Thom's Four Wheel Drive

With forest fires continuing to burn throughout the West, the non-profit Car Care Council reminds car owners to have their cabin air filters inspected and changed regularly. This simple, yet important, service will help ensure vehicle longevity as well as clean air inside the car. “With the amount of smoke and debris caused by forest fires, it is very likely that cabin air filters in the vicinity have been severely affected,” said Rich White, executive director, Car Care Council. “Cabin air filters are the first line of defense against contaminants that reduce vehicle cabin ... read more

Many drivers may feel that they don’t have the time or money to address vehicle repairs immediately, but beware that ignoring some repairs can get you pulled over and even ticketed, says the Car Care Council. “Ignoring certain vehicle repairs may seem to save money in the short term but can lead to extra costs, such as fines or ‘fix-it’ tickets, if these problems are not taken care of when they arise,” said Rich White, executive director, Car Care Council. “In some jurisdictions, car owners may even lose their license for certain violations. A few dollars s ... read more

About 87 percent of Americans dislike something about shopping for cars at dealerships, and more than half would rather buy or sell a car from home. If you’re considering buying a car privately — perhaps you’re looking for a particular vehicle or you simply find a seller with the right car at the right time — follow these do’s and don’ts to make a private purchase a happy transaction for both sides. When you’re looking Do your research. Know what type of vehicle you’re looking for and what buyers typically pay for a c ... read more

A properly operating brake system is critical to safe vehicle operation and control under a variety of conditions. Brake Safety Awareness Month is the ideal time to stop and make sure your brakes are working properly before the new school year and colder temperatures arrive. “When it comes to vehicle safety, the brake system is at the top of the list,” said Rich White, executive director, Car Care Council. “Motorists can put a stop to any potential brake system problems by recognizing the signs and symptoms that their brake system may need maintenance or repair.” Brak ... read more

When your car is running, there are thousands of small explosions inside your engine every minute. Each one produces power by pushing against the engine’s pistons. But the explosions also produce leftover gases. They’re made up of potentially dangerous chemicals such as carbon dioxide, carbon monoxide, hydrocarbons and nitrogen oxides. These gases need to be routed away from the engine compartment so they don’t get into the cabin, and then into your lungs. That’s the basic job of a car’s exhaust system. In modern-day vehicles, exhaust systems play other roles, to ... read more