Auto Repair Jargon You Should Know
February 14th, 2019
Unless you consider yourself a car enthusiast, you may find yourself feeling a bit lost when having conversations with your mechanic. At times, it can feel like you are speaking to someone using a different language with words like “grease monkey,” “kickdown,” and “oversquare” whizzing past your head like dodgeballs. Hopefully, this list of common auto repair terms will help your next conversation with your mechanic go a bit more seamlessly:
- Aftermarket – This term applies to parts which are not made by the original manufacturer. The best aftermarket parts will meet or exceed the quality of the original parts in your vehicle.
- Hesitation – “Hesitation” refers to the lack of response which occurs when you first accele ...[more]
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Auto Repair 101
How to Buy New Tires
January 31st, 2019
If you’ve never done it before, purchasing tires can be a frustrating and intimidating task. How do you know what brand is best? How do you get the best price? We will discuss these questions and more in this blog post.
1. Read Reviews
It’s impossible to know how tires will perform after a few thousand miles… unless you read the reviews of people who already have those tires. When looking through reviews, look for people who drive a similar car to yours (truck, SUV, sports car, etc.) and skim past the reviews of people who have driven less than 25% of the tire’s lifespan. If a tire lasts 50,000 miles, look for the reviews of people who have driven at least 12,500 miles on the tires. Your car will always drive well on new tires. The true test of a tire’s durability comes after it’s had some ...[more]
Tags:
tire, Buy New Tires
Posted in:
Tires 101
Our Spring Auto Maintenance Checklist
January 18th, 2019
As winter beings to wind down, it’s time to look ahead towards spring. Temperatures will rise, spring will be in the air, and the weather is going to get a little unpredictable from one day to the next, with sunny skies one day and thunderstorms the next. Does your car have what it takes for spring and summer driving? Let’s do a quick checklist:Spring Auto Maintenance Checklist
Wipers: You can only expect about a year out of even the best wipers before the sun’s UV rays and normal wear take their toll on them. If you're seeing streaks on the windshield or if you are noticing strips or chips of rubber gone from the blades (or if they jus ...[more]
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Auto Repair 101
Strange Traffic Laws from Around the World
January 17th, 2019
If you’ve ever driven in a foreign country, you’ve probably encountered your fair share of strange traffic laws. Did you know you’ll be fined for driving a dirty car in Russia or for driving without a breathalyzer in your car in France? Some of these laws are hard to believe!
1. In Russia, you will be fined for driving a dirty vehicle.
2. In Germany, it is illegal to run out of fuel on the Autobahn.
3. In Alabama it is legal to drive the wrong way down a one-way street, but only if you attach a lantern to the front of your vehicle.
4. Here’s another fun one from Alabama: It is illegal for a driver to be blindfolded while operatin ...[more]
Tags:
Traffic Laws
Posted in:
Auto Repair 101
How to Perform A Safety Inspection on Your Tires
December 27th, 2018
Tires are one of the most important parts of your vehicle. Poorly maintained tires can lead to dangerous or deadly accidents at worst and a negative impact on your vehicle’s handling at best. It’s important for every driver to regularly inspect their tires for proper inflation, tread depth, and sidewall condition. Performing this quick, regular check can help you stay safe on the road.
Step One: Check Your Tread Depth
This step is probably one you know. Worn out tread on your tires can prevent you from maintaining traction on the road and even keep you from being able to brake properly in an emergency. To check your tread depth, place a penny between the tread blocks of your tire. With Lincoln’s head upside-down, you shoul ...[more]
Tags:
tires
Posted in:
Tires 101
The Different Types of Engine Oil
December 13th, 2018
If you’ve ever taken a car in to be serviced, you’ve probably been asked by the mechanic, “What type of oil are you getting?” If you’re like most people, you probably just say “Whatever it takes,” or “Whatever you recommend!” Depending on your vehicle, the mechanic may recommend one of four types of motor oil: full synthetic, synthetic blend, conventional, or high mileage. Each type of oil has a specific chemical makeup and purpose it is best suited for:
Conventional Motor Oil: Conventional motor oil is the most commonly used type of motor oil. It is ideal for late-model, light-duty cars with low to average mileage and simple engine design.
Full Synthetic Motor Oil: Full synthetic motor oil differs from conve ...[more]
Tags:
oil change
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Auto Repair 101
Why You Shouldn’t Mix Tires
November 29th, 2018
If possible, when replacing one tire, you should always try to purchase as close as possible to the existing tires on your vehicle. A matching tire will have the same tread pattern, construction, and size as your existing tires. We never recommend you use mismatched tires unless specifically recommended by the manufacturer of your vehicle.
A few ways drivers will mismatch tires include: using tires with different tread patterns, using tires made by different manufacturers, using tires made for different seasons (summer vs. winter tires) and using tires with different sizes.
Every unique tire is designed for a specific job, a specific handling capability and to work together with a set of matching tires. If you use mismatched tires, your car can experience unpredi ...[more]
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Tires 101
Something is Leaking: What Is It?
November 15th, 2018
Finding that fluid which is leaking from your car can be alarming. It is possible fluid leaking from your car could be normal, but other times leaking fluids are a symptom of a bigger problem with your vehicle. Before you panic, there are two questions you need to ask: 1) “Where is the fluid coming from?” and 2) “What does the fluid look like?”
When determining where the fluid is coming from, first find out for certain whether the fluid is even coming for your vehicle and not the vehicle parked in the space before you. If you are unsure, just get down and take a good look under the car with a flashlight or your cell phone.
Once you have determined that the leak is indeed coming from your vehicle, stick a piece of white paper ...[more]
Tags:
Auto Maintenance
Posted in:
Auto Repair 101
Strange Sounds Cars Make and What They Mean
November 6th, 2018
Knocking – If you hear a knocking sound happening under your hood, there could be an issue with how the fuel is igniting in your engine. Specifically, the fuel is burning unevenly in your engine’s cylinders. Engine knocking can be prevented by using the correct spark plugs for your vehicle and using a higher-octane fuel at the gas pump. If your engine is making knocking noises, head to Milstead Automotive ASAP.
Squealing – If your engine is producing a high-pitched squealing noise, a belt is probably to blame. Most likely, it is time to replace or readjust your serpentine belt. Over time, this belt can slip and slide to a position where it yields the unmistakable squealing. If the squea ...[more]
Tags:
auto service, auto repair
Posted in:
Auto Repair 101
What to Do if Your Brakes Fail
October 30th, 2018
As far as automobile technology has come, failing brakes is an issue most people will never encounter in their lifetimes. Nonetheless, it’s important to be prepared for every possible situation on the road. If you are driving and suspect your brakes have failed, here is what you should do: 
Stay Calm: Rarely, if ever, does panicking help in an emergency. Do your best to remain calm and stay focused on the next steps. Your goal will be to get your vehicle off of the road as safely as possible.
Make Sure the Brakes are Out: Because new vehicles have dual braking systems (which control the front and rear brakes separately) you may have only lost half of your braking pow ...[more]
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Auto Repair 101
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