10 Minute Pre-Trip Checkup Can Pay Off
A properly maintained vehicle is safer and more dependable and will even
save a few dollars at the gas pumps. Motorists should plan ahead to allow
time to perform necessary maintenance themselves or at the local service
facility.
Car Care Council offers three suggestions for a traveler's 10-minute pre-
trip checklist:
- Check all fluids - There are
several fluids that require attention: Engine Oil, power steering, brake and
transmission fluids, and windshield washer solvent and antifreeze/coolant.
- Check all hoses and belts - A belt failure can affect the
electrical system, air conditioning, power steering, and the cooling system.
Cooling system hoses may be deteriorating from within, so old hoses and
clamps in marginal condition might need to be replaced.
- Check
the tires - Check tire inflation and inspect the tread for uneven wear,
indicating the need for wheel alignment. Also look for bulges and bald
spots.
Follow these tips to maximize fuel efficiency of your vehicle:
- Vehicle gas caps - about 17%
of the vehicles on the roads have gas caps that are either damaged, loose or
missing altogether, causing 147 million gallons of gas to vaporize every
year.
- Under inflated tires - when tires aren't inflated properly
it's like driving with a parking brake on. It can cost a mile or two per
gallon.
- Worn spark plugs - A vehicle can have either four, six
or eight spark plugs, which fire as many as 3 million times every 1,000
miles, resulting in electrical and chemical erosion from heat.
- Dirty air filters - A clogged air filter creates a "rich" mixture -
the proportion of gas to air is incorrect. This wastes fuel and causes the
engine to lose power. Replacing a clogged air filter can improve gas mileage
by as much as 10%.
- Don't drive aggresively - Aggressive driving
can lower gas mileage by as much as 33% on the highway and 5% on city
streets.
- Avoid excessive idling - sitting idle gets zero miles
per gallon. Letting the vehicle warm up for one to two minutes is
sufficient.
- Drive the speed limit - Gas mileage decreases
rapidly at speeds above 60 mph. Each mile driven over 60 results in an
additional 10 cents per gallon. Increase fuel efficiency by using cruise
control.
Discover More About Prices and Repair Services At 360 Auto Repair Services in Antioch
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What People Say About Us
They doing great job I recommend for all of you who lives Brentwood Antioch Oakley and Concord to visit there shop for most of best mechanical service.
Ali Ahmad Amini, 08/30/2022
Great customer service and workmanship.
Damian Broussard, 07/05/2022
Very professional hard-working people. Would highly recommend someone else to get their repairs done here. In fact I'm going there tomorrow for an oil change.
I love this place the employees are great...they treat you right and keep you informed about your auto...at least try it out once...
Best shop in town.
Eddie's Lawnsandmore925, 03/02/2022
First and foremost, honesty and reliability is how I'd describe this shop and crew. Never been here but have passed it numerous times and 2 short stories.
1. Had to get my car smog, but wouldn't pass cause a few months before that my car battery died and had to jump start which reset the CPU, took a month and a half which I tried every other week to see if it would pass, they didn't charge me extra as long as I had the receipt. Even Sam remembered me which I was surprised as to how many people come there and it's my first time.
2. This is recent but I needed to get my oil changed and I needed an estimate for my broken AC. A few years ago I used to take it to Honda for oil changes and out of no where they showed me an estimate of how a tiny pebble was sucked into my vent and that's why my AC wouldn't work. I was skeptical because they're charging me 800+...luckily I don't drive my car too much as I have another so it wasn't a necessity and I even went to another shop by Costco, same bs story. I saved over 600+ with Sam and his team as there was no leaks or anything it just needed Freon.
I'll be moving soon but if I'm ever in town or knock on wood something happens I'll be sure to take it to 360 Auto Repair Services. Thanks Sam as well as your crew.
