How Often Should You Rotate Your Tires?

Practicing consistent preventative maintenance on your vehicle is the single best way to prolong the lifespan of your car and minimize the likelihood of mechanical breakdowns or other problems. Aside from tasks like checking engine fluids or inspecting wear to the brakes, it’s equally important to have your tires rotated from time to time, especially if you put a lot of miles on your vehicle. So how often should you rotate your tires and how is it done? Read on to learn more about the basics of a tire rotation, including why it’s so critical and when to do it. What is a Tire Rotation? When a professional technician performs a tire rotation, they are essentially swapping the position of

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What to Look for During a Test Drive Before You Buy a Car

A test drive plays a critical role when looking to buy a car. It helps you to evaluate factors like the operating state and roadworthiness of an automobile. Whether it’s a new or used vehicle, being attentive when testing can save you future nuisance and disappointment. Here are some vital things to look out for an informed buying decision: Examine the Exterior The test drive begins with what you can see. Check the condition of the body, paint, windshield, tire treads, all lights, and brake pads. Test the shock absorbers by pressing hard on each corner of the bumpers. You should notice a minor or no bounce. If something looks like it needs repair or replacement, raise the matter with

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How to Narrow down Your Search & Buy a Car that Meets Your Needs

The wide selection of car models means there’s a car for everyone, depending on their preferences. However, finding the perfect vehicle to match your needs, budget and lifestyle can be tough, which is why most people buy a car that is similar to what they’ve had previously, or take recommendations from their friends. If you are looking to buy a car, below are a few tips to help you narrow down your search and settle on the perfect choice. 1. Know what You Need Knowing what you need in a car is critical in shortening your search and leading you to the right one. Create a list of what you want and what you need, then decide on what’s important to

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How Far You Can Really Drive on Empty Depends on Your Car’s Gas Mileage

When your vehicle’s fuel gauge drops to empty and the dashboard low-fuel light turns on, there still some gasoline left in the tank to drive on. Most drivers don’t know exactly how much gasoline is left and how far they can drive, though. While the possible gas mileage when the tank reads empty varies by model, here’s a look at how far you can go: How Much Fuel Is Left? How much gasoline is left in a vehicle once the fuel gauge reads empty varies from one vehicle to the next, but most have a decent amount of gas left. Vehicles tend to have anywhere from 1.6 gallons (the Toyota Prius) to 4 gallons (the Toyota Tundra and GMC Sierra Denali)

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Is Tire Rotation Really Necessary for Proper Car Maintenance?

Tire rotation refers to tactfully transferring tires from one axle to another on either side of an automobile. Experts advise that this should be done routinely, as part of your regular car maintenance, although it is a common misconception among car owners that this service is not important. Here are some reasons to get your tires rotated as recommended: Tires Wear Unevenly Tires on the front axle usually wear more on the outer edges because they lean over whenever you’re turning. The rear wheels simply follow the direction of the front tires. Hence, they wear more evenly. Failure to rotate tires, therefore, results in one edge of a front tire wearing too much compared to the rest of the surface.

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Understanding How Often to Change Brake Pads

Valley Automall 702-570-2257 | Serving the Henderson Area The quality of your brake pads will have a huge impact on the responsiveness and safety of your vehicle. Driving with worn out brake pads can lead to delayed stops and can even increase the likelihood of experiencing a motor vehicle accident. Read on to learn more about how often to change brake pads, how they work, and why they’re so important. What are Brake Pads and How do they Work? Brake pads are among the most important components in any vehicle. Attached directly to the rotor of each wheel, your brake pads are responsible for bringing the vehicle to a stop when you push the brake pedal. As pressure is applied to

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How Long Do Windshield Wipers Last? Tips & Maintenance

Valley Automall 702-570-2257 | Serving the Henderson Area Just like tires, spark plugs, and air filters, windshield wipers tend to wear down after some time, eventually requiring replacement. Luckily, windshield wipers are fairly easy to change out and the parts are relatively inexpensive at most automotive stores. If you’re experiencing issues with your windshield wipers that are inhibiting your visibility on the road, it’s essential to address the problem as soon as possible to ensure a safe driving experience for you, your family, and friends. So how long do windshield wipers last and how often should they be replaced? Read on to learn more. Windshield Wiper Care and Maintenance First, always make sure your windshield wiper fluid reservoir is full

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Seasonal Car Engine Maintenance Tips

Valley Automall 702-570-2257 | Serving the Henderson Area Following a regular maintenance routine is essential to keeping your vehicle in top working condition. Aside from scheduling tune-ups, rotating the tires, or having the brakes serviced, it’s equally important to remember seasonal car engine upkeep as well. After all, the fluctuating temperatures and changing weather conditions throughout the seasons can put quite a strain on your vehicle if you’re not prepared. Read on to explore a few key car engine maintenance tips to remember during different parts of the year. Check Fluid Levels when it gets Hot Although it’s always a good idea to periodically check your vehicle’s fluids, it’s especially critical during the hottest summer months when an engine is

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Essential Car Care Tips for the Fall

Valley Automall 702-570-2257 | Serving the Henderson Area With temperatures finally cooling down, the autumn season is the perfect time to tackle a few important car maintenance chores. After all, the summer heat can do a number on any vehicle, so performing car care tasks now can help to prevent unpleasant surprises on the road over the winter months ahead. Read on to explore some critical car maintenance tips for the fall that will keep your vehicle in top working condition.   Refill Fluids Pop the hood and double-check that all your fluid reservoirs are filled to the appropriate level. This includes brake fluid, power steering, transmission fluid, and engine oil. Fall is also an excellent time to refill the

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Top 4 Benefits of Changing Your Car’s Oil Regularly

All modern gas-powered vehicles require motor oil to operate effectively. Whenever oil levels are allowed to drop below the recommended level, many serious problems can begin to occur with the vehicle which can eventually lead to a breakdown on the road. In addition, failing to change out the oil every 6 months or 5,000 miles can also cause major issues with internal components. Here are the main 4 benefits of ensuring your car oil is properly changed out regularly. Improves Performance of Engine Remember, the purpose of a vehicle’s oil is to lubricate high-friction components so they can operate with as little resistance as possible. If old oil is left in the vehicle for too long, particulates and residue can accumulate

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