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The Roadside Emergency Kit Essentials

The team at Piazza Honda of Pottstown wanted to remind you of certain essentials that should be in your car's roadside emergency kit.

A roll of duct tape could be helpful in patching holes or making repairs in a number of different areas of your vehicle. The tools that should be in the kit include a knife, hammer, pliers, screwdriver, socket set, multi-tool, wrench, and scissors.

Keep road flares in the kit so you can alert other drivers your vehicle is stuck on the roadside. A small first-aid kit is crucial for tending to little injuries until you can…

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You May Need to Get Your Brakes Checked

Your vehicle needs a sufficient amount of brake fluid within the lines in order to be able to stop your vehicle effectively. One of the first signs of a brake issue is what is called a soft brake pedal. A soft brake pedal goes down almost to the floor when you step on the brake. It doesn't have the firm feel that it is supposed to have.

There are several reasons for a soft pedal. Usually, it means that brake fluid is leaking somewhere. The brake lines running to the wheels will sometimes corrode and leak fluid. If too…

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What is a Gasket's Purpose?

Who would ever think such a small car part could be so important? A gasket is a mechanical piece that seals up two surfaces that aren't twin copies one of another, like a head gasket that works to seal up the space between an engine block and a cylinder head.

The purpose of a gasket is to create a fine seal so that no chemicals or any other substance can leak out. The most common type of gaskets are made out of multi-layer steel, but they can also come in copper or rubber. Copper helps maintain longevity while rubber…

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Easy Steps to Changing a Flat Tire

It is unlikely that you can drive on a flat tire without causing more damage to your vehicle. To change a flat, you will need a jack, lug wrench and a flat surface to put the car on. The first step is to elevate the vehicle to make it possible to remove the tire.

For best results, be sure to loosen the lug nuts before elevating the vehicle. However, don't take them all the way off until the car is off the ground. Once the lug nuts are off, take the tire off and place the new one. The…

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What is the Difference Between a Front-Wheel and Rear-Wheel-Drive Vehicle?

Deciding on a new vehicle can be a stressful occasion. There are so many makes and models. Another factor affecting your decision is the choice between a front-wheel-drive (FWD) and rear-wheel-drive (RWD) vehicle. One way to narrow down the field is to determine of few things about your driving situation. Think about the road conditions you’ll be traveling in most of the time, the mileage you plan to travel, and your expectations of the vehicle in general.

A FWD will initially appeal to you as the economical choice. Its engine and drivetrain assembly at the front of the vehicle…

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What Happens to Car Batteries at Extreme Temperatures?

Both hot and cold weather cause excessive wear and tear on your car's battery. When the air temperature reaches 77 degrees Fahrenheit, the battery's capacity maxes out. For every additional 15 degrees in air temperature, the battery's ability to deliver amps decreases by 50 percent.

Cold weather also decreases battery capacity. For most lead-acid batteries, capacity decreases by 20 percent when temperatures drop to freezing. For every 15 degrees below freezing, the battery's ability to deliver cold cranking amps decreases by another 10 percent.

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What's the Best Oil for Your Car?

Most manufacturers recommended certain intervals when it comes to an oil change. It is for this reason that they equip each car with an oil monitoring system to keep things in check just in case your mind is not focused on the condition of your motor oil.

These manufacturers usually recommend oil change after certain mileage intervals. These intervals are also determined by driving habits. For instance, if you are prone to driving in severe weather conditions, such as extreme temperatures and with rough terrain, you would probably have to change your oil more often.

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Brake Fluid: What Does It Do?

Brake fluid is one of those fluids that a car owner can easily overlook because it rarely needs to be refilled, but there does come a time when it should be replaced in a car's life.

That's because brake fluid is a critical part of how a vehicle's brakes function. The brakes can be in perfect working order mechanically but weaken or fail because of the brake fluid. Auto brakes are powered pneumatically by fluid moving into cylinders. This fluid action happens when you press down on the brake pedal to multiply the force of your foot…

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