Philadelphia Auto Repair

Low rolling resistance tires are both an effective and affordable way to improve the fuel efficiency of your car. They don’t usually cost any more, but you do need to be aware of this option and remember to look into or inquire about the rolling resistance of any tires that you’re buying. Most people don’t do this simply because they’re not aware of the existence of these tires, or don’t quite comprehend how they work and why they’re worth considering. So with that in mind, let’s look into the basics of low rolling resistance tires. Why? Did you know that the U.S. Department of Energy has estimated that as much as 15% of fuel is used by the car to overcome a tire’s resistance to the road? That’s why, depending on the study, results show that using low rolling resistance tires can reduce your fuel consumption from 1.5% all the way to 4.5%. This amounts to significant savings in the long term and, when you combine it with the fact that low rolling resistance tires are often ... read more

We wanted to start 2016 off with some practical advice, but this month we thought we’d remind you that there’s more to cars than oil changes and miles per gallon. They can also be awesome! And what would better showcase that than going through some of our favorite famous movie cars, the ones that people looked at wide-eyed as kids, daydreaming about one day having a car like that. 1982 Pontiac Firebird Trans Am Yes, KITT. We can’t imagine growing up watching Knight Rider and not wanting to own a car like KITT. A sports car with almost extraterrestrial abilities who talks and thinks? What else could one possibly need? A car that can hold a conversation with you, make holograms, shoot missiles and carry groceries is all we want for any Christmas, ever. DeLorean DMC-12 If you’re of a certain age, not growing up wanting to own KITT means that you probably grew up wanting to own the ever-so-famous DeLorean from Back to the Future. Because if you can’t have a car that ta ... read more

Hybrid vehicle auto shops such as Savage Hybrid Shop that specialize in brake repair in Philadelphia, PA as well as oil changes, engine repairs, wheel alignments and overall maintenance encourage drivers to learn more about regenerative braking systems: Some of these braking systems are completely electric and allow hybrid or electric vehicles to capture and utilize the kinetic energy that is usually entirely lost with traditional braking systems. When the regenerative brakes are activated at lower speeds, the braking circuit switches the motor so that it works in reverse and the wheels slow down due to generator resistance. This allows the motor to channel the energy that is normally released with the friction of traditional braking systems—which can waste close to 30 percent of the vehicle’s created power. The energy is captured and stored in high-voltage batteries where it will soon be recycled. Regenerative braking systems are designed to make use of the mo ... read more

Oil change is usually considered the most important part of basic car maintenance. Most of us have been told repeatedly and by many how important it is, but we still face a lot of customers who are not sure how often to change their oil or why exactly it needs to be done. That’s why, as one of the premier providers of car maintenance services like oil changes in Philadelphia, this month we wanted to talk a little about the importance and practicalities of oil changes. Why? A basic oil change consists of taking out the old oil and replacing it with new oil, and often also replacing the engine oil filter. The importance of oil is based on the fact that it is what lubricates the various moving parts in the engine that rub against each other, and it also absorbs heat, which prevents overheating. As time goes by, the heat that the oil is exposed to breaks it down until it becomes gummy or watery, which diminishes its ability to ... read more

A hybrid car is already, on its own, a very fuel-efficient way to drive: the best MPG numbers for hybrid cars are as high as 120-130 in the city and 100-110 on the highway. However, even with hybrid cars there are ways to drive and use the car that will give you even more miles per gallon. As one of the leading companies for auto repairs in Philadelphia, we like to think we know a little something about cars and hybrid vehicles, so we put together a short list of tips for fuel-efficient hybrid driving. The list has suggestions we recommend you keep in mind, even if you can’t follow every one of them all the time. Avoid Extra Weight We understand that using your car trunk as a mobile storage unit can have its benefits, but you should also always remember that any extra weight in a regular or a hybrid car will have an effect on the MPG, as well as the car’s overall performance. We recommend going through your trunk every now and then t ... read more

How healthy is your hybrid vehicle? Most of the time, drivers do not take their car to the auto shop unless an issue with the mechanics has surfaced, or they need a regular oil change. Regular maintenance, such as battery conditioning and tire rotating, is necessary for the vehicle to continue running well, but an overall checkup is also just as important. Due to the high voltage of the wiring and complicated electrical features of the hybrid vehicle, owners can only do so much on their own to inspect their car. Experts recommend that electric cars be brought to the auto shop for a checkup at least every six months or every 6,000 miles. Compared to gas powered vehicles, hybrid cars require special care but less maintenance. There are many benefits to taking your electric care for a routine inspection. Hybrid vehicles depend on their batteries to run and, unfortunately, they do not last forever. Knowing the status of your hybrid’s battery through a professional inspection will ... read more

In the Unites States, residents are well aware of hybrid vehicles such as trucks, four-door sedans and hatchbacks. Many drivers own a hybrid vehicle and have taken advantage of the fuel efficiency that it offers. Around the world, however, new hybrid vehicle models are surfacing and being utilized for industries and public transportation. Taking note of these vehicles can allow us, as hybrid fans, to look forward to what’s to come in terms of the hybrid vehicle industry. It is only a matter of time before more hybrid models become available to the U.S. As a well-renowned hybrid vehicle auto shop, we aim to stay up to date on all of the latest trends of the hybrid market. We couldn’t help but notice a few new models that have been released overseas that are already operating as a useful tool for transportation. Here we take a look at some of the newest hybrid vehicle models that are fully functional and on the road. The Drive e0 PP03 One Megawatt AWD Battery Electric Rac ... read more

One major aspect that makes hybrid cars favorable is the return on investment when it comes to refueling costs. Although purchasing a hybrid vehicle requires some extra upfront expense, they can be worth it in the long run. Within the past several years, gas prices have increased in general, but tend to go down in rates during the summer season. Even as the price of gas goes up and down, hybrid vehicles are still a leading solution for improving the environment. Despite the low score in mathematics when it comes to recent fuel costs, the hybrid transportation machine is still popular in sales. One aspect that is overlooked with hybrids is the fact that they are not only great for refueling expenses. When drivers opt to buy a hybrid vehicle, other factors are put into consideration, such as the purchase as a whole and maintenance. As residents of the Philadelphia region have witnessed the drop in gas prices over the last six months, it is easy to automatically pinpoint how hybri ... read more

It is not uncommon for motorists who drive regular gas powered cars to perform their own minor maintenance on their rides, such as a simple oil change. However, performing do-it-yourself maintenance for hybrid vehicles is much more complicated because of their engineered components. Many hybrid drivers can easily change their spark plugs, check their fluids and replace air filters, but the sophisticated electronics that make up the car can make advanced vehicle maintenance tasks more difficult. We at Savage Automotive specialize in conducting maintenance service for hybrid vehicles and are here to keep your car in top condition. Leave the hard maintenance elements of your hybrid up to us at Savage Automotive! When you are unsure of how to care for your hybrid, our expertise in electric vehicles can accomplish your car needs. When maintaining your hybrid, it is good to be aware of the ways that your vehicle is different compared to gas-powered cars. Don’t t ... read more

The thing about batteries is that they don’t last forever. Even though the Energizer Bunny® can keep going and going, eventually, the juice comes to an end. The same can be said for Hybrid Electric Vehicles (HEV). Hybrid cars run on battery, which is why they are so energy efficient; a driver who invests in a hybrid vehicle saves a lot of money by cutting back fuel costs. However, did you know that within six to ten years of owning a hybrid vehicle, you may need to replace the battery or have it repaired? And hybrid batteries are not cheap, ranging around $4,000. But don’t be discouraged! There are a variety of tactics that can be used to maintain and upkeep the battery of a hybrid vehicle. Taking good care of the battery will elongate its lifespan, as well as save you thousands of dollars. We at Savage Automotive specialize in battery conditioning services. Using our expertise, we have compiled a list of tips that you can follow to keep your battery up to par ... read more