If you want to keep your vehicle's engine running well, then you need to have certain components replaced on a regular basis. A timing belt plays a vital role in how your engine functions because it keeps the camshaft and crankshaft turning properly.

When a worn timing belt snaps, it can cause your engine to suddenly stop. This can be dangerous if you're in traffic, and it can also cause significant damage to your engine. Interface engines are at risk of broken pistons and bent intake valves if the timing belt snaps without warning.  

If your idea of washing your vehicle is letting it sit uncovered in the rain, you may be surprised to learn just how important it is to wash your car regularly. Here at Subaru of Spokane, we want to ensure that you're able to enjoy your vehicle for many years to come, so we'd like to explain a couple of reasons why keeping your car clean can make a big difference.

One big reason to wash your car is to remove the contaminants that adhere to the surface of your vehicle.  

There is a lot that goes into taking care of your vehicle. Spring is one of the best times to do so. In order to make sure that your vehicle is properly taken care of, you are going to have to look at the many different parts of your vehicle.

One important part of your vehicle's engine is the cooling system. Make sure that you get a trusted local mechanic to flush out and refill the cooling system so that it can continue keeping the engine from overheating while you are on the road. 

Watching the sunrise or the sunset can be beautiful when you're outside a vehicle. Drivers, however, may find the sun's glare both annoying and dangerous. The glare could lead to an accident, which is why reducing the sun's effect must be a priority. Thankfully, there are simple ways to do so.

Wearing sunglasses and lowering the sun visor are two necessary and practical steps. Don't overlook keeping the windshield clean, though. Make sure the windshield is washed both inside and out to curtail the maximum effect of glares. Dirty windshields alone are troubling.  

When you are hit in a car collision, it is important to assess your own safety immediately. Even when you are not injured in the accident, your car could be in a precarious situation. Once you know you aren't seriously injured, check to see if other people are hurt.

Call the police so that an accurate report of the accident is written. Take down the information of anyone involved in the accident, and take pictures of the scene if you can. Write down car insurance information, make and model of each vehicle, and license plate numbers.  

It would be nice if everything were wireless. Of course, the issue of security would raise its ugly head pretty quickly. Wireless communications are notoriously hackable around the world. Hence the need for extra security when utilizing wireless communications.

However, security is just one issue with wireless communication, especially when talking about integrated systems like Android Auto. Currently, the necessity of using a USB-cable to connect your smartphone to the dash, and thus the Android Auto System, captures that smartphone to the car’s system.  

While you're on the road, you could see a few people on bicycles instead of driving cars. The people operating these vehicles deserve just as much respect on the road as you do, and there are ways that you can easily share the road in peace. One is to give the right of way to someone on a bike. The person might not be able to hear your vehicle, which means that you should try to pay attention to the person's actions.

Another way that you can share the road with bicyclists is by checking in both directions…

When you're washing your car, you want to clean the wheels and ties first. This is because of the grim on your tires from tar and debris on the road. When splashed on your car from spraying your tires, you'll have to re-clean if you don't start with your wheels first. Secondly, you should pick the right cleaner for your wheels, especially if you have anodized or coated wheels.

You should always clean your tires in sets, choosing the back set and then the front set. You don't want the cleaner to dry on your tires…

The crew at Subaru of Spokane is committed to helping our loyal customers to preserve the investment they have made in their vehicles. Here are some tips for protecting that vehicle from the damage of salt used to melt ice on the roads.

When the salt on the road this winter gets on your vehicle, it can do more than eat away at the finish of your vehicle. That salt will start to rust metal parts on the surface and undercarriage.  

Our chief goal at Subaru of Spokane is to help you find a vehicle that accommodates your finances, gets you from here to there, looks great and is the safest for you and your family. That's where LATCH comes in, a system of child seat attachment hardware currently getting a revamp from the IIHS. Here's how.

Why LATCH Ratings Matter:

You're much more likely to install child car seat restraints correctly when you use LATCH, says the IIHS. Unfortunately, LATCH isn't always easy to use. The tethers and anchors aren't universal and often accompany confusing…