Posted on 11/1/2018
It’s the most wonderful time of the year! Everywhere across our fair nation, families are preparing to spend time together over the holiday season. There are a lot more cars on the road right now, which means there are some extra tips to keep in mind. Here are our top dos and don’ts: Don’t: Drink and drive This one maybe goes without saying, but please designate a driver or else take Uber or Lyft if you plan to drink. It just isn’t worth it! Plan too much There is a tendency to overbook oneself during the holidays. It takes longer to get places, and everyone is stressed. Road rage can be worse this time of year, so take a breath, and remember you don’t have to do it all. Speed The police are out in full force this time of year, and anyway, speeding is dangerous for lots of reasons. Give yourself extra time to course correct and drive at or below the speed limit. Forget to breathe and relax It’s easy to get anxious with all of th ... read more
Posted on 9/1/2018
Winter is coming, and we don’t just mean the season finale of Game Of Thrones. We mean the actual winter, where there is snow, and ice, and stuff like that. You know, that time of year when we have to use our credit cards to see out our windows, and where we bemoan our frozen existences while driving to our places of employment. What’s a responsible motorist to do in the face of this rude interruption to autumnal festivity? Check all fluids. Make sure your vehicle is well lubricated: even in the winter, the coolant needs topping, the brakes need plenty of fluid, you want to check the oil, and let’s not forget the ever-present transmission. Check tires You’d never venture into the realm of ice without good shoes, so why would you send your trusty vehicle out without good tires? Get your tires the love they deserve by bringing them to us for a quick check on alignment, as well as a measurement on how the treads are holding up. Check suspension ... read more
Posted on 6/1/2018
We can’t believe how fast the year is going. Spring is almost coming to a close, as the grass is green, the flowers have bloomed, and the sky seems to be a permanent shade of brilliant blue. The temperatures are going to continue to rise, and the sun continues to shine, as spring turns into summer. And summer means school is out, and most of us are already planning our summer vacations and road trips. Before you embark on your adventure, make sure your vehicle is ready to go. Get your car ready for summer vacation with these 10 tips: Don’t forget your tires. Your tires are one of the most critical components of your vehicle that if damaged or worn can jeopardize your safety. Bring your car to Gary’s Auto Service, and our technicians can take a look. Your brakes are imperative to the safety of you, your family, and your vehicle, and during winter, your brakes suffer through a lot of abuse. Give your car a little extra TLC with a car wash. Get ... read more
Posted on 3/1/2018
Like people, cars need to breathe clean air. Because dirt, dust, and pollen can be taxing on your engine, it's critical to check your car's air filter. It's often neglected even though it's one of the easiest and cheapest repairs you can do on your car. When your air filter is dirty, air can't get to the engine and this causes much more fuel to be used up. Keeping away the dirt and debris that causes wear and tear will prolong the lifespan of your engine and the amount of cash you fork over at the gas station. Internal combustion engines require air to perform. Fuel doesn't burn without oxygen to give that igniting force that allows the engine to get powered up. The air needs to be as clean as possible for your engine to run optimally. This is why a clean air filter is essential. The filter is made of porous, paper-like material that catches and prevents dirt from reaching the engine while allowing the clean air to pass through.   ... read more
Posted on 11/1/2017
Brrrr. It’s November and Winter is almost here. Time to get your vehicle in shape for those cold months and holiday trips ahead. At Gary’s Auto Service in Florissant, MO, we can help. Here are some tips you can use to prepare your vehicle: Check your engine coolant and antifreeze levels. As its name suggests, antifreeze keeps your engine from freezing in cold weather. Without it, your engine could freeze, leaving you stranded. Check your tire pressure and tread depth. Good tires critical to safe driving on snowy, icy roads. Stop by Gary’s Auto Service and let us check them for you Use winter windshield wiper fluid. Not all windshield wiper fluids are the same. Winter windshield fluid is specially made to avoid freezing on your windshield, unlike the ordinary kind that often freezes on contact. Stop by Gary’s Auto Service in Florissant and let us replace your old fl ... read more
Posted on 10/1/2017
October is one of our favorite months, thanks to Halloween. We love seeing the little ghosts and goblins visiting each family’s car at the annual Trunk or Treat events at our church and other churches in the Florissant area. Normally, we would write a blog on Halloween driver safety, but we thought we’d take a different approach: The Top 10 Tips for Driving Safely at Night. After Daylight Savings Time ends, we all have the extra hazard of driving in the dark when we get off work. Two of the biggest accident days of the year occurs when the time changes. So, let’s share some helpful safe driving tips: Look around. Before backing out of your parking space, turning a corner, or crossing an intersection, be sure you take a good look around to avoid pedestrians, bicyclists, animals, and other distracted drivers. Drive slowly. At night, it’s harder to see people who are wearing dark clothing, or animals that are crossing the street. Whe ... read more
Posted on 7/19/2017
Hybrid vehicles are the automotive manufacturing community’s response to an energy and efficiency crisis among the industry. Whether it is Ford, Toyota, or another popular hybrid vehicle maker, these cars are made with the newest technology and highest fuel economy of their year. Choosing Gary’s Auto Service for your hybrid’s service is another way to make the most of your dollar. With us, you’re not just getting the repairs. We also offer several amenities such as two waiting lobbies, shuttle service, loaner cars through Enterprise, and vehicle pick up and drop off. Our ASE-certified auto mechanics perform the hybrid repairs and service you need quickly and effectively, so that you can drive away happy and satisfied with our service. Hybrids are much less susceptible to normal wear and tear, and since they’ve gone from a fringe popularity vehicle with only two models to a just market with over 50 models available, developers have been i ... read more