Even if you have a roadside assistance membership, knowing how to change your own flat tire is valuable information. At Northtown Honda, we publish our blog to help you drive better, so we gladly share with you today our tips for changing a flat.

If you discover a flat while driving, resist the urge to immediately stop. Instead, engage your hazard lights, slow to a cautious speed and seek a firm, level stopping place. Next, locate your jack, lug wrench and spare tire. Before raising your car, partially loosen your flat's lug nuts. With the car raised, finish the…

After you wash your car, you apply one or two layers of wax to the finish to resist dust buildup, resist water, and to make the next wash easier. You know this because you have experienced it. What you did not realize is that the wax serves as the final cleaner of the bits of dirt and grime from the pores of your paint job and seals those pores to reduce further damage. The same concepts apply to your headlights when you restore them.

As the finishing touch to your headlight restoration, you should wax the lights. The wax fills…

Our team here at Northtown Honda located right in Amherst wants to make sure that you make the most informed decision possible when deciding whether or not to purchase a new car. That is why we decided we want to tell you all about the pros and cons of trading in your car versus refinancing.

The biggest benefit of trading in your existing car is that you are often given cash which can then be applied to a new car. The biggest negative to this is if you still have payments to make on the car, some of this cash…

While drivers are grateful for the road clearing capabilities of salt in the middle of a snowstorm, the slurry of half-melted snow and salt that splashes on the exposed metal engine parts and underside can cause corrosion. Part of preparing for winter can include preventive measures to ensure salt doesn't damage your vehicle.

Try to wash your car at least once a week to stop the corrosive effects of salt on your clear coat and exposed metal parts. Make sure your car has ample time to dry before night falls, as any residual water from washing can freeze. If…

Now that winter is upon us once again, many drivers are scrambling to get new winter tires on their vehicles. With so many types of winter tires available, it’s hard to know which tires will best meet your needs. At Northtown Honda, we want you to make an informed decision and get the right tires, so pay us a visit.

Choose the type of winter tires based on your vehicle and winter conditions. Each of these tires is available as a passenger or light truck/SUV winter tire.

• Passenger stud-less ice & snow tires – for maximum traction on ice and…

Many regions of the country experience natural disasters secondary to weather conditions. During winter, some people find themselves stranded on the road. By preparing in advance, vehicle owners increase their chances for survival until help arrives. Making a survival kit for a vehicle is not difficult and may save your life.

Equipment and supplies you want to have on hand include extra clothing changes that provide warmth. Pack a hat, boots and gloves if not worn during the journey. Take a snow shovel and an ice scraper. A bag of kitty litter provides traction on ice and snow.

 

When driving in the sun, you are going to be blinded in many cases. Therefore, you have to know some tips that you can follow that will keep you safe on the road during the hours of sunrise or sunset. They will also help with your eyesight.

One tip that can help you when you are driving is investing in some polarized sunglasses. They are very helpful when it comes to reducing the glare from the sun. Another thing that can help is if you use your visor along with the polarized sunglasses which can work very well with reducing…

When an auto recall happens, a manufacturer or possibly NHTSA will reveal that a car or different models sharing the same part will have problems. These are called safety recalls. In some cases, the recall may never be necessary because it was a small error on a safety score, but any type of problem can lead to a recall, big or small. The automaker will alert owners of these vehicles to show them what the problem is and how they can repair it. Sometimes, this means that the vehicle will be replaced, though typically only repairs are covered.

Most companies…

While learning about the different components of your engine may seem intimidating, having some basic knowledge of how your car functions can come in handy and save you money. Learning to spot issues before they become full-blown problems will save you aggravation as well.

A differential is a small box located between your wheels that works together with your transmission to help your wheels spin. One clue your differential is malfunctioning is a breakdown of the lubricating fluid it contains. You'll hear a grinding noise that over time will cause damage and cost more money to repair.

 

Your gas mileage appears low. Little do you realize that underinflated tires create the issues decreasing your miles per gallon. Poor mileage might not be the worst issue. A poorly inflated tire could suffer a blowout. The same would be true of a dry-rotted tire. A blowout involves a tire literally coming apart as the rubber breaks. Severe accidents may result.

Don't assume all is well with your tires. Checking all four out regularly makes sense. Otherwise, you place the tire at risk for damage. A basic tire gauge tells you whether you need more air. Use it.