News

If you’re past “a certain age,” you might remember when gas was $1.50 per gallon, or $1.00 per gallon, or 59 cents, or what-have-you…but the truth is that everything has gotten more expensive. After all, when gas was $1.00 per gallon, a nicely tricked-out Chevrolet Caprice Classic was selling for about $6,000 brand new.  Now that we’re well into the 21st century, gas prices are likely to fluctuate, but one thing’s for sure: gas is likely to never be “cheap” again. We know that everyone...

Everyone’s trying to make a dollar go a little farther these days. At Van’s Tires & Service in Akron, OH, we’d like to give you a few pointers on how to make your brakes last a bit longer: Coast whenever possible. For instance, if you’re coming off an interstate onto an exit ramp, just let off the gas or the cruise control as you leave the highway and let the car coast up to the stoplight for your turnoff, rather than waiting until the last couple of hundred yards to apply the brakes. Whe...

Some people love winter. They love the snow, the snap in the air, the short days and cozy nights at home. Others can’t stand it, for many of the same reasons. Regardless of whether you love it or hate it, though, chances are you’re going to have to get out and drive in it at some point. We’ve got a few suggestions to help you through the winter safely:  Make sure you’ve got a well-maintained car. This includes fresh windshield wipers, proper tire inflation, a strong battery, a properly m...

Differential Service – Why Is It Important?    Of all the various things on a vehicle that need regular service and maintenance, the differential is too often neglected. But what exactly is it, and what does it do?    Visualize a rear-wheel-drive vehicle making a right-hand turn. As the car turns to the right, the left rear wheel will have to actually cover a longer distance and spin at a different speed than the right wheel. If the rear axle was delivering the same torque to both wheels, the...

Spring means the trees are blooming, the temperatures are getting warmer and the days are getting longer. For drivers, it can also mean a new set of hazards to be on the lookout for. We know you’re wanting to roll down the windows and get out to enjoy the spring breezes, but these are all some things you might want to be aware of: Rain and flooding – Spring can mean sudden storms that can get quite intense and result in flash floods. You need to make sure your car’s ready, with a good set o...

Thankfully, the winter of 2015/16 is now behind us. No more iced-over windshields, frozen door locks, snow or road salt to deal with! Springtime brings its own particular annoyance, though…tree pollen. For some of us, that means runny noses, wheezing and sneezing fits. For all of us, though, it means a film of greenish-yellow powder deposited on car bodies and glass. If left too long, pollen can actually damage your paint and start to corrode your car’s body. In early spring, trees (conifers ...

So you’ve got a kid who’s headed back to college…whether or not they’ve got a reliable car should be the least of your worries! Here’s a checklist to keep in mind: Tires:  There are a few things to keep in mind when it comes to tires. How much tread is left on them? Have they been rotated recently? Tires should be rotated every 5,000 miles for even wear. At the very least, be sure that all tires are properly inflated. Be sure to check air pressure n the morning while tires are still cold. ...

You know that winters here in Ohio are really tough, and cold weather puts a lot of stress on every part of your vehicle. Is yours ready? Here’s a quick checklist to consider: Battery: Sub-freezing temperatures slow down the chemical process that enables your battery to store and deliver electricity. Couple that with the fact that motor oil thickens in cold weather, making it harder to turn the engine over, and you can understand why your battery needs to be in great shape before it gets cold ...

You know how tough an Ohio winter can be, and it’s especially tough on a vehicle. Here are some tips on making sure your car’s fluids are up to the rigors of winter weather: Antifreeze: The term “antifreeze” is a bit of a misnomer, since it’s really coolant. Coolant is a 50/50 mix of antifreeze and distilled water; the additives in antifreeze raise the boiling point of coolant to protect the engine in the summer, and lower the freezing point for winter protection. Coolant does break down a...

 A generation ago, cars from the 70s and 80s were often ready for the scrapyard at 130,000 miles, with engines that burned oil, worn-out drivelines, rusted-out bodies and trashed interiors. Today, 130,000 is not a big deal at all; at Van’s Tires & Service, we routinely see vehicles with 200,000 or more on the odometer and many good miles left to go. There’s a way to do it, though, and you’ll never see that many miles out of your car unless you know how to keep it together: --Make sure you ke...