All posts tagged auto maintenance

5 Safety Tips You Need While Working on Your Car

by Carsurfer Admin on 2014/04/28 in Auto Maintenance with Comments Off

There’s no arguing that if you have the know-how to fix your own car, you can save literally hundreds, or even thousands, in repairs over the course of time. Although working on your own car can be a rewarding and money-saving venture, it can be dangerous. These are five safety tips for working on your car.

Never Smoke While Repairing Your Vehicle

It’s a good idea to extinguish your cigarette, if you smoke, before attempting to repair your vehicle. Parts under the hood that present an immediate danger when a lit cigarette is in close proximity include the fuel pump, carburetor, fuel lines, fuel tank, fuel injectors, and more. If you are working with the gas tank or even if you are just changing your oil, keep in mind these contain flammable liquids as well. To stay on the safe side, keep a fire extinguisher nearby for possibly trouble.

Use Support Stands

You want to make sure that you are as safe as possible while working underneath your vehicle. You should never trust a jack alone to keep a vehicle suspended above you while you work underneath a car. Purchase proper support stands or automobile lifts for repairing vehicles. Don’t rely on bricks, wood, boxes, or any other hard objects to support the vehicle while you work underneath because if your vehicle falls off the jack or whatever support system you are using result in very serious injury for someone who is working on the vehicle

Prepare the Battery for Electrical Work

If you plan on doing any electrical work with your car, you should always disconnect at least one of the cables from the battery before beginning. Electrical work includes installing new electrical components (ie. a radio), repairing or replacing the starter, etc. Failing to disconnect one or both of the battery cables could cause damage to the wiring in the car, or worse, could start a fire or serious injury to the person who is working on the vehicle.

Get Rid of Bulky, Loose Accessories/Clothing

If you’re wearing anything that could possibly get caught in moving parts or other areas under the hood, be sure to leave it by the wayside for the repair. Bracelets, loose sleeves, neckties, and other types of accessories and clothing can easily become tangled in parts under the hood. This can lead to serious injury or death.

Give Your Vehicle Time to Cool Before Inspecting/Repairing Anything

Lastly, if you can wait to repair your vehicle after it has been running, do so. Parts such as the radiator, catalytic converter, engine, and muffler are likely to be extremely hot if the car has recently been running. Wait for these parts to cool before popping the hood and doing any work. This can save you from serious burns and other related injuries.

Even though these are five very handy safety tips for working on your car, each repair is different. Before attempting a repair, be sure to do a bit of research on the specifics. Find out what you’ll need and which safety precautions you should be taking for the specific repair.

My name is Lizzie Weakley and I am a freelance writer from Columbus, Ohio. I went to college at The Ohio State University where I studied communications. I enjoy the outdoors and long walks in the park with my 3-year-old husky Snowball.

Lizzie found the information for this article from Airdraulics who specialize in automobile lifts.

Pit Stop: 5 Car Care Repairs Everyone Should Know How to Do

by Carsurfer Admin on 2014/04/11 in Auto Maintenance with Comments Off

Basically everyone owns a car in today’s world but it is remarkable how many people do not know how to properly maintain their vehicle. Knowing a few key care care repairs can save you money—and the basics are easy. Take a look for more tips on how to maintain your vehicle as everyone should know these basic procedures.

1. Check The Air Pressure in Your Tires

Your tires take a beating no matter how softly you drive your car and maintaining your tires is a necessary skill every owner needs to practice. First, check your car’s user manual to find out the correct tire pressure as different models and weights vary by quite a bit. This information is also on a plate fastened to the inside of the driver’s side door. Next, use a tire pressure gauge to check the pressure in each tire. If it needs more air, fill it up. If you notice one tire is consistently low, go to step three and fix it yourself.

2. Change a Tire

Pull over to a safe area. Before you jack the car up, loosen the lug nuts. Using a star-shaped pattern, loosen each lug nut. Jack up the car and remove the lug nuts (if you jack up the car first, the wheel will turn when loosening the nuts.) Remove the wheel, put on the spare tire and re-tighten the nuts (using the same pattern you loosened them with.) Let the car down and finish tightening the nuts.

3. Repair a Damaged Tire

Tire-repair kits consist of long black rubber plugs, a rasp and an insertion tool. Find the the puncture, remove any debris with your pliers, then insert the rasp to clean out and prepare the hole. Put one of the plugs in the insertion tool and press it in the hole. Pull out the tool and trim the excess. If the damage is too much then contact a professional is the only route that you can go.

4. Change the Oil

Check your user manual to find out what type of oil and filter you need. Park and secure your car, then remove the drain plug and drain out the old oil. Remove the old oil filter and replace it. When the oil is done draining, replace the plug and fill it up with the new oil. Make sure that you determine what kind of oil is right for your car as there isn’t just one type of oil for use of all.

5. Jump Start Your Car

Ensure both cars are off. Take your jumper cables and connect the positive (red) cable to the positive terminal on the dead battery, then to the positive terminal on the other battery. Next, connect the negative (black) cable to the negative terminal on the good battery, and the other negative to a bare piece of metal in your car. Turn on the other car and wait for the battery to charge. When both cars are running remove the jumper cables.

Knowing these easy repairs can reduce stress, save money and time, so next time you think you’re stranded or need professional assistance, consider these tips and determine if you really need to fork over the cash for costly repairs.

Meghan Belnap –
Meghan Belnap is a freelance writer who enjoys spending time with her family. She also enjoys being in the outdoors and exploring new opportunities whenever they arise as well as researching new topics to expand her horizons. You can often find her buried in a good book or out looking for an adventure. Meghan recommends getting your tires looked at by one of the professionals at Accurate Tire & Auto Care Inc or other tire repair shops in Burlington.

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.

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.