Auto Magazine

3 Signs Your Vehicle Needs a New Radiator

by Carsurfer Admin on 2016/09/21 in Auto Repair with Comments Off

Your car is a reliable tool. A device you use every day to get from point A to point B. It keeps you from having to rely on the public transportation system as it provides you with a sense of freedom. It can generally take you anywhere you want to go. Unfortunately, cars break down from time to time. Parts get older as they gain more wear and tear and they either need to be fixed or replaced. One of the main parts of the car that will break with time and age is the radiator. If you have a failing radiator, then you may notice one or all of the following issues.

Overheating Issues

One of the most dangerous signs that you need a new radiator is overheating. The normal place for a temperature gauge to be is about one quarter of the way past the cool mark and toward the hot mark. In extremely hot temperatures, your temperature gauge may go up to the half point. Anything more than half point indicates that you have a problem in your cooling system. You may have to buy a radiator from a reputable company like Natrad. Your problem could be in other areas of the cooling system too, but the radiator is one of the first places you will want to look. Never allow your temperature gauge to go up more than three-quarters of the way. Find a safe place to pull over and turn your vehicle off.

Evidence of Leaks

A leak can most definitely mean that it is time to replace your radiator. You can tell that you have a leak in your cooling system one of three ways. You will smell fluids burning when your engine gets hot. You will start running hot and then discover that you have no coolant when you inspect your vehicle. Another way that you can detect a leak is by looking underneath your vehicle. You will see a puddle on the ground where something leaked from the radiator. You may even see something drip while you are looking.

Unsightly Rust

If you have a rusty radiator, then it is time to put it out of its misery and get a new one. One place that you will see rust if it is time to replace your unit is on the cap. You may see this rust when you take it off to pour some antifreeze in the vehicle, or you may see it on the radiator. Either way, it is something that you do not want to ignore because it can get into your cooling system and start many problems.

You can try to preserve your radiator by taking it in for regular maintenance and having someone flush it at reasonable intervals. A well-maintained one can last you for many years. Unfortunately, there will come a point where just regular maintenance will not save your radiator and it will need to be replaced. Keep in mind that radiators are quite expensive. However, most of the time you won’t have these problems unless you have an older used car.

Fine Tuning: Best Ways to Stay on Top of Future Car Repairs

by Carsurfer Admin on 2016/09/19 in Auto Repair with Comments Off

No matter how well you take care of your car, there will always be future repairs you’ll have to take care of one day. Your car’s parts will start to wear over time, and the process is inevitable. Luckily, you can do some things to try to prepare yourself for a future costly event. The following are four tips can help you avoid a huge expense down the road and keep your car running smoothly.

Alternator Deaths

The alternator death is a very common problem in cars. The alternator is that nifty looking, and extremely heavy generator that handles the way the energy flows. Sometime after 100,000 miles, you will have flickering lights, slow power windows, and eventually no start. Start pricing alternators now so you can be ready when the day comes. You have many options for finding alternators. You don’t necessarily have to buy a brand new one. Junk yards, online auction sites, and discount auto parts stores may have what you need. Just ensure that you get a warranty on the alternator in case it doesn’t work.

Belt Snaps

Your serpentine belt controls many components underneath your hood such as your alternator, water pump, air conditioner, power steering, and the like. If your belt snaps, you won’t be going anywhere for a while. Fortunately, serpentine belts are not that expensive, and the replacement time is not painstaking. You can purchase the tools and the belt and keep them in the back of your car for when this incident occurs.

Gasket Wear

Gasket wear is something else that can happen over time. You may develop a leak in your valve cover gaskets, intake manifold gasket, head gasket and so on. None of those situations is desirable, but all of them are common. Use high-mileage oil and some gasket-sealing additives that can help keep your gaskets tight when your car gets old.

Thermostat and Cooling System Issues

Overheating will most likely occur at least once while you have your car. The most common culprits are wacky thermostats and water pumps. You can get a thermostat for less than the price of a pair of shoes. It would be wise to keep one in the trunk along with some tools.

Get the Number to a Body Shop

Be sure to locate and save the number to a car collision and repair center. You never know when an accident or a fender bender will occur and you can save yourself time and money by researching and finding a good provider now. Places like Chehalis Collision Center will even rent you a car while yours is still in the shop.

Follow these tips to extend the life of your car. You and your vehicle will be happy that you did.

Tricks for Putting on Mileage without Putting out Your Car

by Carsurfer Admin on 2016/09/16 in Auto Maintenance with Comments Off

A car or truck with 80,000 to 90,000 miles on it is often considered a high-mileage vehicle. Even so, if you have one of these vehicles, it could still be on the road at 200,000 miles if you practice good oversight and regular maintenance. If your car is getting on in years of miles use these tips to keep things running smoothly.

Check Oil Regularly

Check the level of your motor oil every two weeks and be sure to get regular oil changes. One recommendation is to change your conventional motor oil once every 3,000 miles or three months, whichever comes first. If your vehicle uses synthetic motor oil, change it every 8,000 miles or eight months.

Check Other Fluids

Check your coolant once a month. If it’s low, have more added. Have your mechanic check your differential and transmission fluids as well. If you’re the owner of an AWD or 4WD vehicle, you’ll have three differentials that need to be serviced in order to prevent costly repairs down the road. Recommendations for when to change the differential and transmission fluids vary. Let your owner’s manual and your auto mechanic be your guide.

Get a Good Mechanic

Be sure to have the vehicle inspected annually. Mechanics who inspect high-mileage vehicles usually pay particular attention to the suspension, bushings, radiator hoses, engine belts, and brake calipers. If you have a good mechanic on your side, it will make it easier to prevent future problems and to get the best maintenance.

Tune-Ups

Have your mechanic do a tune-up once every 30,000 miles or every two years. It involves checking the battery, belts and hoses, windshield wipers, wheel bearing and alignments, headlights, tail lights, brake lights, and blinkers. The mechanic will also check the air filters and the power steering, brake, transmission and antifreeze fluids.

Be Aware

Between inspections, noting new sounds, vibrations, pulling to one side, difficulty in shifting gears, fluid leaking on the ground, and more, you should be aware of any changes in how your car handles. Under any of these circumstances, have the vehicle checked out. Your car’s tires should be rotated every few months as well. Discount Tire Centers can do this regularly if you schedule with them ahead of time.

Wash and Wax

This preserves your car’s finish and prevents rust and is particularly important in harsh environments such as seaside communities where the air is salty. It’s also important in weather zones where harsh ice melter is often used on the roads.

By focusing on the operation of your motor vehicle and investing money to maintain it rather than waiting to take your car to the shop when a problem occurs, your vehicle could still be on the road when it’s nearing 200,000 miles.

Browsing the Lots: Important Features to Look for in a New Car

by Carsurfer Admin on 2016/09/14 in Auto Buying Tips with Comments Off

Unfortunately, cars aren’t made to last forever. More than likely, every five to seven years you’ll have to get a new vehicle to replace an older one. However, you should make sure you are informed before you visit local dealerships to insure you get the best value possible out of your purchase. With that in mind, below are some important features you should look for in a new car.

Gas Mileage

The expense incurred for owning a car isn’t limited to the payments you make to own it. The amount you have to pay for gas each week can also be quite significant especially if you need to commute to and from work every day. With this in mind, make sure to check the gas mileage listed for different models. Also keep in mind that your gas mileage will be different for highway versus city traffic.

Space

A car should be utilitarian first and foremost. It needs to be able to do what you purchased it for. Consider the space available in a vehicle. Do you have a large family, or are you only purchasing it for you own use? Do you need a lot of trunk space? Do you need to use the vehicle to haul materials for your job? The answers to these and other questions should determine the kind of vehicle you purchase whether it’s a compact, mini-van, truck or some other kind of automobile.

Used Auto Parts

You should also consider the possibility of having to replace your car’s parts in the future. Some companies, like U Pull & Pay, know that used auto parts are more widely available for certain models over others. If you need to replace parts in the future, the availability of used auto parts will certainly determine how much money you are forced to spend to make repairs.

Safety

Another very important part of shopping for a vehicle should be reviewing the safety rating for different models. If you have a family, the safety ratings for different cars should be very important to you. Such ratings can tell you how well different vehicles are able to survive situations like crashes and head on collisions.

Transmission Types

You have two choices in regards to transmission when shopping for a car, manual or automatic. These days, many people don’t know how to drive with a stick-shift. If that is the case, you should stick with automatic transmission. However, if you want to save a bit on your gas mileage and can drive with a stick shift, manual transmission is a good choice.

Overall, make sure to do plenty of research before you decide what new car you want to purchase. A new car is a big investment. You need to make sure you are making the right decision so you get the most out of your investment.

Rules Of The Road: 4 Annoying Things Drivers Do That They Shouldn’t

by Carsurfer Admin on 2016/09/12 in On the Road with Comments Off

Driving may be the most convenient form of transportation, but it can also be an extremely frustrating experience. In addition to dealing with unwanted traffic, the other drivers on the road can make you crazy with their annoying habits. These horrible habits can also be very dangerous to everyone else on the road. While there are dozens of things that drivers do that they should not do, these are the four most annoying.

Not Using the Turn Signal

The turn signal was put in cars as a courtesy to the other drivers on the road. Everyone behind the wheel knows when they need to turn, but the cars behind you have no idea what will happen unless they are told. Forcing cars behind you to unexpectedly slam on their brakes while you turn out of nowhere is a great way to get rear ended. Failing to use a turn signal doesn’t lead to a large number accidents, but it is still an annoying habit.

Using the Phone

It does not take very long to see a driver using their cell phone while on the road. Talking on the phone while driving is a very annoying habit, but it pales in comparison to texting while driving. If you were hit by a distracted driver on their phone, then you need to contact an attorney in Louisville to get the help and results you need. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration says 17 percent of all car accidents are caused by distracted drivers, so everyone needs to put down the phone and watch the road.

Following Too Close

Riding on the bumper of the car in front of you serves no purpose other than to annoy the other driver. Tailgating is usually done to get the other driver to go faster, but this rarely works. Since the driver getting tailgated is extremely annoyed, they are usually going to slow down even more. Tailgating clearly causes aggravation for both drivers According to a recent study by The Highways’ Agency, it also is the cause of more than one-third of all accidents.

Driving Too Slow

There is no reason to drive well below the speed limit on a safe road without traffic. This habit is even more annoying when it is done on a two-lane road. Nobody wants to be late to work or an important meeting because you decided to spend the day driving half the speed limit.

Driving is hard enough on its own, so there is no reason to make it more difficult. If everyone avoided these four annoying driving habits, then the roads would be much safer than they are right now.