Posted on 12/25/2014
Most Florissant drivers are all talking right now. Better gas mileage. Fewer emissions. Missouri folks want to save the environment and our pocketbooks.And we Florissant drivers all know — or should know — that preventive maintenance will help maintain maximum fuel efficiency. But is there something more we can do? After all, some of us Florissant road warriors can't cut back on our driving, and others would like to do more to economize.Weight is one major enemy of fuel economy. The more you lug around in your vehicle, the more fuel you have to burn to get around Florissant. And that means buying more gas and producing more emissions.Of course, your vehicle's weight isn't negotiable. And you can't do much about the weight of your passengers. And this isn't an article about diet and exercise.But look around your car. Are you hauling a bunch of unnecessary weight while driving around Florissant? Do you really need your golf clubs ev ... read more
Posted on 12/18/2014
Local Florissant roadside emergencies can range from a flat tire downtown to being stranded in a snowy ravine for three days. So you may want to consider a basic emergency kit to keep in the car at all times and a travel kit tailored to a specific trip.Your close-to-home kit for around Florissant would have some basic items to work on your car: everything you need to change a tire, gloves, a couple quarts of oil, some antifreeze and water. A can of tire inflator is a great temporary fix for minor flats. You'll also want jumper cables or a booster box, flares, a flashlight and some basic hand tools.Now for your comfort and safety: a first aid kit, drinkable water, high calorie food (like energy bars), blankets, toilet paper, cell phone, towel, hat and boots. Keep some change for a pay phone, emergency cash and a credit card.People who live in areas with frequent severe weather or earthquakes may want to carry provisions for longer emergencies.For trips away from home, c ... read more
Posted on 12/10/2014
When I was a kid, my dad always made sure he took the cars in for Spring and Fall checkups. I was telling a friend that it's about time to get into garysautorepair for a checkup and he said that he read on the internet that modern cars don't need seasonal service.My friend is (technically) right about some things, but from a practical standpoint, a seasonal check up still makes sense.Back when my dad was teaching me about how to take care of the family vehicle, most of them used a different weight of oil in the winter and in the summer. But most of today's modern engines run the same oil year round. High-tech engines and high-tech motor oils are better able to handle the seasonal changes.Your owner's manual or Florissant service advisor at garysautorepair can tell you the right oil to use.Of course, you're concerned about the coolant or antifreeze. You don't want to overheat in the Missouri summer or freeze up in ... read more
Posted on 12/2/2014
Sometimes busy Florissant residents dream about going back to the “simpler” days of our grandparents. But if you could travel back in time and take a road trip around Missouri in a Model T, you might change your mind. The improved designs and quality of today's automobiles have significantly reduced the amount of time Florissant residents spend at the side of the road during breakdowns. With proper maintenance, today's vehicles can stay on the road longer than ever before.Some of those improvements, however, have led to higher repair costs. For example, older cars often broke down from vapor lock. Gas vaporized while traveling from the gas tank to the fuel pump. No gas, no power. The car quits going. The solution was simple — you just sat by the road until the car would start up again. Today's Florissant drivers would hardly tolerate that kind of inconvenience, and it's likely that yesterday's Florissant drivers didn't care much for it, either. So on today's vehi ... read more