Economics of Maintenance for Tampa Auto Owners

February 4, 2024

Buying a new car in Tampa is always a big financial decision. The allure of that new car smell is powerful, to be sure. But what if your current car is still in good shape? How do you decide?People in Tampa who've been used to driving a new car every three to five years may be having second thou... More

I Can See Clearly Now: Wiper Blade Replacement in Tampa

January 21, 2024

About 90% of our driving decisions in the Tampa area are based solely on what we see. So having a good pair of windshield wipers is extremely important.Most Tampa drivers have experienced the frustration and fear of not being able to see clearly during a storm, or when our vehicle windshield is j... More

Are Modern Vehicles Maintenance Free?

September 24, 2023

In our auto video today we'll be talking with Alan Peterson about myths surrounding automotive maintenance. You can lump these myths into the statement that "modern vehicles are so reliable, they are virtually maintenance free."Any good myth has some elements of truth. No offense to Tampa Bigfoo... More

Tuffy Tire & Auto Service Center Tampa (Gunn Hwy): Why Replace Your Engine Air Filter?

August 13, 2023

Just as our bodies need clean air to function properly, your vehicle engine needs clean air to operate efficiently. Let's go egghead for a minute. For every gallon of gas we burn driving on Tampa streets, 20 pounds of carbon dioxide comes out the tailpipe. Question: how can a gallon of gas that ... More

Don't Miss a Beat (Importance of Regular Maintenance)

February 19, 2023

In many places, license plates have to be renewed every year or else you can't drive your vehicle legally. Usually, you'll get a reminder from the agency that issues the plates. That kind of regular attention needs to be paid to your vehicle as well. Its manufacturer has determined a schedule o... More

Serpentine Belt Service at Tuffy Tire & Auto Service Center Tampa (Gunn Hwy) in Tampa

November 13, 2022

If you've ever heard a squealing sound under your vehicle hood, chances are it was your serpentine belt. More importantly, the belt powers the alternator. The alternator creates electricity that's used by your vehicle's electrical systems and also charges the battery. Without the alternator, the... More

Your Vehicle Is NOT Maintenance Free, Tampa Car Owners

August 7, 2022

A generation ago, Tampa drivers seemed to be more inclined to keep their vehicle's preventive maintenance on schedule. One reason for this may be that vehicles back then were a lot less reliable than they are today. Taking your vehicle in to your Tampa shop every year or two for repairs seemed t... More

Severe Service Requirements

July 3, 2022

A lot of Tampa drivers have asked whether or not they should use their severe service maintenance schedule, which is listed in their vehicle's owner's manual. It can be somewhat confusing, so we decided to consult an expert. Cricket Killingsworth is from QMI/Heartland, a manufacturer of automo... More

The Importance of Tampa Drivers Following Service Intervals

June 19, 2022

Today in our Tuffy Tire & Auto Service Center Tampa (Gunn Hwy) blog, we're going to talk about following recommended service intervals. Your vehicle isn't the only aspect of your life in Tampa with recommended intervals: Let's start with twice yearly dental check-ups and regular physical exams. ... More

The Engine Gets a Boost (Turbocharged Engine Maintenance)

April 3, 2022

If someone told you that your vehicle could have the same power but with a smaller engine, wouldn't that sound like great idea? Just think, a smaller engine would save you money at the gas station and you'd still get the same horsepower. The technology to do just that has been around for a long t... More