Keeping your car’s tires in top condition is a key part of regular Mazda service. Here at Route 9 Mazda, our team of certified technicians sees how New York road conditions, especially during winter, can impact your car’s tires over time. Taking a few minutes each month to inspect your tires will help you avoid flats and extend their life. Here are some tips to help you ensure that your Mazda car continues to roll smoothly. Monitor Tire Pressure in Changing Weather Fluctuating temperatures can cause your tire pressure to rise and drop, even over the course of a single week. Driving on underinflated tires increases your rolling resistance, which forces your car’s engine to work hard and lowers the overall fuel economy. One DIY tip is that you can check PSI levels at least once per month using a handheld gauge when it’s cold out. You can find the correct tire pressure recommendation on the sticker located on the driver’s side door jamb. Tire Rotations and Alignment Checks Getting tire rotations regularly (every 5,000 to 7,500 miles) is important for preventing uneven wear patterns that can lead to early tire replacement and vibrations in the steering wheel. During your Mazda service at Route 9 Mazda, we’ll move your tires to different positions to balance the workload across all four corners. We’ll also inspect tread depth to ensure that you have enough grip. Your service appointment is also a great time to have your alignment checked, especially if your car is pulling to one side after hitting a pothole. Schedule Your Tire Inspection Today The team of certified technicians at Route 9 Mazda is here to make sure that your ride is as smooth as the first day you drove it. While you can check your own tire pressure, you’ll want to let our professionals handle rotations and alignment checks. Schedule your service appointment today!

In New York, winters aren’t simply ice skating, sipping hot chocolate, and holiday fun. They can also mean freezing cold temperatures and icy streets, which can be extremely harsh on our vehicles. Route 9 Mazda is discussing the Mazda service you need to ensure you and your vehicle are ready. Switch Out Your Tires We can’t stress enough the importance of having good tires for the winter. They’re essential for maintaining traction with the road and stopping on slick surfaces. We recommend using winter tires, which are specially designed for icy conditions, especially if you plan on travelling over the holidays. If you stick with your all-season tires, be sure that they have sufficient tread and monitor their pressure as the temperature dips. Check Your Fluid Levels Your coolant helps protect your engine and prevent freezing, so you’ll want to top it off before winter hits. You should also check your engine oil, which can easily lose its effectiveness when it’s cold out. If yours is becoming old or thick, make sure to schedule an oil change now before winter makes it worse. Test Your Battery Car batteries are known to struggle throughout the winter, especially on frigid mornings. Our team can test yours to verify that it won’t leave you stranded and replace it if necessary. You should also make sure that your vehicle is equipped with jumper cables in case of an emergency. Pack an Emergency Kit Speaking of jumper cables, it’s crucial to be prepared for the unexpected during the winter season. We recommend packing an emergency kit in your vehicle, which should include: Small shovel and kitty litter Ice scraper Blanket Flashlight Small tool kit First aid kit Non-perishable snacks and bottled water Schedule MAZDA Service in Poughkeepsie, NY You don’t want to wait until winter is here to get your vehicle ready. It’s important to prepare early if you want a safe and dependable vehicle this season. Visit Route 9 Mazda for Mazda service today!

Are you thinking about postponing your upcoming Mazda service appointment? Even if it seems like your vehicle is working perfectly, you shouldn’t ignore your maintenance needs. Route 9 Mazda is outlining what happens if you put off Mazda service. You Could Risk Your Safety Many of your vehicle’s maintenance tasks are designed with your safety in mind. Your tires, for example, should be rotated and inspected regularly to ensure you have traction for slick terrains. Plus, you need to routinely have your brakes inspected and your brake pads replaced for optimal stopping power. You Could Face Costly Repairs Maintenance is also preventative. Your engine oil needs to be replaced regularly because it loses its efficiency over time. If you don’t replace it, your engine parts could become warped due to the excessive heat, meaning you’ll eventually need engine repairs or even a replacement if it fails completely. Your Performance Will Suffer There are a multitude of tasks that can improve your performance. In addition to causing wear, old engine oil is also a major strain on your engine. Plus, if you don’t regularly replace your filter, that can limit airflow, which will hamper your vehicle’s efficiency. You’ll Have Reduced Fuel Efficiency If your engine is strained, that can also diminish your fuel efficiency. Likewise, putting off tire rotations will affect your gas mileage. Your tires naturally wear down unevenly, which increases drag and puts even more strain on your engine. Schedule MAZDA Service in Poughkeepsie, NY Putting off your Mazda service appointments can be dangerous and lead to serious damage. There’s no reason to postpone your appointments at Route 9 Mazda. We can quickly care for your vehicle and get you back on the road in no time!