Tuffy Tire & Auto Service Center Tampa (Gunn Hwy) Tire Safety: Washington vs. Lincoln
March 26, 2023
Welcome to the Tuffy Tire & Auto Service Center Tampa (Gunn Hwy) automotive blog. Today, let's talk about the effect of tire wear. Let's focus on stopping in wet Tampa conditions. In order for a tire to have good contact with the road, it has to move the water out of the way. If it can't move t... More
Give it the Boot (Ball Joint Boot Replacement)
March 19, 2023
Your vehicle may be wearing boots right now and you might not even know it. They're called ball joint boots. They're actually protective, flexible things that protect parts of your suspension (called ball joints) from all the hazards the road can fling at them. If one of those ball joint boots... More
Tacky or Techie? The Tachometer.
March 12, 2023
There's a gauge that many vehicles have that says RPM on it. And there are a lot of people who either don't pay any attention to it or don't even know what it is. Here's why it's a good gauge to know about. It's called a tachometer, and that "RPM" label means it is measuring how many revolutions... More
A Non-Starter (Alternator Problems in Cold Weather)
March 5, 2023
As the temperatures dip, we all know there could be problems starting our vehicles. After all, batteries can grow old and not hold a charge as well as when they were newer. Or starters can go bad. But there's one more component to keep an especially sharp eye on during winter: your alternator. T... More
A Clean Start (Battery Cleaning)
February 26, 2023
Your vehicle is loaded with electrical devices. Computerized components are everywhere, so good electrical connections are important. Those begin with your vehicle's battery, so it's important that its connections are in top shape. Ever had a flashlight that didn't work, took out the old batteri... 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
How Your Check Engine Light Works
February 12, 2023
Have you ever had an experience like this in Tampa, FL? You drive through the one of those automatic car washes. When you get to the end, where the dryer is blowing, your Check Engine light starts flashing!You fear the worst, but within a block or two, the light stops flashing, but stays on. By t... More
Bad Vibes (Disc brake rotor problems)
February 5, 2023
If you were to name the most important safety feature on your vehicle right now, what would your answer be? A lot of driving experts would agree that its your brakes. Most newer vehicles use a well-engineered and efficient style of brakes called disc brakes. The name disc brakes comes from one ... More
Nighttime Visibility in Tampa
January 29, 2023
There are a number of factors that contribute to the high nighttime accident rate in the Tampa area, things like drowsy driving and a higher rate of impaired driving. Without a doubt, visibility is a major contributor. Let's focus on visibilityIt's said that 90 percent of our driving decisions ar... More
Ready, Set, COLD! (Getting Vehicle Ready for Winter)
January 22, 2023
When the temperatures plunge, your vehicle better be ready because it faces a whole new set of challenges. Rubber stiffens, glass fogs, fluids freeze. Just thinking about it can get your heart beating faster. So here are some tips for getting ready for those inevitable colder temperatures. Mak... More