News

You’ve probably been told at some point in your driving career to not drive your car while the gas tank is on empty, but did you know why that is? This recommendation is more than just an old wives’ tale—you can damage your car by ignoring that gas light for too long.   First, you should understand what your fuel light indicator really means. When you hear the familiar “ding” that accompanies your fuel light, your fuel tank has reached “reserve” levels, or around 10-15% capacity. It is p...

Most of us have been taught to avoid potholes while driving. It was probably one of the very first things we learned behind the wheel! Although most us know driving over potholes is bad for our vehicles, very few know exactly why that is. These are the parts of your vehicle you should be worried about if you accidentally drive over a pothole:   Steering System   If you hit a pothole, you risk misaligning your steering system. If you have noticed your vehicle pulling to the left or right while y...

Unless you consider yourself a car enthusiast, you may find yourself feeling a bit lost when having conversations with your mechanic. At times, it can feel like you are speaking to someone using a different language with words like “grease monkey,” “kickdown,” and “oversquare” whizzing past your head like dodgeballs. Hopefully, this list of common auto repair terms will help your next conversation with your mechanic go a bit more seamlessly:   Aftermarket – This term applies to parts w...

Rear Wheel, All Wheel, and Front Wheel Drive in the Snow Winter isn’t quite here yet, but the winter weather has certainly arrived. It is important that you know what to expect from your vehicle and how it will handle the snowy conditions ahead. If you are like many of us, you are unsure of what the difference between rear wheel, all wheel, and front wheel drive is… let alone what this means for winter travel. Rear Wheel Drive (RWD) Rear wheel drive means that the wheels that drive the car a...

If you’ve never done it before, purchasing tires can be a frustrating and intimidating task. How do you know what brand is best? How do you get the best price? We will discuss these questions and more in this blog post. 1. Read Reviews It’s impossible to know how tires will perform after a few thousand miles… unless you read the reviews of people who already have those tires. When looking through reviews, look for people who drive a similar car to yours (truck, SUV, sports car, etc.) and ski...

If you’ve ever driven in a foreign country, you’ve probably encountered your fair share of strange traffic laws. Did you know you’ll be fined for driving a dirty car in Russia or for driving without a breathalyzer in your car in France? Some of these laws are hard to believe!   1. In Russia, you will be fined for driving a dirty vehicle.   2. In Germany, it is illegal to run out of fuel on the Autobahn.   3. In Alabama it is legal to drive the wrong way down a one-way street, but only if yo...

3 Signs It's Time to Switch to Winter Tires Although Pittsburgh has remained pretty snow free, the winter weather is already starting to rear its head to our friends up north. It is imperative to you, and to any passengers you may be towing around throughout the winter months, that you have the best winter tires for everyone’s safety. With that being said… how do you know when it is time to switch to snow tires? We have 3 signs it’s time to roll those summer tires into the garage and switch ...

It’s time to gear up for road trip season! Whether you are headed to the coast, on a cross-country road trip, or you’re off to the grocery store to prepare for a “staycation” at home, it’s always a good idea to have your car prepped with an emergency kit. When it comes to your car, the unexpected is bound to happen. Good drivers know this, embrace it and are prepared for anything that’s thrown their way! While you may not be able to prepare for all scenarios, there are a few good measures...

A blown tire can ruin more than just your day. Tire trouble can cost you money, time, or even damage your vehicle. Sometimes there is no warning your tire is about to blow. Road debris can cause a sudden puncture and there won’t be much you can do, but most tire issues can be prevented with simple monitoring and maintenance.  Check out our list of basic tire maintenance below. Check Your Tire Pressure The PSI of your tires varies depending on the type of tire you have and the type of driving y...

It’s finally summer and this year it looks like it’s going to be a hot one. If you’re like me, I bet you have already planned your vacation or at least scheduled a weekend getaway. At this point, I have packed my bags and planned a few fun activities for the family. I’m a little worried about one thing… my rental car. You never know if routine maintenance has been performed. I’m driving over 1,000 miles and can only hope the engine doesn’t overheat.   I can’t control what kind of mainte...