The Little Valve that Could (PCV Valve Replacement)
May 28, 2023
It's easy to get letters like PVC and PCV mixed up. PVC is a plastic that's used in a lot of things, especially plumbing pipes. And PCV is a valve that helps your engine burn off excess fumes rather than having them pollute our atmosphere. PCV stands for positive crankcase ventilation. When y... More
Not-So-Common Sense (Sensor Failures)
May 21, 2023
So your vehicle won't start. What's the first thing that comes to mind? Battery dead? Starter motor worn out? Out of gas? Well, those are all reasons that make sense. But your vehicle may be refusing to start because one of its computers is being warned that to do so might damage it. Here's ... More
Beware Dangers of Spring Driving (Seasonal Driving Tips)
May 14, 2023
Sure, winter is quickly fading in the rearview mirror, but the peril of icy roads is replaced with a whole new set of driving challenges in spring. Deer and other wildlife. You are not the only one who gets spring fever. Animals do, too, and spring is the time they start looking for mates and fo... More
Keeping Your Cool (Water Pump Replacement)
May 7, 2023
No matter what the temperature is outside, it's important for your vehicle's engine to remain cool, calm, and collected. Well, cool, anyway. If your vehicle has a gasoline engine, it's powered by a bunch of explosions involving spark plugs, pistons, gasoline, and air. And the by-product of all ... More
Restore Your Get-Up-and-Go (Fuel and Air Induction Cleaning)
April 30, 2023
You may have heard the old saying, "My get-up-and-go got up and went." If your vehicle's engine's fuel economy is noticeably worse, your engine is idling roughly or stalling or your vehicle's acceleration isn't what it used to be, ask your service advisor if you might need your vehicle's fuel and... More
A Head Start on Starting (Battery Testing)
April 23, 2023
If your vehicle isn't starting or doesn't sound like it used to when you crank it, the culprit may be the battery. You may have left a light on, or something plugged into one of charging ports. Maybe you accidentally left your vehicle in the "on" or "accessory" position when you last got out. M... More
Keeping Your 'Old Faithful' Auto Running
April 16, 2023
At Tuffy Tire & Auto Service Glendale Heights we've had a lot of Glendale Heights customers asking how they can make their vehicles last longer. These questions are actually a reflection of a trend that's been building for several years in Illinois. The median age of personal vehicles is now over... More
For 4x4s (Maintenance of 4x4 Vehicles)
April 9, 2023
Some people love 4x4 vehicles, the true 4-wheel drive works of engineering like Jeeps and 4x4 pickups that allow you to seemingly go anywhere on the planet. You can climb up a 40-degree rock trail with some planning and skill (always careful to protect the environment, of course), or you can get ... More
Automotive Tips from Tuffy Tire & Auto Service Glendale Heights: Making Your A/C System Last Longer
April 2, 2023
Glendale Heights drivers know that if their air conditioning system isnt making cool air like it used to, there is a problem. It may be as simple as adding more of the right kind of refrigerant.Your A/C requires special compressor oil, which circulates through the system along with the refrigeran... More
I Want a New Vehicle. Or Do I? (Vehicle Maintenance Payoffs)
March 26, 2023
Spring is a peak season for vehicle sales; companies aggressively market new models and offer all sorts of incentives. So you may be tempted to buy a shiny new beauty. But should you? If you've regularly maintained the vehicle you're driving now, you probably don't NEED a new one. Even if your... More