factors that increase wear on a tire are due to higher friction with the road surface.  This higher friction will make a car work harder and burn more gas to travel the same speed.  

Windshield Wipers

The ability to see clearly while driving is the key to safe travels.  Your top-notch headlights might light up the road but if the windshield is obstructed by dirt or moisture they will do you no good.  If you can’t see the deer that just ran into the road or a stalled vehicle ahead, your journey is in great danger.  A good set of windshield wipers is necessary especially in bad weather.  For these car components to help show you the road they must be in perfect condition.  

Windshield Wipers to Clear the Windshield

The obvious need for windshield wipers is to clear rainwater while driving.  They also come in very handy with snow or slush.  To clear bugs or mud the wipers alone can sometimes make the smear worse.  Wiper blades with the help of washer pumps and fluid can clean the windshield effectively.  Although the fluids and pumps are a great help, if the wiper blades don’t clear the entire view, you could be putting you and your passengers in danger.  Wiper blades must be sturdy to achieve this obstruction-free view.  There are several ways to check the quality of windshield wipers before it’s too late.  

Windshield Wiper Inspections

Wiper blades should be inspected every six months.  Listen to the sound the windshield wipers make when running across the windshield.  If there is cracking or chattering, you will want one of our technicians to take a closer look at your windshield wipers.  Cracks and breaks can be very visible and make it impossible to clear mud or rain from your view.  Another common cause for wiper blade failure is when half of the windshield wiper blade gets folded in the wrong direction.  Every day wear and tear, plus exposure to the elements, can cause this deterioration.  If you notice the blades need replaced, check with your local auto parts store to find the correct blade size.  Most stores have books so you can look up what kind of windshield wiper blade you need, otherwise you can ask someone who works there. Also, purchase the entire windshield wiper blade, not just the rubber blade insert. Always read the directions to see what you need to disconnect the old wiper and connect the new one.  Usually, you will need to push on a tab or lift a tab before removing the blade.  There is generally an attachment that comes with the wiper blade to connect the blade to the arm. You will most likely hear a click when the blade has been successfully attached.  To make sure that the blade is sturdy, give the wiper a tug. You definitely don’t want it to fly off when you are driving.  If you are unsure you installed the windshield wiper correctly, or if you feel uncomfortable doing it yourself talk to one of our technicians and we can install the windshield wiper blades for you.  

Windshield Wiper Blades In Winter

When you look at a standard wiper blade frame you can usually see spaces in the frame, especially between the outer frame and the actual wiper blade.  Winter windshield wiper blades are enclosed in a rubber cover to prevent ice and snow buildup inside these spaces.  This obstruction can limit the windshield wiper blade from flexing smoothly across your windshield and may leave streaks in your view.  Winter windshield wiper blades might not prevent ice buildup but they do make it less likely to happen.  If buildup does occur, the flat rubber surface of winter windshield wiper blades allows for easier cleaning.  Another new concept in winter windshield wiper blades is heated wiper blades.  Heated windshield wiper blades are quite a bit more complicated to install and are hard wired to the car’s electrical system to power the heaters.  The heater keeps the blades a toasty 200 degrees and claims to melt ice at 40 below.    

WHAT IS THE FUNCTION OF MY SERVICE ENGINE SOON LIGHT

When your vehicle detects a problem within its component system, it will automatically display a warning in the form of a light that is displayed on your dashboard. Newer vehicles commonly have a range of warning lights that will flash depending on the problem that is detected, like the check engine oil light. Your Service Engine Soon light can represent a variety of items that can be wrong with your engine and its performance. The Service Engine Soon light tells the driver that there is a problem related to its central computer. The Electronic Control Module (ECM) controls the vehicle’s engine and transmission. Although vehicle models vary, in most, the warning light can be both yellow and red. As you might guess, the yellow light indicates a less urgent problem and a red light represents a problem that should be tended to immediately.

SYMPTOMS OF A YELLOW SERVICE ENGINE SOON LIGHT

If your Service Engine Soon light is yellow, it is generally safe to continue driving, but you should take note of any additional signs that your vehicle is not performing as well as it should. Often times your vehicle will automatically correct some problems, which may cause the yellow light to shut off. It is never a good idea to overlook the problem even if the light shuts off automatically. Once you are in a safe location you should inspect your vehicle for any problems. Be sure to check for warning signs that can cause a yellow warning light to surface. These signs could be things such as difficulty starting the engine, lower than normal fuel mileage, abnormality in performance, or odors and smoke emitting from under the hood. 

SYMPTOMS OF A RED SERVICE ENGINE SOON LIGHT

A red Service Engine Soon light indicates there is a problem that is making it unsafe to drive your car. If you notice a red light on your dashboard it is important that you pull over and analyze the problem as soon as possible, as it can be dangerous. By referencing your owner’s manual you can get an explanation of the meaning of your warning lights. A red warning light can mean a number of things, including a fluid level being too low, a belt that has broken, or problems with your battery or alternator. If the problem cannot be fixed on the spot, arrangements should be made to have your vehicle towed into one of our facilities for a professional inspection before further damage is done to your engine.

HOW TO PREVENT ENGINE ISSUES

When your Service Engine Soon light comes on, maintenance should be done immediately to ensure that further damage does not happen to your vehicle. There are steps that you can take to cut down on premature problems with your vehicle’s engine. You should have your antifreeze, power steering, brake fluid and transmission fluid checked regularly before taking your vehicle on the road. It is also important to check your tires, battery and alternator. By taking these easy steps, you can cut down on potential damage that can happen to your vehicle and end up costing you a lot of money to fix. Make sure to take your vehicle to one of our automotive professionals on a regular basis to get a general inspection done. By doing this, your car is able to run at its best capacity and you are able to get a longer life out of your vehicle.