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Understanding the effects seasonal changes have on your vehicle can help you to anticipate little issues before they can become larger problems. You may live in a climate that requires winter tires for driving in snowy conditions but the inconvenience of changing them every year has you tempted to skip the task and just drive on your winter tires year-round.

Some states actually have laws against driving on winter tires in the summer if they have studs embedded in them, as these destroy the asphalt over time.  

Our team at National Auto Plaza is always happy to offer resources that help drivers keep their vehicles in the best condition. An alternator is a major component of your vehicle, and without it, your vehicle's battery wouldn't hold a charge when you're driving. Let's find out more about an alternator below.

An alternator is part of the charging and starting system. It keeps your battery at peak power, and it helps electrical equipment, such as the air conditioning system, headlights, and windshield wipers function properly when you're driving. 

Do you ever wonder if your car battery is efficient enough to continually start your engine? When is it time to have battery service or to replace the battery, so that you’re not stranded?

Most car batteries are lead-acid based. While there are other types, such as lithium, lead-acid batteries are less expensive and provide more than enough amperage for a standard performance engine. The most important factor for an efficient battery is the cold cranking amps (CCAs), which determine how effective the battery will be in cold temperatures.  

The timing belt is like the chain on a bicycle, except this belt is connecting the camshaft and crankshaft. Just like the chain on a bike, this belt needs to be cared for and replaced from time to time. National Auto Plaza has a service department to help you when you need it.

A timing belt can put you in danger but only if you do not care for it. A broken belt could stop your car in the middle of the highway. You've seen how fast the traffic moves on the highways, so you know the danger you…

Getting rid of pet hair from your car doesn't have to be difficult. With just a few simple accessories, you can tackle loose fur in only a few minutes. We here at National Auto Plaza want you to know how to care for your vehicle, so here are some tools to keep on hand.

A rubber brush is a great way to lift fur out from floor carpets and upholstery. These brushes use static electricity to attract hair, allowing you to pick it right off the bristles and drop it into the trash. To save even more time, you…

Have you noticed your car’s tires are turning a different color? If you want to make sure that this doesn’t happen, you should clean your tires every week. This ensures that your tires won’t crack or weather because of all the dust and debris. Another tip is that you should always use a professional grade tire cleaner that you can dilute in a bucket. You’ll need a foam applicator brush or tire brush in order to get a deeper clean on your car’s wheels as well. 

Is there anything more pleasant than the smell of a brand new car? The scent won't last forever, but there's no reason for the smell of a vehicle to turn awful. Understanding the ways to control odor in a car helps keep it smelling nice.

You may wish to keep smelly things out of the car. For example, don't transport greasy fast food unless it is placed in a sealed, zippered-container. Keep the car clean. When you allow trash or leftover food in the car to fester, the interior ends up smelling bad. 

Winter tires can generally be placed into one of three categories: studdable tires, studless winter tires, and performance winter tires. Studdable winter tires are designed to be able to accept metal studs that increase traction on icy roads. They're very effective, but they are also very hard on asphalt roads, which is why many states only allow them to be used during the winter if they don't outlaw them completely.

Studless winter tires are designed to provide extra traction on ice and snow without using metal studs.  

One of the worst things a person can experience is a chipped windshield. This is because cars are very valuable, especially in today's economy, so most people do not want to have to pay money to fix their windshield. There is, however, a way you can repair your chipped windshield yourself, and it doesn't take long, either.

The main thing you need in order to repair your chipped windshield is resin for the chip. This type of resin can be found in auto stores, department stores, and a few other places, or you can just purchase a windshield…

Before getting stranded in your car in the winter, make a survival kit that has a few tools that you can use to stay warm and hydrated until help arrives. If you keep your car running the entire time, you're going to run out of gas at some point. Instead of using the heater in the car, make a heater by using a candle inside a metal can. You'll also need a lighter for the candle. Since you're in a confined space, the heat from the candle that is trapped inside the can will begin to warm…