Auto Magazine

4 Ways to Get Your Car Ready for the Spring Season

by Carsurfer Admin on 2015/03/30 in Auto Maintenance with Comments Off

Winter driving is unlike any other kind of driving, so when spring rolls around, there are some things you need to do to make the transition go smoother for you and your car. Making this transition is easy, if you know what you are doing. Luckily, here are four suggestions to get your car ready for spring and warmer weather.

Clean Inside and Out

No other season is as tough on your car’s exterior and interior as the winter. If you live somewhere where it snows a lot, your car is bombarded not just with snow and ice, but all the salt and chemicals that get put down on the road to combat the snow and ice. At a minimum, you need to give your car’s undercarriage a thorough cleaning. It’s also a good idea to clean your floor mats and steam clean your car’s carpet to get the accumulated gunk out before it does permanent damage. You can easily do this yourself at a car wash or pay someone else to do it for you.

Get Your Car Professionally Serviced

Winter driving can deplete your car’s fluids and you might not be as vigilant about getting service done when the weather and the roads are bad. If you are overdue for an oil change, get in to get one at places like Dean’s Automotive Service Center as soon as you can. Also have your other fluids checked, especially your wiper fluid, which probably will be low after a winter of trying to keep your windshield clean. Spring is also a good time to get your A/C checked and your air filter replaced before it starts getting hot.

Check Your Tires

Cold air can cause your tires to lose air, so if you didn’t check them during the winter, spring is a good time to check your tires to make sure they have the right pressure. You should also check your tires for any damage or uneven wear. And if you use snow tires, you need to change them out for regular tires once you are sure there will be no more snowfalls.

Take Care of Your Windshield and Wipers

With all the sand and gravel on the roads during the winter, it’s easy for your windshield to get a small crack, so you should be sure to examine your windshield closely and have any dings you find repaired quickly. Getting this taken care of early will avoid necessary expensive replacement for cracked windshields. Winter can also be brutal on your windshield wipers, so spring can be a good time to change those out so you can be ready for spring rains.

Winter is rough on your car and the poor weather can also cause you to neglect important maintenance. That’s why it’s important to give your car extra attention and preparation once spring rolls around. Remember that these are just a few of the things you should do and each car can be a different so make sure to check and see what you need to do to yours this spring.

7 Hacks to Improve Your Car’s Performance

by Carsurfer Admin on 2015/03/27 in Auto Maintenance with Comments Off

Whether your car has decades of service under its belt, or it’s brand new, it’s always a good idea to make sure it’s performing at its full potential. The thing is, automotive performance can be achieved easily with the following incredibly cool hacks that don’t require a costly trip to the mechanic. Some of the hacks can be accomplished without the purchase of any new parts or equipment, for those that do require a purchase, the parts can easily be found at a place like Professional Automotive.

Get The Junk out of Your Trunk

It’s all too easy to use a car as a mobile storage unit for all kinds of things that can end up adding substantial weight the engine has to pull around. Set aside a little time, at least once a month, to remove all but the most essential things you need to cart around. In case you’re wondering, the spare tire unit should be considered essential.

Tires and Wheels

One of the best ways to entirely change the handling and feel dynamics of a car is to upgrade above an economy rated set of tires. The extra grip that comes with a premium set can get you away from the stop light more efficiently as well. Pair your new tires up with a strong and lightweight set of wheels, and you’ll think you’re driving a different car. Be sure to keep your tires properly inflated too.

Keep the Air Flowing

Make sure the air intake isn’t obstructed by foreign objects like leaves or paper. Check the air filter at least every three months for dust and dirt residue. If you want to go the extra step, and enjoy tinkering with your car, you could replace the factory exhaust system with a premium after-market system that lets the engine breathe a little easier, and you could install an upgraded air intake system too.

Install New Spark Plugs

Find and install the best performance-rated spark plugs for your car. There are several factors in determining which spark plug is the right spark plug for your car – such as thread reach, thread diameter and whether the spark plug incorporates a gasket or is the conical type. If you’re really into performance, you can upgrade the spark plug cables too. Newer spark plugs, like E3’s produces cleaner burning combustion, resulting in long term-use reduced up to 58%.

Find a Great Motor Oil

Whether you go with a synthetic or natural engine oil, pick a highly rated one and change it according to the manufacturer’s recommendations. Using the correct motor oil not only keeps your engine running smoothly but it prevents dirt build-up and deposits by keeping them in the suspension. Finally, a good motor oil fends off sludge and battles oxidation, keeping the oil fresh and reducing acids which contribute to oxidation.

Get a Performance Computer Chip

Many cars have computer chips that regulate engine performance. It’s as simple of finding where the chip is and replacing it with an upgraded performance one. Do plenty of research to find the particular chip that’s best for your car, and purchase from a reputable source too.

Boost the Octane

It’s counter-intuitive, but going with premium gasoline can improve engine performance enough to make the extra expenditure barely noticeable. If you’re really looking for a noticeable boost, find a reputable gas station that sells 100 octane fuel.

If you just bought your first used car, or you finally found the car of your dreams, it’s not only fun but practical to keep it running at peak performance. Just remember, always obey the speed limit, and drive safely.

Reasons Why You Shouldn’t Ignore Even Minor Pain If You Are Injured In A Car Accident

by Carsurfer Admin on 2015/03/25 in On the Road with Comments Off

Car accidents are serious in nature, and they cause an incredible amount of unfortunate injuries and deaths. If you’ve recently been involved in a car accident and realize you have minor pains and aches, there are plenty of reasons why you shouldn’t ignore them.

The Injury Could Be Serious

Whether it seems like it or not, there is a great likelihood that the minor pain you’re experiencing is indicative of a serious injury. It’s impossible to know what you’re dealing with without the help of medical professionals. Keep your health as a top priority by seeking medical attention right away for even the most minor of pains.

It Might Not Be Chronic

If you’ve had a history of chronic pain, you might feel inclined to brush the discomfort off. However, any pain felt directly after a car accident has taken place shouldn’t be ignored. Talk to your doctor about the types of pain and symptoms you’re experiencing.

You Could Be Stuck with Countless Medical Bills

Should you find in the future that the subtle pain turns into a serious medical issue, you’ll likely be stuck with paying hefty medical bills and prescription costs. It’s incredibly important that you talk to a lawyer early in the process about your options for receiving the compensation for the injuries you sustained.

The Injury Could Lead to Lost Income

If your pain worsens over time, you will definitely run the risk of missing work and losing income. This is why it’s incredibly important to seek medical help for your injuries. Additionally, if you happen to file a suit against a defendant and win your case, any lost income will be restored to you.

Waiting Can Worsen the Injury

When pain is felt after a car accident, one of the worst things you can do is simply wait for it to heal or get better. For example, if the pain is originating from internal bleeding, it won’t take very long for circumstances to take a critical turn. Seek medical help before your injury has a chance to become serious.

Many Serious Conditions Begin with No Symptoms

Lastly, keep in mind that even though you might feel little to no pain, the possibility is high that you’ve still sustained a serious injury. It’s always better to play it safe by consulting a physician about the matters pertaining to your car accident.

Minor pain can always indicate that there is a more serious, underlying health problem. Be sure to see a doctor right away if you experience any type of pain following an auto accident.

Car Smarts: How to Protect A Vintage Collection

by Carsurfer Admin on 2015/03/23 in Auto Collection with Comments Off

Vintage cars have a fan base all their own, and anyone who owns one or more of these collectible vehicles knows all about the passion they inspire. It’s also no surprise that protecting vintage cars and keeping them in the best condition possible is a big deal. Thankfully, there are a few things you can do to keep your cars protected and in prime condition.

Store Them Properly

Oftentimes you can tell a serious car collector from a hobbyist just by looking at how they store their cars. Keeping vintage cars inside is crucial, so make sure you have space in the garage, or build a shop to house them. Just putting a cover over them in the driveway is not sufficient to protect them against the elements.

Use the Right Supplies

When it comes to cleaning and maintaining your classic cars, you need to make sure you are using the right supplies. This is everything from what you clean the interior with, what you use to wash the exterior, and what you put into the car such as oils and other fluids.

There are a lot of options available to choose from, so picking the right supplies can seem overwhelming. Take your time and do research on what professional car restorers use, as well as what other vintage car enthusiasts recommend.

By taking time up-front to make sure you’re using the right supplies, you’ll save yourself a lot of headache and frustration later. The wrong supplies can damage your car, and nobody wants that!

Get Professional Assistance

One of the biggest mistakes vintage car owners make is trying to do everything themselves. If you are a mechanic by trade, then you can probably do the maintenance on your own vehicles. But if you don’t know how to properly maintain your cars, hire a professional.

The same goes for things like needing a tow, or getting locked out of your car. Calling a professional locksmith service in Toronto or a tow company is a much better idea than trying to unlock the vehicle or move it yourself, especially if the company you call specializes in collectible cars. As Davies Lock & Door Services Ltd says, your car is less likely to be damaged if you get professional assistance when you encounter problems.

These are just a few of the things you can do to make sure your vintage cars are well taken care of and protected. By investing a little time up front, you can ensure your vehicles are in great shape for decades to come.

Teen Driving: What to do When Your Car Breaks Down

by Carsurfer Admin on 2015/03/20 in On the Road with Comments Off

There is nothing worse than having your car breakdown on the road. Not only does it make you unable to get to your destination as planned, but it’s also very scary. This is especially true for teenagers. Many don’t know the proper way to react to such an occurrence. Check out some tips for teenagers on what to do when your car breaks down:

1. Get Your Car Off the Road

As soon as you notice that your car isn’t working right, pull over to the side of the road. Remember, most vehicles don’t just stop working altogether. Instead, you usually have a short timeframe where you can drive your car safely off the road. Then, once you get to the side of the road, make sure you put your car in park. Then, flip on the emergency brake and turn your steering wheel in the opposite direction of the road. All these steps will help prevent your car from rolling out into the traffic. You should always put your hazard lights on too. This will alert the other drivers that you are experiencing car issues.

2. Call for Help

Thankfully in today’s society, practically every teenager has a working cell phone. That means when your car stops working, it’s time to pick up your phone and call for help. This can be a roadside assistance business like OnStar FMV or AAA or a local towing company such as Mike’s Auto Towing. Either way, these are qualified individuals who can talk you through your situation and offer advice on what to do next. They will know how to fix this issue so that you remain safe.

Depending on the severity of the situation of when you are pulled over, you might also consider calling the state highway patrol. They will help keep you safe and get you back on the road as soon as possible. Their emergency lights can help slow down oncoming traffic as well and help create safer surroundings. Once you have sent for help, the best thing you can do at this point is get back in your car and wait. Waiting inside of the car is the safest place you can be rather than standing next to it on the side of the road.

3. Let Other Drivers Know Your Experiencing Car Trouble

As mentioned earlier, you want to let the other drivers know that you are dealing with car trouble. Putting on your hazard lights are definitely the first step, but that’s usually not enough to fully get the point across. For instance, you could have simply pulled over to make a phone call. Instead, if you can, get out of the car and put down some road flares. You should put a few of these roughly 50 feet behind your vehicle. Besides this, you should raise the hood of your car and leave it up until help arrives.

Unfortunately when many teenagers experience car trouble, they don’t know how to react. Instead of making the right and safe move, they act foolishly. Car trouble is not something to take lightly. However, with these tips in mind, teenagers will be in good hands when the unexpected happens.