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You might have heard a lot of different things about motor oil through the years, and you might be curious to know which things are truth and which are fiction. We are here to clear up some of the common myths about motor oil that you might have been led to believe as truth.

You might have heard that motor oil is for sure bad and ready for a change when it is black in color. That is not always true as the oil will become black from use but the color does not necessarily signify anything bad. You might…

If the belts and hoses on your vehicle are close to failing, they tend to exhibit warning signs that will give you plenty of time to make the repair, if you know what to look for.

The hoses carry fluids from the engine to other parts and back, and need to be in top shape or leaks and then overheating will occur. The hoses usually will appear to have cracks on the surface or be very brittle. Feel for soft spots or bulges in the rubber too.

Belts must be in top form to easily power parts like the water…

The place where the “rubber meets the road” is one of the most important for car performance and driver safety. Spotting problems with tires that signal the need for replacements is relatively simple. Every driver in Honolulu should visually inspect their car’s tires on a regular basis, or whenever a change in the “feel” of driving a car shifts suddenly.

One of the simplest visual methods for tire inspection is standing in front of your car, while looking at each tire’s side walls. Any prominent bulges indicate weak spots from wear. Also, take note of the brand lettering…

When it comes to the tires on your vehicle, pressure is important. If you drive your car around with tires that have low pressure, you are going to wear down your tires quickly. Tires that are not inflated properly are at risk to pop when driving down the road.

If you have your tire pressure light go on in the car, it's time to check the pressure of all four tires. Check your owner's manual to see what the correct pressure of your tires should be. Add air to any tire that isn't up to the right…

Hydroplaning is when your car starts to slide on the road because the roads are wet. Driving too fast on badly worn tires can cause your car to hydroplane easily. If you are driving down the road and you feel like your car isn't gripping the road, it's time to slow down.

At Acura of Honolulu, we recommend having your tires rotated every 5,000 miles or so. This is generally done at routine oil changes. When you keep the tread on all four tires even, your vehicle will grip the road more easily.

If the weather gets…

Cars stop running and suffer other operational problems on the road all the time. Knowing how to handle a roadside emergency may both increase safety and cut short travel delays. Often, dealing with a roadside emergency requires little more than following a few basic insights.

Be sure to keep helpful things in the car. A cellphone rests at the top of the list. Maybe put a spare disposable phone in the glove compartment just in case. Blankets and water in the trunk might help, too. Flares could prove beneficial in low-light situations.

Safety becomes the number one priority....

Headlight maintenance, along with other car maintenance needs, is incredibly important for you to have a safe trip, especially during the season changes. Since the evening is creeping along at a much earlier time, it would be a good idea to get your headlights checked to make sure that you:
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Headlight maintenance is very important -- without working headlights, not only can you cause a great deal of harm to yourself and others but you can potentially get your license taken…