Longview Auto Repair

Articles:

What Does Cold Weather Have to Do With Oil Changes?

It is often said that the engine is the heart of the car and the oil is its lifeblood. Much like us – our cars need extra care and maintenance to get through the cold season healthy and happy. THE BEST COLD REMEDY FOR VEHICLES: AN OIL CHANGE To keep your car in tip-top shape during winter, the best cold ‘remedy’ for your vehicle is an oil change. Cold temperatures can cause your oil to flow slowly or not at all – which puts a lot of stress on your engine. After a while, your vehicle's motor can start to have problems. HOW TO KNOW WHICH OIL TO USE Oil is measured by its viscosity (how thick or thin it is). The higher its viscosity, the slower oil flows. Because oil viscosity changes with temperature, different types of oil were developed so your car can continue to run smoothly, no matter what the temperature is. If you look at an oil bottle, they all have a grade rating. The number before the W describes the viscosity of the oil at low ... read more

Categories:

Oil Change

Your Quick Guide to Buying New Tires

Right around this time of the year when the snow starts flying, most of us ask ourselves the same question: is it time for new tires? Before replacing your tires, there are a few things to consider. We’ll go through and map everything out to help simplify this often complicated process. DO YOU ACTUALLY NEED NEW TIRES? The obvious first step is to determine if you really need new tires or not. If you notice your car is pulling to one side, slipping around, or not confidently stopping when you brake, it might just be a simple fix like filling under-inflated tires. Check the tire pressure on all 4 tires before considering buying new tires. One easy way to check if you have enough tire tread is the penny test. Simply insert a penny into your tire’s tread groove with Lincoln’s head upside down and facing you. If you can see all of Lincoln’s head, this means your tire tread is less than 2/32 inch and it’s time to replace your tires. Even if ... read more

Categories:

Tire Information

Dead Battery? Here’s How to Jump Start Your Vehicle

Jump-starting a car is a pretty simple procedure, but it’s an important one to know! Whether you’re helping out a friend or jumping your own vehicle, it’s a skill that’ll come in handy often. Jump-starting can seem intimidating if you don’t know the first thing about it, but by the end of this article, you’ll have the knowledge and confidence to take it on. STEP 1: TRY TO DETERMINE WHY YOUR CAR BATTERY DIED. The most common reason why batteries die is from lights that are left on overnight, so check that first. Other common causes include an interior light that won’t shut off because of a faulty door latch or trunk switch, a bad alternator, or maybe even a subwoofer, poorly installed stereo system, or car alarm leeching power due to a short circuit. If you’re unable to find the cause and your car battery dies often, it’s worth bringing your car in to have a professional mechanic diagnose the problem. It can be dangerous to ignore this problem - especially ... read more

Categories:

Car Maintenance

How Old Are Your Tires?

Tires are your vehicle’s first line of defense. After all, they’re the only part of the vehicle that comes in contact with the ground. (If anything else on your vehicle is touching the ground, it’s definitely a good time to call your mechanic!) All kidding aside – as your first line of defense, it’s important to know whether or not your tires are in good condition so you’re not unexpectedly left stranded. Although your tires may appear fine at a quick glance, there are certain warning signs that it’s wise to keep an eye out for. We’ll go over the most common ones so you know what to look for, and can stay safe on the road this season. WHAT IS TIRE AGING Tire aging happens through a process called oxidation. Over time, as the rubber in your tires is exposed to oxygen, it begins to stiffen and crack. Think of it like an old rubber band that has lost its elasticity. As this loss of elasticity happens in your tires, it can cause steel belts in the t ... read more

Categories:

Tire Information

Difference Between Winter and All-Season Tires

Old man winter is on his way, sweeping inland from the Pacific and pelting us with rain, ice, and snow. He also brings with him a flurry of questions like: What is the difference between winter tires and all-season tires? Are winter tires worth the investment? These are great questions. The bottom line is that having the right tires matters when you’re exposed to the diverse driving conditions that we experience here in the Pacific Northwest. HOW DIFFERENT TIRES PERFORM ON ICE Tests are run by tire companies every year, and they consistently show that winter tires perform far better than regular tires on ice. Much of this is a result of the rubber compound that makes up the tire. All season tires are made up of a rubber tread compound which stiffens as the temperature drops, resulting in less traction and increased risk of an accident. In contrast, the rubber on winter tires is designed to remain flexible, which allows the tire to grip the road better. This won ... read more

Categories:

Tire Information
Longview Auto & Tire is committed to ensuring effective communication and digital accessibility to all users. We are continually improving the user experience for everyone, and apply the relevant accessibility standards to achieve these goals. We welcome your feedback. Please call Longview Auto & Tire (360) 425-3933 if you have any issues in accessing any area of our website.