While it’s easy to overlook those four patches of rubber called your tires, performing a few simple checks can yield better fuel economy and improved vehicle handling. Since most tire damage and wear is a result of driving on tires that are improperly inflated, tire experts suggest checking your air pressure once a month.
Maintaining proper tire pressure is important for many reasons other than reducing the potential of a flat tire or a blowout. In order to achieve optimum handling from your vehicle, from everyday driving to making emergency maneuvers, tire pressure needs to be at the proper inflation level. Even a tire that doesn’t appear to be low on air can result in reduced vehicle handling and excessive tread wear.
Tires that are not at the correct air pressure will also increase the rolling resistance (the friction that occurs when an object rolls) of the vehicle. Under-inflated tires, for example, result in increased rolling resistance and therefore require more energy (or fuel) to move the vehicle, which negatively impacts fuel economy. According to the Department of Energy, keeping tires inflated properly improves fuel economy by approximately 3.3 percent. Tires that are over-inflated result in reduced levels of handling performance because less rubber is in contact with the road.
Improper inflation puts unnecessary stress on your tires and can result in excessive or uneven wear. When this happens, it compromises the ability of the tires to perform, and often results in premature tire wear—and the necessity to replace them sooner than expected. Tires with excessive or uneven tread wear can also lead to an accident. (JD Power & Associates)
Need new tires? CLICK HERE
www.WaltMassey.com
Friday, April 30, 2010
Wednesday, April 28, 2010
Used Cars - Here Today, Gone Tomorrow
Retail stores such as hardware, sporting goods, grocery, pet supplies and others have delivery days, some call them "truck days", when new merchandise arrives. It's not all that exciting unless a new product is being introduced. Not so at a dealership. Every day is a new chance to get a new product on our pre-owned lot. Trade-ins, auctions, consignment, whatever the avenue, we get fresh inventory constantly. Trucks, cars, vans and sometimes boats and cycles pass through our lot each week and customers may not even know it. If you are in the market for a quality pre-owned vehicle, check our inventory several times through the week to stay updated with the latest available items. Just imagine, the car you've been looking for may have just arrived as you were reading this article! Don't miss it.
Tuesday, April 20, 2010
How To Improve Gas Mileage
While it is always wise to conserve natural resources, the price of gasoline has made even the most wasteful people think twice. Whatever your motivation, here are some fuel economy tips from the pros at the National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence (ASE) and Walt Massey Automotive.
Monitor tires. Under-inflated tires or poorly aligned wheels waste fuel by forcing the engine to work harder. (Let the tires cool down before checking the air pressure.) Out-of-line wheels, as evidenced by uneven tread wear, should be aligned by a professional.
Remove excess weight. Remove unnecessary items from the vehicle. Store only essentials in the trunk. Less weight means better mileage.
Consolidate trips and errands. Some trips may be unnecessary. Also, try to travel when traffic is light so you can avoid stop-and-go conditions.
Avoid excessive idling. Shut off the engine while waiting for friends and family.
Observe speed limits. Speeding decreases your miles per gallon.
Drive gently. Sudden accelerations guzzle gas. Anticipate traffic patterns ahead and adjust your speed gradually.
Use windows and air conditioning wisely. Your mileage should improve if you keep the windows closed at highway speeds, since air drag is reduced. This is true even with the air conditioning on-assuming that the system is in good working order. But turn the air conditioning off in stop-and-go traffic to save fuel.
Keep your engine "tuned up." A well-maintained engine operates at peak efficiency, maximizing gas mileage. Follow the service schedules listed in the owner's manual. Replace filters and fluids as recommended; have engine performance problems (rough idling, poor acceleration, etc.) corrected at a repair facility. Given today's high-tech engines, it's wise to have this type of work done by auto technicians who are ASE certified in engine performance.
These conservation tips will not only save gasoline, they'll help extend the life of your vehicle. Win-win, indeed. Contact our Service Department at Walt Massey Automotive now for a gas-saving checkup.
www.WaltMassey.com
Monitor tires. Under-inflated tires or poorly aligned wheels waste fuel by forcing the engine to work harder. (Let the tires cool down before checking the air pressure.) Out-of-line wheels, as evidenced by uneven tread wear, should be aligned by a professional.
Remove excess weight. Remove unnecessary items from the vehicle. Store only essentials in the trunk. Less weight means better mileage.
Consolidate trips and errands. Some trips may be unnecessary. Also, try to travel when traffic is light so you can avoid stop-and-go conditions.
Avoid excessive idling. Shut off the engine while waiting for friends and family.
Observe speed limits. Speeding decreases your miles per gallon.
Drive gently. Sudden accelerations guzzle gas. Anticipate traffic patterns ahead and adjust your speed gradually.
Use windows and air conditioning wisely. Your mileage should improve if you keep the windows closed at highway speeds, since air drag is reduced. This is true even with the air conditioning on-assuming that the system is in good working order. But turn the air conditioning off in stop-and-go traffic to save fuel.
Keep your engine "tuned up." A well-maintained engine operates at peak efficiency, maximizing gas mileage. Follow the service schedules listed in the owner's manual. Replace filters and fluids as recommended; have engine performance problems (rough idling, poor acceleration, etc.) corrected at a repair facility. Given today's high-tech engines, it's wise to have this type of work done by auto technicians who are ASE certified in engine performance.
These conservation tips will not only save gasoline, they'll help extend the life of your vehicle. Win-win, indeed. Contact our Service Department at Walt Massey Automotive now for a gas-saving checkup.
www.WaltMassey.com
Monday, April 19, 2010
Auto Service - Use Your Senses!
When you think about it, you know your car better than anyone else. You drive it every day and know how it feels and sounds when everything is right. So don't ignore its warning signals.
Use all of your senses to inspect your car frequently. Check for:
- Unusual sounds, odors, drips, leaks, smoke, warning lights, gauge readings.
- Changes in acceleration, engine performance, gas mileage, fluid levels.
- Worn tires, belts, hoses.
- Problems in handling, braking, steering,vibrations.
- Note when the problem occurs.
Is it constant or periodic?
When the vehicle is cold or after the engine has warmed up?
At all speeds? Only under acceleration? During braking? When shifting?
When did the problem first start?
If you have any automotive service needs, please CLICK HERE and let us know.
www.WaltMassey.com
Use all of your senses to inspect your car frequently. Check for:
- Unusual sounds, odors, drips, leaks, smoke, warning lights, gauge readings.
- Changes in acceleration, engine performance, gas mileage, fluid levels.
- Worn tires, belts, hoses.
- Problems in handling, braking, steering,vibrations.
- Note when the problem occurs.
Is it constant or periodic?
When the vehicle is cold or after the engine has warmed up?
At all speeds? Only under acceleration? During braking? When shifting?
When did the problem first start?
If you have any automotive service needs, please CLICK HERE and let us know.
www.WaltMassey.com
Friday, April 16, 2010
Springtime Car Care
Spring is the perfect time to evaluate your vehicle after a rough winter and make sure that summer driving is a breeze. Engine performance, fluid levels, transmission issues and especially the A/C all need attention before you head into the dog days of summer and long, grueling vacation trips. CLICK HERE for some easy, but smart, tips on Spring maintenance from the experts.
http://www.waltmassey.com/
http://www.waltmassey.com/
Thursday, April 15, 2010
Auto Service - How To Choose the Right Mechanic
How much do you know about your vehicle? Not much? Then who do you trust to get under the hood? CLICK HERE to see why choosing an ASE Certified Technician is an important part of your vehicle maintenance.
Saturday, April 10, 2010
High Five for Chevy!
The Saturday night NASCAR race in Phoenix was a drought-ending win for Ryan Newman, while Jeff Gordon played bridesmaid yet again. It also saw a top-5 sweep for Chevrolet as the brand placed six total in the top ten. That makes five wins out of seven races for Chevy this young 2010 season! Plenty of races to go and looking forward to a great season and another possible championship for Chevy.
www.WaltMassey.com
Thursday, April 8, 2010
Wednesday, April 7, 2010
Tuesday, April 6, 2010
Friday, April 2, 2010
Service Anyone?
Just a reminder that our ASE Certified Technicians service
all makes and models! Contact our Service Department
for all your automotive service needs; we know your vehicle!
You don't take your family to just any doctor. Treat your
car or truck the same. Make sure the techs in and around
your baby are trained and experienced to handle service and maintenance in a way that makes you comfortable. You sit in our
cozy customer area and watch T.V., we take care of the
rest. No worries, no hassles - the Walt Massey way!
ASE - National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence
Thursday, April 1, 2010
CREW CABS... You've Come A Long Way, Baby!
THE FIRST CREW CAB TRUCK.The International Travelette was a crew cab, available in 2- or 4-wheel drive. It was available starting in 1957 (with 3 doors, 4th door added in 1961), and was the first 6-passenger, 4-door truck of its time in the U.S.
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