All posts in Auto Maintenance

Three Improvements that Will Make Your Car More Environmentally Friendly

by Carsurfer Admin on 2014/01/27 in Auto Maintenance with Comments Off

Your car is a big part of your carbon footprint. Every time you drive it, your car exhausts greenhouse gases and pollution into the atmosphere.

You can change that. You don’t have to wait until you can buy a more fuel-efficient or hybrid car to make your driving more environmentally friendly. Here are three improvements you can make to the car you have right now.

Inspect and Adjust Your Tires

Under-inflated tires won’t just wear out sooner. They’ll also cause you to use more fuel. Check your tires frequently. Keep them inflated at the recommended pressure posted on the tire. Unevenly worn tires indicate a mechanical problem with your car. Have the problem fixed. That will help restore your car’s maximum fuel efficiency.

You can also replace your tires with new tires designed for lower rolling resistance. Over time, you save gas and money. When you buy new tires, your tire dealer will recycle the old ones. There are lots of uses for old tires, from playgrounds to mulch. If you have extra old tires laying around, turn them in. Recycled tires get reused.

Ditch the Extra Weight

We’re not talking about passengers here. We’re talking about the common tendency to use a car for storage. Open the back of your car. All the sports equipment, boxes of books and papers, bags of unsorted clothes and other items you haven’t gotten around to unloading is extra weight. It’s causing you to burn extra fuel all the time.

Unload the extra weight. You’ll be helping the environment. You’ll feel lighter yourself, without a doubt.

Get Your Car Tuned Up Regularly

A car that runs well burns fuel efficiently. This efficiency minimizes the carbon emissions. Take the car in to a reliable service facility, such as Speedy Brake and Apollo Muffler which does shock installation in Calgary. The service personnel will look your car over for you. Besides tuning the engine, replacing air filters and changing the oil, they can suggest other systems that might need work or parts that might need replacing.

While you’re at it, you can tune up your driving. Keep your highway speed at 55 miles per hour. At higher speeds, your car loses fuel economy. Don’t brake hard, and don’t accelerate quickly. These cause wear on the car and excessive gasoline use.

The most fuel efficiency you can get out of your car is to leave it in the garage once in a while and bicycle to work. Save the driving for another day.

Car Trouble: 5 Reasons You May Be Repairing Your Car Too Often

by Carsurfer Admin on 2014/01/24 in Auto Repair with Comments Off

Far too many car owners find their vehicle in the shop for repairs on a regular basis. Although some car issues are unavoidable, many of the problems may be a result of improper care. Here are five reasons why you may be repairing your car too often:

Careless Driving

Driving too fast over speed bumps and pushing the pedal to the metal at every stoplight dramatically impacts the structural integrity of a vehicle. Some of the key repairs that can be avoided by careful driving include a bad wheel alignment, blown shocks, warped brake rotors, and irregular tire wear. Take the time to slow down and drive carefully to avoid common repairs.

Neglecting the Check Engine Light

Your vehicle’s check engine light is a very important component. Failing to give an illuminated check engine light the necessary attention could result in frequent visits to the mechanic. Although the cause of the check engine light could be something simple such as a loose gas cap, it could also be caused by worn spark plugs and oxygen sensors. These parts need to be replaced because they can cause a slew of other issues including erratic idling and destruction of the catalytic converter.

Subpar Quality Motor Oil

Motor oil is arguably the most important engine fluid. The consistent use of low-quality oil makes the engine more susceptible to leaks, sludge, and carbon buildup. Using high-quality products from reputable manufacturers such as Eastern Oil Company will help to keep the engine running in tip-top condition.

Failing to Adhere to the Recommended Maintenance Schedule

A vehicle is engineered with an intricate system of components. Typically, if one car part fails, the functionality of another related car part is also put in jeopardy. For example, vehicles that are equipped with a timing belt will need to have the belt changed at the recommended mileage interval. If the old timing belt suddenly snaps, it could result in very expensive engine damage.

Aftermarket Auto Parts

Although aftermarket auto parts may demand a lower cost, they are usually not as long-lasting and robust as the original parts that were installed by the automaker. The use of good parts will help to maintain the dependability of the car. You may be tempted to repair your car with low-cost parts, but this could be an expensive mistake down the road.

Although all vehicles will need a repair at some point, taking the necessary precautions will limit the number of trips to the shop. Follow these tips to keep your car in good shape and reduce your costs in repairs.

Dodge the Deception: Five Ways to Avoid Dishonest Mechanics

by Carsurfer Admin on 2014/01/20 in Auto Repair with Comments Off

As you would expect, not every mechanic is untrustworthy, but when all of them are trying to earn a buck, it’s hard to decipher which ones are solely out for your money (and as much of it as possible). It’s impossible to tell whether or not a mechanic is dishonest by merely looking at him, but these five tactics can help you begin weeding out the less morally sound ones.

Grab Multiple Quotes

Before you sign your vehicle over to the first mechanic you go to, get multiple quotes instead. Some mechanics will charge "diagnostic fees" to avoid comparisons and early quotes and lock them into doing business, but there are still others out there who don’t do this. Find a mechanic who’s willing to look under your hood for free and give you a quote. Give them a call or check the internet prior to visiting the shop in person to avoid being pressured into diagnostic fees.

Get the Scoop from Real Reviews

If you want unbiased opinions on whether the mechanic in question is really worth doing business with, check out automotive service reviews. You can find these all over the place; check out your local forums or news sites, certified reviews on opentell.com, or even find out by merely asking around. Third parties are the best source for unbiased information. Some of these review sites also rate the company by store location, so even if you are researching a chain, you can find out about the exact shop near you.

Get a Referral from a Trusted Source

If you know someone who you trust and has adequate knowledge of automobiles, find out what their recommendations are concerning mechanics. They will likely know others who are interested in cars or work as mechanics. Additionally, take recommendations from people who have a favorite mechanic. Knowing people in the industry can be a great way to find those shops with integrity.

Stay Alert for Intimidation

When mechanic shopping, beware of the old, "I wouldn’t drive this thing for another mile" line. This is a scare tactic, and unfortunately, it works quite often. If you begin to feel intimidated and the mechanic pressures you to repair the vehicle as quickly as possible, take caution from there on out. A great idea in this circumstance is to get a second opinion from another shop without telling them what the “problem” is. This way you don’t lead the new shop’s expectations and simply see what they say. If they offer the same information, then you know it’s most likely a legitimate problem.

Ask for the Old, Broken Parts Back

This could be one of the most clever tricks in the book to avoid getting scammed by an auto mechanic. Before any repairs are made on the vehicle, tell the mechanic that you’d like the old parts back once the repairs have been made. Any honest mechanic will not see a problem with this, as he will have no use for them. Beware of mechanics that get defensive or express a significant interest in knowing why you’re interested in the old parts. They may be trying to hide the evidence.

Overall, use common sense when shopping around for a reliable mechanic. If it seems too expensive, it probably is. Get everything in writing and don’t be afraid to ask questions. Third parties are great for information, and seek out a second opinion if you don’t trust your initial quote.

Five Ways to Know When Your Car Needs to Be Serviced

by Carsurfer Admin on 2014/01/16 in Auto Maintenance with Comments Off

Owning a car can be a great luxury, but being a vehicle owner also comes with a lot of financial responsibility. Not only must you handle expenses such as making a car payment, paying for car insurance, and keeping your gas tank full, but you must also deal with the cost of maintenance and repairs. It is important that you be familiar with some common signs that your car needs to be serviced. This way, you can have the issues resolved before they worsen and turn into an even larger and more expensive repair.

Vibrating Steering Wheel

If you notice a vibration in your steering wheel, especially upon accelerating to a certain speed, then you may have a problem with your vehicle’s alignment or wheels. This can be caused by hitting a pothole and throwing your car out of alignment or even bending a rim on one of your wheels. A diagnostic test can be run by a repair shop to determine whether either of these are the case.

Pulsating Upon Braking

When you depress your brake pedal, do you ever feel a pulsating sensation in your steering wheel or in the front end of your car? If so, then this may be a sign that you need new brake pads, rotors, or a new set of brakes entirely. Over time, rotors and brakes become unevenly worn and need to be replaced or repaired. Consider visiting a brake shop to have your car’s braking system inspected by a professional.

White Smoke Coming from Exhaust

While it is normal to see a small amount of smoke coming from your muffler, be on the lookout for large amounts of billowing white smoke. This could be a sign that your car has blown a head gasket. This is a problem that is best diagnosed by a repair shop specializing in head gasket repair in Calgary, such as Speedy Brake and Apollo Muffler.

Smell of Burning Rubber

Except in obvious situations, such as when you screech your tires by accelerating too quickly, you should never notice any strange odors coming from your car. If you smell any odors, such as that of burning rubber, you may have a worn belt in your engine such as a timing or serpentine belt. It is important to have these replaced as soon as signs of wear and tear arise, as failure to do so can result in more expensive repairs down the road.

Flickering Interior or Exterior Lights

If you notice the lights in or outside of your car dimming at seemingly random intervals, this may be a sign that your battery is on the verge of dying. Have it checked for a charge and replace it immediately if needed. The last thing you want is to be stranded somewhere with a car that will not start.

These are just a few common signs to watch out for. By doing so and by seeing a mechanic promptly upon noticing any of these signs, you can have your car repaired in no time and enjoy the peace of mind in having a reliable, safe vehicle.

Savannah Coulsen is a freelance writer. She lives in Long Beach. 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. She always uses Speedy Brake and Apollo Muffler when she needs her car serviced.

5 Tips that Will Keep Your Car in Great Condition and Looking Like New for Years to Come

by Carsurfer Admin on 2014/01/15 in Auto Maintenance with Comments Off

It is less expensive to properly maintain your car than to repair it, but many people simply forgo maintaining their car because of the small expense or inconvenience. Simple regular maintenance items not only prevent unnecessary breakdowns and repairs, but extend your car’s life and level of performance. A well-maintained car also retains more resale value. Thus, here is a quick look at 5 maintenance tasks that will keep your car in great condition for years to come.

Perform Regular Oil and Filter Changes

This is the most important maintenance you can do for your car. Nothing destroys an engine quicker than neglecting oil levels or forgetting to perform regular oil changes. Check your owner’s manual or ask your mechanic for the proper oil change interval for your make and model. You should also ask your mechanic for the proper type of oil that you should be using in your vehicle. Providing proof of regular oil changes can add hundreds of dollars to a resale price.

Do a Yearly Cooling System Flush

Corrosion and deposits can build in the inside of your cooling system and cause huge problems. Flushing the cooling system and changing the coolant yearly helps prevent buildup of harmful deposits in your system. Mix coolant in equal parts with distilled water to keep your cooling system in great shape.

Change Transmission and Differential Fluids on Schedule

This is not a frequent service, but it is vitally important. Check your recommended service intervals and write it on the calendar, or have your mechanic remind you. If you do it yourself, be sure you use the gear oil and transmission fluid that is the proper viscosity and type for your system.

Keep Your Car Clean

Carports and garages only protect your car when it is inside. You still must wash and wax your car regularly to protect and maintain its finish. The outside obviously needs cleaning, but cleaning the undercarriage is just as important, especially in areas where the roads are salted in the winter. Everything you run over can stick under your car and cause corrosion. The inside needs regular maintenance too. A yearly detailing and steam cleaning of the inside can keep your car looking brand new for years to come.

Keep All Moving Parts Lubricated

When you change your oil, it’s also a good time to check your lubrication. Joints and moving parts all need regular grease and lube to ensure proper performance and prevent unnecessary wear and tear. Proper maintenance of joints and moving parts can potentially save you thousands of dollars in repairs.

Just like your body, your car needs regular care. Take care of it, and it will take care of you by not stranding you on the side of the road. A little TLC adds up to real money at resale.