All posts tagged car repair

Servicing Secrets: 4 Strategies To Extend The Life Of Your Car

by Anica Oaks on 2017/08/28 in Auto Repair with Comments Off on Servicing Secrets: 4 Strategies To Extend The Life Of Your Car

Your car is probably one of your most expensive possessions, and that is why you should be doing everything in your power to extend its service life. Most modern cars are designed to last for decades, but severe damage can take place at any time if you aren’t careful. Any issues with the primary mechanical systems could result in expensive repairs or even a dangerous collision. Here are four tips you can use to make sure that your car runs smoothly and efficiently in the coming years.

Change the Filters More Often

In addition to changing your oil filter on a regular basis, you also need to change your air filter as often as possible. Depending on how much you use your vehicle and what type of driving you do, you might need to change the air filter as often as once every 15,000 miles. The air filter keeps a variety of contaminants out of the engine including exhaust from other vehicles, smog, and dust. A dirty air filter can reduce your engine’s efficiency by nearly 11 percent, and that can have a major impact on its lifespan.

Wash and Wax

Your car’s paint is its first line of defense against environmental damage, and that is why you need to keep it clean and waxed. Allowing grime to sit on the paint for too long can cause chips, cracks, and discoloration. Once the bare metal is exposed, rust will become a very real threat. Every new vehicle is slightly different, but most cars and trucks should be thoroughly cleaned once every few weeks. You should also consider washing your vehicle if you have recently driven through water or snow.

Rotate and Align the Tires

When tires become worn, cracked, or misaligned, it is going to impact almost every major mechanical system in the vehicle. Losing just a few pounds of pressure in a single tire can wreak havoc on the engine’s efficiency and increase your risk of a devastating accident. Even if you don’t drive the vehicle very often, you should still check the tires once every few weeks. The tires should be changed if you notice any cracks or the tread is starting to disappear.  Use professionals, like those at Evans Tire & Service Centers, to replace or repair any damaged tires.

Clean the Interior

There are a few different reasons why you should try to keep your car’s interior as clean as possible. Many stains will become nearly impossible to remove after a few hours, and that can cause your vehicle’s value to plummet. You also want to be sure that you don’t carry around heavy loads wherever you go. Every additional pound that is in the vehicle is going to reduce the car’s efficiency, and you might be driving around with dozens of pounds of possessions in your trunk or back seat.

Whenever any work is done on your vehicle, you need to make sure that it is carried out by a reputable mechanic. While some of these projects might seem relatively easy, they could be more complicated than you realize. An experienced and reputable mechanic will stand by their work, and that will give you peace of mind the next time you get behind the wheel of your vehicle.

Car Repairs – Don’t Break the Bank to Fix Your Car

by Carsurfer Admin on 2013/10/08 in Auto Maintenance with Comments Off on Car Repairs – Don’t Break the Bank to Fix Your Car

There is nothing more frustrating than discovering that all of suddenly your car needs repairs. Sometimes car repairs can come at the most unexpected time and can put a huge financial dent in our pockets. Whether it’s needing new brakes, tires or a battery; car parts and repair services can be quite expensive. However, there is no need to worry if you find yourself in this type of situation. There are there a variety of things you can do make sure you don’t go in the red trying to fix your car.

Order parts from the internet

Believe it or not, you can order your own car parts from major internet sites and save close to fity and sixty percent versus buying them from a typical retail auto repair shop. In fact, auto repair shops, dealerships and other independent mechanics order their parts online and will subsequently charge high mark-up prices to unaware consumers. There are a plethora of online auto part stores that are more than willing to recommend to you the most affordable and highest quality auto parts.

Short-term loans

Car repair services can potentially cost hundreds if not thousands of dollars. Sometimes, the income we bring in simply won’t cut it because we have other major expenses to worry about like rent, utilities, mortgage, food, etc. Look into taking out a short-term payday loan to help with getting your car fixed immediately. Experts at Power Finance of Texas suggest  that a short term loan is the best route when you have unavoidable car repairs that need to be taken care of as soon as possible.

Find an independent mechanic

Many big-box retailers and large chain auto repair shops can be quite expensive, charging an upwards of $80 to $100 an hour just for labor. Find a reputable, independent car mechanic through using sites like Craigslist and Angie’s List. Whether you need to install a new battery, get your oil changed or install new tires; independent mechanics can perform these same services out of their own garages and small shops.

Do it yourself

Although not a commonly used option, some people are opting to fix their cars themselves. Again, its very easy to order most car parts from off the internet. Many people have installed their own brakes, changed their own tires or even changed their own oil. However, this option isn’t recommended for those who don’t have experience doing such.

Unexpected car repairs can seem like a financial drain, but they don’t have to be. Just do your research to find the cheapest yet highest quality car parts and work with affordable mechanics who will offer you the best deals.

Five Car Repairs You Can Do On Your Own

by Carsurfer Admin on 2013/06/05 in Auto Repair with Comments Off on Five Car Repairs You Can Do On Your Own

There are plenty of perks to owning a car. Whether you are commuting to work or headed out for a night on the town, a car makes traveling a lot easier. Unfortunately, the expense of mechanical repairs can begin to put a huge dent into your budget. The good news is that there are quite a few car repairs that you can do yourself. Here are five car repairs that you can do on your own.

Air Filter Replacement

Shockingly, some automotive repair shops charge $75 dollars or more just to replace the engine’s air filter. Believe it or not, most air filters can easily be replaced in 15 minutes or less. By simply removing a few screws, the dirty air filter can be swapped out for a new one. The only tool that is required is a basic Phillips or flathead screwdriver.

Replace Coolant Hose

Over time, coolant hoses are susceptible to becoming brittle. In some instances, the hose may suddenly burst due to the tremendous amount of pressure. Instead of paying hundreds of dollars to a mechanic, you can do it yourself. Most hoses are attached with uncomplicated clamps, so very little mechanical skills are needed. The most important aspect is selecting the correct size hose.

Check Engine Light Diagnosis

Some drivers cringe in fear of an illuminated check engine light. Although a check engine light certainly warrants some concern, it could be something as simple as a loose gas cap. Every car owner should purchase a code reader for their vehicle. By hooking the code reader up to the diagnostic port under the dashboard, you will be able to determine the cause of the CEL.

Rotate the Tires

In less than an hour, you can rotate your tires. Although the process is relatively simple, you must remember to take all of the necessary safety precautions. The equipment needed for the job includes a hydraulic jack, jack stands, and a lug wrench. Although some people use the spare jack that comes with the vehicle, a hydraulic floor jack is far safer. A reliable tire finder will help you to locate new tires if needed.

Changing Spark Plugs

Changing the spark plugs may seem quite challenging, but it is actually fairly easy. With the assistance of a spark plug gap tool and a spark plug wrench, you will be able to complete the task. The most important thing to remember is to only change one spark plug at a time.