The timing belt in a vehicle synchronizes the camshaft and the crankshaft, a necessary process for the engine to operate. A car can shut down in the middle of driving when the timing belt is damaged. It's important to keep the timing belt well-maintained because a broken timing belt can damage the engine and those repairs cost thousands of dollars. It's much less costly to keep the timing belt in good condition.

To know how often you need to change the timing belt, consult your owner's manual. Most cars have timing belts that need to be changed…

We all know the importance of buckling up in the car. It's also important that young riders be strapped into the appropriate types of seats.

Babies and young toddlers should be riding backwards in car seats. Many recommended that they ride backwards for as long as they can fit in seats that can be rear-facing. When you're ready to switch a child to forward-facing, look for a car seat with a five-point harness. Models have different weight and height limits, and you should keep your child in this type of seat until he or she reaches the maximum…

When you need to buy a new car in Bend, understanding your options for financing could end up saving you a lot of money. Understanding some of the key terms associated with the process could allow you to make decisions with confidence.

Having a high credit score could let you qualify for a loan with a low APR, or annual percentage rate. This will let you minimize the interest you have to pay every year on your loan. If your credit score isn't high enough, you could have a cosigner sign onto your loan with you. They will be…

Informed car owners typically make better decisions with their vehicles and tend to save money over the lifetime of the car by addressing issues before they become expensive problems. Understanding your car's suspension can help you know when it needs to be serviced.

Excessive bouncing or fighting to keep your car driving in a straight line can indicate problems with your car's suspension system. Comprised of shocks, struts and steering, the suspension system keeps you comfortable as you drive down the road. 

Whether you're planning a road trip and want a dash cam to record the beautiful views or regularly driving in a city and need to protect yourself, Bend Honda will help you choose an option that's right for your budget and driving needs. Small dash cams can fit unobtrusively on your dashboard and record everything that is going on around your car.

Having a recording of an accident can back up your story and save you time when dealing with insurance or the police. If your car gets hit in a parking lot, a camera might be able…

When fall comes around, things will be in full swing with school and activities. You'll be running around town, putting a lot of miles on your vehicle with the back-and-forth trips. If you'd like to free up some of your time, you can consider setting up a carpool.

Carpools are great whether they're an everyday thing or just a few mornings a week. Once you've come up with a schedule, recruit other parents to join. Have each person in the group choose a day (morning or afternoon, or both!). 

As you go about the process of looking for new tires for your car, you likely find yourself with some questions. For example, you may wonder whether summer or all-season tires are the correct choice for you.

All-season tires are optimal in snow and ice conditions. Indeed, they are constructed for precisely these types of conditions. Summer tires work well in dry and rainy conditions. This is a specific reason why these types of tires are designed. 

With the summer season upon us, now is the time that many car owners will at least consider waxing their car. Although it is a common phrase, it is often misunderstood what all waxing the car really entails. Car wax is a protective coating applied to the surface of a vehicle that protects it from the elements. This means protection from UV rays, sand, and water in the summer, and ice and salt in the winter.

Many confuse wax with polish, which is a very mild compound that renews shine by smoothing out the surface of the clear coat, but…

The staff here at Bend Honda want to educate drivers on the unique differences between the all-weather floor mats and carpeting. If you live where the rain or snow falls almost all year, you'll appreciate the all-weather floor mats because they help to keep the vehicle clean. In order to remove any dirt or mud from the mats, a simple once-over with a hose and the mats look like new again. These mats help to keep the vehicle interior clean if you or the kids are always spilling things on the floors too. 

In Bend, Oregon, off-roading is becoming a popular pastime among motorists. However, like any hobby, it can be very dangerous to the uninitiated and/or careless. We’d like to take a moment to give you a few pointers on safety, finding proper trails and ensuring your vehicle is ready.

Safety - You need a roll cage; there are no exceptions to this rule. You also need to have winches, tire repair and replacement tools, lockers and safe navigation and communications equipment. Never go alone, even if experienced.