If you’ve ever wondered how other drivers keep up with their vehicle maintenance, check out this information from the Car Care Council. In a survey of auto technicians they found the following:

- 54% of vehicles had low tire pressure.
- 38% had insufficient or dirty engine oil.
- 28% had inadequate cooling protection.
- 19% needed new belts.
- 16% had dirty air filters.
- 10% had low or contaminated brake fluid.

Several of these problems can lead to reduced gas mileage and even breakdowns.

If you haven’t brought your vehicle in for routine maintenance recently, make an appointment soon. Freeing up a little time for auto care basics can save you a lot of time – and money – down the road.

One second. It’s not a lot of time, but it may be long enough to save a life.

Research has shown that 80% of all auto accidents could be avoided if the people involved in the accident had just one more second to react.

How can you give yourself that extra second - or longer - when you’re behind the wheel?

1) Look farther down the road in order to see potentially dangerous situations sooner.

2) Keep more stopping distance between you and vehicles in front of you.

3) Slow down when you encounter poor road or weather conditions.

4) Stay focused on driving, not talking on the phone, changing radio stations or disciplining the kids in the back seat.

Follow these suggestions, and you’ll give yourself the extra time you need to reduce the chances of an accident.

RELATED POSTS: Another Reason to Avoid Tailgating

(This post was inspired by and includes information from an article on Yahoo Finance.)

We typically expect gas prices to rise during the busy summer travel months, but, according to Triple A, gas prices have never been as high as they are right now so early in the year. And some analysts are predicting prices of up to five dollars per gallon this summer.

So, what can you do to lessen the impact of high gas prices on your wallet? A few suggestions:

1) Check gas prices via websites and mobile apps
Thanks to websites such as GasBuddy.com and GasPriceWatch.com, you can find the best prices quickly without wasting gas driving all over town. Take advantage of them when it’s time to fill up.

2) Don’t pay for convenience
The easier a gas station is to find, the more you're going to pay. Stations just off the highway exit often charge more because they know that most people will pay for the easy-off / easy-on convenience. But, if you’re willing to search out gas stations that are a bit off the beaten path, you usually will find lower prices. Also, avoid filling up in affluent areas of town.

3) Fill up at the right time
According to GasBuddy.com, Wednesday is the best day of the week to fill your tank. Gas prices tend to rise on the weekends, so gas up in the middle of the week to save money.

4) Check out credit card and reward programs
Look into the benefits offered by gas stations and area merchants. For instance, you may be able to save money on gas by shopping at a certain grocery store. Just do the math to make sure the savings are worth any extra effort or driving on your part.

5) Make sure your vehicle is running as efficiently as possible
Is your tire pressure correct? Have you removed all excess weight from your vehicle? Is the engine tuned up? Are the filters clean? Stop into any Mountain View Tire location and we’ll make sure your ride is runnin’ right!

It’s easy to take your vehicle’s headlights for granted - until you find yourself driving down an unfamiliar country road late at night. It’s then that you realize just how important headlights are to your safety.  

If you notice that your headlights aren’t as bright as they used to be, stop in and see us before they burn out completely. While you’re here, we can check your tail lights and turn signals to see if they’re working properly. (Be aware: When turn signal lights start blinking faster than usual, they’re about to reach the end of their service life and should be changed.)

Here are a few more tips on your vehicle’s lights from the Car Care Council:

1) Keep your headlights, tail lights and signal lights clean. External dirt and debris can dim operational lights and keep them from being seen by other drivers.  

2) Make sure your headlights are properly aimed. Those that aren’t can temporarily blind oncoming drivers and reduce your ability to see the road completely.

3) Don’t overdrive your headlights. You should be able to stop safely within the illuminated area of the road. If you're driving too fast, you’re creating a blind crash area in front of your vehicle.

For help with any of your vehicle’s lights, stop into any Mountain View Tire location.

Today’s automotive technology is far more advanced than it was just a generation ago, and it’s only growing more complex.

So, you may have wondered, “How can I be sure the guy working on my new car knows what he’s doing?”

1) At Mountain View Tire, we require our technicians to complete dozens of online classes via the Goodyear E-Learning System. The subjects range from introductory wheel and tire mounting, to alignment, to advanced computer control and diagnostics.

2) Three or four times each year, we require our technicians to attend 1 to 2-day off-site courses that are presented by our various parts suppliers.

3) We subscribe to many online newsletters to help our staff stay current on technology and other aspects of the automotive repair industry.

4) We require that each Mountain View Tire store has at least one ASE-certified technician on staff. Several of our stores have more than one. We also help our techs register for the appropriate classes throughout the year, so they can sharpen their skills as regularly as possible. 

Because we hire skilled technicians and maintain a commitment to continuing automotive education, you can be sure that Mountain View Tire technicians know their way around your vehicle and will provide accurate diagnoses and repairs.

At Mountain View Tire, we have always believed that true change begins with individuals, not governments or even industries. But, especially lately, it feels like so many Americans are waiting on Washington to “do something” about our economy, when we as individuals have so much power to create positive change, especially when we unite behind a good philosophy.

That philosophy, as detailed below, combines two ideas, neither one of which is new: 1) Buy American and 2) A journey of a thousand miles begins with but a single step.

We’ve never re-purposed a mass email as a blog post, but we were so inspired by the simple message titled “Birth of a New Tradition” that we thought we'd share it with you in this forum, even though it's not really vehicle-related. We don’t know who wrote it, but we hope you’ll adopt these ideas as your own and share them with your friends and family members, because each one of us has the power to make America stronger, one step, one purchase at a time.

Birth of a New Tradition (Author Unknown)

As the holidays approach, the giant Asian factories are kicking into high gear to provide Americans with monstrous piles of cheaply produced goods - merchandise that has been produced at the expense of American labor. This year will be different. This year, Americans will give the gift of genuine concern for other Americans. There is no longer an excuse that, at gift-giving time, nothing can be found that is produced by American hands.

It's time to think outside the box, people. Who says a gift needs to fit in a shirt box, wrapped in Chinese-produced wrapping paper? Everyone - yes, EVERYONE - gets their hair cut. How about giving gift certificates from your local American hair salon or barber?

What about a membership to an American gym? It's appropriate for anyone who’s thinking about improving his or her health.

Who wouldn't appreciate getting her car detailed? Small, American-owned detail shops and car washes would love to sell you a book of gift certificates.

Are you an extravagant giver who thinks nothing of plunking down big money on a Chinese-made flat-screen TV? Perhaps that American recipient would also like his lawn mowed for the summer, or his driveway plowed all winter, or a few games of golf at a local course.

There are a bazillion owner-run restaurants, nearly all of which offer gift certificates. But remember: this isn't about the big national chains. It’s about supporting your fellow Americans in your home town or state, helping them keep their doors open and creating local jobs.

How many people could use an oil change for their car, truck or motorcycle from a shop run by an American working guy? Here’s the answer: Everyone who drives!

Thinking about a heartfelt gift for mom? She might love the services of a local cleaning lady for a day or two.

Could your friend’s computer use a tune-up? I know you can find a young American who is struggling to get his computer repair business up and running.

Oh, you were looking for something more personal? Local craftspeople spin their own wool and knit it into scarves. There are local artists who make jewelry and pottery and beautiful wooden boxes, and local painters and photographers who create original works of art. You can treat your favorite couple to a weekend at a romantic bed and breakfast right here in America. Buy them tickets to an area playhouse or locally produced ballet. Or hire a local musician to provide a private concert in their home or for their next party.

Honestly, people, do you REALLY need to buy another ten thousand Chinese lights for the house? When you buy that five-dollar string of lights, about fifty cents of it stays in your community. If you have that kind of money to give away, leave your local mailman, trash guy or babysitter a nice big tip that they, in turn, will spend in your hometown.

You see, Christmas shopping – and shopping at any other time of the year – need not be about draining American pockets so that China can build another glittering city. Let’s make spending choices that show we care about the United States; choices that encourage American small businesses to keep plugging away, keep hiring, and keep contributing to our hometown’s success. When we care about other Americans and turn that caring into action, the benefits will come back to us in ways we can’t even imagine. Choose to make THIS the new American Christmas tradition.

Forward this in an email. Re-post it on your blog. Link to it on your Facebook page. Send it to the “Letters to the Editor.” Spread the word any way you can and make this a revolution centered on taking care of each other here in America.

Did you know that your tires can lose their ability to grip a wet road even if half of their tread is still in place?

According to tests conducted by Consumer Reports, even tires that are only half-worn can hydroplane on wet roads. Hydroplaning occurs when tires cannot effectively channel water through their grooves. The tires actually ride on top of the water, losing contact with the road and rendering the steering wheel temporarily useless.

Speed is a factor too. The faster you’re driving, the more likely you are to hydroplane. In fact, you can lose control of your vehicle on a wet road at speeds as low as 40 miles per hour.

Stopping distances are also increased when your tires are worn and the pavement is wet.

Here are a few wet-weather driving tips to keep in mind:

1) Slow down. If you start to skid, pull your foot off the gas pedal.

2) Leave extra room between your vehicle and the car in front of you. On wet pavement, you should be at least 4 to 6 seconds behind the next vehicle.

3) If the rain is really coming down, delay driving until the storm subsides.

As always, check your tires once a month for any damage, sufficient tread depth, and proper pressure. If you need help with any of these monthly tasks, just pull into the Mountain View Tire location nearest you.

Every now and then we refuse to fix a damaged tire. And every now and then that upsets a potential customer. Often that customer will take the tire to one of our competitors, who, many times, WILL fix the tire, although they shouldn’t even try.

Tires can only be repaired safely and reliably when the damage has occurred within the tread area. (See the image on the left.) The surfaces outside the tread area are called the shoulder and the sidewall. Repairs in those areas of a tire leave it more vulnerable to future damage and even failure, and that may endanger you and your passengers.

(Read the Rubber Manufacturers Association’s guidelines on tire repair.)

So, if we refuse to plug and patch a nail hole in your tire’s shoulder, or if we won’t try to repair a rip or bulge in the sidewall, please understand that it’s with your safety in mind. We’re not trying to sell you a new tire, although in those situations you will need one. Be wary of any tire dealer or auto service center that will attempt to fix a tire with shoulder or sidewall damage. They’re either not fully educated about tire repair or they’re willing to take your money without regard for your safety.

If we can answer your questions about tire repair, please call or visit any one of the Mountain View Tire locations in southern California.

An October 2011 article at MainStreet.com lists common types of car repairs. Writer Jeanine Skowronski notes that, unless you’re a professional technician, tackling certain automotive problems yourself may not be the best approach, and could end up costing you more money.

Here are five common car repairs and the problems that can result if they’re ignored or not handled by a skilled automotive technician.

1) Replacing Spark Plugs
Spark plugs are a small part that can cause big trouble. According to CarMD’s Art Jacobsen, faulty spark plugs can reduce your gas mileage or melt your car’s significantly more expensive catalytic converter, so having them replaced by a certified mechanic is worth the expense.

2) Replacing Mass Air Flow Sensor
The mass air flow sensor measures the amount of air supplied to the engine and determines how much fuel should be delivered to it. The need to repair it typically results from not replacing air filters on time. The small cost of a new filter now and then is replaced by the roughly $400 price tag of the new sensor. And you’ll still have to buy a new air filter anyway.

3) Removing an Aftermarket Alarm
Jacobsen says that this is a repair you may bring on yourself if you attempt to install an after-market car alarm, car stereo, DVD players, or other devices on your own. He explains that “when owners add things to their vehicles, they tap into circuits for convenience, but that takes power away from something else” and can potentially lead other systems to fail.

4) Replacing Catalytic Converter
According to Jacobsen, the costliest repair on the list shouldn’t have made the list to begin with. That’s because catalytic converters typically fail only when a smaller, related part – such as a spark plug or fuel injector – is ignored for too long. “It’s a case where not taking care of something small leads to a big repair with a hefty price tag,” he says.  

5) Loose Fuel Caps
A leading reason the pesky “check engine” light turns on, loose or missing gas caps cost very little to fix but can cause car owners tons of money if left unattended, since the problem can result in a 0.5% decrease in gas mileage. CarMD estimates that lost, damaged or missing gas caps cause 147 million gallons of gas to evaporate every year.

(This post was inspired by and includes content from Matthew Wright, Auto Repair Guide at About.com.)

Your car’s suspension system is designed to give you and your passengers a smooth and stable ride. If your vehicle has been riding roughly or handling poorly, there’s a good chance there’s something wrong with the suspension.

Here are five symptoms of suspension trouble and their possible causes.

1) Symptom: The vehicle pulls to one side or the other. Possible causes:

• Low or uneven tire pressure. Have the tires filled with air or nitrogen if necessary.
• The wheels are not aligned. Have the alignment checked and, if necessary, corrected.
• Uneven wear on the front tires. If one or both of the front tires are wearing unevenly, have the alignment checked. If the tread on any tire is less than 1/16th of an inch deep, replace the tire.
• The tie rods or steering rack could be bad. Have them checked, then repaired or replaced if necessary.
• A brake caliper is sticking. Have your brakes inspected and repaired if necessary.   

2) Symptom: The vehicle is hard to steer, especially while moving at a slower speed. Possible causes:

• Low power steering fluid. Check the level and add fluid if needed.
• Loose or worn power steering belt. Have the belt tightened or, if it's in bad shape, replaced.
• Bad power steering pump. Have the pump checked for pressure and replaced if necessary.
• Leaking power steering rack. This should be inspected for leaks and replaced if necessary.

3) Symptom: The vehicle bounces, dips or dives, or continues to bounce after driving over a bump. Possible causes:

• Worn shocks or struts. These components are typically replaced about every 50,000 miles.
• Broken or slipped leaf spring. Have the leaf springs inspected, then repaired or replaced if necessary.

4) Symptom: The steering wheel vibrates at highway speeds. Possible causes:

• The wheels are out of balance. Wheel weights can fall off, so have the wheels re-balanced.
• The tires are worn unevenly or excessively. If the tread is too low, replace the tire.
• Loose wheel bolts. Have them checked to make sure they’re tight.
• Warped brake rotor. Have your brakes inspected by a professional technician and the appropriate parts replaced if necessary.  

5) Symptom: Loose or sloppy steering. The wheel may even wander from side to side. Possible causes:

• Power steering fluid is low. Check the level and fill as necessary.
• Worn strut bearings. Have the strut bearings checked for play. If they need to be replaced, they should be replaced in pairs.
• Worn or broken tie rods or steering rack. Have the steering components inspected and replaced as necessary.
• Worn ball joints. They should be inspected and, if necessary, replaced.
• Broken steering rack mounts. If bad, they’ll either need to be repaired or replaced, depending on the vehicle type.

For any of these and other suspension problems, visit the Mountain View Tire location near you or make an online appointment.