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How do you test a battery’s voltage with a multimeter?

A multimeter is the perfect tool to test the voltage stored in your car’s battery while at rest. The device measures the voltage available based on the amount of current traveling from one location to another. In the case of the multimeter, the current is traveling from the positive pole to the negative pole.

When using the multimeter to measure the amount of voltage stored in your battery, touch the red probe to the positive pole of your battery and the black probe to the negative pole, establishing a connection from one side of the battery to the other…

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Tailgating Tips For This Season

Pickup trucks are the perfect place to host tailgating parties at your favorite sporting events. Here at Piazza Honda of Philadelphia, we wanted to offer some helpful tips to make your tailgate parties a huge success.

  • Convert an empty laundry detergent container into a portable hand-washing station.
  • Convert a beer case into a drink cooler using a plastic bag.
  • Prepare a breakfast that can be eaten using hands like pancakes wrapped around bacon and sausages.
  • Convert a disposable drink try into a small crudite plate.
  • Set up a toppings bar for burgers and hot dogs.
  • Use bowls for chili not…
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Things Not to Do When You Are Towing

Your friends at Piazza Honda of Philadelphia wanted to pass along some of the things you should not do if you plan on towing anything.

Don't load anything on the trailer to be towed without first taking your lug wrench and tightening all the lugs. If they were loose, you run the risk of losing a tire and the load on the highway.

Don't assume because the load is on the trailer that you are ready to roll. Now is the time to balance the load so it is distributed across the trailer safely.

Don't assume just…
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What Needs to be in an Emergency Kit?

At Piazza Honda of Philadelphia, we make it easy to have a well-equipped emergency kit in your car in the local area. Having a few select items that take up very little space in your car can make the difference between getting to safety and spending a cold and dangerous night on the side of the road.

Often times, the difference between moving forward and being stranded is a bottle of fluid. Keeping an extra quart of oil or some windshield wiper fluid can act as insurance against a leak, or just running out. Having a small funnel can make…

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Knowing What to Believe Regarding Motor Oil

There are things that are taught to all drivers, and some of those things are true, and others are myths. You might have learned a lot about vehicles through the years, but it is important for you to know which information that you have received is true and which pieces of information are false. There are many motor oil myths that have been told through the years.

It is a myth that you must take your vehicle to have its oil changed before you head off on a trip. You only need to do this if the oil is due…

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5 Tips for Summer Car Care

To help you keep your vehicle running at its best and avoid unexpected auto expenses, review our five tips for summer car care below. When you finish, you can schedule a service appointment right on our website and save time at the dealership.

  1. Coolant System
    During the summer, the greatest threat of breakdown is your engine overheating. To ensure you're not stuck on the side of the road, have your coolant system inspected and filled before the summer heat hits.
  2. Wipers
    Wipers in poor condition will leave streaks across your windshield and reduce your visibility.?
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Tips for Replacing a Flat Tire

While changing a flat tire may be a relatively easy task to complete, it is important that you do it correctly. You should never attempt to change a tire on grass or dirt as the jack could sink into the ground. That could result in the vehicle tipping over and landing on a person or object.

Once you have found a flat spot to raise the car, use the jack to lift the vehicle off the ground. Once this has happened, you can start the process of taking the wheel and tire off. After the damaged tire is off, you…

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What are Gaskets?

The head gasket goes between your cylinder head and engine. It seals in the combustion chamber. Most cars have a custom gasket, so it depends on your car's make and model. The gasket allows for the right compression and also keeps in gases from the exhaust. Altogether, the gasket is needed to make your engine more efficient. However, there can be issues that arise from long-term use and certain types of cars that are more prone to blown gaskets.

The head gasket seals in things tightly and allows pistons to run through the metal sheet. If you notice that…

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How to Jump Start Another Car

When you’re prepared with a set of jumper cables, you may be able to help another motorist or yourself. They’re not difficult to use, but you do need to practice a few safety precautions. One of the first things you need to recognize is which of the cables represent the positive and negative charge. Once you’ve identified that, you’ll need to make sure they don’t touch any other metal surface once they’re connected to a battery.

The red, or red stripe, cable represents the positive charge. The black cable is the negative. It’s…

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Does Your Car's Ignition Need to Be Serviced?

When you insert the key into the ignition and crank the engine, you expect the car to start up right away. If you see smoke or smell a foul odor, this is a sign of a problem. There could be an oil soak or a problem with the starting circuit, both of which require immediate service.

Unusual sounds are also a sign of a starter problem. Grinding and whining sounds may come out of the engine when you crank it. These sounds happen when the starter drive is not engaged with the flywheel. 

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