Posted on 8/31/2020
Many drivers are abandoning their vehicles for the safety of their homes. It’s safer to work from home, do grocery pick-up, and fill your recreational time with activities that allow you to stay 6 feet apart. According to Inrix.com, a major traffic analytics company based in Washington, road travel was down by 38% during March’s last week. Cars are sitting around, not being driven. If your vehicle isn’t being driven, the gas inside your fuel tank can become stale and start to degrade. That leaves us wondering - why exactly does gas become stale? According to Greg Brannon, the Director of automotive engineering and industry relations for AAA, gasoline is a living chemical. Thus, with time, air, and condensation, it can break down and decompose. The lighter, volatile aspects of gas can evaporate, leaving the gas gummy in extreme cases. Gas can start to go bad after sitting for around three months. This gives room for alarm because if you ... read more
Posted on 7/31/2020
If you’re walking and notice your destination is directly across the street from you, but there’s no intersection, what do you do? You may consider just crossing the street. Depending on where you live, this occurrence happens more often than not. “Jaywalking” is a term that describes someone who crosses a road at a point where there isn’t a designated crosswalk. This is still an excellent term to describe that phenomenon; however, “jaywalking” has a more colorful history than you might expect. What is the history behind the word jaywalking? Jaywalking has to do with pedestrian safety. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administrations show that a considerable amount of pedestrian deaths occurs due to jaywalking each year. The term jaywalking originates from the early 20th century from the colloquial word “jay.” Jay refers to a silly or goofy person and carries a history of holding a derogatory meaning. Before the automobile ... read more
Posted on 6/30/2020
While lines along the road are a regular occurrence for most drivers, they can indicate different rules. The white lines on the road can be solid, doubled, or broken, leading to confusion. Below is a description of the different types of white lines that can be found on the road and what they mean. Solid white line: These lines usually indicate where the road’s shoulder begins. They indicate areas where lane changes are discouraged because they may present a higher accident risk. Solid double line: These lines are very different from one solid white line and are usually separated by a few inches. A solid double line indicates that it’s illegal to cross them to change lanes or at any time. Broken white line: A broken white line usually indicates an area where it’s considered reasonably safe to change lanes. Dashed white lines: A dashed white line may look similar to the broken white line, but the dashes are closer together. The dashes indicate tha ... read more
Posted on 5/29/2020
The summer months are the perfect time to head to the beach for some fun in the sun. With kids and college students out of school and the perfect weather, chances are you'll be using your vehicle much more during the summer to have fun and enjoy yourself. With using your vehicle more comes spending more money on gas, which means you may have to find some pocket change or find some ways in order to save money on fuel. We know that those gas costs can add up, and we want to help give you some tips and tricks that can make a difference when it comes to your vehicle's fuel efficiency. Here are some of our top ways to help you save money on fuel this summer: Driving safer and obey traffic laws. If you are constantly hitting the gas pedal, slamming on your brakes, or driving fast - you are using up more fuel than needed. By adjusting your driving habits, such as driving at the speed limit and allowing yourself plenty of time to ... read more
Posted on 4/30/2020
When it comes to owning a vehicle, the single most important thing that you can do is take care of your vehicle. Think about how much money you have spent on your car - most likely tens of thousands of dollars. Now, imagine blowing off a service because you don’t really think you need it, although it won’t cost you much and it actually will protect vital car components and extend the lifespan of your vehicle. Seems silly, right? Well, the truth is, a recent survey by the Car Care Council found that 89% of vehicles in use were in need of at least one service or repair. We understand that as a car owner, it can be difficult to bring your vehicle into a shop and trust that what the mechanics recommend is necessary to the overall integrity of your vehicle, and not just a way to get more money out of you. That is why it is so important to find an auto repair shop that you can actually trust and that will be 100% transparent with you. When you find a good auto repair shop, you&r ... read more
Posted on 3/26/2020
Here at LexBrodies, we understand the worry and uncertainty surrounding the current unprecedented times. The COVID-19 outbreak has continued to spread rapidly, and Hawaii residents have been order to stay at home when possible and to practice social distancing. This is all apart of an effort to stop the spread of the virus and minimize the amount of people who will required medical attention. If you're working from home or your place of work is temporarily closed, now is a great time to take care of any overdue car services you've been meaning to get done but haven't had time for. LexBrodies is open and ready to serve you. We have made several adjustments to our service to abide by the CDC's regulations and recommendations to stop the spread of the virus and to keep our customers and staff members safe. If your vehicle is due for an oil change, wheel alignment, brake service, or any other maintenance item or repair, give us a call today. We will get your s ... read more
Posted on 3/5/2020
Your vehicle should work smoothly without having to deal with major issues occurring such as overheating while on the road. If you do find that your vehicle's temperature gauge is running high or that your engine is overheating and shutting down your car, this is a major cause for concern. An engine overheating usually points to one thing - there is an issue with your vehicle's cooling system. The cooling system has the important job of circulating coolant and keeping your engine parts lubricate to protect them from overheating and regulating overall operation temperature. When your engine overheats, corrosion and damage can quickly occur, which can lead to you needing engine repairs. Here are some of the most common causes of vehicle overheating: Bad radiator Failing thermostat Faulty water pump Cracked or leaking radiator hose Faulty cooling fan Coolant leak Low coolant Failing fan switch This is why it is so important for you to bring your vehicle ... read more
Posted on 8/15/2017
The braking system on your car is one of the most important safety features on your vehicle and needs to be closely monitored. Properly maintaining your brakes will help keep your vehicle handling safely and can help prevent unexpected and escalating repair expense. It is important to realize that Hawaii’s driving, conditions are extremely hard on brakes. The traffic, hills, humidity, and the way you drive, all play a role on how long your brakes will last. Have your brakes checked each time you rotate your tires, It is recommended that you do this in 6-8000 mile intervals. The tires will be off the vehicle so it’s the perfect time to check for brake wear. Doing so will keep you aware of the condition of your brakes and allow you to work any upcoming, brake repairs into your budget. It can also prevent worn brakes from going “metal-to-metal” which would likely add additional cost when it comes time to perform the brake repairs. As well as inspecting your brake ... read more