With the winter season coming to a slow end, it’s time for car owners to take off their studded snow tires and gear up for some warm spring weather. One local car care business is going out of their way to provide car owners with some helpful hints and tips that can go a long way when it comes to maintaining your vehicle.
For those of us who have braved the record-setting snowfalls being dumped on much of northern Maine, the winter is no time to be worried about car care. Most of us have enough trouble trying to scrape the ice off our windshields every morning, making things like an oil change a far off thought, not to be brought up again until well into the month of April.
Since the worst of the winter weather has passed and we can hopefully get through a month without any major snow accumulation, there is now time for car owners and automotive professionals, like those at Highway Tire Inc., in Caribou, to begin focusing on getting your car or truck back to its peak performance, and keep it running at an optimum level.
Highway Tire Inc. is a local car care business who is not only concerned with providing drivers with safe and affordable tires, but they have chosen to go above and beyond in their efforts, as they express the desire for their customers to be in the know about how to properly care for their vehicle. A number of helpful tips have even been posted on their website.
A local car care expert from Highway Tire Inc. described a few different ways car owners can be sure they are doing all they can when it comes to maintenance. First, on the topic of gas mileage, they advise that their customers check and/or change their car’s air filter every six months. “This will help to improve fuel economy and keep your engine running smoothly,”
Car care professionals from Highway Tire Inc. also warn against topping off your gas tank when at the pump.
“Don’t bother topping off when filling your car’s gas tank. Any additional gas is just going to slop around or seep out.”
Instead, we’re told we should tighten up our gas caps. According to the new “car care tips” page on Highwaytireinc.com, “Gas will evaporate from your car’s gas tank if it has an escape. Loose, missing or damaged gas caps cause 147 million gallons of gas to evaporate each year.”
Another important part of maintaining a fuel efficient vehicle is using the optimum oil.
“You can improve your car’s gas mileage by 1 percent to 2 percent by using the manufacturer’s recommended grade of motor oil.”
Highway Tire Inc. maintains that their specialty is still, of course, tires, even though they do provide tips on maintaining your entire vehicle, their expertise lies with the upkeep of a vehicle’s tires, which according to them involves steps like rotating your tires every 5,000 miles or every six months.
“The business itself mainly deals with the repair and replacing of tires, things like rotating and alignment adjustments. However, our main job right now is transitioning people back from winter tires to their regular ones, which is a big process at this point in the season.”
It’s also important to check your tire pressure approximately once a week. Low tire pressures can affect fuel economy, handling and comfort. To accurately measure your tire pressure, check tires when they are cold, at least three hours after driving is usually the most opportune time.
Always make sure that your wheels are properly aligned. Badly aligned wheels will again lead to dragging of the car on the road.
“Use the penny trick to determine if the tread on your tires is worn too low. Take a penny and put Abraham Lincoln’s head into one of the grooves of the tread. If part of his head is covered by the tread, you’re OK. If you can see all of his head, it’s time to replace the tire. When the tread is worn down to 1/16 of an inch, tires must be replaced.”
Some other important fluids and filters that Highway Tire Inc. advises vehicle owners to keep an eye on this spring include:
• Change your fluids on time, every time
• Change your oil every 3,000 miles for regular, 5,000 miles for synthetic oil
• Change antifreeze fluid every 30,000 miles.
• Change brake fluid every 30,000 miles.
• Change transmission fluid every 30,000 miles.
• Schedule a maintenance check every 15,000, 30,000, 60,000 and 90,000 miles.
• Replace your air filter every 12 months or 12,000 miles (whichever comes first).
• Replace your fuel filter every two years or 24,000 miles (whichever comes first).
Lastly, Highway Tire Inc. points out that drivers should always check for potential problems before they happen. For more information on how to properly maintain your vehicle this spring visit www.highwaytireinc.com or call 496-5843 for all your tire service needs.
Maintaining a fuel efficient vehicle is using the optimum oil.
“You can improve your car’s gas mileage by 1 percent to 2 percent by using the manufacturer’s recommended grade of motor oil.”
Highway Tire Inc. maintains that their specialty is still, of course, tires, even though they do provide tips on maintaining your entire vehicle, their expertise lies with the upkeep of a vehicle’s tires, which according to them involves steps like rotating your tires every 5,000 miles or every six months.
“The business itself mainly deals with the repair and replacing of tires, things like rotating and alignment adjustments. However, our main job right now is transitioning people back from winter tires to their regular ones, which is a big process at this point in the season.”
It’s also important to check your tire pressure approximately once a week. Low tire pressures can affect fuel economy, handling and comfort. To accurately measure your tire pressure, check tires when they are cold, at least three hours after driving is usually the most opportune time.
Always make sure that your wheels are properly aligned. Badly aligned wheels will again lead to dragging of the car on the road.
“Use the penny trick to determine if the tread on your tires is worn too low. Take a penny and put Abraham Lincoln’s head into one of the grooves of the tread. If part of his head is covered by the tread, you’re OK. If you can see all of his head, it’s time to replace the tire. When the tread is worn down to 1/16 of an inch, tires must be replaced.”
Some other important fluids and filters that Highway Tire Inc. advises vehicle owners to keep an eye on this spring include:
• Change your fluids on time, every time
• Change your oil every 3,000 miles for regular, 5,000 miles for synthetic oil
• Change antifreeze fluid every 30,000 miles.
• Change brake fluid every 30,000 miles.
• Change transmission fluid every 30,000 miles.
• Schedule a maintenance check every 15,000, 30,000, 60,000 and 90,000 miles.
• Replace your air filter every 12 months or 12,000 miles (whichever comes first).
• Replace your fuel filter every two years or 24,000 miles (whichever comes first).
Lastly, Highway Tire Inc. points out that drivers should always check for potential problems before they happen. For more information on how to properly maintain your vehicle this spring visit www.highwaytireinc.com or call 496-5843 for all your tire service needs.
