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Some of the most basic things you can do on your car, a lot of people actually don't know how to do, like checking your tire pressure. This article about how to check your tire pressure comes from the DMV website. How To Check Your Tire Pressure Proper tire maintenance keeps you safe and your car running its best. One of the most important - and most often overlooked - regular maintenance you should be doing is checking the pressure of your tires regularly.  Car tires don't have to be punctured to leak air. And unlike your gasoline gauge, most cars don't alert you to check your tire pressure. This guide will walk you through how to properly check the pressure of your tires, and why you should keep it at the top of your routine.  Why Is Tire Pressure Important? According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, under-inflated tires have a higher risk of damage and failure. Not only will they wear out faster if under-inflated, but faster deteriorat ... read more

Tires can be a little wacky during the winter and the cold months. Should you under-inflate your tires during the winter? Is that the safest thing to do? This article has your answers. Should You Under-inflate Your Tires in Winter? Under-inflating your tires can give you more traction on snowy roads; but is this a solid strategy, or a tip you can skip? Snow tires, all-wheel drive, four-wheel drive, bags of kitty litter in the trunk - people will do just about anything to gain an edge when driving in snowy, icy, winter weather. For the most part, these strategies are good ideas. After all, winter-slick roads raise the risk of having an accident, and the best way to survive a car accident is to prevent one from happening in the first place. One winter driving trick that some people swear by is under-inflating their tires. Why do people under-inflate their tires? To understand why some people think under-inflating tired in winter is a good idea, you need to know what's happening w ... read more

Have you ever started your car after a cold night and noticed that your tire pressure light was on? Have you ever wondered why your tire pressure light comes on when it is cold outside? This article from How Stuff Works Auto explains just that. Why Does My Tire Pressure Light Come on When It's Cold? If your car is equipped with a tire pressure monitoring system, you've probably faced the dreaded "low tire pressure" warning light (usually a picture of a horseshoe with an exclamation point in the middle.) Often, drivers see a sudden uptick in notifications when the weather turns chilly. This annoying and often ill-timed occurrence may have you wondering, what gives? And do I need to go fill up my tires? Cold shrinks, warm expands. "For every 10-degree drop in temperature, tire pressure decreases 1-2 PSI," emails Rich White, executive director of the Car Care Council. PSI stands for pounds per inch and is a common unit for measuring pressure ... read more

It probably goes without saying that Black Friday can be a rough time to be on the roads, especially if there are poor weather conditions. All Tech Automotive looked for the perfect article to highlight some key safety tips for those venturing out this Friday. This article comes from Allstate. Top Tips for Driving and Parking on Black Friday While Black Friday shopping may bring the most extreme deals, the traffic and parking situations can be a nightmare. Parking spaces are limited, people always seem to be in a rush to get to the next stop and distractions are aplenty. But with a little planning and smart thinking, you may be able to prevent unnecessary added stress. When you head out to tackle your holiday shopping this year, remember these Black Friday traffic and parking tips. Plan Your Route Before You Go Checking out the sales ads and figuring out where you need to go before leaving your house can keep your day moving smoothly. U.S. News and World Reports suggest planning a d ... read more

Thanksgiving is almost here; get ready for this buy holiday with these safe driving tips that All Tech Automotive found to keep you and your family safe during the holiday rush.  Safe Driving Tips for Thanksgiving Travel Planning to hit the road for the Thanksgiving holiday to visit with family and friends? You won't be alone. The AAA forecasts 42.5 million Americans will travel 50 miles or more from home during the Thanksgiving holiday weekend, marking a 4-percent increase over last year. Before you embark, consider these tips to help prepare you and your car for whatever challenges might be faced on the road. Fuel Up Don't head out on a long road trip without a full tank of gas. In addition to topping off the tank, also check fluids and tire pressures before you leave.  Be Prepared Bring supplies in the event of an accident or medical issue. Stock your car with an emergency kit - especially a flashlight, blanket, first-aid kit, and some basic tools. Also, bring ... read more

In general, whether you should or shouldn't buy a car is a big decision to make, and whether you should or shouldn't buy a used rental car can be an even bigger decision, factoring in that more than a few people have already used this vehicle before you. All Tech Automotive found this article to give you a little more insight into making this choice. Should You Buy a Used Rental Car? If you've ever rented a car, you might have driven it a little harder than you'd drive your own car. And, chances are, many other customers who rented it were just as "respectful" of that car as you were. So, the thought of owning that car after the rental car company's done with it might be a little scary. If you're shopping for a later-model used car on a budget, though, this is an avenue you might want to consider. Rental car companies rotate their fleets on a regular basis, which means there's a steady supply of older cars they're looking to unload. Many of t ... read more

Winter is coming! All Tech Automotive found this article from the DMV with recommendations on how to prepare your car for the cold and snow that lies ahead.  Winter months can prevent many challenges for your vehicle. While modern vehicles are designed to handle inclement weather conditions, there are some basic steps every driver should take as the days get shorter and the temperature drops. How to Winterize Your Car Replace or refill all fluids The best way to winterize your car is to start by checking your fluid levels. Coolant - It is especially important to have the correct antifreeze/water mixture to prevent fluid from freezing in your radiator. Consult your vehicle's owner's manual for information on this mixture. Pick up a tester at an auto parts store and make sure the fluid is filled to the maximum line. Oil - Some mechanics recommend switching to a thinner oil if you live where temperatures drop below freezing. Your best be ... read more

Some drivers will go their whole life without using the cruise control function on their vehicle, whether it's because they prefer not to use it, don't find it safe, or don't know how to use it. To keep you informed, All Tech Automotive found this article to give you some insight on cruise control. Cruise control is a feature that now comes standard on many models of cars. Many drivers prefer to drive a vehicle that has cruise control installed because of its convenience. If you are a commuter, cruise control will allow you to drive at a constant speed. Cruise control is an electronic device that allows a vehicle's driver to lock the accelerator on a specific speed and take the foot off of the pedal. Cruise control is designed to be used on roadways without frequent stops, turns, or required driving maneuvers. An interstate highway is an ideal location to use your vehicle's cruise control feature. Here's how to apply cruise control: 7-Step Guide to Cruise Contr ... read more

All Tech Automotive cares about the safety of the drivers on the road, especially mature drivers. We found this article on safety suggestions mature drivers should consider. These are only suggestions and any mature driver should consult their doctor with any questions.  Just because you've aged doesn't mean your driving safety should be compromised. With a few adjustments and an acute awareness of your abilities, you can continue to drive without feeling like you're in danger of a collision.  To stay safe the next time you get behind the wheel, consider these 7 safety suggestions geared towards senior drivers.  1) Take Stock of Your Health As you age, physical and mental changes can affect your ability to operate a vehicle safely. Schedule regular appointments with your physician to monitor: Pain or stiffness in your joints - This may affect your ability to control the steering wheel or turn to look into safety mirrors. Any chronic conditions - Diabetes ... read more

Keeping your vehicle up to date on any required maintenance is an important part of vehicle safety. All Tech Automotive found this article on when you should change your windshield wiper blades. Although your windshield wiper blades are a small part of your car, they are a big component in safe driving.  When to replace your windshield wiper blades Windshield wiper blades play a crucial part in vehicle safety, but unless you live in a rainy climate, they're also easy to overlook. If you don't use them regularly you might not know they need to be replaced - until you really, really need them. Manufacturers typically recommend changing them every six months to once a year, but your own driving conditions might call for a more frequent replacement. There's no hard-and-fast rule about when you change your wiper blades, but you can use a few criteria to decide when it's time. When they visibly don't work well For many drivers, the simplest answer is to repla ... read more