The Truth about Tire Pressure (Tire Inflation)
October 30, 2022
Most light vehicles (under 10,000 pounds/4,500 kg) in North America sold from 2008 model year on have a feature that many people are confused about. It's the tire pressure monitoring system (TPMS). You may have some experience with it yourself if you own a newer vehicle. Vehicles with TPMS hav... More
H20 No! (Driving Through Standing Water)
October 23, 2022
In a year marked by unusually heavy flooding in North America, drivers are very aware of the possibility they may find themselves driving where water has come over the road. It can be a daunting and frightening situation. Flooding waters can move quickly and unpredictably, so you have to keep y... More
No Fountain of Youth (Aging Tires)
October 16, 2022
Can you think of anyone who enjoys aging? Wrinkles where you don't want them, gray hair, eyes that won't focus any more, no stamina. Believe it or not, your tires age, too, and they don't get better the older they get. And here's the important thing to know, even if they can still pass a tread... More
Giving CV Joints the Boot! (CV Joint and Boot Replacement)
October 9, 2022
Ever wonder how your vehicles transmission is connected to your wheels? After all, when you hit a pothole or some other uneven part of a roads surface, there has to be something that can maintain the connection between the transmission and the wheel yet keep everything moving at the same speed. ... More
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