All posts in Auto Maintenance

Ways To Keep Your Car In Tip Top Shape Year Round

by Carsurfer Admin on 2014/05/19 in Auto Care with Comments Off

Every year, the elements are working against your vehicle to fade your paint and to affect your vital system components. During the summer, UV radiation combined with increased summer heat and pollutants will eat away at your car’s beautiful finish. During the winter months, where temperatures are blistering cold, the sudden drop in temperatures can lead to glass breakage and to unnecessary wear on your tires and internal components. Investing in preventative maintenance all year long is vital if you want to avoid damage and preventable repair bills. Here are some tips to protect your car during the Summer, Fall, Winter and Spring:

Prepare Your Car For Colder Seasons

Winters can be harsh on vehicles. Just like you protect your skin from the blistering cold, you should protect your vehicle’s finish. There are several steps that car owners should take to winterize their vehicles. Be sure to check the antifreeze level in your battery so that your vehicle always starts, and have brake fluids checked before storms hit. In addition to this, All-West Glass Ltd., a company specializing in auto glass in Edmonton, recommends that you swap out your windshield wiper fluid with a liquid that will not freeze during freezing conditions.

Protect Your Car’s Finish From the Elements Year Round

To protect your finish from the road salt that is laid to combat the snow, you should invest in a good was and a fresh wax that will prevent corrosion caused by the sodium within the salt. Doing this will ensure that the wheel wells will not accumulate with salt either.

Prepare Your Car For Warmer Seasons

Spring will bring April showers that give way to May flowers and then blistering summer temperatures. Preparing your car for the Summer heat should start in Spring. Check the liquid in your heat to avoid evaporation which can drain your battery of power. You should also check your cooling system and add coolant to your radiator so that your engine is running at an optimal level.

Seasonal Tires to Avoid Hazards

As the temperatures rise, check your tire pressure monthly so that you can avoid over-inflation and blow outs. The rising temperatures can lead to blow outs as the air in the tires expand. Be sure to inspect the wheel well of your tires for defects before the asphalt gets hot, or you can face hazards on the roadways.

Go Easy When You’re Stuck

When stuck don’t repeatedly throw your car from forward to reverse. Spinning your tires at high speeds can cause a lot of heat and possible ruin your transmission, clutches, and differentials. If you are really stuck call a tow truck so you don’t end up spending a lot of money on repairs from working your car to hard to get it out.

Winterizing and summerizing your vehicle are essential steps that you must take to prolong the life of your fine piece of machinery. Be sure to keep your vehicle clean, inspect your car from top to bottom, and invest in preventative maintenance if your want your car to stay in tip top shape. The money that you spend will ultimately save you in the future.

Get in A Car Accident? 5 Phone Calls You Should Make Immediately After it Happens

by Carsurfer Admin on 2014/05/15 in Auto Accident with Comments Off

A car crash can leave some drivers and passengers in shock. However, it’s important to make the following five phone calls immediately after getting into a car accident.

Auto Insurance Agent

After getting into an accident, a driver should call his or her auto insurance agent. The agent will immediately start up all of the paperwork that needs to be filed for an official claim. An agent will instruct the driver on what to do regarding towing, storing and repairing the vehicle.

Police Help

The police should be called immediately after an accident. An officer can arrive in a matter of minutes to assess the car accident site. An official police report is created at the accident site. This report includes information about the causes of the accident and the driver that is at fault. A diagram can also be drawn in order to officially determine what happened during the car crash.

Legal Assistance

A personal injury attorney has said that people can save themselves some serious headaches as well as money, if they call a lawyer. They can be very helpful in taking care of some legal issues involving a car accident. An attorney can file a claim against insurance companies that are not willing to pay any extra money for medical expenses and other compensation to an injured driver or passenger. An attorney also has the right to file civil lawsuits against a driver at fault in an accident. Such a driver can face serious charges especially if he or she was impaired by alcohol or drugs.

Towing & Auto Collision Company

After a car accident, it’s a good idea to call a familiar local towing company. Such a company may offer a fair rate to tow away and store a damaged car. Otherwise, the police will call in towing services that may charge expensive rates. Additionally, a driver can request that his or her damaged car be towed to a specific auto body shop or service center that charges a fair rate. Otherwise, some collisions centers unknown to the driver may charge expensive rates for storage and labor.

Contacting Owner of Car

The owner of a vehicle should be immediately contacted after an accident. After all, some people drive cars that belong to their parents, relatives or friends. By law, the title holder of a vehicle is responsible for some of the events that follow a car accident.

Police, lawyers, insurance agent, car owner and towing company should all be called right after a car accident. Accident victims should also think about getting immediate medical treatment.

Chaleigh is a freelance writer that lives in NYC. She enjoys writing and lifestyle photography. She writes about anything from Reno Personal Injury Lawyer related content, to paving your driveway or how to properly fix your slice in golf. In her spare time she likes to take pictures, snowboard, golf, and play ice hockey.

How To Tell If Your Whole Engine Needs To Be Replaced

by Carsurfer Admin on 2014/05/07 in Auto Repair with Comments Off

Due to today’s economic landscape, buying a brand new car can put a major dent into a driver’s monthly budget. If your current vehicle is in relatively good condition, the best approach is to keep it running for as long as possible. In the event that your engine is on its last leg, you can have your motor rebuilt or replaced for a very reasonable price. Here are some of the signs that your whole engine needs to be replaced.

Constant Blue Smoke

The presence of exhaust smoke warrants an immediate red flag. Upon first cranking your vehicle in the morning, you may notice a puff of bluish-colored smoke coming out of the tailpipe. This usually indicates a set of worn valve seals, which can be repaired by an experienced mechanic. However, a vehicle that constantly spews blue smoke is an entirely different story. The cylinders inside the engine are probably worn beyond repair, so the engine will be burning a significant amount of motor oil.

Knocking Noises

If you consistently hear a knocking sound from the engine, you should stop driving your vehicle until you get engine inspected. If you are lucky, the knocking sound may stem from a loose spark plug that needs to be re-tightened. Low octane is also a common cause of knocking. If you consistently hear a knocking sound during acceleration, a bearing inside the engine may have failed. If your engine has a lot of miles on it, you will be better off just replacing the engine.

Low Engine Compression

Low engine compression can cause a number of problems including a loss of power and difficulty in starting the engine. If you notice that the performance of your vehicle has suddenly declined, ask a repair shop to check the compression in each engine cylinder.

Severely Overheated Engine

According to Gulftech Engines Inc., a company that specializes in rebuilt engines in Houston, overheating the engine is one of the most common causes of premature engine failure. If the engine is not cooled down in a timely manner, the cylinder head can suffer permanent damage. A warped cylinder head is a complex auto repair that requires a very experienced mechanic.

The engine is definitely the most important component on your vehicle. The good news is that replacing it can give your old ride a new lease on life. The extra money can be used to to pay your rent or mortgage.

Savannah Coulsen is a freelance writer. She lives in Raleigh. Savannah loves to read and write and she hopes to write a novel someday. Savannah also loves learning and is a self-proclaimed health guru. Savannah got information for this article from Gulftech Engines Inc., a company that specializes in rebuilt engines in Houston.

Foreign Cars: Fix ‘Em Up Or Throw ‘Em Out

by Carsurfer Admin on 2014/05/06 in Foreign Cars with Comments Off

When you own a foreign car, you may have a piece of junk on your hands. Other times, a foreign car is great for your wants and needs. Either way, if it starts to break, you need to either cut your losses or invest more in the vehicle. With this in mind, here are four ways to get your foreign vehicle fixed on the cheap.

Online auctions:

If you want a high-end part, you should head to online auction sites like Ebay. When going with this option, you can buy a part meeting your unique wants and needs. Simply put, when you own an older car, you will want to buy great parts and you can do so by heading to an online auction site. Again, while you will pay a higher price when compared with a salvage yard, you can get the item you want. And know for a fact that it is the right part for the issues you are experiencing, and it will be in perfect new condition. This is a great option when it comes to the actual mechanical issues of a car. After you have purchased the actually parts, then you can either take it into an auto shop, have a knowledgeable friend work on it, or learn how to make the repairs yourself.

Online salvage yard:

Believe it or not, if you want, you can head online to find a salvage yard. This is a more expensive option than doing it at the site. However, if you have an obscure car, you can find the part you want, just at a higher price. Without a doubt, if you want the item quickly and without doing much work, consider an online salvage yard.

Local paper or classifieds:

By heading to Craigslist or your local paper’s website, you can find that part for your vehicle. This is not a great option if you have an obscure car and have a need for lots of parts. But, if you want one or two items, head online and check your local classifieds. Especially if the repair isn’t an urgent one, this can be a great option to take your time, find the right part and for the right price. So this can be a great option when it comes to the more cosmetic issues with a vehicle.

Salvage yard:

If you own an older automobile, you can head to a local salvage yard. Here, you can get the right part for your needs. This is true whether you need an old carburetor or plastic piece on your bumper. Since a salvage yard is self-serve, this is the perfect option if you are busy and want to get in, grab the part, and move on with your life.

With these four options, you can get your vehicle fixed on the cheap. Otherwise, if you do not have access to inexpensive parts, you may think about getting rid of your old automobile.

Information Credit:
Looking for a part? You should head to a salvage yard such as All Japanese Auto Wrecking Services. They are experts at fixing foreign cars as well as having replacement parts. When doing so, you can get the part you want for a fraction of the cost.

How to Handle an Accident with an Uninsured Driver

by Anica Oaks on 2014/05/01 in Auto Accident, Auto Maintenance with Comments Off

The consequence from being involved in an accident can range from a mild inconvenience to a serious, life-altering problem. The challenges are magnified if the other driver is uninsured. When this happens, you’re forced to seek compensation from a person who may not be able to pay for your property damage or medical bills. Here’s what you should know about handling an accident involving an uninsured driver.

Call the Police

It is important to call for the police and obtain an official record of the accident. This will help you later when you’re trying to get your expenses covered. In most states, driving without insurance is against the law, so the other party may also be facing criminal charges. This is a vital first step for protecting yourself, so make this your first call.

Exchange Information

When dealing with an uninsured driver, you need to make sure that you have a means to reach the other party later. Collect information from the other driver’s license. Take pictures of their license plate. Ask for a cell phone number, home number and work information. Gather as much information as you can about this individual to facilitate contacting them later.

Get Checked Out

Take care of yourself. Visit the doctor or hospital to be examined. When adrenaline is coursing through your body right after an accident, you may not feel the pain of whiplash or other potentially serious injuries. However, the pain and red flags can show up a few hours or even days later. While your insurance may cover your injuries, you ultimately want the person responsible to cover the bills. Documentation is key to any accident, so ask for personal copies of any medical checkups and bills.

Work with Your Insurance Company

Your insurance may not cover you if you’re hit by an uninsured driver. However, there are riders that you can invest in so that you’ll be covered even if the other party cannot reimburse you. Even if you don’t have this coverage, you should still work with your insurance company. They can provide you with valuable advice, and they’ll want to know what repairs have been made to your car.

Review Any Settlement

Whether you’re working with an insurance company or an individual, you can expect the initial offer to be low. This is because the other party will work hard to minimize their losses by reducing payments to you. They may try to claim that some injuries or property damage were present before the accident, and they will almost certainly try to minimize your pain and suffering. You may want to consider working with a professional to help you review offers. It is possible to have a settlement reviewed and increased when you know the law and have an experienced attorney on your side.

Being involved in an accident with an uninsured motorist can cause a great hardship. It can be more difficult to recover damages as the uninsured driver may have minimal assets and no way to cover the damage. You may want to consider investing in a special rider with the insurance company, and work with professionals who can help you review any settlement offers if you are trying to collect damages from an individual.

Information Source: Law Offices of Savin & Bursk