You Auto Know: Average Cost of Fuel

Many of us are used to driving in an era where prices at the pump have soared, dropped, ebbed and flowed depending
on the week, holiday and the like.  This week we're encouraged to read a bit of news from AAA that the Nationwide average cost of fuel has dropped to $2.32 per gallon, with many locations seeing the price per gallon as low as $1.99.  

To see how your state fairs compared to the other 48, visit the AAA fuel gauge site! 

So, what's the cheapest you remember ever paying for a tank of gas (or diesel) or even the price per gallon?  Tell us about your earliest memories of fueling up!

Ask Joe Mechanic: Tips for Choosing the Right Mechanic

Do your research before selecting a new mechanic.

Change is not always easy.  Especially when it comes to selecting a new mechanic, garage or service center to work on your family’s vehicles.  So, what steps can you take to make this selection process a little easier?   Not to worry, we’ve got you covered with some quick and easy tips to lessen the stress of picking a new mechanic.

·      Ask your family, friends or loved ones where they take their vehicles.  Nothing speaks volumes to the credibility of garage’s capabilities then getting a recommendation from those folks that you trust the most.

·      If you have a particular garage in mind – search for mentions of them on social media.  In a digital era wherein many customers are taking to Twitter, Facebook and similar websites to share their experiences with businesses, you’re bound to find reviews and ratings of the garage you’re considering.

·      Test-drive a new mechanic with a smaller project.  Before your vehicle requires a major repair, take it in for an oil change; tire rotation or similar type of service to get a feel for the customer service, quality of work, etc of the new location.  If you find yourself unhappy with the garage, at least you won’t be stuck with a big bill for a big repair.

·      Visit your local chamber of commerce and ask their staff for recommendations of member garages that have a solid reputation with nearby residents and other member businesses for quality of service.

·      Check with your Better Business Bureau location.  Since auto mechanics as a category of businesses tend to receive a great deal of complaints with the BBB, you can review their records to determine which garages in your area to avoid.

·      Find a mechanic that specializes in your particular model or make of vehicle.  A specialized mechanic is bound to know the ins and outs of your vehicle better than a generalist would.

There are a number of other tactics you can employ to narrow down your search for a qualified service center.  A few examples, check out certifications, look for a convenient location and stop by and ask questions about their service record.  Keeping all these things in mind should make your shopping around process a good deal less stressful.

Ask Joe Mechanic - Gifting a Car for Christmas

Many of us parents have considered whether or not we would be wise to give the gift of an automobile to our child for Christmas.  The thought of how their young face will light up with delight when they realize what is “under” the tree this year can bring a parent as much joy and delight as it does their recipient kid.  However, to do the automobile gift giving right, you must follow several steps put forth by the state of Pennsylvania. 
So, before you undertake this magnitude of gift giving, lets us help you make sure you have crossed all of your merry “t’s” and dotted all of your holiday “i’s”!  We will examine the steps need to do this in the state of Pennsylvania.

• To get started, make sure you have the vehicle title.
• If you’ve lost the title, you’ll need to apply for a replacement before you can gift the auto.
• PennDOT requires that you work with a notary to transfer a vehicle to your child.
• You’ll need to take your driver’s license and a recent bank statement, pay stub or utility bill with you to complete the title transfer.
• The recipient of the gifted vehicle will need to accompany you to the notary.
• The two of you will need to fill out the applicable sections of the title document to complete the transfer and sign it.
• Both the gift giver and recipient need to complete an Affidavit of Gift document (form MV-13ST) while at the notary.
• And with check or money order, the title transfer fee will need to be paid to complete the transaction. 
• Following the completion of the transaction, your kid has ten days to get the vehicle inspected by a garage or mechanic.
• Of course, auto insurance in order to legally drive the vehicle is a must-have as well.

Another angle of gifting an automobile is that of charitable giving.  Donating your vehicle to an automotive charity drive as part of your yearend giving is both an admirable thing.  Before giving, make sure you are familiar with the donation requirements of your state.  In Pennsylvania, if you want to donate a vehicle, you must fully own the vehicle and need to have the title to accompany it, or you cannot donate it.  If you’ve misplaced the title, than apply for a replacement before donation.

If you decide to gift or donate a vehicle this Christmas season, make yourself familiar with your states requirements, follow those steps and you can take some of the tedium out of the process.  Tis the season and we wish you ‘happy automobile giving and donating!’

Information for this article was sourced from www.DMVanswers.com.

Ask Joe Mechanic - Winter Driving Tips

             Since we have had a few minor weather inconveniences due to snow and ice, I felt it necessary to review important things to consider when driving in winter conditions.  We already covered getting your car prepared for winter, but it is also important to prepare yourself for everything that winter can throw at you.

             The first thing is preparation. Now is the time to get all the things ready that you should have in your vehicle just in case you have a problem this winter. If you live in an area where winter can strike early and hard, such as around Hazleton as I have experienced, all of these items can prove of great importance, and in extreme cases, could mean the difference between life and death! A winter survival kit should include; a snow shovel (collapsible ones are handy and do not take up much space), a scraper/snow brush, tire chains if you travel in an area that gets a lot of snow, a flashlight with extra batteries, a bag of cat litter, sand or salt incase you get stuck, jumper cables, flares or an emergency triangle, and a bright colored cloth to signal for help.

You should also have a tight-sealing container in which you pack candles, matches or lighter, bottled water and snacks such as energy bars. Some of the most important things you should have in your car during the winter are; mittens or insulated gloves and a ski mask, a sleeping bag or blankets, first aid supplies, and any prescription medications for at least 2 days including diabetic supplies and a fully charged cell phone. I know this list sounds extensive and maybe a bit extreme, but it is much better to be over prepared than to be stranded and possibly not see help for a couple days.  This happened to man from Pine Grove a few years ago, he was on his way home from work on RT 501 just a few miles north a Myerstown and got stuck.  His car sat completely buried on the roadway in a drift for three days until he was rescued.

            When you experience bad weather, it’s also imperative to use common sense. As soon as roads become slick, slow down and increase the distance between you and the vehicle in front of you. If someone insists on following you too closely, pull over when safe and let them pass. One fallacy that many fall victim to is that ‘I have a 4WD so I do not have to worry.’ Yes, 4WD definitely gives you more traction and gets you moving better, but, most 4WDs are heavier vehicles and that extra weight will actually increase braking distances on slick roads. Also, on ice, 4WD actually can be more tricky while under power and stopping. Giving extra room not only allows you more chance to stop, but if the vehicle in front of you or an oncoming vehicle has problems, you have more time and space to take evasive action.

            If you find yourself in a skid, there are a number of things to remember and to consider depending on the situation. If the rear wheels are skidding, take your foot off the gas and steer in the direction that the car is sliding. If the front wheels skid, take your foot off the gas, shift into neutral and allow the car to slow itself and then start to apply light braking and steer in the direction you want to go. Even an expert can sometimes have trouble recovering from a skid. Snow tires can aid you in snow, but they will not make much difference on ice unless they are studded. 

            Should your car break down or you become stuck, there are a few things to remember. If you are able, try to get your car safely off the road surface. Put out flares or the warning triangle to increase your visibility with other drivers. If you are stuck, you should try to shovel your vehicle out, use some abrasive material for traction and see if you can rock yourself free. If you are unable to get free, make a call for help, but do not over use your phone as to retain its charge. You can run your engine for heat about ten minutes every hour, but leave a window open slightly for ventilation and always keep snow clear of your exhaust to prevent carbon monoxide buildup. Use your blankets or sleeping bag to keep warn and ration yourself on your snacks and water so that you do not exhaust your supply. Also remember that you can eat snow for your thirst, but not too much at once as this can lower body temperature. And, make sure it’s not yellow!

            Remember, some prior preparation, and use of common sense may prevent a very dangerous situation from developing!