Posted on 3/31/2016
NYC, we got them and we got them bad! Severe road conditions that is. We all know when the National Weather Service says there is a severe weather warning, we need to take precautions. Our blog has pointed out many times during this last year the fact that in the NYC area we always drive under "severe road and traffic conditions" and we have spoken about many factors contributing to dangerous, over used, never maintained roads, traffic, stop and go driving, sudden breaking due to highways seemingly converging traffic and drivers going from doing 55 mph to 10 mph for miles and miles, etc. Nowhere in the USA except other major metropolises like Los Angeles, Chicago, Atlanta, etc, do we find the scope and dimension of what we all know is dangerous roads, extensive drive time and gas consuming, etc which place tremendous burdens on our vehicles and on our nerves. Of course, weather always factors in making severe driving conditions and severe road factors nearly impossible and ... read more
Posted on 3/30/2016
Deep down, everyone knows that there's a limited amount of oil on the planet, and that gasoline-powered vehicles have some pretty nasty side effects for the environment. More and more people have opted for alternative fuels, but it's important to be able to take the bad with the good when it comes to alternative fuels. If you're considering making a switch, here are some things to consider: HybridsPros: Not a whole lot different from driving any other vehicle – they run on regular gasoline and don't come with much of a change in lifestyle or driving habits. Cons: Often a higher sticker price than a conventional counterpart, and sometimes hybrids tend to disappoint when it comes to fuel economy. Lack of power and acceleration with older models. Plug-In HybridPros: No emissions in all-electric mode, cheap cost per mile, and home recharging. Cons: Higher sticker price, daytime c ... read more
Posted on 3/23/2016
Have you been hitting potholes this winter? If so, read on about wheel alignments: Every new vehicle's wheels are set at very specific angles for proper drivability, stability, and handling before it leaves the factory. The critical alignment angles for the front wheels are toe-in and toe-out. This refers to the direction in which a wheel points (relative to a dead-ahead straight line); caster, which refers to the position of the top of the wheel, and camber, which is the offset of the suspension relative to an imaginary vertical straight line behind the wheel. Many newer vehicles also are designed with adjustable rear suspensions, and a four-wheel alignment ensures that the rear wheels' “thrust angle” is at a proper relationship with the front wheels. Frankly, there are only two major signs that can indicate improper wheel alignment. One is a persistent pull to the right or left, as an improperly-aligned wheel constantly tries to steer the car in a different direction. T ... read more
Posted on 3/21/2016
A good auto service technician could adjust things like idle speed, fuel/air mixture, fuel metering and timing on older vehicles so you could get more pick up from your ride. Today, that's all handled by the engine control computer. Still, there are a few ways to coax your engine into better performance. Air Filter: An engine relies on air, fuel and spark to run. The “air” part of that equation is pretty easy to enhance. A dirty air filter will, of course, restrict the flow of critical fresh air into the fuel system. This compromises fuel economy and power. The filter should be changed at regular intervals; for those who are looking to enhance performance. Aftermarket air filters are available for even freer breathing ability. Engines also perform better when they can take in colder, denser air, and cold-air induction systems can offer a slight boost in power and fuel economy. It's an easy auto repair item that can offer a noticeable, immediate improvemen ... read more
Posted on 3/10/2016
Simple maintenance check list: FAQ about maintenance made Real Simple: No maintenance=expensive problems1. Check your tire pressure...simpler, have 106 St Tire do it FREE. More than 90 percent of cars on the road are driven every day with improperly inflated tires with most being under-inflated. Results? can compromise cornering can compromise braking can compromise stability and safety more likely to have a tire-related accident because of the above like tire failure (thousands happen every year and cause deaths which are avoidable!) MPG? HA! Shot to hell Tire life? Lower your expectations away from what manufacture says under-inflated tires overheat & could lead to catastrophic failure 2. Check the oil -a no-brainer; check it every time you fill up! Simpler, 106 St Tire will do it FREE! Where has all your oil gone? burning oil leaking oil. Frequently repla ... read more