All posts in Auto Maintenance

5 Safety Tips You Need While Working on Your Car

by Carsurfer Admin on 2014/04/28 in Auto Maintenance with Comments Off

There’s no arguing that if you have the know-how to fix your own car, you can save literally hundreds, or even thousands, in repairs over the course of time. Although working on your own car can be a rewarding and money-saving venture, it can be dangerous. These are five safety tips for working on your car.

Never Smoke While Repairing Your Vehicle

It’s a good idea to extinguish your cigarette, if you smoke, before attempting to repair your vehicle. Parts under the hood that present an immediate danger when a lit cigarette is in close proximity include the fuel pump, carburetor, fuel lines, fuel tank, fuel injectors, and more. If you are working with the gas tank or even if you are just changing your oil, keep in mind these contain flammable liquids as well. To stay on the safe side, keep a fire extinguisher nearby for possibly trouble.

Use Support Stands

You want to make sure that you are as safe as possible while working underneath your vehicle. You should never trust a jack alone to keep a vehicle suspended above you while you work underneath a car. Purchase proper support stands or automobile lifts for repairing vehicles. Don’t rely on bricks, wood, boxes, or any other hard objects to support the vehicle while you work underneath because if your vehicle falls off the jack or whatever support system you are using result in very serious injury for someone who is working on the vehicle

Prepare the Battery for Electrical Work

If you plan on doing any electrical work with your car, you should always disconnect at least one of the cables from the battery before beginning. Electrical work includes installing new electrical components (ie. a radio), repairing or replacing the starter, etc. Failing to disconnect one or both of the battery cables could cause damage to the wiring in the car, or worse, could start a fire or serious injury to the person who is working on the vehicle.

Get Rid of Bulky, Loose Accessories/Clothing

If you’re wearing anything that could possibly get caught in moving parts or other areas under the hood, be sure to leave it by the wayside for the repair. Bracelets, loose sleeves, neckties, and other types of accessories and clothing can easily become tangled in parts under the hood. This can lead to serious injury or death.

Give Your Vehicle Time to Cool Before Inspecting/Repairing Anything

Lastly, if you can wait to repair your vehicle after it has been running, do so. Parts such as the radiator, catalytic converter, engine, and muffler are likely to be extremely hot if the car has recently been running. Wait for these parts to cool before popping the hood and doing any work. This can save you from serious burns and other related injuries.

Even though these are five very handy safety tips for working on your car, each repair is different. Before attempting a repair, be sure to do a bit of research on the specifics. Find out what you’ll need and which safety precautions you should be taking for the specific repair.

My name is Lizzie Weakley and I am a freelance writer from Columbus, Ohio. I went to college at The Ohio State University where I studied communications. I enjoy the outdoors and long walks in the park with my 3-year-old husky Snowball.

Lizzie found the information for this article from Airdraulics who specialize in automobile lifts.

Shop Talk – 5 Tips for When You are Fixing Your Vehicle

by Carsurfer Admin on 2014/04/24 in Auto Repair with Comments Off

Are you pretty handy in the garage? Fixing your own vehicle is the number one way to reduce the cost of automobile ownership. If you have the means to go about this project you should consider doing it right. Shop labor is expensive, while your own labor is as free as your time. If you have the ability and means to repair your own vehicle here are five suggestions to consider as you undertake this feat.

Safety First

Before you get to work, make sure you have the equipment for a safe repair. If you’re working under the car, you need to keep the car from rolling. You can buy blocks made for this, or use large pieces of wood. Next, if the car needs to be jacked up, use jack stands—don’t trust a hydraulic jack to hold a car while you’re under it. Finally, if you’ll be working with solvents or other chemicals, make sure your work area is well ventilated. Working on a car can be very dangerous and should be done with care.

Buy a Repair Manual

Although you may have done hundreds of car repairs, it’s always a good idea to buy either the service manual for your car or one of the reputable third-party manuals. With a manual, you can read through the repair process before starting and prepare for more complicated procedures. Many repairs are similar between vehicles, but they’re not exactly the same and so buying the manual can make a huge difference.

Stay Organized

Have a few plastic containers around to hold the bolts, nuts and other small parts you collect when repairing your vehicle. You can even buy magnetic trays to hold metal parts so you won’t lose them if a container is knocked over. Pull all the tools you’ll need out of your toolbox before you start, you might lose your concentration and make a mistake if you stop in the middle of a repair to locate a specific tool.

Don’t Take Shortcuts and Use the Correct Tools

Taking shortcuts can damage parts on your car, even you can even hurt yourself. If a repair procedure says you need to remove a part a certain way, follow it. If you try to force parts out you can damage them or other parts of the car. If you don’t have the specialized tool for a certain repair, check the local auto parts stores—they’ll often lend or rent you the right tool for the job.

Know When to Take the Repair to a Professional

If you have a well-stocked garage full of tools, a manual and mechanical aptitude you can repair many things on your car. But, if you’re not confident about a certain repair, take it to a professional. They have diagnostic equipment and can even purchase parts online from older vehicles like some Subaru SVX parts for a cheaper alternative to buying brand new parts.

With these tips in mind you can be sure to save some money and feel a sense of satisfaction after managing the repairs by yourself. If done correctly, this method can be a great hobby and passion as it is for many people.

Simple Advice To Help Avoid Getting In A Car Accident

by Carsurfer Admin on 2014/04/21 in Auto Accident with Comments Off

Car accidents happen to the best of drivers but everyone can be proactive and take measures to be safe on the roads. More often than not, drivers who experience a car accident look back upon the situation and think of things that they wish they had done differently. Even the most experienced drivers who have accidents due to no fault of their own still have the capacity to improve their driving habits. Follow the simple pieces of advice outlined below to avoid accidents.

Stay Alert

Always keep your eyes on the road and the surrounding vehicles, whether it is the road immediately ahead of your or the road as seen in the rearview and side mirrors. Don’t let yourself get distracted by passengers in the car, objects that you pass by or your car stereo. Keep your hands on the steering wheel in the direction of a clock that has its hands pointed at ten and two. This way you will be able to properly control the vehicle in case you have to steer out of harm’s way. If you drink alcohol, sober up before getting behind the wheel.

Don’t Multitask

If your vehicle is equipped with steering wheel audio controls, use those instead of the nozzles on the center console. It is much easier to move your thumbs a few inches up and down instead of moving your entire arm to the right to hit the volume knob or to change the radio station. By using the steering wheel buttons you’ll be able to keep your eyes and your entire focus on the road instead of looking over at the stereo knobs.

Optimal Vision

A clear line of vision is essential to avoiding accidents. Always clean off your windshield and mirrors, especially during the winter months. Don’t rush off to work or another event with snow and ice still stuck on these surfaces. They’ll impede your vision. If you experience a problem with your windshield and rear window defrost controls, immediately take the vehicle in for repairs.

Regular Upkeep

Make sure that your car is regularly maintained by a professional mechanic to ensure that it operates as it should. Also, keep your tires inflated to the optimal pressure level to avoid a flat tire that could cause you to lose control of the vehicle.

Obey Speed Limits

Many accidents are caused by drivers who disregard speed limits and drive either too fast or too slow. Drivers should keep their eyes peeled for speed limit signs on all unfamiliar roads. Always leave early for work and other appointments so that you don’t have to rush to get there.

Take a Defensive Driving Course

The majority of drivers lose track of defensive driving techniques as they age. Take a defensive driving course to refresh your driving skills, awareness and strategies to avoid accidents and tickets. Most automobile insurers will offer discounts to customers who complete a defensive driving course.

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 found information for this article from DUI Attorney Michael P. Jones.

DIY Mechanic: How to Save Money on Auto Repairs By Doing Them Yourself

by Carsurfer Admin on 2014/04/14 in Auto Repair with Comments Off

Saving money on auto repairs by doing them yourself is not terribly difficult. Parts are the least expensive portion of any auto repair equation. More than half the price you pay at a repair shop is in labor. Furthermore, there is a wealth of information and tutorials on the web to help you do just about anything on your car. All it takes is some tools and the willingness to get your hands dirty. The following are some easy repairs that often cost a small fortune at a shop.

1.Air Filters

These are the items that lube shops often try to sell with an oil change and the reason is that they are cheap and easy to replace, even for a lube tech. In most cars, the air filter is in a conspicuously large box in the engine compartment. It is usually held down with a combination of latches and bolts. Simply remove these, remove the filter and put in a new one.

2.Spark Plugs

Spark plugs are right on the front of the engine, one for each cylinder. On a 4-cylinder car, they will be right in a row, on 6 and 8 cylinder cars, they will be divided evenly. One important extra tool you will need for this job is a gap gauge to measure the gap and create a gap if you buy adjustable plugs.

3.Brakes

Brake pads are relatively easy to replace and often cost quite a lot at a repair shop. Rotors are more difficult and may be the culprit if you hear a grinding sound with your brakes. However, the standard squeaking just means the pads are worn.

4.Transmission Fluid Replacement

This is an important job for cars with automatic transmissions. It is also potentially safer to do this yourself as shops often do transmission flushes, which can actually damage the system, especially if they have never previously been done on the car. This job is similar to an oil change in that you drain the old fluid, replace the filter and then replace the fluid. Auto parts stores carry replacement pieces for leaking transmission systems, and can help you find a solution.

5.Belts and Hoses

These are fairly easy to identify for replacement. Hoses appear worn or cracked and belts may squeak or also appear worn. Simply remove the parts and replace them with new ones. Items you are likely to need to replace include drive belts, radiator hoses and serpentine belts.

Diagnosing car problems is generally more difficult than fixing them. If you have a new car, you may want to invest in a code reader. There are many easy car repairs you can do yourself instead of talking to mechanic that will save you both time and money.

Anita is a freelance writer from Denver and often writes about home, auto, family and business. She enjoys traveling with her family when she isn’t writing. Informational credit to Highway Auto Parts.

Pit Stop: 5 Car Care Repairs Everyone Should Know How to Do

by Carsurfer Admin on 2014/04/11 in Auto Maintenance with Comments Off

Basically everyone owns a car in today’s world but it is remarkable how many people do not know how to properly maintain their vehicle. Knowing a few key care care repairs can save you money—and the basics are easy. Take a look for more tips on how to maintain your vehicle as everyone should know these basic procedures.

1. Check The Air Pressure in Your Tires

Your tires take a beating no matter how softly you drive your car and maintaining your tires is a necessary skill every owner needs to practice. First, check your car’s user manual to find out the correct tire pressure as different models and weights vary by quite a bit. This information is also on a plate fastened to the inside of the driver’s side door. Next, use a tire pressure gauge to check the pressure in each tire. If it needs more air, fill it up. If you notice one tire is consistently low, go to step three and fix it yourself.

2. Change a Tire

Pull over to a safe area. Before you jack the car up, loosen the lug nuts. Using a star-shaped pattern, loosen each lug nut. Jack up the car and remove the lug nuts (if you jack up the car first, the wheel will turn when loosening the nuts.) Remove the wheel, put on the spare tire and re-tighten the nuts (using the same pattern you loosened them with.) Let the car down and finish tightening the nuts.

3. Repair a Damaged Tire

Tire-repair kits consist of long black rubber plugs, a rasp and an insertion tool. Find the the puncture, remove any debris with your pliers, then insert the rasp to clean out and prepare the hole. Put one of the plugs in the insertion tool and press it in the hole. Pull out the tool and trim the excess. If the damage is too much then contact a professional is the only route that you can go.

4. Change the Oil

Check your user manual to find out what type of oil and filter you need. Park and secure your car, then remove the drain plug and drain out the old oil. Remove the old oil filter and replace it. When the oil is done draining, replace the plug and fill it up with the new oil. Make sure that you determine what kind of oil is right for your car as there isn’t just one type of oil for use of all.

5. Jump Start Your Car

Ensure both cars are off. Take your jumper cables and connect the positive (red) cable to the positive terminal on the dead battery, then to the positive terminal on the other battery. Next, connect the negative (black) cable to the negative terminal on the good battery, and the other negative to a bare piece of metal in your car. Turn on the other car and wait for the battery to charge. When both cars are running remove the jumper cables.

Knowing these easy repairs can reduce stress, save money and time, so next time you think you’re stranded or need professional assistance, consider these tips and determine if you really need to fork over the cash for costly repairs.

Meghan Belnap –
Meghan Belnap is a freelance writer who enjoys spending time with her family. She also enjoys being in the outdoors and exploring new opportunities whenever they arise as well as researching new topics to expand her horizons. You can often find her buried in a good book or out looking for an adventure. Meghan recommends getting your tires looked at by one of the professionals at Accurate Tire & Auto Care Inc or other tire repair shops in Burlington.