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. 

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 Tire Checking Check List

Want to check your tires in order to ensure that they are sufficiently filled with air, but not sure exactly how you can do this? Your tires are a very important part of your vehicle; they are its conduct to the ground. With out tires, your car can not drive the way it was intended to. Many over look their tires, as they are such a common part of a car. However this is a huge mistake. With this check list, we will give you  all of the information you need to check your tires yourself, and do it will. 

Check the Tread. The tread of your tire is what gives it its grip. 

Treads come in many different designs, however there are no “better” or “best” treads recognized. Thus, you are not checking for a specific look; you are checking for how well the tread has been retained. Usually, the tread of your tire can be checked with a penny. Place it head down so that the top of Abe Lincoln’s head is in the groove. The tread of your tire, if sufficient, should reach to at least his eyes. The balder your tire is, the less it will be able to help you control your vehicle on the read. If your tires are too bald, forego the rest of the list and get them replaced before continuing. 

Check the Tire Pressure. 

The tire pressure is the air reading, known as psi, if your tire. All cars will differ, but most psi readings for car tires should be between 32 and 35. To check the proper reading for your car, look in your vehicle owner’s manual. In it you will find the proper tire pressure for your specific make and model. Do not use the pressure reading on the tire itself; it is the maximum psi that the tire will hold, not how much it should! Once you find the proper psi for your vehicle, either use a pressurized motor pump or go to a gas station to fill up your tires accordingly. Once finished, be sure to remember to replace the air caps on the tires!

Check for Tire Damage.

This is yet another often overlooked thing. People take for granted that a car weighs upwards of over a ton and can drive over most surfaces. They do not tend to remember that its tires are made from rubber. Rubber can and will gouge and crack over time from rough usage or sharp objects. Check for cracks on your tires by (1) looking at the tires and (2) running your hands over the tires. Be sure to do this when the tires are cool, not after a long drive! Next, check for gouges in the rubber. These can be caused by glass, nails, bits of concrete—many things. The problem with gouges is that some may breach the tire and be letting out air very slowly, which can over time cause problems with your vehicle’s alignment by unbalancing the pressure of all four wheels and causing the vehicle to lean imperceptibly to one specific corner.  

Your Vehicle’s Steering and Suspension

Not all vehicles are created equally, and no one knows this better than a person who has either driven multiple vehicles, or owned multiple vehicles. Some cars handle better for certain drivers than others. Some cars handle certain terrain better than others. But how does this happen—after all, shouldn’t all cars strive to work in every condition? Well, yes and no; while all cars should strive to handle well overall, certain factors make it impossible to perfect it all. 

Steering and Suspension: What it Means

What is steering? Well, we’ll tell you one thing; it isn’t simply spinning a wheel around in circles to guide your car. Steering goes deeper than that. Your car’s steering refers to its ability to correct for both terrain and direction. Some vehicles have more sensitive steering than others. This is due to the parts used in the steering column. Some vehicles have stiffer handling. This is also due to the parts used in the steering column. However neither type of steering is right for every driver; some prefer a looser wheel, while others prefer a more resistive wheel. It all depends on you as a driver. But suspension is different. Suspension is, in its most basic terms, your cars capability for correcting for, and handling different types of terrain. Average vehicles tend to have a more neutral suspension, perfect for driving around town and on the highway. Off road vehicles, however, tend to have higher suspension, and better overall shock absorption capabilities. This allows them to handle better over rugged terrains. 

How Brakes Affect Steering and Suspension

Brakes affect nearly every part of your vehicle, from fuel efficiency to, yes, steering and suspension. Sensitive breaks are great for off road driving, as they allow for better stopping and overall maneuverability. The more pressure you have to exert to come to a full stop, the harder it can be to handle rougher terrain, such as dirt or mud. Sensitive brakes are less necessary, however, for city and highway driving, although they are no hindrance in any respect, and can actually help a lot in busy city areas where stopping often and quickly is common. 

Steering and Suspension Car Repair

Car repair is necessary in order to maintain a vehicle. If you want it to run well and do so consistently, and for a long time, you will definitely want to bring it in for regular “checkups.” Getting your suspension tweaked once in a while can increase, or help to maintain, your vehicle’s shock absorption capabilities. Having your steering fixed to your liking can also vastly improve overall vehicle performance. In the end, it is not necessary to have any car repair done more than once a year, as far as your steering and suspension are concerned. As long as you keep on top of your brakes, and supply them with fresh pads as they wear down, your suspension will be less susceptible to regular wear and tear—that is, if you aren’t driving around in deep mud all the time! Keep an ear out for problems, and listen to your vehicle when it tells you it has had enough—which it will usually do through any number of strange noises. This will keep it in great running order for some time to come. 

A Car and Its Alignment

Tire alignment is an important aspect of ensuring that a car operates properly. Some people think of a tire alignment as nothing more than taking a car into to the repair shop to spin the tires a few times to make sure they are straight. Although this is part of what is involved in tire alignment, there is so much more. The importance of a tire alignment cannot be denied. 

Why a Tire Alignment is Necessary?

Proper tire alignment ensures that everyone on the road is safe. Imagine if no one ever checked their engine oil, their brakes or their tire alignment. This would result in chaos, because the cars on the road would begin to shut down, overheat, or even crash. Safety is the number one reason for maintaining a car, and therefore tire alignment is necessary for maintaining the car’s tires. 

Cars work hard to quickly take people to various destinations. All of this hard work should be rewarded with a nice car wash every now and then, and a little pampering. One of the kinds of pampering a car needs is a tire alignment. When a car doesn’t get pampered or have proper tire alignment, it puts stress on the other parts of the car, making these parts have to work even harder. Eventually, the other parts will get worn out and the car will no longer work. Therefore, a car’s tires need to be aligned in order for it to have the longest life possible. 

What is a Tire Alignment?

Essentially, when a tire is aligned the wheels are balanced. When a car gets its tires aligned it begins with the angles of the wheels being. They must be aligned in a perpendicular position to the ground. It is also necessary to make sure that the tires are parallel to one another. The purpose of these adjustments is to make sure tires drive straight when on a straight and level road. When tires are not balanced it will cause some shaking in the car’s steering wheel. This can cause the vehicle to veer off course and possibly land you in a ditch. Tire alignment involves three well-known measurements called the caster, camber, and the toe. These are the focuses of the necessary adjustments.

Tire Alignment Measurements

The measurements used when completing a tire inspection are called the caster, camber and the toe. According to ASE master technicians, the caster is the tilting of the highest point of the steering axis either forward or backward. A forward tilt is negative and a backward tilt is positive. All wheels must have a positive caster. Next, the camber is checked. This is the tilting of the wheels from the vertical. The camber can have a positive or a negative reading, but the reading must be a balance of both. Finally, the toe is a measurement of how much the front and/or the rear wheels are turned in or out from a position that is straight ahead. This reading ensures that the tires are parallel. 

So, to ensure the safety of the driver and other drivers, including tire alignment in proper car maintenance is vitally important.

The Many Reasons To Call AAA

Becoming a member of the American Automobile Association, AAA, is one of the most important decisions a driver can make. It doesn’t matter how old you are or how much driving experience you have, there is no more reliable company for a flat tire, a tow or a dead battery charge than AAA.  Nobody plans on breaking down or having an accident.  When the worst occurs it is a great peace of mind to be able to pick up the phone and dial a number and have help coming to the scene any time of day.  There are many reasons that AAA is great and this article is going to explain them to you.

Tires are Flat

How many times have you been driving down the road and you hear the very distinctive sound of a tire going flat? This can be a frustrating experience because of the time and effort involved. When you are a AAA member you pull over to a safe spot and wait for the local tow truck to come to your assistance.  Many people can change a tire themselves, but if you are on your way to work, or to a special event, changing a tire may soil your good clothes and you may not have the appropriate time to change, especially since you have a flat.  You can have the professionals do it, by the time you mess with a jack and fight with the lug nuts and roll a spare out, the AAA rep could probably be there, change the tire and have you on your way. A family plan provides a particular peace of mind to those who want their families protected and taken care of.  You can’t be everywhere, if they get a flat tire you want them protected. The AAA reps can also check the tire pressure in the other tires and make sure that all drivers will be safe.

When You Need a Tow


There may be nothing as scary as being stuck on the side of the road in a vehicle that won’t start or run like it should, unless it is having a loved one stuck in that position.  Your car may have a problem with the brakes or overheating because of a coolant problem. It doesn’t matter where you are AAA tow services will find you and/or your loved ones and get you to safety. It is a small price to pay to have AAA on your side in an emergency. Even if you are in an accident and it has rendered your vehicle so you can’t drive it, the tow services will get your vehicle to the garage of your choice and out of harm’s way. The last thing you want to worry about if you have just been involved in an accident is where your car is going to be towed to.

When You Need Directions

One of the services that AAA has provided for many years have been their trip tickets, which provide you with maps and directions to get anywhere you want to go. Even in today’s world this is a simple thing to do because they have new computer applications that work on your phone or tablet to help guide you where you want to go.  The many benefits of membership in AAA will keep you on the road safely with as few problems as possible. It doesn’t matter if you are driving a monster truck or hybrid vehicles.

Save Money on Fuel with Tire Alignment

The gas prices always seem to be going up with no end in sight. This makes getting the best fuel efficiency a high priority. You do not have to drive with the AC and lights off to improve your fuel efficiency. Simply making sure that you have proper tire alignment will help to make sure you are spending less at the pump. Getting your tires aligned can only be completed by a service professional, but you can take steps to make sure your tires will remain aligned for a longer period of time so you can save more money at the gas station. Your car will not constantly be pulling one or more tires as a result of maintaining the alignment.

Checking the Tire Pressure

Tires have a tendency to lose air as they get older. Even newer tires can have bad valves that will cause them to lose air faster. Sudden changes in temperature and other environmental factors can also play a part in altering the amount of air in tires. If one of your tires is consistently lower in air than the rest, it can cause you to pull in the opposite direction of the tire with less air. The more this occurs, the more your alignment will be off. Taking the time to check your tire pressure whenever you fill up with gas will help to alleviate any problems tires low on air can cause.

Tighten Suspension Systems

More cars have suspension systems that are not adjusted properly than most people realize. If you find you go over a dip or bump and your vehicle is still bouncing afterwards, your suspension is very off. This can cause the wheel alignment to be off as well. As you go over a bump or dip, the wheels might leave the ground for a second. As the wheels return to the street, they may be going in a slightly different direction. The sudden change can cause the alignment to be off. Transversely, if the suspension is too tight, any slight bump in the road can send you careening off course. Make sure to have the suspension checked if you feel every bump in the road or you feel you are bouncing too much.

The Effects of Steering and Suspension

Steering and suspension is connected by more than just the jarring effects of going over a pothole when your suspension is not tuned correctly. Simple quirks in the power steering system can cause your alignment to go off. The longer you are struggling against a misalignment, the worse the problem will become. Make sure that the power steering fluid is being checked in the fluid checks. If this fluid is off, it can make fighting a misalignment even harder to overcome. A stiff steering and suspension system can cause major problems not only in controlling the vehicle for regular driving. It will exacerbate a problem that is caused by going over a pothole in the road. Maintaining the system through regular checks can help to alleviate the problems that can occur. Following these tips can help in reducing the amount of gas you are wasting from a misalignment.