Its important to have the right tires on your car for many reason, let us at Harold Crook’s Garage pick out and install the right tires for you!
Cold is a stopper. In some pans of the country, the harshest day of the year is practically a traditional holiday-one that’s most widely observed by cars. The drivers, unfortunately, still bundle up to give ‘er a try. Not until the grinding moan of the starter has faded to a series of pathetic clicks will we admit that no creature with ordinary sense (a car, for example) would go out on a day like this for any reason other than to fetch more firewood. What the Cold Does Cold weather makes the engine hard to start for two main reasons. First, oil thickens when it’s cold, which increases friction and makes it harder for the staner motor to spin the engine. Cold also slows the chemical reaction in the car’s battery, reducing its power output. Battery output is usually rated at 77 degrees Fahrenheit, below which starting power drops drastically. As shown in Figure I, (See the car diagrams in the image gallery) at 5 degrees Fahrenheit a fully charged lead-acid battery has only half its rated amp-hour capacity. You can ensure that your car will stan in the worst weather by keeping the engine or the battery, or both, warm. But before we discuss some of the ways - short of building a heated garage - to keep the underhood cozy, let’s review basic maintenance. Prewinter Tune-up Send your car into winter with its edges fmely honed by giving it a tune-up in the late fall or early winter. When the engine is struggling against thick oil and a weak battery, it needs ignition and fuel systems that are in top shape. Always switch to a lighter-weight oil in the winter. In general, a IOW30, 40, or 50 multigrade oil is a good choice, but follow the manufacturer’s recommendations. Even if you use a wide-range, multigrade oil year-round, change it before cold weather sets in. Viscosity (thickness) increase is one of the ways that oil deteriorates with use. It’s vital to keep the battery’s terminals clean and securely fastened to prevent resistance. It’s also helpful to wash the battery’s case (particularly the top) with a baking soda-water solution whenever any deposits appear. These accumulations can drain your battery by conducting current directly from the positive terminal to the negative one or to the chassis. And be sure to inspect the connection of the negative wire to the car’s engine block or frame. This junction is just as likely to loosen or get dirty as the one on the battery itself. Check the electrolyte level and the specific gravity of each cell in the battery at least once a month. If electrolyte is needed, add soft water. You can get a battery hydrometer for testing specific gravity at any auto parts store for less than $5. Test the battery after it’s been sitting overnight without being charged and before you add water or try to start the engine. Use the data in Figure 2 to correct the specific gravity reading for the electrolyte temperature, which in this case you can assume to be the same as the air temperature. Source: http://www.motherearthnews.com/
Car Care Tips from the Pros Prepare You for Fall and Winter Driving It’s foolhardy to head out in a poorly maintained vehicle in the dead of winter, of course, but even vehicle owners in temperate zones need a car care check as the days grow shorter, note the pros with the nonprofit National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence (ASE), an independent group that tests and certifies the competence of auto technicians. Please read the checklist below and be sure to stop in to Harold Crook’s Garage in Cranston RI for all of your car maintenance and auto repair needs. “Regular, routine maintenance can help improve your gasoline mileage, reduce pollution, and catch minor problems before they become big headaches,” says Tony Molla, vice president of communications at ASE. ASE offers these car care tips to give you peace of mind during fall and winter driving: Before you do anything else, read your owner’s manual and follow the manufacturer’s recommended service schedules. Get engine performance and driveability problems — hard starts, rough idling, stalling, diminished power, etc. — corrected at a reputable repair shop that employs ASE-certified repair professionals. Cold weather makes existing problems worse. Replace dirty filters, such as air, fuel, and PCV. A poorly running engine is less efficient and burns more gasoline. As the temperature drops below freezing, add a bottle of fuel deicer in your tank once a month to help keep moisture from freezing in the fuel line. Keeping the gas tank filled also helps prevent moisture from forming. Change your oil and oil filter as specified in your manual — more often if your driving is mostly stop-and-go or consists of frequent short trips. A poll of ASE Master Auto Technicians revealed that regular oil and filter changes is one of the most frequently neglected services, yet one that is essential to protect your engine. The cooling system should be flushed and refilled as recommended. The level, condition, and concentration of the coolant should be checked periodically. A 50/50 mix of antifreeze and water is usually recommended. Do-It-Yourselfers: Never remove the radiator cap until the engine has thoroughly cooled! The tightness and condition of drive belts, clamps, and hoses also should be checked regularly by a professional technician. The heater and defroster must be in good working condition for passenger comfort and driver visibility. Replace old blades regularly. If your climate is harsh, purchase rubber-clad (winter) blades to fight ice build-up. Stock up on windshield washer solvent — you’ll be surprised how much you use during the winter months. And don’t forget to always carry an ice scraper. Have your battery checked. The only accurate way to detect a weak battery is with professional equipment. However, most motorists can perform routine care: Wear eye protection and protective rubber gloves. Scrape away corrosion from posts and cable connections; clean all surfaces; retighten all connections. If battery caps are removable, check fluid level monthly. A word of caution: Removal of cables can cause damage or loss of data/codes on some newer vehicles, so always check your owner’s manual first. Be sure to avoid contact with corrosive deposits and battery acid. Inspect all lights and bulbs. Replace burned out bulbs; periodically clean road grime from all lenses. To prevent scratching, never use a dry rag. Clouded lenses can be refinished by many service outlets or by using a DIY kit found in major auto parts outlets. Exhaust fumes inside your vehicle’s cabin can be deadly. Have the exhaust system examined for leaks and problems while the vehicle is on a lift. The trunk and floorboards should also be inspected for small holes. Worn tires are dangerous in winter weather. Examine tires for remaining tread life, uneven wearing, and cupping; check the sidewalls for cuts and nicks. Check tire pressure once a month, letting the tires “cool down” before checking the pressure. Rotate as recommended. Don’t forget to check your spare, and be sure the jack is in good working condition. Under-inflated tires or poorly aligned wheels makes your engine work harder and thus use excess gasoline. Have your brakes checked periodically for safety and to prevent costly repairs that can be caused by neglect. The transmission is often neglected until a major failure. Routine checks and fluid changes at prescribed intervals can prevent very costly repairs down the line. Always carry an emergency kit with you: extra gloves, boots and blankets; flares; a small shovel and sand or kitty litter; tire chains; a flashlight and extra batteries; and a cell phone and extra car charger. Put a few “high-energy” snacks in your glove box. Source: http://www.ase.com/News-Events/Publications/Glove-Box-Tips/Getting-Your-Vehicle-Ready-For-Winter.aspx
Gas-Saving Tips for Your Auto While it is always wise to conserve natural resources, the recent price of gasoline has made even the most wasteful people think twice. Whatever your motivation, here are some gas saving tips from the pros at the National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence (ASE). Monitor tires. Under inflated tires or poorly aligned wheels waste fuel by forcing the engine to work harder. (Let the tires cool down before checking the air pressure.) Out-of-line wheels, as evidenced by uneven tread wear, should be aligned by a professional. Remove excess weight. Remove unnecessary items from the vehicle. Store only essentials in the trunk. Less weight means better mileage. Consolidate trips and errands. Some trips may be unnecessary. Also, try to travel when traffic is light so you can avoid stop-and-go conditions. Avoid excessive idling. Shut off the engine while waiting for friends and family. Observe speed limits. Speeding decreases your miles per gallon. Drive gently. Sudden accelerations guzzle gas. Anticipate traffic patterns ahead and adjust your speed gradually. Use windows and air conditioning wisely. Your mileage should improve if you keep the windows closed at highway speeds, since air drag is reduced. This is true even with the air conditioning on-assuming that the system is in good working order. But turn the air conditioning off in stop-and-go traffic to save fuel. Keep your engine “tuned up.” A well-maintained engine operates at peak efficiency, maximizing gas mileage. Follow the service schedules listed in the owner’s manual. Replace filters and fluids as recommended; have engine performance problems (rough idling, poor acceleration, etc.) corrected at a repair facility. Given today’s high-tech engines, it’s wise to have this type of work done by auto technicians who are ASE certified in engine performance. These conservation tips will not only save gasoline, they’ll help extend the life of your vehicle. Win-win, indeed. Credit: https://www.ase.com/News-Events/Publications/Car-Care-Articles/Gas-Saving-Tips-for-Your-Auto.aspx
Over 20 years ago, out Ford van broke down again on the way home, an d this time we told the AAA tow truck operator to take us to Crook’s Garage. We were disappointed with the shoddy repairs to our vehicle and after we met with Jimmy & Jeanette we were sure they were the right people to entrust our vehicle to.
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10 Gansett Avenue Cranston, RI 02920
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