Winter can be a very dangerous time to drive in your car. But you don't have a choice if you need to go to work or run errands for the busy holiday season. There are ways that you can make driving in winter safe for yourself and those around you. Here are some important winter driving tips every car owner should know.   Windows and Mirrors Make sure that you remove all ice and snow from your windows and mirrors. You can use a windshield scraper to get rid of snow and ice or you can use a windshield defroster. You need to make sure that your windshield and mirrors are clear for you to communicate with other road users when necessary.   Windshield Wipers Before driving make sure that your wipers are not stuck to the windscreen. Also, make sure that your wiper blades are in good condition and that they press against the windscreen. This will help to wipe snow and ice from your windscreen.   Make sure there is washing fluid in your washer. You can use anti-freeze ... read more

Drive axles are axles on engine-powered automobiles. It is responsible for transferring the energy from the engine and torque from the transmission onto the front and/or rear wheels. Drive axles respond to your steering wheel movement to determine how much power will be distributed to the wheels. The drive axle comprises of: Constant Velocity (CV) Joints Drive Shaft Differential Universal Joint Axle Housing If the drive axle is malfunctioning, the vehicle will not move properly. Most automobile experts agree that it is unsafe to drive when your drive axle is compromised. It can lead to severe accidents and injuries. One of the most problematic parts of the drive axle is the constant velocity (CV) joint. It can suffer from poor lubrication and worn-out boots. However, the entire drive axle can also suffer from weight overload.   Symptoms Of Drive Axle Trouble Automobile owners need to understand the common problems that drive axles may face. However, it's just as crucia ... read more

If your windshield has suffered minor damage (small cracks or chips), have you thought about going to get it fixed soon? Now might be the time to as you could get yourself in more trouble than you previously thought. Timely windshield repair is vital for many reasons, some of which you might not even know. If you need some encouragement to visit Auto Fitness, these are some of the reasons why you shouldn't wait any longer! Reason #1 - Interfere with Driving Visibility When you neglect a chip or crack in your windscreen, several things can cause it to grow. Even if the damage isn't currently conflicting with your driving, there's a good chance it will result in that soon. Do not put yourself and your passengers' safety at risk by simply getting the necessary repairs. Reason #2 - You Can Get a Ticket According to Georgia law, it is prohibited for motorists to drive with a cracked windshield or rear window, where the crack is over 3 inches by 3 inches in size. So if yo ... read more

It's not unusual to want to stop for a nap break on a long road trip. Sometimes, long drives can take a toll on your body. There are currently no national laws that say sleeping in your car is illegal, but you can suffer some consequences depending on where you choose to park.    If you don't have expressed consent to sleep on private property (outside of your own), many cities have places that you can opt to stay for your break. There are rest areas, campgrounds, and truck stops that may allow you to take a few hours to rest. In these cases, it's always a wise idea to plan ahead your stops or rest breaks before you hit the road. We suggest keeping a list of available rest stops along your route and call ahead to ask for expressed permission.    Restful sleep may not be worth justifying with the amount of risk sleeping in your car can impose. In the very worst case, falling asleep with the engine running can cause carbon monoxide levels to skyrocket ... read more

The summertime is flying by -- we can't believe it is August already! For many of us parents, August means back-to-school season. Before you know it, our little ones will be heading back to class or beginning their next journey at college. At Auto Fitness, we recognize how hectic August can be for parents, which is why our service team wants to help ease your stress levels. We don't want you to be concerned about your vehicle during this busy month - leave it all to our technicians!   When it comes to automotive repairs, it is always better to be safe than sorry. If you are driving your kids around, whether to school or run errands, your children need to be protected while cruising through the busy roads. Preventive maintenance is the key to success to prevent you, your children, and your vehicle from getting hurt on the street.    Before you are in the middle of school season and swamped with never-ending to-do lists, stop by Auto Fitness. Our skillful team ... read more

Having your own car is an exciting concept, and it should be celebrated. You can deck out your vehicle and do almost anything you want to it! Your vehicle is unique to you, so you should design it and add all the cool gadgets you want to meet your needs. These are some of our ideas on how to spice up your car:   Upgrade Your Sound System in Your Car If you often depend on your stereo for entertainment on your daily commute, then you should look to invest in a new stereo system in your car. Perhaps new speakers could amplify and enhance your overall listening experience. With an upgraded stereo system, your sing-alongs in the car will be turned up to a whole other level.   Get Matching Seat Covers and Floor Mats Adding seat covers is a simple and effective way to customize your car, especially if you want to preserve your interior. Seat covers can protect your interior from spills and sun damage. You'll be thankful for the extra layer of protection. In addition to se ... read more

So, you are enjoying a lovely morning drive when your car suddenly shakes and vibrates so hard when you hit 60 mph. Well, in most cases, your car tires are the main culprit. Here are some of the tire problems that might make your car shake when you ride at higher speeds. Wheel Balance When your car vibrates every time you drive at 50-70 mph, it is most likely that your wheels are out of balance. The vibrations will emanate from the steering wheel across the seat and through the vehicle's floor. A mechanical expert will measure your car wheel imbalance using a high-tech wheel balancer then help you correct it. Wheel Alignment Wheel misalignment could result from something as simple as bumping a curb. It is another major reason why your car would shake and vibrate when you drive over 60 mph. Fortunately, it is nothing your mechanic cannot handle. Drop by an auto repair shop and have them aligned to enjoy a safe, comfortable ride. What About When My Car Shakes When Starting? If ... read more

You may not know this, but your car has hundreds if not thousands of parts that require various fluids to work properly. In a perfect world, you would have the answer to "what's leaking?" before you even left the parking lot at the gas station. But in reality, it takes some investigation on your part to find out what fluid is leaking and where it came from. Here are six common types of leaks and how you can identify them: Coolant leak Coolant is essential for your engine to function properly. You may have a coolant leak if you notice an increase in the amount of time it takes for your car to warm up or see steam coming from under your hood after driving. Engine oil leak For the uninitiated, engine oil is the lifeblood of your engine. You may have an oil leak if you notice a large pool of liquid under your car or the smell of burning rubber coming from under the hood. Brake fluid leak This is undoubtedly one of the ... read more

Tire rotations are an essential part of what helps to save your tires and your car. Having a professional mechanic do the rotation will help you keep track of what's going on with your tires. They can inspect them for damage, check the strength of the tread, and rebalance them as needed. They can also check the air pressure. A routine tire rotation is recommended at least once every 5,000 miles. And there are many reasons why this is true. One major reason is that you can spread the wear much more evenly across all four tires. With the high cost of getting new tires, this is definitely a worthy investment. Another reason to get your tires rotated once every 5,000 miles is that you will be able to keep the tread even, which helps with everyday driving concerns such as smooth, even braking, and driving safely during times of severe weather. Some tires do wear out quicker than others, depending on their location. For example, front tires wear out much quicker than tires in the back ... read more

Understanding the signs of a dirty air filter can help you maintain the performance of your car. An air filter is playing an integral role in keeping the dust, dirt, and debris out from the air reaching the combustion chamber of your car but over time the air filter can be worn out thus, needing a replacement. You should know when it's time to replace it. Read on for more information. Signs of A Dirty Air Filter Let's discuss some of the signs so that you can keep an eye on your air filter: Car Vibrating Excessively And You Hear Noises If you notice that your car is vibrating excessively and making weird noises like popping then there could be an issue with the air filter as it might be clogged. Air Filter Looks Dirty A simple way to tell is by looking at the air filter as it would appear dirty. If you find it hard to see the dirt as it might not be apparent then it's better to let a mechanic check the air filter for you and let you know about the situation. Exhaust ... read more