When to Replace Your Tires

New tires are an inevitable expense, but telling when it’s time to get new tires may not be widespread knowledge to all drivers. Conflicting information from friends and family, from what you read online, etc. may make diagnosing your tire situation a dubious task.

Here are the five telltale signs you should check to determine if you need new tires.

1. Low tire tread depth
To test tire tread depth insert a quarter upside down into the tread. If it doesn’t cover George Washington’s hairline, it means the tread is less than 4/32 of an inch deep, and it’s about time to bite the bullet and get new tires. In many states, just 2/32 of an inch is considered the minimum legal tread depth. However, more tread is safer.

Tests conducted showed a car going 70 miles per hour with tread of 2/32 of an inch took 5.9 seconds to stop and required a distance nearly double that of a vehicle with new tires. Meanwhile, with treads that were 4/32 of an inch, while it still took 100 feet more to stop and 1.2 seconds longer, this was much better than what was achieved with the minimal 2/32 of an inch tread.

2. Tires are old
No matter how rock-solid the tires were when you first purchased them, time leaves its mark. With age, rubber becomes brittle. In addition, the tire’s reinforcing cords can weaken over time. It’s important to know how often to replace your tires. Even if the tread appears intact, most manufacturers advise you to replace your tires after six years.

If you look at the side of the tire, you’ll see the manufacturer’s code. The last four numbers here indicate the production date. If this is 3009, for example, it means that the tire was produced in the 30th week of 2009 and it may be time to get new tires. In more severe climates where you may routinely deal with extreme heat, the ultraviolet rays of the sun may impart structural changes in your tires. This may mean that you will have to make the change sooner.

3. Tire sidewall cracking
Look beyond the tread to the sidewall of the tires. Are there any noticeable cuts or grooves? If so, you may be wise to purchase new tires, since these can be signs that a leak is developing or that the tire is weakening and may soon blowout.

4. Bulge in tire sidewall
If the tire has begun to weaken, sometimes the rubber may begin to bulge. This is a red flag, indicating that the tire has begun to fail and may unexpectedly blow out at any time, putting you and your passengers in jeopardy.

5. Vibrations while driving
Has the ride recently seemed very rough or have you noticed vibrations while driving? If so, this can be a sign that your tires are indeed shot, and it’s time to put aside your skepticism and get new ones.

Maintenance

17 Ways to Save Money on Car Maintenance

Maintaining a vehicle can be expensive. There’s gas, oil changes, scheduled maintenance, new tires, and brake pads, and even the odd check engine light to take care of now and then. If you’re running to the dealership or the most expensive shop in town for every task, you’re spending too much. But you’re also asking for trouble if you’re completely ignoring car maintenance, too.

Properly maintaining your vehicle doesn’t have to be expensive, and done responsibly, you’ll save money on maintenance and ongoing care for your car. You can save on parts, labor, efficiency, and more simply by being smart about how you maintain your vehicle.

We’ve shared 17 ways you can save money on car maintenance. They include changing your own oil, keeping your car clean, inflating your tires properly, and shopping around for a mechanic and good rates on maintenance. Read on to learn how you can be maintenance savvy with these tips and more.

– Take care of car maintenance regularly: Following recommended maintenance schedules, maintaining oil changes and tire rotations, and generally taking care of your car will extend its life and cut down on potential repair bills. Vehicles aren’t designed to be built once and then run forever. They need help, and if you neglect to take care of them, there will be problems. Gunked up oil, low transmission fluid, engine or brake failure, and bald tires are just a few of the expensive messes you can run into if you don’t pay attention to car maintenance. It’s better to spend a little now than a lot later.

– Read your owner’s manual: Yes, really: you have to read the instructions. Your car’s owner’s manual, particularly the section on scheduled maintenance, is a helpful resource for taking care of your car and keeping it in good shape according to manufacturer recommendations. They are the experts in your car: listen to them.

– Do as much as you can yourself: Many maintenance tasks are easy to take care of in your own driveway. Changing out spark plugs, oil, filters, and checking on fluids are all within the skill level of the average driver. By DIYing as much maintenance, as you can, you’ll be able to save on dealership or mechanic labor fees. You may even find parts and supplies for less. Plus, you’ll be able to take the time to check on other upcoming issues for your car, like fluid levels, squeaky noises, and aging hoses or belts.

-Use online tutorials: An essential tool in the car maintenance DIYer’s belt is Google. Get connected with online guides, even YouTube videos that can walk you step by step through common maintenance tasks. You may even be able to find tutorials and videos for your particular make, model, and year, so there will be no guessing how exactly you can access a part or properly measure a fluid. If you prefer to work on cars the old fashioned way, pick up a repair manual for every model of vehicle you own.

Order parts online: Plan your maintenance tasks ahead and get your parts online, where you may be able to find discounts. Often, online parts shopping offers free shipping and better prices than the dealership or auto parts store.

-Never ignore warning lights: Good maintenance means listening to your vehicle, especially when it’s complaining. Any time you see a warning light, pay attention and investigate the cause. It could be something as simple as a loose gas cap, but you’ll never know until you look. Cars equipped with digital odometers make it easy to get trouble codes. Read your manual to find out how to get codes from your particular model, but most can be activated by simply turning the ignition key to the on (not start) position on and off two to three times and then watching the readout while in the on position. You can then Google these codes to learn more about your vehicle’s issue.

-Use a vehicle maintenance app: Relying on dealerships may have you come in for service too early or too late, as dealerships won’t know your car’s exact mileage and when it’s time to perform certain maintenance tasks. With a gas and maintenance tracking app, you’ll enter in your exact mileage each time, allowing the app to tell you about upcoming maintenance tasks you need to take care of right on time.

-Change the oil only when necessary: In the not too distant past, vehicles needed new oil every 3,000 miles or three months without fail. But that’s not always the case with models today. You could be wasting money if you’re changing your oil more frequently than needed. Look at your manual to find out when it’s time to change your car’s oil. You may also be able to rely on digital oil change reminders built into your vehicle’s system.

-Check fluid levels and perform a safety check every time you change your oil: While you’re changing your oil, it’s a good idea to do a quick diagnostic check. Take a look at fluid levels including your brake fluid, antifreeze, power steering fluid, wiper fluid, and transmission fluid. This is also a good time to change out your air filter, check hoses and belts for signs of wear, and take a look at the life left on your brakes and tires.

-Be aware of fair maintenance rates: Charges for maintaining your vehicle, such as oil changes, tire rotations, and scheduled maintenance can vary widely depending on the shop you visit. Make sure you’re being charged fairly by researching rates before you make it to the mechanic. Websites including RepairPal can tell you what you should expect to pay for a particular maintenance or repair task — and can even connect you with certified shops.

– Shop around for a mechanic: A good mechanic is worth thousands — and that’s not an exaggeration. Finding a mechanic with fair prices and honest practices can really pay off, especially when it’s time to make repairs. Read reviews, ask friends and neighbors, and shop around until you’ve found the right mechanic to take care of your car.

-Keep your battery clean: Your battery is a more important part than you might think. And it becomes especially important if you find yourself stuck with a car that won’t start. It’s easy to keep your car’s battery clean. Use a small brush to apply baking soda and water to terminals to clean off corrosion.

-Shop around for tires: Most of the leading tire brands are available at a variety of shops for a variety of prices. You may be surprised to find that big box stores can have the best deals and service for tires. However, some specialty tire chains may have better policies, such as helpful warranties for damage, rotation, and balancing, so consider these as well.

-Keep your tires inflated: Under-inflated tires wear down more quickly and can negatively impact gas mileage. Pay attention to tire pressure sensors, or check manually with a tire pressure gauge. Most gas stations will turn on air pumps for free when you fill up.

-Don’t neglect your air filter: Your car’s air filter can help you save on fuel consumption, as a dirty filter clogged with dirt and debris can cut your fuel mileage significantly. This is an easy fix, as it is inexpensive and usually doesn’t require tools. You should change your air filter about once every three months.

-Keep your vehicle clean: A good wash and wax does more than make your car look great. It protects your paint and prevents residue that can damage your finish and even lead to rust. Regularly wash and wax your car, especially if you park it outside or take it on extended road trips.

-Touch up paint: Like washing and waxing, using touch up paint is a protective maintenance measure that makes your car look great. Using touch up paint, you can seal chips and cracks early on before they have a chance to really become a problem like rust or paint decay.

CARS

The Right Type Of Gas For Your Car

You might think about it every time you pull up to the gas pump. What grade fuel should I use? Can I just go for the 87-octane the lowest price option? Is there really a difference in gas grade? Here’s what you need to know.

Is a Higher-Octane Gas Really the Best Gas for Your Car?
When it comes to gas for your car, it’s not about which octane is the best but which octane your car requires. If your car’s owner’s manual doesn’t say you need a higher octane than 87, there’s no reason to pay extra for premium gas. A higher-octane gas will not offer you higher performance.

On the other hand, if your car’s owner’s manual says that your minimum octane for your car is 91 to 93, don’t cheap out — it could end up costing you more in the long run. Go ahead and use the premium. The general rule is you should be putting the minimum acceptable octane gasoline in your car as per the owner’s manual.

Why Do Some Cars Require Higher Octane?
Before knowing why some cars need higher octane, it’s important to understand what exactly octane is. When you activate the ignition, this creates a spark that ignites the compressed air and fuel mixing in your engine, which is what allows the gas to power your car. Sometimes this mixture can ignite prematurely, a phenomenon known as preignition, which is signaled by a knocking sound coming from the engine. Modern cars usually have knock sensors that prevent this.

The octane of your gasoline has nothing to do with how much energy is in the fuel. It is a measure of how easily your air-fuel mixture ignites. Higher octane means the gasoline you are using has a greater resistance to preignition. That is to say, it requires greater agitation to ignite it. That is all that the octane level indicates.

Many premium cars generate greater power by using a higher fuel-air compression ratio in the engine. Because the mixture is more compressed, it generates more heat and thereby is more likely to ignite early. Higher octane gasoline is more resistant to this problem.

What Happens if You Don’t Use the Best Gas for Your Car?
Your gas cap or instructions near the gas cap should indicate if your car requires premium fuel. You can also check the owner’s manual for specific information on what kind of octane fuels are appropriate for your car.

If your car requires premium gas and you use a lower octane like 87, you can expect knocking, preignition and engine damage particularly if you have an older model vehicle. If you have a modern car, your knock sensor will kick in to prevent preignition, but this will reduce your engine power and diminish fuel economy, so you will lose more money than you save by using the cheaper gas. It’s also conceivable that your knock sensor could be faulty or slow, which could still result in engine damage over time.

Should I Always Use Premium Gas When It Is Indicated and Never When It Is Not?
Some cars may indicate something like “premium fuel recommended.” What this means is that your car is safe to run on regular 87-octane gas, but there can be benefits from using a higher octane. If this is the case, you may want to just go with the cheaper gas, or experiment and see if the amount you make up in fuel economy and the difference in power is appreciable enough to justify the higher cost of the premium fuel.

What about the other way? Does higher octane gas ever help a car not designed for it? If there is no premium recommendation for your car, putting in higher octane gas will not improve fuel economy, and you are just throwing away money.

If your vehicle calls for diesel fuel, you have a diesel engine, which is an entirely different system. There is no negotiating fuel if you have a diesel engine. You need to fill it with diesel fuel and nothing else. If you put regular or premium unleaded gasoline in a diesel engine, not only will the vehicle not run, you can do catastrophic damage to the engine.

Other Things to Know About Octane
If you are driving through very high-altitude places, you may see gas stations offering lower-octane gasoline than you expect. For example, you may see 85-octane gas advertised. If you are used to always just getting the least expensive gas at the station, you may be tempted to use lower octane gas than you are used to. Here’s why you should resist that temptation.

Older cars were able to operate with lower than normal octanes at high altitudes because of the thinner air, but this does not hold with modern fuel-injection engines. Therefore, if you usually use 87-octane gas, going for the cheapest option if it is lower than 87 is not recommended. It is better for your car to use 87, 88 or even 91-octane gas than to go too low. If you have a luxury car that needs premium gas, try to fill up before driving to a high-altitude location in case you cannot find a gas station that provides the octane you need.

Foreign cars that are designed for sale in the U.S. should have standard octane ratings, but those purchased or intended for purchase outside the U.S. may call for a RON, or research octane number. The RON number and the U.S. octane number do not match up exactly. If your European car calls for RON 95, for example, it requires regular or 87-octane gas. If it asks for RON 98, use premium 93-octane fuel.

TIPS

Essential Tips for Electric Car Maintenance

As more and more people seriously consider making the switch to electric vehicles, perhaps you’ve also thought about if it’s the right choice for you.

There are numerous benefits when it comes to driving an electric car.

You’ll have less of an impact on the environment, you’ll escape the uncertainty of fluctuating fuel prices, and you’ll save money on electric car maintenance.

This last point, in particular, is why so many people are interested in driving electric vehicles. And while it’s certainly true that you won’t need to see your mechanic as often, this doesn’t mean that you don’t need to conduct standard maintenance on electric cars. What should you do to ensure your electric vehicle continues to run safely?

Keep on reading this post to find out.

In it, we’ll tell you all about some of the most important things you need to do to keep an electric vehicle in good working order.

1. Take Care of the Motor
Let’s begin by talking about one of the essential elements of maintenance on electric cars: the motor itself.

Yes, it is true that, in most cases, your electric car’s motor won’t need the same level of maintenance that a traditional combustion engine would.

You’ll also have fewer parts to deal with and can eliminate basic things like switching out the oil and even replacing fuel filters. Though this certainly makes things much easier, it’s important that you don’t neglect the things you do need to look after.

For best results, you should get an electric car’s motor serviced as often as you would a traditional vehicle. Whenever possible, aim to work with a mechanic that has specific experience with electric vehicles and engines.

2. Understand Brake Maintenance
You likely know that electric vehicles use what’s known as regenerative braking.

Regenerative braking helps you to keep your brake pads in good working order for as long as is possible. In some cases, you may have to replace them up to two times less frequently than on a traditional vehicle.

When you brake in your electric car, the kinetic energy is converted into electricity that helps you to power your vehicle. The process is certainly impressive — however, it doesn’t mean you can avoid servicing your brakes altogether.

Let’s talk about one more thing that you can do to preserve both the brakes and the battery.

Whenever possible, try to avoid driving at high speeds. Conserving speed will ensure that your battery lasts for longer, and of course, also prevents you from needing to slam on the brakes.

If you can’t slow down?

Try to pre-plan your route so that you avoid heavy traffic. It might sound a bit obvious, but the truth is that it can make a serious difference.

3. Get Smart with Parking
Another part of proper electric car maintenance?

Ensure that you understand how to keep your battery running for as long as possible.

Believe it or not, one of the best things that you can do to extend the overall life of your battery is to park your car in the shade when possible. While of course, this will ensure that your car’s temperature remains comfortable on a hot day, it’s about much more than that.

The thermal management system will respond to the heat and will keep running in the sun. Additionally, you also run the risk of having your battery overheat if you park in a hot spot for a long time.

You don’t want to come back to a car that has a much lower battery life than it did when you left it.

Another important thing to keep in mind when it comes to your battery and the sun?

Especially if you have to charge outside, give yourself a bit more time than you usually would. The heat makes it more difficult for the batter to charge promptly.

Taking good care of your electric battery means that they can be re-used once they’ve run out of enough strength to power your car, as well. Batteries offer numerous environmental benefits, which, as an electric car driver, may be a priority for you.

4. Avoid Overcharging the Battery
Here’s another electric vehicle maintenance tip that relates to battery life?

It might sound counterintuitive at first, but we strongly suggest resisting the temptation to charge your battery all the time fully. Whether you want to preserve the battery on a golf cart or in a standard electric car, overcharging can cause serious problems.

A good rule of thumb to avoid wearing down the battery prematurely?

Aim to charge the car’s battery to only about 80%.

Another “charing rule” for your electric vehicle? Make it a point not to leave your car with little — or even no — charge for an extended period. Just as with overcharging, this can negatively impact the battery’s health.

For best results, don’t leave your car with a small amount of charge for more than two weeks at a time.

5. Remember Basic Maintenance Rules
One final thing to keep in mind when it comes to electric car maintenance?

Just because you’re driving an electric vehicle, doesn’t mean that standard car maintenance rules don’t apply.

For example, when was the last time you had your tyres rotated? What does the tread on them look like at the moment? What about the coolant levels in your vehicle?

Make sure that your vehicle has enough coolant to keep everything in good working order. Additionally, remember that you need to replace your car’s wiper blades about twice a year. Depending on the sorts of conditions you usually drive in, they may get worn down faster or slower than that.

Of course, there are a few things that you no longer have to worry about when it when you’re driving an electric vehicle.

You won’t need to concern yourself with oil changes, nor will you need to worry about your spark plugs.

However, don’t become complacent when it comes to the rest of your standard car care. Make sure that you replace the car’s wiper fluid as often as you would with a conventional vehicle.

Above all, go with your gut.

If you suspect that there’s some issue with your vehicle? Take it in and have it examined by a professional at the very first sign of trouble. Doing this can save you severe headaches down the line.

6. Consider Storage Options
So, you’ll be heading out on a fabulous vacation for a few weeks in the summer.

Make sure that you’ve made specific plans for your electric vehicle’s storage before you fly away. Never leave it in an uncovered parking lot if at all possible.

Depending on the length of your trip, we suggest that you set the car to charge only up to about 50%.

This way, especially if you leave it plugged in, you won’t be at the risk of overcharging it. If you’re able to have someone come and unplug your car while you’re away, this can also help to protect the overall battery life.

In short?
If you’re able, take a cab to the airport. Don’t leave your electric vehicle in the airport parking lot.

7. Limit Quick Charges
Of course, when you’re in a bind, we completely understand that you can’t always avoid using a quick charge on your electric vehicle.

But, as with charging the car to the maximum, this is something that you want to limit because each quick charge has an impact on the battery’s overall lifespan.

If you use this feature too often, you’ll end up taking years off of the battery’s overall lifespan. As these can be expensive to replace, this is a situation you’d like to avoid.

CARS