Posted on 1/31/2020
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
Posted on 1/3/2020
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
Posted on 1/3/2020
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