All posts in Auto Maintenance

Overhaul Your Clunker: A Guide to Making Your Dream Car

by Carsurfer Admin on 2016/06/15 in Auto Restoration with Comments Off

Do you have an old clunker taking up space in your garage or backyard? Perhaps it’s taken you months or even years to muster up enough energy to finish the project. It may seem daunting and nearly impossible to complete a task like overhauling a vehicle. Fortunately, you don’t have to do it completely alone! If you follow the right steps you can end up with the car of your dreams.

Frame Restoration

Begin at the very bottom of the vehicle and work your way out when starting your overhaul project. If your vehicle is a frame and chassis then you will want to remove all interference’s so you can separate them. Once they are separated you will have the option to bead blast the metal chassis or hand sand it. Apply a nice base coat usually black or gray to protect the metal once it is cleaned and repaired if there was rust.

Body Work

Once you have the chassis repaired to your liking it will be time to move on to the body. Bodywork takes time in order to be done correctly. Some people choose to take their vehicles to a body shop for proper body filler, sanding and painting. You can shop around to ensure you find a body shop that meets your requirements and price range.

Engine /Transmission / Brakes

What better way to get your old clunker running than with a new or refurbished crate engine and transmission. Crate engines and transmissions come in different sizes and horsepower ratings. You will want to choose the one that best suits your overhaul needs. Will you be creating a high horsepower weekend drag car or one you can drive daily? Give all four brake calipers and pads a good check to make sure that they operating correctly. It can be fairly inexpensive to change the rotors and pads. Do your research when it comes to finding reasonable pricing for parts. If you’re worried your vehicle might be a little old for the latest auto gear, shops like Reggie’s Garage specialize in classic car parts.

Affordable Options for Repair

When starting an overhaul project the list of things to repair can be very long. You have to ask yourself if you’re capable of DIY work on the vehicle. Doing the repair work by yourself can save you a lot of money, but not everyone can do welding and bodywork. Your best option may be to shop around and see who has the cheapest rates to perform the work you need.

DIY overhaul projects can save you money and give a certain sense of ownership. The downside to repairing the vehicle yourself is the time it will take you to complete the overhaul. With a packed schedule, you may opt for hiring a professional. One thing is for sure, you won’t ever look at that old clunker the same way once you’re finished overhauling it!

Quick Guide to Changing Your Own Brake Pads at Home

by Carsurfer Admin on 2016/05/23 in Brakes with Comments Off

Brake pads are one of the most important components of any car. They are responsible for keeping the vehicle safe when stopping and have probably saved you from many near accidents. These pads also wear down over time due to friction and changing them is actually something you can do yourself with a little patience. Here is a quick guide to changing your own brake pads at home.

Remove the Tires

Go around the outside of the tires and loosen all the lug nuts. Use a jack to lift the car up to a comfortable level before removing them. Turn the wheel to angle the tires into an accessible position and remove the lug nuts and the tire. Do this one side at a time for convenience.

Remove the Caliper

The caliper is the large metal piece clamped to the rotor. There are two to four bolts on the backside of it. Remove them with a socket wrench and use a spray lubricant to loosen the bolts if they are stuck. Some foreign cars have a sliding caliper, meaning you will only need to remove two bolts on the front. Hang the caliper carefully to the side.

Replace the Brake Pads

The brake pad is held in place by strong metal clips. Work the pad until you can slide it out to the side. Take a moment to examine the rotor. If you see any problems, cannot remove the pad, or notice warping, then you should take the car to an auto service center for further repairs. If everything is fine, then slide the new brake pad into position.

Reattach the Caliper and Tire

Place the caliper back over the rotor disc just as it was before. Use the socket wrench to reattach the bolts in the same order. Check that everything is tight and in place according to manufacturer specifications. Place the tire back over the rotor and put the lug nuts on. Be certain to do all four tires at this point before moving on.

Check the Brake Fluid and Test the Brakes

Check that your brake fluid levels are fine, and add more if necessary. Get into the car and pump the brakes about two dozen times. Start the car and drive at around 5 miles per hour. Test the brakes repeatedly to ensure that they work. If anything seems wrong, then take the car to a professional for service. Places like Evans Tire & Service Centers even offer coupons and discounts on certain brake services.

Being able to change your own brake pads can help to cut down on the number of trips to a mechanic you make every year. The job takes about an hour, although that time will shorten as you get more proficient. Changing brake pads at home is a very valuable skill to learn so get started today.

Preventative Measures to Maintain Your Vehicle

by Carsurfer Admin on 2016/03/16 in Auto Maintenance with Comments Off

It’s important that you give your car regular, preventative maintenance to ensure that it runs well. If you ignore the preventative maintenance needed for your car, you could end up with more money owed in repairs than it would have cost for the maintenance.

Oil Changes

While you can check your fluids and fill them yourself, you might need a professional to perform an oil change unless you’re handy. There’s a dipstick that you can use to check the level and color of the oil in your vehicle. If you notice that you need to add oil frequently, you could have a problem. Oil that was recently changed that looks muddy could be cause for concern. There’s a lot you can learn about your engine by checking the oil. Your car manual should tell you how often you should get the oil changed.

Engine Air Filters

At the same time that your oil is being changed, you can have the person check the air filters. The engine air filter is used to keep dust and dirt from entering the valves. A dirty or clogged filter won’t allow air to enter the parts that need it the most, which can cause the car to stop running correctly. If you drive in the city for extended periods, the filter might need to be changed often. Check the owner’s manual for the exact mileage.

Tune Ups

When it comes to spark plugs, wires, hoses and engine, you should visit a mechanic for preventative maintenance. If you wait for a problem, you could end up with mechanical issues that won’t be resolved by changing your plugs and wires. Professionals, like those at Free Service Tire Company, also recommends changing your fluids regularly. That way, your engine will stay in good condition for a longer period of time. Mechanics can also perform the other tasks like oil changes and changing air filters too.

Tire Pressure and Wear

You don’t need someone to check your tire pressure, or to see that your tires are wearing down unevenly. You should keep your tires filled based on what the best pressure is for the brand of tires you have. When your tires are wearing unevenly, it could mean you need a front-end alignment or you need to have your tires rotated. It’ll help your tires last longer.
You should give your vehicle regular, preventative maintenance checkups to ensure that your car doesn’t need more expensive repairs later. It can be extremely dangerous to ignore your car’s maintenance needs or delay problems like leaks or unexpected sounds. It’ll cost you more time and money later to fix those problems that could have been prevented.

Six Signs It May Be Time To Replace Your Car, Rather Than Try To Repair It

by Carsurfer Admin on 2016/02/29 in Auto Repair with Comments Off

As an automobile owner, there will come a day when you will have to decide whether to repair your current vehicle or replace it. Many times, repairing will be the logical choice, but this may not always be the case. Here are six situations where the advantages of replacing your vehicle can’t be ignored.

Current Repair Costs

The obvious tipping point in the debate to repair versus replace is when the costs to repair are more than the vehicle is worth. Whether this is because of a single issue or the cumulative cost of multiple repairs, spending more to fix a car than it is worth doesn’t make sense. That money would likely be better spent on replacing that vehicle.

Future Repair Costs

The same can apply to future repair costs. If a repair is only a temporary fix, the issue is likely to be recurrent or a series of major services are on the horizon it may be wise to compare the costs of all of those repairs to the costs associated with a new vehicle.

New Safety Improvements

It is understood that newer vehicles are often safer than older ones. As the science of vehicle safety moves forward, so do the available features. If your car has aged to the point that it lacks many of the safety features that are considered standard today, replacing may make more than just financial sense.

Upgraded Technology

Outside of safety, other technological improvements may play into your decision. Backup cameras, parallel parking assistance, hands-free connectivity to your smartphone and in-dash navigation may provide a lot of intrinsic value to you. If a newer technology solves a need, or allows you to get through your day more easily, it may make replacing the vehicle worthwhile.

Your Needs Changed

Many changes in circumstance can make a vehicle change more attractive. If your family has recently grown or shrank, you current vehicle may not make the most sense for your new lifestyle. Even if the size of your vehicle is fine, poor gas mileage may factor in.

Emotional Wear and Tear

Even when all of the logical reasons side with repairing a vehicle, that doesn’t mean it is the right decision. If using a particular vehicle has become frustrating to the point of affecting your wellbeing, replacing it may be the right move. Sometimes you have to do what feels right just because it makes your days feel brighter.

Knowing when it’s time for a new car can save you a lot of money in the long run. Just because you may need to replace car, it doesn’t always mean you have to spend a fortune on a new one. For example, you can find great deals on both new and used cars at Quebedeaux Buick GMC. Getting a new or used car that is more reliable and in better condition is a smart move.

Five Cars from 2015 with the Best Gas Mileage

by Carsurfer Admin on 2016/02/10 in Saving Fuel with Comments Off

Automotive technology has advanced a long way over the last two decades. The miles per gallon, or MPG, that cars can achieve today was impossible just a short time ago. And it come as no surprise the best cars in this area all hybrids or electric vehicles. Here are the five cars from 2015 with the best gas mileage from least to most efficient.

Nissan Leaf

The Nissan Leaf has been around a relatively long time. It has a reputation as being a very versatile and powerful electric car on the road. It is even commonly used in business fleets. The leaf is capable of getting 126 MPG driving in the city, and 101 MPG traveling on the highway.

Fiat 500e

The Fiat 500e is a sporty car that was designed to be fun and fuel-efficient. It has a unique appearance and a stylized interior, and its distinctive sports theme comes with a hatchback for loading in oversized items. The Fiat 500e can get 122 MPG in the city and 108 MPG going long distances on the highway.

Volkswagen e-Golf

The Volkswagen e-Golf is relatively new and was designed to look and feel like the other cars in the Golf line. It has the same sleek lines, precision manufacturing, and comfortable interior. The e-Golf can achieve at least 125 MPG city driving and 106 MPG on highways.

Chevrolet Spark EV

The Chevrolet Spark EV is a minicar designed to be exceptionally safe on the roads. The steel frame can resist hard impacts from all sides, and has even won awards for safety. It handles well and has an attractive design. In the city, the car gets 128 MPG along with 109 MPG on the highway. This is the second best gas mileage of any car from 2015.

BMW i3

The most fuel-efficient car of 2015 is the BMW i3 for the second year in a row. The i3 is stylish, satisfying to drive, and safe. It reflects many of the core principles of BMW and even has a fuel extender so you can keep going on extended trips. The BMW i3 gets an amazing 137 MPG in the city and 111 MPG on highways.

Although gas mileage has gone up in recent years, auto manufacturers are not done yet. Drivers can expect to see cars that can achieve 150 to 200 MPG in a very short time. Some concept cars can already do this and are the best options if you want to save money on gas. If you’re shopping for a car make sure you check an Autobank of Kansas City to see what kind of MPG you can get with your budget.