Harding's Garage Care Care Blog

Good tires can be expensive, which is why it’s important to maintain them. Here’s some ways to get the most out of your tires.

Balance. Good tires have a deep tread, stable side walls and have been balanced for high speed handling. If your tires seem to bounce all over the place when you drive, they may need to be rebalanced. If you bring your car to our professional Maine Auto Repair shop to have them rebalanced, we’ll also make sure there’s no serious issue underneath the carriage of your vehicle like a broken tie-rod or control arm.

Inflation. By keeping your tires properly inflated you can increase their lifespan, save gas mileage, improve steering and help you stop quicker.

Alignment. Alignment is critical to avoid excessive wear on either the inside or the outside of the tire. If you rotate your tires at every other regularly scheduled oil change and you notice unusual wear on the rear tires, you might have an issue with a universal joint that may need replacement.

A good spare. In the event you need to change your tires, it is important to make sure your replacement tire is also in good condition. A thorough preventative maintenance plan should also include making sure you have a reliable spare tire and all the necessary tools needed.

Tires can cost $50-$200 each. But regularly maintaining them can save you a lot of money. Taking your car into a trusted shop like ours with ASE-Certified Technicians for regular Fairfield tire rotations and inspections will help you save money and keep you safely on the road!

Proper Fairfield Tire Pressure

Of the thousands of components in modern vehicles, only one has the responsibility of contacting the road surface and keeping you there. That component is the tire. Fairfield Tires are one of the most important safety items on your vehicle. The Rubber Manufacturers Association recommends that you take only five minutes per month to inspect your tires’ inflation and tread wear. This is a relatively simple task to perform and only takes a few dollars out of your wallet and a few minutes of your time. Proper pressure will help to ensure the longest life possible from your tires.

Under-inflation is the #1 enemy to tires. It results in unnecessary tire stress, irregular wear, loss of control, and potentially accidents. A scary fact is that a tire can lose up to half of its pressure and still not even look flat! The key to avoiding this problem is to regularly check the tire pressure. You can buy a Fairfield tire pressure gauge from any auto parts store for only a few dollars and it can save you from having to spend hundreds on tires.

When checking them, it is more accurate to check them cold, meaning they haven’t been driven on for a while. This is due to the fact that tire pressure increases as temperature increases. If you have to put air in your tires, record how many PSI below specification the tires are and write it down. This will help because the tires will read differently when you get to where you are going to fill them up. Then whatever reading you get, simply add however many PSI you recorded earlier.

Lastly, if you notice your tires are over-inflated; wait until they cool down to see how many PSI to take out. Never bleed or reduce pressure when the tires are hot.

You’re driving down a windy road after the first snow of the season. Up ahead is a sharp turn, are your tires going to keep you safe and on the road? Well many people get stuck on the idea that all-season tires are good for all seasons. Makes sense, right? Although the name might indicate that, these tires can’t provide nearly the amount of traction and control as a dedicated snow/ice tire.

For the utmost in traction, a studded snow tire will provide what you need in snowy conditions. It has been estimated that studded tires will provide 40% better traction than all-season tires. But there are down sides to them. Anytime there is not snow or ice, they are loud, provide decreased comfort while driving, and they chew up asphalt roadways, causing some places to outlaw them. And the worst side effect of these Fairfield tires is that on surfaces that are dry or wet, not freezing, they provide less traction than all-season tires.

So what is better? Well there happens to be an alternative solution that will give you traction in all conditions, redefining the all-season tire.

Green Diamond tires are an innovative invention that gives you the benefit of studded tires, with none of the negatives. Embedded in the tread are thousands of diamond-hard silicon carbide granules that help dig in to the snow and ice. These state-of-the-art tires tested better than the top snow tires from Cooper, Bridgestone, and Goodyear Blizzak in snow/ice braking and steering.

These tires not only outperform on snow and ice, but will outlast them when used as an all-season tire. If you would like more information about these revolutionary tires, the testing results, as well as how to get them, visit www.greendiamondtire.com or Harding’s Garage. Whether you choose this new tire technology, or prefer a good old studded tire, you will receive expert installation at our professional Fairfield auto repair facility.

For your own safety, you should make Fairfield tire maintenance and repair a priority. Bald tires, unevenly worn tires, and tire blowouts contribute to many accidentally annually. Poor tire condition makes driving difficult and can even adversely affect gas mileage. Use the following five tips to ensure your tires are in great condition and perform optimally.

1. Inspect your tires frequently. Get into the habit of walking around your vehicle and taking a look at your tires every time you stop for fuel.  Look for bumps and bulges along the outer surface. Notice patterns of wear, especially uneven wear. If you find an embedded nail, screw or another piece of debris, bring your vehicle into a Maine auto repair station immediately to have it professionally removed and the tire fixed or replaced.

2. Check the air pressure monthly. Look in your vehicle’s manual for the correct inflation pressure, and check your vehicle’s tires monthly. If you notice a tire that continually loses air pressure, bring your vehicle to the service station. The tire should be removed and inspected by a professional to find the source of the air leak. Also notice the wear on the tires. If the outer edge is worn down, chances are the tires are under inflated. If the center looks worn, you may need to let air out of the tires; they could be overly inflated.

3. Have uneven tire wear checked by a professional. Unevenly worn tires can be a sign that the vehicle’s alignment is off. Uneven alignment can lead to poor gas mileage and driver fatigue as well as cause premature wear and tear on your tires. An alignment check and balance can correct the problem.  Use the penny test to check the treads: insert a penny into the groove of the tire tread with President Lincoln’s head facing you and upside down. If you can see all of Lincoln’s head after sliding the penny into the groove, your tire tread is worn and the tire should be replaced.

4. Have tires balanced if you add a new tire to a wheel. A new tire can upset the balance among the remaining tires. Have the tires balance to ensure even wear and proper handling. If you feel your vehicle pulling to one side, that may also be an indication that the tires need to be rebalanced.

5. Don’t forget to check the spare. Whenever you inspect and check your tires, check the spare tire, too. Make sure your spare tire is properly inflated according to the manufacturer’s directions and instructions. Check to make sure your jack, lug wrench and safety cones or flares are in the trunk, too, and that you have everything you need to ensure your safety in the event you do need to change a tire on the road.

You should have you tires professionally checked, rotated and balanced every 6,000 miles or at the recommendation of your trusted Maine auto repair shop. Keeping tires in good condition and ensuring proper alignment and balance of the vehicle can save you money on fuel by improving gas mileage. If you aren’t sure whether or not your tires will stand up to Fairfield’s winter weather conditions, consult an ASE certified technician, so you can drive around with confidence no matter what olda man winter brings!

Our cars always seem to breakdown at the most inconvenient times, like when you’re driving home from work in rush hour, or on your way to catch a flight. In order to avoid these potential breakdowns and maintain your safety while driving it’s important to visit a reliable Maine auto repair facility that can properly inspect and diagnose any issues you may not be aware of. We all lead busy lives and staying on top of your preventative maintenance routine may not be so high on your “to-do” list. This is why we have professional ASE certified mechanics to take care of us and our vehicle’s.

It can be extremely inconvenient and embarrassing when your vehicle brakes down unexpectedly. You never want to be the cause of a highway back up during rush hour, or stranded in the middle of nowhere. If you can’t recall the last time you were in a Fairfield auto repair facility then this is a strong indication that you may be heading for a breakdown.

We’re all aware that oil changes should be performed every 3,000 miles, or at the recommended interval for your particular vehicle, but what about your Fairfield tires, battery, brakes, fluid levels, belts, and filters? There are thousands of complex, mechanical components within your vehicle and they all work in unison to get you from one place to the next. Trying to understand or figure out these elaborate, high tech parts can be overwhelming, but that’s why our Maine auto repair shop employs knowledgeable ASE certified mechanics. These professionals are held to the highest standards in auto repair and are continuously tested to stay on top of the latest in automotive innovations.

Completely ignoring and neglecting your vehicle’s preventative maintenance needs now will cost you a significant amount of money later on. For instance, a dirty fuel filter can lead to an expensive replacement of your fuel pump. Replacing worn brake pads will prevent them from digging into your rotor and causing irreversible damage. Replacing a rotor is far more expensive than simply having your brake pads changed.

Safety is our top concern when it comes to Fairfield auto repairs and preventative vehicle maintenance. One of the most important features of your vehicle that directly relates to your safety are your tires. Your Fairfield tires are the only features that are always in direct contact with the road, so it only makes sense that you would take care of them. If your wear bars in between the tread become visible then your in big trouble. If you are having trouble determining the condition of your tires then visit your reliable Maine auto repair facility that employs ASE certified technicians and they’ll be able to diagnose their condition and recommend the best Winter tires for your vehicle before the snow hits!

A car is the second largest financial investment next to a house. You depend on it greatly to get you through life. So, it only makes sense that you would show it the utmost attention, right? If you’re guilty of neglecting your vehicle’s preventative maintenance here are a few things to consider.

Monthly Tire Check-ups. If your Fairfield tires have a low pressure, your engine will end up working harder and burn more gasoline just to move your vehicle. You should use a tire-pressure gauge to make sure your pressure specifications are correct.

Follow Service Recommendations. Your owner’s manual mentions recommended service maintenance intervals. Be sure to stay on top of it! You can create a calendar for your vehicle’s routine maintenance as a reminder.

Routine Oil and Filter Changes. Oil is the blood of the engine. It keeps the engine’s parts lubricated and from becoming corroded and pitted. Regular changes are needed to remove contaminants that the engine creates over time.

Never Ignore a “Service Engine” Light. Those lights were created to help your vehicle express its needs to you. Take your vehicle to a reliable shop as soon as you can.

Resolve to Become a Safer Driver. Avoid sudden accelerations and brakes because it wastes fuel and strains the engine. Aggressive starts and stops will also wear your brakes out faster. If possible, use the cruise control to maintain a steady pace.

Have an ASE-Certified Technician at your reliable auto repair in Skowhegan check your vehicle’s needs. Resolving to take better care of your car will automatically result in more savings because routine maintenance will help avoid expensive damages. It’s important to care as much about your vehicle as you do about yourself because it is a friend that carries you through many of your daily routines every year!

Have you ever been driving your car, turned a corner and heard a horrible squealing sound? You start to get upset because you know you are going to have to bring your car into the shop.

Well, here are a few diagnoses for some of the sounds you might hear from your car.

A high-pitched, piercing metallic screech is usually a sign that brake maintenance is required. Brake pads have wear indicators that alert the driver to problems.

A high-pitched metallic tapping sound is often related to engine speed. First check your vehicle’s manual for octane rating, because it could be caused by fuel with a lower octane rating than recommended. Engine ignition timing may be the problem if it doesn’t stop.

Loose or worn power steering, fan or air conditioning belts will cause a shrill, sharp squeal.

A clicking sound can be related to a loose wheel cover or fan blade.

A low-pitched rhythmic rumble could be the result of a few things: A defective exhaust pipe, converter or muffler, a worn universal joint or some other drive-line component.

If any of these sounds are familiar to you or you are worried that something might be amiss with your vehicle, be sure to bring it in to a trusted auto repair shop in Skowhegan with ASE certified technicians.

June 2011

Being able to clearly see through your windshield is a necessity while driving. Whether you are driving in the rain or in the snow, a good set of windshield wipers can be the difference between visibility and blindness.

Replacing old windshield wipers with new ones is one of the most frustrating things to do. Something that seems easy at first can quickly become extremely agitating. Here are a few tips to help you with this necessary replacement:

At a trusted auto parts store, be sure to buy the right replacement windshield wipers for your car. Most stores have books so you can look up what kind you need, otherwise you can ask someone who works there. Also, purchase the entire blade, not just the rubber blade insert.

Always read the directions to see what you need to disconnect the old wiper and connect the new one.

Lift the windshield wiper from the windshield and take off the bad wiper blade from the wiper arm.

Usually, you will need to push on a tab or lift a tab before removing the blade.

Generally, there is an attachment that comes with the wiper blade that connects the blade to the arm.

Insert the attachment, and then insert the wiper blade. You will most likely hear a click when the blade has been successfully attached.

Unless you want the blade to fly off while driving, give the wiper a tug to make sure that the blade is sturdy.

If you are unsure you installed the windshield wiper correctly, or if you feel uncomfortable doing it yourself, bring your car into a trusted repair shop in Winslow with ASE Certified Technicians and they will be happy to assist you.

Is my fluid really that bad? Is my air filter really that dirty? Can’t it wait? These are questions that most people have when it comes to doing routine or preventative maintenance. The truth is, sure, it can wait and you most likely won’t see extreme damage immediately, but that doesn’t mean that damage is not being done every mile that the service is postponed.

The longer maintenance is pushed back and forgotten about, the more damage is being done to components within your vehicle and the higher costs you will incur down the road.

Filters are items that keep your car running strong and efficiently. Air, fuel, and transmission filters are the major ones on any given vehicle. These are not time consuming or expensive items to have replaced, yet still people will overlook staying on top of it. Not replacing these first two at the scheduled times will cause reduced fuel mileage, as well as making the engine work harder. Not replacing the transmission filter will cause reduced fluid flow leading to increased heat, as well as potentially allowing harmful deposits into the transmission. Either way you are losing money by delaying performing these tasks.

Fluids are designed to protect many components within the engine, transmission, steering and brake systems. Keeping clean, fresh fluids within these systems will prolong the life of every component within that particular system. Fluid flushes are inexpensive and not time consuming. Wouldn’t it be better to spend an hour or two getting fluids flushed instead of having a full day or two where you are without a vehicle? Not to mention the repair bill at the end of the procedures.

To put it in perspective, the National Car Care Council, through a recent survey of cars at malls, schools, and businesses around the country, found this information:

• 54% of vehicles had low tire tread
• 38% had low or dirty engine oil
• 28% had inadequate cooling/anti-freezing protection
• 19% had cracking belts
• 16% had dirty air filters
• 10% had low or dirty brake fluid

Stay on top of your maintenance and not only will your wallet stay fuller, but you and your family will stay safer. Look for an ASE certified repair shop in Maine to answer any questions and keep you safely on the road.