The major gas companies spend a lot of money on their advertisements, many of them trying to convince you that their fuel is worth the extra pennies because of some elusive additives that the bargain brands don’t have. Some people come to our Seattle auto body shop and wonder: is this all marketing, or is there an actual benefit to buying costlier gas?
In truth, you’re not likely to see much of a difference between two different brands of regular gasoline. Though one may boast the power to clean out the gunk that the other one supposedly leaves behind, this represents a somewhat dated notion of the effects that gasoline has on your engine. There is still some debate on the issue, but there have been tests conducted wherein the long term effects of using cheaper gas have been shown to be apparently identical to those of gasolines with more specialized additives. If you need advice, simply buy from whatever pump is giving you the best deal and the most convenience.
Many pickup truck owners believe that, by riding with their tailgates lowered, they can improve their gas mileage. After all, it seems logical enough that a lower tailgate is more aerodynamic and therefore requires less work from your fuel. However, this may not be the great boon you think it is. Our Seattle auto body shop advises that you may not be getting the mileage you were hoping for from your lowered tailgate.
Research has demonstrated that, when you drive with your tailgate up, you may actually be enjoying superior aerodynamics over a lowered tailgate. As air flows over a pickup truck in motion, it rushes over the cab and pushes forward on the back of the vehicle. This benefit is largely lost when you don’t keep the tailgate up. Meanwhile, replacing your tailgate with an aftermarket net is even worse, as it subjects your truck to a surprising amount of drag. Keep your tailgate up, and enjoy better mileage!
For many drivers, the “check engine” light is a frustrating sign. Not only does this indicate that there may be some horrible damage in your car, but it’s also not being very helpful in determining what this damage is. It could be a matter for your Seattle body shop, or it could be a minor problem that you can fix yourself. To help you know the difference, try following these simple steps:
When your light first comes on, the first thing you should check is your gas cap. If it’s not screwed in tightly enough, it will set off your light.
If it’s not the gas cap, listen for any unusual sounds or behavior in your engine. Something like this is probably a problem you should have looked at right away.
If there doesn’t seem to be anything unusual going on in the engine, watch the light to see what happens. It might go away on its own, but if it sticks around for about a week or so, you should bring it in.
We at your Greenwood Seattle auto body shop are mostly concerned with your car, because that’s what we know how to fix. There’s not much we can do for a driver if his pet suffers an unfortunate injury out on the road. Therefore, in the interest of protecting our furry and flea-bitten friends, we ask that you heed the following advice when it comes to taking your pets for a ride.
Keep your pet’s routine. Stop for walking and feeding at the usual times. If your dog isn’t accustomed to going to the bathroom on a leash, cultivate this habit. This can keep your animal calm and easier to control on long trips.
Get your pet used to the car. Try some short, dry runs to destinations that the animal likes, like a dog park. Watch for motion sickness, and see your vet if the animal experiences any problems that don’t go away.
Secure your pet. An animal running free in a car is compromising the safety of the entire vehicle. Cats can get under the pedals, dogs can block your vision, and anything can go flying through the windshield if you brake too quickly. You can search your pet supplier for the right carrier or harness that will afford safety and comfort to your animal.
If keeping your dog in a pickup truck bed, clear the area of loose materials and secure the animal with a leash.
Are you ever tempted to reach for the “high-octane” gas when you’re fueling up your car? Maybe you anticipate getting a better mileage, or you envision racing down the road with a get-up-and-go that you’ve only dreamed of. If this is a feeling you are familiar with, take the advice of our Seattle body shop: you’re wasting your money.
The truth is that high-octane gas is only doing you any good if your car is made to use it. Such cars have high-compression engines, which require a premium gasoline to prevent knocking during acceleration. High-compression engines are among a tiny minority of cars on the road, though; if you have to wonder whether or not your car is one of them then it’s probably not. The regular octane gasoline will give you as good of a performance as your car can get, so save your money and reach for the 87.
