Longview Auto & Tire

In most parts of the US, autumn means the arrival of cooler weather, fuzzy sweaters, and sports. It's also known as a transition period between summer and winter, where leaves often change into brilliant colors and fall (hence the name)! These leaves may scatter your driveway, the roads, the highway, and even your car. Unfortunately, too many fallen leaves and nature's debris can pose significant risks for your vehicle's condition. Here's how: Change Paint Finish Some leaves contain sap, pollen, or spores that can destroy your paint's finish. When the leaves get soaked by rainwater, it can get acidic. The acid can then "leave" a mark and damage your car's paint finish. Furthermore, if the soggy leaves are left too long, it can contribute to rust formation.  Make Your Ride Slippery When the roads get coated in slimy leaves, it can be difficult for your wheels to properly contact the road (especially if you have poor tread). The slippy feel bed ... read more

It's October, which means Halloween is nearly here! Regardless of whether you have children or not, you are liable to drive safe and keep others safe. If you plan on going somewhere on Halloween, you will surely see many pedestrians, and most of them will be children. In order to make sure everyone has a fun and safe time trick-or-treating, please follow our safe driving tips! Decrease Your Speed – An essential tip that you should remember is to reduce your speed. The speed limit in a residential area is typically 25mph or under, but the slower you go, the more time you'll have to react. With so many children walking around, you need to be extra cautious by driving slowly. Put Down Major Distractions - We urge you to give the road 100 percent of your attention at all times. An excellent way to do this is to silence your phone to avoid any interruptions. In addition, you should avoid eating or drinking of any sort. Your hands should be clear of anything else and gripped ... read more

If you want your vehicle to get you from point a to point b safely every day, you must do everything you can to properly maintain your vehicle over time. In other words, it means that you need to take your vehicle in for regular tune-ups. It doesn't matter if your car, SUV, or truck is brand new or used; you still need to make sure that it gets inspected by a professional mechanic.    You should be on the lookout for these few symptoms that may indicate you are due for a tune-up. These are problems that you have to address if you want a reliable car. Your Car Doesn't Always Start If you face difficulty starting your vehicle a little too often, you most definitely need a tune-up. There is a long list of potential problems that could be the cause of your vehicle not starting right away. The most common problem we see at Longview Auto & Tire is a weak battery or a malfunctioning fuel pump. Regardless of the situation, we can get to the bottom of the issue at your ... read more

With the extended weekend, who doesn't love a good road trip? Many of us are planning to hit the road for Labor Day Weekend. But with any vacation, the journey there can be the most boring and dreadful part. To make things more fun, here are some of our recommendations:   Play a Road Trip Game You can enjoy a good road trip game at any age! There are the classics: Ispy, 20 Questions, and the License Plate Game. Or you can opt for a more hands-on game like cards.   Take Lots of Photos Bring a camera or use your phone camera, but we guarantee you'll want to look back on these captured moments one day. You can revisit the memories when you're old and think back to this iconic road trip.   Challenge Yourself and Use a Paper Map I know we tend to rely on navigational apps such as Google Maps or Waze to guide us. Change things up by ditching the technology this time around. You and your passengers can work as a team and see if you can navigate a new place ... read more

All vehicles come outfitted with shocks or struts, which make up your suspension system. Both are responsible for giving you a smooth ride. However, most people may not realize that they also significantly contribute to your ability to maintain control and stability of your car while driving. With such an important task, what are the signs to look out for when they stop working?   Listed below are several signs of worn-out shocks and struts: You feel excessive bouncing, rolling, and rocking while driving over rough roads or railroad tracks, requiring you to adjust your steering. Uneven tire wear is another warning sign. Old shocks and struts will disable you from maintaining good contact with the road. Worn shocks can sometimes cause steering wheel vibration or shaking on smooth roads. Your vehicle is pulling in different directions when applying the brakes. You may also have fluid leaks pooling near the shocks and struts. Lastly, you may also try the bounce test. The bounc ... read more