All posts in Auto Maintenance

How to Dust off Your Old Car and Turn It into a Hot Rod

by Carsurfer Admin on 2016/10/19 in Auto Restoration with Comments Off

Many people own older cars that are outdated and don’t run well. They need to be fixed up and often times completely restored before they can be safely taken on the road again. Fortunately, it’s possible to dust off your old car and turn it into an impressive hot rod. To transform your vehicle and allow it to stand out on the road, there are a few important steps to take.

Pop Out the Dents

Many older cars are in poor condition due to a number of dents that are present on the body. Pop out the dents or hire a professional to perform paintless dent repair. This will require that the existing paint is removed before pulling the dent out and filling it with body filler. Priming the body will then need to be performed to protect the metal.

Repaint the Car

The body of your old car will need to be repainted to allow it to stand out and look new again. Consider choosing a classic color that is commonly used on vintage models, which can include bright red, mint green, or yellow. This will require that rust will also need to be sanded off before new paint is applied. Repainting your car will give a new, fresh, and sleek look as you turn it in to your dream hot rod.

Reupholster the Seats

Take out each seat in the vehicle to examine it for areas that need to be repaired. If the material on the seating is too damaged, it will need to be reupholstered if cuts or gashes are present. Stains that are present can be cleaned by using stain removers or a mixture of water and dish soap.

Replace Old Parts

Does your old car still run? If it doesn’t it could be any number of things on why it is not. If you have to replace the engine, you might as well replace all of the old parts in your car. Keep in mind that this route can cost you a lot of money when it comes to restoring your old car and turning it into a hot rod. You’ll need to inspect the vehicle to determine which parts are old, outdated, and no longer work anymore. Make a list of exhaust pipes or brakes that need to be replaced for items that you can purchase through companies like Reggie’s Garage.

Increase the Performance of the Engine

It’s just as important to restore the engine as it is to increase the look of the car. Clean it up and check the oil while replacing belts, spark plug wires, and radiator hoses that are old or have become damaged. Have it inspected by a professional and take it for a test drive to ensure that it runs well.

By taking the time and energy to fix up your old car, you can transform it into a hot rod and feel confident in the vehicle while on the road. With the right steps taken, you can make an investment that allows you to own a vehicle that increases in value over the years.

The First Four Things Your Should Do After Being In A Collision

by Carsurfer Admin on 2016/10/17 in Auto Accident with Comments Off

Being in an auto accident can certainly be an extremely frightening experience. Even still, you need to keep your wits about you directly after a collision. What you do next can determine if your finances or even your health will take as much damage as your vehicle. Below are the first four things you should do directly after a collision.

Get Medical Attention

If there is any possibility that anyone in either vehicle involved in the crash was injured, the first thing you should do before anything else is call for an ambulance. According to IIHS.org, there are over 30,000 vehicle related deaths a year. However, with proper medical attention, lives can be saved. You should also keep in mind that the seriousness of some injures such as whiplash may not be immediately apparent. Play it safe and call 9-1-1 if needed.

Call the Police

Another thing you must absolutely do is call the police. If you don’t call the police, you will never obtain a police report regarding the accident. According to the DMV, you should be able to obtain the police report a week after the accident. This will insure that the other party involved in the accident won’t be able to lie or shift blame if the details of the accident are disputed.

Swap Insurance Information

To make sure you aren’t held liable for any damage, you must swap insurance information with the other driver. After doing so, call your insurance company immediately. If they aren’t made aware of the crash right away and aren’t able to contact the other driver’s insurance company to work out the details, there is a possibility you may be accountable for your own repair costs, medical costs and other costs related to the accident.

Contact an Attorney

Sometimes accidents result in lawsuits. This is for good reason too. Insurance may refuse to cover all the expenses related to an accident. The other driver may not have insurance and may have been acting negligently. In some cases car insurance may not be able to cover things like lost wages and pain and suffering, that is why it’s a good idea to seek help from an attorney such as those at Snyder & Wenner, P.C. . Sometimes, compensation for these has to be obtained in court.

Being involved in an accident can be very stressful. Even so, you must take the correct actions after an accident. Not doing so can have great ramifications for your health as well as your financial livelihood.

Helpful Tips When Moving to a Different Country

by Carsurfer Admin on 2016/10/13 in Auto Maintenance with Comments Off

Everyone would agree that moving is always complicated and a lot of work. This is true if an individual is moving to a different house located in their same neighborhood. However, when a person moves to a different country, everything becomes even more complicated and even more work is required. The following tips can be helpful when moving to a different country.

What Should You Take

The very first thing that you need to think about is if you will take all your stuff with you or if you will start over once you arrive. When moving to a different country, many have decided that it is best to sell almost all that they have and then purchase new things once they arrive to their new home. One of the biggest benefits in doing this is that a person does not have to pay to have all of their belongings transported. For individuals who live a very simple life or who are not attached to their material items, doing this is usually the most practical. And for many people, it is a lot of fun to start over. They like the idea of purchasing new furniture and household items and decorating from scratch. Many individuals will hire a company to ship a few boxes for them that will include items that are special, like family photo albums.

Getting Your Stuff Over There

If you decide that you would like to take along many of your possessions, you need to find a transport company that will help you make the move. Working with international shipping companies is pretty simple. They will give exact instructions on the kind of containers that are acceptable for transport. Some even provide containers that are used for transporting large items and a lot of stuff. When moving to a different country, it is likely that large ships will move your belongings. However, this, of course, is going to depend on your original country and the country where you are moving.

What About Your Automobile

Another consideration is if you will take your vehicle or if you will use public transportation or purchase another vehicle once you arrive. If you are moving overseas or to a very distant country, driving your vehicle may not be practical. However, some international shipping companies can give you information about car transport.

When it comes to shipping furniture, personal belongings, and even your vehicle, balance how much you will spend on shipping and how valuable the items are to you.

Machine Maintenance: 8 Ways to Prep Your Car This Fall: What to Know

by Carsurfer Admin on 2016/10/03 in Auto Maintenance with Comments Off

If fall is coming and you think that the summer was hard on your vehicle, you’ll want to take it in and have it serviced for the fall and to prepare for the winter. Here are some of the things that you want done to the vehicle.

Fluid Check and Replacement

A tune-up to check all fluids is crucial throughout the year, but you want to have the coolant refilled or replaced after the summer when the air conditioner was used. Have all fluids checked, topped off, or replaced if any are dirty.

Air Filter Replacement

If the air filter in your vehicle hasn’t been replaced and is clogged, it’s going to affect how your engine runs. This will also cause issues with your fuel economy, so have the filter checked at oil changes and replaced when needed.

Tire Balance and Rotation

Check the pressure in your tires regularly, and have the tires balanced and rotated to prevent uneven wearing. Uneven wearing can affect how the vehicle feels when you drive, how it handles, the life of your tires, and it can affect the fuel use.

Exterior Detail and Waxing

Have the vehicle detailed to clean off the dirt and sand it could have been exposed to over the summer. After you have the car cleaned and the scratches buffed out, have wax put on the exterior. This prevents damage from the falling leaves and other debris during fall.

Interior Cleaning and Deodorizing

If the summer brought in grass, dirt, sand, and other debris to the inside of your car, have the interior carpeting and upholstery cleaned professionally. Remove soils and staining, and have a deodorizing cleansing agent used to keep the car smelling new.

Transmission Flush

If it’s been at least 50,000 miles since you’ve last had the transmission on the vehicle flushed, you’ll want to have a mechanic perform the service. This keeps the transmission lean, helps the car run more smoothly, and preserves the transmission for the time you own the car.

Brake Pad Replacement

Replace the brake pads to ensure you can stop when you want, and help preserve the tires on your vehicle. You should also have the rotors checked out when the pads are replaced. You want this done before the cold weather, ice and snow hit. Brake fluid should be replaced when all other fluids are checked in the tune-up.

Battery Check

As temperatures start to drop it can cause the battery to drain, and it can be difficult for a battery in poor condition to stay charged. Have the battery tested to see if it needs to be replaced before the fall hits.

Create a maintenance schedule with the things you want to do to your vehicle annually, quarterly and more. This can help you maintain your vehicle to hold its value. The experts at Jack Burford Chevrolet recommend a maintenance schedule based on the year and model of your car.

Autumn Auto: 5 Essential Car Care Tips for Fall

by Carsurfer Admin on 2016/09/30 in Auto Maintenance with Comments Off

The arrival of fall means it’s time for us to begin winter preparations. While many of us focus our efforts on our home in order to lock out the cold and increase energy efficiency, there are car care necessities that should not be ignored. This fall, follow this list to ensure your car is ready for the winter months ahead.

Tires

Winter often means snow and ice, depending on where you live, and your tires can be one of your best defenses against treacherous road conditions. Check your tires first for tread and replace tires when needed. Also check tire pressure. A decrease in tire pressure can signal that a tire needs replaced, and when it’s cold, the cold air in the tires causes a decrease in pressure.

Battery

The long, cold winter months can be particularly hard on the battery in your vehicle. We demand more of our batteries in the winter and can rely on them in cases of emergency. Be certain that your battery will power your car even in the coldest weather by having the battery tested. Many parts suppliers will test your battery free of charge.

HVAC and Wipers

Each fall, it is important to check your car’s heating, ventilation, and air conditioning system. Frosty winter months can leave windows covered in ice and/or snow, and a properly working heating system can keep your car in safe operation. Along with the visibility secured by a properly functioning defroster, windshield wipers are crucial to seeing through storms. Replace any dull wiper blades early to ensure visibility in snow and rain. According to the experts at Evans Tire and Service Center, wiper blades see the most use in the fall and winter months, so replacing them at the beginning of the season is a wise choice.

Fluids

The fall season is the perfect time to check all fluids in the vehicle to ensure proper functionality of all systems. Check brake fluid, transmission fluid, windshield washing fluid, and power steering fluid. Checking these fluids can help detect any leaks within the vehicle as well as help each part of the car perform. Taking the time to check the antifreeze/coolant in the vehicle can also save you from costly repairs down the road.

Brakes

Winter driving hazards come in a wide variety, and properly working brakes can help ensure maximum safety on the road. Check the brake pads and rotors frequently for optimum safety. For the best result, check each oil change.

Proper car care can help give you piece of mind on the road and also keep your safe. October is Car Care Month, and a properly functioning vehicle is the best defense for winter driving.