All posts in Auto Maintenance

5 Tips to Help you Protect your Windshield

by Carsurfer Admin on 2014/07/07 in Windshield with Comments Off

Protecting your windshield and car windows is imperative for obvious purposes like safety. Research shows that 90% of driving decisions are dependent upon good vision, so it only makes common sense to invest in taking care of the windshield in particular.

Other reasons for maintaining your windshield is that it is the biggest target for the sunlight and in hot months, heats up your car interiors which in return damages them, when your car is parked for long periods of time. Additionally, if you are intending to sell your car, the windshield and wiper blades are a good gauge of how well maintained the vehicle was.

Most people maintain various parts of their cars but forget that the windshield too needs to be protected and maintained on a regular basis. Below are some tips on how to protect your windshield, so that when you are on the road, you are as safe as possible.

Clean your Windshield on a Regular Basis

The simplest and most effective way to protect your auto glass is by cleaning it on a weekly basis, both on the inside and the outside. If a piece of gravel strikes a clean windshield, its smooth surface prevents energy transfer and bounces off. However, if it strikes a dirty auto glass, the friction allows for more energy transfer that may lead to a chip or even worse, a shattered windshield.

Clean your Windshield Wipers Regularly & Replace them with New Ones when Necessary

Dirty windshield wiper blades leave streaks and simply spread dirt built up on your auto glass, leading to the same problem of a likely chip in your windshield if gravel or stones hit it when you are on the road. When you notice that your wiper blades are not doing an efficient job of providing good visibility, chances are that they are no longer doing their job well and it’s time to replace them with new ones.

Request an Extra Coating of Windshield Protection

When buying a new car, request for an extra coating of windshield protection. While some cars already come with this extra coating, most don’t. In the long run, the investment will pay off in the unfortunate event of an accident or flying glass hitting your windshield. Called shatterproof glass, this is a good option for a new purchase.

Use Invisible Polyester Films to Reinforce the Safety of your Glass

There many consumer products in the market today that can be used to protect your car windshield. Most of them are used to protect against cracks from stones, hail and harmful UV rays, so fret not if your existing car hasn’t been reinforced with an extra coating of windshield protection.

Remove Ice from your Windshield without Causing Damage

When winter comes around, it is more than likely that you will encounter a layer of ice forming on your windshield at some point. It may be tempting to pick any old item like a knife or a spatula to remove the ice. This increases the chances of scratching your windshield or damaging your auto glass. Instead be patient and use a plastic ice scrapper. Other options include using a de-icer spray to melt the ice and you may not even need a plastic ice scrapper.

Follow the tips above religiously and you will be well on your way to preserving and maintaining your car windshield for a long time to come. However, if you happen to find yourself with a damaged windshield, be sure to get a quick windshield replacement quote on glass.net.

5 Post-Car-Accident Mistakes that Will Cause You to Lose Out on Money You Deserve

by Carsurfer Admin on 2014/07/01 in Auto Accident with Comments Off

Involvement in a car accident can be very chaotic. The event itself is traumatic, but your actions after the accident may have the most impact on the outcome of your claim for compensation. Although you’ll be a little shaken up immediately following the experience, you’ll need to be prepared to take action (and avoid other actions) in order to keep yourself protected from a law suit or other problems further down the road. Knowing what not to do after an accident occurs is just as important as knowing what to do, so read on to learn about the biggest post-car-accident mistakes that you definitely want to avoid at all costs.

Admitting Any Fault

It is human nature to assume at least partial responsibility for an accident. Never admit any responsibility to the accident to law enforcement or anyone else at the scene of the event. Simply reply that you are not sure what happened or provide information about your reaction to events. Most states have laws governing compensation benefits based on responsibility. Let the attorneys use evidence to determine fault. Obviously, you want to be honest, but most likely you won’t be thinking clearly after the accident because of the adrenaline, so be sure that you don’t reveal too much since you might be confused about what really happened.

Not Seeking Immediate Medical Care

While most auto insurance policies provide you with up to seven days to seek medical care for an accident, most insurers will start to question the conditions after about 12 hours. Many claims are automatically denied because the insurer feels the injury is not related to the event. You should seek medical care immediately, even for minor injuries. If an EMT comes to the scene of the accident, take their advice, especially if they suggest that you go to the hospital. They might be able to see some potential problems, and again, you’ll be full of adrenaline, so you might not feel the full measure of the pain yet. Even if you feel something slightly painful or abnormal, you’ll want to consult a doctor, just in case.

Failing To Hire An Attorney

You should hire an attorney as soon as you can once you sense any trouble after the accident. Many people will not take issue with the accident if it was a mutual mistake, but be prepared for the other party to sue or the insurance company to expect a settlement from you. The insurance company will begin pushing for you to make a settlement or agreement with them as soon as possible. Avoid making any statements or agreements with the insurer prior to speaking to an attorney. Additionally, an attorney will be familiar with all of the benefits you are entitled to because of the accident. Many times the insurance company “forgets” to disclose these benefits. With an attorney on your side, you’re more likely to get what you deserve, and get it in proper time. If you wait until months after all of the events have transpired, it will be much more difficult to get what you want at that point.

Not Following Medical Care Instructions

It is very important that you follow all medical care instructions and keep all appointments. Missed appointments or refusal of treatments is seen by the insurance company as a sign that you no longer need medical care. If you are not happy with the medical care you are receiving, speak to your attorney about having a second opinion conducted. The worst thing you can do is ignore a doctor’s recommendations or orders. As mentioned, you can switch doctors if you don’t agree with their treatment style or recommendations, but ignoring medical care instructions could disqualify you for coverage later down the road which could be a huge problem if your condition caused by the accident worsens.

Posting Too Much Information

You should refrain from posting too much information on your social sites about the accident. Keep any information you post as basic. Never admit fault on your pages and never disclose the legal issues you have discussed with your attorney. The insurance company will be monitoring your site, and postings on your social media sites could be used as evidence against you if you aren’t careful. Be careful with emails and electronic communications as well since these can often be obtained and used against you. Just as you don’t want to admit fault at the scene of the accident, you don’t want to say too much about your involvement in the accident—even if you’re just posting on the internet.

By understanding these five mistakes, you can avoid problems with your compensation claim and receive the full amount you deserve for your losses. As mentioned, you’ll likely be frazzled and overwhelmed immediately following the accident so be careful that you don’t make a mistake just because you are confused or shaken up. If you know the best steps to take before an accident ever occurs, then you’ll know exactly what to do when that unfortunate time comes.

AUTHOR BIO: This article was written by Dixie Somers, a freelance writer who loves to write for business, finance, women’s interests, and technology. She lives in Arizona with her husband and three beautiful daughters. Dixie got her advice for this article from the legal professionals at the Law Offices of Stanley Pasternak who practice law in Toronto.

Brake Signs: Six Ways to Know It’s Time to Fix Your Brakes

by Kara Masterson on 2014/06/30 in Brakes with Comments Off

Besides being a safety hazard, bad brakes can result in costly repairs if you let the problem go unresolved for too long. Identifying a brake problem early can save you a lot of money on future repairs. The following signs could indicate the need for brake repair or replacement.

The Tell-Tale Grind

Noise is the most obvious sign that something’s amiss with your brakes. Whether it’s a grinding or a clicking sound when you come to a full stop, mysterious sounds almost always spell trouble. Inspect your rotors for deep grooves that typically indicate the need for new pads.

Longer Braking Distances

Another dead giveaway that your brakes are failing is increased braking distance. Even if you don’t hear any weird noises, a car that takes longer than usual to stop under normal circumstances probably needs new pads at a minimum. You may need to swap out rotors as well.

Increased Pedal Travel

If your brake pedal goes all the way to the floor or nearly there when you’re stopping, there’s a good chance that you have a hydraulic problem. This could mean that you’ve got air in the brake lines or that your car is low on brake fluid.

Shaky Stops

A car that shakes when coming to a stop probably has one or more rotors that are warped from excessive heat or improper installation. It might also indicate the need for new brake pads. A pulsating sensation when you hit the brake pedal with moderate force should be investigated.

Lazy Acceleration

If your vehicle feels like it’s being held back when accelerating and it’s not the engine, it could mean that your brakes are responsible. Possible explanations include brake shoes that need to be adjusted or stuck calipers. Regardless of the cause, it’s time for brake repair.

Pulling to One Side

Pulling to one side in a noticeable fashion could be the result of uneven wear on brake pads. Poor alignment, unevenly inflated tires and suspension issues could also be the culprits. If your car is pulling and you suspect the brakes, look for uneven pad or rotor wear.

The need for brake work can be the result of a number of causal factors that are sometimes difficult to diagnose. If you know what to look for, you can save a lot of cash by having your particular brake problems addressed early by a mechanic.

Kara Masterson is a freelance writer from West Jordan, Utah. She graduated from the University of Utah and enjoys writing and spending time with her dog, Max.

How to Troubleshoot Engine Problems of Your Classic Car

by Anica Oaks on 2014/06/23 in Auto Restoration with Comments Off

Troubleshooting problems in an engine of a classic car is more of an art than a skill. Most people, when they sense a problem, will simply replace parts in the engine until the problem has been resolved. This is not a particularly effective method and has the tendency to be very expensive. Luckily, there are easier methods to figure out what is wrong with a car’s engine.

Types of Classic Car Engine Problems

There are seven different categories into which an engine problem could fall. They have their own diagnostic leads, which will make figuring out what is wrong a much smoother process.

Rough Idle:

If a car is experiencing a rough idle, then there is the chance that a carburetor has come loose. There could also be a leak in the vacuum or breaker points that could have become worn down or wrongly adjusted so that they are no longer in the correct position. There is also a chance the polarity of the coil could be wrong.

Pinging:

You can usually detect pinging when your car is accelerating quickly or when towing a load. Pinging typically means that there is some combustion problem in the engine. This is usually a result of there being an excessive amount of lead in the ignition or the combustion chambers being inundated with carbon.

Hesitation:

If a classic car is experiencing hesitation, then it is usually a result of the pump stroke of the accelerator being weak, the vacuum advance not working at all, or the screws from the idle mix being set incorrectly.

Stalling:

This could be a simple result of the idle speed being lower than optimal. It could also be a result of there being a large leak in the vacuum, a problem which needs to be addressed immediately. If neither of these two issues are the problem, then you may want to check your ignition points, and see if your engine valves are leaking.

Oil Smoke on Startup:

If there is oil smoke being produced when the engine is being started, then that usually means that the valve guides or seals have been worn down to the point where they no longer function. You may even have a problem with a blown head gasket, which allows oil to leak into the compression cylinder.

High Amount of Oil Consumption:

If the car seems to be using more oil than it used to, your car may not have oil of the correct viscosity or that the oil has been diluted with gasoline. There is also a chance that the ring on the piston has been worn and needs to be replaced.

If you need extra assistance with identifying and repairing classic engine problems, consider the help of professional engine repair services like Speedy Brake and Apollo Muffler or a shop near you. However, by using this rough diagnostic guide, it is possible to locate the source of the engine problem in a short period of time. This saves the vehicle’s functionality, as well as a large amount of money for the owner of the car.

About the author: A recent college graduate from University of San Francisco, Anica loves dogs, the ocean, and anything outdoor-related. She was raised in a big family, so she’s used to putting things to a vote. Also, cartwheels are her specialty. You can connect with Anica here. This article uses information from Speedy Brake and Apollo Muffler.

Running on Liquid: Understanding the Different Functions of Car Fluids

by Carsurfer Admin on 2014/06/18 in Auto Maintenance with Comments Off

Car fluids, in addition to the components that use them, are the lifeblood of any car. Without them, motors burn up, transmissions stall and other unwanted things go haywire. Know the difference between automotive fluids, their characteristics and functions. And most importantly, know how and when to check and replace these fluids. Hence, here is a brief rundown of the most common and important automotive fluids.

Transmission Fluid

Right up there with oil and gasoline in terms of importance, transmission fluid is the critical substance that provides hydraulic power for shifting gears while simultaneously lubricating them. Do you know when and how to check it?

Like checking the oil level, it’s a good idea to have the engine running and warm when checking tranny fluid. Start by taking the transmission fluid dipstick out (don’t confuse it with the oil dipstick), wipe it clean, reinsert it and take it out again, taking note of the level on the stick. Unless the car’s gears are not switching smoothly (in which case you should check the fluid even more often), always check the transmission fluid at least once a month.

Coolant

Engines get hot, there’s no way around it. That’s where coolant–often a mixture of water and antifreeze that resides in a reservoir alongside the engine–comes into action. Antifreeze, used more in climates with colder winters, protects against both extreme heat and severe cold.

Oil

Even people who know absolutely nothing about cars or how they work know (or should know) that oil is the single most important thing in an engine. Not only does it provide lubrication for moving parts, it protects against rust by staving off metal oxidation and collects dirt via the oil filter. Let’s put it this way, with too little oil, the engine is going to wear down exponentially faster; with no oil, your engine’s dead in no time.

Oil should be checked about every three weeks (more often on older and/or higher-mileage cars). Also, check it just like you would the aforementioned transmission fluid–just don’t get the wrong stick.

Power Steering and Brake Fluid

These fluids, like transmission fluid, provide hydraulic pressure to help the driver brake and steer with little effort. However, they are different beasts than other coolants like oil and coolants in one major aspect: cars typically don’t deplete them. If there’s a problem, say with a leak in the power steering fluid container, yes, issues will generally start popping up everywhere. Generally, though, these liquids should be checked once every two to three months.

Windshield Washer Fluid

Contrary to what most non-mechanics think of window washer fluid, it’s more than just pretty blue water. Washer fluid contains several chemicals like methanol and ethylene glycol that break down things like bug guts splattered across your window quicker and more efficiently than soapy water. Check it once a month or so.

Article Credit:
According to National Transmission, a Calgary bearing and transmission company, checking your transmission fluid frequently will save the operator extravagant repair bills due to wear and tear.