All posts in Auto Maintenance

Do It Yourself: How To Prepare Your Car For Winter

by Carsurfer Admin on 2015/01/28 in Auto Maintenance with Comments Off

Preparing your car for winter is important. The last thing you want is to be stuck somewhere in the freezing cold with a big problem on your plate. In winter, tow trucks seem to be too busy and getting assistance is a long, cold wait. With proper preparation your car will can safely get you through this coldest of seasons and you can avoid the problems which can spring up due to weather.

Take Care Of The Engine

Making sure your engine will start, and continue to run during the winter is a major priority. Your battery must be fully charged for good starting power. Just as you and your pets must be inside when it gets cold, your car engine needs protection from freezing. Sufficient anti-freeze in your radiator will stop the water in your engine from turning into ice. Take this step to make sure your engine gets through the winter.

Good Tires

Proper tires to handle snow and ice on the roads is a safety factor to consider when winterizing your vehicle. Good tread on your tires will also help with slipping and sliding. If your area has a lot of snow, then snow tires could be the best addition to your vehicle as the cold approaches. Snow tires have knobs on the tires themselves to assist with gripping the road, even one covered with snow. You can even find chains to take on and off as the roads clear. Staying on the road is the best way to arrive safely at your destination this winter.

Tools for Vision

An ice scraper should be an important tool in your car. Overnight your windows can turn into a winter wonderland of ice particles. Visibility on iced up windows can be a safety hazard. Preventing some of the icing up process is possible if you clean your windows with an anti-fog cleaner. While not always 100% guaranteed, an anti-fog cleaner will help prevent the windows from re-fogging once cleaned and de-iced.

Transmission Servicing

If you are stuck, you might need a lower gear to move your vehicle. Make sure your transmission is up to the task by having it serviced. According to National Transmissions, a transmission repair in Calgary, this is the most overlooked part of preparing a car for winter, so make sure it’s on you list.

Winterizing a car has many components to it. Your engine must remain unfrozen, and your battery will need power to start the engine. Good tires for the road conditions are a must. Take the time to not only de-ice the windows, but prevent fogging, and make sure your transmission is up to the task of getting you moving in a lower gear if necessary.

Creative Car Care: What to Think About with an Outdoor Car This Winter

by Carsurfer Admin on 2015/01/19 in Auto Maintenance with Comments Off

When the winter months roll around, it is crucial you prepare your outdoor car for the frigid temperatures. After all, the way you would winterize your home or garden, your car needs protection from the weather as well. While it may seem like a hassle at the time, it is definitely worth all the energy, time, and money you’d have to spend otherwise.

Visit Your Mechanic

The first step you should take in preparing for winter driving is taking your car to the local mechanic. There, you should get your battery, brakes, heater, defroster, thermostat, and antifreeze levels checked. Each of these parts of the car are vital for getting around in the winter, and the last thing you want is any of those systems to be malfunctioning. You also want to take a look at your tires. Tires should have a good amount of tread left on them. If they appear worn, though, get rid of them, and put in new snow tires so you have better traction and can take on whatever kinds of severe weather conditions are thrown your way.

Lights

Another important measure you must take is inspecting your automobile’s lights. These lights allow you to see clearly no matter how much snow, hail, and rain is coming down. If they’re not working properly, you’re putting yourself and those you love in harm’s way. As part of this step, you must make sure that both the front and rear lights are in top shape. This includes your car’s flashing hazard lights.

Windshield Fluid

Oftentimes in the winter, the windshield fluid in your vehicle freezes up. While some may choose to just deal with this issue in the spring, you can’t. You need the windshield fluid while driving, so instead exchange the fluid with one that is ideal for freezing conditions. In fact, there are some windshield fluids that are made specifically for spraying in below freezing temperatures.

Locks

Lastly, it’s very common for doors to get frozen shut in the winter months. Not only this, but a lot of times car owners have trouble getting their keys into the locks on the door. To avoid these types of issues altogether, you should hire a locksmith in Newmarket to take a look at your vehicle. This way they can perform the lock services needed so that you experience no difficulty throughout the winter. According to Affordable Lock Services Inc, you can even spray them with anti-freezing agents to get in easier each morning.

When it comes to your car, it is important that you employ the proper care in the winter. This will help you in so many different aspects so your car runs properly. Don’t wait until it’s too late, instead protect your car before anything happens.

7 Classic Cars Just Begging To Be Restored

by Carsurfer Admin on 2015/01/12 in Auto Restoration with Comments Off

If you like repairing old cars, there are seven classic cars that are begging to be restored. Locating parts for these vehicles won’t be very difficult, so major delays will never be a huge concern.

1963-1965 Buick Riviera

Although the Buick Rivera doesn’t have a typically size, it is still a fast and powerful vehicle. In its era, the Rivera was a well-designed car, which is why many people are now restoring it.

1953-1954 Chevrolet Bel Air

The Chevrolet Bel Air is a popular collector’s item because the replacement parts are quite affordable. Automotive part manufacturers also offer a variety of upgrades for the Bel Air that improve performance, such as disc brake conversions.

1971-1972 Pontiac GTO

If you are on a budget, the GTO should be considered since it is very affordable. However, if you have money to spend, purchase one of the earlier vehicles instead. Automotive parts manufacturers produce plenty of parts and components for the GTO that increase gas mileage. However, the vehicle is not in high demand, so it won’t have a great resale value when you list it for sale.

1961-1966 Lincoln Continental

Among collectors, the Lincoln Continental is a popular car. The replacement parts for this vehicle, however, are somewhat limited. Though, if you can find the components, you can purchase them at low prices.

1928-1931 Ford Model A

This car is a great choice for rookie restorers; the demand for the vehicle is low, and the parts are readily available. If you run into problems during the restoration process, you can easily contact an expert for advice. The only disadvantage is that you may not earn much money when you sell the vehicle. However, if you want to test your restoration skills, you can tackle this project without spending thousands of dollars.

1951-1954 Packard

In the 50s, Packards were efficiently-built cars. Today, replacement parts can be purchased at low prices, but trim components are not very easy to find. To restore the vehicle, you must join a car club so that you can get helpful advice and store recommendations. Tackling this project is high recommended because the Packard sells easily.

1964-1968 Ford Mustang

The Ford Mustang is another ideal vehicle for beginner car restorers. Parts for this vehicle are readily available in almost every city. Beginners typical buy early Mustangs since they are easy to sell.

Each of these vehicles are worth restoring. For additional advice about cars, contact the experts at Speedy Apollo Auto Service Centres or local service center.

Truck on the Fritz? 5 Truck Issues to Keep an Eye out For

by Anica Oaks on 2015/01/07 in Auto Maintenance with Comments Off

As a truck owner, there is nothing more irritating that discovering that your truck is not as reliable as it once was. The big-bodied, private passenger pieces of machinery, while they are tough, are prone to breaking down when they are not properly maintained. If your truck is making unusual sounds or it is not responding like it should when you press the accelerator, check for these five common truck issues before you experience a breakdown.

Fuel Pump Issues

The fuel pump drives fuel from the gas tank of your truck to its engine. If you have a malfunctioning pump, you will experience chronic problems on the road. If your engine begins to sputter at high speeds or it loses power as you accelerate, do not assume you have bought dirty gas. When the vehicle has a sudden loss of power, it generally means your pump is weak and could be failing. Identifying these issues early can save you money in expensive repairs.

Transmission Issues

Trucks have a high gross vehicle weight. Vehicles that are heavier are harder on their transmissions. This is why it is common for trucks to experience transmission failure earlier in their lives than a compact car would. Transmissions can be rebuilt, but rebuilding a faulty transmission takes time and can cost more than the vehicle is worth at times. If your transmission is slipping or sticking, be sure to price the cost of new, used, reconditioned and rebuilt transmissions from reliable and professional parts shops like 99 Truck Parts & Industrial Equipment Ltd.

Oil Leaks and Burning

If you smell oil burning from under your hood, there are chances that you have an oil leak somewhere in your engine. Even well-maintained trucks are prone to oil leakage as the engine ages. The most common causes of oil leaks in trucks are wear and tear or failure to change seals and gaskets regularly. Be sure to actually solve the problem instead of using a stop-leak additive that is simply a temporary fix.

Engine Overheating

If your vehicle is suddenly overheating, the problem may not be a slow leak but something else faulty under the hood. A truck is heavy, and the heavier the vehicle, the harder the workload on the engine. The stress could lead to a loss of coolant, a faulty cooling system, or fluid issues in the transmission or braking system. Find where the heat is coming from and then remove this heat by replacing parts or servicing the system the problem is affecting.

Warning Light Problems

Warning lights indicate when a problem is detected. Unfortunately, they cannot tell you exactly what that problem is unless you have an expensive computer system. You may drive when the light comes on to see if it will turn back off, but if the light stays on, you have a problem on your hands and should have the codes pulled to diagnose what is wrong.

Driving is an expensive privilege. To reduce financial obligations associated with owning a truck, look for signs that there may be a problem early so that you can find the replacement parts before you are in a bind and desperate for a fixed truck.

Tips for Driving More Economically to Save You Money on the Road

by Anita Ginsburg on 2015/01/05 in Saving Fuel with Comments Off

In a struggling economy, everyone is looking for new ways to save money. This certainly includes saving money at the gas pump. To help, below are six tips for driving more economically to save money on the road.

1. Lighten Your Load

One scientific fact you should be aware of is that it requires more fuel to move more mass. This is certainly true for your vehicle. One way to spend less on fuel is to make sure your car isn’t hauling anything that heavy. If you have a habit of storing heavy junk in your trunk, put it in your garage instead.

2. Properly Maintain Your Tires

Your tires are another part of your car that may be causing you to spend more at the pump. For example, if your tires are under inflated, this could be negatively affecting your fuel efficiency. To fix this problem, perform routine maintenance such as checking your tire pressure.

3. Less Aggressive Driving

While driving aggressively may give you a cheap thrill, it can also hurt you in your wallet. Actions such as speeding and performing sudden starts and stops come at a significant price in terms of fuel. Instead, try to drive more defensively. It’s both safer and more cost effective.

4. Buy a Motorcycle

Cars are bulky. They include a lot of parts and a heavy exterior. However, cars and trucks aren’t your only options. You could, for example, choose to use a motorcycle instead. Motorcycles weigh far less than cars and get far better gas mileage. Look for a Motorcycle permit test online to help you prepare for driving on a motorcycle if you are just learning.

5. Consider Alternative Fuels

These days motorized vehicles do not need to be fueled by gasoline alone. For example, hybrid cars use a combination of both gasoline and electricity to operate. You should also consider biodiesel. Biodiesel is a form of fuel created from plants as opposed to oil. Both these options can save you money.

6. Start a Car Pool

One way to lower the price of gas is to split that price up. You can do this by forming a car pool. Each person that uses the car pool could donate some money towards the price of gas. This will cause your personal share to be much lower than if you were riding alone.

Overall, there are plenty of ways to save when it comes to how you travel. If you can still get to where you want to go while saving more money at the same time, you should certainly consider that option.