10 Minute Pre-Trip Checkup Can Pay Off
A properly maintained vehicle is safer and more dependable and will even
save a few dollars at the gas pumps. Motorists should plan ahead to allow
time to perform necessary maintenance themselves or at the local service
facility.
Car Care Council offers three suggestions for a traveler's 10-minute pre-
trip checklist:
- Check all fluids - There are
several fluids that require attention: Engine Oil, power steering, brake and
transmission fluids, and windshield washer solvent and antifreeze/coolant.
- Check all hoses and belts - A belt failure can affect the
electrical system, air conditioning, power steering, and the cooling system.
Cooling system hoses may be deteriorating from within, so old hoses and
clamps in marginal condition might need to be replaced.
- Check
the tires - Check tire inflation and inspect the tread for uneven wear,
indicating the need for wheel alignment. Also look for bulges and bald
spots.
Follow these tips to maximize fuel efficiency of your vehicle:
- Vehicle gas caps - about 17%
of the vehicles on the roads have gas caps that are either damaged, loose or
missing altogether, causing 147 million gallons of gas to vaporize every
year.
- Under inflated tires - when tires aren't inflated properly
it's like driving with a parking brake on. It can cost a mile or two per
gallon.
- Worn spark plugs - A vehicle can have either four, six
or eight spark plugs, which fire as many as 3 million times every 1,000
miles, resulting in electrical and chemical erosion from heat.
- Dirty air filters - A clogged air filter creates a "rich" mixture -
the proportion of gas to air is incorrect. This wastes fuel and causes the
engine to lose power. Replacing a clogged air filter can improve gas mileage
by as much as 10%.
- Don't drive aggresively - Aggressive driving
can lower gas mileage by as much as 33% on the highway and 5% on city
streets.
- Avoid excessive idling - sitting idle gets zero miles
per gallon. Letting the vehicle warm up for one to two minutes is
sufficient.
- Drive the speed limit - Gas mileage decreases
rapidly at speeds above 60 mph. Each mile driven over 60 results in an
additional 10 cents per gallon. Increase fuel efficiency by using cruise
control.
What People Say About Us
Great honest mechanic,
5 stars all the way!
Marc is very honest and knowledgeable. Always get my vehicle in and out in a timely fashion. Thanks Marc!!!
My husband and I have been going to Pelletier's for over fifteen years. Our friends recommended this shop and still do. They are honest, have fair prices and offer expert auto repair. Mark is an excellent mechanic. They have been very accommodating to our requests to save money. We highly recommend them. They can be trusted.
The best! Honest and reliable. Highly recommended!
Been coming here since the day I found this place. I bring all 3 of my vehicles here for anything and everything. Marc does top notch work.
I go here all the time with my car. He does great work and won't rip you off like some other shops. Please check him out, you will be happy you went.
Does great work! I definitely recommend Pelletier’s.
I will be going here from now on with all my vehicles! When it comes to getting your car worked on the hardest thing is finding a shop you can trust, I'm glad to say I finally found that shop! Not only was my car fixed extremely fast but I felt comfortable leaving the shop after having it repaired!
Most reliable, honest, affordable mechanics around.
Great service and great prices.
Here is the deal: Honest mechanics are one of the hardest things to find, it's taken me almost 20 years and I finally found the guy. Mark Pelletier (the owner) is the man. He is as honest as they come, does a remarkable job, knows everything about cars and can fix pretty much anything. I was recommended to go there, and went the first time needing a whole engine replacement job, guess what! My car is as good as new. Job done in a timely manner at a fair price. Absolutely awesome! I've been there for other reasons and every time it's a 5 star service. Top mechanic in the country, highly recommended.
