Sniffing Out a Problem
April 25, 2021
Your parents probably taught you to have common sense. When it comes to your vehicle, common scents can also come in handy. Different smells may tell you about some conditions in your vehicle that need attention. For example, you know what rotten eggs smell like. If you smell them around your ve... More
When "Shady" is a Good Thing
April 18, 2021
Just like your skin can burn from too much sun, so can the paint on your vehicle. It can turn dull, oxidize and fade the more ultraviolet rays beat down on it. One solution is to park in a shady spot, or you can buy a cover for your vehicle and put it on when you know it's going to be sitting in... More
Upgrade Shocks for Better Handling in Grand Rapids
April 11, 2021
Many Grand Rapids drivers probably don't think of their shock absorbers as an important safety system; but that's just what shocks and struts are. They're all about ride control keeping your vehicle tires in contact with the road and managing body motion.Every time you hit a bump or pothole on ... More
Drive Defensively in Michigan
April 7, 2021
Car care is part of auto safety in Grand Rapids. But the most important thing we can do to improve safety on Michigan roads is to drive safely.Defensive driving begins with the proper attitude. Have in mind that you won't let anyone take your safety away from you. You'll be aware of your surroun... More
Automotive Tips from Tuffy Grand Rapids - Fuller Ave.: Battery Testing
April 6, 2021
The simple fact is that 70% of car batteries fail within 4 years. They just need to be replaced at Tuffy Grand Rapids - Fuller Ave. when they are no longer able to hold a full charge.Batteries are a big ticket item for most Grand Rapids drivers and its tempting to put off buying a new one as long... More
Automotive Tips from Tuffy Grand Rapids - Fuller Ave.: When to Replace a Damaged Tire
April 5, 2021
Repair or Replace? Thats a question Grand Rapids drivers ask when they have tire damage. Some punctures cannot be repaired because of their size or location. Punctures larger than a quarter of an inch (6.4 mm) are considered too large to be safely repaired. Punctures in the sidewall or near the s... More
No Strain, No Gain (The Basics of Oil Filters)
April 4, 2021
Ever wonder what one of the best things is to ever happen to your vehicle's engine? It's the little thing that usually looks like a can, the oil filter. Just like your kitchen sink strainer filters out errant particles of food from clogging your drain, the oil filter cleans out small particles t... More
All Lined Up: Wheel Alignment Service at Tuffy Grand Rapids - Fuller Ave.
April 4, 2021
When all of your vehicle's wheels are lined up exactly with each other, your wheels are in alignment. Hitting a road hazard or even just the normal bumps and bounces of everyday driving in Grand Rapids can cause your vehicle's wheels to be out of alignment.Driving for an extended time around Gra... More
Give it the Boot (Ball Joint Boot Replacement)
April 3, 2021
Your vehicle may be wearing boots right now and you might not even know it. They're called ball joint boots. They're actually protective, flexible things that protect parts of your suspension (called ball joints) from all the hazards the road can fling at them. If one of those ball joint boots... More
Busted: The Maintenance-Free Myth in Grand Rapids
April 2, 2021
There's a segment of the Grand Rapids area population that's not committed to proper vehicle maintenance. Now, the ignition system in your vehicle is electronic and controlled by the engine management computer. Spark plugs rarely get fouled and will last for as much as 100,000 miles (160,000 ki... More