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A Few Things Stolen Cars Have In Common

A Few Things Stolen Cars Have In Common

Car thieves are on the lookout for unattended vehicles left and right. While location and area can make your car more susceptible, there are other noticeable patterns to be aware of. Being aware of what makes a vehicle likely to be stolen can help you stay a few steps ahead of the situation. Awareness allows you to prepare and adapt to safety precautions. What are some elements stolen cars have in common? They’re Older Models While a new car can also be stolen, car thieves are looking for simplicity. Older vehicles are less likely to come with flashy alarms, bells, and whistles that a new car has. If your vehicle is older, it may appeal to a thief who’s in a hurry to jimmy the engine’s lock and hot wire. Silver Cars While most people assume red cars are more likely to be stolen, studies show that silver vehicles are stolen the most. The psychology behind why this hasn’t been thoroughly explored, but silver cars are more common ... read more

Categories:

Car Safety

Important Fluids To Check Before Your Road Trip

Summer is here, and you’re all packed and ready to go on a road trip. You’re anxious to leave and checking your to-do list twice. Did you pack everything you need? Are your passengers ready? Most importantly, is your vehicle ready? Before you start that epic summer road trip, below is a few common vehicle fluids you should check before you leave:  Coolant  It’s already hot, the last thing you need is an overheated engine. You can check your coolant levels in two ways. Once your vehicle is cooled down, check the coolant levels by opening the radiator cap. If the coolant level isn’t near the top of the container, add a bit more to top it off. You can also check your coolant levels by looking at the plastic reservoir next to the radiator. The liquid should be situated between the “minimum” and “maximum” levels. Motor oil The motor oil is one of the most critical liquids to check. While the car ... read more

Categories:

Car Maintenance

How to determine if your tires are worn and need replacing

Tire tread provides you with the traction to stop and hold your vehicle to the road on curves. Tires with good tread help funnel water out from under the tire to reduce hydroplaning on wet roads.  If your tires are well-worn, there is an increased risk of hydroplaning, loss of traction and likelihood of damage by potholes and other road hazards. The US Department of Transportation recommends that you replace tires when worn down to 2/32 inch (1.6 mm) tread depth anywhere on the tread face. Washington State and many other states require that tires be replaced when worn down to this depth. States may also require tires to be replaced for other signs of wear. Signs of Wear Signs of wear that require the tire to be replace include, but are not limited to, the following: Exposed ply or cord by the naked eye or when probing a cut or abrasion Bump, bulge, or knot that affects tire structure Improper repairs Tread depth less than 2/32" What is the Penn ... read more

Categories:

Tire Information

Why is tire balancing important for tire maintenance?

Tire balancing will help with even wear of the tire, longer tire life and a comfortable ride.  It will result in a smooth rolling tire with all areas of the wheel and tire combination being as equal in weight as possible. Out of balance tires can cause uneven and faster tread wear, poor fuel economy, and vibration in the steering wheel, the floorboard or the seat that gets worse at faster speeds. Why does tire imbalance occur? In normal manufacturing, tires and wheels will be slightly heavier in some areas. Everyday wear can also cause imbalance. As little as half an ounce difference in weight can cause vibrations. How is tire imbalance corrected? Tire imbalance is easily corrected by a professional attaching small weights, each only fractions of an ounce, to the wheel. How are tires balanced? To balance your tires, a technician will attach a tire mounted on a wheel to a balancing machine. The machine spins the tire at a hi ... read more

Categories:

Tire Information

Want Longer Lasting Tires? An alignment may be the answer.

If you are experiencing pulling in one direction or vibrations, a tire service professional can conduct an alignment to ensure that your car is properly aligned.  Tire or wheel alignment can help your tires last longer and improve handling. Hitting a curb or pothole can throw your vehicle out of alignment and damage your tires. Misalignment of wheels in the front or rear can cause uneven and rapid tread wear and should be corrected.  When your vehicle is properly aligned, it not only results in extended tire life, but also better fuel economy and a safer ride. Why does Alignment Matter?1. Tire Life. Improper alignment can cause your tires to wear unevenly and prematurely.  It's ideal to have your vehicle aligned to catch and correct misalignment issues before you experience undue tread wear.  Alignments help you get full mileage out of your tires! 2. Safe Ride.  Poor alignment can lead to your vehicle p ... read more

Categories:

Car Maintenance
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