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Question: My new car has a “GDI” engine. What does that mean to me and other BEMIDJI vehicles with this new type of engine? Kenny's Clark And Goodyear Answer: GDI stands for Gasoline Direct Injection. It's a type of fuel injection system that is becoming very popular on modern engines. Let's talk about the two most common forms of fuel injection. Port Fuel Injection has been common in BEMIDJI vehicles for the last several decades. With this type, there is a small port just outside the cylind...

  You can make your vehicle tires last longer with regular tire rotation and wheel balancing. Let's start with tire rotation. In normal driving around BEMIDJI MN, your front tires wear more on the shoulders because they handle much of the cornering forces in turns. Front-wheel drive vehicles have even more force on the front tires. We rotate the tires so that all of the tires do some duty on the front end as well as getting a little break on the back end. That way, all four tires wear more ev...

  Let's debunk some of the myths about diesel powered vehicles. 1. Diesel Burns Dirty This was true years ago. Since 2006, however, U.S. diesel vehicles have been required by law to use ultra-low-sulfur diesel or USLD. Modern diesels are soot-free and have a smaller carbon footprint. 2. Diesels Are Sluggish Not any more. They are as fast off the line as similar gasoline-powered cars. If your idea of fun is to spend an afternoon test-driving new cars, go take a spin in a diesel BMW or Porsche....

  Question I’m Alex.  My Check Engine Light came on.  I’ve tried several things to make it go off, but nothing has worked.  What should I do? Answer Like Alex, most of us have experienced a check engine light coming on suddenly.   We’re frustrated because we don’t know why.  Of course, that’s perfectly understandable: There are hundreds of reasons for the check engine light to come on – and there’s only one light. Alex said she tried several things to get the light to go off – but it di...

A blown tire can ruin more than just your day. Tire trouble can cost you money, time, or even damage your vehicle. Sometimes there is no warning your tire is about to blow. Road debris can cause a sudden puncture and there won’t be much you can do, but most tire issues can be prevented with simple monitoring and maintenance. Check out our list of basic tire maintenance below.   Check Your Tire Pressure The PSI of your tires varies depending on the type of tire you have and the type of driving ...

Some people love winter. They love the snow, the snap in the air, the short days and the cozy nights at home. Others can’t stand it for many of the same reasons. Regardless of whether you love it or hate it, though, chances are you’re going to have to get out and drive in it at some point. We’ve got a few suggestions to help you through the winter safely:    Make sure you’ve got a well-maintained car. This includes fresh windshield wipers, proper tire inflation, a strong battery, a proper...

Your tires are a big investment, and while it’s easy to just take them for granted, you want them to last through their entire warranty phase (at least). Here are some tips on how to get the most life out of a set of tires:   Tire Rotations — No vehicle has 50/50 weight distribution from front to rear, and front tires see a different set of stresses from braking and cornering. Rotating your tires at 5,000-mile intervals ensures even wear and good drivability and handling.   Proper Inflation —...

Have you ever gotten a little too excited using your parking brake? At some point, most of us pull up just a little too hard and get our brake lever jammed. There are several situations that require a little extra braking power. Knowing when and how to use your brake will help you avoid sticky situations.    When should I use my parking brake? If you drive a manual transmission, you might use your emergency brake every time you park your vehicle. You might even be using it when you are driving!...

We frequently get questions about all-season tires when consumers are trying to make the right purchasing decision for a set of new tires. As the title of the blog asks… “Are all-season tires really all-season?”   The answer is: It that depends on what part of the country you’re living in.   All-season tires are a compromise from the very start. They’re designed for a forgiving ride, low noise, decent handling and good road manners. Maybe not as much as what a good set of grand touring tir...

Often, drivers are mystified by how their cars work. It’s to be expected. Even an older car is a complex machine with many sub-assemblies that all work together to move it down the road. As a result, drivers tend to be a little intimidated by auto repair and often tend to not inform themselves by asking the necessary questions of a tech or a garage. Too often, that ends up being a big mistake. Do you have car questions? Ask them!   Here are some examples of the kinds of things you really shoul...