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August 2018

Philadelphia, PA auto mechanic

Auto Mechanic Tips For Lower Gas Mileage

By | Auto Maintenance, Auto Repair, Auto Service | No Comments

There are a lot of things you think about when you purchase a vehicle. You need something big enough to accommodate your family, but you also need something within your budget. Budget goes a lot farther than just the initial sticker price. Your Philadelphia, PA auto mechanic will tell you that gas mileage is another very important element of price on a vehicle long-term. There are plenty of things to do to keep the gas mileage as low as possible.  

auto mechanic in Philadelphia, PACheck The Tires 

Every tire has a certain level of air pressure that is good for that tire. If you don’t know what that is for your tire, ask your auto mechanic or check on the tire. Learn how to check the tire pressure or ask someone to show you so you can pull into a gas station and make sure the tire pressure is good every now and then. If it’s off, fill or let out some air. The tire pressure helps you get good gas mileage when it is at the right level. Plus, it will help the tires last longer.  

Driving Right 

You use a lot of gas by starting and stopping your vehicle. If you want to save as much as you can on gas mileage, it is a good idea to accelerate and stop gradually. Instead of slamming on the breaks, make it a habit to slow down earlier. Don’t slam down the accelerator, either, even if you are late. This will add up over time and the wear and tear on your car will be lessened as well.  

Visit Your Auto Mechanic 

You want your gas mileage to be as good as possible so visit your auto mechanic for oil changes, regular maintenance, and repairs. Visiting the auto mechanic costs money, but you’ll save quite a bit in gas as you take care of your vehicle. Your auto mechanic will also have tips and tricks for you to follow to get the best gas mileage possible.  

Follow The Book 

Every vehicle comes with an owner’s manual and if you follow what the vehicle needs in that manual, you will get better gas mileage. That means spacing your oil changes out just right and getting other maintenance done at the right time. This manual is in place for a reason—use it.  

If you want more tips on getting good gas mileage, ask the professionals at Schafer’s Auto Center by calling (215) 755-1270 with your questions or to make an appointment. We’re here to help your car stay in the best possible shape for as many years as possible. Visit us at our shop at 1924 S Columbus Blvd Philadelphia, PA 19148 as well. We will help you with your gas mileage, minor or major repairs, or any question you have. The experts at SAR want to help you with any car-related issue and gas mileage is one that will affect your life greatly. 

Philadelphia, PA auto repair

Auto Repair Center Tips For Emergency Kits

By | Auto Repair | No Comments

Vehicles are unpredictable and so is the weather in Pennsylvania. Whether you are going on a summer vacation or your vehicle has been showing signs that it needs Philadelphia, PA auto repair, it’s always smart to be as prepared as possible. You can’t prepare for every scenario, but a responsible vehicle owner should have an emergency kit with them at all times to help cover as many things as possible. Your auto repair center recommends including the following items in that kit:  

auto repair in Philadelphia, PAJumper Cables 

This is something that you should always have in your vehicle. Whether you need it yourself or you want to help out another stranded driver, jumping a dead battery is something that occurs. Many vehicles have safety elements on them that don’t allow you to leave your lights on all day. But you never know when something will drain the battery and you need to be prepared to get things running again as fast as you can.  

Flashlight 

When you need to change a tire in the dark of night, you’ll be thankful for your forethought. Include a flashing in an emergency kit and make sure there are extra batteries in the kit as well.   

Tire Changing Items 

Flat tires are one of the most common things that happen to a vehicle and can strand drivers. Keep things like a jack, a lug wrench, and, of course, a spare tire on hand to save yourself frustration. You want to be able to change the tire when you need to do it without calling for simple tools that you should have in the vehicle anyway. With the right tools on hand, you’ll be up and running in no time.  

Reflective Hazard Triangles 

When you pull off to the side of the road, it might be a busy road with a lot of traffic or there might be only a small shoulder, if any shoulder at all. These reflective hazard triangles can help other drivers keep you safe when you are working on your vehicle or waiting for help. You can put your hazard lights on your vehicle as well if they are in working order, but these triangles help drivers stay clear of the vehicle.  

Auto Repair Updates 

One of the best things you can do for your safety when you are driving besides keeping an up-to-date emergency kit is to make sure you get the Philadelphia, PA auto repair when you need it. If your vehicle needs an oil change, get it. If the car is making funny noises, get it checked out. Tune-ups before long vacations are smart as well. Auto repair is something every vehicle will need from time to time. Emergency kits are always smart to have in the car, but isn’t it better if you never need it? Contact Schafer’s Auto Center for your auto repair needs at (215) 755-1270 or stop by and see us at 1924 S Columbus Blvd Philadelphia, PA 19148. At SAR, we want to help your vehicle run efficiently and effectively at all times.  

A Short History On Tires From The Beginning To Now

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When you took history in school, you talked about the War of 1812 or how the settlers came to the U.S. You probably didn’t learn too much about tires, right? Well, today, you’re in luck! The experts at Schafer’s Auto Center would like to take you back to history class and teach you a little bit about the history of modern Philadelphia tires!

As you may have noticed in the last couple of decades…things change. There’s not much you can do to stop it. While you may click one button on your phone now to make a call instead of using a rotary dial, have you ever thought about how much tires have changed over the years? Probably not!

Before air was used in tires, they were covered by leather, wood, iron, or solid rubber. They weren’t very shock absorbent, but they had some grip to them and they were very durable! It took a number of years for tires to progress to the way we see them today.

The modern tire was actually created and patented by Robert Thompson in 1847. However, it wasn’t very successful. At that time, people preferred solid rubber because it was more durable. But when bicycles became popular in later years, the concept of a smoother ride became more popular. John Boyd Dunlop manufactured an air-filled tire in 1888 and the cushion allowed him to ride a bike without getting a headache on bumpy roads. The design was simple, but it worked!

The first few air-filled tire designs were simple and easy. However, the materials have changed over the years and the design, durability, and functionality have changed with it. Tire tread, for example, is one of the most innovative design changes to help the surface grip with the tires and aid handling. Tread and rubber can help vehicles handle better in many different road conditions.

Who knows what the future will hold when it comes to tire evolution. There are hundreds of factories around the world pumping out tires for a number of different reasons. You get the comfort and performance you need on a bike, in a car, and in a number of other areas. Whether you want a certain ride or a certain way of handling, there’s a tire for you. The only trick is finding the right tire for the job you have at hand!

Whether you know what you need today or not, you can count on the experts at Schafer’s Auto Center. SAC is here to outfit your vehicle with the best Philadelphia tire for your needs. Give us a call at 215-755-1270 and we’ll get started on finding that tire. If you do a lot of driving in the winter, we’ll make sure you have superior grip. If you’re more concerned about appearance, we’ll get you the best-looking tires on the market. Whatever you want, we’ll find it for you. Stop by at your convenience and see some options in person at 1924 S Columbus Blvd, Philadelphia, PA 19148.

What Do You Need In Tires?

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If there’s one thing your vehicle needs more than anything else, it’s tires. And tires are the only thing that connects the vehicle to the road. They take a lot over their years of use so it’s important that they get changed out at the right time. Of course, there are probably a lot of things you would rather buy instead of tires in Philadelphia, PA. But when your vehicle needs tires, it’s important to move forward with the replacement process. So what do you need in new tires? Here are some tips to help you decide:

Tip 1: Check To See What You Have

Before you buy tires that are too big, too small, or too fancy for your vehicle, check the tires you currently have and see what they are. The tires will tell you their size, brand, diameter, and many other things. Have you been happy with those tires? Have they lasted a long time? If you don’t really want a change, check and see what you have and get something that is similar to what you enjoyed in the past.

Tip 2: Consider Changes You Want

Are there things about your tires that you didn’t like? Perhaps they don’t do well in the hot Philadelphia weather or they give you a bumpy ride. When you are getting new tires anyway, it is a good time to look into possible changes to make your vehicle operate the way it should or the way you want it to. There are certainly plenty of options on the market and you can get tires that do well in snow, hold up to high temperatures, or endure heavy loads. Whatever you need, you can find.

Tip 3: Prices Are Relative

In many ways, you get what you pay for in the tire world. But you also want to make sure you are getting a fair price. There are some tire companies that will charge you more than others so once you decide what you want, shop around to make sure you get the best, most fair price. Paying a small price for tires, however, isn’t always a good idea as they may be low in quality. Once you find quality tires, compare those prices to other like-tires in order to find the best deal. Quality is important to longevity and you certainly don’t want to replace the tires again any time soon!

If you are in the market for new Philadelphia, PA tires, use the expertise at Schafer’s Auto Center. Our technicians know tires like the backs of their hands and we know just how to help those who need to find a certain tire, whatever that might be. Contact Schafer’s Auto Center by calling 215-755-1270 to ask questions about tires. If you aren’t sure what to ask, stop by SAC and show us what you have at 1924 S Columbus Blvd, Philadelphia, PA 19148 and we’ll come up with some recommendations as to what will serve your vehicle the best in the future.

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