Blog

Here at our Virginia Select Auto location, we try to do our best to help drivers and other road users to stay safe. When it comes to drivers like you, it is important to form fundamental driving habits that promote long-term safety. Two such healthful habits include leaving plenty of space while passing cyclists and properly using mirrors.

Cyclists and pedestrians have just as much right to use roads and sidewalks as drivers do. As such, drivers should always take care to allow at least 3-feet of space when passing cyclists on roads. By doing so, vehicle operators can add…

While knowing the signs of an exhaust leak is good, it is also good to know what you can do in order to prevent these. There are certain vehicles that are at a higher risk for springing a leak in the exhaust than others. There are a few factors to look at.

If you take short trips with your vehicle, then there is a higher risk factor for leaks. One problem is that the engine sometimes collects water in its muffler and pipes and it will just sit there because the engine is not hot enough to evaporate it. This…

At Virginia Select Auto we want you to enjoy all of your road trips! Whether you are coming to Amherst, or you are leaving the area for an adventure, we have a few tips that may save you some money along the way.

A good roadside assistance plan will help you save money in case you need a tow truck or a tire to be changed. You should also carry a first aid kit in your vehicle for minor scrapes and scratches. Pack a cooler and grill so you can cook food along the way. This will help you save…

Tis the season for afternoon showers. We are entering the rainy season in Amherst and our team at Virginia Select Auto wants to make sure all of our customers are aware of some helpful tips for driving in the rain.

One of the best things you can do when driving in the rain is just slow down. By slowing down and allowing for more space between your car and the car in front of you, you give yourself a better chance of being able to stop in case of an emergency. Another great tip is to not drive with cruise…

At Virginia Select Auto, our team tries to keep our Amherst consumers informed about their vehicles and how they function. Oversteer and understeer are two terms that are related to your vehicle's dynamics. Oversteer happens when your vehicle turns more than you want, and understeer happens when your vehicle turns less than what you want.

Vehicles that have front-wheel drive typically experience understeer, and rear-wheel drive vehicles usually experience oversteer. However, both drive systems can experience oversteer and understeer under the right circumstances.

 

 

When you're wondering if you need winter tires for driving in Amherst, the team at Virginia Select Auto will be ready to answer any of your questions. Having two sets of tires for your car or truck, one for slick winter conditions and one for warm and dry summer conditions, can improve the driving performance of your car.

All-weather tires are designed to work well in many conditions ranging from hot and sunny to wintery. When you need extra traction for driving in deep winter conditions, the softer rubber and deeper tread on winter tires will help you 

An important component of your car is the tire. If you have a blowout or if there are issues with your tires, then you usually won't be able to drive safely on the road until the issue is fixed. Fortunately, there are a few signs that indicate that your tires need to be replaced.

Low air pressure isn't normal unless there is a change in the temperatures. This could mean that there is something in your tire resulting in the pressure to drop. Another sign is uneven wear and tear. There are a few different reasons as to…

One of the main advantages to driving a truck is the ability to carry a lot of cargo in the bed. The issue of security comes up, though, especially if you often leave your truck unattended.

If you want to prevent others from seeing what you have in the bed, you can get a tonneau cover. This can either be a one-piece product or one that comes in multiple pieces that can fold together. Some of these covers can lock, and all of them can protect your cargo from the elements. One of the downsides, though, is that they affect…

We here at Virginia Select Auto of Amherst want to be sure you are informed about your vehicles suspension.

The most common explanation of what the suspension of a vehicle does is that it keeps you from feeling every little bump and pothole in the road. A suspension allows you to enjoy a smooth ride in the cabin of the car even on the worst road conditions. A lesser known use of a car suspension is to help your car handle better. Cars with aging suspensions typically handle far worse and are harder to control than newer cars with upgraded…

If your car is pulling to one side when you're trying to drive in a straight line, or it is vibrating at high speeds, it might be suffering from an alignment issue. A vehicle with proper alignment will have all four wheels pointing in the proper direction.

Hitting potholes, curbs, or other obstacles can knock wheels out of alignment and cause a variety of problems, such as uneven tire wear and poor gas mileage. Getting your alignment checked whenever you get an oil change can help you find small problems before they grow into something serious and expensive to…