Posted on 3/26/2016
Okay, so it's the day after Easter and you had a great dinner of roast leg of lamb, maybe, or perhaps, a slow roasted baked ham....great sides, desserts and, of course, those wonderful colored Easter eggs. So, on with life as the Monday after Easter takes us all back to work. All of a sudden, you smell rotten eggs. Quick, check your pockets and see if you grabbed a few before you left your hosts house. If you don't have the eggs but you got the smell, you got a catalytic converter issue. Bad news, too, because this replacement is expensive...your car will not pass inspections because of emissions so you will have no choice. This is not a regular maintenance issue although your check engine light should go on. The biggest concern is emissions and you may have a car that can't get out of its own way because of a very sluggish engine and that could pose a threat in traffic. Here's what catalytic converters do: they change harmful emissions into harmless gas. And if they go bad, they need ... read more
Posted on 3/24/2016
5 Quick Tips about Oil Changes Our expert technicians at 106St. Tire and Wheel are thrilled to assist customers improve vehicle functionality and safety for the summer months ahead. All locations of 106St Tire and Wheel offer oil changes for most cars starting at $25 for the first 5 qts. and a free tire rotation. Our Northern Blvd location is open 24/7, so schedule your appointment now. Call us 718-446-6769 / just drive on in / or click: http://106sttire.comhttps://106sttireandwheel.autotext.me/Admin/kioskv2/index.php?id=VnVGYnB4MkhRbGtGSC9TY0VMQis2dz09&appt=1 Why are oil changes so important? 1.Engine Performance:Changing oil regularly helps maintain vital engine performance and engine operation. Allowing improved functionality and smoother driving, changing oil every 3,000 will keep internal engine parts clean and lubricated.... a r ... 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 3/22/2016
Automatic Braking System coming to all new cars in less than 8 years! Automatic emergency braking or AEB systems a standard feature on practically all new vehicles sold in the U.S. by 2022 according to a new plan from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration and the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety. Automatic brakes are designed to stop a vehicle before it collides with a car or another object. Experts say that making them standard could prevent as much as 20 percent of accidents. AEB systems are usually coupled with another tech breakthrough called "forward collision warning" which scans the road ahead then warns the driver if the car is about to crash. This allows drivers to take action to slow down the car or completely stopping the car. The AEB system will react when the driver cannot or does not take the needed action to avoid a collision. How's it ... 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