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Most drivers will agree that no one wants to be caught driving in a rainstorm and lose control of their vehicle. It can be unnerving because there is little you can do once too much water piles up between your tires and the asphalt. This is why proper tire maintenance is so important for staying safe in adverse weather conditions.

While you can easily check your tires' pressure and tread levels yourself, having your tires rotated is something that you should leave to the professionals. If you do not have your tires rotated regularly, you risk having tread that wears…

Getting routine tire rotations will help ensure that your automobile's tires wear evenly. Furthermore, keeping your tires rotated as recommended will also increase gas mileage and help your vehicle run smoothly. Failing to have your vehicle's tires rotated could lead to hundreds of dollars in repairs.

In order to keep your vehicle's tires in optimal condition, you should have your tires rotated every 3,000 to 6,000 miles. During tire rotations, mechanics will remove the tires for inspection and place them back where they will wear evenly. The tires can be rotated from front to back…

Your tires will provide you with many miles of good service, or at least they should as long as you provide them with good service. Good tire service includes keeping them properly inflated, balanced, rotated and aligned. Stop in at Santa Maria Mazda and we’ll inspect your tires and set up regular appointments for you.

One of the best ways to get the most miles out of your tires is to take care of them. At the first sign of problems, such as bulging, blisters, slow leaks, improper tread wear or vibrating ride, have your tires inspected or replaced…

There is confusion amongst drivers of what air-pressure is the correct air-pressure in their tires. The tires say one thing, the owner’s manual says another. So, which is correct and why?

The air-pressure indicated on the side of your tire is the maximum air-pressure allowed by the tire manufacturer. The tire manufacturer’s recommendation often is far different from the vehicle manufacturer’s recommendation. The tire manufacturer bases their estimate on standards set by the Tire and Rim Association (TRA) without regard to the vehicle on which the tire is placed....

Your brake pads are an important part of your braking and safety systems. They take the pressure that is transmitted through the brake fluid and apply this pressure to the rotors, smooth discs of metal that are attached to the wheel. When the pads press against the rotors, they create heat and friction which slow down the wheels and stop the vehicle.

As you can imagine, brake pads face a lot of heat and pressure as they do their jobs. As a result, pad makers design them using durable and tough materials. One of the tougher varieties of brake pad…

Alternators are one of the most important parts to your car. Your alternator supplies an electrical charge to your car's entire system. Alternators attach to the engine, taking mechanical rotational energy from the powertrain and converting it to an electromotive force. The alternator maintains the electrical supply to the battery to ensure that it stays charged.

While you typically do not need to provide any routine maintenance to an alternator, you may need to replace it after 12 years. This is because the alternator will start to burn out after so many charges. 

Slow down and Move over laws are extremely important. These laws were put into place to save lives. Since 1997 over 150 police officers have died and more than 200 roadside workers die every single year because these laws are not being followed. Believe it or not 71 percent of people have never even heard of this law.