All posts in Auto Maintenance

The Top 5 Common Causes for Car Accidents

by Carsurfer Admin on 2016/07/11 in Auto Accident with Comments Off

The roadway can be an extremely dangerous place. Each day, more than 3,000 people die as a result of being involved in a car crash. Many of these collisions can actually be avoided by practicing safe driving habits. Here are the top five common causes of car accidents.

Speeding

When traveling at a high rate of speed, your chances of crashing increase dramatically. The best approach is to drive no faster than the posted speed limited. Speeding diminishes your ability to react quickly in emergency situations. In the bat of an eye, an obstacle such as deer could suddenly cross your path. The faster your speed, the longer it will take to come to a complete stop. Speeding also often leads to tailgating as well which also can cause impatience especially for those who are aggressive drivers on the road. If the person in front of you stops quickly there is a very good chance you will be in a car accident that affects you and the people in the vehicle in front of you. This kind of accident puts you at fault and it can result in a serious lawsuit depending on the damages.

Driving While Intoxicated

Driving under the influence of alcohol has long remained one of the most dangerous behaviors. The driver’s blurred vision and decreased awareness put everyone on the road in danger. Unfortunately, hundreds of drunk drivers still choose to get behind the wheel. After having a few drinks at the local bar, some drivers are totally unaware of their elevated blood-alcohol level. Instead of taking an unnecessary risk, spend the extra money on a cab.

Reckless Driving

Some people tend to use driving as a way to release their pent-up aggression. While some drivers are guilty of tailgating, there are others who actually make verbal threats. According to Zaner Harden Law, a law firm that provides car accident representation in Denver, be sure to seek legal council if an angry driver has hit your vehicle. Reckless driving is a serious crime that should never be taken lightly. Having a bad day doesn’t give motorists the right to act irresponsible.

Bad Weather

Not only can bad weather cause the pavement to become extremely slippery, but it can also cause poor visibility. Far too many drivers fail to reduce their speed. From hydroplaning to rear-end collisions, there are various types of accidents that are caused by shaky road conditions. Even all-wheel-drive vehicles perform poorly on icy roads. Because of a lack of good judgment, hundreds of car pileups occur every winter.

Distracted Driving

Driving a vehicle requires more concentration than most people realize. One of today’s biggest driving distractions has become the cell phone. Despite the potential consequences, some people can’t fight off the temptation to text while driving. The few seconds it takes to read your text is not worth the risk while driving. Just keep your eyes on the road and look at your phone after you are safely off the road and parked.

These risky driving behaviors can definitely put your life at risk. Staying safe requires you to make sound decisions on a daily basis.

Five Cheap Car Fixes You Can Do on Your Own

by Carsurfer Admin on 2016/07/07 in Auto Repair with Comments Off

One of the disadvantages of owning your own car is the money you have to spend on regular maintenance projects. It’s easy to spend several hundred dollars a year, not even counting gas. One way you can cut down these expenses is to take care of some of that maintenance yourself. Here are five cheap car fixes you can do on your own.

Changing Light Bulbs

Changing you own light bulbs on your car, whether they be tail lights, headlights, or brake lights, can save you a fair amount of money. Luckily, this project isn’t too difficult either. You can find light bulbs at any auto parts supplier, but many hardware stores and discount stores like U Pull & Pay also sell them. Replacing a bulb is usually as easy as removing a screw or two and disconnecting and reconnecting a couple of wires.

Changing Spark Plugs

Spark plugs provide the spark that starts your engine, so if they are in bad shape, you might have trouble starting your car, or it might not start at all. Changing your spark plugs before they fail completely can prevent a costly tow. Having a mechanic change them can easily run you $50 or more, so by doing it yourself you can save a significant amount of money. Doing the job yourself generally takes less than an hour and doesn’t require any special tools.

Changing Windshield Wipers

Your friendly mechanic or technician at the oil change place may offer to change your worn-out windshield wipers for a price that’s about double what it would cost to change them yourself. Pick up wipers at an auto parts store, hardware store, or discount store and swap them out yourself with ease. It’s a job any novice can do.

Changing the Air Filter

One of the easiest do-it-yourself car repair jobs is changing the air filter. A dirty filter can make your car run rough, and also reduce your gas mileage. In most cars, all you have to do is locate the case the air filter sits in, open it up, remove the old one and mount in the new one.

Changing Fuses

If something electrical isn’t working on your car, it could be a blown fuse. Your fuse box is located underneath your dash, and changing a fuse is as simple as pulling out the old one and plugging in a new one.

These are some of the many easy car fixes you can do yourself to save money. Take a look at a few mentioned here and see if you can save yourself a little dough the next time you need a quick fix.

Car Repairs: Six Things You Can Fix On Your Own

by Carsurfer Admin on 2016/06/29 in Auto Repair with Comments Off

While it may be tempting to have your local mechanic perform all of your car’s maintenance, this really isn’t needed. There are plenty of things even a total novice should be able to do competently. This can help you save money. It can also help you learn more about how your automobile works. Below are six things you can fix on your own.

Drive Belt

At some point in your car’s lifespan, it’s likely that the drive belt will break or become so worn that it’s become faulty. You’ll know if your car starts squealing when you try to start it. Thankfully, replacing it isn’t too difficult. All you need is a new belt, a screwdriver, a wrench, a socket and ratchet.

Battery

Car batteries do not last forever. Eventually they die. It may even happen from simply leaving the lights on in your car overnight. If jump starting the battery doesn’t work, replacing it is thankfully one of the easiest repair jobs a car owner can do.

Alternator

If your battery isn’t at fault for your car not working and your engine refusing to turn, it’s probably the alternator. The alternator is a component that works together with the battery to supply power to the electric components of your car. Thankfully, replacing it is easy enough to do on your own. You can get the help of friends or find instructional videos online to help if you’ve never done it before.

Brake Pads

Replacing brake pads is something most drivers assume must be done by a mechanic. However, with enough care, you can properly replace your own brake pads. Just insure that it isn’t actually the rotor that needs replacement when you hear your breaks grinding.

A Coolant Leak

A coolant leak in the exterior of your car can also be fixed by a driver without the assistance of a mechanic. If you notice a pool of liquid under your car’s exterior, chances are there is a crack or hole in an exterior hose. Replace the hose, but be careful not to burn yourself. It could be hot.

A Flat Tire

It’s common knowledge that you can replace a flat tire on your own. However, not all people are actually competent enough to do so. Practice replacing a tire with a spare. That way, you’ll be able to do so if you do get a flat out on the road someday.

Overall, you should be learning as much about your vehicle as possible. Learning how to perform basic repairs properly can increase your car’s health via proper maintenance, as well as your safety out on the road. It’s also more cost-efficient to do repairs on your own. Find quality shops like Arnold Motor Supply for parts you need to take care of your car repairs and get back on the road.

Paint Chip: Five Auto Body Fixes You can Do Yourself

by Carsurfer Admin on 2016/06/27 in Auto Repair with Comments Off

What do you do after you’ve been involved in a car accident? Besides hiring a good car accident lawyer in Austin, you have to think about getting your car fixed. Not all car accidents are catastrophic, and small crashes don’t typically cause a lot of mechanical harm to your car. However, body damage is probably unavoidable, and having a professional take a look at it can be costly.

To make matters worse, if you’re one of the people out there who has a high deductible on your auto insurance, you may be paying for body work out of pocket. Thankfully, there are several kinds of auto body fixes you can do yourself with just a little cost. This is made possible thanks to the great touch-up kits now available, and a little bit of know-how. Here are five auto body fixes you can do at home!

Dent Repair

Whether it’s a fender bender or a car door bump, dents are some of the most common auto body problems. Fortunately, this is something you can fix with the right tools. To fix an auto body dent, you will need: automotive primer, sandpaper, body filler, spot putty, ridge and flexible plastic spreaders, and a bit of patience.

Start by using your sandpaper to remove loose paint since body filler doesn’t stick well to paint. Now, apply your body filler, following the instructions on the container and using the spreaders to smooth it out. Once dry, take off the rough edges using sandpaper. Afterward, apply the soft putty, and sandpaper it smooth once it dries. Last but not least, apply the automotive primer in light coats. Now it’s ready paint!

Scratch Repair

If you have a light scratch on your car, there’s no need to take it to a professional. There are numerous easy-to-use, touch-up pens that stores sell for all kinds of automobiles. While some of the cheaper ones don’t work great, mid- to high-quality scratch removers do a great job of matching your automotive paint. Keep in mind that these pens generally don’t work on deep scratches. A scratch that shows the underlying metal is a deep scratch. Try running your fingernail over the scratch, if it catches, it’s probably too deep for a do-it-yourself paint job.

Broken Light Replacement

Two areas of the car that typically break during accidents are the headlight and taillight covers. Replacing a broken light cover is easier than you think, and can be done in just a few minutes. All you need to do is find a replacement cover from an auto supply store, junk yard, or online store. These covers are typically screwed on and can be easily removed by opening the hood or trunk of your car to gain access to the screws. Just be sure to remove the cover with caution because there could be sharp pieces that could cut you.

Trim Removal

In the event that you have to take your car into an automotive shop for repair, remember you can still save money by doing some of the work yourself. One of the biggest things that auto body shops charge for is the removal and re-installation of body trim. Removing things like bumpers, door handles, and mirrors is easy. Just check that removing some of the trim doesn’t violate any local laws first. You can find replacements at scrap yards and simply install new ones that fit.

Rust Removal

While not typically caused by car accidents, rust removal is still an auto body fix you can do yourself. Stores sell products that can help remove rust, but you can also make your own rust remover by using salt and lime juice. Sometimes even baking soda and water removes rust from cars. Simply apply to the end of a toothbrush and start scrubbing.

Any auto body work you can do yourself is a good thing. Keep in mind that some work is simply too in-depth to be considered for a DIY project. If you don’t feel confident you can do the work yourself, contact a local repair shop to get an estimate. Most auto centers will provide a free estimate if you bring in your car.

Automotive Technology: Working with the Roadsters of the Future

by Carsurfer Admin on 2016/06/22 in Auto Maintenance with Comments Off

For many people, their passion is cars. Automobiles are also currently going under an exciting engineering transformation and have been since they were first invented by Henry Ford in the early 1900s. With things like electric powered vehicles and self-driving cars, the automobiles of the future are certain to be much more advanced than what we are driving on the road today. If you want to get in on a career working on the roadsters of the future, below are some tips that can help.

1. Get the Right Degree

There are a lot of automotive degrees you can obtain at technical schools that can certainly get you a steady job working as an auto mechanic. However, if you want to actually design the next generation of cars, you’re going to need to aim a bit higher with your academic aspirations. You’re going to need a good engineering degree.

While becoming an engineer does indeed require a lot of hard work and dedication, you can certainly fit it into your schedule. Obtaining an online masters in engineering management, for example, can be done at home at your own pace.

2. Build Your Own Car

Cars are some of the most complex machines to work on and put together. There are a lot of variables that you have to put together when you are assembling a car. While the fundamentals are still the same, the make and model of the car you are trying to build will have an impact on how everything goes together. It also can vary with any technological upgrades that you would like to make. While education is certainly important, certain kinds of knowledge can only be obtained on your own with your own two hands. If you want to design cars, let alone technologically advanced ones, you’re going to need to understand everything that goes into an automobile from the engine pistons, to the carburetor to the electrical system.

Build your own car from a kit or restore an old piece of rusted junk for sale somewhere. This kind of learning experience is invaluable and will provide you with plenty of practical knowledge you can’t learn in a classroom as there is just some things experience can teach you that classroom education can not.

3. Study Computers

However, to work on the roadsters of the future, you’re going to need to have knowledge beyond how today’s cars are engineered and designed. You’re also going to need expert knowledge of how computer systems operate.

As automobile tech evolves, a car’s computer system will become increasingly advanced. Self-driving cars, for example, require a computer system that can read multiple sensors, link up with GPS navigation and make thousands of decisions per second. To design such a car, you’re going to also need to be an information technology expert.

The automobile industry is currently going through an exciting transition. Things that previously only existed in the realm of science fiction will soon become reality for the next generation of cars. If you want to become part of this technological revolution, you’re going to need the right technical knowledge and skill.