Ready to "Fall Back"

It's almost time to turn back your clocks, and prepare for darker afternoons Daylight Saving Time ends at 2 a.m. on Sunday, Nov. 3. The return of standard time happens in autumn and involves turning clocks back by an hour -- earning it the motto "fall back." Out of all the devices that you need to update, your car's clock is probably the most important. Some modern cars that include GPS systems will allow you to do this. They will be able to synchronise the car's clock with the global positioning satellite signal and so they will automatically change the time according to the zone you're in. Some cars come with a Summer Time option in their settings. Just think.... we will “spring forward” one hour on Sunday, March 9, 2025.

Watch Out For Those Deer!

Deer are more active in the autumn months, especially with the approach of their breeding season. Drivers are urged to stay alert. Fall is peak season for deer-related accidents, and Pennsylvania drivers face some of the highest collisions risk in the nation. Daylight saving time ends November 2nd meaning that drivers will spend more time on the road during dawn and dusk, the peak hours for deer activity. Pennsylvania is already one of the states with the highest rates of vehicle collisions involving deer or other large animals. A recent report found that Pennsylvanians have a 1-in6 4 chance of such accidents, the highest in the country. Drivers can lower their chances of an accident by staying vigilant in areas marked with deer crossing signs. Remember that deer often travel in groups. Even if one deer crosses safely, another may follow. Be especially attentive from sunset to midnight and during the hours shortly before and after sunrise. These are the highest risk times for vehicle/deer collisions. Drive with caution when moving through deer-crossing zones, in areas known to have a large deer population and in areas where roads divide agricultural fields from forestland. Deer seldom run alone. When you see one deer, others are very likely to be nearby. When driving at night, use high beam headlights when there is no oncoming traffic. The high beams will better illuminate the eyes of deer on or near the roadway. Give yourself more time to react by driving in the furthest lane from the shoulder, if possible.

Time To Switch Your Tires?

Now that temperatures are starting to consistently drop below 45°F over nite, it’s probably time to change over your tires from Summer to Winter. Many people use a rule of thumb of using winter or snow tires from Thanksgiving to Tax Day – basically, November to April. In NEPA... this comes a little earlier. You should definitely have winter tires installed before the winter weather hits. If you consistently are able to see your breath, it's time to mount winter tires. Winter tires are specifically built to work best in colder temperatures. They are made with rubber compounds that are specifically designed to stay more flexible in the cold temperatures. Winter tires should ideally be used in a full set of four tires. Having tires with differing levels of grip can drastically upset the way the car handles and can lead to a loss of control.

Are Those Leaves On Your Car?

When the weather starts to drop, so do leaves from trees. Those stunning leaves in beuatiful shades of orange, red, yellow, and brown are damaging your vehicle’s paint. Leaves contain acid-based materials, such as tree sap, that can damage your car's paint. The bottom layer of leaves is often wet, which can act like glue and stick to your car's paint.As leaves decompose, they release sap, tannic acids, and other natural compounds that can damage your car's paint To protect your car's paint from leaves, you can: Remove leaves quickly by hand to avoid scratching your car's paint. You can also use a leaf blower with light air pressure or a vacuum Remove tree sap by using rubbing alcohol on a cloth or a tree sap remover to remove tree sap. Wash your car After cleaning off your car, why not give it a rinse or take it through a car wash.

Is There A Rattle In Your Engine?

Engine rattling noise, (clicking sound in an engine) can happen for a number of reasone. Whether it's engine knocking when accelerating or some kind of spark knock or just a general engine noise, some are more serious than others. One thing that’s true is that it's never good to leave it alone. There are a bunch of reasons you might be hearing your car engine making noise. Engine Rattling When Accelerating may be Belt Tensioner Engine Rattling At Idle could be Spark Plug Knock or Collapsed Lifters Engine Noise When Cold could be Rod Knock Sound or Piston Slap Engine Rattling When It’s Hot could be Low Oil Pressure or a Heat Shield Hopefully this gave you a better idea of where to start your search and ultimately helped you find your rattling noise.

Life Of A Pothole

What is a Pothole?? They are pot-shaped depressions in a road surface.The most common cause of these are traffic and water. Potholes can be dangerous and expensive to fix if they damage your vehicle. There are four main areas of the car that are most likely to be damaged: the suspension, steering, wheels, and tires. Suspension misalignment can cause your car to mishandle and potentially put the occupants at risk of a crash. Other suspension problems include broken ball joints and damaged struts or shocks. Potholes can dent or bend aluminum or steel wheels. Remember to drive on tires that are properly inflated and in good condition. Be alert to what’s ahead, and make sure you keep enough distance between you and the vehicle in front of you so you can avoid issues. Recognize that though you might miss the first pothole, there can be another waiting. If can’t avoid a pothole, SLOW DOWN and hold your steering wheel tightly. Don’t brake. This will allow you to maintain the most control during the impact.

What Turn Signals?

Turn signals are your way of informing the other drivers the direction you're going to move your vehicle. If you don't use your signals, the other vehicles won't know what you're planning to do, and you could get into an accident. Be sure to signal properly as you travel around the roads. Turn signals are amber or yellow lights on your vehicle that flash. All modern vehicles come equipped with turn indicator lights today, but some have more lights than others. They indicate that you’re about to move your vehicle by turning, changing lanes, parking, or merging. The law requires you to use your turn signals to let other drivers and road users know your intentions and are important for your vehicle's safe operation. Not everyone uses their turn signals as regularly as they should. Their usage dramatically reduces the number of accidents and driver errors. Remember, turn signals are not only a legal requirement but also a crucial safety feature that helps prevent accidents on the road.