Picking floor mats for your vehicle may seem like an afterthought, but it’s critical to select a product that suits your individual tastes and budget. There are many factors to consider when deciding between all-weather rubber and carpet floor mats.

If you live in an area that experiences frequent rain and snow, choosing an easy-to-clean set of rubber floor mats makes a lot of sense. Rubber mats are also an excellent choice for families with small children as well as for pet owners....

 

 

Gaskets are one of a couple leading causes of engine failure here in Great Falls, Montana, and a lot of people understandably don’t quite know what these things do or why they’re so vital. We’re going to look at what they do, what they’re made of and how to keep them lasting longer.

What are gaskets? What do they do? What’re they made of? Gaskets are flexible seals which keep fluids from escaping and/or mixing as well as keep air in or out of places. They’re made of layers of thin steel or…

If you’re driving along and see your tire pressure light illuminate, don’t ignore it. There could be a number of reasons why it has come on.

The tire pressure monitoring system recognizes the PSI level in your tires. If it is too low, you will get a light. This means that you may simply need air in your tires or you have a hole that is causing a leak. 

Modern vehicles come with many forms of spare tires. It is important for the driver/owner of a vehicle to know what type of spare tire they have and how to mount them. Each manufacturer analyzes the needs of each model of vehicles they produce and decides what type of spare tire to include with the package or if not to include a spare tire at all.

There are four principal types of spare tires available. Most drivers prefer the full-size matching spare tire that is an exact copy of the tires on the car. Others prefer the Full-size temporary…

An informed car owner knows about the inner workings of their car. That is why we here at Lithia Subaru of Great Falls want to give you the basics about your car battery.

A car battery has one purpose: to generate an electrical current. So what does this electrical current do? It is used solely for the purpose of creating a spark. This spark is then utilized to bring the engine roaring to life. The average car battery lasts roughly for four years before it needs to be replaced but this number can vary depending on outside conditions. Extremely hot…

There are many cases of invisibility while driving due to bugs and dust on the windshield and require instant cleaning. That is where the reservoir, for the content used in cleaning, comes in. The liquid used by many drivers is either windshield wiper fluid or water, but most drivers do not differentiate the two. Water cleans, but it has disadvantages which are harmful to the mechanical cleaning tools.

Unlike washer fluid, water does not perform an additional function other than just cleaning. Windshield Wiper Fluid lubricates the system such the nozzle and the pump and again...

A growing number of people are finding out that their tire tread that is on their vehicles may be inadequate for road and weather conditions.

Not only can improper tire tread increase the chances of a tire puncture, but it can also decrease the amount of traction that a vehicle has on the road. This lack of grip can increase stopping time needed to avoid another vehicle, animal, or other obstruction. It can also cause a vehicle to lose control and leave the road. We here at Lithia Subaru of Great Falls want to make sure that you make it…

Your tires help you to gain traction on the road below you. As you drive in Great Falls, your tire pressure will change periodically. As the temperatures rise and drop, so will your PSI. The PSI or pounds per square inch need to be monitored so that you can make sure that there is the recommended amount of are in the tires at all times.

You can check on the PSI reading of your tires at any time with the use of an air gauge. Additionally, you may have a tire pressure monitoring system in the car that will tell…

Many people believe that mufflers are only needed to reduce noise levels. However, the part is also important for reducing the harmful gases that are released through the exhaust system. The entire system begins with the manifold, which connects to the engine's cylinder heads. Harmful emissions enter the manifold and are evaluated by the oxygen sensors. The catalytic converter then refines the gases, which then make their way through the muffler and tailpipe.

Due to normal wear and tear, road debris and weather conditions, any of these vehicle parts may fail....

The timing belt on your vehicle in absolutely necessary for your vehicle to be able to operate. The timing belt keeps the camshaft and the crankshaft in synchrony so that the engine will perform in the proper manner. If the timing belt breaks while you are driving, the car will shut down, and the engine may suffer damage.

It is very important that you have a timing belt that is in good condition. Most car manufacturers suggest that the timing belt be changed at around the 60 to 70,000 mile mark. Some car makers suggest 100,000 miles. If…