It’s always a terrible thing to have your car stolen. This is especially true for a city like Atlanta, where most people have long commutes to work or school. Fortunately, there are a lot of easy things you can to prevent your car from being stolen. Today, we talk about our top recommendations to help you avoid this unwanted scenario.

How to Prevent Your Car From Being Stolen

Lock Your Car

The easiest (and most obvious) way to prevent someone from quickly driving off with your vehicle is to lock your car. It’s important to get into this habit, even if you are just running into the store or your house for a couple of minutes. You’ll also want to make sure to close your windows and sunroof (if you have one).

Although though a locked car won’t always prevent your car from being stolen, a simple button press makes your car a less likely target for car thieves.

…Or Get a Steering Wheel Lock

Extremely popular in the ’80s and ’90s, a steering wheel lock works just as well now as it did back then. This heavy-duty device is designed to attach to your steering wheel and literally ‘lock’ it in place. So, even if someone were to break into your car and start it, they wouldn’t be able to steer it. This option is perfect for people who are very serious about preventing their car from being stolen.

There are a lot of steering wheel options with a wide price range to suit your budget and needs. If you do get a steering wheel lock, though, just make sure that you don’t lose the key!

Keep Your Car in the Garage

Not everyone has a garage, but if you do, don’t use all of it for storage. A garage is one of the most effective ways of keeping your car safe overnight since most car thieves go for easy targets (eg. cars that are parked on the street or are unlocked). A garage is harder and more noticeable to get into, so it’s a natural deterrent.

Just make sure to close your garage door at night!

Hide Your Valuables

Many of us use our cars like a backpack or purse – a convenient place to put everything from workout clothes to a work computer. A stolen car is already a great prize for a car thief. A stolen car with extra goodies like electronics inside is even better.

Resist the urge to use your vehicle as a secondary storage space. Or, store your valuables in the trunk (and lock your car!) when you leave it for any amount of time. Car thieves work very quickly, and even 20 minutes can make all the difference in the world. For people who have SUVs or hatchbacks, a cargo cover is an inexpensive and effective way to make your car a less likely target for thieves.

Deter Thieves With… Your VIN?

Your car has a unique Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) stamped on several locations on the car’s body. Thieves remove the VIN before selling the car to chop shops that dismantle and sell the parts.

You can deter car thieves from stealing your car by etching your VIN (discreetly) onto the window or other areas that are more difficult to simply erase. While this may sound extreme, putting your VIN on non-stock parts can also help you recover your vehicle if it is stolen.

Be Aware of Where You Park

For people who don’t have a garage, be aware of where you park. Choose spots under street lights in well-trafficked areas, if you can. Don’t park at the far end of a dark parking lot: that’s the perfect spot for a car thief to work unnoticed.

If you’re parking in a part of town where car thefts are common, consider paying for a spot in a patrolled pay lot. This way, your car will be monitored overnight and give you the peace of mind that it will still be there in the morning. The cost of a paid lot, even over the course of a year, is a lot less than the headache and cost of recovering a stolen vehicle – or having to buy a new one altogether.

Install a Kill Switch

A ‘kill switch’ may sound like something straight out of a movie, but it’s a real device that you can install on your car to help prevent your vehicle from being stolen. There are various configurations of kill switches, from pressing an extra button or needing a secondary key to start your vehicle.

Vehicle Inspections at T3 Atlanta

We hope that you never have to go through the ordeal of having your car stolen. If this does happen, however, and your car is recovered, it may be a good idea to have your vehicle inspected for any damage. T3 Atlanta inspects and services Nissan, Infiniti, Toyota, and Lexus vehicles at our Smyrna and Decatur locations. Give us a call today!

We’ve all been there: it’s a great day for driving, you’ve got your favorite tunes on, and there’s nothing to be worried about. Until, anyway, the ‘Service Engine Soon’ light flickers on. It’s only natural for a torrent of thoughts to race through your mind, the biggest of which is ‘What’s wrong with my car?’ But before you panic, let’s learn what the Service Engine Soon light actually means.

The Real Meaning of the Service Engine Soon Light

First of all, it’s important to note that the Service Engine Soon light isn’t the same thing as the Check Engine light – at least, not all the time. Some manufacturers feature both lights, while others only have one.

If your vehicle has both lights, the Check Engine light is generally an indicator of a moderate-to-severe problem with your engine. This may be a problem with your oil pressure, the engine temperature, exhaust or emissions system. In some cases, the check engine light may be a first alert about a possible engine failure.

The Service Engine Soon light, on the other hand, does several things depending on the manufacturer. The most likely reason it’s on is because it is automatically set to come on as you approach your next vehicle maintenance schedule milestone. This light may also alert you to minor problems such as a loose gas cap or minor electrical problem.

If your vehicle only has the one light, check to make sure your engine temperature and oil pressure gauges are all reading normal before deciding whether to pull over. We recommend giving your mechanic a call to schedule an appointment to diagnose the problem. It’s far less expensive to treat a problem while it is minor than wait for it to become severe and costly. Worse, you could even wind up stranded on the side of the road.

Your Service Engine Soon Light Should Not Cause You to Panic

When your Service Engine Soon light comes on, don’t panic – as long as your vehicle seems otherwise normal. Once you’ve reached your destination, you can check the following to make sure none of these items is the culprit:

• Make sure all of your fluids are topped-off, as low fluids can trigger this light. Check your engine oil, brake fluid, windshield wiper fluid, and transmission fluid.
• Inspect your car to check for any leaks or damage. If liquid is pooling below your car, your vehicle is unsafe and needs to be repaired immediately.
• Tighten your gas cap. Sometimes, a loose gas cap can trigger a ‘Service Engine Soon’ light.

If everything seems normal, your fluids are topped off, and your car isn’t overheating, then it’s likely that the Service Engine Soon light is on as part of your vehicle’s maintenance schedule.

Diagnose Your ‘Service Engine Soon’ Light at T3 Atlanta

The Service Engine Soon light can send a jolt of panic through any car owner, but it’s not always a cause for concern. To be absolutely sure why this light is on, bring your car to T3 Atlanta. We will diagnose the issue free of charge to make sure there is not a serious problem with your car’s engine.

Our convenient locations in Smyrna and Decatur make it easy to get the car care you need quickly. Our team of mechanics has more than 20 years of experience working on Nissan, Lexus, Infiniti, and Toyota cars. When your ‘Service Engine Soon’ light comes on, call T3 Atlanta for a fast and free diagnosis!

Choosing the right oil for your car can seem daunting, considering the sheer number of different oils that are available to consumers. However, choosing the right oil for your car is actually a simple process. For starters, one’s desired motor-oil will be found in the vehicle’s owner’s manual. However, let’s take a deeper dive into the differences between motor oils to clarify why your vehicle needs the oil it does.

The Basics of Engine Oil

It is important to note that oils are differentiated according to their viscosity, and that viscosity matters according to both the needs of the particular vehicle and the heat that its oil will be exposed to. An engine that will be exposed to colder temperatures will generally need a lower viscosity so that it can better separate in your car’s engine, whereas a higher viscosity is desirable in higher temperatures so as to not separate too much. Other factors, like the mileage on the engine, will also affect the desirable viscosity.

With that in mind, the overall viscosity of the modern day motor-oil is not limited. Oils will often contain a blend of different oil so that it can best respond to a variety of conditions.

Now, the meaning of the numbers attached to the oil becomes clear: the higher the number, the higher the viscosity. And there will likely be a range of viscosities to reflect that aforementioned difference of conditions. Also, note that the “W” which precedes that range simply means “winter”, or the viscosity of the oil in colder temperatures.

The Different Types of Oil

There are also several different types of engine oils: conventional, synthetic, or a blend of the two. Synthetic oils are different from more traditional oil in that they are more refined and specifically engineered for high performance. Therefore, synthetic oils are used for vehicles that require high performance. This means vehicles that tow, or vehicles that are subjected to extreme temperatures. These don’t encompass the average driver; however, a blend of synthetic and traditional oil might might be appropriate if you are looking for better performance at a more affordable rate.

More refined, synthetic oil benefits the engine in a variety of ways. Primarily, that extra refinement means that the oil is more uniform in its composition. Therefore, it is less likely to cause friction, create deposits, or contain impurities, all of which negatively affect performance and fuel economy.

Additives

Another factor when considering your vehicle’s oil is from which additives your car would benefit. There seems to be an endless number of additives, some of which justify premium pricing. Some of the most important to look for are antioxidants and detergents which maintain the purity and consistency of your oil. These increase the lifespan of your oil so that you are less likely to require constant oil-changes.

When to Change the Oil For Your Car

Of course, all vehicles require regular oil-changes to maintain the health of the engine. Over time, the oil will break down, lose its viscosity, and fail to properly lubricate the engine. All sorts of problems ensue, including reduced fuel economy, degradation of the engine, and if not promptly addressed, engine failure.

One can easily check to see if an oil change is necessary with your “dipstick” (always make sure to wipe the dipstick clean before checking oil quality). On inspection, the oil for your car should be amber in color. If it’s dark, smoky, and tar-like, it’s too dirty and broken down to function properly and requires changing. Of course, its overall level will be indicated by the dipstick as well, which will be a good indicator of whether the oil needs to be replaced.

As a rule of thumb, newer engines require oil changes every six months, and older engines should have their oil changed more frequently (every three thousand miles or every three months). However, the dipstick will always provide the best indication of where your oil is at in its lifespan and if a change is needed.

Fast and Convenient Oil For Your Car At T3 Atlanta

When your vehicle does require an oil change, residents of the Atlanta metro area have T3 Atlanta to resolve all their automotive concerns and needs. Both of their locations in Smyrna and Decatur will be able to ensure that your engine is properly lubricated and running at its best.

It’s always a strange feeling to open up the garage door, look at your car, and wonder: hey, wait – is it leaning to the side? Has the tire always looked like that? Or worse, you wake up in the morning to find that one of your tires is completely flat even though it looked normal the night before. Tire air leaks can be notoriously hard to find, especially when they’re small, but they can cause big problems if left unrepaired. Here’s how to find an air leak in a tire.

How to Find an Air Leak in a Tire

Before you grab your flashlight and search for the air leak in your tire, you’ll need to grab some materials. Some of these are optional, but they can help you find tricky air leaks faster.

You will need:

• Soap
• Water
• Spray bottle or sponge and bucket
• Optional: Marker or chalk
• Optional: Tools to remove the wheel from your car (eg. Jack stand and tire iron)
• Optional: Flashlight
• Time and patience

1. Inflate your tire. It’s easier to find your air leak, especially if your tire is very deflated.
2. Fully inspect your tire. If you can, take the tire off your vehicle so that you can see the interior of the tire. Look at it under good light, and enlist a friend or family member to double-check you. Two sets of eyes is better than one! Some leaks, like gashes, big holes, or a nail in the tire are obvious. Other problems aren’t as obvious, such as hairline cracks or issues with the wheel or valve stem.
3. Mix a solution of water and dish detergent and pour the mixture onto your tire. You can do this step with either a sponge and bucket or by using a spray bottle to spritz the tire. When you see bubbles continue to form, that’s where your leak is located. Dry and mark the area with chalk or a marker and check the entire tire, since there could be more than one leak.

Depending on the size of the leak, you can temporarily plug the hole with a tire plug or a home tire repair kit. For larger leaks, you may want to take the vehicle to a tire service center and get an interior patch to prolong the life of the tire. You may want to consider replacing the tire if the tire is old or in bad condition.

And that’s it. Finding a tire air leak takes some time and patience, but most of the time, you’ll be able to pinpoint the source of the problem.

Sometimes, though, despite your best efforts, it may not be apparent why the tire is losing air. In these cases, the problem could be the valve stem or the wheel itself. In these cases, getting your tire looked at by a professional is the only way to stop an air leak.

Why You Should Get an Air Leak Fixed

It’s important to fix an air leak promptly after noticing that your tire is losing air. Why? A small air leak is easy enough to fill up every couple of weeks at the gas station, right?

In addition to the costs of refilling your tire, here are our top reasons for why you should get an air leak fixed:

1. The air leak won’t fix itself and will only get worse.
2. The uneven wear and tear on your tires will put your vehicle out of alignment faster.
3. You will have to replace your other tires more frequently due to the uneven tread wear on your other tires.
4. In a worst-case scenario, the low psi in your tire can cause heat to build up in the tire as you drive. This can lead to tire failure or blowout while you’re on the road.

Getting your air leak fixed is important to avoid the potential damage to your car, an accident caused by a blowout, or injury to yourself or to other people.

Fast and Convenient Wheel Realignment at T3 Atlanta

Although T3 Atlanta doesn’t do tire service, we can realign wheels caused by a leaking tire, making sure your ride is as smooth and comfortable as possible. We’re your go-to Nissan, Lexus, Infiniti, and Toyota experts with convenient metro Atlanta service in Smyrna and Decatur. Give us a call to make an appointment today!

If there’s anything we can always rely on, it’s that when something is clean, it is bound to perform better. I mean, we take a bath every day not only because of societal reasons but also as a psychological trigger for our body saying “Hey! We’re going to have a great day ahead!”

It’s the same thing with the parts in your car. When the parts are clean they can perform to their very best. Your engine needs cleaning every now and then, so does your car cooling system. But if there’s one part of your car that definitely needs cleaning but is disregarded most of the time, that’s your gas tank.

Why Clean Your Gas Tank?

It’s easy to doubt a mechanic or seasoned car owner when they say cleaning your gas tank is necessary. It’s almost never discussed when we talk about our cars. However, the gas tanks of our cars can end up being the dirtiest part of your car.

Think about it. Over the years, rust (for older vehicles) and grime accumulate on your fuel tank and they actually have no way out. While there are fuel filters to ensure the grime foreign particles don’t enter the engine body, it sure does not feel good to know your fuel tank has all those particles in it.

Note that not all cars need to have their gas tanks cleaned. Most experts recommend doing the cleaning for older cars (especially ones with metal tanks) as they are more likely to accumulate rust and sediments.

When Should You Clean Your Gas Tank

There’s no set rule in cleaning a car’s gas tank. If you just bought an old car or if you are doing a restoration job then it should be on the “before I go on the road” checklist.

If you already own an older car, you can have the gas tank cleaned when you do some “under the body” maintenance work like replacing the car’s fuel pump.

How To Clean Your Gas Tank

In theory, cleaning your gas tank is as easy are removing the tank, cleaning it, and placing it back. However, doing it right requires you do create a checklist so you don’t forget anything. Here’s a quick rundown of what needs to be done to properly clean your gas tank.

1. Safety First

Just like in any undertaking, make sure you ensure your safety first. Clean up and organize the immediate surroundings. Make sure the working area is well-ventilated as there might be fumes coming from the tank. Wear a mask and protect your eyes. It will also be better if you have a fire extinguisher ready.

2. Empty the tank

Before cleaning the tank make sure it’s empty. You can empty the tank by either letting the car run until it hits empty, siphoning the fuel, or by using a drain cock if it has any. Emptying the tank is not only a safety precaution but it also makes the work much easier.

3. Take down the tank

After ensuring the tank is as empty as possible, remove it. Depending on the car, there might be different ways to do it. However, one thing to remember is to make sure all valves and cap in their position. This will be so that mounting back the tank will be easier. After taking down the tank, make sure to make a quick ocular check of the tank. Look for rust or sediments and check if you see any holes. You should patch the holes after the cleaning.

4. Wash the tank

The first thing you need to do is to de-grease the tank. You can do this using any type of degreaser you can find in your favorite auto shop. If you don’t have any degreaser you can just use a mixture of warm water and detergent. Make sure you go through every centimeter of the tank by swirling it in. Leave the mixture in the tank for at least 24 hours. If the tank still smells like gasoline after, repeat the process.

5. Replace the fuel filter

Don’t forget to replace the fuel filter every time you clean your gas tank. This seems automatic but a lot of people forget this step.

6. Put Everything Back Together

When everything is clean and replaced, mount the tank back. Make sure it is in the right position and fits securely in place. Remember that a tiny gas leak can turn into a big problem.

If you are in need of help in getting your gas tank cleaned, don’t hesitate to give T3 Atlanta a call. We specialize in Lexus, Infiniti, Toyota, and Nissan cars. Bring your beloved car to T3 Atlanta for maintenance checks and that occasional gas tank cleaning as needed.

We’ve been there at least once in our lives. It happens even to the most careful folks we know. No matter how much we try to avoid it, it still victimizes even the best of us. Wondering what I am talking about? I’m talking about what to do when you lock your keys in your car.

Unfortunate as it is, we shouldn’t just lay down and fall victim to this phenomena. That’s why we are here to help you out. Here’s what you should and shouldn’t do when you’ve locked your keys in your car.

What To Do When You Lock Your Keys in Your Car

1. Don’t Panic

This is the first and most important thing to do here. Don’t panic and just relax. The world is not going to end anytime soon and you’re just locked out of your car. Panicking puts you in a state where you can’t think straight and you end up missing important stuff or information necessary for the next few steps. Call a friend or family member and inform them of your situation. Make sure you tell them where you are so they know.

2. Check the surroundings

As soon as you have settled down, look around and check the vicinity. Where are you? If you are located in a fairly populated area like a mall parking lot or somewhere similar then you are a bit safer. Check for security personnel around and inform them of your concern. They may or may not be able to help you out but at least they know you’re not a bad guy. If you find yourself in a sketchy part of town, call 911 to ask for police assistance. Note that the priority will always be your own safety – your car will always come second.

Note that at this point you have the option to leave the car where it is right now (especially if it is in a safe location. You can always come back to have it opened with a spare key you have at home or with the help of a professional.

3. Call a roadside assistance service

If you really need to have your car opened right away, call AAA or any roadside assistance service. You may need to wait for half an hour or so for them to arrive and service costs range from $25 to $50 to have your car unlocked but at least you have nothing else to worry about. All you have to do is wait.

4. Avoid doing DIY things you see online

You may be tempted to do any DIY stuff to unlock your car that you see on Youtube or Facebook, but please avoid doing so as much as possible. Unless you are an expert, this might end up damaging your car. You might also get mistaken for a carjacker which is not really that rare.

5. Break the window

If it’s an emergency (for example, if a kid or pet is locked inside), don’t hesitate to break the windows of your car. If you can’t do it yourself, ask help from other people in the area to help you out. Make sure you break the window farthest away from the child/pet to reduce any possible injuries.

How To Prevent Yourself From Being Locked Out of Your Car

Now that the ordeal is done, how do you prevent yourself from being locked out of your car? The best solution is to always prepare a set of spare keys. You can either leave the keys at home, in your wallet/bag, or in a secret compartment on your car. A lot of products are out there nowadays that lets you “hide” a spare set of keys. Just make sure you keep it in a pretty hidden spot so your car won’t get stolen.

Let’s settle this debate once and for all. Are new cars safer than old cars? Now, hear me out. On the top of my head, newer is always better. However, there are a lot of people claim that older cars are safer for the following reasons:

1. Older cars were bigger
2. Older cars were fully made out of metal.
3. Older cars were made of stronger metal.

Let’s discuss each one.

Are New Cars Safer than Old Cars?

1. Older Cars Were Bigger

There’s some truth to this claim. Older cars were indeed bigger. This was mostly because during the early ’80s and 90’s, the world didn’t have any problems with over congestion of cities. Plus, bigger cars were created for a specific demographic. Nowadays, a good number of cars (of the same name) are smaller in size and even newer cars come in half the size of their predecessors.

But is bigger always better? Not usually the case. A bigger car means a bigger target. Also, being bigger means you take up a lot of room on the road. It’s easy to hit a pole or another car because you didn’t “expect” you’d hit them. The car’s size has absolutely nothing to do with its safety. Size only affects how many you can get in the car and how big of a space you take on the road.

Older Cars Were Fully Made Out of Metal

True, a lot of older cars have a lower metal to plastic ratio. A lot of older car owners think the rising use of plastic (and “softer” metals) in their cars mean they are not as safe as their full metal cars. If anything, older cars were much heavier.

Basically, what you have is a metal cage. Also, worth noting is that our understanding of metals back then is not as good as what we know now. We have a better understanding of how metals act under pressure, how they bend, why they bend, and how to make them better. With this understanding, engineers have found ways to reduce the amount of metal needed to make a car (to make them lighter, faster, and easier to control) while still ensuring the passengers are safe.

Older Cars Were Made of Stronger Metal

Not true. While older cars were made of thicker metals, this does not mean they were stronger. Please understand that a time difference of 20 years can mean a lot of advancements in metallurgy. Metals used in cars in the 1990s was great back in the 1990s, but it’s nothing to what we have now.

While the majority of the cars we have now have a thinner metal housing, we have a much better understanding of metallurgy, allowing us to come up with better alloys. Better alloys mean better strength and durability.

Why Are Newer Cars Safer, Then?

So, are new cars safer than old cars?

Yes! Newer cars are a lot safer than older cars because we already learned a lot about metals, cars, and what happens in accidents. Engineers and car manufacturers have studied various accidents and mishaps to come up with a solution to what puts a person in danger during a collision. By tweaking and upgrading the design over the years, car manufacturers have created cars that put the passengers at their safest during an accident.

Not to mention the myriad of safety standards we have developed over the years. Newer cars have airbags, roll bars, and better metal cages. All these developments were created to ensure the safety of all passengers. There are countless stories you can read on the Internet about people saved by an airbag or the car’s traction control. You are less likely to die or suffer a debilitating injury with a modern car than with an older car. That’s a fact.

Old Or New, Get Your Car Checked at T3 Atlanta

Whether your car is old or new, it’s always important to have your car checked to ensure all safety features are in tip-top shape. The helpful mechanics at T3 Atlanta can help you by doing a systematic maintenance check of all the safety features in your car to ensure they perform when you need them. Whether you need routine maintenance, a regular checkup, or in-depth work on your vehicle, T3 Atlanta can help. Give us a call today!