Duncan Acura wants to make sure that you're always safe while you're on the road. In order to be prepared for different situations, we have compiled a very comprehensive roadside emergency kit list.

• Tools are necessary for minor repairs that you can take care of yourself.
• Road flares will provide you with a safe spot to keep your vehicle if you're waiting for help or making repairs.
• Fluids to keep on hand will include windshield wiper fluid, transmission fluid, oil, coolant, etc. Weather-related items should include non-perishable food items and water. 

When there is a problem with your exhaust system, there are some very common signs that vehicle owners will experience. Once you have potentially diagnosed an exhaust problem, it's important that you make an appointment with Duncan Acura for repairs.

• Pay attention to what your steering wheel and gas pedal feel like when you're driving. You might be experiencing a vibration if you have damage to your exhaust.
• Look for condensation that's coming specifically from your exhaust pipe. Don't confuse this with condensation from your air conditioning system.
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Very few automobile owners have managed to avoid an overheating engine. There are a number of more common reasons why automobile engines overheat. These typically can be avoided by staying on top of maintenance and service.

The most frequent cause of engine overhearing is an issue with coolant. This typical coms in two forms. One is a lack of a proper amount coolant in the system. The other is improper dilution of coolant. Both of these can typically be avoided with proper service.

 

Sometimes, life presents us with a stranger in need of a jump start. At Duncan Acura, we want you to be a good neighbor in Roanoke and the surrounding area. We also want to help you learn how to safely jump start someone's car.

Here is the safest order to connect cables. Attach your positive cable to the positive terminal on the dead battery first. Positive cables are typically red. Clamp your positive cable's other end to your battery's positive terminal. Now, connect your battery's negative terminal and your negative cable.

A car battery can die at any time. Yes, the chances are greater in the winter. Older batteries reaching the end of their life cycle are also at risk for dying out. And there are batteries should work, but don't because something drained them. No matter the situation, you can find out the charge level of your battery with a simple tool called a voltmeter.

Before taking any steps to use the voltmeter, make sure you don't ignore safety.

Turning off the lights and ignition and wearing goggles and rubber gloves are a few of the necessary safety…

Brake pads are a key element of the overall braking system on your vehicle. A car owner should have basic understanding of how brake pads work.

Brake pads are designed to push onto the rotor of the braking system. When that occurs, friction occurs that causes the wheel and the vehicle to slow down. The brake pad includes a lining, which is the actual point of contact between the pad and the rotor. Brake lining comes in one of three forms, organic, semi-metallic, and ceramic. The lining of the brake pad does wear down over time.

 

Here at Duncan Acura, we want you to be a well-informed vehicle owner when it comes to maintenance. Preparing your vehicle for winter is crucial if you live in areas that experience icy and snowy road conditions, and we want you to be safe while driving in them.

Gain enhanced visibility in snow storms. One simple thing you can do alongside changing to snow tires is to change your wiper blades out for a pair that are more suitable for winter driving. Winter wiper blades have a more durable rubber blade that doesn't freeze solid, and a stronger frame…

You know that you're in the market for new tires, but do you know what type you should get? The two main types of tires are winter tires and all-season varieties. They both have pros and cons, but what you need will depend on the vehicle you have and where you live.

In you are located in an area of the country that gets a lot of snow - like Roanoke, VA - then you'll need a set of winter tires to get around. If you invest in winter tires, you'll need a different set for the warmer weather…

Some vehicles come equipped with a roof rack. This rack is designed to provide you with more cargo space than just what you have inside the vehicle. If you are someone who likes to travel, this can be a great feature to have included. If you have never used a roof rack before, here are some tips to help you out.

Make sure that you purchase a storage container that will properly on your vehicle's rack. It shouldn't hang over the sides or the front of the vehicle. Secure the box or container onto your vehicle properly. 

Steering is a process that involves precise timing. The moment you turn your steering wheel, your car must react properly so that its wheels will successfully drift around curves and turns on the road. However, if an automobile understeers or oversteers, most driving maneuvers will be tougher because the steering wheel's timing will be off.

Understeering and oversteering can make a car behave differently. If your automobile understeers, it will continue to drive straight for a while after you spin the steering wheel.