Whiteheart & Sons Automotive & Towing

Tomorrow is the first day of Fall! Here are 3 simple ways you can get your vehicles ready for the new season. Call Whiteheart and Sons Automotive Service Center today to schedule a tune-up or maintenance service.

On Talk Like a Pirate Day, the tradition is to walk, talk, and act like a pirate. ARRRRE ye joining in the fun?

The purpose of Daytime Running Lights (DRLs) is not to illuminate the view in front of your car. Instead, they make your car more visible to the drivers and pedestrians you're approaching. Consequently, they point forward rather than downward as headlights and fog lights do. A 2010 publication from the Minnesota Department of Transportation stated that DRLs reduced the number of daytime crashes from 10% to 5% and a 2008 study from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) placed the accident reduction with DRLs at 5.7% for light trucks and vans.

From James Bond to Back to the Future, there have been some incredible on-screen stories featuring awesome cars. Whiteheart and Sons Automotive Service Center wonders what are your favorite cars from the big or small screen?

While it's not always necessary, synthetic oil is designed to be more effective at resisting breakdown and withstanding high temperatures. There are situations where that resistance to breakdown can help prolong the life of your engine. When it's time for your next oil change call Whiteheart and Sons Automotive Service Center and we'll be happy to discuss what type of oil will work best for your car and your lifestyle.

Today Whiteheart and Sons Automotive Service Center remembers those we lost on September 11, 2001 and gives thanks to the brave citizens and first responders who put their lives on the line. On Patriot Day, U.S. flags are lowered halfway and there is a country-wide moment of silence at 8:46 am Eastern.

A vehicle history report is an important part of the used car buying process. Buyers should review a history report to discover any hidden issues the car experienced during its time on the road. While there's a lot of information these reports offer, including major accidents, number of owners, and service history, there are plenty of things that you just can't know without a thorough inspection. To avoid making a costly mistake, we always recommend stopping by Whiteheart and Sons Automotive Service Center for a pre-purchase inspection.

Disaster Preparedness Month is an annual campaign held every September since 2004 by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). It aims to raise awareness about the importance of being prepared for disasters and emergencies. Natural disasters such as wildfires, hurricanes, floods, earthquakes, and tornadoes tend to appear at very short notice at any time, necessitating the need for residents to prepare accordingly and properly to handle and evacuate from such events safely. Hopefully, your car is already equipped with a basic roadside emergency kit, but here are a few easy to grab items that you can have ready to put in your car in case of an emergency.

Happy Labor Day from Whiteheart and Sons Automotive Service Center.

The countdown has begun! Whiteheart and Sons Automotive Service Center hopes you've had a great week and are ready to enjoy the weekend!

It's simple enough to test your brake lights. Just have another person stand behind the car while you step on the brake pedal and have him or her tell you if everything looks OK. If you're working alone, rig up a mirror or lay a broomstick on the pedal and tuck it into the seat, then walk behind the car and look for yourself. (Obviously, the car needs to be in "park" when you do this.) Cars built in recent years feature three brake lights - one on either side in the rear, both of which are implanted in the rear bumper, and a center light in the trunk or back window.

The air/fuel mixture plays an important role in engine operation. The mass air sensor helps regulate this mixture. It detects the air volume entering your car's intake. The sensor needs to monitor the air flowing into the car, but this means the sensor is also easily contaminated by dirt, dust and other road debris. Too much build-up can damage the accuracy of the readings. A failed mass air sensor is one of many events that will trigger a check engine light. It may also result in rough running, stalling or a drop in gas mileage.

Parking lots are riskier than you think. Tens of thousands of crashes occur in parking lots and garage structures annually, resulting in hundreds of deaths and thousands of injuries. Here are a few common phone-related distractions drivers admitted to, in a poll by the National Safety Commission.

August 24 is National Waffle Day. Pass the syrup! What's your favorite style and topping?

With most kids heading back to school this month, it's important for drivers to slow down and keep an eye out for kids around schools and their neighborhoods. Whether you're dropping off kiddos yourself or just driving through school zones on your commute, keep these driving tips in mind as kids head back to the classroom.

Like All-wheel drive, 4-wheel drive sends power to both front and rear axles, but 4WD locks the front and rear driveshafts together. This means the power sent to both axles is the same. This gives the vehicle extra traction when off-roading in conditions like mud, snow, and sand. While both AWD and 4WD exist to provide extra traction under acceleration, neither of them help with stopping or cornering. They both help when conditions get tough. If you're planning to use it for off-roading or need that extra oomph for towing, 4-wheel drive is what you want. All-wheel drive, on the other hand, is there to help give you more traction during on-road use in icy and wet conditions.

Safety first, right? With all of the high-tech safety options available in new vehicles, here are a few you should really know about.

Arguably one of the most influential decisions in automotive history, on this day in 1899, in Detroit, Michigan, Henry Ford resigned his position as chief engineer at the Edison Illuminating Company's main plant in order to start his own automobile company.

Have you ever wondered about this auto-related acronym?

Summer's heat presents special risks to children at home or traveling in the back seat of cars. Follow a few simple steps to help keep kids safe from the danger of getting caught in a hot vehicle.

Do you know that even though it's popularity has skyrocketed in recent years, it has been 57 years since the sport of Pickleball was invented? The game combines elements of traditional lawn tennis, ping-pong, and badminton. Have you ever played?

Even with quality insurance, there are some things your policy may not cover. It's always advisable to check with your insurance provider if you have any specific questions about coverage. Meanwhile, here are a few scenarios to consider.

Call Whiteheart and Sons Automotive and Towing today and stay on top of all of your vehicle's maintenance needs.

What are your strategies for enjoying (or at least surviving) your daily commute?

Today is International Tiger Day! Did you know that while a tiger probably couldn't outrun your vehicle, this top predator can reach speeds of 30-40 mph in short bursts!

The narrow spaces between air conditioning vents can be difficult to clean using a cloth. However, inexpensive foam paintbrushes make the job quick and easy! Clean your A/C vents once every month or two, or more often if you notice they become dusty.

Though it sure feels like there are no hard and fast rules sometimes, there are: The cars on the highway have the right of way.

Comment with just an emoji to describe your weekend plans.

Blind spots cover close to half of the space around your vehicle, according to National Highway Safety Administration statistics. Too often, when drivers pull out of a parking spot or change lanes, they don't see oncoming vehicles or pedestrians in their path because of a blind spot. This can result in a collision or serious injury. Here's how to properly adjust and check your car mirrors before hitting the road.

Today's vehicles have sophisticated cooling systems equipped with multiple heat sensors and computer-controlled electric fans designed to keep your engine running in any weather but overheating can still happen. Follow these steps in the event that your vehicle begins to run hot.

Your vehicle's air-conditioning system has one job - to keep you cool. However, during a summer scorcher, it may seem like it's barely up to the task and even at those times, it's eating up gas. A few easy tips can help you save gas and money while making you feel cooler faster. If after trying these tips, your a/c still isn't working as it should, call Whiteheart and Sons Automotive and Towing to let us take a look.

With summer in full swing, Whiteheart and Sons Automotive and Towing wants to know, what are your favorite refreshing summer treats?

Most child car seats are made mainly of plastic with metal bits in key areas and fabric covering the seating area. Car seats typically stay inside cars, and depending where you live, temperatures inside your vehicle can range from 50 below zero to 140 degrees. Extreme temperature changes like this, take a toll on the plastics and can keep an older car seat from properly protecting a child.

The truth is, even with a vehicle history report, you can't always know if a used car has had significant mechanical issues or been in a major accident. It may feel just fine on a test drive yet could need serious repairs. Even if a used car comes with a warranty, it may not cover unreported problems. This is where a pre-purchase car inspection comes in. Before signing on the dotted line, call Whiteheart and Sons Automotive and Towing and let us take a look under the hood of your potential purchase.

Do you know what to do in this common scenario?

Whiteheart and Sons Automotive and Towing would like to wish you a safe and happy Independence Day, celebrating our great nation and freedom for all.

Stay cool by using these tips to keep your vehicle cooler when parked during the summer.

Do you know this rule of the road? In addition, if you are head-to-head with the other car, the vehicle that is going straight has the right of way over one turning left.

During its lifetime, an average spark plug might fire 27.5 million to 110 million times. Each time, it vaporizes a few molecules off the spark plug electrodes. Eventually, the spark plug gap widens, and the air-fuel mixture no longer ignites efficiently. Other engine problems might contaminate the spark plug, and in certain circumstances, it may not fire at all. Call Whiteheart and Sons Automotive and Towing today for an appointment if you're experiencing any of these signs of spark plug problems.

That may seem like a lot, but when you consider that the 30,000 number is reached by counting every bolt, washer, screw and bearing, well ... okay, it's still a lot and at Whiteheart and Sons Automotive and Towing we know them all!