AUTONET TV

Free Money (Almost) (Fuel Saving Tips)

You spend a lot of money on a vehicle, probably the most money you'll spend on anything except a house.  But the spending doesn't stop after you've bought it.  It goes into things like insurance, repairs and fuel.  One good piece of news is that you can cut down the amount you spend on fuel if you follow a few tips.

Keep your speed under 50 mph/80 kph.  Anything over that and your fuel economy will go down quickly the faster you go.  Sure, you can legally drive  faster than that, but practice this one tip and it can save you from 7%-14% on fuel.

Use cruise control.  The steady speed increases fuel economy by avoiding unnecessary braking and accelerating. 

If your vehicle is carrying unnecessary weight, unload it.  If you can save 100 pounds/45 kilograms, it can save you 1% of your fuel. 

Don't idle.  Let's say you're sitting in a parking lot with your engine running for 10 seconds.  Any more and you're wasting fuel.  Turn off your engine and start it when you have to get going.  You may have noticed that many newer vehicles automatically turn the engine off when the vehicle stops.

Avoid using a roof rack.  A cargo box strapped on the top of your vehicle can reduce your fuel economy by 2%-8% in city driving, by 6%-17% on the highway and by 10%-25% at highway speeds over 65 mph/105 mph.

Also, if you have roof rails on your vehicle with crossbars, you can save 1% of fuel simply by storing them somewhere else.  Some vehicles like Chrysler's Pacifica minivan allow you to store the crossbars inside the roof rails to reduce drag.

Keep tires at their recommended inflation.  It can save you 3% of your fuel bill.

Use the right motor oil for your vehicle.  Using the wrong kind can cost you 1%-2% more money on fuel.

Sure, many of those savings are small on their own.  But add them up and you'd be surprised at how much you can save.  Also, keep in mind that a well maintained vehicle will also save you fuel, so make regular maintenance trips to your vehicle service facility.

Darrell's Firestone
23534 Farmington Rd
Farmington, MI 48336
248-477-9090
www.darrellsfirestone.net

Can This Tire Be Saved? A Guide to Tire Repair vs. Replacement

When something goes wrong with one of your tires, one of the first things that goes through your head is: Do I have to buy a new tire, or is it possible to save this one with a repair? Understanding when you can have a tire fixed and when you need it replaced can prevent you from driving an unsafe vehicle and save you from expensive repairs later.
Some tire issues can be repaired, such as punctures in the tread less than 1/4 inch in diameter.  One of our technicians can patch or plug your tire safely, and it will perform virtually as well as a replacement.  But if the tire’s sidewall is damaged or if there are big punctures or deep cuts, then it’s probably wise to replace it.  If your tire has bulges you can see, significant tread wear and cracks, cracks, definitely replace it.

Looks can be deceiving.  Your tire may appear to be almost new.  But all rubber ages, and many manufacturers recommend replacing tires every six to ten years, regardless of how good they may look.
  
Another thing to consider is uneven wear on tires.  Sometimes that can be caused by driving on them when they were under- or over-inflated.  If your vehicle was out of alignment and you put a lot of miles on its tires, that may also mean they need replacing. 

The main factor is safety.  If you drive on a tire that hasn’t been repaired properly or you keep driving on a compromised tire, you can wind up having a blowout and lose control of your vehicle. On the other hand, if you replace a tire before it’s necessary, that can be an unnecessary expense.
The answer is to have a trained tire technician regularly inspect your vehicle’s tires.  They are qualified to decide if a tire can be saved. The important thing is to catch all issues early.  Consulting a professional technician ensures you’ll make the right decision so you are less likely to have an unexpected blowout.  That will save you money and can help provide you with peace of mind.

Darrell's Firestone
23534 Farmington Rd
Farmington, MI 48336
248-477-9090
www.darrellsfirestone.net

Technician Training at Darrell's Firestone

Your vehicle is important to you, and keeping it running properly is important to your lifestyle. That's why you're smart enough to have it serviced regularly at Darrell's Firestone in Farmington. And even though it may just be routine maintenance, you want it done right by automotive professionals.

It's also very important to your Farmington service center to keep you happy and on the road. You might be surprised at the amount of money our Farmington auto service center spends annually to make sure our friendly and knowledgeable technicians are properly trained.

Darrell's Firestone offers a variety of automotive services for many kinds of vehicles. We need to be current on the latest techniques and parts so that we can give you quality service. Our Farmington service centers subscribe to data services that list the high quality parts and fluids recommended by your manufacturer.

And each service has a checklist of standard procedures. Darrell's Firestone technicians follow these procedures so they can safely deliver a consistent level of high-quality service.

Some services at Darrell's Firestone require the use of specialized equipment. Darrell's Firestone technicians are trained extensively on this equipment so that they can service your car quickly and efficiently.

Classroom, video and hands-on training is provided by the company and outside trainers. It's not only important that friendly and knowledgeable technicians be able to perform a given task, they also need to be thoroughly trained in inspection and diagnostic techniques. One of the great services they perform is to detect potential problems before they become serious.

The automotive service industry has standards for classifying and communicating problems. For example, it's one thing to learn that your manufacturer recommends that you change your serpentine belt every 30,000 miles/48,000 km and another to learn that the belt is on the verge of failure. These standards help you understand the urgency of recommendations, letting you make better automotive service decisions.

MI folks may be interested to know that service technicians (including those at Darrell's Firestone) are trained in compliance with federal and local Farmington laws and regulations, including environmental regulations regarding the disposal of used parts and fluids.

It's the goal of Darrell's Firestone to provide fast, courteous service. You should feel free to ask your friendly and knowledgeable technician or one of the managers about your service or for more information about their recommendations.

At Darrell's Firestone, well-trained service providers, established procedures, industry standards and, of course, great people, combine to give you the best auto service in Farmington.

Darrell's Firestone
23534 Farmington Rd
Farmington, MI 48336
248-477-9090
www.darrellsfirestone.net

Make your Service Visit at Darrell's Firestone a Good One

Most people don't love going to get their vehicle serviced, but it's one of those things you just have to do. So you might as well get the most of out of it. There are some steps you can take that will likely help you get the best results possible.

For one thing, it's important to describe your problem (or problems) to the service advisor accurately and clearly. If your vehicle is making a noise, for example, take time to really listen to it and think of the best way to describe it. Does it increase in speed when you go faster? If you feel a vibration somewhere, where in the vehicle does it seem to originate? Some service advisors recommend writing things down. That way the driver won't forget any important clues that could lead to a successful resolution of the problem.

Another thing is to make sure your vehicle is cleaned out and free of junk. That way the technician can access those nooks and crannies where some vital components may be. If your vehicle is full of strollers, boxes or your collection of fast food containers, it won't be easy for the technician to reach some of those parts. Oh, and if your vehicle is neat, it does send a signal that you really care about it.

Finally, stay out of the way of the technician. A recent survey of technicians reveals they work more efficiently and do a better job when they don't have someone hanging on their every move. Can you imagine how you'd feel if someone hovered over you all day while you were trying to get your work done?

Darrell's Firestone
23534 Farmington Rd
Farmington, MI 48336
248-477-9090
www.darrellsfirestone.net