Headlight Restoration Is The Solution For Discolored, Cloudy, Foggy Or Yellow Headlights

Headlight Restoration will improve the look of your car plus increase the safety. Simply give us a call to set up an appointment. We will restore those same ugly looking yellow headlights crystal clear. When you choose our service, your headlights will look like new. Your friends will think you bought new headlights. I promise you that you will be happy with our headlight restoration service guaranteed!

Here are the 3 Biggest Reasons for Restoring Your Cloudy Headlights:

SAFETY - Increase the Safety of Your Vehicle because you will have increase light projection so can see better while driving at night
APPEARANCE - Improve the Appearance of Your Vehicle because your headlights will look like new, crystal clear
SAVINGS - You Will SAVE a ton of Money in replacement by restoring your headlights because new headlights can cost anywhere from $150 to $1700 each

Whether Your Car Plastic Headlights are Dull, Hazy, Faded or Ugly Yellow Our Headlight Restoration Service will make them Look Like New Again! Guaranteed!
Or It's Absolutely FREE If We Can't Restore Them!
Our Headlight Restoration is backed with a full one (1) year Warranty

When it comes to driving, we all like to believe we've got things under control. But, here are a few tips to review to brush up on your winter driving skills.

With the potential for snow-covered and icy roadways in the Ozarks, it is important that motorists prepare for dangerous driving conditions.

Here are some tips that can help improve safety during snow and wet weather conditions:

• Clear windshield and all windows of snow, ice and debris before driving.
• Slow down. Allow for more travel time when driving in wet weather.
• Allow for greater distance between vehicles. Normal driving conditions recommend traveling at least two seconds behind vehicles. During wet weather, or icy road conditions, it is recommended to increase that distance.
• When coming to a stop, begin slowing down sooner and apply gentle brake pressure. Avoid slamming on brakes, and making sudden turns or lane changes.
• Give larger vehicles, like trucks and buses, more room for stops and turns.
• If possible, drive around sitting water and accumulated snow. Puddles may be deeper than they appear and snow may be hiding patches of ice – or what’s called “black ice” – that can increase driving hazards.
• Never attempt to drive through flooded areas or running water. Even when driving a large vehicle, like a truck or SUV, fast-moving water can easily overcome it.
• Drive with headlights on and be alert to surrounding traffic and changing weather.
• If rain or snow is too heavy, or roadways are flooded or not visible, pull over to a safe distance from the street until conditions improve. If roads are icy, avoid driving them if at all possible.
• Keep your vehicle well-maintained. Periodically check that brakes, tires and windshield wipers are in good working condition.

Besides driving defensively and following basic safety tips, it’s also important to dress appropriately and in preparation for potential weather changes. Drivers may want to consider keeping an extra jacket or blanket in their vehicle even if current weather conditions don’t appear those items are needed.

Fill up with a lower-octane gasoline. Buy the lowest grade or octane of gasoline that is appropriate for your car. Unless your car requires premium gasoline, filling up your car with high-octane fuel is a waste of money. That pricey premium fuel won't boost your car's fuel economy or performance in the least, so skip it.

If you're not sure what grade of fuel works best for your car, open up your owner's manual and take a look. As long as your engine doesn't knock or ping when you fuel up with regular unleaded, you're good to drive on this much cheaper gas. Passing on pricey premium gasoline could save you hundreds of dollars a year.

Don't top off. Don't bother topping off when filling your car's gas tank. Any additional gas is just going to slop around or seep out. Why waste your money paying for gas your car won't use? Stop pumping at the first indication that your tank is full when the automatic nozzle clicks off.

Tighten up that gas cap. Gas will evaporate from your car's gas tank if it has an escape. Loose, missing or damaged gas caps cause 147 million gallons of gas to evaporate each year, according to the Car Care Council. So be sure to tighten up that gas cap each time you fuel up your car.

Go for the shade. The hot summer sun that makes the inside of your car feel like a sauna also zaps fuel from your gas tank.

"If you let your car bake in the sun there's going to be a greater amount of evaporative emissions that take place than if you park in the shade," says Jim Kliesch, research associate at the American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy and vehicle analyst for GreenerCars.com.

So park your car in the shade of a building or tree whenever possible. And buy a good windshield shade. A windshield shade blocks sunlight and helps to keep heat out of the inside of your car.

Use your garage for your car. Got a garage? Clear it out and make room for your car. Parking in your garage will help your car stay warm in winter and cool in summer, and you won't have to depend as much on your gas-guzzling air-conditioning or defroster when you drive.

Pump up your tires. Don't get caught driving on under-inflated tires. Under-inflated tires wear down more quickly and they also lower your car's gas mileage.

"Tires that have low pressure offer more resistance so the engine is going to work harder to keep the car at 60," says Brian Moody, road test editor at Edmunds.com.

Your car's gas mileage may plummet by as much as 15 percent. Driving on under-inflated tires may also reduce the life of your tires by 15 percent or more.

Check your tire pressure once a month. Buy a digital gauge and keep it in your glove box. Compare the pressure in your tires with the recommended pressure listed in your owner's manual and on the placard in your car door. Then inflate your tires as needed. Be sure to check tire pressure when your tires are cold. A good time is early in the morning after your car's been idle overnight.

Keep your engine in tune. Fixing a car that is out of tune or has failed an emissions test can boost gas mileage by about 4 percent. So be sure to give your car regular tune-ups. You'll also want to watch out for worn spark plugs. A misfiring spark plug can reduce a car's fuel efficiency by as much as 30 percent.

Replace air filters. Keep a close eye on your engine's air filter. When the engine air filter clogs with dirt, dust and bugs, it causes your engine to work harder and your car becomes less fuel-efficient. Replacing a clogged air filter could improve your gas mileage by as much as 10 percent and save you 15 cents a gallon. It's a good idea to have your engine air filter checked at each oil change. The Car Care Council recommends changing your car's air and oil filters every three months or 3,000 miles or as specified in your owner's manual.

Use the right oil. You can improve your car's gas mileage by 1 percent to 2 percent by using the manufacturer's recommended grade of motor oil. Opt for motor oil with the words "energy conserving" on the API performance label. This oil contains friction-reducing additives.

Don't skimp on maintenance. Be serious about auto care. Your car's performance depends on it.

"Always follow the manufacturer-recommended maintenance," Moody says. "The car's designed to run a certain way. If you neglect it, it won't be as efficient."

Obey the car-care guidelines outlined in your owner's manual. For more auto-care guidelines check out this free maintenance schedule at FallCreekTireandAuto.com or stop by and talk to one of our service writers.

Brake repairs - critical? Of course! Your brakes keep your family safe. Brake repairs and parts for your car expensive? You bet! Brake rotors are built with minimal thicknesses to save weight - meaning they can't be "turned"; they must be replaced in most cases.

Brake rotors today are also more sensitive to warping from heat, and overheated brakes are the second most common cause of failure (first is wear-and-tear).

Save money on brake repairs and parts with these tips:
Use Your Eyes & Ears to Inspect Your Brakes

Visually inspect your brakes' condition at least every six months. Here are some things to look for:

Brake Rotors (discs) should be inspected all the way around the surface and on both sides for any concentric scoring (grooves) or obvious defects. If defects are found, replace your rotors immediately. Any rotor discoloration may be a sign of overheating and an inspection by a brake repair professional is needed.

Brake Pads will normally match rotor scoring but should also be inspected for uneven wear, breakage or cracking on the friction surface. Again, if defects are found, replace the pads immediately. Many cars also have brake pad sensors to warn of pad wear. If your car uses sensors, replace these at the same time as your pads.

Brake Drums (if equipped) should also be inspected on a regular basis. Check for the same types of flaws as noted above. The drums should not have excessive grooves or have a deep "trough" dug into them where the shoes ride.

Brake Shoes (if equipped) should be worn evenly and have no rivets protruding to the friction surface.

Additional Troubleshooting: When inspecting brakes, check calipers, wheel cylinders, hoses and fittings for any hydraulic fluid leakage.

Inspect the master cylinder, reservoir and proportioning valve assemblies as well. Replace or rebuild as required.

A "spongy" brake pedal or one that's gotten lower underfoot also needs looking into. It could be caused by sticking calipers, worn pads, low fluid or hydraulic system problems.

If you can't "pump them up", then you definitely have hydraulic problems that need work. If you always have to pump them up, at the very least your hydraulic fluid needs replacement.

To check brakes by sound, know how your brakes should sound and listen for out-of-the-ordinary noises.

Most cars have a slight brushing sound from the pads lightly touching the rotors. This is perfectly normal. Sounds to beware of include:

Squeaking may be caused by dust or dirt on the brakes, loose pads vibrating when applied or worn pads.

Rhythmic noise might mean you have a warped rotor. Instead of a solid squeaking noise, it pulsates. In extreme cases, the brake pedal will also pulsate underfoot.

Constant brake noise is never a good sound and any grinding noise spells real trouble!

Most importantly: As soon as any problem is noticed, get it repaired immediately. Delaying brake repairs is extremely dangerous.

Overstressed rotors and drums can break. Brakes may be too worn or damaged to stop your car in an emergency.

Even if you manage to avoid physical harm, the longer you delay fixing brake problems, the more you increase the cost of doing so.

Badly worn, warped or overheated rotors can damage wheel bearings and the complete wheel hub assembly. These parts often cost as much or more than the brakes themselves.

Even if you like doing your own work, every few years your brakes should be examined by a professional. Checking brakes for "run-out", warping, wheel bearing play, proper proportioning balance, among others, are normally more involved than can be accomplished in your garage. This inspection can also uncover underlying problems that could eventually become costly or dangerous.
Important Things to Remember

Heed these tips and you're on your way to ensuring your brakes won't fail:

Tip #1: Keep the hydraulic reservoir at the proper level with the fluid type recommended by the car manufacturer. Never substitute or mix types of fluid. Remember also that hydraulic fluid absorbs water. Never use old hydraulic fluid - always use a fresh container.

Tip #2: Keep brakes clean by washing them off at the same time as your car. This keeps squeaky dust and dirt off the pads and makes brakes easier to inspect and work on.

Tip #3: Never spray, touch or drip any oil or lubricants on the brake friction surfaces. If this occurs, spray immediately with brake cleaner to remove completely.

Tip #4: There are no shortcuts or quick fixes to brake problems. They either function properly or they don't. Know your brake system - how it should work, feel and sound - before it acts up so you'll know when something's wrong.

Tip #5: Most cars don't have serviceable rotors. They must be replaced at the same time as the pads. The rotors cannot be "turned" to remove imperfections. There isn't sufficient metal thickness to safely accomplish this.

Tip #6: Keep a repair log with receipts when any service is performed on your car. It helps when you need to check if your warranty is still in effect. More importantly, it's a great gauge of performance and an indicator of other problems.

Tip #7: Whenever the pads are replaced, the hydraulic system must be bled to remove any air bubbles. Most specialists recommend changing the fluid with every pad replacement. If you're unsure of the proper technique for bleeding the hydraulic system, don't perform the job yourself. Seek help from a professional. ABS equipped cars should be bled only by professionals.

Tip #8: Most noises are usually related to your pads. However, whenever replacing pads, you should also replace the sensors and seriously consider replacing the rotors at the same time.

Tip #9: After installing new pads, remember to "set" them properly. This conditions them for maximum performance and prevents premature failure. Instructions for setting pads is usually provided in the package with your new pads.

Proper car maintenance is an essential issue that a lot of parents fail to address just before their youngster goes back to school. Whether they’re driving 200 miles or 3 miles to school, students should know the fundamentals of auto maintenance. It’s a survival skill that will serve them properly throughout the remainder of their adult lives.

During the school year, a student’s car will be necessary to go everywhere.Just about each and every driving situation imaginable will be encountered. The difficulty is, most young drivers do not know, or even care, how their vehicle operates and what they need to do to keep it in great operating condition.

In a survey by AutoExtra.com, 76% of students have their own personal vehicle and 82% of these have been purchased used. And, more than half of the vehicles children own are priced underneath $10,000.

Most of the autos that students drive are bought used and generally have increased mileage on them. It’s just normal that with larger mileage comes far more frequent maintenance. The daily wear and tear on the car becomes a problem and when it is ignored, will cost much more to repair.

Usually a breakdown becomes a enormous hassle that is dropped in the lap of the parent at the worst possible time. If students had been taught the value of excellent automobile maintenance habits, even the highest mileage cars would be protected and reliable.

There are six important maintenance tips each and every student needs to know:

1. Know how your car works. It’s remarkable how several young people don’t know how the automobile works. Simply because autos have become so difficult, operating with dad on the family members car on a Saturday morning has practically turned out to be a thing of the past. The standard knowledge of how to sustain and make little repairs has been lost on younger men and women. It’s important to pop open the hood and clarify to them the diverse components of the automobile, like exactly where and how to examine fluids. Some thing standard like this can save them a lot of money in the future.

2. The basic points like oil changes and tire rotation make a large distinction in the increased life of an automobile. Also, generating confidence that all fluid levels of the auto are correctly filled is really essential. That includes brake, transmission, and coolant fluids. This form of standard upkeep is cheap and doesn’t take long but is one of the most essential things you can do to insure you have a dependable auto.

3. Comply with the maintenance schedule in the owner’s manual. Most significant repairs cost a lot more since the car’s owner ignored the manufacture’s routine maintenance schedule. Cars wear out and there’s no way around it. When you put off a mechanical problem for an extended period of time, it only gets worse and costs a lot more in the end.

4. Get to know the sounds of your vehicle. Cars are noisy contraptions and every one has a special sound and personality. It is really critical to know your auto and be ready to recognize what type of noises are normal and those that are not. If a strange noise is coming from underneath the hood, possibilities are some thing is wearing out and requires maintenance. By paying attention to your car and realizing its sounds, you will know when something is incorrect and fix it before it’s too late.

5. Pay attention to your dash board lights. The gauges and warning lights on the dash board are the greatest indicators of how your car is performing. When the temperature gauge rises or the oil pressure gauge drops, you know you have a problem that is serious. The “Check Engine” light is also critical but typically ignored by young drivers. This detects far more subtle difficulties that usually lead to larger concerns. Do not ignore this light. It’s there for a reason!

6. Have your car inspected prior to purchase. When you buy a vehicle, you are not looking at it objectively. The excitement of obtaining a new automobile causes you to overlook the unpleasant details of what repairs will soon be required. A qualified mechanic can thoroughly inspect the auto and spot major repair issues ahead of time. Their knowledge and expertise of the repair history of various brands will assist you preventing a costly mistake. No one wants to acquire a lemon, and unfortunately, someone is usually trying to sell one.

By following these practical guidelines students can make certain their car is trustworthy and ready when they need it. And parents will have the peace of mind that their youngster is driving in a safely maintained automobile.

Replacing wiper blades

It may seem not too important, but replacing wiper blades regularly is an essential precaution. Accidents can happen to drivers who don’t have a clear view of the traffic situation. Replacing your wiper blades can prevent that from happening to you. The elasticity of rubber, even the synthetic varieties, will diminish quickly in very warm or extremely cold weather. A wiper blade that has dried out will not wipe your windshield dry adequately.

Once the rubber of the wiper blades has become hard or brittle, it’s time for replacement. A visual check is not enough to determine whether your wiper blades should be replaced. Replacing wiper blades at least once a year is recommended. Don’t wait for heavy weather if you want to find out if you should replace your wiper blades.

Check whether replacing your wiper blades is necessary

You don’t need rain to check the condition of your wiper blades. Replacing them is less stressful when it’s nice weather anyway. You could use your windshield washer fluid to do a test. If a wiper blade needs replacement, you see or hear it right away. A squeaking sound, fluid not wiped off the windshield or wipers leaving streaks on the glass indicate that replacing wiper blades is a good idea. Also, check both ends of each blade for separation. And don’t forget to check the rear window wiper.

How to change a wiper blade

If you are going to buy new wiper blades, make sure you check the size well. Although it’s not very difficult to change just the wiper, most people prefer to buy a complete set of wiper blade assemblies. In many cases, different adapters are included to make sure the wiper set can be used on many different cars. If you change the wiper yourself, check for instructions on the package.

In most cases, the old wiper blades can be removed from the arm by pressing a release pin and using some (but not too much!) force to lift them out of their holder. The new wipers will click into place easily. It’s wise to check the condition of the springs in the wiper arm too. If you don’t need any force to pull the blades off the windshield, you may need to replace the arms too as new wiper blades alone won’t be enough.

If cleaning auto glass is some sort of art, then you are lucky to have your self work that is also a form of creation. This puts things into perspective. auto glasses that are dirty should be cleaned at once especially if it’s your car. It will be so obvious on your car’s window that you are experiencing problems. Car auto glass is considered as your friend especially when you’re on the road. It acts as your eyes through the long, winding road.

There are varieties of auto glass cleaners that are available in the market which contains ammonia. Ammonia is a car cleaner ingredient that serves to be good in cleaning auto glasses. There are also auto glass cleaners that can be found inside your house that can be effective in cleaning. The ingredients for the recipe consist of: vinegar and water with a sprinkle of your car’s detergent. There is a more complex concoction which is composed of sudsy ammonia, dish washing detergent, a gallon of water, and 70% alcohol.

Some auto detailers would insist that plain water is the best ingredient in cleaning your auto glass. Even collected rain can become the perfect solution for your auto glass cleaning.

Thorough cleaning of auto glass can come in different processes. But before that, you have to make sure that you have every material needed are all laid out so that work can proceed smoothly. Now, down with the work…You can do this while you’re washing your car holistically.

Wash the auto glass with water and soap. Then, use the cleaner that you have chosen to clean both the exterior and interior of your auto glass. You have to be very particular in cleaning the inside of your car especially when it’s new. This supports the idea that interiors made of plastic releases materials which are gaseous which leaves a film in the inside of your car.

You can choose to use towels which are made of microfibers and see how it can make wonders for your technique in cleaning the auto glass. This material will also disable the thought of harming the surface of your windows and auto glass, leaving no scratch marks.

Lastly, like what people do after bathing, you have to dry the auto glass. Pass a clean piece of cloth inside and outside the car. Use a cloth either made of paper towel or cotton or a lint free rag without applying any kind of cleaner. If you opted to use towels made of paper, don’t choose the ones that have designs or prints on them because this may contribute to slight scratches on your car’s auto glass. While you are doing the dry passing, inspect your car’s auto glass carefully in different angles for missed imperfections and residues that you might have left out. If you have done a good job, you can eliminate the streaking.

Cleaning auto glass should never be done under direct heat or sunlight or if you have a “hot” car surface. Make sure that you have several towels in order to have a cleaner slate for every auto glass portion. Other auto detailers use newspapers to clean the auto glass because of the belief that it contains polishing properties.

Your attention is always a must especially when attending to a do-it-yourself car detailing. You have to be sure that you are prepared to get “messed up” when cleaning your car. In this way, you can learn and maybe in the future, earn for what you know.

Your car’s air conditioning system uses a chemical refrigerant under pressure to make the interior cool. Fall Creek Tire & Auto wants you to know about the environmental damage chemical refrigerants can create when the system is not serviced properly. Proper handling of these chemicals can help the environment and save you money.

It used to be common practice to simply release refrigerant to the atmosphere during service. The chemicals were inexpensive and thought to be benign in the atmosphere. But research showed that the chemicals damaged the ozone layer above the Earth.

The automotive industry found new refrigerants, and in the mid-1990s air conditioning service changed forever. The United States Clean Air Act required all technicians working on a vehicle’s air conditioning system to be tested and certified on their knowledge of refrigerant recovery and recycling procedures.

There are many EPA-accepted refrigerants – the most common one is called R-134a – but they are not always interchangeable. Mixing, or cross-contamination, can result in system leaks and expensive failures. Labels under the hood list the recommended refrigerant and how much to install.

Although the newer refrigerants are ozone friendly, they are now suspected of contributing to global warming in the Earth’s atmosphere. Keeping these chemicals out of the air has become even more important than before. It’s not hard to do, and many repair shops have the equipment.

By law, refrigerants from vehicles must be captured (recovered) during service, and must be cleaned of impurities (recycled) before being put back into the car. It is illegal to release these chemicals into the air, and violators may face heavy fines. Ask your service shop about industry-approved recovery and recycling machines, and the technicians’ certifications.

Refrigerant can be expensive; why pump it in to let it leak out? The practice of just refilling a leaking system is irresponsible. No federal regulation currently prohibits this practice, but any leak should be repaired to insure best cooling and environmental responsibility.

The changing seasons mean different things for your vehicle. The following spring car cleaning tips can help you protect yourself and your investment.

The interior

Do you carry a sandbag or other heavy object in your trunk to improve how your rear-wheel-drive vehicle handles in the snow? If so, when the snow and ice melt, it’s time to clean out your trunk. Doing so will improve your gas mileage because you lighten your car’s load and this can mean considerable savings at the gas station.

You might also want to prepare the interior surfaces and upholstery of your car for more sun exposure. If you have leather seats, use a good leather protector to avoid any cracking and if you have cloth interiors invest in a product that will help avoid fading from sun exposure.

The exterior

The exterior of your car is exposed to different elements during different seasons. During the winter, it can be easy to let washing your car fall by the wayside. Your paint job and windshield may accumulate debris from the snow, as well as from the salt used on the streets to melt the snow. This could cause your car to have a cloudy appearance which is not only unattractive, but could also impair your vision. Take your car in for a professional wash so that you can rid your car’s exterior of any residue left over from the winter months and pay close attention to your tires, which can also suffer from buildup during the snowy season.

Also remember that spring is allergy season. This means that your car will probably be covered in pollen at some point. Pollen build up on your car can not only worsen your allergy symptoms, but impair your vision on the road, so be vigilant about keeping your car washed.

Give your car a thorough inspection

This means taking a good look at the underside of your car and inspecting it for any rust or other corrosion caused by the winter months. Winter’s salt and snow can wreak havoc on the seldom seen parts of your car, and the longer they go undiscovered, the more dangerous and expensive they get. Also pay close attention to your fluid levels. See if you need to change or refill your oil, wiper fluid, coolant and other lubricants to help prepare your car for the warmer months. If you aren’t comfortable evaluating the condition of your car yourself, take it in to a mechanic that you trust.

In today’s vehicles with the automated and computer controlled systems, most consumers find that they cannot repair or even service their own vehicles. That means you have to find a trusted repair facility to take care of your vehicles maintenance and repairs. Unfortunately, in our “New” economy as the media calls it, the prospect of finding a repair facility is a little harder. A lot of dealerships and repair facilities have closed, definitely something that we have never seen in our generation. This makes the hunt a little more difficult, because you want to find a repair facility that is going to be around to take care of your vehicle and honor their warranty on repairs that have been performed.

To find such a place, it is much like finding a good doctor, dentist, hairstylist, or any other form of service. Referrals are one of the number one ways to find a good repair facility and mechanic. Check with your friends and family that are in your area and see where they have had a good experience. If you are new to the area and have not developed many relationships yet, you can use the internet and check out some of the online consumer referral organizations like Angie’s List and Car Talk. Then once you find a couple you are interested in check the Better Business Bureau to see if they have had a lot of complaints, or if they have unresolved complaints. Showing what type of business ethics this repair facility may have.

Don’t wait until your vehicle needs a major service or repair before trying a repair facility. Take your car into a shop for the small things like oil changes, brake inspections and belt replacements. This will help you to get a feel for the repair facility, see if their quality and service is acceptable to you, then you can begin to develop a relationship with the repair facility and thei staff.

Some of the things to ask and look for while you are at the repair facility are:

1. What is the repair facilities warranty on parts and labor? The industry standard in our area is 12 months 12,000 miles.
2. How often are the technicians skills updated? Typically technicians attend several classes each year. You can look for recent completion certificates, many shops post them in their offices or waiting areas.
3. Are the technicians trained and have the tools to work on your vehicle make and model?
4. Does the repair facility have the repair information at their fingertips for your vehicle make and model?
5. Are the repair facilities hours and location convenient for you?
6. Does the repair facility offer shuttle service and have availability for towing and rental car service.

Some of the things that you should expect from the repair facility that you choose are:

1. A full explanation of the repairs and/or services that are needed on your vehicle.
2. A full description of any diagnostic procedures, tests performed and their results.
3. A disclosed estimate on all diagnostic tests and any subsequent repairs should be quoted prior to performing the tasks. This estimate should be available in writing if requested.
4. The repair facility should show interest in maintaining the factory warranties, vehicle longevity and reliability by providing information on proper maintenance services.

Don’t choose a shop based solely on price. Good things aren’t cheap and cheap things aren’t good. There is a difference in quality of parts and workmanship. You should expect a good value for your money spent. Remember if you go on price alone, that business may not be around to honor their warranty if that time comes. Gone are the days of dealerships and repair facilities working on one make of vehicle, as you notice they are all following the independent repair facility business model of working on all makes and models. Again, make sure they have the training and tools for your vehicle make and model.

Even though there has been some bad publicity over the years on the vehicle repair industry, there are a lot of repair facilities that are doing great work, using quality parts, that the owners and staff have a lot of integrity. Once you find that trusted repair facility, have them perform all the maintenance and repairs on your vehicle, you will find that this is the most economical way. They will have complete records on what has been performed and what needs to be done on your vehicle

With winter right here, we're preparing our closets by packing away summer clothes and unpacking warm, winter ones. Maybe you've even started replanting the greens around your home to keep them safe through winter. This is also the best time to get your vehicle ready for the cold months ahead.

Fluids
As any mechanic will tell you, checking fluids is the least expensive and easiest preventive maintenance you can do. Change your oil frequently (about every 3,000 miles), and don't forget to change your engine coolant (diluted with 50 percent water) and transmission fluid, about every two years. Pure engine coolants can freeze at zero degrees, but mixing with water prevents freezing and provides great protection for the cold weather.
Though fluids like oil and transmission are commonly checked, other fluids integral to your vehicle's performance, may go unnoticed. Power steering, brake, radiator and battery fluids also should be filled to recommended levels.
Don't forget to top off windshield washer fluid. If you've ever driven after salt trucks have come through to melt snow and ice, you know the importance of windshield washer fluid. Do not dilute washer fluid with water since it can freeze during winter's harsh temperatures. While you're at it, you might want to change the wiper blades to prevent poor vision in already poor driving conditions.

Batteries and Corroded Cables
Winter mornings can wreak havoc on an older battery. The average life of a battery is 3 1/2 years. If your battery is older than that, it's probably time to replace. Have a mechanic check the battery and cables to ensure your car starts quickly and reliably.

Anything Made of Rubber
Worn, bald or badly aligned or balanced tires can mean accidents on ice, rain or snow. Have your tires checked for proper inflation and alignment, and rotate them about every 6,000 miles. If you live in unusually snowy areas, you may want to consider snow tires for added traction, or keep chains in your trunk or garage to help you through heavy snowfall.
Rubber parts under your hood need maintenance, too. Radiator, heater and vacuum hoses, among others, should be checked for cracks and bulges. Also, inspect all belts for damages and splits.

Boots
Front-wheel drive vehicles equipped with CV (constant velocity) joints should have the boots checked for rips and cracks. Boots protect CV joints, but when the joints are exposed to salt, ice and snow, they can damage the joint. Replacing a joint can costs hundreds of dollars, but replacing a boot costs a small fraction of that.

Spark Plugs
Worn or misfiring spark plugs can affect how efficiently a vehicle burns the fuel/air mixture, ultimately affecting engine performance. Worn spark plugs waste gas and increase exhaust emissions, so have them checked and replaced often.

Brakes
Don't postpone needed brake work. It's dangerous to drive with poorly performing brakes, especially in snowy weather. Postponing brake service also can cause the cost of overhauling your brake system to skyrocket.

Lights
Last, but not least, check your lights. Accidents can occur if you can't see where you're driving, or if other drivers can't see you, especially as we approach winter's short days and long nights.
At Fall Creek Tire and Auto, we perform a FREE 30 point courtesy check with any service. We will make you aware of any safety issues or maintenance issues that you may be falling behind in.
Maintain your vehicle regularly to provide years of service with better performance and safety.

A radiator flush is part of regular preventive vehicle maintenance. A car radiator provides cooling to the engine via heat exchange. This means that it takes away the heat produced during the normal operation of the engine. The car's cooling system does this by passing a coolant through the engine block. This coolant absorbs the heat and carries it to the radiator where it dissipates into the atmosphere. This whole process is necessary because it prevents overheating which could damage the car engine.

Over time, your car's cooling system could develop problems because of leaks, a corroded radiator or coolant that needs to be flushed out and replaced. Coolant actually boosts the capacity of water so that it keeps the engine temperature in check at all times, during cold winters as well as warm summers. However, engine coolant is prone to breaking down over time, which will make it less efficient; thus the need for regularly-scheduled radiator flushing.

Fortunately, most vehicle manufacturers include a recommended schedule for radiator flushing. These schedules are based on engine specifications and the type of coolant that's used. The average frequency is at least once every 2 years or 30,000 miles, whichever comes first. Consider also the following special conditions.

In areas where winters are really cold or summers are extremely hot, it's recommended that you schedule your coolant change and radiator flush at the start of each season.

The type of water you use for your car's radiator should also be considered. High mineral content generally results in deposits that could clog the cooling system - pipes, hoses and the radiator itself. Schedule a radiator flush at least once every year.

Why Rotate My Tires?

No matter how well your car or truck is in alignment, it will never be perfect. Front tires will tend to wear unevenly from side to side due to the minor changes in alignment as well as from the forces involved when turning. Also if your vehicle is rear wheel drive, the rear tires will wear quicker than the front.

What is the proper Tire Rotation Pattern for My Car?

The best pattern is found in your car's owners manual. The manufacturer has taken all variables into consideration and has determined the best pattern to prolong your tires life. Be aware that some vehicles have different size tires from front to back, so all you can do is swap wheels from side to side. Also be aware when buying tires, if they are directional (designed to run on the road in one direction only) you will have additional challenges in that you will have to dismount the tires and remount and balance if you want to cross sides. You can simply rotate front-back, back-front but that will more than likely not be the best for tire wear.

When should I rotate my tires?

Again, your owners manual will have the recommended intervals, but if you are ever in doubt, do it at every oil change to be safe. It's more important to rotate during the first 10,000 miles, so pay particular attention to new tires and their rotation schedule.

How Do I Actually Rotate my tires?

* Tools Needed: A floor jack or the jack from your car. A lug wrench or impact wrench and socket. Jack stands, sometimes called axle stands and a torque wrench. You will also need wheel chocks to keep the car from rolling away unexpectedly and some anti-sieze compound.

* Procedure: With the car on a hard level surface, make sure the car is in park or in 1st gear if you have a manual transmission and that the parking brake is on. Place the wheel chocks at the downhill side of the front or rear tires, depending on how your car is situated. We want to keep the car from rolling away if something bad happens.

If you have an impact wrench, procede to the next step, if not, then break loose all of your lugnuts while the car in on the ground. This will save you from fighting with wheels that will want to turn when jacked off of the ground.

Begin by jacking up the car at whatever end the wheel chocks are NOT located. This will assure that the car does not roll away while jacking it up. Once the car is high enough, place the jack stands at the approved locations (check your owners manual) or on a solid flat portion of the frame. Do not raise the vehicle any higher than is necessary to remove the wheels.

Remove all the lug nuts, remove the wheels and do the tire rotation shuffle ! You can use a crayon or chalk to mark the tires so you do not get confused. Mark the original or destination position, whichever is easier for you to remember. Once all the wheels are in their final resting place, place some anti-sieze compound on the wheel studs and tighten the lugnuts but not to the final torque.

Lower the car to the ground by reversing the sequence used to get the car on the jack stands. Once on the the ground, torque the lugnuts in a cross pattern with a quality torque wrench, not an impact wrench. Using an impact wrench may cause uneven torques and warp your rotors, so a torque wrench is critical here.

What Should I Look For When Having A Tire Shop Do My Tire Rotation?

Make sure they know the proper tire rotation pattern from your owners manual. Look it up before you take your car or truck in for service and leave the owners manual on the front seat with the proper page open to help your mechanic. Also make sure that the tire shop uses a torque wrench or "torque sticks" which are long sockets for an impact gun which prevent over torquing. Also it is a good idea to ask them to put some anti-sieze on the wheel studs before tightening the lug nuts, you will thank me if you ever get a flat on the side of the road.

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