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Getting a flat tire can be a real hassle. It can be intimidating if you've never changed one before. The team here at MINI of Charleston want our customers to understand their vehicles thoroughly. Knowing the difference between a compact temporary and a full-size spare tire is the first step to becoming more familiar with your vehicle.

A compact temporary spare tire is often commonly referred to as a donut. It's a smaller version of your car's regular tires. This scaled-down tire is especially useful in smaller cars because they won't take up too much trunk…

Hydroplaning is a dangerous occurrence that sometimes happens to vehicles when it's raining. If your tires are not able to scatter water properly, a layer of water can build up between the tires and road, which causes hydroplaning. When hydroplaning occurs, it feels like your vehicle is skidding, and you may lose control of braking and steering.

Don't panic if your vehicle starts to hydroplane and try to avoid hard braking. If you slam on the brakes, the front wheels will slow but the back wheels could lock, and this could cause a spin out.

Here at MINI of Charleston, our finance team strives to keep auto finance as simple and accessible as possible. Once you understand the major terms, it's easier to appreciate the entire process. Take the following terms for example.

Actual Cash Value

Also called trade-in value, the ACV reflects a given dealership's official valuation of your vehicle. It may not necessarily match the value listed in KBB nor the selling price of your car on the open market. ACV only comes from a dealership, so it's helpful to obtain. It's the only amount that counts toward your…

Owning a car is an essential thing for most people. But it is crucial to know that the luxury of a vehicle will not be determined by its power, uniqueness, or other features. The safety of the car can only determine it. Sometimes an accident can find you even when you are so innocent. Therefore, being ready for such a thing is an assurance that you will be safe during a collision.

Who Should One Trust to Rank His Car?
?
The Insurance Institute of Highway Safety(IIHS) and National Highway Testing Safety Administration(NHTSA) is the country's only known…

By now, many modern Charleston drivers are aware of the value that blind-spot monitors bring to vehicles. How these assistive safety tools work, though, is still a bit mysterious to some local drivers. Thankfully, the blind-spot monitor is not too difficult to understand.

In addition to its warning system, which usually includes visual and auditory alerts, radar sensors and cameras are also vital to the operation of a blind-spot monitor. While mounted to the vehicle's rear, these components detect any adjacent lanes' traffic that 

Is the Battery Dead

Car batteries, unfortunately, cannot last forever and often times fail at the most inconvenient times. If you notice that your vehicle’s headlights are dimmer than usual or that your vehicle is starting slower than normal, then the battery may be going bad. Routinely testing the battery in your vehicle will allow you to avoid being surprised by a faulty battery.

Use a Multimeter

A multimeter is a great and essential tool that you will need to use in order to check the battery that is in your vehicle. 

Our experts at MINI of Charleston are always standing by to help motorists. One way that you can improve safety when you're out and about is to have a roadside emergency kit. There are an abundance of roadside emergency kits on the internet, or you can make one on your own.

Basic roadside emergency kits typically come with a first-aid kit, jumper cables, a flashlight, batteries, and a tool kit. If you live where there's snow and ice, then blankets and an ice scraper should be included in your kit. A quart of motor oil and coolant are…

Your vehicle is made up of multiple systems. Your engine system is made of many parts, and if one of those parts is faulty, it can cause the engine to malfunction. Engine gaskets aren't complex parts, but they play an integral role in how your vehicle's engine performs.

Gaskets are very durable. They can stand up to extremely hot temperatures and excessive pressure. The purpose of gaskets is to act as a perfect seal between two surfaces so that fluid and gas doesn't escape or mix. Gaskets are made from a variety of items, which include composites…

At MINI of Charleston we know how it feels to look out the window and see thick sheets of rain falling. It’s time to leave for work, but driving in the rain can be dangerous. What do you do? The car is in the garage, so no need to worry about getting wet here. It’s a different story on wet roads though.

Turning on the wipers can help keep the windshield clear, but be aware that unless the indoor and outdoor temperatures are close to equal you may have to deal with the glass fogging up with the…

Exhaust leaks are common, and it’s crucial to take note and have it repaired. There are always signs which show that the exhaust is leaking.

Loud noise

It is manifested through loud noises from the engine. It is often the main sign of a leak.

Poor fuel usage

When you need to fuel your vehicle more times than usual, it signifies your vehicle's exhaust leaks. It, therefore, forces you to fuel a couple of times due to inefficiency.

Odor

A leaky exhaust usually emits a strong smell in the air. The car owner should, therefore, take it for…