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.
What People Say About Us
Best Mechanic shop in town go see Sam he and his team are the best and honest mechanics you will ever meet! I had to inspect getting a new serpentine by and they recommended a few ideas and we ended up changing the belt to a brand new one and my noise problem on my 2011 Suzuki Sedan went away. Was holding off on buying a new car for at least 1 more year and Sam made sure that everything in my car was fine to drive. I came here a few times in the past and got recommended from a tow truck driver to see these guys instead of Firestone, top grade quality mechanics you will not find anyone better around the city! Thank you 360 for all your help
I went to them about my jaguar. Due to me having someone else work on it. They gave me the most honest answer. They said due to the fact you had someone else work on it we can not go over another mechanic works. I knew then that is the shop I will deal with. Because they chose honesty over money. That honor that is pride in my opinion that is the shop for me my new Antioch California family since my relocation from Frisco. This is keeping it ??# T.Lowe from RBL posse.
Tishan T.Lowe, 04/25/2021
Sam, who runs this place with his brother, is generous with his time -- didn't make my husband and me feel rushed when we called him (more than once) to ask his advice. And he gladly diagnosed the problem gratis -- that's way more than the vast majority of shops will do. Competent, honest -- 360 Auto knows how to build a loyal customer base.
Rowena Gonden, 04/21/2021
Excellent customer service. Fast, friendly, honest and professional! Thank you!
They are always nice and efficient.
It's my first time so far no problem.
