All right, all right. There are a lot of ideas about car care out
there, but which ones do you follow? We’re here to bust through some
maintenance myths and possibly save you a buck or two on your next
service appointment.
MYTH: Oil has to be changed every 3,000 miles. It doesn’t hurt. But
it is probably a waste of money. Familiarize yourself with your owner’s
manual – seriously. Your maintenance schedule is probably not as strict
as you think, and you might even be able to go twice this “recommended
distance” without getting an oil change.
MYTH: Treating your car with premium gas after running regular for a
while is beneficial. Just stick with your recommended octane level and
you’ll be all right – the system will stay clean regardless. Some
premium grade gas might have extra detergents in it, but a lot of the
time that’s just a marketing gimmick. It’s up to you if you want to
experiment to see what helps your car have the best performance.
MYTH: Wipe down your dash and tires with protectant compounds to keep
them shiny. A lot of these “protecting” wipes on the market actually
strip tires of their original protectants, and it’s possible that they
actually cause drying and cracking on the dashboard. Stick with warm
soap and water instead.
When it comes to what keeps you smiling behind the wheel, which
factors are important to you? J.D. Power & Associates wants to know
what makes you happy out on the road– that’s why the APEAL Study is
conducted every year! The 2014 results are in– and we have some
exciting news! The top-ranked vehicle in its segment for overall
performance and design is waiting for you in our lot!
Winner: 2014 Honda Ridgeline
Segment: Midsized Pickup
Competitors Left In The Rear View: Toyota Tacoma, Nissan Frontier
When thinking of buying a Honda car, it is always advisable to buy it from an authorized Honda car dealer. A car, today, has become more of a need. Honda is a name that has been trusted for generations. It has reinvented itself over and over again, and has today become synonymous with high performance, fuel efficient and stylish automobiles. It has emerged as the most preferred brand in big cities like Los Angeles and so on. The advent of new Honda cars in Los Angeles has triggered the sales of the same drastically. Los Angeles is often termed as the car capital with many enthusiastic car buyers in its repertoire.As mentioned above, there is no dearth of new Honda cars in Los Angles. But it becomes extremely important that one buys his or her car from a well-reputed car dealer. The number one benefit of doing so is that being a certified Honda car dealer, they will be in a position to offer better pre and post purchase services. One such well-reputed Honda car dealer is Goudy Honda. A family run enterprise, they have been dealing with Honda cars for generations together. At Goudy Honda, you enjoy a huge variety of Honda cars. They have an exhaustive and well-detailed inventory that aides as a guide in making the right purchase.At Goudy Honda, you are well-assisted at each step of your purchase. The well-versed team here ensure that you pick the right automobile, as per your needs and requirements. Since they are certified Honda car dealers, they are entitled to offer you many perks and offers that you might have missed elsewhere. Also, they will ensure that all the required paper work is done smoothly, so that you may enjoy a hassle-free purchase. Goudy Honda has the largest collection of new Honda cars in Los Angeles, making it a brand to reckon with. The years of expertise and unfailing dedication, motivates them to offer you the best from the best.
- Bulges, gouges, or cracks
When a tire deflates,
it bulges at the sides. This is a sign of low tire pressure
or a slow air leak.
- Tread wear
The old-school penny test is one way
to check your treads: Place a penny into the tread, with Lincoln's head
pointing down. If you can still see the top of his noggin, the tread is
dangerously low. Most modern tires, however, have wear bars: bits of
rubber woven into the pattern at a specific depth. You can find the
wear bars that go across the groove, and if the tread pattern is worn
down to that wear bar, you need to replace the tire.
- Tire pressure
Tires deflate at a rate of about
one pound per square inch (PSI) per month.
- Temperature
Tire pressure drops in extreme
cold. The challenge in summer is excessive heat buildup in
the tire. If you're heading out on a road trip with an underinflated
tire, it will generate more heat and wear out faster.
- Vibration
Watch out for vibration or thumping
when you're driving. If it feels like it's coming from under the seats,
the rear tires may be out of balance. Vibration from the steering wheel
could indicate suspension issues.
Many people unwittingly carry the weight of an extra person
in the back of their vehicle. It's important to remove everything you don't
use frequently or need in an emergency. Items such as car cleaners or
foldable chairs, for example, should be stored elsewhere. Seasonal
items, like traction aids for the mud or snow, should be stored in the
car only when the season demands it or if you're an active off-roader.
Cleaning out your trunk will do more than lift your spirits: The weight
you save by shedding excess pounds from your car could be enough to
improve both your tire wear and your gas mileage—saving you money every
mile you travel.
It’s usually not as easy as you think it would be. Bringing your best
non-human friend on the road with you seems simple enough, right? Not
always so. Here are a few tips on how to make travel with your pet
easier.
Healthy Start: The last thing you need on the road is a sick
pet. Make sure your pet is all set on vaccinations and has the proper
certificates if you intend to cross any international/province/state
borders.
Frequent Pit Stops: You pet can
get stir crazy just like you! Stop at any designated waiting area or
service stop and take it on a little walk. This may increase your travel
time, but it is well worth it! Breaks like these also serve as a
perfect time to hydrate.
Proper Restraint: Whether your pet
is calm and obedient in the car it is always important to make sure
they are safe. No need to roll the windows down for fresh air, you don’t
want any debris hitting them in the face. A favorite blanket or pet bed
is perfect for a long road trip. Creating a normalcy and routine for
car rides helps your pet stay calm. There are lots of other ways to
make you and your pet calm during a car ride lasting anywhere between 5
minutes and 8 hours.
There’s nothing worse than getting a cold this time of year. The
combination of chest congestion and hot weather seems to confuse your
body far more than a winter bug would. But there’s light at the end of
the tunnel–light from a sunny beach and poolside fun! The answer to
health and happiness could be hiding in your car.
-SUCK IT UP! Itchy, watery eyes? Trouble
breathing? Cough? Could be dust mites. You know the importance of
preventing them in your home–remember to do the same for your car’s
interior by vacuuming regularly.
-CLEAN THE VENTS! Pollen builds in your car throughout the year–especially in
the spring when everything is blooming. Combat sneeze attacks by
cleaning the vents in your ride every time you clean your car.
-STIFLE GERMS AT THE SOURCE! 700 different kinds of
bacteria can be found inside cars. Only 60 types are found in the
average public toilet. Add it all up and what do you get?
Antibacterial wipes. In the car. At all times.