1)  Change/optimize your driving habits.  Accelerate slowly; do not speed, the closer you are to 60 mph the more efficient your car will generally run.  When you know you are
going to come to a stop soon….coast down in speed…do not accelerate so you then need to hit the brakes hard.

2)  Keep you air filter clean.

3)  Maintain your car properly.  A good running car is a more fuel efficient car.

4)  Inflate tires properly. Tires lose pressure over time, and underinflated tires burn up the gas. Keeping tires inflated to the car manufacturer’s recommendations will make a gallon of gas go farther, but it makes tires last longer and improves safety, especially for SUVs and trucks.

5)  Do not have unnecessary weight in your car.  The bowling ball and 100 pound bag of kitty litter you have in your trunk…take it out…it burns fuel to tow it around.

6)  Combine errands…instead of several short trips…try to wait and do everything in one longer trip.

7)  Consider a Gas Credit card…can get up to 5% back on gasoline purchases.

Hopefully these tips will help you save money on your next big trip. If you are interested in having your car checked out before hitting the road, contact us at Garrett Automotive in Kennesaw, GA and
we will get it checked out for you before hitting the road.

New Mom Cars

All moms naturally place a priority on safety, but new moms also need plenty of cargo room to fit all the baby gear. A small SUV is an ideal choice for safety and storage. The Honda CR-V, Subaru Forester, and Toyota RAV4 all rate well with consumer reports.

Adventurous/ Sporty moms

Moms that like to spend their time outdoors will want a car to fit their personality and lifestyle. For the adventurous mom, the Subaru Outback has generous cargo space, plus great fuel economy. If mom likes more of a sporty wagon, she might opt for an Acura TSX or a VolkswagenGTI.

Empty Nester Moms

If the mom in your life finally has time for herself, a sedan might be a good choice for everyday outings, vacations, and trips to see your family. Empty nester moms should consider a Toyota Avalon or a Ford Mustang for a sportier look.

Happy Mother’s Day to all the moms out there from Garrett Automotive in Kennesaw, GA. We hope that you enjoy your ride no matter what vehicle you choose.

image from flickr

Car batteries are affected by temperature and humidity. If batteries get too hot or too cold, they will begin to exhibit behavior other than normal. This happens not because of a manufacturer defect, but because of using a battery in an extreme environment.

If a battery gets exposed to extreme weather, it may stop working bulge, bubble, melt, smoke, create sparks, expand, or even explode in some cases. Altitudes can also affect batteries. Extreme cold also affects the car battery as the internal components expand as a direct result to a weather extreme.

If your car experiences a dead battery this summer, call us at Garrett Automotive in Kennesaw, GA. We will fix you right up with a new car battery and get you on your way.

image from flickr

My check engine light is on! What does this mean?!

It means your vehicle’s onboard computer system has self-diagnosed some kind of problem. The “Check Engine” light, which is also called a “Malfunction Indicator Lamp” (MIL) or “Service Engine Soon” (SES) lamp, is there to signal you when a problem occurs that may require attention. This can include anything from a momentary hiccup that has has little or no noticeable affect on engine performance or driving safety to a failure of a major electronic component. There’s no way to know what the light means without running a diagnostic scan on the system to determine the nature of the fault.

How to Jump Start Your Car

It seems like more and more I run into situations where people are unsure of what to do when their car battery dies unexpectedly. First and foremost, everyone should carry a set of jumper cables in their car. These can be used on your own, or to help a friend or stranger who is stuck with a dead battery.

Why are my tires worn unevenly?

In order to properly care for your vehicle, it is important not to overlook one of the most important parts of the car; the tires. The tires are what support your car, and without proper maintenance the tires may cause trouble in your future.

Contact us today to get you car serviced at Garrett Automotive in Kennesaw, GA.

 image from flickr

With today’s gas prices, that is money out of your wallet. If your tires are over inflated by only 6 psi, they can be damaged more easily on rough roads and your car will not ride as smoothly.

So how often should you check your tire pressure? Well, tire pressure changes due to time and temperature. Tires lose about 1 psi per month due to air leaking through the rubber. Outside air temperature can also have a significant effect on your tire pressure, at a rate of about 1 psi for every 10°F temperature change.

If you have the correct air pressure in your tires at 70°F, they will be under inflated by 5 psi at 20°F. So when you combine the effects of time and temperature, you can see why it is important to check your tire inflation frequently, preferably once a week before vehicle is driven. With proper inflation in your tires, your car will ride smoother, your tires will last longer, you will get better gas mileage and, most importantly, you will save money.

For more information on ways to save money on your car ask an expert today from Garrett Automotive in Kennesaw, GA.

1.Is the black air dam still in place?

Get down on your knees in front of your car and make sure you still have the hard black plastic flap hanging down. Is it in good shape? Is it bent back?

2.Is the water pump leaking?

Do you see good flow coming in the heater return line? Is it the wrong rotation for your car?

3.Are the fans operating properly?

Are the cooling fans coming on when they should? If they don’t, track down the culprit.

4.Is the lower radiator hose collapsing?

Get the car good and hot, then stand and watch the lower radiator hose with the car idling. Grab the throttle linkage and rev the engine a few times. Does the lower radiator hose collapse some?

5.Is the heater core leaking?

If the heater core has a pinhole leak, it may be leaking just enough antifreeze to keep the system from building pressure, but not enough to cause a smell. This can cause mysterious overheating problems. If you are losing coolant, this could also be a culprit of your overheating problems.
6.Does the radiator cap need replacing?

If the cap is original, the spring may not be working properly which would keep the car from building enough pressure and causing it to boil over.
7.Is the radiator clogged?

Have the radiator flushed.

For any of your car overheating needs, come see us at Garrett Automotive in Kennesaw, GA.

Picture from flickr

Do not keep driving if the oil warning light is on or your pressure gauge has dropped. Turn off the engine right away and check your oil using the dipstick located in the hood of your car.

If the oil level is down more than 2 quarts, or there is no oil is showing on the dipstick, you need to get oil added ASAP. If you wait too long before doing this, you could cause serious problems in your car. Your best-case scenario is that the added oil will make your light go off and you will be on your way. If you hear knocking noises when the engine starts, you’re too late and the damage has already been done.

If your oil level is low, it means that you engine is either leaking oil or burning it. Leaks can easily be fixed replacing gaskets and seals. Burning oil, however, is a sign of valve guides, rings or cylinders that are worn out or damaged. This is a sign of serious costly repairs.

If your oil pressure light is on in your car, call us right away to schedule and appointment at Garrett Automotive in Kennesaw, GA.

At Garrett Automotive in Kennesaw, GA, our trained technicians can perform any maintenance that you might need. We offer services such as: oil changes, timing belts, tune-ups transmission fluid services, and fuel and cabin filters.

Please remember that all vehicles do not follow the same maintenance schedule. Call us today and we will be happy to provide you with a list of factory-scheduled maintenance and provide an estimate for the cost of services involved for your vehicles’ needs.

from flickr

If you fail to carry out preventive maintenance tasks such as replacing your cabin air filter, you could be at risk for other costly repairs.

Apart from maintaining the right temperature in your car, the AC system purifies the air you breathe through cabin air filters. If you fail to change the cabin air filter regularly, dust debris and pollen will get lodged into the air filter, leaving a musty odor in the car. Leaving an air filter un-changed will cause the amount of pollen and dust inside the car to multiply and rival the amount that is circulating outdoors. This can be particularly harmful to those who suffer from allergies or asthma.

In order to prevent these unnecessary troubles and expenses, schedule you appointment today at Garrett Automotive in Kennesaw, GA. We would be happy to replace your air filter so that you can breathe easier again.

(Photo credit: theignitionpoint.co.uk)

Hopefully this list of best car finds for March will help you decide on a new car that is right for you and your budget. At Garrett Automotive in Kennesaw, GA we have the staff, skills, training, and equipment necessary to perform all the required maintenance on your new vehicle while maintaining your warranty.