AUTOMOTIVE SERVICE TECHNOLOGY

Have a back bone not a wish bone.
Autograph your work with quality.
Every job is a self portrait of those who did it.
Look at life through the windshield not the rear view mirror.
The difference between ordinary and extraordinary is just that little extra.
The surest way to go broke is to sit around and wait for a break.
You have to wake up in order for your dreams to come true.
You always pass failure on the way to success.
It's better to be trusted than liked, Underpromise - Overperform.
A person of words and not deeds is like a garden full of weeds.

 

 

FUEL SAVING TIPS FROM THE AUTOMOTIVE CLASS

Although West Virginians are use to what most of us feel are unsatisfactorily explained fluctuations in gasoline prices, our budgets feel the crunch no less. Here are some tips from the automotive class at ACT that may help ease the burden a little. 

  • SLOW DOWN!
    • For every 5 mph you go over 60, you lose about 10 cents on each gallon.
  • CHECK YOUR TIRE PRESSURE WEEKLY.
    • The correct pressure for your car is NOT on the tire. You can locate the specifications on the left door jamb (of most vehicles), or in the owners’ manual. Oh yea, and you can't tell just by looking, especially with newer low-profile tires. (Not even the Master Techs can tell just by looking!)
  • GET A TUNE-UP.
    • Newer cars still need tune-ups. Check your owners manual to see when the next ones due for your car, or ask an ACT automotive student who will be glad to check the maintenance schedule in the service manual for you!
  • REMOVE ALL THE “JUNK FROM YOUR TRUNK”.
    • Even just a few extra pounds will make a difference.
  • GET A WHEEL ALIGNMENT.
    • If your wheels aren’t pointing “straight ahead” when your going straight down the road, you’re in effect sliding the tires slightly sideways. This has a HUGE effect on fuel mileage not to mention tire wear.
    • TURN YOUR DEFROSTERS OFF AS SOON AS YOU CAN
    • Nearly everyone knows that running you’re A/C (Air-Conditioner) uses a little more gas. What they might not know is that the A/C (on nearly all vehicles) runs when the defrosters are on! The reason? The A/C dehumidifies (dries out) the air, which helps to remove the moisture from the windshield quicker. You can save gas by turning them off as soon as their not needed anymore.
  • TRY A LOWER OCTANE FUEL.
    • A common misconception is that “higher octane is better”. Not so, and in some cases it can even make your car start poorly in cold weather! (Higher-octane fuel doesn’t evaporate as easily in cold weather.) Most modern vehicles, with the exception a few high-performance models were designed for 87-octane fuel. Your owners’ manual will tell you if a higher octane is recommended. If you’re using a higher octane now, try 1/2 tank of 87-octane next time you need gas. If it doesn’t run right, finish topping the tank off with the highest grade. It’s ok to mix it, the only significant difference between 87 and 93-octane, is the proportions of the chemicals that are used to make the fuel.  If it runs ok, then use 87 and rest assured that you’re not doing anything “bad” for your car.
  • ROLL YOUR WINDOWS UP!
    • It’s not an issue right now (burrrr!). But studies have shown that it is more fuel efficient to run the A/C than it is to drive with the windows down. The car acts like a parachute.
  • WASH YOUR CAR.
    • It won’t help as much as the tips above, but a dirty car has more aerodynamic drag than a clean one. At least wash it before a long trip!