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If you drive regularly in cold winter conditions, all-season tires might not provide you with a high enough level of safety and performance. All-season tires are designed to function well in warmer conditions and will wear down less slowly than the softer rubber of winter tires.

To improve performance in the cold, winter tires are made to grip better when the temperatures outside drop. They are also made with a deeper tread pattern that will expel water and channel snow more effectively. The tread is created to maximize the biting edges so that you can have increased traction when it…

Ask any mechanic, and they will tell that it is not only important to maintain your tire pressure and tire tread to keep you on the road safely, but they will also recommend to help you improve your gas mileage. As a motorist, it is your responsibility to make sure your car tires are properly maintained, and here are some further reasons why:

Incorrect tire pressure can lead to problems on the road.

Over inflation will cause the weight your vehicle to only be focused on a thin strip, which can cause the tire to wear faster. Underinflation can cause…

The spare tire is an essential part of your car’s repertoire that keeps it on the road. Tires are where all the weight of a vehicle meets the road. When you figure that vehicles weigh from one to two tons, that means each tire supports from 500 to 1000 lbs. of load which does not include the impact pressures created by the road. Spare tires exist as a reserve for when a tire surrenders to the force created while you drive.

Of the types of spare tires available on the market, two are the most prominent—the full-sized replacement…

It is important to keep the right type of motor oil in your engine to ensure that it runs smoothly. At Piazza Honda of Springfield, we like to keep our customers informed about their vehicle. While you may have heard of motor oil viscosity ratings, you may not understand what they mean, which is why we invite you to read our summary below.

Motor oil bottles will have a number that is followed by a W, which is its viscosity rating. The W lets you know its viscosity in colder temperatures, and the number is its viscosity in hotter temperatures…

Fall is here and so is what you need to keep you and your family safe while tailgating during this fun season. Here are some tips to maximize your experience.

Let's face it, tailgating is a lifestyle in certain parts of the United States in the fall. The biggest tip is to arrive well before the game, preferably four hours early so you have enough time to cook food and eat. Make sure that you pack all of the essential the night before, such as utensils, condiments and drinks. Packing other items in advance, such as burgers and other…

One of the best ways to feel safe and secure on the road is to make sure your car is current on maintenance. Back-to-school season is a great time to add car maintenance to your list because it will ensure that your vehicle is safe as it can be while transporting children.

Basic maintenance is checking your fluids and changing them if needed, getting your tires rotated and checking your wiper blades. This is all fairly simple but necessary for optimal reliability. If you have any lights alerting you to a problem on your dash, they should be checked as…

There is a myriad of roadside emergency kits on the market today all designed to prepare you for any driving situation or travel disaster. When putting together a basic kit, be sure to include jumper cables, a first aid kit, a flashlight, and triangle reflectors and roadside flares. Additional items that might prove helpful include a blanket, bottled water, tools, survival essentials such as matches and emergency radio, extra antifreeze and motor oil, and tire repair items.

The auto and emergency preparedness experts and enthusiasts at Piazza Honda of Springfield are eager to...

The biggest sign that there's a problem with your brake pedal is a spongy feeling when you press against it with your foot. The soft feel is an important sign that something might be seriously wrong with your brake pad. There can be a lot of reasons for it, and they should all be addressed seriously.

A soft brake can be a sign that your brake line is damaged. This can be due to rust forming on steel parts. A soft brake can also signal that there's a common problem like air in the brake line. This interferes…

To help you understand how your car works, we often provide useful posts. Today, we want to inform you about your auto's gaskets.

Every automobile features gaskets, and most of those are found in and around the vehicle's engine. Gaskets form a seal between two surfaces, and they prevent liquid and gas leakage. Typical gaskets include the head gasket, the intake manifold gasket, and the exhaust manifold gasket. Made of thin, layered steel, rubber or copper, gaskets experience wear and aging, and they will eventually require replacement. While pinpointing a mileage limit on gaskets...

Replacing a flat tire can seem like an intimidating task, but it doesn't have to be if you are prepared for the eventuality of having a flat tire while driving down the road. If you have the correct tools and have practiced changing a tire prior to it actually happening, you can be confident in your ability to change a tire.

To practice, make sure you have the proper items: a spare tire, a jack, and a lug wrench. Loosen the lugs on the wheel slightly and then use the jack to lift the car. Remove the lug nuts…