All posts in Auto Maintenance

Five Ways to Bring New Business into Your Local Garage

by Carsurfer Admin on 2014/01/13 in Auto Maintenance with Comments Off

If you are struggling to make ends meet at your garage, you may need to rethink your marketing approach. Good word of mouth can be effective, but oftentimes it is not enough to allow a garage to survive. This is especially true during these tough economic times. Here is a look at five ways you can get more business into your garage.

1. Use a Newspaper Ad

Newspaper ads are a great way to get new business into your garage. Although readership is down, you can feel confident that those reading the newspaper will see your ad. Many people skim the paper just to look at the ads. In addition, you can take advantage of the newspaper’s website to advertise to their online readers as well.

2. Use Social Media

Any local business that is not harnessing the power of social media is shooting itself in the foot. You need to create social media accounts on all the popular sites. Make sure to use Facebook and Twitter at a minimum. You should update your garage’s social media accounts daily, sending out information and promotions.

3. Promotional Materials

Giving out promotion materials to customers is one of the best ways to boost your business. Every time someone stops in the garage, make sure that they leave with a promotional item like a pen, T-shirt or Frisbee. You can find a nice selection of promotional items you can use for your garage.

4. Radio Ads

Radio ads are another good way to get new customers into your garage. It is hard for radio listeners to avoid the ads. They cannot fast forward through the commercials like they can with television ads. They also are much less likely to change the channel when the commercials come on thus making it more likely they will hear your ad.

5. Support a Local Charity

If you want to get a great boost in business, then you should consider supporting a local charity. When customers see that you are doing good in the community, they will think of you the next time they need some work done on their cars.

If you use these five tips, you will get a great increase in business in no time. There is no need to struggle to get by. Follow these tips to get new customers coming into your garage every day. As long as you put forth the effort to drum up business, there is no reason you can’t grow.

3 Simple Steps to Interpreting Your Car’s Warning Lights

by Carsurfer Admin on 2013/12/25 in Auto Maintenance with Comments Off

Failing to take appropriate action in response to a dashboard warning light can result in far more extensive problems and more costly mechanical repairs. Vehicle owners who wish to stay on top of their maintenance efforts or who are seeking to reduce the repair costs associated with operating their car or truck would be wise to learn how to correctly interpret their vehicle’s warning lights. From simple fixes that can be undertaken when you next stop for fuel to more serious issues that may require assistance from a technician, knowing what to do when your warning light turns on can make a key difference.

Dashboard Warning Lights Can Alert You to Many Mechanical Issues

Dashboard warning lights are designed to alert owners to potential problems and situations that may require attention. With lights able to signal everything from low fuel and oil pressure to more serious problems with a vehicles engine, knowing how to interpret them is never a concern that should be left to chance. While a fuel status warning may simply mean you are overdue to stop at the pump, an oil pressure light or a check engine warning, especially in the presence of other mechanical issues or problems, may indicate that your vehicle requires immediate repair.

Spotting a Serious Problem and Taking Prompt Action

Your vehicles engine has a number of sensors that monitor performance. A check engine warning light means that your vehicles engine control unit, a sophisticated on-board computer that monitors and regulates performance, has detected a problem. Delaying a service appointment or ignoring a check engine or oil pressure warning light can result in catastrophic damage to your vehicles engine, often requiring far more expensive repairs to remedy. According to Hackney Auto Repair , taking prompt and effective action when your warning light indicates a potential problem will ensure that you are able to address any issues before they develop into problems of a more severe nature.

Learning More About a Specific Make or Model

With a range of different warning lights depending on the make and year of your vehicle, referencing your owner’s manual in order to familiarize yourself with the layout and dashboard features of your car or truck can be most helpful. Speaking with a professional mechanic or an experienced repair technician may also alert you to any issues or potential problems that may be specific to your vehicle. Ensuring that your ECU, sensors, and warning lights are all operating correctly and learning how to respond to any warning light on your vehicle will allow you to reduce the risk of a more serious problem, issue or mechanical breakdown that could end up placing greater strain on your finances.

Five Minor Car Problems You Should Never Ignore

by Carsurfer Admin on 2013/12/20 in Auto Maintenance with Comments Off

Keeping a car in good condition requires constant updates and care on your part. While it’s obvious when you need some major repairs, there are some minor problems that are just as important to take care of quickly so it they don’t get worse.

Worn-out Windshield Wiper Blades

Wiper blades are irritating when they begin to wear out. However, when you are stuck in a rain storm, the problem quickly turns into a serious hazard on the road. Remember that blades don’t only wear out from extended use. Long hours baking in the sun, or turning them on when snow and ice is built up on them can do just as much damage. Check your blades if you haven’t used them in a while or if bad weather is in the forecast. It doesn’t hurt to carry a replacement set in the car for emergencies.

Low Fluid Levels

One of the best maintenance chores you can do for your car is check the oil regularly. When the oil level gets too low, the moving parts of the engine suffer increased friction and wear. If you lose all the oil, your engine will seize up and and you’ll have to replace it. Even though you may have a date or mileage to give you an idea of when it needs changed, make sure you check it every once in a while and before long trips. If you find that your oil level is dropping rapidly no matter how often you fill it, take it in to a mechanic to find the leak or any other problem that could damage your car.

Lights

Nothing is more unnerving than approaching a car from behind and suddenly realizing it isn’t moving because the break lights weren’t working. Because you never see your break lights when you drive, it’s likely you don’t think about them often. Check for broken headlights and tail lights and replace them immediately. Your ability to see in the dark, and your visibility to others, is crucial to your safety. It could also cost you a fine if a cop sees that your lights aren’t working properly.

Worn Tires

Never drive around on worn tires. As the tire’s tread wears down, a blowout becomes more likely. This is a hazard that becomes much worse in the rain or on slick, icy roads. Uneven wear on tires indicates a misalignment or other structural problem. Make sure that is taken care of before getting new tires, and keep a good set on your car, especially during the months of bad weather.

Chipped or Cracked Windshield

A chip or small break in the windshield might pass inspection, but sooner or later it’s going to give you trouble. Once a crack develops, you’ll have to replace the whole windshield, says professionals at Auto Glass in Los Angeles. By fixing the chip, you will maintain the factory seal around the glass.

Take these maintenance chores seriously and don’t let minor car problems create more expensive repairs for you in the future. These tips will help you stay safe on the road and save money on repairs.

Five Easily Preventable Car Troubles and How to Avoid Them

by Carsurfer Admin on 2013/12/12 in Auto Maintenance with Comments Off

Car ownership can often be a pain for some people. Now, usually, one can take steps to prevent problems and save money in the process. In fact, here are five easily preventable car troubles and how to avoid them.

Windshield cracks

While driving down the highway, a lot of people end up with smashed windshields. This is usually not the driver’s fault. However, to protect the vehicle, one should avoid driving behind a semi or other large trucks or vans. If one does not heed this advice and ends up with a cracked windshield, they should look for a windshield repair kit of some sort such as Tri Glass Windshield Repair Kits. With this, one can fix the problem and enjoy a crack-free windshield.

Dead battery

Sometimes, when in a parking lot, a driver will walk out to a dead battery. This leaves a person unable to move his or her car. Luckily, when carrying jumper cables, one can fix the issue and drive the car safely. Of course, to avoid this in the first place, a car owner should try to avoid leaving the lights on and other electronics while he or she is not driving.

Flat tire

Now, it is impossible to prevent getting a flat tire. With that being said, a smart driver who keeps his or her tires inflated properly can avoid this problem. Furthermore, when driving on the highway, one should avoid emergency lanes as plenty of glass and nails sit on the side of the road.

Electrical problems

Some European cars have electrical problems. However, this is preventable should a driver opt to change out the fuses and avoid overusing electronic devices such as refrigerators and computers. Otherwise, a car owner will spend thousands of dollars fixing the issue.

Leaks

When driving a car off the road, one will end up with problems. Often, the biggest problem one will encounter is leaks. With this, a vehicle owner may experience problems and end up messing up his or her engine. To avoid this, one should watch out for leaks by looking on the ground. If a driver notices anything out of the ordinary, he or she should take it to a mechanic and get it looked at immediately.

A car owner must take a proactive approach and avoid problems from occurring in the first place. Otherwise, he or she will spend a lot of time and money trying to fix seemingly minor issues that will get out of control in the long run.

Get Your Car Winter Ready With These 5 Tips

by Carsurfer Admin on 2013/12/02 in Auto Maintenance with Comments Off

It’s always a good idea to keep your car in top shape. People spend more time in their vehicles than they may realize, and a broken down car can leave you stranded. The condition of your car is especially important in the wintertime. The best time to get ready is long before the first snow falls. A little bit of preparation before the temperature drops will give you a peace of mind when you’re on the road. Here are five tips to get your car ready for winter driving:

Check Your Tires

Snow, sleet and ice can make for slick, treacherous conditions. It’s vital that your car have a good set of tires; they are the one part of your car that has direct contact with the road. The National Highway Transportation Safety Board advises that a tire’s treads should be at least 1/16th of an inch deep. If you’ve been meaning to get new tires, there’s no better time than before the winter weather hits.

Give Your Car a Checkup

While you’re looking into your tires, have your mechanic can make sure your vehicle is ready for winter driving. Have him check your battery, belts, hoses, spark plugs and other parts that need to be in top shape to handle the extra stress of winter weather.

Antifreeze and Oil

The two most important liquids in your car after gasoline are its antifreeze and oil. Antifreeze prevents freeze ups. If your coolant is too old, it might not stand up to the cold. The oil you use in the summer months may not work as well colder temperatures. Synthetic oil is designed to do just that. Check with your mechanic to see what oil would work best for your car.

Wiper Blades

Winter weather can wreak havoc on wiper blades, affecting your visibility. Visibility is essential to safe driving. Although drivers depend on their vehicles’ wiper blades to clear away rain, sleet and snow, many wait to replace them until they need them the most. Most blades should be replaced every 6 months but winter weather blades are specifically designed to function sever conditions.

Emergency Kit

Despite all the preparation, sometimes getting stranded is unavoidable and can happen at any time, whether your car is new or old. A range of problems can cause it, from a tire failure or mechanical breakdown to running out of fuel. Make sure your car is stocked with a few do-without items to help you get through a stay in a cold car.

Blankets
Extra gloves, boots and hats
Flashlight with extra batteries
Ice scraper and small shovel
Jumper cables
First aid kit
Flares

Winter weather can be unpredictable. Severe weather can be both frightening and dangerous for travel. Drivers should know the safety rules for dealing with winter road emergencies. Repairs for trucks and cars can mount during the winter months, but a little prevention beforehand can save time and money.