Massachusetts Inspection Sticker reminder!  Last day for May inspection stickers. Find an inspection station near you today!

Start with Driving Habits

• Keep your car clean. Dirt, sand, snow or mud on the undercarriage of your car can weigh your car down significantly. A heavier car decreases fuel economy.
• Consolidate your daily trips and errands into one trip.  Multiple trips use a lot of gas.
• Turn off the air conditioning when possible. Except on the highway when driving at higher speeds, having your windows open will create drag slowing you down and burning more fuel.
• Jack-Rabbit starts or sudden stops use more gas than gradual changes in speed.
• Don't idle for too long. Turn off the engine if you anticipate a lengthy wait.
• Limit the time warming up your car in the winter by 50%!  This will result in a considerable savings.
• Clean out the junk in the trunk. More weight causes more drag.
• Slow down! You can improve your gas mileage by up to 15% by driving at 55 mph rather than 65 mph.
• Got cruise control?  Use it!  Maintain a constant speed for improving your gas mileage on those long trips.

Next, How You Service Your Vehicle Will Improve gas mileage!

• Spark plugs should be replaced regularly.  The air and fuel mixture will burn cleaner and more efficiently..
• Reduce engine friction by using high-quality or synthetic motor oil.
• Low oil makes your engine work harder so check your oil regularly.
• Change your fuel, oil and air filters. Dirty filters can sometimes increase the amount of gas your car uses by as much as 10%!
• Check your tires regularly to see that they are fully inflated and that the cars alignment is good.
• Regular tune-ups and car maintenance checks are important as a lot can go wrong with a car. Worn spark plugs or transmission problems can add to poor fuel economy. 

Incorporated over 30 years ago, Hub Starters has been serving Malden and its surrounding communities.  The only AAA repair shop in Malden we specialize in emission failures and check engine light diagnostics.  Hub Starters is a Massachusetts state certified repair facility offering complete automotive repairs, fleet and factory scheduled maintenance.

Allow us to demonstrate our commitment to excellence! Why pay dealership prices?  We have all the latest technology, a highly skilled team of technicians who are committed to quality work, customer service and satisfaction.

Experience our repair shop in person and you will be greeted by the owners and treated like family. Leave with an
invaluable peace of mind knowing that your vehicle was treated like one of our own!

Read more about our business in this AAA feature article.

More Information on Hub Starters

Safety Tests
Safety inspections typically take about 12 minutes. In a safety test, the inspector looks for or tests 14 key areas:

1. Visual Overview

• Certificate of registration
• Vehicle Identification Number (VIN)
• License plate(s) Decal

2. Brake Tests

• Parking brake
• Service brake

3. Exhaust System

• Exhaust system components/Muffler
• Visible blue or black smoke

4. Steering and Suspension

• Steering wheel and box
• Suspension/front end
• Springs
• Shocks

5. Horn

• Sound horn to test for adequate signal
• The horn must be securely fastened to the vehicle

6. Glazing, Glass and Windshield Wipers

• Windshield
• Windshield wipers and washer
• Windows
• Tint

7. Rear View Mirror

• Rear view mirror
• Mirrors (General)

8. Lighting Devices

• Head light aim
• Hazard lights/directionals/stop/reverse lights/and license plate light(s)
• Reflectors

9. Tires and Wheels

• Tires
• Wheels

10. Bumper, Fenders, and Fuel Tank

• Bumpers
• Fenders
• Floor pans
• Fuel tank
• Vehicle Frame or Unibody

11. Altered Vehicle Height

12. Seat Belts

13. Airbags

14. Fuel Tank Cap