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If your car’s battery doesn’t seem to be holding a charge, you can test it using a voltmeter. You may choose an analog or digital version, but either one will assist you with the same information. Begin by making sure that your ignition and lights are both turned off. From there, first attach the red, or positive, cable to the positive battery terminal. Repeat this step by attaching the negative, or black, cable to the battery’s negative terminal.

Your battery should indicate 12.4 volts or above. That’s the minimum that’s required to hold a…

Have you ever gone out to your vehicle and found that nothing happens when you try to start it? The common assumption, at this point, is that your vehicle has a dead battery. The true culprit may actually lie with the starter, which is a component that should be tested and serviced regularly.

There are a few signs to be aware of that signal that there may be a problem with your vehicle's starter. One is a grinding noise. This is caused by starter gears that have worn down over time, and aren't engaging as they should. 

Car owners understand how important it is to do routine maintenance to make sure their car is operating at the appropriate performance level. One area that is sometimes overlooked is the car battery. Below are some tips on how to test your car battery:

• Auto Parts Store - If you are unsure of how well your car battery is performing, you can take it to a local auto parts store, like the one here at Bend Honda, and have them test it for you. Most auto parts stores will test batteries for free and if it needs replacing you can purchase…

If a vehicle is experiencing exhaust problems, colorless and odorless poisonous gases could potentially put passengers at serious risk. It is important to recognize exhaust leak warning signs so that potential problems can be averted and corrected quickly.

One of the strongest clues is the presence of popping and hissing moves while the engine is running. A rusty exhaust can also cause vibrations within the steering wheel, car seat, or foot pedals. 

Your vehicle is equipped with two important filters. Making sure they are inspected and replaced when necessary remains vital to your health as well as your engine’s performance.

Cabin Air Filter

The cabin air filter eliminates mold spores which can be harmful to the health of you and your passengers. According to recent studies by the National Center for Biotechnology Information (NCBI), exposure to fine airborne particles within closed vehicles may have an effect on cardiovascular health, especially in older adults. The average American spends two hours a day in their vehicle. 

Your car has a number of belts and hoses that can become weak, dried out or cracked. You may first discover a problem with a belt when you hear squeaking as your engine runs. A cracked hose can produce a leak in your driveway. If your brakes stop working all of a sudden, you could have a brake line leak.

Routine inspections of your belts and hoses can make a big difference in how your car runs. At Bend Honda, we can talk with you about the various belts in your car and the recommendations for changing the belts before…

You should never use anything but windshield wiper fluid to clean your windshield. There are no other products on the market or any that can be found in abundance, such as water, that can do what windshield wiper fluid can. Using anything else would be a waste of money, waste of time, and could lead to the system being damaged by the foreign fluid and costing you hundreds of dollars to replace or repair. 

We at Bend Honda want you to know that winter is rapidly approaching in our community, and there is something that you can do to make your driving experience safer that you may not have realized yet. Topping off your gas tank in the winter months is a good practice to get used to doing because you can be assured that you have the necessary fuel available to you should you need it. 

Car manufacturers and automobile enthusiasts often talk about the horsepower ratings of vehicles. When the staff at Bend Honda talk about horsepower, they mean that one horsepower equals the strength to pull 33,000 pounds over one foot in a minute.

Winter is settling in for the year and this means cold temperatures with a probability of ice and snow. The combination of snow and ice together can make for some of the most unpleasant and dreaded driving conditions that you can expect to encounter here in Bend, OR.

No matter how skilled a driver you are, there is always the chance of ending up stuck, through fault of your own or another driver. Keeping a bag each of salt, sand and even kitty litter can help save you the hassle and expense of having to use a tow service to…