The Check Engine light or Service Engine Soon light is one of the most misunderstood lights on an automobile’s dash. There are any number of reasons why this light comes on ranging from a loose or cracked gas cap to problems with the catalytic converter. Regardless of what some websites will advise you, it’s not always as easy as going to your local parts store to have them check the error code from your vehicle’s computer system. In this post, I’ll give you some basic information on the Check Engine light and Service Engine Soon light. I’ll also outline some of the common causes for this light to come on and why you shouldn’t ignore it when it does.

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Depending the type of automobile you own, tires can be a fairly hefty expense. Studies have shown that tires are one of the most overlooked areas when it comes to vehicle maintenance. Your car tires connect your vehicle to the road. Tires that are over-inflated, under-inflated, misaligned, and/or dry-rotted could become safety hazards and put you at risk of having an accident. By following a few proper tire maintenance tips, you’ll not only keep your tires on the road longer, you’ll have some peace of mind knowing your vehicle can operate safely and more efficiently.

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It’s always better to take care of car problems before they become major repairs. This is especially true when it comes to your vehicle’s transmission. Repairs on transmissions can be quite expensive, so it’s prudent to pay attention to anything that seems unusual and have it taken care of right away. Here are 6 symptoms that you may have a transmission repair problem:

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The majority of today’s vehicles come with an anti-lock braking system as a common feature. In caring for your automobile, it’s important to understand how each component operates. In doing so, you’ll be able to recognize when something isn’t working properly and can schedule an appointment to have it fixed before it becomes a major repair. In this post, we’ll cover the anti-lock braking system (ABS). The ABS helps you safely stop your automobile in situations that are less than ideal, like when you’re driving on slippery roads or have to brake quickly to avoid an accident. As its name aptly connotes, the ABS prevents the wheels on your car or truck from locking up so your vehicle doesn’t skid uncontrollably.

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Just like a gasoline-powered car, hybrid vehicles, like a Toyota Prius or Honda Accord Hybrid, require regular maintenance. These vehicles have been under much scrutiny over the past several years, with many claims that a hybrid car costs more to maintain. In reality, properly maintaining your hybrd car will reduce the wear and tear on the gasoline components of the engine. Thus, the cost to maintain these components will be somewhat less than a traditional car engine. Even so, here are some things you should know about maintaining your hybrid car:

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Summer Vacation Driving Tips – Traveling with Kids can be Fun!

Country Road Auto's Summer Vacation Driving Tips

You can’t wait until summer vacation, but admit it… you’re a little nervous about driving all that distance with your kids. In the midst of all the fun, there will probably be some fights and complaining going on. With a little pre-planning, you can lessen the anxiety. We’ve got some summer vacation driving tips to help you start enjoying your summer vacation.

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When people think of their exhaust system, they think of the muffler and tail pipe. This is only part of the system. Your vehicle’s exhaust system is made up of a serious of chambers and pipes that start at the engine and end at the tail pipe. Each component plays a role in protecting you and the environment from harmful gases, quiets the noise from the combustion process and makes your car run efficiently.

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When was the last time you changed a cabin air filter in your auto? If you’ve never had it replaced or it’s been a long time, you’ll want to have it taken care of and here’s why.  The cabin air filter’s job is to clean the air that comes into your vehicle through the heating, ventilation and air conditioning system. It is responsible for filtering road dust, pollen, and other airborne particulate so you don’t breath in these contaminants as you’re driving.

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