Garcia Honda Blog

Washing your car is a mundane task, one that often falls by the wayside the older a vehicle gets. However, it's in your best interest to wash your vehicle on a regular basis, and it's not only because you want it to keep looking good. Here are a few other benefits.

Dirt left on your vehicle can lead to damage such as scratches and other exterior damage that will decrease its value. Rust can also occur, which will increase damage and decrease value even more. A good washing will also make your car more fuel efficient.

Regular washings…

Gone are the days when the pickup truck was a working vehicle designed to carry cargo with little concern for the cab occupants. Today, pickups with differently designed cabs are seen throughout Albuquerque.

The regular or standard cab still exists, often with two bucket seats limiting occupancy. The demand for more space for passengers led manufacturers to the super cab with two rows of seats and four doors, the two rear doors being suicide doors that will not open unless the front doors are open. 

What options do you have to avoid a repossession? Well, in many cases, you don’t have to lose your vehicle at all. You can simply talk to your loan company and get an extension or even see about a refinance option. While some companies won’t offer any additional options, there are times when you have positive equity that you can trade the vehicle in for something much smaller and more affordable.

If you want to trade in your vehicle, then you want to make sure you’re in a positive equity state. Otherwise you may have to downsize…

We here at Garcia Honda Albuquerque are totally stoked about the new IIHS ratings for Lower Anchor and Tethers for Children (LATCH) systems. The ratings can help us and you select vehicles whose LATCH systems are rated for sturdiness and accessibility. Here's the fine print.

Why IIHS LATCH Ratings Are a Wonderful Thing

LATCH systems help you best install a car seat. However, not all LATCH systems are created equal. Some are hard to figure out and use, and a challenging LATCH system often results in incorrect car seat installation and tethering.

Good, Acceptable, Marginal and...

 

You did not see the rock shooting up toward your windshield until it was too late. Now, you are left with a damaged windshield. We want you to know how to care for your car and how to deal with chips and cracks in the windshield.

It is important that you consider replacing your windshield rather than just repairing it if seeing the spot where it has been repaired will bother you. If you want your windshield to be free of any kinds of blemishes, you must have it replaced. Chips that are repaired still show up on the windshield…

At Garcia Honda Albuquerque we care about our customers understanding how their cars work to be informed vehicle owners. Knowing what the most common fluid leaks are and how to detect them is essential. Two of the most common leaks that vehicles experience are water and oil.

Water leaks aren't any cause for concern. A vehicle drains water that results from using the air conditioning out through a hose. The hose is in the front right area of the vehicle for most cars. If you have dual climate control, there may be a hose in the front and the…

Have you noticed a product recall for your vehicle before? These are important to pay attention to. Typically, if you have a vehicle under recall, you may be in danger because of a defect that causes your car to do something like go off the road or completely shut down. There are numerous reasons why manufacturers issue recalls, but it's important to remember that your vehicle needs to be reported as part of a recall if you want to collect any money back or get a replacement.
 

Although it may seem innocuous, the tire pressure and tread work hand in hand to ensure that you have a safe ride every time you take to the roads. In addition to giving you peace of mind in any road condition, proper tire pressure can also improve gas mileage.

Without the optimal amount of tread, tires will lose traction and not perform as well in wet or icy conditions. To check the tread, simply insert a penny into the groove with Lincoln's head upside-down but showing. If you can see all of the head, it is time to look…

At Garcia Honda Albuquerque, our service mechanics are always ready to provide you with assistance. Keeping your vehicle maintained is one of the best ways to extend the life of your vehicle's engine. A timing belt serves an important purpose because it helps certain components in your engine function properly.

A timing belt keeps the camshaft and crankshaft in sync to help the cylinders fire at the proper time. It also controls the valves and pistons inside the engine so that they open at the right time.

 

The staff here at Garcia Honda Albuquerque understands that not everybody is as experienced with cars as we are. However, we believe that helping our customers to learn more about their vehicle is the best way to help them get the most out of it.

One aspect of the vehicle that many drivers are somewhat unfamiliar with is the alternator. This oft-forgotten piece of machinery is what keeps the energy flowing into your car's electrical components and keeps your battery charged up. If your alternator should ever happen to die, your battery won't be too far behind it…