Clean your Injector, Fix your MPG

Gas prices are fluctuating, as always, and are pretty high for most. We have it a little better  than some parts of the country here in Southwestern, MO…but they are still high for our taste. 

There is a great way to help beat the prices with better miles per gallon – get your fuel system cleaned out!  It’s all about deposits that build up in there that reduces your fuel economy. How do they get in there? Improper maintenance, changing weather conditions that are drastic, stop and go traffic are just a few. 

Cleaning out your fuel system is a 3 stage process. First, carbon deposits are removed. Second, a clean out of the fuel tank pushes everything out of the fuel system (the lines and the pump). It also hits the fuel injectors. And the third stage feeds off the second where the fuel injector tips get cleaned.

Here’s where the important part of the fuel system cleaning comes into play. If any fuel injector is even partially clogged, and remember, each cylinder has an injector, you are wasting fuel and, therefore, wasting money. If an injector goes bad from deposits, you could be looking at $400 to repair…that’s just one injector!

Consider a fuel system cleaning every 15,000 miles. Save money at the gas station today, save money on maintenance and repair later.

Just Ask!

We get it…we love our trucks and cars just like you do! If you didn’t, you wouldn’t bother caring for them or getting minor issues fixed when needed. We are here to take care of all issues from maintenance to “motor-meltdown!” There are several things you should be asking us or your technician when getting service for your car.

How’s the Exhaust System? When is the last time you got under your car and checked out your exhaust? That’s what we thought. Make sure to get this looked at, if your technician doesn’t normally. A bent pipe or leak could cause even worse problems down the road.

Is My Battery OK? With the cold weather already creeping in, it’s a good time to get the health of the battery checked. Most service facilities have battery testers.

Are My Tires Worn and How’s the Pressure? If your tires are worn, that could mean even more problems for the car. It could affect alignment and steering. This is a simple check; same with tire pressure. Ask to get it checked at the start of the service and again at the end to see if there’s a possible leak.

What is that Noise? Trying to pinpoint the cause of a strange noise in your car can make anyone go crazy! If you hear something, ask the tech to drive the car to hear for it. Describing the sound is great...but they do need to hear it to guess where it’s coming from.

It’s always better to be safe than sorry. A minor problem today could become major very quickly.

Why Other Drivers Annoy us

We know. You are the best driver out there and everyone else needs to learn how to do it right! Instead of flying into road rage when a driver forgets to turn on their blinker to turn right into the area you are trying to leave, take a look at what other drivers think of you. It goes both ways! Here are some of the most annoying things WE do when driving.

1.       Talking on a cell phone – One hand on the wheel, the other holding the phone, the other changes the station, the other grabs the drink. Oh…wait… 4 hands? Are we drunk? Actually, statistics show you are as likely to cause an accident while on the cell phone as when you are drunk. Distracted driving is a huge issue. Use a Bluetooth or, even better, don’t talk on the phone.

2.       Staying in the left lane on the highway – The left lane is for passing. Period. If you stay in the left lane, you force other drivers to do something unsafe – pass on the right. Drivers in some states are notorious for staying in the left lane (Wisconsin). Just use it to pass, and then move back.

3.       Leaving the “brights” on – This is more dangerous than annoying. The high beams hitting your eyes can blind you for a split second. Check for the high beams when you turn the lights on.

4.       Double parking – OK…this isn’t driving, but…really…why do people take up two parking spaces in parking lots?

5.       No signaling properly – It’s a common courtesy. We can’t figure out what another driver is going to do and then end up calling insurance. Going to switch lanes, hit the blinker. Going to turn, hit the blinker.

Let’s all try to be courteous out there. It makes for a much easier commute.

No Way to Avoid It: Winter is Coming!

You are already bundling up with some of the cold temperatures we are getting…mostly in the evening. Have you gotten your car ready for the impending snow? We can help with preventative maintenance!

Here are a few common tips to make sure you and your car beat Old Man Winter!

1.       Easiest – the Winter Emergency Kit. Get the kit in you trunk with boots, gloves, clothes, water, a shovel, flashlight and extra windshield wiper fluid. How many times has the snowstorm hit and you hit the wiper to wash and there is nothing there? Make sure you have jumper cables and, if you are traveling where the snow gets bad, sand, salt or non-clumping kitty litter to help with traction.

2.       Change your oil/Check fluids. If you read our last blog, we talked about all the fluids. So, technically, you should check all fluids but go ahead and change your oil now if it was supposed to be in November, December, January or February. Make sure your antifreeze is ok.

3.       Get your battery checked. We will do it for you! It’s better to get this taken care of now then when you are in the parking lot doing Christmas shopping and the car won’t start.

4.       Replace the Wipers. Just like the wiper fluid being dry, the windshield wipers are always the last thing we check and when we know they are done, it’s too late. The cold can worsen already old wipers.

5.       Keep your car washed. You might think this is somewhat ridiculous since the snow and slush will just make it really dirty. But, the salt, sand or other corrosives used by the street departments to clear the roads can wreak havoc on your car. 

Need a few more tips? Check out what the guys at Car Talk are saying.