Find the lowest rates at Gas Stations!

As gas prices skyrocket, let’s examine some commonly held beliefs about how to get the best gas mileage from your vehicle.

FACT: Driving slower saves you gas. Like millions of Americans, we listen to the “Car Talk” guys on National Public Radio mostly because they make us laugh. But they also dispense great auto advice, and they stress that slowing down makes a big difference:

For every 1,000 miles you drive (figuring gas at $2.50 a gallon and 25 mpg fuel efficiency), you’ll save as much as $15 driving 10 mph slower. Of course, if gas is nearly double that price, the savings should double as well. Something to think about if you’re a speed demon.

FICTION: Replacing the air filter on your car improves mileage. The U.S. Department of Energy reports that an air filter change will mostly help your acceleration, not your mileage — though if you drive an older car with a carbureted engine, it may improve fuel economy 2% to 6%.

FACT: Stepping on the brakes wastes gas. Every time you use the brakes, you’re wasting the ‘acceleration’ you’ve already used. Instead of moving your car, that energy is being transformed into steaming hot brake pads. Instead, learn to anticipate stops, and gently accelerate your car from a standing stop.

FICTION: Gas-saving additives can improve fuel economy by 20% or more. What’s the difference between motor oil and snake oil? Not much, if you’re weighing the claims of slick entrepreneurs who know the timing’s right for selling you magical gas-saving potions. To be sure, some long-standing products with modest claims (such as STP Gas Treatment) have vigorous supporters, but they only claim to boost mileage about 10%.

But as the Federal Trade Commission warns, “The Environmental Protection Agency has evaluated or tested more than 100 alleged gas-saving devices and has not found any product that significantly improves gas mileage. In fact, some ‘gas-saving’ products may damage a car’s engine or cause substantial increases in exhaust emissions.”

FICTION: New “low-resistance” tires significantly improve gas mileage. Unless you’re driving bald or severely underinflated tires, the hype about low-rolling resistance tires adds up to minimal gas savings. As this story by USA Today reports, various brands of these newfangled tires create gas savings of only 1% to 3%, even if rolling resistance is cut by 25% or more. Whether that saves wear and tear on your car is another story, but the mileage improvements won’t even pay for a spare tire over the course of 10 tanks of gas.

FACT: You can realize dramatic mileage improvement by replacing your oxygen sensor. This falls under the category of tuning up your car, always a good idea if you want to see gas mileage gains in the 4% range. As a function of any proper tuneup, ask your Rolf’s mechanic to look at the oxygen sensor; if it’s not working properly, a simple repair to this part could boost your mileage by as much as 40%, the U.S. Department of Energy states.

Note that if you make this fix, it may take a few weeks for you to realize the improved mileage as your engine’s fuel-air ratio adjusts.

FICTION: Topping off the gas tank is a good idea. We know, We know: You’ve finally found the one pump between here and Logansport, Ind., that has affordable gas, so why not squeeze every last drop into your tank? While that sounds sensible at first blush, here’s the problem: Gas expands in warmer weather, which means topped off gas will likely wind up spilling out your tank.

As if you needed more incentive, check out this warning from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency: “Topping off the gas tank can result in your paying for gasoline that is fed back into the station’s tanks because your gas tank is full.” So unless you’re in the mood to pay the folks at Exxon or BP a little more for your fuel, stop topping off your tank.

FICTION: High-octane gasoline improves your mileage. We’re amazed to see that countless drivers still fall for this marketing gimmick, despite abundant evidence that high-octane gas is a waste of money. Props to the folks at Bankrate.com for pointing this out, along with other gas-saving tips you can read here. Bottom line: Unless your car specifically requires premium, skip it and go for low-octane fuel.

*From MSN Money, April 2012

MayFest 2012 – The Arrival of Spring

at Lakewold Gardens
May 5-13th, 2012 from 10:00am-4:00pm
More info

- – -

2012 Tacoma Arthritis Walk

at Marine Park, Tacoma, WA
Saturday, May 5th, 2012
More information

Import Auto Service Rewards Card

When you respond to our reminder mailers, you’ll be staying current on oil changes and preventive maintenance intervals. For helping us manage the life cycle of your vehicle, we want to reward you for your trust and business. Take a look at our website for more information on our Rewards Card Program.

The Turner Syndrome Society of the US creates AWARENESS, promotes RESEARCH, and provides SUPPORT, for all persons touched by Turner syndrome.

Rolf’s Import Auto Service will donate $5.00 to the Turner Syndrome Society of the US for every online appointment scheduled for the month of May. Schedule your Online Appointment Here.

When booking an appointment online, please select the charity you want to donate to from the Charity Drop-Down Box.

Thank you for helping Rolf’s support the Turner Syndrome Society of the US!
Learn more about this charity on their website at www.turnersyndrome.org.

Don't Text and Drive

Phone Down, Eyes Up
Texting and driving is like playing Russian Roulette

You are 23x more likely to crash if you text while driving. According to the NHTSA, in 2009 an estimated 20 percent of 1,517,000 injury crashes were reported to have involved distracted driving.

Teen drivers are more likely than other age groups to be involved in a fatal crash where distraction is reported. In 2009, 16% of teen drivers involved in a fatal crash were reported to have been distracted.

Distracted Driving News (US Government site) >>

Yes - there is an app for this

Yes. And there is an app to stop it.

We’ve all done it. Tried to fit in a quick message while driving the car. The problem – we’re very distracted and we’re very dangerous.

Sending or receiving a text takes a driver’s eyes from the road for an average of 4.6 seconds. If you are traveling 55 mph, that is the same as driving the length of an entire football field, blind-folded.*

With new laws in place and reduced mobile phone usage on the road, it is now painfully easy to spot the offenders. They weave, they brake late (or early), and quite often are stuck at the light when it is as green as it is going to get. So even though there are fines for using your cell phone while driving, it still is causing accidents and deaths across the nation.

While we can’t remove the temptation, there are some apps that can control the calls.

There’s an app for that >>
One text or call could wreck it all.

You can safely end the practice of texting while driving with a number of different apps:

tXtBlocker blocks texting and speaking while a vehicle is in motion and sends an automatic “Driving” message to anyone who texts or calls.

tXtBlocker can also be customized to block text messages or calls at certain times of the day or near certain locations, such as a school or workplace. 911 calls are always allowed. tXtBlocker costs $6.99 for a single-user plan and $9.99 a month for a family plan. It works with most Android and BlackBerry devices.

Textecution™ kills texting functions while driving.

Textecution sits quietly in the background and allows you use your phone normally. Once it detects that the phone is travelling faster than 10 mph, Textecution disables the phone’s texting feature, so text messages can’t be sent or received. Once the phone is at rest or travelling slower than 10 mph, the texting feature is restored. There is a one-time fee of $29.99 to download the app, which is good for the life of a phone number. Android devices only.

iZUP - defers calls to voice mail and holds text messages while the vehicle is in motion.

iZUP is another app that monitors speed and other critical conditions to determine whether a phone is in a moving vehicle. Once a predetermined speed is reached, iZUP holds text messages, e-mails and calls while you’re driving, yet always allows unlimited access to 911 and a list of authorized phone numbers. iZUP is $2.95 per month for a single user and $5.95 per month for a family plan.

There are also corporate options.

Any of the above can help you control your texting. And that of your teen drivers. Let’s make the roads a little safer by reducing the distractions.

*From Distraction.gov

Daffodil Festival – Grand Floral Parade

Tacoma – Puyallup – Sumner – Orting
Saturday, April 14th, 2012
More information and parade start times

- – -

The Spring Fair

in Puyallup at the Fairgrounds
April 19-22nd, 2012
More information

Shriners International is a fraternity based on fun, fellowship and the Masonic principles of brotherly love, relief and truth. Shriners International also supports Shriners Hospitals for Children®, a health system of 22 hospitals dedicated to providing pediatric medical care, world-class research and educational opportunities for medical professionals.

Rolf’s Import Auto Service will donate $5.00 to Shriners International for every online appointment scheduled for the month of April. Schedule your Online Appointment Here.

When booking an appointment online, please select the charity you want to donate to from the Charity Drop-Down Box.

Thank you for helping Rolf’s support Shriners International!
Learn more about this charity on their website at www.shrinersinternational.org.

Click on Gift Card for details

At Rolf’s Import Auto Service, we would like to thank you for allowing us to service your vehicle.

If you own another European, Import or a U.S. Vehicle that could use the same quality Rolf’s Service we would like to service it as well!  While we specialize in all European and Import Vehicles, we are happy to consider many US makes and models for our valued customers!

We have created a very special offer just for you and your second or third vehicles that have never been in for service at our shop!

When you visit us with an additional vehicle for maintenance or repair service, we are offering you a $50.00 Gift Card towards service and repair on that vehicle.

Our technicians are highly trained on European and Import Vehicles. This training and our investment in state of the art diagnostic technology and tools allow us to also work on ANY U.S. Vehicle we choose.  We typically only offer this service to our loyal customers with additional vehicles.

Many of our customers trust us to service all of their family vehicles, so join in and take advantage of our special offer!

Thank you for your business!