FALCONER AUTO REPAIR

  The term "National Scenic Byway" is an official designation bestowed by the US Department of Transportation. To qualify, a route must have archeological, cultural, historic, natural, or recreational significance. Or it can merely offer drop-dead gorgeous panoramas. Let's look at some of the drives our country has to offer: Maui’s Hana Highway Hana Highway is a 64.4 mile segment of highway between Kahului and Hana on the island of Maui. It takes two and a half hours to drive this road when no stops are made. But you will want to stop at many stunning vistas. We suggest planning half a day to explore this gem. Miami to Key West Overseas Highway (pictured) From Miami to Key West, this 160-mile drive (and engineering marvel) will have you ‘ooh-ing’ and 'aah-ing' the whole way.  Old San Juan, Puerto Rico We wanted to recognize a route that is often overlooked in articles about scenic ... read more

Have you done any research into color psychology? You may have heard that red interiors in restaurants can energize diners' appetites and that pastels can be soothing. Colors affect our emotions, behavior, and actual physiological processes such as heart rate and the release of adrenaline. Color also impacts our buying decisions. For most auto owners, a vehicle is a big-ticket purchase, the most expensive investment besides their house, and they spend a lot of time deciding on which one to buy. Some buyers say that color has no influence on their choice, and others consider the color of the car a very important factor. What do psychologists say car color reveals about the owner? The following list could indicate owner personality traits or qualities they value. White: Organized ... read more

Tire manufacturing is a huge industry. There are approximately 400 tire factories around the world that produce 1 billion tires a year. If you own an automobile, you’ve had to deal with replacing tires. So what are some vital things you need to know about tires? Here are answers to frequently asked tire questions we get at I-86 Truck & Auto Repair. Which tire is best for your vehicle? Make sure you use the size recommended by the car maker. Unless you want to do some major modifications. As far as the type of tire to use, you are safe if you follow the manufacturer's recommendations. The three main types of tires are all-season, winter, and summer. Of course, there are other circumstances that will affect your choice of tire. Consider the type of driving that you do. Driving a truck off-road is a lot different than driving a passenger car on pavement every day. Consider the climate you live in. You get what you pay for. Don't choose the lowest priced. It will ha ... read more

When it comes to your family, you want the safest car you can afford. Families are spending more and more time on the road. Between school, work, sports practice, and road trips, finding a safe and cost-effective car is more essential than ever.  Depending on your preference, you can choose an SUV, minivan, truck, or sedan. With many breakthroughs in technology, all of these automobiles combine safety, reliability, space, and kid-friendly features. Ford, Mercedes-Benz, BMW, and Audi make some of the highest-rated SUVs equipped for growing families. Auto companies like Kia, Audi, and Toyota have taken a full-size car and made it spacious enough for families on the go. U.S. News named the 2018 Kia Sorento as the Best 3-Row SUV for the money. The 2018 Ford Edge was recognized as the best 2-Row SUV for the money. If you are looking for a family car under $10k, you might want to check out pre-2010 Saturn Outlook, Toyota Sienna, or Dodge Caravan. High-tech safety features have made ... read more

At I-86 Truck & Auto Repair, we hear a lot of car talk. And occasionally we hear someone repeating a myth that's been debunked for years. Here are a few of the most common: Premium Gas Will Make My Car Last Longer If you have a high-performance automobile, your manufacturer may recommend premium fuel. If not, you are needlessly spending more at the pump. Using An Independent Shop Will Void Your Warranty Some dealers claim this to be true because they want to continue to profit from your automobile purchase. Your warranty is valid wherever you get your maintenance done. We invite you to entrust your automobile to us at I-86 Truck & Auto Repair. We perform affordable, quality auto warranty service and repair. Always Replace All Four Tires At The Same Time If a tire is damaged beyond repair, it's fine to buy one tire that i ... read more

The automotive service team at I-86 Truck & Auto Repair is passionate about keeping vehicles properly maintained so they can perform at peak condition for as long as possible. Some of our clients' vehicles have 200k+ miles, are still in exceptional condition, and have many more serviceable years left in them. And, by the way, they welcome the fact that these dependable rides were completely paid off years ago. Sadly, we also occasionally see newish vehicles that have been utterly thrashed and abused. We often remind our customers (for good reason) that skipping maintenance services like oil changes has some pretty serious consequences, but we don't stress the importance of interior care nearly enough. In today's post, we turn our attention to caring for leather auto upholstery. Leather is quite durabl ... read more

Is the distinctive new car smell manufactured? In the Model T days, new automobile smells probably weren't engineered. Now, carmakers have fragrance chemists responsible for creating a car's signature fragrance. (No wonder new cars are so expensive!) These scientists, sometimes called "car sommeliers." are like any other team of auto engineers. They design, they create, they test. It's a complex process. "The Audi Nose team analyzes more than 500 different components from the interior of each model separately, as well as the scent of the complete car." https://www.metro.us/news/nose-teams-and-the-science-behind-new-car-smell/tmWjiv---6cEyu8mysDyrs Sometimes, Auto manufacturers change the fragrance for a different country. According to Ford, Chinese auto buyers are no ... read more

Way back in 1971, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) mandated a standard tire identification number (TIN). The purpose of the standard identification was to more easily notify owners when a tire was recalled. The NHTSA requires tire manufacturers to mold the unique TIN on at least one sidewall of each tire. This applies to both newly manufactured and retreaded tires. The TIN furnishes a wealth of information. Provided, of course, that you know what those numbers and letters mean. Let's break it down. Keep in mind that not all of these codes are required by law, so not every tire will have every item described here. Here is a sample TIN with all the numbers and letters explained below. P235/65R15 94H M+S DOT 2M 1812Metric or Tire Type [P] The first letter s ... read more

Most people know the factors that impact auto insurance rates: driver's age, model year, and accident history. There are some lesser-known scenarios that influence how much you pay. Here are some surprising things we found when we looked into it. Whether You Have A Farm When you apply for your auto insurance policy, you are asked how you use your vehicle. This affects how much you pay. Those who use their auto for business are charged more. If you are planning to use your vehicle on your farm, you will pay the lowest rates. If you're contemplating the purchase of a 100,000-acre dairy farm (aren't we all?), this may sway your decision. Whether You Are Widowed or Divorced It's common knowledge that when a driver gets married, his or her rate drops. (Especially his.) If you become single again ... read more

Automakers have always found different ways to incorporate new technology into their cars or advance technology themselves. One of the hot innovations right now, and one that is poised to revolutionize auto transportation forever, is the electric motor. We’ve seen vehicles that have used hybrid technology that combines gas and electric motors, but now we’re seeing autos that are going fully electric. Plus, the mileage range of these new EVs is getting long enough for car buyers to seriously consider purchasing an all-electric vehicle. Auto manufacturers are now in a race to design the "Volkswagen Beetle" of electric cars, in other words, a competitively-priced daily driver for the masses. Let's look at the main players. The Trailblazer You can't highlight electric cars and not give prominence to ... read more