- Safety November 19, 2024
Can You Drive on a Flat Tire?
Whether from a puncture, a gradual air leak or a blowout, a flat tire is a surefire way to ruin your day. And, of course, a flat tire always seems to happen when you’re in a time crunch or the weather is bad or you’re out of town. Rather than waiting for roadside assistance or […]
- Maintenance July 30, 2024
The Importance of Vehicle Inspections
In 2019-2020, the Virginia General Assembly considered a budget plan that eliminated the Virginia State Vehicle Inspection program. Across the state, citizens cheered! No more sitting in line for an annual inspection? What’s not to love, right? A lot, actually. Mandatory vehicle inspections are controversial. Only 15 states, including Virginia, currently require periodic safety inspections. […]
- Maintenance February 1, 2023
Common Car Noises and What They Mean
We know it can be hard to try to describe the strange sounds your car is making: “It sounds like a squeaky see-saw when I turn.” “First I hear clicks, then it starts clacking.” “My car sounds like Chewbacca—HERRNNNGGHHHH.” Some car noises are normal—tires hum, windshield wipers swish, and mirrors whistle in the wind. But […]
- Safety November 18, 2022
Why Is My Oil Pressure Light On?
Your car’s dashboard displays vital information about your vehicle’s systems, from speed to critical warning lights! One of the most important dashboard warning lights to pay attention to is the red oil pressure light. The low oil pressure light looks like a genie lamp or old-fashioned oil can (some dashboards display the word “OIL” instead […]
- Maintenance November 14, 2022
Preparing Your Car for a Road Trip: Tips for a Stress-Free Adventure
Even before the COVID-19 pandemic caused a steep decline in air travel, most Americans preferred to road trip instead of fly. While air travel is projected to reach 84% of 2019 levels this year, airline staffing shortages and increased airfares mean that many families are still choosing to take an old-fashioned American road trip instead […]
- Maintenance April 5, 2022
Why Is My Car Shaking?
If you notice your car shaking, vibrating, or making any unusual movement, it’s good to diagnose the problem early. Preventative maintenance will usually save you from bigger (and more expensive) repairs down the road. Don’t brush it off as something you can ignore, even if the shaking is subtle or only occurs intermittently. Here […]
- Safety March 7, 2022
Is It Safe to Drive Your Car With the Check Engine Light On?
A check engine light can be scary and annoying at the same time. It signals that there’s something potentially dangerous happening under the hood of your car, but it won’t tell you exactly what it is. It can be tempting to ignore the light and brush off the possibility that a repair is needed, but that’s not […]
- Safety February 25, 2022
What All the Symbols on Your Car’s Dashboard Mean
We’ve all been there: You’re driving along, enjoying the views, and all of a sudden you hear a beep—you look down, and a symbol has appeared on your dashboard. You start to wonder what could be wrong with your car. Some symbols on your car’s dashboard are easier to figure out than others. However, it’s […]
- Maintenance February 9, 2021
What is Engine Braking & Why Should You Use It?
Using the footbrake is the most common way to reduce your speed, both in an emergency and in normal conditions. Depending on how hard you press the brake pedal, you control the speed at which you slow down, when you stop, and when you start again. But using the footbrake isn’t the only way to […]
- Safety January 25, 2021
Safe Driving Tips for VA Drivers
One of the first principles we all learn in driver’s ed class is to watch out for the “other guy.” Even if you’re an excellent driver, most people aren’t—and they pose a real risk to you on the roads. This is why defensive driving is so important. Defensive driving is driving in a way that […]