Steve's Car & Truck Services
Cost Savings Tips
Preventative maintenance is the best way to ensure your vehicle stays reliable, and lets you avoid major repairs as well as the expenses that come with them. At Steve's Car & Truck Services, we provide a complete preventative maintenance program, and carry all the necessary parts and expertise to take care of the little jobs that let you avoid the big ones.
Choose from a comprehensive range of the fluids, oils, filters, and belts that your vehicle needs to keep running happily and healthily. Relax while your ride is inspected by our highly-trained technicians, and rest assured that it'll keep running smoothly for miles and miles.
10 Minute Pre-Trip Checkup Can Pay Off
A properly maintained vehicle is safer and more dependable and will even save a few dollars at the gas pumps. Motorists should plan ahead to allow time to perform necessary maintenance themselves or at the local service facility.
Car Care Council offers three suggestions for a traveler's 10-minute pre-trip checklist:Check all fluids - There are several fluids that require attention: Engine Oil, power steering, brake and transmission fluids, and windshield washer solvent and antifreeze/coolant.
Check all hoses and belts - A belt failure can affect the electrical system, air conditioning, power steering, and the cooling system. Cooling system hoses may be deteriorating from within, so old hoses and clamps in marginal condition might need to be replaced.
Check the tires - Check tire inflation and inspect the tread for uneven wear, indicating the need for wheel alignment. Also look for bulges and bald spots along the tire's surface.
Follow these tips to maximize fuel efficiency of your vehicle:
Boost your vehicle's fuel efficiency with these simple yet effective tips. From regular maintenance checks such as monitoring tire pressure and replacing worn spark plugs to cultivating mindful driving habits like avoiding aggressive maneuvers and excessive idling, these strategies can help you optimize fuel usage and save on costs in the long run.
Vehicle Gas Caps
Regularly checking and ensuring the proper sealing of your gas cap is crucial. Surprisingly, approximately 17% of vehicles on the roads today have gas caps that are either damaged, loose, or entirely missing. This seemingly small issue leads to the vaporization of around 147 million gallons of fuel each year.
Under Inflated Tires
Maintaining proper tire pressure is crucial for optimal fuel efficiency. Driving with underinflated tires is akin to driving with a parking brake engaged, resulting in a notable reduction in mileage, often costing a mile or two per gallon. Regularly checking and maintaining the correct tire pressure can significantly improve fuel efficiency.
Worn Spark Plugs
The spark plugs in a vehicle, whether four, six, or eight in number, endure an incredible amount of stress, firing up to 3 million times every 1,000 miles. Such persistent use can lead to both electrical and chemical erosion from the generated heat. Regular inspection and timely replacement of worn spark plugs are essential for maintaining fuel efficiency.
Dirty Air Filters
A clogged air filter can disrupt the ideal air-fuel mixture, leading to a "rich" mixture where the proportion of gas to air is imbalanced. This not only results in fuel wastage but also causes the engine to lose power. The simple act of replacing a clogged air filter can enhance gas mileage by as much as 10%, making it a crucial maintenance step for fuel efficiency.
Don't Drive Aggressively
Aggressive driving habits, such as sudden accelerations and abrupt stops, can significantly reduce gas mileage. In fact, aggressive driving can decrease gas mileage by up to 33% on the highway and 5% on city streets. Opting for smoother driving habits can substantially improve fuel efficiency.
Avoid Excessive Idling
Allowing a vehicle to idle for extended periods consumes fuel without yielding any mileage. Minimize unnecessary idling, and avoid letting the vehicle warm up for more than one to two minutes as excessive idling contributes to unnecessary fuel consumption.
Drive the Speed Limit
Maintaining a consistent speed and adhering to the speed limit can play a vital role in fuel efficiency. Gas mileage tends to decrease rapidly at speeds exceeding 60 mph. For every mile driven above 60 mph, you can expect an additional 10 cents per gallon in fuel costs. Utilizing cruise control can also help in maintaining a steady speed, thus enhancing fuel efficiency during highway driving.
OUR REVIEWS
Tires, near Lake Mills, WIBarbro Andren , 05/29/2025I was in Lake Mills this morning running an errand. I live in Cambridge (which by the way it’s not on your drop-down list. It’s only about 10 miles away so definitely worth the drive.) Anyway I was driving through town and my tire light went on. I pulled into a gas station and their tire gauge was broken, but the guy there said to me “See that building over there?” I said yes, and he said “Go over there. They’ll help you. He’s a really nice guy.” So I drove over to the back of the building, (Steve’s) and I ran into a really nice guy (Steve) working on a car at the back of the shop. I asked if he could help me, and he said sure, just go have a seat upfront, and indicated he’d take a look at it as soon as he could. They were crazy busy. I’ll be here for awhile, I thought. I went up front and explain my dilemma to Cassy in the front office. I was planning to leave at 7 o’clock tomorrow morning to drive to St. Louis, but when Steve, within minutes, showed me the size of the hole in my tire. I knew that was not going to happen. I have a Volkswagen Tiguan, four-wheel-drive, and tires are not easily found. But Cassie was on it and located some that could be delivered and put on the next morning. Meanwhile, Steve put my spare limper tire on, and all the while I was talking back-and-forth with a service guy at my car dealer in Madison. I learned my tires were under warranty and that my roadside assistance would take care of it (whew) but only if the work was done by them in Madison. I asked Cassy what I owed them, and was tempted to pay them double just to make myself feel better. It was beyond reasonable. I thanked Steve and Cassie profusely and actually felt bad that a warranty thing couldn’t be covered there. (But not sorry to save big bucks.) Meanwhile, another customer had been telling me how she’s been going there for 37 years, and that she couldn’t imagine going anywhere else. No kidding. If your car needs literally anything done to it, run don’t walk, to Steve’s. It’s one of those places that’s just like America used to be. Although all they did was change my tire, they absolutely made my day, and kind of restored my faith in humanity a little bit. Yay, Steve’s! Thank you!
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