Thom's Four Wheel Drive

Singing in the rain is fun. But driving? For some people, it's anxiety-producing. According to the U.S. Department of Transportation (http://www.ops.fhwa.dot.gov/weather/g1_roadimpact.htm), there are on average more than 950,000 automobile crashes each year due to wet pavement, resulting in approximately 4,700 deaths and 384,000 injuries. But being behind the wheel and a rain-splattered windshield doesn't have to be a white-knuckled, nerve-racking experience. Brent Praeter, a supervising instructor at D&D Driving Sch ... read more

Before you hit the road this summer, make sure your vehicle is road trip ready so you can have any problems fixed before you go. A pre-trip vehicle checkup will help avoid the inconvenience, potential safety hazards and unplanned expense of breaking down miles away from home, says the non-profit Car Care Council. Check filters and fluids, including engine oil, antifreeze/coolant, windshield washer and power steering, brake and transmission fluids. Dirty air filters can waste gas and cause the engine to lose power. Check the hoses and belts and replace if they become cracked, brittle, frayed ... read more

It's time to be seriously thinking about Mother's Day. A great place to look for useful ideas is her driver's seat, especially if Mom spends a lot of time behind the wheel. Her vehicle is her home away from home and gifts that enhance her enjoyment of that second home are likely to be appreciated, suggests the Car Care Council. We tend to gravitate toward gifts like jewelry, a framed photo or flowers. But why not break from the traditional and dress up her car? Maybe she's always wanted a sunroof or a cool sound system. Her wish could come true, w ... read more

The top 10 check engine light repairs from the annual CarMD® Vehicle Health Index™ reinforces what the Car Care Council has been saying for years. Motorists who ignore the check engine light get less miles per gallon and could face costly repairs down the road. “Many people fear that when the check engine light comes on, it is going to mean several hundred or more dollars in repairs, so they ignore the light and hope the problem goes away,” said Rich White, executive director, Car Care Council. “Data from CarMD makes it clear that not addressing the cause of a ... read more

April 15 has come and gone, which means millions of Americans have filed their tax returns and are anxiously waiting for their refunds to come through. For many, the prospect of getting money back is the only bright point in this otherwise chaotic period. But the effort that goes into filing taxes may be worthwhile for individuals across the country.  Yahoo Autos reported that the Internal Revenue Service will pay an average refund of $2,815 to each filer. That ... read more