Many are breathing sighs of relief at the sight of dramatically dropping gasoline prices at the pump, but it’s reasonable to conclude that $2-$3 per gallon prices are a temporary dip.

The roller coaster of fuel prices is likely to continue until we find another way to fuel our vehicles. Americans have been exploring the idea of alternative fuels since the 1970s, but not much has changed in the petroleum paradigm in more than 30 years.

But there are many who are working to find new ways to make it possible for Americans to reduce or eliminate our dependence on foreign oil, the most outspoken of which is Texas oilman and hedge fund manager T. Boone Pickens. You might have seen the commercials he is running to advertise the Pickens Plan, which is the road map he has created, as he says, to lead America out of its dependence on foreign oil.

With light snow in this weekend’s forecast, it’s a good time to think about preparing your vehicles for winter. The process doesn’t have to be expensive, and it could save you time and headaches when the heavy flakes begin to fall.

For starters, consider using snow tires for navigating those snow-laden side streets that don’t get cleared as quickly as major thoroughfares. If snow tires are not in the budget, at least check your tires’ air pressure and make sure all tires have adequate tread depth. Also, be sure your vehicle’s four-wheel drive system is working properly after not being used in summer months.

While you’re under the hood, check to make sure the transmission and gear oil levels are correct. Then, change the engine oil and adjust the viscosity grade for wintertime driving. Be sure to inspect the belts and hoses for problems because cold weather can exacerbate any issues that might be festering. Next, inspect the wipers to make sure they can stand up to freezing rain and snow, and replenish wiper fluid if necessary.

Be sure to check the vehicle’s battery because cold temperatures can reduce battery power by up to 50 percent. If the battery is older than three years, we can test it for you to make sure it’s ready to handle the rigors of winter.

Next, check the antifreeze mixture using an antifreeze tester. The ideal mixture of antifreeze and water inside your vehicle’s radiator is 50:50. If the mixture deviates from this, then hot- and cold-weather performance can be compromised.

Finally, it’s always best to be prepared for any situation by carrying an emergency kit inside the car. If you don’t already carry these items, consider putting together a package that includes the
following:

• A flashlight, flares and a first-aid kit.
• Jumper cables, a tool kit and tire chains.
• A blanket, warm clothes and gloves.
• Paper towels.
• A bag of abrasive material, such as sand, salt or non-clumping kitty litter for when tires are stuck in snow.
• A snow brush, ice scraper and snow shovel.
• Extra washer fluid.
• Extra food and water.

Don’t wait until the thermometer drops below freezing to make sure your vehicle is prepared! As always, we are standing by to help with your wintertime preparations.

Source: Edmunds.com

Although considered a somewhat rare occurrence, a vehicle fire is a circumstance in which you do not want to be unprepared. Following these safety tips can keep you—and other motorists—safe should you ever find yourself in such a situation.

1. First, do not panic, and pull off the road immediately if you see signs of smoke.
2. Unlock your power door locks in case your vehicle’s battery is damaged and electrical components stop working.
3. Turn the ignition to the off position to shut off the fuel pump and spark plugs.
4. Pull the hood release from inside the vehicle so firefighters can lift the hood if necessary to put out the fire.
5. Get everyone out of the car.
6. Call the fire department or 911.
7. Leave the sunroof, windows and doors closed and don’t open the hood. This will starve the fire of oxygen and may lessen its intensity.
8. Do not try to fight the fire yourself. Water won’t put out gasoline or electrical fires. Only Type B and Type C fire extinguishers will work in most cases. Dry chemicals are most effective, but they leave a corrosive residue.
9. If the fire is under the car, get out and stay away. The gas tank could explode.

Remember to get as far away from the vehicle as you can and stay away from it, even if the fire appears to be minor. Keep onlookers and others away from the scene. Do not try to retrieve possessions from the vehicle under any circumstances. Things can be replaced—humans cannot.

Sources: MondayMorningMechanic.com, National Safety Council

Of all the parts on your vehicle that need maintenance, spark plugs might not be high on your checklist. But these little components play a big role in vehicle ignition. Paying attention to their condition is especially important as winter approaches and the likelihood of a “no start” increases.

If you find yourself on a blustery winter morning with an engine that won’t turn over, old spark plugs could be part of the problem. Bad plugs often are responsible for many cold-weather “no start” issues. It’s also possible to run the battery dead while cranking the engine because the plugs aren’t lighting the fire to get the engine started. Don’t take that risk: Installing new plugs reduces the voltage requirements on the ignition system, and it decreases the chance of a misfire.

Spark plugs do not last forever, even if your vehicle uses long-life, 100,000-mile plugs. All spark plugs need to be changed sooner or later. It’s just a matter of when.

New plugs maintain peak engine performance and efficiency. Every engine will misfire occasionally. But as the number of misfires per mile goes up over time, it increases exhaust emissions, wastes gas and reduces power. In older vehicles, most drivers don’t notice the gradual decline in ignition performance until it reaches a point where it creates steady miss, causing the engine to run rough, buck or stall, or make it hard to start.

That’s not necessarily the case with newer cars. All model year 1996 and newer vehicles have an onboard diagnostic system (OBD II) that tracks ignition misfires. When the rate of misfires exceeds a certain limit and causes emissions to increase 50 percent over normal levels, your “Service Engine Soon” light comes on.