All posts tagged auto care

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.

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.

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.