Objects in the Mirror (Rearview Mirror Safety and Maintenance)
October 2, 2022
You may remember a song that went, "Objects in the rearview mirror may appear closer than they are." While that was a song about life's lessons, there are a few things we should all know about how important rearview mirrors are to safe driving. While new electronic devices are helping drivers be ... More
Engine Hydration for Tampa Drivers: Role of Your Water Pump
September 25, 2022
The cooling system in an engine has five components: the radiator, the radiator cap, the hoses, the thermostat and the water pump. The water is literally the heart of the system. Just as your own heart keeps your blood circulating through your body, the water pump keeps coolant circulating throug... More
Positive Crankcase Ventilation ? PCV Valve Service at Tuffy Tire & Auto Service Center Tampa (Gunn Hwy)
September 18, 2022
Hello Tampa! Did you know that the first federally-mandated emissions control device was introduced in the 1960's? The Positive Crankcase Ventilation valve, or PCV valve, has been installed in FL vehicles since 1964 and represents the first legislation by the United States government to regulate ... More
Got it Covered! (Timing Cover Maintenance)
September 11, 2022
You may have heard at one time or another about something called a timing belt or timing chain in your engine. And you may know that if they fail well, let's just say that there can be some major engine damage. So obviously, we want our timing belts and chains to be in tip-top shape. One part t... More
Fuel Injectors
September 4, 2022
The last new American vehicles sold in Tampa with a carburetor rolled out of the FL dealerships in 1990. Since then, all new vehicles here in Tampa, and nationally, have had fuel injectors. In very simple terms, a fuel injector is a valve that squirts fuel into your engine. Your engine control co... More
How to Radiate Cool (Radiator Care)
August 28, 2022
There's nothing that radiates cool like a vehicle radiator that's helping to keep your engine running at the proper temperature. You don't have to baby it, but you can't simply ignore it, either. Let's take a quick dive under the hood to let you know what the radiator is doing. It takes the he... More
Fuel Saving Tip: Fuel System Cleaning Near Tampa, FL
August 21, 2022
A lot of fuel is wasted in the Tampa area by dirty fuel delivery systems in vehicles.Let's start at the tank. The gas tank gathers dirt, rust and sediment over the years. That's why there's a fuel filter to clean the fuel after it leaves the tank. A dirty filter will rob the engine of the clean g... More
Automotive Tips from Tuffy Tire & Auto Service Center Tampa (Gunn Hwy): Causes of Wheel Misalignment
August 14, 2022
When properly aligned, all of your wheels are pointed in the same direction. Your vehicle will track true and handle the way it is designed. Tampa drivers often associate our wheels being knocked out of alignment with an event like a major crash, hitting a pothole, curb or some other object. Whil... 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
Why You Have an O2 Sensor (Oxygen Sensor)
July 31, 2022
If someone asked you what gas made up the largest portion of the atmosphere, what would you guess? Well, it's not oxygen; it only makes up 20.9 percent. But since we're talking about oxygen, you should know that your vehicle uses oxygen sensors to make sure your engine is running the way it shou... More