Don’t Top Off Your Tank!

Posted on by Greenwood Collision Auto Body Shop Seattle

Are you in the habit of topping off your gas tank at the pump?

This is a common practice among motorists who are hoping to squeeze as much fuel as possible into their cars. However, our Seattle auto body shop cautions you away from topping-off, as you are ultimately doing more harm than good.

The fact is that your gas station pump automatically shuts off for a good reason. After this point, any further gasoline you pump is going into the gas station’s vapor recovery system. The only think you’re doing for your vehicle is possibly damaging your evaporative emissions system.

It won’t hurt to make a habit of putting in gas when you’re quarter or third full and fill it up to 3/4 or 2/3 full.

Save your money, and trust your fuel pump when it tries to cut you off.

Are Your Keys Killing Your Ignition?

Posted on by Greenwood Collision Auto Body Shop Seattle

Do you have a lot of key chains on your car keys?

Over time, a lot of us can develop a serious case of “janitor-keys”. Between our house keys, office keys, mailbox keys, and more, the keys to our cars’ ignition have a lot of neighbors on our keychains. You may not think about this too much, but our auto body shop in Seattle advises that this has implications for your car.

The fact is that a heavy keychain is taking its toll on your ignition. The weight of your keys, combined with the jostling action of your driving, is gradually inflicting damage on the tumblers. Sooner or later, this is going to add up to ignition failure. You can prevent this by separating your car key from the rest of your keys, driving with nothing but your ignition key in the keyhole.

Maintaining Your Car in the Winter

Posted on by Greenwood Collision Auto Body Shop Seattle

The cold months are upon us, and this means that there are many more potential threats to your car. Hash weather and extreme temperatures can take its toll on your vehicle, so you’ll want to take extra precautions to make sure you and your car get through winter in one piece.

To this end, our auto body shop in Seattle offers the following tips:

  • A good broom can be the best way to clear snow off of your car. Try finding a short-handled broom to store in your trunk.
  • If you get stuck in the snow, a hubcap can serve as a shovel to dig yourself out.
  • Try to avoid putting air in your tires when the temperature drops to ten below. The valve may stick and let all of the air out.
  • You can keep frost from building up on the inside of your windows by leaving a window open a crack.
  • If you track road salt on your carpeting, you can clean it out with a solution made from equal parts water and vinegar.
  • Is your washer solvent freezing? Mix your own with one quart of rubbing alcohol, one cup of water, and two tablespoons of liquid detergent. This solvent will serve down to thirty-five degrees below.

Automatic Transmission Fluid

Posted on by Greenwood Collision Auto Body Shop Seattle

Transmissions! Aren’t they a nightmare?

For many people facing potential automotive damage, the phrase “I hope it’s not the transmission” is a common one. Indeed, this is a complex and delicate system that can lead to crippling and expensive repairs, so your Seattle auto body shop advises that you take the time to care for your transmission.

The number one thing to do for your transmission is check its ATF (automatic transmission fluid) levels. You can do this via a dipstick that should be located towards the rear of your engine, probably labeled as “transmission”. Check that the fluid levels are correct, and that the fluid has a good, cherry-red coloration. A bad color means that your fluid is dirty, and should be replaced.

When adding new ATF to your transmission, remember that not just any fluid will do. There are several kinds of ATF, and you will need to check your owner’s manual to be sure that you get the correct one. DO NOT USE ENGINE OIL IN YOUR TRANSMISSION.

If you can manage to change your ATF twice a year, you’re in good shape to keep up the performance of your transmission for a good, long time. Don’t be afraid to stop by our auto body shop in Seattle for some assistance and advice.

Mountain Driving

Posted on by Greenwood Collision Auto Body Shop Seattle

If you live in Seattle long enough, you’re going to eventually have to learn how to drive in the mountains. It can be a daunting experience, and nobody knows better than your auto body shop that a minor slip up on a level road can easily translate to a catastrophe on a winding mountain path. We want you to stay safe up there, so bear these tips in mind whenever the call of the wild brings you and your vehicle up to where the air starts to thin.

First and foremost, properly maintaining and preparing your car is all the more important for mountain driving. You want to pay particular attention to the brakes, tires, radiator, and suspension. Depending on where you’re going, it may also pay to keep your snow chains handy and otherwise prepare yourself for cold conditions.

Care should be taken when navigating the steep grades and sharp turns of mountain roads. Your car behaves differently than it would on a level street, so be prepared for this if you’re unaccustomed to mountains. Pay attention to your transmission; find a gear that feels comfortable and try to keep it there if you can. When going downhill, try to control your speed with the transmission instead of freewheeling or riding the brakes. This will afford you the best control over your vehicle, and keep your brakes from wearing out too fast.

Also, be aware of your engine’s temperature. If it begins to overheat, do not make the mistake of turning on the air conditioner. The A/C actually creates more heat than it cools, and all this heat goes into the engine. Turn off the A/C if it is on. Turn on the heater if you can stand to.

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