California EPA, General Motors, and 3000milemyth.org Team up to Help Drivers Reduce Oil Consumption

General Motors, the California Environmental Protection Agency (Cal/EPA), and the California Integrated Waste Management Board (CIWMB) are joining forces to encourage drivers to follow their vehicle manufacturer's recommendations on oil changes, which for many vehicles could be much longer than the decades-old standard of every 3000 miles.

This summer, General Motors will support public outreach efforts by the Cal/EPA and the CIWMB to help motorists understand how frequently they need to change their engine oil, and the proper methods of doing so.

"Used oil is so much of a problem in California that if you can change your oil in less-frequent intervals, you not only save yourself money, you help save the environment," said Jamie Cameron-Harley, a spokeswoman for the California Integrated Waste Management Board, sponsor of "The 3000-Mile Myth" campaign.

The campaign -- which intends to reduce waste and keep used oil out of landfills, water bodies, and groundwater -- recently launched its Web site, www.3000milemyth.org, after research discovered that more than 70 percent of Californians change their oil more frequently than recommended by the manufacturers of their vehicles - most of them at 3000 miles.

Three Key Tips to Fuel Savings at the Pump

With gas prices approaching than $4.50 per gallon in most states, it is more important than ever for motorists to maintain their vehicles. To get the most out of a tank of gas, experts at Honeywell Consumer Products Group suggest that in addition to properly inflating tires and altering driving habits, motorists should be diligent about changing their worn and dirty spark plugs, replacing clogged air filters, and maintaining a clean fuel system.

"These three easy, low-cost routines can help motorists save quite a bit of money at the pump," said Jay Buckley, Honeywell's technical training manager. "The last thing we want is for our vehicles to work harder than they have to . . . it's just throwing money down the drain."

Mobile A/C Service Facts and Fiction

Spring is here and a new season of mobile air conditioning repair is ready to begin. The Mobile Air Conditioning Society (MACS) Worldwide sent us this release to remind both service professionals and consumers about the facts and fictions of A/C service. Some of these tips are highly technical, as they are aimed at service professionals, but it's important that even consumers read the bulletin, and it will help them understand why their technician may recommend certain procedures.

Manufacturers are now producing A/C systems that last longer and need less service. Changes include improved hoses, better sealing materials, and more robust connections. The goal, of course, is to provide consumers with reliable air conditioning on demand.

United States federal law requires anyone who opens the refrigerant pressure circuit "for compensation" (usually pay, but also barter, etc.) to be certified under Section 609 of the Clean Air Act. A shop can face serious fines for allowing un-certified employees to do this work. Technicians must have their certification available for inspection during the work.

Winter Tire Safety Tips

Winter brings many challenges for your car each year, but perhaps the most nerve-wracking is the hazardous driving conditions you'll have to face. Even though the groundhog has already seen its shadow, it's not too late to consider switching your all-season tires to winter ones for increased safety and peace of mind.

Rubber compounds in tires are made to perform in specific temperatures: summer tires are very firm, winter tires are more flexible, and all-seasons are somewhere in between. The main reason winter tires are not just called "snow tires" anymore is because they are designed to offer the best traction possible on snow and ice...and on dry and wet conditions.

"Winter tires perform much better than an all-season tires in colder temperatures," says Tony Talbert, light truck and winter product manager for Continental Tire North America. "If you live in an area where the average winter temperature is below 45 degrees Fahrenheit, the tread compounding has a dramatic effect on your traction capability. If you live in an area where you have an extended period of time with an average temperature below that, we recommend a winter tire."

"It's not just the amount of snow because in low temperatures, winter tires perform better, even on dry pavement, than all season tires," says Bill VandeWater, director of consumer products in sales engineering for Bridgestone/Firestone North American Tire. "You might be in an area of the country that doesn't get snow, but if it gets cold, it's still appropriate to look at winter tires."

Talbert says depending on the brand and type of tire, winter tires remain flexible in extreme temperatures, down to as low as -40*F.

The Service Advisor: Friend or Foe?

As an automotive consumer -- a woman automotive consumer, no less -- you probably have some questions about your dealership'€™s Service Advisors. Do they just want your money? Does your car really need that repair? Are they telling you the truth? As a female who has worked at three different dealerships and one independent repair facility I’ve learned a thing or two in my experiences. I hope I can answer some of those burning questions you may have.

Do they just want my money? 
Well, there is no easy way to say this, but yes, Service Advisors do want your money. Most of them make commission so the more you spend, the more they make. A dealership or independent shop is a business, after all, and they need to make money to stay afloat. However, that doesn’t mean that they are allowed to sell you repairs or services that your vehicle doesn’t need. Lying to customers is against the law, bottom line.

You may be annoyed at the fact that most of the time when you bring your vehicle in for service, the advisor tries to sell you something else. In the beginning when you sit down with the advisor, they usually go through your history and check to see if you are up-to-date on all of your services. Maybe you missed your 60,000 mile service and they are recommending that you have it done. If you don’t choose to have the service, fine, no harm done. If you do choose to have it done, the advisor gets more money and you get the peace of mind knowing that you’re doing something good for your car.

Another time when an advisor may try to sell you something is while your car is being worked on. This means that they found something during the service and want to see if they can “upsell” it to you. They’ll usually give you a call or if you’re waiting at the dealership they’ll find you in the waiting room. They may say something like, “During your 60,000 mile service we found that your front brake pads are at 1mm, would you like us to replace those pads today?”

Which brings us to our next question...

How Not to Get Ripped Off on Auto Repairs!

How Not to Get Ripped Off on Auto Repairs!

Most common cons:
Scams of disreputable service centers contain one or both of two elements: (1) Charging you for work that was never done, or (2) Convincing you of the need for unnecessary and often overpriced repairs. Here are four different types of scams you could run into and ways to avoid them:

Unnecessary replacement of parts.
If the mechanic says your car needs a replacement part, ask to be shown which part needs replacing and use a marker or some means to distinguish it later. Always let the mechanic know that you want the old part back--this way you know the item was actually replaced. If you're still mistrustful, you can always have the part looked at by another mechanic to make sure it was defective.

Charge for unauthorized work.
Always request a repair estimate or work order that itemizes everything you've authorized. Don't sign a work order unless it's completely filled out and you understand what it says. Generally the cost of the repair should vary above the original estimate by no more than 10%. Before authorizing even more work, make sure you know the exact dollar amount. Never tell your mechanic, "Do whatever is necessary."

You can poll other shops to find out how much mechanics in your area are charging for common repairs and maintenance.

Top Five Things Women Should Ask When Their Vehicle is in the Shop

by Julie Sperling of Accurate Auto
Having your vehicle in the repair shop is NEVER any fun. It usually happens in between taking six kids to six different after school events, picking up dry cleaning, and trying desperately to get to the grocery store to pick up dinner. With all the things we have on our plates today having a broken vehicle can be one of the biggest causes of stress-other than money-for 80% of today’s women.  Then to top it all off there is the fear that once you pick an auto repair shop from the hundreds in the yellow pages, you will be taken advantage of or treated less than human because you don’t know what an EGR valve is or why it needs to be cleaned. Then there is my personal favorite, “Would you like to call your husband?”

But there is wonderful news! A lot of shops are noticing the buying power of women and are trying hard to change the way they do business with them.  My company, Accurate Auto, gives women the drivers seat when it comes to the repair of their vehicle. Others are beginning following suit but until the caveman days have completely passed us by, I want to give you an upper hand when dealing with auto repair shops that don’t make you feel 100% comfortable when you walk through the door.

Here are some things that you should know BEFORE choosing an auto repair shop.

by Julie Sperling of Accurate Auto
Having your vehicle in the repair shop is NEVER any fun. It usually happens in between taking six kids to six different after school events, picking up dry cleaning, and trying desperately to get to the grocery store to pick up dinner. With all the things we have on our plates today having a broken vehicle can be one of the biggest causes of stress-other than money-for 80% of today’s women.  Then to top it all off there is the fear that once you pick an auto repair shop from the hundreds in the yellow pages, you will be taken advantage of or treated less than human because you don’t know what an EGR valve is or why it needs to be cleaned. Then there is my personal favorite, “Would you like to call your husband?”

But there is wonderful news! A lot of shops are noticing the buying power of women and are trying hard to change the way they do business with them.  My company, Accurate Auto, gives women the drivers seat when it comes to the repair of their vehicle. Others are beginning following suit but until the caveman days have completely passed us by, I want to give you an upper hand when dealing with auto repair shops that don’t make you feel 100% comfortable when you walk through the door.

Here are some things that you should know BEFORE choosing an auto repair shop.

Emergency Car Repairs – How To Be Prepared During the Holiday's

We’ve all been there. Stranded on the side of the road, alone or with a car full of kids (not sure which is more hazardous), and unsure of what this little vehicular setback is going to cost you. Aside from anticipating the steep tow truck fees, you start to see repair receipts fall in front of your eyes. Yikes!

I remember the first time I truly broke down in a car. I was driving home from work in congested L.A. traffic. I was driving a champagne gold Oldsmobile Barge (not the official model name, but it should have been). This car only had about 80k miles on it and had for the most part been a reliable commuter vehicle. Except for the fact that it only had a tape player and was larger than a stegosaurus, I didn’t have too many complaints. Well, maybe that it was champagne gold. Years later I still hear about that car: “Man, didn’t you used to drive that huge GOLD grandma car?” Yes. I did. But I have moved on; you should too.

Anyway, there I was driving along and then I lost all power. ALL power. My engine shut off, my radio went off and my power steering went out the window. It was all I could do to put on my hazards and pray that the crazy, tired, annoyed commuters around me would part so I could get to the shoulder safely. Miraculously I did.

I sat there on my cell phone that was almost dead (I couldn’t charge it in my car remember? All power gone.) and tried to call AAA. Once that stopped working I used the dreaded highway phones. They actually work! I was told to stay put in my car with the doors locked because, get this, if a car careened off the highway and hit me, I was safer in the car than out of it. I didn’t tell the officer that I thought I might fare better if I simply ran the opposite direction.

So what was the problem? My alternator blew because the battery wasn’t powerful enough. It was a pricey repair. So how do you pay for those repairs? The Automotive-Articles blog has some helpful tips:

We’ve all been there. Stranded on the side of the road, alone or with a car full of kids (not sure which is more hazardous), and unsure of what this little vehicular setback is going to cost you. Aside from anticipating the steep tow truck fees, you start to see repair receipts fall in front of your eyes. Yikes!

I remember the first time I truly broke down in a car. I was driving home from work in congested L.A. traffic. I was driving a champagne gold Oldsmobile Barge (not the official model name, but it should have been). This car only had about 80k miles on it and had for the most part been a reliable commuter vehicle. Except for the fact that it only had a tape player and was larger than a stegosaurus, I didn’t have too many complaints. Well, maybe that it was champagne gold. Years later I still hear about that car: “Man, didn’t you used to drive that huge GOLD grandma car?” Yes. I did. But I have moved on; you should too.

Anyway, there I was driving along and then I lost all power. ALL power. My engine shut off, my radio went off and my power steering went out the window. It was all I could do to put on my hazards and pray that the crazy, tired, annoyed commuters around me would part so I could get to the shoulder safely. Miraculously I did.

I sat there on my cell phone that was almost dead (I couldn’t charge it in my car remember? All power gone.) and tried to call AAA. Once that stopped working I used the dreaded highway phones. They actually work! I was told to stay put in my car with the doors locked because, get this, if a car careened off the highway and hit me, I was safer in the car than out of it. I didn’t tell the officer that I thought I might fare better if I simply ran the opposite direction.

So what was the problem? My alternator blew because the battery wasn’t powerful enough. It was a pricey repair. So how do you pay for those repairs? The Automotive-Articles blog has some helpful tips:

We’ve all been there. Stranded on the side of the road, alone or with a car full of kids (not sure which is more hazardous), and unsure of what this little vehicular setback is going to cost you. Aside from anticipating the steep tow truck fees, you start to see repair receipts fall in front of your eyes. Yikes!

I remember the first time I truly broke down in a car. I was driving home from work in congested L.A. traffic. I was driving a champagne gold Oldsmobile Barge (not the official model name, but it should have been). This car only had about 80k miles on it and had for the most part been a reliable commuter vehicle. Except for the fact that it only had a tape player and was larger than a stegosaurus, I didn’t have too many complaints. Well, maybe that it was champagne gold. Years later I still hear about that car: “Man, didn’t you used to drive that huge GOLD grandma car?” Yes. I did. But I have moved on; you should too.

Anyway, there I was driving along and then I lost all power. ALL power. My engine shut off, my radio went off and my power steering went out the window. It was all I could do to put on my hazards and pray that the crazy, tired, annoyed commuters around me would part so I could get to the shoulder safely. Miraculously I did.

I sat there on my cell phone that was almost dead (I couldn’t charge it in my car remember? All power gone.) and tried to call AAA. Once that stopped working I used the dreaded highway phones. They actually work! I was told to stay put in my car with the doors locked because, get this, if a car careened off the highway and hit me, I was safer in the car than out of it. I didn’t tell the officer that I thought I might fare better if I simply ran the opposite direction.

So what was the problem? My alternator blew because the battery wasn’t powerful enough. It was a pricey repair. So how do you pay for those repairs? The Automotive-Articles blog has some helpful tips:

Car Maintenance: Can You Really Do It Yourself Anymore?

For most of you, when you open your hood, all you see is a big plastic cover that keeps you from seeing anything pertinent related to your engine. Remember the days when you could see the spark plug wires, there was enough space to see around under the hood, and you thought you recognized a few things whether you knew how to fix them or not?

    Today, it’s not so easy. Opening the hood, you’re met with very little exposure to anything that would allow you to do maintenance yourself. I have a theory about this, and it’s the idea that the manufacturers think you shouldn’t touch anything you don’t know about. Vehicles are so technologically advanced today that you need a degree just to work on them. Gone are the days when a big wrench and a couple of screwdrivers could fix anything. Automobiles have so many computer systems now that your main tool is usually a computer or a scan tool. I know many technicians who do not even get their hands dirty because their skill is in the area of being able to diagnose problems.

Vehicle Battery - Purchase Plenty Of Power

Remember cranking amps...Not months of warranty!

Always purchase a battery that has enough cranking power and reserve capacity to get the job done. Consider the vehicle manufacturer’s recommended capacity to be a minimum-capacity guideline. A vehicle that has a lot of electrical accessories such as on-board computers, air conditioning, two way radios, etc. will need a more powerful battery for optimum performance.

Along with electrical accessories, temperature also has an effect on battery performance. Vehicles operated in extremely cold climates will need a battery rated well above the O.E. recommendation. Likewise, vehicles operated in hot climates will not need extremely high CCA ratings.

Remember, you can't have a battery with too much power in colder climates!

Temperature has a dramatic effect on a battery's ability to crank an engine. Not only does cold rob batteries of power, it also stiffens motor oil making engines harder to start.

And heat can damage batteries by causing internal components to wear out quickly while also making engines difficult to start.

For more information, please visit http://www.CARQUESTBatteries.com.

CARQUEST Corporation 2635 East Millbrook Rd. Raleigh, NC 27604 Tollfree: 800-492-PART Media: 919-573-2510 cainform@CARQUEST.com www.CARQUEST.com

New Radiator Caps Take Pressure Off Car Owners

Maintaining the anti-freeze coolant is an important aspect of a healthy cooling system. This involves one of the most basic components of the automobile, the radiator pressure cap. The cap keeps cooling system pressure at the recommended pressure rating for the car. Each pound of pressure exerted on the cooling system raises the boiling point of the coolant by 3 degrees at sea level. This allows the cooling system to operate at a higher temperature before boiling over, increasing the system’s efficiency and reducing emissions.

Higher pressure demands one precaution: removing the cap carefully. Removing a hot radiator cap under pressure can cause a dangerous geyser of scalding steam. Stant Manufacturing Company, pioneers in cooling system component design, offers an option to make the procedure safer and easier.

Known as the Lev-R-Vent, this cap has a double-safety feature. “It’s a fail-safe system,” explained John Blommel, Stant Director of Marketing. “The lever on top of the cap includes a stem that interlocks with the filler neck and prevents the removal of the cap until the lever has been lifted. Raising the lever lifts the entire pressure valve from the lower sealing seat releasing steam out through the overflow tube before the cap can be removed from the filler neck.”

The Lev-R-Vent Cap (left) and the Swiv-el Pressure Cap (right) make checking the cooling system safer.

The Stant radiator cap line also includes the Swiv-el Pressure Cap. This cap is designed for easy installation and removal on both open and closed cooling systems. “Our Swiv-el caps are user-friendly because they’re easier to grasp and turn than conventional caps,” said Blommel.” Every device that promotes safety in the realm of automotive maintenance is a good investment.”

More than one out of four vehicles checked during National Car Care Month fail the car check-up because of low antifreeze-coolant level; this can lead to cooling system failure. Stant’s pressure cap designs play an important role in the maintenance of this system, helping sustain the prescribed pressure.

For more information, visit Stant Manufacturing on the web at www.stant.com.

The Lev-R-Vent Cap (left) and the Swiv-el Pressure Cap (right) make checking the cooling system safer.

Download this article in PDF format

 

Stant Manufacturing, INC. 1620 Columbia Avenue Connersville, IN Tel: 765-825-3121 www.stant.com

The Sludge in Your Audi, VW, or Lexus

To many customers dismay, we have seen a common problem with some Audi's, Volkswagens, and Lexus engines we felt it only appropriate to educate you on what oil sludge is and how it can be prevented.  This is a huge surprise and causes unfair stress when clients hear the sludge news.   

Blab About Your Car and Win Prizes!

Ask Patty is announcing CarBlabber. It's car reviews for women by women like you!
What does your car mean to you? Is your car sexy? Do you love or hate your car? Is your car a fashion statement or a pile of junk? We want to hear the good, the bad, and the ugly about your car.

But before we even talk about what you can DO on CarBlabber, let’s talk about what you can WIN! Ask Patty is offering a lineup of amazing products as prizes to CarBlabber members (and signing up is totally free!). All you have to do is create a profile, review a car and add a photo to your review!

The grand prize is a Harvey’s seat belt bag valued at $224! The Harveys Carriage Large Satchel is so sophisticated and stylish! With enough room to carry your favorite novel, a makeup bag, and all other everyday essentials, this bag is a must have! The Carriage Large Satchel offers a convertible adjustable strap which is 42” when fully extended to make it even more versatile, and the bag comes lined with the Harveys signature material. The bag also comes with a drawstring storage bag and a Harveys Lucky Star key chain! Yowza! All that? Just for writing a review and adding some pictures? You bet your boots!

And that’s not all. We also have 12 – count them, TWELVE – CarMDs to give away too. The CarMD is a vehicle tester that can be used to monitor and maintain the health of your 1996 and newer car, light truck, minivan and/or SUV for the life of your vehicle. The red, yellow and green indicator lights help you instantly diagnose the health of your, your family's, even your neighbor's vehicles. It can help you to examine a used car before you buy, give your vehicle a clean bill of health before a road trip, and pre-“smog” test your car! It can tell you why your check engine light is on or let you get a second opinion on your mechanic’s report. This thing is so useful it’s ridiculous! I have one and have used it many times to help me out!

And it keeps going. We are giving away the Car Care Council’s official 56-page car care guide to the first 200 profiles with car reviews and photos. The guide covers nine major service occasions and 12 component groups of the vehicle, plus service interval recommendations, a maintenance log and much more. It’s the perfect size to fit into your glove box so you could have it with you whenever you need it! It would even fit inside a Harveys bag with your CarMD!

So what are waiting for? Do you want to know what you can do at CarBlabber?
    *Create a personal car profile
    *Write car reviews of any car you’ve ever owned or driven or heck, even seen!
    * Connect with other women who love or hate the same cars as you
    *Read reviews of cars written by women JUST like you before you buy your next car
    *Join car clubs online and find other car friends!
    *Create your own social network by founding a car club of your very own
    *Rate your cars and comment on others reviews

Why wouldn't you do it?! Ladies, we're talking about a free purse here! Wow!

Go to: www.askpatty.com/carblabber and register now! 
(It’s 100% free) … go on, do it now…we you know you want to blab about your car!

Related Link: http://www.emediawire.com/releases/2007/9/emw552890.htm

Keeping Your Tires Inflated Saves Lives - And Gas!

by Amy Mattinat, Author of How To Buy A Great Used Car
Vehicles today, with all their technical enhancements, still need four healthy hunks of round rubber on the wheels to compliment the fuel injected, computer controlled engine under the hood. Whether you have a slow leak or blowout, it is very inconvenient when a tire flattens your day. Luckily, it is easy to monitor your tires and identify potential problems before they ruin your day or, even worse, cause damage to you, loved ones or to your vehicle.

Obviously, the tires are the only parts of the car that physically touch the ground. For that reason, they are the essential factors affecting your vehicle’s handling while driving, and stopping while braking. So you will be an educated driver, I want you to get acquainted with your tires so you know their    appearance, make, model number and proper inflation level.

I recommend that you visually inspect your tires on a weekly basis. If you see any early warning signs, without further ado ask your mechanic to inspect them! He or she will be able to check and correct any problems that are brewing. In some situations, you may need to replace one or more tires.

What should you be looking for during your visual inspection?
• Air Pressure. If any tire looks almost flat, check the air pressure before driving!
• Uneven tread wear. This can be caused by improper inflation, misaligned wheels, damaged tires or problems with suspension parts.
• Cracking or cuts in the sidewalls.
• Worn tread. Most modern tires have tread-wear indicator bars running across the tread.  These signal the minimum allowable tread depth of 1/16-inch.  When the tread is worn down to these bars, it's time for new tires.  You could purchase an inexpensive tread wear gauge at an auto-part or tire stores, or you could use the penny test!  You can use a Lincoln-head penny as a tread-wear indicator. Insert the penny into a tire groove with Lincoln's head toward the tire. If you can see the top of Abe's head, the tread is too worn, and you need new tires.
• Bulges or blisters. If you see a bulge or blister on the sidewall, replace the tire at once. These signal potential weak spots that could lead to tire failure.
• Excessive vibration.  Tire vibration may be a sign a wheel is misaligned, unbalanced or bent. It could also signify   internal tire damage.  Have the vehicle serviced by a professional at once.

You should check your tire inflation pressure (including the spare) at least once a month and definitely before every long trip.   Unfortunately, you can’t tell if the tires are “low” by eyeballing the tires and can’t count on the air meters at gas   stations to let you know if your tires have the right pressure in the tire either, they tend to be inaccurate due to overuse.  You should have your own personal tire gauge, so you can be sure!
 

Dealing with Mechanics

It happens to almost everyone. You step into an auto repair shop or service station because something is wrong with your car, and your usual intelligence and confidence disappear. If you're a woman, you may feel like you're entering the mechanic's domain with several strikes against you, even if you have a reasonable amount of car-care expertise, but even men often find themselves floundering when their car needs help - and who wouldn't? We live in a commuter society and our cars are not mere transportation, but satellite offices, and even moving living rooms.

The good news is this: even as cars are becoming more and more complex, the professionals who repair them are more educated than ever, and getting a correct diagnosis of your car's ills is getting easier.

Of course, it never hurts to be prepared when you have to have someone look under the hood. Here are some guidelines to help you make the best of a stressful situation.

Listen Up, Drivers! If Your Motor Oil Could Talk

OK, we had an arrangement. You’d change me every 3,000 miles or three months and in exchange, I’d keep critical parts of your precious vehicle’s engine lubricated, cleaned and cooled. Here I am, however, dirty and old and still expected to perform. No way.

The Car Care Council reminds motorists that although oil can’t speak for itself, it is the engine’s life-blood and that changing the oil regularly is still the single most important thing to do to ensure the engine’s long life.

What happens when oil ages and why does it need to be changed? With time, oil becomes contaminated by sources including dust, metallic shavings, condensation and even antifreeze. The additives in the oil that protect the engine break down, lose their effectiveness and can act as contaminants or corrosives.

When contaminants are present, they can stick to parts of the engine and act as abrasives, causing it to perform less efficiently. The oil lubricates poorly and is much less effective at cushioning the moving parts of the engine, which can increase friction. Ultimately, an engine that is not properly lubricated will wear prematurely and could seize up due to the friction and heat. Regular oil and filter changes can eliminate the contaminants and limit the effects they have on the engine.

“It’s one of those things that’s easy to put off doing. It’s like putting off teeth cleaning. Cavities will happen,” said Rich White, executive director, Car Care Council. “The oil change improves efficiency, fuel economy and dependability, and protects the engine.”

Automotive technicians agree. In a Vavoline study of ASE-certified technicians in 2006, 84 percent of technicians surveyed said that not getting a regular oil change could cause the most problems for a vehicle, when compared to other maintenance issues.

The council recommends that drivers follow the owner’s manual for viscosity and grade of motor oil. Viscosity refers to the thickness or thinness of the oil. The viscosity of oil changes with temperatures. Oil thins when heated and thickens when cooled; therefore, having the proper viscosity grade for the climate and temperatures of your geographic location is very important. Oil that does not flow well in cold temperatures will leave parts of the engine with no protection, while oil that burns off and becomes too fluid in high temperatures will also leave parts of the engine unprotected.

As a reminder, if you change your own oil, dispose of it properly. Never pour used oil down the drain or into the ground. Instead, take the used oil to a facility that accepts used engine oil.

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 more information, visit www.carcare.org.

 

Car Care Council 7101 Wisconsin Ave. Suite 1300 Bethesda, MD  Tel: 301-654-6664 Fax: 301-654-3299 www.carcare.org

Tire Shopping: Like Shoe Shopping, For Your Light Truck

You wouldn’t wear sandals in the snow. And sneakers at a wedding would be quite out of place. Just as proper footwear is critical to your comfort and correct body alignment, appropriate tires are vital to affecting the overall performance and handling of your vehicle.

If you’ve shod your SUV with this weekend’s “four for $99” special, you can expect an underwhelming experience on the roadways. The wrong tire does little to benefit the vehicle wearing it. The good news – optimizing your vehicle’s performance is as simple as shopping for the right shoe.

When choosing tires – just like shoes – start by looking for the proper fit. Take a moment to realize how you plan to use your vehicle and then understanding basic tire designs can help you select the right one for the job. With the increasing popularity of light trucks and SUVs, tire manufacturers have worked diligently to offer many tire options.

Highway or rib design tires provide traction on wet and dry surfaces. The tread block elements are aligned in a rib pattern with wide grooves to help resist hydroplaning. If you’re one of those 90+% who never take their SUV or pickup off-road, these tires provide long mileage, a comfortable ride and excellent handling performance. Like the casual loafer, these tires are made for everyday use, commuting to work and for those family vacations.

A tire marked “A/T” is designed for all-terrain use but also performs well on the highway. An all-terrain tread has many independent blocks separated by large grooves for off-road traction. Varied sizes and shapes of tread blocks minimize highway noise. The A/T could be compared to a tennis shoe: comfortable and dependable, but only able to handle mildly rugged conditions. If you run off-road only occasionally, for instance weekend camping trips, or see a lot of gravel in your daily driving, the A/T is your “shoe”.

An A/T tire might offer options that an off-road enthusiast would enjoy, but it is not as aggressive as the M/T tire. A tire designated with an “M/T” is used for “Max-Traction.” These dutiful soldiers easily handle muddy and rocky surfaces frequented by the serious adventurer. The M/T tire is the “hiking boot” of tires. Rugged tread elements with large tread voids offer excellent traction to handle the most severe driving conditions. Whether charging up a sand dune, climbing over rocks or heading down the trail, look for the M/T tire.

An “A/S” denotes all-season tires which are dependable for many road conditions. For severe snow conditions, a mountain snowflake pictograph with an M+S represents the industry’s standard for tires, much like snow boots, designed for wintry conditions.

When shopping for tires, don’t be intimidated by the choices. Think of it as a chance to shop for shoes – for your automobile. Search for the right combination of comfort, style and performance to suit your vehicle.

Size up options by visiting your local tire dealer or retailer, the professionals who want to help you “put your best foot forward.” For more information visit www.bridgestonetire.com, www.tiresafety.com, or phone the Bridgestone/Firestone customer service representatives at 1.800.807.9555. 

Download this article in PDF format

Bridgestone Americas Holding, Inc. 535 Marriott Dr.