A lot of people are easily worried about a lot of things about their car. One good example is with the car heater. They often approach us and ask, “Does your car heater waste gas?” This is not a silly question. As a matter of fact, a lot of car owners are really worried about wasting precious gas during winter.

To better answer the question, let’s try to understand first how the car heater works. We’ll explain the process for you to better understand how car heating works and whether or not you are wasting your gas when you are turning it on.

How Does the Car Heater Work?

When you have been using your car for some time, the engine heats up. In order to ensure that the engine does not overheat, water or coolant is circulated to take the heat from the engine into your radiator. Inside the radiator, heat is dumped to the outside air as the coolant cools down and makes another trip to the engine. This is how the engine cools itself off.

But when you turn on your car heater, the process changes a little bit. Instead of just dumping the excess heat to the outside air – coolant (which still carries the heat from the engine) goes into a small radiator located somewhere in your dashboard. A fan then turns on to direct the warm air from the radiator to the inside of your car.

So Does Your Car Heater Waste Gas?

Not necessarily.

It uses gas in the sense that it turns on a fan to direct the warm air inside the cabin of your car but the consumption is negligible at most. The heat being used is there for free and it’s only a matter of taking it from the engine into the cabin. As a matter of fact, one way to prevent overheating in the summer is to turn on the heater of your car. This helps the engine cool down by taking the water or coolant into another radiator where it can release its heat.

So, by all means, use your car heater when you feel like it. Unlike your A/C which can really affect your fuel consumption, a car heater has negligible effect ON your mileage.

How to Improve Fuel Consumption – The Basics

You might be a bit disappointed now knowing that turning off the car heater won’t affect your fuel consumption. However, we’d like to help you out by listing the best ways for you to save fuel that does not involve turning off the car heater.

• Turn off the A/C – Your A/C eats up a lot of fuel so you might want to step back from using them unnecessarily. Try driving with the windows down especially when the air is fresh.
• Drive smoothly – Sudden accelerations and “revving” your engine can affect your car’s fuel consumption. Pay attention to the road and drive smoothly as much as possible to increase mileage.
• Take a load off – Take off excess weight from your car. A heavy car consumes more fuel than a lighter one so take time to declutter your car or remove heavy items from the trunk. Remember to only carry the essentials as much as possible. Not using your roof rack? Remove it for now as the excess weight and drag it causes your car to eat up more fuel.
• Check the tires – Underinflated tires can cause your car to use more power to move. So if you are going on a long trip, make sure your tire pressure is correct to get more miles.

There are a lot of ways to increase your mileage but turning off your car heater is definitely not one. During winter, your car heater can be a lifesaver so it’s not advisable to skimp out on the heating just because you want to save on fuel. Have your car heater checked today with T3 Atlanta. Winter is just around the corner so you better make sure your car heater is in tip-top shape. Contact us today and let’s make sure you have a safe and comfortable ride.

One of the worst possible surprises in life is finding out your car is stolen. It’s just downright terrible. You wake up in the morning ready to take on the challenges of the day only to realize the car you parked in the curb last night is nowhere to be found. You’ve worked hours to get it and now somebody just swiped it away from you. There are countless of gadgets and gizmos out there that can help, but safety always starts with the owner. We’ve listed the best ways to prevent your car from getting stolen.

Ways to Prevent Your Car From Getting Stolen

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, one car gets stolen every 44 seconds in the US. Of this number, only half gets recovered. The other half is sold in underground black markets or take to chop shops for parts.

Nobody wants their beloved car in a chop shop. That’s why it’s always necessary to ensure that our cars don’t get stolen.

Have a Garage

This tip is not really applicable to all car owners but it’s arguably the best way to dissuade a thief from targeting your car. Most thieves look for the easiest pickings for a quick and clean job. Parking your car in your garage gives them a lot of problems which makes your car a little less enticing for them.

While renting a garage can be quite a hefty investment for those who live in the city, it can be worth it especially when your car is worth a lot.

Have a Well-Maintained Car

Following the ideas behind the broken windows theory, having a well-maintained car will make thieves think twice about jacking your car. When your car is visibly clean and obviously taken cared of, they will assume that you are keeping a close eye on your car or have an alarm installed. As what was mentioned on #1, they would rather go on the easy jobs than take a risk.

Have an Alarm Sticker or LED

When carjackers take a look at a line of cars, they don’t only consider which one will sell more. They will be looking for the one that won’t give them too much trouble. Just like how most homes have stickers saying “Protected by X Company” to deter thieves, keeping a sticker or alarm LED will do the same to carjackers. It doesn’t matter if the sticker or LED is true or not, they won’t take the risk of finding out.

Take Your Valuables With You

One mistake people make when they leave their cars parked outside is leaving the valuables inside – even if it’s out of sight in the glovebox.

Not only does this make your car a much better target for the carjackers, it also shows you are a bit careless. They will think you won’t have an alarm installed or you might even have left the doors unlocked.

Always Park in a Safe Zone

This is quite self-explanatory, if you park your car in an area with frequent cases of carjacking then the chances of your car getting stolen gets higher. If you don’t have a garage, try to park your car in a well-lighted area. A place with a neighborhood watch is also preferable.

Use the “Club”

There’s no big surprise that a metal bar is the most popular anti-theft device in the metropolitan areas of the country. While it is not 100% effective as there are still ways to take it off, it still works as a great “you’ll spend an extra 5 minutes to take this off” warning for would-be carjackers.

Drive a Manual

While this may sound like a funny thing to include in our list, multiple instances of would-be thieves thinking twice of stealing a car once they see a shift stick. So if you are thinking of getting a new car and would want to lessen its chances of getting stolen, think about getting a manual this time around.

Don’t Leave Your Car Running

This one is quite simple yet there are still people who take chances with leaving their cars running to grab something “fast”. You know what’s faster? A thief who can easily spot a driverless car that’s idling by the curb.

While thieves are getting more and more resourceful every day with their methods, one thing still rings true – they don’t want to get caught. So, take steps make your car a harder target for these carjackers.

How about you? What’s your #1 tip for keeping your car safe from getting stolen?

Here in T3 Atlanta, we often get asked a number of questions that range from the complicated to the “oh I never really thought of it like that”. Questions such as, “How long until I come back for another check?” to “How often should you wash your car?”, the latter being a common yet often difficult question to answer.

The thing is, depending on who you talk to, the answer to how often you should get your car washed can differ from daily to weekly to “when you feel like it”. That’s why instead of just answering your question, let’s try to talk about cleaning your car in general.

Why You Need to Clean Your Car

When you got your first car, your mom/dad/uncle/aunt probably told you to always clean your car mostly because they think it shows what kind of person you are. But aside from the aesthetic and social reasons, you have to realize that a clean car is a healthy car.

When you clean your car, you are not just making sure the Johnsons next door stop thinking you didn’t get that promotion. It also shows that you, as a person, respect your car and that you are taking good care of your machine.

How Often Should You Wash Your Car?

The idea is to wash your car regularly. However, regular differs from person to person. We often recommend washing your car at least every two weeks. This is recommended for people who don’t use their cars often and are living in areas with little to no hazards to the car (salt from the ocean for example).

If you do use your car every day, you might want to do a maintenance wash every few days while doing a thorough one at least once in two weeks. The maintenance wash ensures that your car is presentable enough to drive daily while the thorough wash lets you work on the accumulated dirt and grime on those hard to reach areas.

Car Washing Tips

People wash their cars differently. Some just go to the car wash while others like doing it on their very own homes. While there’s no “best” way to do it, there are some tips in washing a car that you should never forget. Here’s a short list for you.

• Pick the right soap: We want our car to look clean and shiny, so we listen to the age-old advice of using dish soap. While it does a good job in stripping away grease and wax, it’s a double-edged sword. As a result, the color of the car might dull and it will lose its shine. Always use soap that is formulated especially for cars, this ensures that the car retains its color and shine.
• Don’t let anything drop to the ground: Dropped your washing mitt? Don’t use it on the car right away. We can’t count how many clients have approached us regarding minor scratches on their cars due to this mistake. When your cleaning materials drop to the ground, they might gather debris that can end up ruining your ride. Find a different mitt or wash it thoroughly before using again.
• Use the power of steam: Got questionable odors inside your car? Before you go and grab the deodorizer, you might want to use steam or other waterless products first. The heat from the steam wash kills all bacteria in your car that can cause the odors. A steam wash is perfect if you accidents such as liquid or food spills are frequent inside your car. Another option is to opt for waterless car detailing or wash that cleans the interior of your car using highly concentrated chemicals. The results are undeniable and they often leave a nice smell.
• Don’t just spray deodorizer: Eager to use a deodorizer to finally say goodbye to that ominous odor coming from the back seat? Make sure you do it right. Start your engine and turn on the AC. Make sure the AC is on fresh air setting. Spray the deodorizer in the intakes of your car. While a bit more complicated, this allows the deodorizer to mix with the fresh air and helps it circulate in and around the inside of your car.

Don’t Forget to Wax

If you are not a big fan of washing your car frequently, having your car waxed can extend the time between washes. With a wax coating, your car will look shiny and new. A wax coating also protects the paint and prevent unwanted etching. A waxed up car is also easier to clean up as you can just easily wipe away dirt, grime, or sap.

Keep Your Car in Great Shape with T3 Atlanta

Your car can look perfect on the outside, but it’s important to make sure the inside of your car looks great too. Whether you need routine maintenance or more in-depth attention, call T3 Atlanta. We service Lexus, Infiniti, Nissan, and Toyota vehicles in Atlanta. We’ll make sure your car is working flawlessly to match how great it looks.

October is fall car care month, so now is the perfect time to get your car ready for the upcoming cold weather. Keeping up with your vehicle’s maintenance schedule is the best way to minimize long-term expenses later because you’re always up-to-date and in-the-know about what your car needs and when. Here’s your fall and winter car maintenance checklist for 2018.

Have You Changed Your Oil Recently?

Whether or not you adhere to the advice of changing your oil every 3,000 miles, keeping up with how much you drive and how often you change your oil can prolong the life of your engine. Fresh oil lubricates the engine’s interior parts and keeps them from seizing up or wearing excessively against each other. Older oil isn’t as effective at providing a cushion between metal parts, leading to premature wear and tear that leads to expensive repair bills.

Not sure the last time you changed your oil? It’s probably time to have your oil changed!

Test Your Car’s Heater

In Atlanta’s heat, you’ve no doubt made good use of your vehicle’s air conditioning system all summer. It may seem like the warm weather will continue for months to come, but the cold is approaching quickly. Test your car’s heater before the thermostat dips so that you don’t have to drive to work or school in the cold.

Check Your Tires for Wear and Damage

Your tires are easy to forget about, but the truth is that they undergo a remarkable amount of wear and tear even on a short grocery trip run. Having an adequate amount of tread will keep you on the road in wet and slick conditions, helping ensure that you and the drivers around you get where you’re going safely. Similarly, although Atlanta doesn’t typically get snowy weather, we do tend to get ice during the winter. Having tires with enough tread will help you keep traction during these wintry conditions.

Use the penny trick to see how much tread you have left. Insert a penny with Abraham Lincoln’s head in the tread of your tire. If you can see the top of his hair, it’s time to get new tires.

It’s also important to check your tires and wheels for bulges or signs of damage. Having a blown-out tire in the middle of a cold snap is the last thing you want to deal with!

Check Your Fluids and Add Antifreeze if Needed

Ideally, you should check your transmission fluid, power steering fluid, brake fluid, and all other essential fluids at the start of the fall. If you don’t have the capabilities to do so, don’t fret. Call T3 Atlanta and we’ll take care of this quick check for you.

Checking the level of your windshield wiper fluid and coolant is an easy project that goes a long way towards keeping your car in top shape during the winter.

Inspect Your Engine Compartment

Some areas in Atlanta are shaded by broadleaf trees, which are wonderful for shade in the summer. These same trees can shed leaves, needles, cones, and nuts that can gather underneath your hood if your car is parked outside. Check your engine compartment and clear away any debris that might have accumulated. While you’re at it, you can check to see if there are any signs of corrosion on your battery and take steps to remove the corrosion if needed.

Have a Fall Vehicle Inspection at T3 Atlanta

We service Toyota, Lexus, Nissan, and Infiniti vehicles at two convenient metro area locations in Smyrna and Decatur. T3 Atlanta can inspect your car’s hoses, brakes, fuel lines, steering and suspension system, battery, and more to make sure your car is in top shape for the winter. We’ll help you keep your car on its maintenance schedule and is ready for whatever the new season has to offer.

Atlanta drivers spend a lot of time in metro-area traffic. Between regular use, too much time between vacuums or car washes, or air filter replacements, your car can start to smell strange quickly. Here are five fast ways to keep your car smelling great so you can breathe easily during your weekday commute.

5 Fast Ways to Keep Your Car Smelling Great

1. Vacuum your car once a week

Whether you take your vehicle to a local car wash or pull out your handheld vacuum cleaner, vacuuming your car once a week can go a long way towards the air quality in your car. Crumbs in the seats and dirt and debris on the floor mats contribute to building odors. Getting rid of these culprits regularly helps prevent odors from building up over time.

Airing out your floor mats once a month (weather permitting) can help them stay fresher longer.

Note: Sprinkle baking powder on the seats and floorboard before vacuuming. The baking powder absorbs unpleasant odors naturally and will leave your car smelling fresh.

2. Hang an air freshener in your car

An air freshener is one of the most tried and true ways to keep your car smelling great. A standard air freshener might not get rid of odors, but it can help mask unpleasant smells. Similarly, you can place a scented (but unlit!) candle under your front seat to help mask the smell in your car.

Depending on your budget and the smell in your car, you may want to consider a car air freshener that contains deodorizing agents. Vent clip-ons can help circulate air fresheners throughout the vehicle’s cabin.

3. Deep clean your car’s interior

If the smell in your car is unbearable, it may be time to do a deep clean. Some car washes offer deep cleans, but you can also make an interior car wash an afternoon project. Just make sure it’s a sunny day!

Deep cleaning your car ideally includes the following:

• Leave the windows open to air out the vehicle while you are cleaning
• Spot clean stains on your upholstery, floor mats, and footwells
• Scrub your dashboard with a disinfectant
• Use window cleaner to scrub the interior-facing windows
• Use leather cleaner on your seats, if applicable
• Vacuum your car thoroughly, including the seats, floormats, footwells, and the crevasses between the seats
• Remove the floor mats from your car, shampoo them, and then air them out, ideally letting them hang from a line or draped over a balcony

Clean up food and drink spills as they happen before the odors have an opportunity to set. Regularly cleaning mistakes as they happen will also help reduce the amount of work you’ll need to do when it’s time to deep clean your car.

4. Deodorize your car naturally

There are a few different ways to deodorize your car naturally. These options absorb the smells and may take time to fully get rid of the unwanted odor.

• Place a box of baking soda in your car, much like you would in your fridge
• Fill a sock with coffee beans and place it underneath the driver’s seat
• Place some lumps of charcoal beneath the front seat
• Put an open box of dryer sheets beneath the front seat

As far as ways to keep your car smelling great, this method is effective but takes time. You may need to wait several weeks for these methods to take full effect depending on how strong the smell in your car is.

5. Replace your car air filter

Sometimes, the source of strange smells in your car isn’t in your vehicle’s cabin at all but is actually caused by your air filter. A strange odor in your car can be a sign that your air filter needs replacing.

Your air filter is easy to overlook when it comes to regular auto maintenance. It traps dust and other road debris and, much like the HVAC system in your home, needs to be replaced regularly. For the most part, you can expect to replace your air filter every 15,000 miles. The exact interval will depend on how often you drive and the types of road you drive (regular dirt road driving will lead to more frequent changes).

Car Air Conditioner Inspections and Repairs at T3 Atlanta

If you’ve tried every DIY suggestion to improve your car’s smell and nothing seems to improve the smell of your car, then it’s possible your air conditioner is the culprit. T3 Atlanta can determine if your air filter needs replacement or another component in your air conditioner needs work. Give us a call and book an appointment at one of our convenient metro area locations today!