All posts tagged pit stop

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.