TIP: How to Easily Check Your Tire Tread
Got a quarter handy? Here's a simple way to check the tread wear on your tires!
1. Grab a quarter.
2. Flip the quarter so that George Washington's head is facing you and is upside-down.
3. Place the quarter inside your tire tread groove.
4. If any part of President Washington's head is covered by the tread, there's at least 4/32 inches of tread remaining. Generally, it is recommended to replace your tires if the tread is worn down to 4/32 tread or less.
2. Flip the quarter so that George Washington's head is facing you and is upside-down.
3. Place the quarter inside your tire tread groove.
4. If any part of President Washington's head is covered by the tread, there's at least 4/32 inches of tread remaining. Generally, it is recommended to replace your tires if the tread is worn down to 4/32 tread or less.
DOES YOUR VEHICLE NEED SERVICE?
Approximately one out of every 3 vehicles on the road are in need of servicing or engine repair. Listed below are the most frequent problems:
- 30% have low or dirty engine oil;
- 37% of pick-up trucks or SUVs with at least one under-inflated tire;
- 27% passenger cars with at least one under-inflated tire;
- 19% engine needs new belt(s);
- 16% have dirty air filters;
- 9% of the tires on the road are bald.
Gas Prices Got You Down?
Gas prices are inching back up and everyone is looking for ways to reduce their costs. Premier Toyota of Amherst has some tips to help you reduce the amount of gas you use which, in turn, can reduce your costs.
Drive Sensibly
Aggressive driving (speeding, rapid acceleration and braking) wastes gas. It can lower your gas mileage by 33 percent at highway speeds and by 5 percent around town. Sensible driving is also safer for you and others, so you may save more than gas money.
Remove Excess Weight
Avoid keeping unnecessary items in your vehicle, especially heavy ones. An extra 100 pounds in your vehicle can reduce your MPG by up to 2 percent. The reduction is based on the percentage of extra weight relative to the vehicle's weight and affects smaller vehicles more than larger ones.
Avoid Excessive Idling
Idling gets 0 miles per gallon. Cars with larger engines typically waste more gas at idle than do cars with smaller engines.
Keep Your Engine Properly Tuned
Fixing a car that is noticeably out of tune or has failed an emissions test can improve its gas mileage by an average of 4 percent though results vary based on the kind of repair and how well it is done. Fixing a serious maintenance problem, such as a faulty oxygen sensor can improve your mileage by as much as 40 percent.
Check And Replace Air Filters Regularly
Replacing a clogged air filter can improve your car's gas mileage by as much as 10 percent. Your car's air filter keeps impurities from damaging the inside of your engine. Not only will replacing a dirty air filter save gas, it will protect your engine.
Keep Tires Properly Inflated
You can improve your gas mileage by around 3.3 percent by keeping your tires inflated to the proper pressure. Under-inflated tires can lower gas mileage by 0.4 percent for every 1 psi drop in pressure of all four tires. Properly inflated tires are safer and last longer.
Use The Recommended Grade Of Motor Oil
You can improve your gas mileage by 1-2 percent by using the manufacturer's recommended grade of motor oil.
If you are already following these tips then you probably are getting the best gas mileage possible. However, if you are not then you could save by bringing your Toyota into Premier Toyota of Amherst.
Drive Sensibly
Aggressive driving (speeding, rapid acceleration and braking) wastes gas. It can lower your gas mileage by 33 percent at highway speeds and by 5 percent around town. Sensible driving is also safer for you and others, so you may save more than gas money.
Remove Excess Weight
Avoid keeping unnecessary items in your vehicle, especially heavy ones. An extra 100 pounds in your vehicle can reduce your MPG by up to 2 percent. The reduction is based on the percentage of extra weight relative to the vehicle's weight and affects smaller vehicles more than larger ones.
Avoid Excessive Idling
Idling gets 0 miles per gallon. Cars with larger engines typically waste more gas at idle than do cars with smaller engines.
Keep Your Engine Properly Tuned
Fixing a car that is noticeably out of tune or has failed an emissions test can improve its gas mileage by an average of 4 percent though results vary based on the kind of repair and how well it is done. Fixing a serious maintenance problem, such as a faulty oxygen sensor can improve your mileage by as much as 40 percent.
Check And Replace Air Filters Regularly
Replacing a clogged air filter can improve your car's gas mileage by as much as 10 percent. Your car's air filter keeps impurities from damaging the inside of your engine. Not only will replacing a dirty air filter save gas, it will protect your engine.
Keep Tires Properly Inflated
You can improve your gas mileage by around 3.3 percent by keeping your tires inflated to the proper pressure. Under-inflated tires can lower gas mileage by 0.4 percent for every 1 psi drop in pressure of all four tires. Properly inflated tires are safer and last longer.
Use The Recommended Grade Of Motor Oil
You can improve your gas mileage by 1-2 percent by using the manufacturer's recommended grade of motor oil.
If you are already following these tips then you probably are getting the best gas mileage possible. However, if you are not then you could save by bringing your Toyota into Premier Toyota of Amherst.