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Slippery as Ice (Driving on Wet Leaves)

Thu, 26 Sep 2024 11:06:17 GMT

We all know driving on slippery ice can be dangerous. What you might not know is that wet leaves can be just as slick. If you live in an area that has trees that drop their leaves, or if you're traveling in an area where the fall foliage is worth a look, here are a few things that could help you avoid an accident.

Leaves are similar to ice when they get wet in that they create a barrier between the road and your tires. With ice, it's a layer of water. With leaves, it's the slippery surface they have on both sides added to a layer of water.

Some tests have shown that stopping distances more than double when you're traveling on a road with wet leaves compared to that same street that's dry and clear of debris. If you find yourself skidding on wet leaves, use the same driving techniques as you would on ice. Speed is your biggest enemy when you encounter any slippery surface, so just slow down when you are driving into any slick situation.

Having tires with enough tread will help you in challenging road conditions. Your Griesbach Auto Service Advisor is a good one to discuss this and can help you choose the right tire for your driving habits. After all, your tire is the point of traction between the road and your vehicle. Also, this might be a good time to have your tires evaluated. How is your tread depth? What condition is the rubber in your tires? Rubber doesn't age like a fine wine; it gets more brittle with age and can start to deteriorate not only because of the wear and tear it takes but simply from the number of years that have passed since your tires were manufactured.

And just remember always to keep an eye on the road ahead and never drive too fast for conditions, wet leaves or not. It's a simple tip to remember, and it really works.

The Griesbach Auto Service Guide to Safe Towing for Weston Drivers

Thu, 26 Sep 2024 11:05:25 GMT

Let's talk about towing safety in Weston and Wausau. Too often Weston & Wausau drivers just slap a trailer on the hitch and take off. But there are safety considerations to protect your tow vehicle, comply with WI laws and limit your liability.

Know your tow vehicle. Your options will affect the tow rating, so you need to carefully read the towing section of your manufacturer's owner's manual to know how much your vehicle can tow.

Know the weight limits of your trailer hitch. It will have a maximum tongue limit and an overall limit.

Know your hitch type: a weight-distributing hitch may be required by your manufacturer for certain trailer weights.

Know the towing laws for the areas in which you'll be towing as they may have stricter equipment requirements.

Your owner's manual will also give you some help in determining how to calculate how much weight you can tow. It's more complicated than the maximum weight the marketing guys trumpet. There are two codes Weston drivers can find on the driver's side door. One is GVWR – or Gross Vehicle Weight Rating. This is the maximum weight of the tow vehicle, including passengers and cargo.

The other is GCWR – or Gross Combined Weight Rating. This is the combined weight of the vehicle, passengers, cargo and loaded trailer.

Every locality requires safety chains and they also have regulations for when trailer brakes are required in WI. And the tires on your vehicle and trailer should be in good condition and have the proper load rating. Your suspension should be inspected to make sure it can handle the load. Also your transmission may need additional fluid cooling, so check with your friendly and knowledgeable Griesbach Auto Service INC. service advisor about adding a transmission cooler and/or performing maintenance.

Carefully follow your vehicle's towing guidelines to maximize your safety, protect your vehicle from damage and protect yourself from liability.

A quick note on your trailer: wheel bearings on trailers are often neglected by Weston & Wausau drivers. They need to be serviced on schedule to avoid failure. This is especially important for trailers that are driven through water. We can help you at Griesbach Auto Service INC. in Weston or Wausau. Give us a call.

What Causes Gasoline Odors

Thu, 26 Sep 2024 11:03:14 GMT

A driver recently noticed that her garage had begun to smell like gasoline after she parked her vehicle inside. Her Check Engine light had also just come on. This was something she'd never experienced before. So, she called up her Griesbach Auto Advisor and asked what was causing it.

The answer, of course, is that many things can cause a sitting vehicle to smell like gasoline fumes. But it can sometimes be tricky to track down the source, so here are a few things you can look for that may help your Griesbach Auto technician pinpoint the origin of the odor.

Gasoline odors can be caused by a leak somewhere in the fuel system, meaning gasoline can be dripping out. Some possibilities? It could be a break in a fuel line. You could have a leaky fuel-injection line or injector. There's a vent for your fuel tank that may also leak. The fuel filler neck can wear out and fail. One thing you should look for is to see if there are any puddles of gasoline on the floor of your garage. Any time there is gasoline sitting around, it can be dangerous. Fumes can be a health hazard, and you know gasoline can catch fire if exposed to a flame or spark.

A couple of other causes of gas smells? Your vehicle may have a charcoal canister which stores excess fuel vapor. If it cracks or its seal is damaged, you may smell a strong gasoline odor. This may also cause your Check Engine light to come on. And don't rule out something as obvious as your gas cap. It may be loose or worn out, so it doesn't seal the fumes in. A leaky, loose, or missing gas cap may also cause the Check Engine light to come on.

Whatever the cause, if your garage has started to smell strongly of gasoline, call your Griesbach Auto Service center before you attempt to start the vehicle. Fire risk is high, so you may be advised to have your vehicle towed to the service center. Gasoline is the source of your engine's power. If that power is unleashed in an uncontrolled way, it could hurt or kill you or others around you.