Creating a winter survival kit is highly recommended by us at Lithia Subaru of Great Falls. We know how important it is to have supplies when the weather changes in Great Falls and there is an emergency. Getting stuck in a storm can make anyone nervous! If you have a survival kit with you, it may help ease some of the anxiety.

Include food, water, blankets, flashlights and a portable charger for your cell phone and car batteries in your kit. You should also make sure you and your passengers wear the proper attire for the cold months. If you…

We at Lithia Subaru of Great Falls have put together a useful list of things that you can do to keep your car on the right track when ice has attacked those wheels. Unexpected things happen on the road, but how we respond to them makes the ultimate difference.

When you are chugging along the road and feel those back wheels starting to slide out in a certain direction, keep your hands firmly on that wheel and softly steer in the same direction.

 

 

It may seem to the average driver that cars are only getting more complicated to understand, but having even a little knowledge of how your car functions can save you money in the long run. Knowing when your tires are low on air can help you to avoid a possible blowout and can even save you money on gas.

Over-inflated tires may seem to give a smoother ride, but they are causing damage by unevenly wearing your tire's tread. Alternatively, under-inflated tires also wear unevenly and are more prone to dangerous blowouts because they build up heat with friction…

Most people don't think too much about the exhaust system in their vehicle until they need a new muffler or have failed an emissions test. Properly functioning mufflers and exhaust systems are not only better for the environment, but they're also better for the operation of your car.

Essentially, the exhaust system makes your car run smoother and quieter, in addition to running cleaner. It starts at the front of the vehicle and includes components such as exhaust manifolds, cylinder heads...

 

We are a team at Lithia Subaru of Great Falls that strives to keep you informed about your vehicle so that it stays in optimal shape. Your vehicle's timing belt is an important piece of equipment that needs to be changed routinely to avoid damage to the engine. We welcome you to read our summary below to find our further information about your vehicle's timing belt.

Every 60,000 to 100,000 miles is how often most timing belts need to be changed, but you should always reference your vehicle's manual to be certain of how often…

Educating yourself about various engine parts helps you to be a more informed car owner and allows you to avoid large expenses by recognizing little issues before they become big problems.

While your battery gives your car the power it needs to start, it's the alternator that keeps it running and powers various components like headlights and door locks. It also performs the vital service of charging your battery as the car is running. A failing alternator may leave subtle clues at first, causing a brief hiccup in power, or its belt may make a screeching sound in the…

Belts along with pulleys work engine accessories like the air conditioner compressor, air injection pump, alternator, fan, power steering pump, water pump and more. Hoses along with steel lines send brake fluid, coolant and gas through the vehicle.

Belt or hose failure can cause engine overheating, power steering loss, loss of the electrical charging system and more. The cooling system can be impacted too if a hose leaks coolant or the belt manipulating the water pump breaks.

Eventually your belts and hoses will crack and dry out. You can protect against expensive repairs and failures

 

Hydroplaning can result in a serious accident. Indeed, every year people are injured and even killed in accidents caused by hydroplaning. There are a number of hydroplaning prevention strategies that you need to bear in mind.

In rainy weather, you need to lower your motoring speed to prevent hydroplaning. You need to turn off cruise control. You also need to avoid sharp turns and sudden stops to prevent hydroplaning.

Proper tire service and maintenance are also crucial when it comes to preventing hydroplaning. This includes everything from maintaining proper tire pressure to regular 

 

The scratch on your door may appear superficial, but you may have a much deeper wound on your hands. The first step in getting the best touchup job is to take a good, hard look at the scratch.

Imperfections that do not show bare metal are typically viewed as light scratches that can be covered with a bit of paint. On the other hand, those marks that bare the vehicle's metal are deep infractions that may not go away with a quick touchup job. You may need to take more time to prepare the area if the scratch is…

No matter how often you change your tires, you will most likely experience at least one blowout or flat tire in your lifetime. That is why all drivers need to know exactly what to do during one of these potentially dangerous situations.

Your primary goal following a blowout is to make sure that everyone in your vehicle stays safe. As soon as you notice any issues with your vehicle, you must slowly pull off the road and find a safe area to park. You can then place triangle reflectors or warning flares a few yards behind your vehicle. If you…