Friday, October 31, 2025

Ever Get A Speeding Ticket?

You do your best to follow traffic law but sometimes you have a slip-up that can lead to a speeding ticket. Getting a ticket is a terrible feeling, especially if it's your first one. Did you know the First Speeding Ticket was in 1896. It was issued to a car that was traveling at just 8 miles per hour, which was four times the legal speed limit at the time. It’s hard to imagine now, but back then, speed limits were extremely low, and even a bicycle could chase down a car that was going too fast!

Friday, October 24, 2025

What's The W?

What oil is in your auto? Did you know The W in a multi viscosity oil stands for its ``winter'' viscosity. During colder temperature the oil gets less viscous because engines are ``tighter'' when the temperature drops. Viscosity is how easily a fluid will flow. The lower the number the easier it flows and ``thinner'' it is. The viscosity of an oil is measured by its resistance to flow. There are two numbers that define the viscosity of an oil. The first number ends with the letter 'W', which stands for Winter. This measurement is related to how an oil flows when it is cold, such as at engine start-up. The second number is defined by how an oil flows when at higher temperatures normal engine operating temperatures. The smaller the number, the better it will flow. So a 5W-30 will flow easier than a 10W-30 at start-up temperatures and a 10W-30 will flow easier than a 10W-40 at normal engine operating temperatures. This is important, as engine oils naturally thicken as they cool and thin as they are heated. Thin, low viscosity oils flow easier to protect engine parts at cold temperature. Thick, high viscosity oils are typically better at maintaining film strength to protect engines at high temperatures. You should use the car engine oil suggested by the engine manufacturer in your vehicle. Considering its incredible usability, it should come as no surprise that the 5w30 engine oil is used so commonly.

Friday, October 17, 2025

Ever Wonder Why ?

Why does it take so long to get a service appointment for your car? Appointment Availability: High demand and limited slots in many repair shops can add to the total time it takes to complete the repair process. The wait time for car service appointments can be lengthy. High Demand: Increased demand for maintenance and repair services can lead to longer waiting times. Parts Availability: Global supply chain disruptions can lead to parts being on back order, extending the repair timeframe. Technician Shortage: A national shortage of car repair technicians can cause delays in scheduling appointments. It's important to be aware of the manning factors and keep this in mind when planning your service.

Friday, October 10, 2025

Fall Foliage Season Driving

The peak foliage season typically arrives in early to mid-October. This is the perfect time to explore the beautiful landscapes and enjoy the vibrant colors of autumn. Pennsylvania's fall foliage is a sight to behold especially when driven along scenic routes. Wet leaves, fog, sun glare, and frost are a few driving hazards they will encounter this fall, but there are steps drivers can take to help make their commutes safer. Be sure to: Increase your following distance at dusk and dawn and when in an area with wet leaves. If you are being tailgated, let the other driver pass. Check your vehicle's headlights, taillights and turn signals to ensure they are working properly since darkness will be a part of many driver's morning or evening commute. Make sure you turn on your headlights as the sunlight fades. Have your vehicle's wiper system checked to ensure it is working properly. Be sure you have tires with sufficient tread depth in case of an early season snow.

Friday, October 3, 2025

How Much Is A New Car Right Now??

The average price for a new vehicle was $49,077 in August 2025, which is up from July ($48,841) and higher by 2.6% over last year. In August, the average manufacturer’s suggested retail price (MSRP) for a new vehicle reached $51,099, which is up from the month before. The majority of auto manufacturers posted price increases in August. Sales of electric vehicles reached a record 146,332 in August. The report predicts that we will see a record-high quarter for EV sales in Q3 2025, partially due to the tax credit ending in September. Compact Car $27,015 Compact SUV/Crossover $37,327 Full-Size Car $59,643 Full-Size Pickup Truck $65,602 Luxury Car $60,076 Minivan $47,640 Sports Car $52,969 For a new car, it is recommends aiming to own it for at least 10 years to get the most value out of your purchase. The significant depreciation that occurs in the first few years makes it a poor financial decision to trade in or sell a new car after only a short period.