Did you know that the number one factor that determines how long a vehicle stays on the road is how well that vehicle was kept up during its life? It’s true, it’s also true that most people forget to do some of the regular maintenance required to keep a vehicle running well; a quarter of…
Did you know that a Diesel Engine will likely outlast a Gasoline engine by hundreds of thousands of miles? It’s true—usually true (there have been a few poorly constructed diesel engines produced by companies over the years). All things being equal, a diesel engine could remain on the road for thirty years or more. It’s…
It’s been downright cold in Montana lately. Unfortunately for many of us the cold weather—twenty- to thirty-below zero (air temperature!)—turns our vehicles unreliable. And in some cases, it may be important to have some mechanical intervention with your professional mechanics at Willard’s Garage, but it may also be possible to fix things yourself. It may…
Summertime will soon come to a close, and the fall/winter weather will present certain driving challenges. Oftentimes our vehicle’s windshield wiper blades are worn out and need to be replaced, and we don’t find out until it’s too late, in the middle of a bad storm, and there is limited visibility. Windshield wipers are made…
If you have taken a recent visit to the car lot, and have looked at the window sticker’s claims to MPG, you might have been shocked to know that many modern vehicles get very good gas mileage. But those advertised numbers are statistically possible only when the vehicle is operated at its optimal best. That…
If your TPMS (tire pressure monitoring system) warning light goes on during a cold snap, it may not mean your tire has a leak. Tire pressure can decrease about 1 PSI (pound per square inch) for every 10 degrees the temperature drops. It’s not that more air is escaping your tires, but rather the air…
There is a certain pride that comes from keeping a vehicle on the road past the prime life-span of many of its counterparts. And the secret to keeping that vehicle on the road, and working in tip-top condition is regular maintenance. It’s possible for a vehicle to exceed not only one-hundred thousand miles but three-hundred…
When does a vehicle need a tune up? What happens during a tune up? Does that mean that the mechanic checks on and works on the engine? These are questions you may be asking yourself. You’ve probably heard of an auto tune up, but maybe you don’t realize what happens while your vehicle is at…
The cost of gas has dipped considerably in recent months, but it’s still important to try and run your vehicle efficiently; efficiency alleviates the pressure on your wallet your vehicle and the environment. The first step toward efficiency is to ease up on pedal. Higher RPM’s mean a much lower fuel efficiency. Remember in driver’s…
Tune ups are often thought of as required maintenance for older vehicles. But the truth is that most any vehicle with a few thousand miles can benefit from a tune up. Tune ups are nothing more than a broad-scope maintenance check. Tune ups are designed to keep vehicles operating efficiently, but also ensure that any…