All posts in Auto Maintenance

Ways To Prevent Cracks In Your Windshield

by Carsurfer Admin on 2014/11/24 in Windshield with Comments Off

If you own a vehicle, at some point in time you will have a cracked windshield. Not only can these cracks obstruct your vision, they can also spread as you drive and make your drive all the more hazardous. While it is not possible to avoid cracked windshields all together, there are ways to prevent cracks from happening. Here are 4 tips to avoid a crack or a chip that will become more than just an eyesore.

Park Under a Carport

Did you know that direct sunlight can be just as bad for your auto glass as it is for the interior of your car? The seal that surrounds the windshield can absorb heat and then transfer this heat to the glass itself. The high temperatures makes the glass more prone to cracks around the perimeter when you hit a bump or if you have a minor impact. To prevent the damaging UV rays from doing damage, park under a surface.

Avoid Sudden Temperature Changes When Possible

Direct sunlight can be damaging, but going from hot to cold rapidly can also affect your auto glass. If you are parked in the heat, the glass expands. When you turn your car on and blast your air conditioner, the glass will then contract. This can lead to a weakened structure which causes cracking. To avoid this, avoid the significant temperature changes by using your AC or heater moderately.

Inspect for Small Chips

You can have a very minimal chip and not notice it for a great deal of time. This is why it’s important to inspect your windshield closely on a regular basis so that you can identify the unnoticeable cracks or chips that are minor now and can later become major. If you do spot a chip, it’s wise to get your chip repaired before it spiders and you need a windshield replacement according to Speedy Apollo Auto Service Centres, a company that provides windshield replacement in Calgary.

Steer Clear of Bumpy Roads

If you do not have many routes that you can take to and from a location, it might not always be possible to avoid roads with not-so-pleasant driving conditions. Bumpy roads, gravel roads, hair pin turns, and roads that cause your vehicle to jump can cause the windshield to jar. This jarring can flex the windshield beyond its capabilities and lead to cracking. When rough driving conditions can be avoided, take the smoother and less straining road.

You may not be able to avoid glass breakage in all instances, but these tips can help you reduce the likelihood. Be sure to choose an auto glass repair company that you can trust when you do need repairs, and stay safe on the roads.

5 Things Every Dad Should Teach His Kids about Automobiles

by Carsurfer Admin on 2014/11/19 in Auto Maintenance with Comments Off

When it comes to teaching children about life lessons, there are many morals and basics to cover to ensure that they develop well. For fathers, teaching children about automobiles will ensure that they learn how to properly care for their own cars in the future and learn the basic steps of maintenance. When it comes to deciding what to cover with cars, there are a few skills that are essential.

1. Change a Tire

Every driver has experienced a flat tire at some point while on the road, making it important to learn how to install a spare instead of waiting for help. Teach your kids how to loosen the nuts and lift the vehicle off the ground before installing the spare tire. Teaching your kids how to properly change a tire can spare them undue stress if they ever find themselves on a lonely, long stretch of highway with a flat tire.

2. Change the Oil

Changing the oil on a vehicle is a basic part of maintaining the quality of the engine and can extend the lifespan of the vehicle if done regularly. Kids can enhance their automotive knowledge by seeing their dad pull the plug, remove the oil filter, add fresh oil, and recycle the old oil that is drained out. A mechanic from National Transmissions can also show them how to perform the task.

3. Check the Fluids

It’s essential to check the fluids on a vehicle at least once a month to ensure that the car continues to run well. The fluids you need to check include motor oil, transmission fluid, antifreeze and brake fluid. Yet unfortunately, this is a common oversight amongst car owners and something that can eventually lead to the deterioration of the car. Kids can learn the preventative maintenance step at an early age, which includes measuring the engine oil, transmission fluid, coolant, brake fluid, and power steering fluid.

4. Inspect the Brake Pads

To ensure that the vehicle is safe on the road, the brake pads should be inspected for signs of wear by looking through the wheel. A small slot in the middle will also work as a wear indicator and should be replaced if it’s almost nonexistent. Few things are as scary as your breaks failing you, which make this one of the most essential items on the list.

5. Check the Tire Pressure

Kids will enjoy using a tire pressure gauge to properly track the air pressure to ensure that the tires have even wear on the tread. You can then show them how to refill the air to the instructed amount at a local gas station. You can even buy your child a cheap tire gauge of their own so they can check the tire pressure every once awhile on their own.

When it comes to learning about life skills, caring for automobiles will prevent common issues and repairs from occurring for children who are exposed at an early age. It will not only make for a fun lesson, but can enhance the bond that the parent has with the child.

Recalls 101: Know What to Do When Your Car is Recalled

by Carsurfer Admin on 2014/11/12 in Auto Repair with Comments Off

This year has brought its fair share of auto recalls, and this boom in recalls has been a cause for concern for many drivers. While some recalls have been a measure of extra precaution, there have also been accidents, and even deaths. As a driver, it’s scary to get a recall notice in the mail, or to see your same vehicle model on the news in a story about new recalls. While this is not a situation you want to be in, we see this happening more and more these days.

That said, keep in mind that most recall notices are not for any serious problems. They are usually a way for car companies to prevent liability from the chance of something going wrong. The majority of all recall notices are non-serious, and are merely preventative. So the very first thing to do when you get that red-letter recall notice is to keep calm. Depending on the seriousness of the recall, you can probably still drive your vehicle without fear; however, you will want to act on it as soon as possible.

Call the Dealership

Upon receiving a notice of recall, the first thing you want to do is call the dealership. Find the dealership nearest to you that specializes in your model, and schedule an appointment as soon as possible. If the recall is widespread, you won’t be the only person trying to get the same repairs done, and the early bird always gets the worm.

Are You Eligible for Free Repairs?

The law states that a car 8 years or older cannot be recalled; however, you can still receive a recall notice for a defective part. The only difference is that you will have to pay for the repairs. If your car is more than 8 years old, any repair costs will come out of your pocket.

Can You Get a New Car?

Sometimes, if the defect is serious enough, manufacturers will replace the entire vehicle. Or, if replacement isn’t possible, they may also opt refund the purchase price. See if you’re eligible for a replacement or reimbursement of your vehicle. All of these questions can be answered by a professional at the dealership, which is why this needs to be the first call you make.

What Happens If you are in an Accident?

If you get into an accident before the recall is announced, the manufacturer is not required to reimburse you. However, you can usually get restitution from the manufacturer even in this case. In some cases, you might need to hire legal representation in order to get some form of reimbursement or restitution—and this process will take time.

Time is Money, So Negotiate

You won’t have to pay for the repairs, of course, but the time it takes to drive your vehicle to the dealership, wait for the repairs to be done, and drive back home can interrupt your work or school schedule and ultimately cost you money. Ask the dealership if they can pick up your car and drive it back to your home, or if they offer a shuttle service.

Yes, recalls are frustrating and scary for everyone involved—drivers, manufacturers and dealers. Just keep in mind that the media often exaggerates these situations to make them look worse than they are. While it is true that some recall issues have led to injuries, losses, and even death, not every situation is this serious. By contacting your local dealer as soon as you hear of a recall, you can keep your family safe and get things taken care of. If you aren’t sure whether your car (or a part) is under recall, a simple internet search will help you get all the information you need.

The information for this article was provided by the professionals at Bachus & Schanker Law who specialize in car accident cases.

6 Items that Should be in Every Modern Glove Box

by Carsurfer Admin on 2014/11/05 in Auto Care with Comments Off

Each vehicle contains a glove box for a convenient area of storage where personal belongings or emergency items can be stored. For many people, the glove box is an ideal space to put specific items that are needed in an accident, during bad weather, or in the event of an emergency. To stay prepared, there are a few essentials that should be in every modern glove box.

1. Rechargeable Flashlight

If you have a flat tire in the middle of the night or get stuck in the mud when the weather is bad, a flashlight is an essential item to have on hand. To prevent having a flashlight in the glove box that has dead batteries, opt for using a rechargeable flashlight.

2. Portable Jump Starter

A portable jump starter will be a necessary item to have on hand if your car’s battery dies. There are many different types but getting one with a full size clamp to penetrate battery corrosion that may be present is a good idea. Having a portable jump starter handy is a great way to get back on the road if you are stranded out in the middle of nowhere.

3. First Aid Kit

For obvious reasons a first aid kit is necessary for any car or individual for proper roadside safety. If you’re involved in an accident or see someone stopped on the side of the road who in need of medical attention, a first aid kid is crucial to have if minor injuries occur instead of resorting to using duct tape. It can also be of help in a number of other cases.

4. Phone Charger

To stay connected to the outside world and have a way of contacting someone if you’re in need of help, a phone charger is essential if your phone runs out of battery. Having a spare car charger around in case of emergencies is always a good practice.

5. Automated Flare Device

To alert other drives of your vehicle parked on the side of the road, an automated flare device will get motorists’ attention and keep you safe until help arrives. A few of the devices can be used to put on the road around your car to keep you safe.

6. Auto Document Organizer

This item is needed to keep important documents organized when you get pulled over by a police officer or need to bring your medical documents to the hospital. You can also copies and have a few photos of the document on a phone as backup.

To prepare for different circumstances while in transit and have the necessary items on hand, there are a number of tools to keep in your glove box at all times. It will make it easier to get back on the road without having to deal with delays or prolonged interruptions.

Information Credit: Mike’s Auto Towing

Top 4 Tips for Finding Replacement Parts for Your Truck

by Anica Oaks on 2014/09/24 in Auto Maintenance, Auto Repair, Auto Restoration with Comments Off

Nothing halts your plans faster than when your truck breaks down. Often older trucks are extremely difficult to find quality replacement parts for. If this is a problem you have not experienced yet, you are in for quite a lot of hassle and run around if you do not know where to turn to get the right parts. To avoid being hung out to dry, let us talk about some possible ways you can find the right truck parts to get your truck up and running again.

1. Searching Your Local Area

Often you can find parts for your truck by searching online ads in your local area. The great thing about online ads is that the sellers do not always want to charge you an arm and a leg for the part you are looking for. In some cases, they do not even want money for the part at all. Many online local ad sellers are just as happy to barter for other items you might have laying around the house that they either want or need for their own purposes. In a lot of cases, the part you are looking for has been taking up room in someone’s garage, and the person has been trying to get their garage space back. This can potentially give you a lot of room to negotiate for a low price.

2. Specialty Orders

Hunting around online, you might find websites that have been in business for a while, helping people locate hard to find parts for their trucks and industrial vehicles. Specialty shops like 99 Truck Parts & Industrial Equipment Ltd. make it easy to order parts you need online, both new and used. If these online businesses do not have the item in stock, they will likely know how to get the item or explain to you how you can find it, since dealing in hard to find truck parts is their forte.

3. Government Auctions

Another way to potentially run across replacement truck parts is by checking out a local government auction in your area. The government regularly makes information about these auctions available to the average citizen through online websites, such as USgovernmentauctions.net. Government auctions can be a great place for the truck enthusiast who needs or wants to find trucks to cannibalize or scavenge parts from.

4. The Boneyard

Every day people have their old car or truck towed off to the boneyard. A lot of times, these are wrecked vehicles, and they are good for little more than to salvage parts out of them. Sometimes this can be a roll of the dice looking for replacement parts in the boneyard, but it can also often be a good place to check, if all else fails—especially if the part you are looking for is not too uncommon.

Now that you have some idea where to look to find that replacement truck part you’ve been looking for, it’s time to make some calls and get that truck of yours up and running again. With a little effort and by showing off your mechanical abilities, you’ll have that truck purring like new in no time at all, allowing you to get back to those plans that were temporarily put on hold.