Friday, December 13, 2013

Tips for Reducing Condensation in Your Fuel Tank



You're familiar with those perspiration-like beads that form on the outside of a cold beer bottle. That's moisture condensing out of the atmosphere. The drips can be irritating, but they won't ruin your day. But when condensation occurs in your car's fuel tank the impact can be far more serious. Read on to learn how to avoid this mishap from our team at Sheehy Nissan of Mechnicsville.

Gasoline and water don't mix. Usually the water sinks to the bottom, from where it can get drawn in to the engine. And as water doesn't burn, your engine is going to cough and splutter. That's not the end though. Where there's water, corrosion isn't far behind, and a fuel tank with water in it can start to rust from the inside, as can the fuel lines.

Throw in freezing temperatures and the problems multiply. When water in fuel lines turns to ice the engine will be starved of gasoline and you won't be going anywhere until things warm up.

There are three main ways water gets into the fuel tank: it was in the gas station's storage tanks, it got past a badly fitted gas cap (perhaps when using a car wash or during a rainstorm,) and condensation. The first you can avoid by patronizing gas stations that do a high volume of business. (Rapid turnover keeps the tanks filled with gasoline.) The second is just common sense, and as for avoiding condensation... well here are some suggestions.

Condensation comes from water vapor in the air. The amount of vapor air can hold is closely related to its temperature: warm, moist air holds more than cold, dry air. Armed with this knowledge you'll see that the keys to reducing condensation are to minimize both the amount of air in the tank and the temperature range it sees.

Keeping the fuel tank full is perhaps the easiest step. The less air inside, the less water vapor there will be to condense out when the temperature drops. As for minimizing temperatures, if a temperature-controlled garage is out of the question, the next best thing is to limit exposure to extremes.

If the car is garaged, avoid leaving the door open on frigid winter days as cold air will quickly chill the air in the tank. And conversely, don't let the garage get too hot in summertime as a cool night will lead to moisture in the air in the tank condensing out. Insulation in the garage roof space will help, and you could try cracking the door open a touch too.

But what if, despite your best efforts, you think water has found a way into your fuel tank? Bring your car or truck into our dealership. We’ll be happy to determine if water really is the cause of your problems.

Thursday, December 12, 2013

Will My Vehicle Make It Through a Wintry Mountain Drive?



Extremes of weather and location can make for very different driving conditions. A hot, sunny climate may seem attractive to some, for example, but it can also be hazardous for various reasons. The same is true of wintry conditions, where low temperatures and weather extremes, particularly in mountainous areas, can present significant challenges for your car. You may be wondering whether your vehicle will make it through a wintry mountain drive. Here are five things to consider from our team at Sheehy Nissan of Mechnicsville when you need to decide whether your car is fit for the terrain ahead.

Gas mileage. Fuel economy may not be the first consideration you make, but it's worth bearing in mind that there probably aren't that many gas stations located in your average mountain range. If you intend to take a car on a drive through the mountains, you want to be sure that it can cover a reasonable distance. Even if you fill the tank, a gas guzzling monster may not always be the best bet, unless you intend to carry lots of spare fuel.

Power. Mountainous driving is, by default, likely to feature a lot of inclines of varying steepness, and if you have a car with very low brake horsepower and torque, then you may struggle to get the vehicle to the top of those hills. Even if you are able to do so, if you are driving a small, under-powered car it could be very frustrating for other road users, who may be unable to overtake you.

Comfort. Do you really want to drive around the mountains in a basic, uncomfortable car that has no luxuries? Bear in mind that the temperature is likely to drop considerably, if your car has no heating function in operation, then a wintry, mountain drive is apt to be very miserable for all concerned. Without a car stereo, you may not be able to listen to music or catch weather alerts on the radio. Think about whether your car is really suited to this kind of driving.

Off-road capability. Mountain driving sometimes presents challenges. The road surface may deteriorate or may become difficult to pass due to snow, ice, and slush. If your car has no off-road capability then its tires and wheels may simply be unable to cope with the demands of the terrain. That could make you prone to have an accident, or could mean that you simply cannot get past certain stretches of road.
 
Size and capacity. When it comes to mountain driving, you need to make sure that you have room for all the appropriate emergency equipment that you need to take. This includes blankets, a snow shovel, flashlight, spare fuel, food, drink, towrope, and basic tools. If you drive a very small car, you may lnot have room to carry all this kit, particularly if you have luggage and passengers too. Think about whether you car allows you to prepare appropriately for mountainous driving.

Wednesday, December 11, 2013

How to Protect Your Windshield This Winter



Although walking in a Winter Wonderland makes for a great song, driving in one presents special problems for your windshield—ice, road salt, and grit, for example. Here are some tips from our team at Sheehy Nissan of Mechanicsville to protect your windshield this winter.

Remove ice safely. Though tempting, grabbing a random item like a spatula or a knife to remove ice from your windshield is not recommended. Not only is this dangerous, but it can also potentially damage or scratch the glass. A better option is to spend a couple dollars on a plastic ice scraper. Other options include spraying the windshield with de-icer to melt the ice. You may not even need the scraper and you definitely won't need the ice-scraping pitchfork your Uncle Glasschipper recommended.

Avoid sudden temperature changes. It looks like a decent option. It's about four degrees outside and you're running a little late, so you come up with this grand idea of boiling water as you get ready, with the intention of dumping it on the windshield for instant defrost. Sure, you'll get the instant defrost, but you might also get a cracked windshield, which means the instant defrost could be taking place on your dashboard or the passenger seat. A better option is to turn on the defroster and wait a few minutes.

Keep the windshield clean. Winter grime can lead to a greater need for windshield cleaning. But running the wipers or even using an ice scraper to remove stuck-on dirt and grime can lead to scratched windshields, so always be careful when attempting to clean yours. Make sure your window cleaner reservoir is full and think about installing new wiper blades as soon as cold weather approaches—dry, brittle blades can scratch the glass. If possible, opt for winter blades. They're constructed to better remove snow and ice.

Repair chips and cracks as soon as possible. You've probably seen a small window chip spread on a windshield. It starts out as a tiny nuisance in a seldom seen portion of the windshield and little by little, day by day it spreads until one day you notice a spider web of cracks, turning what was a simple, inexpensive repair into a windshield replacement. This crack multiplicative effect occurs faster once the temperatures drop. This little scenario, thankfully, can be avoided with early detection and treatment.
 
Our service department is happy to answer any questions you have about caring for you windshield in the colder months, so contact us or stop by soon

Tuesday, December 10, 2013

10 Automotive Facebook Pages to Follow



Remember back in the day when the only way to get information on automobiles was to buy magazines with girls in bikinis washing motorcycles on the cover? With the advent of the Internet, the two subjects were separated. With the advent of social media, the automotive information comes to you. Here are the top 10 automotive Facebook as voted by the folks at Sheehy Nissan of Mechanicsville.
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  1. Autoblog.com. Interested in Andre Agassi’s customized, Hemi-powered Jeep Wrangler? If you followed Autoblog.com’s Facebook page, you’d have known it was on eBay. Not just any auto blog, Autoblog.com “obsessively” follows the automotive industry, featuring car reviews, auto shows, eBay’s find of the day, and more.
  2. WorldCarFans. WorldCarFans.com is an online magazine that features “daily editorial coverage of emerging products and industry news, spy photos, motor shows, high resolution photos, videos, and more.” Follow their Facebook page to see photos of cars you’ll probably never drive. It doesn’t hurt to dream.
  3. Car and Driver Magazine. Even those with little interest in cars other than it getting them to and from work five mornings a week know that a car that lands on the Car and Driver top automobile lists is a car worth owning. That’s just one reason the Car and Driver Facebook page is a page worth following.
  4. Motor Trend Magazine. Auto manufacturers covet the Motor Trend Car of the Year award, which is why those who want the latest automotive news covet Motor Trend’s Facebook page. Unlike winning the Motor Trend Car of the Year award, however, anyone can gain access to Motor Trend’s Facebook page.
  5. Conceptcarz.com. Conceptcarz specializes in following vehicles from concept to production. Its in-depth look at automobiles features high-interest automobiles such as the Popemobile, a 1955 Scuderia Lancia, and a 1971 Porsche Spyder as well as automobiles coming out in the next few months.
  6. Edmunds.comEdmunds claims you can “enhance your research and shopping experience by connecting with Facebook to get advice from your friends and local car experts.” In addition to researching your next car, Edmunds invites you to review your current or past vehicles.
  7. Motor Authority. Whether you own a high-performance or luxury car or just like to dream, Motor Authority is the authority to consult. Unlike similar blogs, Motor Authority focuses on the products as opposed to industry news. And unlike most Facebook friends who make things up to impress you, the cars on Motor Authority actually exist.
  8. Jalopnik. With thousands of websites and magazines on cars, it’s difficult to carve out a niche. That’s why Jalopnik has been so successful. Jalopnik is “obsessed with the cult of cars” and their Facebook page allows others with like obsession to share their opinion on topics like the coolest cars of all time that never happened, a rapper destroying his Lamborghini, and the best and worst cars you’ve driven.
  9. Autoweek. Autoweek has been online since 1995. It’s obvious their vision includes the use of newer technology to share car news, photos, reviews, and more.
  10. Road and Track. Road and Track provides car news, photos, reviews, and a car lovers community. Get behind-the-scenes peeks at luxury and cutting-edge automobiles years before they’re unveiled. Follow their Facebook page to find this information first.

More Tips for Keeping Your Fuel Tank Full



We are sure that you have heard many ideas about keeping your RPMs to a minimum and your fuel efficiency to a maximum. Appropriately inflated tires, cruise control, and a light vehicle load can all help you keep your wallet as thick as possible. We at Sheehy Nissan of Mechanicsville want to keep you ahead of the curve though, so here are our latest ideas for maximum fuel efficiency.

Drive Defensively

If you are the aggressive type of driver, then understand that your attitude can influence how your foot behaves around the acceleration pedal. Aggressive driving can create higher speeds, sporadic acceleration, and a generally inefficient driving experience. Take it easy, keep a steady pace, and you will notice spending less time at the fuel pump.

Streamline Your Vehicle

Although a lot of the aerodynamics of your vehicle is predetermined by the Chevrolet research and development departments, there are some things that you can do to minimize drag. Always keep windows and moon roofs close on the freeway, and keep your vehicle free of debris.

Put it into High Gear

If you operate a manual transmission, then you likely understand that the higher the gear, the lower the engine works. Don’t redline your engine in first and second, and always try to smoothly and safely transition into the highest gear available as quickly as possible.

Carpool

Find friends in classes or at work and determine who lives near you. You can swing by on the way to your job or school and ask them to pitch in for gas later on. A carpooling initiative at your work or school might be the perfect idea to get everyone excited and working together. Plus, having a buddy in the car will make your trips shorter!

Plan Your Errands

A warmer engine runs more efficiently than a stale, cold one. If you have a to-do list than involves driving around town, plan out the most efficient route and try to carry it out with as little engine downtime as possible.
 
We hope these tips help you pinch pennies during each mile that you travel.