The biggest source of accidents on the highways of Montgomery, AL - or really anywhere else - are tire blowouts. It’s actually very easy to prevent almost all of these incidents with some easy regular inspections.

Tread

Checking tread is the easiest part. Place a penny in the grooves. If Lincoln’s head mostly vanishes, you’re well within the 4/32" needed for safety.

Front-End Alignment

Your front end can be thrown out of alignment if you hit potholes, curbs or speed bumps. If your car’s pulling in a given direction, see a mechanic immediately. 

Car owners know how important it is to check how much fuel they have in their cars, but many owners forget how important it is to check the fuel system itself. Like most systems that operate your car, the fuel system needs routine maintenance and if it needs to be serviced there will be signs. Below are two signs that your fuel system is in need of work:

• Worse Fuel Mileage- Most car owners know how much gas their cars get per mile and use this information to know when to budget for fuel. If you notice that your car…

If you feel a sponginess in the brake pedal when you press down, it may be time to have the brakes checked. There should be some feeling of resistance in the pedal. You want to feel it’s strong enough to stop your car as needed.

There could be one of several reasons why your brakes aren’t functioning as they should. One of them is air in the lines. It can obstruct the fluid from reaching the caliper and forcing it to press the pads and rotors together. Another issue can arise if part of the steel lines has…

Oil is critical to engine health. These days, it pays to check and double-check before adding oil to your vehicle. The leftover oil in your garage may not be right for your engine. It may be worth talking to your Montgomery mechanic to make sure you are helping, not harming, your automotive investment.

Your car manual will tell you the grade of oil, but it can't tell you which exact blend is best for your vehicle, especially if it is aging. There's regular oil, synthetic, and a blend of the two. Many oils have additives which may not…

One of the key components to starting your vehicle is the ignition. Fortunately, most vehicles will show signs that there is something wrong with the ignition before it stops working. Don't get stranded in Montgomery by knowing some of the signs to look for if you think your ignition is going out.

A common issue that you'll see with a failing ignition is that it's harder to start the vehicle. Sometimes, the vehicle will start but can take a bit longer than it would if the ignition is newer. There could be corrosion inside the ignition, or…

On an automobile, many parts can be judged on when the time is right for a replacement by the number of miles that the vehicle has been driven. Tires wear is even easier to notice since they are in constant contact with the road and do not always require anything to be taken apart for an inspection to be performed.

With age, tires will have random areas where the rubber is peeling and cracked. Since the tread touches the terrain, it is usually the first to erode. As it decreases in size, the automobile will take slightly longer to make…

Living in an area where the seasons change creates a beautiful environment, but it’s also not without its challenges. One of them is the continued operation of your car’s battery. Extreme cold and heat can each shorten the life of a battery.

The cold causes the motor oil to thicken, which results in more work to turn the engine over. That creates extra wear on the starter relay. Since the days are shorter, and precipitation higher, more of the electrical system is in use. Items such as windshield wipers, the heater, and headlights can create excess wear on…

Timing belts became the standard in the late 1970s. They were lighter and increased gas mileage over the chain belts of the past. The timing belt is responsible for keeping the camshaft and crankshaft turning at just the right velocity. As the crankshaft moves up for compression and exhaust cycles, the pistons shift down for power and intake those cycles.

When you get a flat tire while exploring the streets of Montgomery, you often need a quick replacement. Luckily, the trunk of your car often has what you need to solve the crisis and get you back on the road right away. You'll find a "donut" tire, also called a compact temporary spare, under the carpet in your vehicle's trunk.

Here at McConnell Honda in Montgomery, AL, we care about highway safety. That's why we are taking the time to remind you to move over and give extra space for stopped emergency vehicles you encounter along the roadway.

Moving over is not only the nice thing to do but did you know failure to slow down or change lanes for stopped emergency vehicles is a punishable violation of the law?

Commonly called "Move Over" laws, these laws have been enacted in all 50 states to help protect workers trying to do their jobs along the roadways. No matter where…