Holiday Season Vehicle Maintenance and Safety Tips

The holiday season is officially here! This time of year means celebrating with family and friends through numerous gatherings, but with all of the fun that comes with the holiday season, business and stress come with it. Gift buying, holiday parties, picking up family and friends from the airport, driving home for the holidays, and of course, the holidays themselves all have one thing in common. Driving. With everyone running around, it is important to keep safety at the top of your mind. Driving this time of year can be dangerous as the number of drivers on the road increases. Having a reliable vehicle during this season and avoiding the road hazards winter brings is crucial.  To get through the season, you’re going to need to stay safe on the road, have some patience, and keep up with your vehicle’s maintenance!

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Buyers Beware: Flooded Cars Could Return to Market Near You

You may be thinking: “hurricanes barely hit north Jersey, so when shopping for a used car I don’t have to worry as much about buying a car that was previously flooded”. In fact, each year, thousands of waterlogged cars do end up on the market far away from a hurricane zone. Insurance companies are still tallying the number of vehicles destroyed by Hurricane Ian. But already those cars are showing up in the used car marketplace. These vehicles are supposed to be written off by insurance companies and sold for parts or scrap but that’s not always the case. Buyers beware as scammers try to keep you unaware that you may be buying a car that was previously flooded.

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What are the 6 Essential Vehicle Fluids and What Do They Do?

The six fluids you should check regularly are engine oil, coolant (Antifreeze), power steering fluid, brake fluid, transmission fluid (in an automatic transmission vehicle, not a manual), and windshield washer fluid. By regularly checking these and watching out for unusual odors, noises, or vibrations you can improve vehicle longevity, gas mileage, and resell value! But if you find yourself asking what exactly each of these fluids does and how often you should be checking them you came to the right place! 

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30K, 60K, 90K Mile Auto Maintenance Services – Are They Important?

We have previously talked about how keeping up with your vehicle’s maintenance services can help save you money and extend the life of your vehicle. But, have you been keeping up with your car’s 30k, 60k, and 90k mile maintenance services? 

They are the easiest-to-remember mileage thresholds and taking your vehicle for maintenance after hitting each milestone will benefit you in the long run. Let’s take a look at why.

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What Happens if I Wait Too Long for an Oil Change?

We’ve all experienced it. Getting in the car and either checking the sticker in the corner of your windshield or getting that dashboard signal that reminds you that you need an oil change. We get it, scheduling an oil change sounds like a chore. You may even feel like you don’t have enough time in the week to fit in an oil change but, delaying your next oil change can lead to long-term engine problems. Oil is essential in maintaining the internal components of the engine and must be changed on a schedule based on mileage or time. Let’s discuss what happens when you wait too long to get an oil change.
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What’s a Catalytic Converter & Why are Thieves Stealing Them?

You may have heard recently that catalytic converter theft is becoming more common. Thieves can steal catalytic converters in just a matter of a minute or two, even faster if you have a lifted car or truck. This raises questions such as “what is a catalytic converter and why are people stealing them from under cars?” In this article, we will explain what a catalytic converter is, why they are being stolen, and how to keep yours safe!

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Tire Repair: Tire Plug vs. Radial Patch

Flat tires, blown-out tires, and shredded tires are all extremely common occurrences, especially when driving through areas that are under construction. Running over a nail can be very upsetting and may leave you wondering what the best way to repair your tire is in instances like this.

Tire repairs come in many different shapes and forms and are highly dependent on how severe the damage is to the tire. Most simple damages can be repaired with either a plug or a patch, but which option is better?

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Spare Tires in Newer Cars: What You Need to Know

Picture this: you’re in rush to get somewhere then hear a loud pop and the tire pressure light turns on. As you inspect the tires, you notice the culprit: a nail. You think to yourself “no big deal, I have a spare.” But when you reach into the trunk, there is no spare tire. In its place, you find a small device with a gauge and a power plug. It’s a tire repair kit. As newer car manufacturers are starting to provide these kits instead of a spare, learning how to use one of these is extremely valuable.

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Why Are Headlights So Expensive Now?

With cars becoming more sophisticated and technologically advanced, certain car parts are increasing in price. You used to be able to simply pick up a new headlight bulb and replace it in under a minute. As that may still be effective for some models, for most vehicles this simple repair has become more complex and time-consuming. On some vehicles, it is necessary to remove the complete headlight which sometimes entails removing the entire bumper! In this article, we will give you a brief education on why headlights in today’s vehicles are more expensive to replace and/or repair. This information will be especially valuable to our friends and customers who live around Verona, NJ who own newer cars!

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How Tire Pressure Monitoring Systems Work

If you own a car that was made after 2007, your car is equipped with a tire pressure monitoring system (TPMS). With that being said, you may have faced the dreaded “low tire pressure” warning light (the horseshoe icon with an exclamation in the middle. If you ever see this light come on, it is most likely a sign that your tires need air. 

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