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The professionals at Pete Kitt's Sales & Service are happy to give
you helpful advice on your car. Please call us with any repair, service,
or maintenance questions you may have. We are also happy to give you
a free credit evaluation for a used car purchase or a free used car
appraisal for trade-in value.
FIX IT
or TRADE IT, We Can Help
Sometimes the most difficult decision to make regarding
your car, is whether to spend money repairing it or trade it in on another
vehicle. If you are struggling with this decision, please call us at
(315) 487-2630. We would be happy to evaluate the condition of your
vehicle, the extent of the needed repairs, and your financial status
pertaining to the vehicle. We can offer you suggestions, discuss the
options available to you, and provide you with the information you need
to make a wise decision.
If you have a question about repair and maintenance of your vehicle
or if you need advice on a used vehicle, please call us at (315) 487-2630
or e-mail us by clicking here.
We would be happy to help you.
Secrets
to saving money at the pump
With fuel prices on the rise and uncertainty about middle eastern oil
supplies, saving fuel is a high priority for most people. You can save
money, help the environment, and reduce our dependence on foreign oil
by following these simple tips.
Check tire pressure
Under inflated tires increase friction and cost you gas mileage. Changing
temperatures require tire pressure to be closely monitored. Keeping
your tires properly inflated is the easiest way to maximize your fuel
mileage.
Watch your driving habits
Rapid acceleration decreases fuel mileage. Maintaining constant speed
will give you the best fuel economy.
Don't speed
There is an inverse relation between fuel economy and speed. Most vehicles
get their best fuel economy at 50 MPH. Each mile faster than 50 reduces
your mileage.
Plan your trips
Consolidate your errands. Try to limit the number of times you take
your car. An added benefit to this is that it will also save you time.
Check your air filter
A partially plugged air filter reduces the air flow to your engine and
makes it run rich and wasting a great deal of fuel. Air filters are
rarely checked. However, regular replacement is one of the most cost
effective ways to improve your fuel economy. Periodic replacement increases
your fuel mileage and helps prolong your engine's life.
Reduce cargo load
Pack light and clean out your trunk once in a while. Studies have found
that just 200 lb. of extra weight can cost you 1 mile per gallon.
Minimize idling
One minute of idling uses more fuel than restarting your engine. Idling
for as little as 10 minutes can use the same amount of fuel as driving
5-6 miles. Limit warm-ups to just a couple of minutes and you will save
money.
Use synthetic lubricants
Switching to synthetic lubricants will reduce resistance and add to
your fuel mileage.
Tune up your engine
Dirty spark plugs, bad plug wires, old fuel filters and dirty fuel injection
systems reduce engine efficiency and performance. Keeping your vehicle
well maintained will save you many dollars in fuel savings.
Fuel injection cleaning
Most of today's vehicles have fuel injected engines. Over time, one
or more fuel injectors may become partially plugged. When this happens,
other cylinders must compensate for the dirty injector. This requires
them to work harder and use more fuel.
Air conditioning
Your air conditioning compressor places a heavy load on your car's engine.
Using your fresh air vents instead of a/c will increase your mileage.
However, studies have shown that the parachute effect of rolling down
windows can actually cost more miles per gallon than having the windows
rolled up and the air on at highways speeds.
Check your gas cap
Gas evaporates rapidly in warm weather. Industry experts estimate that
as much as 147,000,000 gallons of gas are lost each year from evaporation.
Be sure your gas cap is on tight and the seal is in good condition.
Periodically replace engine
sensors
Engine sensors such as the oxygen sensor, mass air flow sensor, and
throttle position sensor loose their accuracy over time. Oxygen sensors
in particular can become inaccurate because they are exposed to carbon
build up. Periodic replacement of these sensors will ensure peak engine
performance and maximum fuel economy.
Maintain your vehicle
Routine maintenance keeps your vehicle running at maximum efficiency.
Replace belts when they're worn, keep your cooling system clean,and
replace your fluids regularly.
Todays vehicles have many sensors that constantly monitor vehicle performance
and adjust engine specifications. If a vehicle is not properly maintained,
these sensors can take improper readings and adversely affect fuel mileage.
Check your steering, suspension,
and brakes regularly
Keeping your steering and suspension in top shape makes sure your wheels
are running straight and in good alignment. Worn steering and brake
components can cause increased drag and reduced fuel mileage.
Turn Right
This might sound crazy, but planning your trips to make as many right
turns as possible will save you gas. Most left turns require waiting
for traffic to clear before turning. Right hand turns can normally be
made quickly reducing delays, saving time and fuel.
Winter
Driving Tips
Winter driving can be hazardous. These driving tips will help you in
winter driving conditions.
Acceleration
Accelerate slowly and gradually in low traction situations. If your
tires spin, let off the gas slightly and accelerate as you regain traction.
Try to avoid spinning the tires. When tires are spinning, they have
lost traction. The best way to regain traction is to back off the accelerator.
Spinning the tires can actually reduce traction by creating ice under
the tires.
If you have a front wheel drive, try to avoid having your steering
wheel turned while accelerating. You will find it much easier to accelerate
with your wheels pointing straight ahead.
Braking
Decelerate well in advance of a turn or stopping point. Try to avoid
using brakes while turning, slow down in advance of the turn and then
accelerate very gently while going through it.
Brake gently in an on/off pattern. Power brakes require an especially
light touch on the pedal.
If you have ABS (anti-lock braking system) which is designed to prevent
your wheels from locking up when braking, check your owner's manual
about stopping under poor traction conditions. As a general rule, continuous
pedal pressure will be better than on/off braking. When the ABS engages,
you'll hear a rumble from the brakes and the brake pedal will vibrate
under your foot. This is the ABS computer controlling which wheel is
braking in order to help prevent a skid. NOTE: It is normally best to
resist the temptation to take your foot off the brake while ABS is engaged,
maintaining constant pedal pressure allows the ABS to do it's work.
When descending a hill, pick your maximum safe speed while at the crest
and then stay under that speed throughout the decent with gentle on/off
braking. Don't expect to do all your braking at that stop sign at the
bottom.
If you are approaching a stop with alternate patches of ice and bare
pavement between you and the stop, brake firmly as you cross the bare
spot and coast over the ice.
Steering
To steer in slippery conditions, you must avoid fast or drastic changes
in direction. Slow smooth changes will help prevent sliding. Remember
that you must keep the front tires rolling to steer. Try to avoid braking
while steering in low traction conditions. If your front wheels slide
from applying the brakes, you will be unable to steer. If you lose traction
with the front wheels, you may be able to regain control by straightening
the front wheels and reducing brake pedal pressure. This is not instinctive
for most people. However, if you remain calm and determine why the wheels
are sliding, you can almost always take corrective action to get the
wheels rolling and regain control of the vehicle.
Keys to Safe Winter Driving
- Plan ahead, make sure your vehicle is prepared for winter
driving
- Allow extra time so you don't have to rush
- Don't tailgate, don't tailgate, DON'T TAILGATE
- Slow down
- Always leave yourself a way out
- Don't make any sudden changes in speed or direction
- Stay calm
New
York State inspection failure for Readiness Monitors
New York state added emission testing to it's annual mandatory vehicle
inspection. Vehicles equipped with On Board Diagnostic II (OBDII), which
includes most 1996 and newer vehicles, self-test their emission systems
utilizing several "monitors". Vehicles perform up to 11 independent
system tests, depending on year, make
and model of the vehicle. These tests are commonly referred to as "readiness
monitors."
The readiness monitors identify whether the vehicle's computer has
completed the required "tests" while the vehicle is being
driven. If a test has been completed, the system status will be reported
"ready." An uncompleted test will be reported "not ready."
An OBDII vehicle will not pass the annual inspection unless the required
monitors are "ready."
The NYS Inspection test equipment connects our NYS inspection computer
to your vehicles computer and identifies monitors that are not ready.
The test equipment reads the OBDII and readiness monitor status as part
of the vehicle's emissions inspection. This information is uploaded
to a DMV computer and the vehicle inspector cannot change the information
reported by the vehicle.
The most common cause for the readiness monitors to be "not ready"
is disconnecting the vehicles battery. In most situations, disconnecting
the battery resets the monitors from "ready" to "not
ready". Once this has happened, the only way to change the status
to "ready" is to drive the vehicle. Depending on the vehicle,
it can take several days of normal driving to reset the monitors.
If you have any questions on the monitor requirements pertaining to
your vehicle, please call us at (315) 487-2630. In addition, NY State
has a brochure available that helps explain the readiness monitors and
how they impact the inspection of your vehicle. You can see the brochure
in PDF format at http://www.nysdmv.com/broch/
Looking
for a better option than AAA for roadside assistance?
In recent years, we have received many complaints about AAA service.
As a reliable alternative to AAA, we suggest that you contact your cell
phone provider. Most have comprehensive roadside assistance available
at a fraction of the cost of AAA.
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