When Metal Meets Metal (Wheel Bearings)
April 11, 2021
What part of your vehicle has little metal balls inside that are lubricated and allow you to cruise on down the road? They are wheel bearings, and automotive designers might argue they are human beings' second greatest invention of all time (the first is, of course, the wheel!). You have a wheel... More
Your Vehicle is Talking to YOU (Service Warning Signs)
April 4, 2021
Your vehicle may be like that famous battery bunny, the one that just keeps going and going. But while it may seem sometimes like you never need to take your vehicle in to be worked on, there are some things you should keep your eyes, ears and nose out for. They are warning you about something t... More
Automotive Tips from Tuffy Kentwood (Kalamazoo Ave SE): Tire Replacement Overview
March 28, 2021
Tires are an expensive purchase, so knowing when tires should be replaced is important for Kentwood drivers. Tires will just wear out with normal use. The depth of the tread on your tire determines how well it will stop, start and steer especially in wet conditions. 4/32th of an inch (3.2 mm) of... More
Steer Clear of Power Steering Problems (Power Steering Maintenance)
March 21, 2021
We usually take our vehicle's easy steering for granted until something goes wrong. Power steering is what makes it almost effortless to turn the steering wheel, aiming your vehicle in the direction you want to go. Without the assistance of power from the engine, steering would be a laborious pr... More
Slipping into Fall (Driving with ABS Brakes)
March 14, 2021
As the weather changes over from hot to colder, drivers will have to deal with more slippery streets. And it's important to know how to drive with the brakes you have on your vehicle. In the 1970s, anti-lock braking systems (ABS) started to be installed on vehicles and they've been a game chang... More
The Key Won't Turn! (Ignition Problems)
March 7, 2021
You've just arrived at the store shopping and you're ready to head home. You put your key in the ignition and oh, no! The ignition won't turn! What do you do now? Don't panic. There are some things you can do to get going again. The first thing to do is see if you have a locking steering wheel... More
When You Hear the Crash in Kentwood: What to Do After an Accident
February 28, 2021
Motorists in North America drive about 3 trillion miles/4.8 trillion kilometers every year. There are over 250+ million licensed drivers, and approximately 6.2 million accidents happen every year. Unfortunately, if we're going to drive vehicles, there are going to be accidents. Knowing what to do... More
Fall and Spring Checkup in Kentwood
February 21, 2021
When I was a kid, my dad always made sure he took the cars in for Spring and Fall checkups. I was telling a friend that it's about time to get into Tuffy Kentwood (Kalamazoo Ave SE) for a checkup and he said that he read on the internet that modern cars don't need seasonal service.My friend is (t... More
I NEED All Wheel Drive (Pros and Cons of AWD)
February 14, 2021
So winter has arrived and you don't feel confident in how your 2-wheel drive vehicle does in the snow and ice. You envy all those people with all-wheel-drive (AWD) and 4-wheel-drive (4WD) cars, trucks and SUVs. You start thinking, "I need one of those. I'll be able to go anywhere without any w... More
Losing Your Spark (Spark Plug Replacement)
February 7, 2021
When's the last time you thought about spark plugs? You probably don't remember. That's because spark plugs usually last a long time and don't need much attention. But they don't last forever, and when they start going bad, they'll send you a few clues. Vehicle is hard to start. Fuel economy ... More