All posts in Auto Maintenance

Five of the Most Common Causes of Car Crashes

by Carsurfer Admin on 2015/04/06 in Auto Accident with Comments Off

Many car crashes every year could be avoided with just a few changes in driver behavior. People often memorize the rules in the DMV’s driver handbook before getting or renewing their license, but fail to follow them in daily driving. The following are five things you can do to help avoid a car crash, and keep you safe and alert on the road.

Don’t Drive Distracted

Texting is one of the most distracting and dangerous things you can do while driving. It takes your eyes off the road, and takes control of the steering wheel out of your hands. Talking on the phone, even with a hands-free setup, takes your attention away from driving as well. Pull over if you need to use your cell phone. You should be aware of all your other distractions as well. Putting on makeup, eating, changing the radio, or even talking to a passenger can take your mind off your tasks. Make sure you use caution and try to avoid anything that takes away your attention.

Distance

Following too close is a major cause of car crashes and minor fender benders. Staying at least one car length behind the car in front of you is the commonly accepted rule, but is difficult in slow traffic. The Lucky Law Firm suggests you stay as far back as possible and be alert for sudden stops, or people attempting to pull between you and the car in front of you.

Lane Changes

Failure to signal a turn or lane change causes many accidents. This is especially true in heavy traffic, or if the driver behind you is driving too close to your car. Always use your turn signals, and try to avoid sudden lane changes.

Stopping

Drivers often become lazy about obeying stop signs, and many just don’t understand signals on traffic lights. Always come to a full stop at a stop sign. A “rolling stop” doesn’t give you time to make sure the road is clear. Failure to come to a complete stop at a stop sign is a common cause of traffic tickets. A yellow light on a standard traffic light is a signal to stop. It’s not a signal to speed up to avoid stopping for the red light. A yellow arrow on a traffic light also signals that you should stop. Also be aware of the rules when traffic lights go out. Treat the intersection as a four way stop and pay attention to who stops first, as they have the right of way.

Speeding

Speeding is always dangerous. Speeding at night, or in bad weather raises your chances of a crash. Even a damp road increases the time it takes you to slow down or stop. Be aware of your surroundings and always use caution. You might not drive the same on that windy road home when it’s raining.

Following basic traffic rules can decrease your chances of a car crash, but nothing can make you immune from a fender bender or auto accident. If you’ve been involved in an accident, consult a law firm specializing in traffic accidents or a Baton Rouge accident attorney, and make sure that you are aware of all your legal rights and options.

4 Ways to Get Your Car Ready for the Spring Season

by Carsurfer Admin on 2015/03/30 in Auto Maintenance with Comments Off

Winter driving is unlike any other kind of driving, so when spring rolls around, there are some things you need to do to make the transition go smoother for you and your car. Making this transition is easy, if you know what you are doing. Luckily, here are four suggestions to get your car ready for spring and warmer weather.

Clean Inside and Out

No other season is as tough on your car’s exterior and interior as the winter. If you live somewhere where it snows a lot, your car is bombarded not just with snow and ice, but all the salt and chemicals that get put down on the road to combat the snow and ice. At a minimum, you need to give your car’s undercarriage a thorough cleaning. It’s also a good idea to clean your floor mats and steam clean your car’s carpet to get the accumulated gunk out before it does permanent damage. You can easily do this yourself at a car wash or pay someone else to do it for you.

Get Your Car Professionally Serviced

Winter driving can deplete your car’s fluids and you might not be as vigilant about getting service done when the weather and the roads are bad. If you are overdue for an oil change, get in to get one at places like Dean’s Automotive Service Center as soon as you can. Also have your other fluids checked, especially your wiper fluid, which probably will be low after a winter of trying to keep your windshield clean. Spring is also a good time to get your A/C checked and your air filter replaced before it starts getting hot.

Check Your Tires

Cold air can cause your tires to lose air, so if you didn’t check them during the winter, spring is a good time to check your tires to make sure they have the right pressure. You should also check your tires for any damage or uneven wear. And if you use snow tires, you need to change them out for regular tires once you are sure there will be no more snowfalls.

Take Care of Your Windshield and Wipers

With all the sand and gravel on the roads during the winter, it’s easy for your windshield to get a small crack, so you should be sure to examine your windshield closely and have any dings you find repaired quickly. Getting this taken care of early will avoid necessary expensive replacement for cracked windshields. Winter can also be brutal on your windshield wipers, so spring can be a good time to change those out so you can be ready for spring rains.

Winter is rough on your car and the poor weather can also cause you to neglect important maintenance. That’s why it’s important to give your car extra attention and preparation once spring rolls around. Remember that these are just a few of the things you should do and each car can be a different so make sure to check and see what you need to do to yours this spring.

7 Hacks to Improve Your Car’s Performance

by Carsurfer Admin on 2015/03/27 in Auto Maintenance with Comments Off

Whether your car has decades of service under its belt, or it’s brand new, it’s always a good idea to make sure it’s performing at its full potential. The thing is, automotive performance can be achieved easily with the following incredibly cool hacks that don’t require a costly trip to the mechanic. Some of the hacks can be accomplished without the purchase of any new parts or equipment, for those that do require a purchase, the parts can easily be found at a place like Professional Automotive.

Get The Junk out of Your Trunk

It’s all too easy to use a car as a mobile storage unit for all kinds of things that can end up adding substantial weight the engine has to pull around. Set aside a little time, at least once a month, to remove all but the most essential things you need to cart around. In case you’re wondering, the spare tire unit should be considered essential.

Tires and Wheels

One of the best ways to entirely change the handling and feel dynamics of a car is to upgrade above an economy rated set of tires. The extra grip that comes with a premium set can get you away from the stop light more efficiently as well. Pair your new tires up with a strong and lightweight set of wheels, and you’ll think you’re driving a different car. Be sure to keep your tires properly inflated too.

Keep the Air Flowing

Make sure the air intake isn’t obstructed by foreign objects like leaves or paper. Check the air filter at least every three months for dust and dirt residue. If you want to go the extra step, and enjoy tinkering with your car, you could replace the factory exhaust system with a premium after-market system that lets the engine breathe a little easier, and you could install an upgraded air intake system too.

Install New Spark Plugs

Find and install the best performance-rated spark plugs for your car. There are several factors in determining which spark plug is the right spark plug for your car – such as thread reach, thread diameter and whether the spark plug incorporates a gasket or is the conical type. If you’re really into performance, you can upgrade the spark plug cables too. Newer spark plugs, like E3’s produces cleaner burning combustion, resulting in long term-use reduced up to 58%.

Find a Great Motor Oil

Whether you go with a synthetic or natural engine oil, pick a highly rated one and change it according to the manufacturer’s recommendations. Using the correct motor oil not only keeps your engine running smoothly but it prevents dirt build-up and deposits by keeping them in the suspension. Finally, a good motor oil fends off sludge and battles oxidation, keeping the oil fresh and reducing acids which contribute to oxidation.

Get a Performance Computer Chip

Many cars have computer chips that regulate engine performance. It’s as simple of finding where the chip is and replacing it with an upgraded performance one. Do plenty of research to find the particular chip that’s best for your car, and purchase from a reputable source too.

Boost the Octane

It’s counter-intuitive, but going with premium gasoline can improve engine performance enough to make the extra expenditure barely noticeable. If you’re really looking for a noticeable boost, find a reputable gas station that sells 100 octane fuel.

If you just bought your first used car, or you finally found the car of your dreams, it’s not only fun but practical to keep it running at peak performance. Just remember, always obey the speed limit, and drive safely.

Six Of The Best Ways to Extend Your Car’s Life

by Carsurfer Admin on 2015/03/19 in Auto Maintenance with Comments Off

Your car is an investment, a prized possession that you would like to have (and use) for a long time to come. To make sure your car stays in top condition for the longest time possible, you’ll need to put in some effort towards maintenance and your driving techniques. The following six tips will help you to extend the life of your car.

Gentle Breaking-In Period

The engine parts in a new car are not yet settled in a way that reduces friction and enables optimal performance. When you take delivery of your new car, you should drive it at less than 75 mph for the first 1000 miles, and not above 100 mph for 3000 miles after that. You should also avoid revving up the engine during this period.

Paying Attention

Whenever you are driving, you should be sensitive to anything unusual in the way your car handles. A specialist with Speedy Apollo Auto Service Centres says this attentiveness can often help you detect problems while they’re still fixable. You should take time to investigate and attend to any strange sound or vibration in the car.

Engine Oil Renewal

Oil is your engine’s lifeline. You need to renew it at the recommended mileage or even before so as to ensure that your engine remains in a prime operating condition. Always go for high quality multi-grade oils.

Essential Fluids Top-up

The essential systems on your car such as brakes, clutch, and power steering, are hydraulically operated and use fluids. These special fluids have to be kept at optimum levels which are usually between the maximum and minimum points clearly indicated on their reservoirs. The automatic transmission system has a dip stick with which you can check the ideal fluid level.

Timely Preventative Maintenance

Preventative maintenance is needed to prevent major mechanical damage from occurring. It deals with issues of your vehicle’s condition and performance while they are still small and forestalls bigger problems.

Drive at Moderate Speed

You might have assumed that a car at any speed suffers the same degree of tear and wear. This is not so. If you have the tendency to drive faster than everyone else, you could be causing your car unusual depreciation. Driving too fast will reduce the life of your car. Always strive to drive at moderate speeds.

You need to develop the above suggestions into subconscious habits. This will help you to improve and extend the life of your car. It might take you some time to adapt but, in the long term, it will be worth it. You will be glad that you decided to extend the life of your car as you hit 200,000 miles and beyond!

Six Risks Of DIY Auto Repairs, And How Make Sure You Fix The Problem

by Anita Ginsburg on 2015/03/04 in Auto Repair with Comments Off

There is a fascination among car owners to “do-it-yourself-and-save-money” on car repairs. Unfortunately, not everyone is mechanically inclined or can follow a mechanic’s guide. Specialized tools may be required such as torque wrenches, impact wrenches, lifts and more. Some automotive systems should not be considered DIY projects if the owner has no formal mechanical training. There are six basic risks of DIY projects and how you can fix the problem.

The Transmission Is Not A DIY Project

Transmissions require specialized tools for all the little rings, bits and pieces. All the pieces must go together just right and hooked up to the drive train and engine perfectly. If not, the least that can happen is the car stops shifting or moving forward on the road, requiring a tow. At the worst, the transmission can fall apart in pieces inside or drop off the vehicle in front of everyone. Avoid transmission problems by having a professional shop periodically inspect and make any needed repairs.

Parts Cannot Be Substituted

Car engines and systems are built with specific parts. An engine may be used by the manufacturer in several different makes and models of cars. This might give the impression that parts can be substituted from one car to another. Using the wrong parts can seriously damage or destroy your engine. Only use parts made for your car’s make and model. You can find good deals on used auto parts to save money, say the experts at Mike’s Auto Towing.

DIY AC Recharge Kits

This is the second car system that is not a DIY project. DIY auto HVAC recharge kits do not remove the old refrigerant, the kit adds new refrigerant on top of old. This is the same as pouring new oil in the crankcase without removing the old oil first. Refrigerant leaks can occur, contaminants can enter the system and worst of all, if the new refrigerant is different than the old, serious chemical reactions can occur. This system is best left in the hands of professionals.

Windshield Repair

Many DIY windshield repair kits are available on the market today. The resins used can vary from manufacturer to manufacturer. Some resins only coat the problem instead of fixing the problem. The repair may not hold up to travel on the road, and your insurance company might not cover the cost of a DIY repair.

Brake Repairs

Unless you have formal training to work on a car’s brakes, do not attempt it. This is another system that has to be assembled perfectly in order to work. The untrained eye cannot spot worn or broken parts. It is best to take your car to a professional to have the brakes inspected, maintained or repaired.

Alignment

Specialized equipment is needed to align a car’s tires to keep it moving safely down the road. DIY adjustments can throw your car’s alignment off so badly that your tires, wheel hub and brakes could sustain damage.

While it makes sense to do some DIY repairs to save money, the best policy is to leave delicate systems and specific repairs to the professionals. It might seem expensive, but a safe car is far better than a broken down or unsafe one.