Car Blog

I have been asked many times if it matters where you buy your gasoline. My answer is always this... Stick with a major brand of gasoline, and try to buy your gasoline in an area where there are a lot of gas stations. Why? well if you buy your gasoline in a populated area with many gas stations in the same area, it creates competition, and you are more likely to get a lower price per gallon. By sticking with a name brand gasoline, you are assured you are getting a quality product with a company to stand behind it. Most major brands of gasolines have a lot of detergents in their gasoline which help your car run cleaner. You will also want to run some fuel injector cleaner through your tank, every month or so, depending on how many miles you drive. Kevin

When you need to replace your exhaust system due to rust or damage, consider an aftermarket exhaust. If you are concerned about price, often times an aftermarket exhaust can be cheaper than the factory system. I was working on my father's 1989 Chevrolet Pickup and needed to replace the muffler and tail pipe. The factory parts were well over $200, and a complete aftermarket exhaust was $180. I went with the aftermarket exhaust DynoMax and ended up with a better sounding exhaust tone and a few bucks in my pocket. I generally buy my exhaust systems from http://www.summitracing.com They have good prices and quick shipping. Kevin

I spent part of the day yesterday watching the International Auto Show on TV. What a great show to see what the future holds in the way of new vehicles. You can check out their website at http://www4.naias.com/ My personal favorite car, was the Dodge Challenger http://www.cnn.com/2006/AUTOS/funonwheels/01/04/dodge_challenger/ Check it out and let's hope Dodge builds it and KEEPS it a 2 door, not a 4 Door like they did with the Charger. Kevin

Your cars cooling system is vulnerable to the cold temperatures in the winter months. Proper maintenance of your cars cooling system can prevent freeze-ups and corrosion problems. The coolant in your car's engine is a mixture of water and anti-freeze, a chemical to prevent freezing. Straight water is the best liquid to remove heat from your engine, but will freeze below 32 degrees F, so antifreeze is necessary. Before each winter season you should have your coolant checked by a mechanic for PH and freezing point. It's a simple test which can be done in a few minutes and can save you repair bills and hassles down the road. You can buy a tester at your local parts store and test the coolant yourself, but you will need to be careful to check the levels when the engine is cold. If the PH or freezing point is off, it's time to change coolant. A certified mechanic will have the proper equipment to flush and refill your coolant system and properly dispose of the old coolant.

Not many people enjoy driving in the ice and snow, but there are a few things to decrease your stress levels and make your drive much safer. - Inspect your tires: New tires will give you the traction you will need for the winter months. Make sure you check the air pressures also. In colder months, the air contracts and you can lose air pressure in your tires, with just a drop in temperature. - Carry a bag of salt or ice melt in the trunk: If you have a rear wheel drive car, this will also add some weight for traction. Salt can also be used to melt snow and aid in traction if you become stuck. - Take it easy: Some people with 4-wheel drive vehicles think they can go faster.... well 4-wheel drive does not help you stop any faster on ice or snow ! - When you start to slide: Steer the direction you want the front of the car to go. Be careful not to over correct. I often recommend drivers find an empty parking lot and practice sliding the car to get an idea how it feels. Make sure you can safely practice and get permission to use the parking lot. - Leave plenty of room: Always think ahead and leave plenty of room to stop if something should go wrong. Anticipate what other drivers may do before they do it, and have an emergency exit from the situation. - Stay home: If the weather is too bad, don't risk going out. Stay home and cuddle up with your wife/husband/boyfriend/girlfriend and be glad you are not out there on the road. Safe Travels, Kevin Schappell