Working Hours
  • Mon 8:00AM - 5:30PM
    Tue 8:00AM - 5:30PM
  • Wed 8:00AM - 5:30PM
    Thu 8:00AM - 5:30PM
  • Fri 8:00AM - 5:30PM
    Sat Appointment Only
  • Sun Closed
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419-782-7827 | 1735 Spruce St Defiance, OH 43512

COST SAVING TIPS

Are You Ready For The Road?

An average of 13,000 Americans are killed between Memorial Day weekend and Labor Day, some as a result of unperformed vehicle maintenance, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. Each year, neglected maintenance leads to more than 2,600 deaths, nearly 100,000 disabling injuries and more than $2 billion in lost wages, medical expenses and property damage.

Most mechanical failures can be traced to neglected maintenance. For example, the U. S. Department of Transportation reports the leading cause of mechanical breakdown on our nation's highways is overheating, a condition that is easily avoidable. Other deficiencies that are simple to detect include low antifreeze/coolant, worn or loose drive belts and defective cooling system hoses.

Checking tire pressure and inflating a tire costs nothing, yet an average of 21 percent of cars inspected in check lanes during National Car Care Month have under inflated tires. This can lead to a blowout and a serious accident.

Fuel Saving Tips

Condition Effect MPG Penalty up to
Under inflated tires Increase rolling resistance 1-2mpg
Dirty air filter Causes excessively rich fuel/air mixture 2.0mpg
Worn spark plugs Cause inefficient combustion, wasted fuel 2.0mpg
Worn O2 sensor Unable to detect and adjust air/fuel mixture 3mpg
Dirty or substandard engine oil Increases internal engine friction 0.4mpg
Loose gas cap Allows fuel to evaporate 2.0mpg
Potential loss in fuel economy if all of the above were neglected
11.4mpg

The Car Care Council offers these fuel-saving tips:

  1. Vehicle gas caps -- About 17 percent of the vehicles on the roads have gas caps that are either damaged, loose or are missing altogether, causing 147 million gallons of gas to vaporize every year.
  2. Under inflated tires -- When tires aren't inflated properly it's like driving with the parking brake on and can cost a mile or two per gallon.
  3. Worn spark plugs -- A vehicle can have either four, six or eight spark plugs, which fire as many as 3 million times every 1,000 miles, resulting in a lot of heat and electrical and chemical erosion. A dirty spark plug causes misfiring, which wastes fuel. Spark plugs need to be replaced as recommended by the manufacturer.
  4. Dirty air filters -- An air filter that is clogged with dirt, dust and bugs chokes off the air and creates a "rich" mixture -- too much gas being burned for the amount of air, which wastes gas and causes the engine to lose power. Replacing a clogged air filter can improve gas mileage by as much as 10 percent, saving about 20 cents a gallon.

Fuel-saving driving tips include:

  • Don't be an aggressive driver -- Aggressive driving can lower gas mileage by as much as 33 percent on the highway and 5 percent on city streets, which results in 10 to 66 cents per gallon.
  • Avoid excessive idling -- Sitting idle gets zero miles per gallon. Letting the vehicle warm up for one to two minutes is sufficient.
  • Observe the speed limit -- Gas mileage decreases rapidly at speeds above 60 mph. Each mpg driven over 60 will result in an additional 10 cents per gallon. To maintain a constant speed on the highway, cruise control is recommended.

WIPERS - In the 2001 National Car Care Month vehicle check lanes, 21 percent of participants had wipers that smeared, streaked or chattered across their windshields. Although climates vary, wipers generally need replacing every six months. An easy reminder is to change wiper blades in the spring and fall when you change your clock. Be sure the windshield washers are working properly, too, and keep the reservoir filled with solvent.

LIGHTING - Another important pre-trip check should be exterior and interior lighting. Vehicle check lanes revealed an overall failure rate of over 25 percent in the lighting category. The Car Care Council reminds motorists to check their lights monthly. Other suggestions from the Council include turning on headlights both day and night. This helps define your car's position on the road, and its distance from other drivers. When your vehicle's lighting is defective, other motorists may not get the message that you intend to stop or turn. The end result could be disastrous.

10 Minute Pre-Trip Checkup Can Pay Off

Car Care Council offers three suggestions for a traveler's 10-minute pre-trip checklist:

  • Check all fluids. There are several fluids, in addition to antifreeze, that require attention, including engine oil, power steering, brake and transmission fluids and windshield washer solvent and antifreeze/coolant.
  • Check hoses and belts. A belt that fails can affect the electrical system, air conditioning and power steering, as well as the cooling system. Cooling system hoses may be deteriorating from within, so old hoses and clamps in marginal condition might need to be replaced.
  • Check the tires. Check tire inflation and inspect the tread for uneven wear, indicating the need for wheel alignment. Also look for bulges and bald spots.

"While a last minute checkup is better than no checkup, motorists should plan ahead to allow time to perform necessary maintenance themselves or at the local service facility. A properly maintained vehicle is safer and more dependable and will even save a few dollars at the gas pumps," said the Car Care Council's Executive Director, Rich White.

Not only can a pre-trip inspection help reduce chances of costly and possibly dangerous road trouble, it also provides an opportunity to have repairs made at home, with one's own technician who knows the vehicle. Especially important, it provides peace of mind. While no inspection can guarantee a car's performance, it's comforting to know proper precautions were taken.



Discover More About Prices and Repair Services At Northwest Automotive LLC in Defiance

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What Our Customers Are Saying

Very happy with the service!!! They came and picked my truck up, repaired my tire, and brought my truck back to me within time frame they stated. Today my tire went low, they worked on my truck immediately. Would recommend them to anyone, they are very friendly and accommodating. 5 star rating from me!!!!

, 12/16/2021

Awesome shop!! Not only was the estimate the lowest I received, the entire exhaust system was replaced (headers on back), the work was completed in under 2 hours. I m a U.S.Army Veteran and my car had a misfire situation going on due to bad coil pack, well Tim & his guys found me a coil pack and put it on NO CHARGE!! I would recommend this shop to any & everyone!

, 10/13/2021

reviewicon

Tim and the guys do great work here and are honest I definitely recommend these guys for any repairs

, 09/28/2021
I have a 2011 Jeep Liberty, the A/C stopped working, so I called up Tim and told him. He said can you bring it in today at 1:00pm? I said yes. So I took it in, they found that all the Freon was out of the unit. So they put more Freon in plus added some dye to find if the system may have a leak. So I paid the bill. Tim said, if you have any further problems bring it back. So the next day I started my Jeep up. The A/C stop working. So I called them back on Saturday. Can you bring it back on Monday at 2:00pm? I replied yes. Returned back to Northwest Automotive. They took my jeep in and recharged the A/C unit, and checked the system for any possible leaks. So Tim filled me in on no signs of dye so go ahead drive it and if any further problems bring it back. So how much money do I owe you? He replied nothing. The next day I drove my Jeep the A/C stop working again. So I called them back and told them. Can you drop it off so we can get to work on it Monday morning. I said yes. So I called them up Monday around noon and asked how are things going with my jeep? He replied that we believe we have found the leak. So he asked you said when it would set over night that the next day it not work? I replied yes. He asked if you don't need your Jeep back today, we will let it set overnight and check and see if it is still working in the morning. So I replied yes. I called them back the next day and asked how are things going with my jeep? Tim replied it is working fine. He asked if I would pick it up later today, l said that is fine because I will not be in town till around 3:30pm. Because I was at work. So went to pick up my Jeep. Tim said I believe the problem was from the low pressure valve. It should be alright. I replied so how much do I owe you. He said nothing, if you have any further problems bring it back. I believe he is a fair and honest person. I will respect that and I will bring him some more business. Thanks again.

, 07/16/2021

Northwest Automotive didn't charge me to look over my Geo Traker, even though I didn't end up having anything done to it. Will be going back to them.

, 04/26/2021

reviewiconLeaf Springs
Undercar Services, near Defiance, OH

Northwest Automotive did it right again. Out read leaf springs on the Firebird and the stance was back where it's supposed to be! Very good job again! Thanks!

, 03/12/2021
  • AERA (Automotive Engine Rebuilders Association)
  • ASE Certified - Automotive Service Excellence
  • BBB Accredited Business
  • NAPA AutoCare Center
  • Jasper Engines & Transmissions
  • Mobile Air Conditioning Society
  • WIX Filters
  • ALL-DATA
  • IDENTIFIX
  • UNOH Alumni - University of Northwestern Ohio
  • Defiance Ohio Police
  • Car Care Aware
  • Call Us For Service: 419-782-7827