Car Tips

How to Detail Your Car Like a Professional

September 2, 2019 by admin 1 Comment

If you want to get your car to look “showroom new” you can either pay handsomely to have a professional detail it or do the job yourself. Choose an overcast day or find a shady area to undertake a project that will take two to three hours to complete.

A thick, over-sized sponge is ideal for washing surfaces.

1. Assemble Your Tools – Interior

Start off by assembling the tools needed to detail your car. For the inside of your car, a vacuum cleaner with attachments or a shop vacuum will do. A floor brush, a crevice tool, and an upholstery tool are sufficient. Separately, a stiff brush can loosen packed down dirt that your vacuum cleaner cannot reach. Carpet cleaner and upholstery should be available for soiled carpets and seats.

2. Assemble Your Tools – Exterior

For the outside of your car you will need two five-gallon buckets, a garden hose with an adjustable nozzle attachment, an oversized sponge, a chamois mitt, microfiber towels, a rubber-blade squeegee, a stiff brush, cotton swabs, a soft bristle toothbrush, car wash cleanser, window cleaner, all-purpose cleaner, paper towels, tire and wheel cleaner, and polish. Keep a trash bag handy and another bag for gathering up reusable rags for washing.

3. Vacuum the Interior

Plug in your vacuum cleaner and work from the top of the seats down to the floor. Use the upholstery tool for the seats, replacing it with the crevice tool to get to difficult-to-reach areas. Remove the floor mats and clean them separately; use the floor brush and crevice tool to lift dirt from the carpeting. Bring out the stiff brush for packed down dirt and then vacuum. Move each seat forward to clean out the tracks and to reach hard to get areas. Sprinkle carpet cleaner powder across floor surfaces as needed and then vacuum same.

A vacuum with attachments ensures every nook and cranny gets cleaned.

Take your cotton swabs and begin to work on tight or delicate crevices such as the air vents. Spray all-purpose cleaner on a rag and wipe down soft-touch surfaces such as the dashboard, doors and the center stack. For leather surfaces, use only a leather-approved product. The same precautions should be taken when cleaning real wood trim, chrome or aluminum. Complete your interior work by using glass cleaner on all translucent surfaces, drying the same with a paper towel. Vacuum your floor mats and return them to the inside of your car.

4. Wash Your Car

Take your garden hose and put it on a moderate setting. Your car should be sitting in shade or the day should be overcast to avoid spots and streaking. Hose down your car from top to bottom, directing the hose across the roof and down the hood, back across the body to the trunk. Wash down the other side of your car before rinsing off the headlights, tail lights, tires, and wheels. Pay attention to nooks and crannies including the bottom of your windshield, ventiports, grille inserts and door openings.

Place the required amount of carwash cleaner in the bucket and fill with water. Fill the second bucket with clear water. Take your oversized sponge and dip it into the first bucket. Place the sponge on top of your car’s roof and begin to clean the surface in a back and forth motion. Avoid cleaning in a circular motion as that causes streaking. Move quickly to the other surfaces of your car to complete your cleaning before the soap dries. Replace the sponge with the mitt to clean the grille, lights, around wheel wells and across the rocker panels. Frequently clean off your sponge and mitt by dipping same in the second bucket. Reapply the cleaning agent in the first bucket.

Take your garden hose and repeat the earlier rinsing step by working from the top of the car down to the bottom. Thoroughly rinse away all soap and residue before putting the hose to the side.

With every tool at your disposal, your car can look showroom new.

5. Dry Your Car

Take the rubber squeegee and quickly move it across the car’s surface in a back and forth motion to remove excess water. Next, take one microfiber towel and wipe down the car. Use a highly absorbent towel, one that will soak up the remaining water. Take a second towel and wipe down the grille, chrome trim, the rear deck and around the wheel wells. Finish up by drying the tires. Take out a third towel to wipe down the wheels, clean the door jambs and to wipe off the area behind the fuel filler door.

Clean exterior windows and other glass surfaces by spraying glass cleaner directly on the paper towel and then wiping down the same. Avoid applying glass cleaner directly to the glass as overspray can land on your car’s surface.

6. Apply Wax

Choose your favorite car wax, paste or liquid and begin to apply same to the surface of your car. Apply the wax in a linear or front to back motion, creating overlapping straight lines. Go over each section at least three times to ensure that the entire car is covered.

Take a clean microfiber towel and wipe the surface in a “w” motion once the wax has settled or cured, applying pressure to the towel with the palm of your hand. Cover the entire surface once and then repeat the wiping off portion of this step again to ensure a spot-free look.

Using a dedicated wheel cleaner is best when detailing a car.

7. Finish Up

Spray wheel and tire cleaner liberally across both tire and wheel surfaces. Use a clean towel for wiping, the toothbrush to work on crevices and use a cotton swab for very tightest areas.

Apply chrome polish to a clean towel and wipe down all chrome and shiny surfaces not detailed earlier. Avoid coming in contact with the car’s surface.

Clean out the buckets, put away the hose and vacuum cleaner, throw out the trash, put away your cleaning supplies and place the bag of dirty rags in your laundry room.

Job Well Done

When carefully accomplished, your car will look as good as what the professionals do without the $150 to $250 charge incurred. If your vehicle is especially dirty you may need to invest in tar and adhesive remover to rid it of persistent blemishes.

Photos supplied by Pixabay.com. Free for commercial use.

Don’t Become a
Roadside Emergency Statistic

August 27, 2019 by admin 1 Comment

Are you prepared for your next roadside emergency?

While cruising down the interstate in the center lane you hear what sounds like a small explosion, a noise that is immediately accompanied by the violent shaking of your steering wheel. A tire has blown out and you need to get off the road—and fast! Your car’s stability control system has kicked in, but you still need to signal your intentions, move over to the right lane and make your way to the breakdown lane—as near to the road’s shoulder as possible.

At this point you’re safe, right? Unfortunately, you’re far out of danger as traffic zipping by at highway speeds can present a problem if drivers don’t see you or have little time to react when they come upon you. People have been injured or killed while on the side of the road, which means you must do everything in your power to avoid becoming a roadside emergency statistic. Before you take your next trip, review some of the things you should have in your emergency kit and know what to do after your car comes to a safe stop.

1. Cell Phone.

Today’s driver may have OnStar or some other in-dash roadside assistance service, but for the rest of us, a fully-charged cell phone can bring help faster than a Good Samaritan. Your cell phone may have a built-in “hot key” to alert AAA or some other auto club, or you may have a plan with a carrier where you can dial #HELP and be connected to someone who will send assistance to your location. If all else fails, dialing 9-1-1 should bring a patrol officer to you.

2. Your Location.

Where in the world are you? Specifically, what landmarks are nearby to help you identify your precise location? Cell phone operators can identify a general area where you are, such as between two of its towers, but a mile marker can help too. Consider exit signage and other descriptive information such as a unique billboard and natural distinctions, such as rock formations. Don’t forget that your smartphone has a GPS locator, which can pinpoint your precise location.

3. Warning Equipment.

If your car breaks down at night or at a time of the day when visibility has been reduced, then you need to alert other drivers. Flares or signage—such as emergency triangles—should be placed several hundred yards away, ideally well before motorists come upon your vehicle. In the absence of warning devices, your car should be as far over to the right as possible. Unless the area is dangerous or the weather inclement, everyone should evacuate the car and move away from the highway.

4. Spare Parts.

It’s too late to do anything about a broken belt before you take a trip, but there are some things you can bring along to help you get back on the road quickly. Besides the requisite working flashlight with fresh batteries, bring along a container of coolant, a can of motor oil, rags, spare belts and hoses, and jumper cables. Ensure that your spare tire is properly inflated and a jack is in place and functional. Include a blanket, gloves, water, and food if your journey takes you through a remote area or where climate conditions are unfavorable. A fire extinguisher can be helpful as can a rescue mirror if you need to signal for help from above.

Fix it and Go

The sooner your car is ready to hit the road again, the better. You’ll be back on your way and, almost as importantly, you won’t risk being rear-ended by a motorist, thereby becoming a roadside emergency statistic.

Photo attribution: Hedi B., Pixabay.com.

Your Tires: Air Pressure & Care Tips

August 26, 2019 by admin 1 Comment

If you’re heading out on the road for an extended trip, you will need to ensure that your car is road-ready. Adequate fluids; working headlamps, functioning taillights and turn signals; an emergency kit, and a fully inflated spare tire are among the checklist items for your car. Your tires need to be checked too, but even a cursory check may not reveal a serious problem, one that could result in a blowout leading to dangerous consequences.

What should you check with inspecting your tires? Several things including the following:

1. Adequate pressure

Placarding found inside the driver’s door or located on the inside of your glove box, explains the precise tire pressure needed for all four of your tires. This figure may be different from what the tire manufacturer recommends on the tire’s sidewall. Follow the car manufacturer’s guidelines as these numbers consider your car’s gross vehicle weight and load factors.

2. Visible wear

Tire wear patterns are a good indication of something is wrong with your tires. If your tires are wearing on one side, then your wheels are out of alignment. Tires with cupped dips appearing around the edge of the tread on one side or the other reveal possible problems with suspension parts. Feathering occurs when the edge of each tread rib offers a somewhat rounded border on one side and a sharp border on the other. Again, this problem is indicative of your suspension system needing to be examined. Under inflation and over-inflation can also impact tire wear.

3. Tire age

You bought tires that have tread life of 65,000 miles and with 20,000 miles to go, you should be in good shape, right? Not always. The age of your tires may be just as important because as tires age, they will dry out. Dried out tires are subject to failure, which can lead to dangerous consequences.

How old is too old? Some say six years regardless of miles. You can find out how old your tires are by looking at the sidewall. All tires manufactured from 2000 on have a tire identification number, usually eight numbers and letters. The last four figures are numbers with the last two identifying the year and the two numbers preceding the year identifying the week that the tire was made. For example, if you find the code XRGR1513 on your tires, that means your tires were made during the 15th week of 2013 which is about April 15, 2013. As of publication, your tires are more than six years old and should be replaced.

4. Tire rotation

You can rotate your tires yourself or take your car back to the place you last purchased your tires and have it done for you. Most tire retailers offer lifetime tire rotation and inspection for free when you buy replacement tires from them. Your car manufacturer – check your owner’s manual – offers instructions on how often your tires should be rotated. Typically, this is every 5-10,000 miles. If you have a full-size spare, consider including that tire in with the rotation.

Match, Not Mix

Each of your tires should match and our recommendation is that when your tires need to be replaced, you replace all four. However, you can replace just two, with the new tires going on the rear axle regardless of whether your vehicle is front-, rear- or all-wheel drive.

If you are not sure your tires are road-ready, take your car to a tire retailer for inspection. If the salesperson insists you need new tires, understand the reasons for his or her recommendation. Importantly, insist that the tires installed on your vehicle are new as some retailers are selling “new” tires that were manufactured at least a year earlier, effectively diminishing the lifespan of your tires.

Hot Tips to Keep Your Tires Cool This Summer

August 21, 2019 by admin 1 Comment

Without a doubt, extreme temperatures can affect your car, including your tires. Tires expand and contract as temperatures rise and fall, and they typically can handle those variations without much problem. Yet, those temperature extremes can also lead to tire failure, which may happen at the most inopportune time, such as when you are on the highway far from home.

Taking care of your tires will ensure that your trip goes as planned, barring any other problems that may suddenly arise. To that end, we have listed some of the more useful tips to help keep your tires cool this summer.

1. Inflate your tires to the proper level. What confounds not a few drivers are the inflation rates for tires. On the sidewalls themselves, there are recommended inflation levels embossed by the manufacturer. However, the inflation rate you should use or PSI is what the car manufacturer identifies as being correct. In this case, it is information found in your owner’s manual or on a placard located on the driver’s door jamb or in the glove box.

2. Purchase a quality tire pressure gauge. There are tire pressure gauges and then there are tire pressures gauges. Some gauges are cheaply made and may not render a correct number. Others are better constructed and will deliver the most accurate reading every time. In any case, spending $10 on a tire gauge will be one of the best investments you have ever made.

3. Check your tires when they are cold. To get an accurate reading on air pressure, only check your tires when they are still cold. Drive more than a mile to a tire pump and you will get an inaccurate reading. That reading may cause you to over-inflate your tires, which can lead to premature wear. In a worst-case scenario, it could also lead to tire failure.

4. Be consistent with your tire care. Tires, like the rest of your car, need maintenance. You should rotate your tires about once every 6,000 miles or twice per year. The front end should be aligned if you have hit potholes and the tires may need to be balanced from time to time. In between, you should inspect the tires and check inflation levels. A monthly check is typically sufficient, but do this more often if you drive a lot.

5. Be mindful of hard-to-find punctures. If one tire is constantly losing air, that’s a sure sign that it has a puncture and may eventually fail. On closer inspection, you may find that the tire has a nail, hidden away within the grooves or otherwise out of sight. Remove the nail and seal the puncture. You can do this yourself or take it to a garage for work.

Inspect Your Tires

Hot weather can fool you into thinking that your tires are fine, especially as your cabin keeps you cool. But pavement temperatures and rubber can become quite hot, putting your tires at risk of failure. Therefore, before you take that big trip this summer, inspect your tires carefully and have all maintenance performed before you hit the road.

And if you have an auto club membership, ensure that it is up to date and offers the coverage that you need. Bring with you the proper emergency phone number or download the related app to contact roadside assistance, if needed.

Finally, if you are in need of new tires, talk with your service center about the options available for your car. If you replace two tires, those should be placed on the back of your vehicle. If you replace four tires, you should receive a discount, perhaps receiving one tire for free.

Photo credit: MikesPhotos

The Skinny on Summer Tires

June 28, 2019 by admin 5 Comments

Summer tires are a thing, but they’re probably not what you think they are: one-season tires. In fact, summer tires are best known as performance tires, which supply excellent dry and wet road traction and precise handling.

What’s in a Name?

So, why are they called “summer tires?” Likely for a few reasons, including:

1. They’re best used in warm weather.

A Porsche Cayman S outfitted with performance tires.

Summer tires work best in warm weather, due to the materials used in the tire (more about that later). When temperatures drop, tire grip changes and not for the better.

In particular, at temperatures below 44 degrees (or thereabouts), the tires are not safe for use. Further, when driven while temperatures are below freezing can do permanent damage to these tires, making them unsafe for use.

2. More than simply the opposite of winter.

Winter tires are also known as summer tires and like the latter, are ideal during certain weather conditions, specifically cold weather. Thus, there are three types of tires typically available — summer, winter, and all-season (or three-season).

When not using summer tires, switch to all-season radials. Or, if winter conditions are strong in your area, a set of four winter tires is the best choice.

The Ford Focus RS offers amazing handling thanks to all-wheel drive and performance tires.

Summer Tires for Performance Cars

Summer tires are ideal for performance vehicles, including the Ford Mustang, Chevrolet Corvette, and the Porsche 911.

You may also find them on other vehicles, but typically they’re either optional or standard equipment on cars you’ll most likely take to the track. Such tires offer improved responsiveness as well as better cornering and braking capabilities.

Tread Pattern and Rubber Compounds

Among the differences between standard radial and performance tires are the specialized tread patterns and softer rubber compounds utilized. Such tires have reduced grooving, thereby supplying more rubber to meet the road.

Summer tires also provide superior performance in wet driving conditions as the special tread patterns help remove water and thwart hydroplaning.

The flexible tread compounds are a plus in warm weather, but they’re also prone to crack in cold weather. These cracks cannot be repaired — the tires must be replaced. Also of note, your tire warranty typically won’t cover the damage as they fall under the “improper use” exception. Therefore, it is important to swap out summer tires and store them out of season.

This Lexus LC 500 offers beautiful styling and wonderful handling.

Shopping for Performance Tires

If you’re in the market for summer tires, here are a few things to keep in mind:

1. Use the same tire size and type on all four tires, unless the car manufacturer suggests otherwise. You’ll want stable handling and control, which is best achieved when all four tires are the same. Maintain and rotate the tires according to schedule.

2. Find the right tire. Not all performance tires are right for your vehicle. Follow the car manufacturer’s guidelines to shop for tires by the size recommended, speed rating, load capacity, and any other parameters established.

Summer tires are made by a variety of manufacturers, including Bridgestone, Michelin, Hankook, Goodyear, Pirelli, and others. If they’re not the original equipment manufacturer (OEM) specific to your vehicle, you can find them at tire retailers, new car dealers, and through select online outlets.

See Also — Replacement Tires: Where to Buy Them

7 Winter Driving Safety Tips

December 1, 2017 by admin 2 Comments

Slippery roads can present a driving hazard, a situation that may be magnified when snow and ice are also present. Take to the road unprepared and you might hit a ski and slam into another car, a utility pole or even run over a pedestrian. Winter tires or chains and four-wheel drive won’t guarantee that you will avoid an accident, but each can make a difference in cold weather driving.

Seasonal hazards make winter driving especially risky.

1. Fasten Your Seat Belt

Make a point to fasten your seat belt every time you get behind the wheel of a car. Require vehicle occupants to do the same. You can quickly lose control of a car if you are not buckled up and slip out of your seat. An unbuckled passenger can cause you to lose control just the same.

2. Use Winter Tires

Most cars are equipped with all-season tires, but when it comes to winter driving the grip may not be sufficient. Ideally, you’ll replace all four tires with winter (snow) tires to ensure even performance and a better grip all around.

3. Turn Off the Cruise Control

Cruise control saves gasoline, but should only be used on dry surfaces. When used where ice and snow are present, it can cause you to lose control of your car.

4. Replace Your Windshield Wipers

You’ll be using your windshield wipers frequently during the winter even on clear days. Slush, mud and spray back from other vehicles will pepper your windshield, so you need good working wipers to handle the job. You should also fill the washer reservoir with anti-icing fluid.

5. Check All Exterior Lights

You may be able to see everyone, but can they see you? Head lamps, fog lights, LED lights, turn signal lights and tail lamps should be in good working order. They should also be free of ice and snow build up. Wipe down lenses with a dry rag before taking to the road. Keep a rag and a solution of anti-freeze window cleaner handy as you travel.

6. Get a Handle on Your Steering

Slippery road conditions may cause your front tires to lose grip and you may be tempted to compensate by continuing to turn the wheel in the direction of the skid. Instead, gently press down on the brake while holding the steering wheel steady. Once you regain control of the car, redirect the steering wheel to the direction that you want to go.

7. Black Ice is Transparent and Extremely Dangerous Too

Unseen to most drivers is ice that is transparent, what lies over the road surfaces, hence the name “black ice.” Black ice can appear without warning and may show up long after the snow has melted, residual moisture that quickly freezes when surface temperatures drop. Winter tires and chains can help slow your car, but you may not be able to stop it without hitting a curb or a stationary object. Always allow plenty of space between you and the vehicle in front of you. Handle turns and twisty roads with extreme care.

Winter Driving: Avoid Black Ice

With adequate preparation you can drive your car all winter long. Allow plenty of distance between vehicles and be mindful that black ice is an unseen hazard that can linger long after the snow has melted.

Used Cars: Where the Bargains Are

September 20, 2017 by admin 3 Comments

Bargains on used cars are available if you know where to look.

The average price of a new car is approximately $35,000 according to Kelley Blue Book, a price point that’s well beyond the reach of many car shoppers. One way to avoid that high cost is to settle for a lower-priced model, but that may mean making sacrifices on vehicle size, quality, and comfort. Another way to avoid the high cost of a new car is to buy used, particularly cars that are two to three years old, bargains that can be found by weighing the following several important considerations.

Consideration No. 1 — Initial Depreciation

The major drawback of buying any new car is that first-year depreciation can lop 20 to 30 percent off of its vehicle’s value. That means a $36,000 new car may be worth just $25,200 after the first year, a loss that the original owner must take.

That loss should be viewed as an opportunity for used car buyers. While most owners will hold on to their cars for a few years, cars that are leased are typically returned after just two or three years. Leased cars are sometimes resold at auction, but they’re also available for sale through new car dealers to help bolster inventories.

Consideration No. 2 — Larger or Less Popular

Depreciation for more popular models comes in lower than the industry average. That means if you are looking for a bargain, you should turn your eyes elsewhere.

Elsewhere includes models that consume more fuel such as big SUVs or ones that are simply not that popular including vehicles from discontinued brands or models.

Suzuki quit selling its vehicles in the United States in 2012. The company was never a big player on the market, but it did offer several smaller models such as the SX4 that were good on gas.

You can check the market value of any used car for free by visiting Kelley Blue Book. Suzuki may no longer sell its cars in America, but it still is available to service your vehicle and to handle warranty concerns.

Consideration No. 3 — Wear and Tear

If you find a used car that is still under the manufacturer’s new car warranty, then you have a bonus in your hands. However, you must ensure that the warranty transfers to you and at no cost.

Other warranties that may still be in effect include rust and powertrain, the latter sometimes good for up to 100,000 miles. If you are shopping for a used hybrid vehicle, the typical warranty is for eight years or 100,000 miles on your hybrid battery system.

One model, the Hyundai Sonata Hybrid, offers a lifetime warranty, but it is not transferable to a new owner. Regardless of warranty considerations, there is a mileage point where buying a used vehicle makes sense. That point is before major repairs or expensive maintenance takes place.

Used cars that have under 50,000 miles on the odometer and have been well maintained, should go another 50,000 miles before more expensive maintenance and repairs become a factor. Still, tires are generally replaced by 50,000 miles and brakes, oil, air filters, batteries, and fluids will have been serviced or replaced. Costlier repairs such as water pumps, hoses, belts, mufflers, suspension system parts and electronic sensors can happen at any time.

Major work such as engine repair, transmission replacement or body work can usually be avoided if a car has been properly maintained. Ask the owner for car maintenance records and obtain a vehicle history report.

Consideration No. 4 — Consider the Seller Pool

You can find a bargain on a used car by careful shopping. Know that if you choose to buy from a dealer, you will pay the customary mark up to cover the dealer’s expenses and profits. However, you may also receive a limited warranty, something that a private seller may not be able to offer.

New car dealers stock their inventories with newer used cars to supplement their new car inventories. Used car dealers may feature newer cars to much older models. Either way, you will face the dealer’s mark up.

You can also consider a car from a rental car company. Enterprise, Hertz, and Budget are among the companies that sell off their fleets to private buyers, cars that typically have 12,000 to 50,000 miles on the odometer. You will find, however, that there is little room to negotiate on price. What you will receive is a vehicle that has been well maintained. Thus, your bargain may not be on price, but on care.

The best bargains on used cars are typically through private party sellers. These individuals are simply seeking to sell a car they no longer want or need and will price their cars accordingly. You can verify what any vehicle should fetch by checking its private party value through Kelley Blue Book or NADAGuides.com.

Used Cars: The Art of Negotiation

Your best deal on any used car can be had by negotiating the vehicle’s price. With the information you have on hand about its value, you have a good starting point for your negotiation.

Present your best offer, await the seller’s counter offer, then find a middle ground that will satisfy both parties.

See Also — 8 Steps to Buying a Used Car

5 Fuel Savings Tips for Savvy Drivers

September 12, 2017 by admin 1 Comment

Saving money at the pump.

High fuel prices can drain your wallet, making it difficult for you to make ends meet. You cannot do anything about pump prices, but you can put some distance between your visits to the service station, by employing several fuel saving tips immediately.

1. Use Cruise Control

fuel saving tips Most cars come with cruise control, a device that keeps your vehicle at a constant speed. Cruise control is ideal for the open highway when long traveling distances mean consuming much fuel.

Set your cruise control at highway speed and you may be able to find fuel savings averaging 7 percent according to Edmunds.com.

2. Keep Your Engine Tuned

Tune ups are a thing of the past, but your car’s engine still needs to run optimally. Many cars can go as far as 100,000 miles before replacing spark plugs becomes necessary. Even so, there are other parts that may need replacing sooner such as the PCV valve, fuel filters, ignition components and air filters.

By following the manufacturer’s recommended maintenance intervals as outlined in your owner’s manual you can save about 4 percent on fuel, perhaps much more if your oxygen sensor is faulty.

3. Keep Tires Inflated at the Proper Level

Under inflation can lead to tire failure putting yourself at risk of an accident. Tires that are regularly under inflated can see tread life reduced by up to 25 percent notes TireRack.com.

Improperly inflated tires can have a negative affect on your fuel economy too, coming in as much as 3 percent lower when tire pressure is 10 psi below the car manufacturer’s recommended level.

2016 Jaguar XF — Avoid idling to reduce fuel consumption.

4. Avoid Prolonged Idling

Among the newest features found in many cars built today is stop-start technology. These technologies cut engine spark and fuel when idle, such as at a stop light, automatically reactivating same when you take your foot off of the brake.

Car manufacturers have been rolling out start-stop technology as an important way to enhance fuel savings. Even if your car is not equipped with the technology, you can save fuel when your idle times last for more than one minute. Double-digit fuel savings are possible when you shut down your idled vehicle.

5. Lighten Your Load

Do you use your trunk to store sporting gear? Do you drive around in your pickup truck with excess weight in the truck bed? If so, that added weight can make your engine work harder and run less efficiently.

For every 100 extra pounds that you have in your vehicle, your fuel savings can drop by up to 1 percent according to the EPA. Whenever possible lighten up to conserve fuel.

2016 Ford Focus RS — Always ensure tires are properly inflated. Check the spare while you are at it.

Take it Easy

You can realized additional savings if you ease up on the gas pedal by avoiding both jackrabbit starts and harsh braking.

Add it all up and your fuel savings can top 25 percent. This means if you currently spend $60 per week on fuel, you may be able to save as much as $15 a week or $780 per year.

See Also — 8 Steps to Buying a Used Car

Summer Daze: Tips for Keeping Your Car Running During Hot Weather

June 24, 2016 by admin 2 Comments

Temperature extremes can wreak havoc on your car, increasing the likelihood of a problem leading to a breakdown. Indeed, sub-zero weather may keep your car from starting, while a heatwave can cause it to overheat.

Summer weather is here and with it comes extreme temperatures. No, the Fahrenheit does not need to top 90 degrees to cause mischief. However, a combination of poor maintenance habits and heat can conspire to suddenly disable your car, forcing you to call for assistance.

Here’s how to keep your car running during hot weather.

Examine Your Owner’s Manual

The best way to avoid a breakdown is to keep your car properly maintained. And that maintenance is outlined in your owner’s manual, typically tucked away in your glove box, gathering dust.

Pull out the owner’s manual and familiarize yourself with it. Learn what maintenance due items are coming up and complete them, especially if you are planning a long trip. Look back as well — you may have missed something.

Consider Severe Duty Car Care

As you examine your owner’s manual, you will typically find two levels of car care — standard and severe service. Severe duty may pertain only to a few things, such as changing the oil and fluids.

Standard care routinely covers vehicles where owners drive to work or use their cars for personal use. On the other hand, severe service should be applied to vehicles operated in dusty conditions or for vehicles used to regularly tow, operate in sandy areas, or aren’t driven enough.

Adopt the severe schedule if you live in a southern state or wherever high temperatures are constant for several months during the summer. Older vehicles or models with 75,000 or miles on the odometer should also adhere to the more rigorous severe duty schedule, covering oil, transmission fluid, brake fluid, power steering fluid, and radiator coolant changes. Include your filter changes — oil, air, and fuel — and replace your cabin filter too.

Under the Hood

Beyond fluids, there are other things to examine while you’re looking under the hood. Start with your car’s battery to ensure the connection points are clean and secure. If your battery is old, check it with a voltmeter. If the battery voltage comes in less than 12.45 volts, it should be recharged with a battery charger. If the battery will not accept and hold a charge, then it should be replaced.

Belts and hoses are two other areas that must be checked. For belts, look for signs of wear and tear, sliding your fingers across the belt to pinpoint cracking, fraying, and missing sections. Check tension by pushing down on the belt. If it gives more than a half-inch, then change it.

As for hoses, check only when the engine has cooled. A hose is sufficient if it feels firm to the touch. On the other hand, you’ll want to replace it if has soft or mushy areas. Cracks and fraying are two other problems — both can lead to leaks.

Don’t Forget Your Tires

The only things separating two tons of car from the road are your tires. Thus, it is very important your tires are in top shape, especially for your next trip.

When properly inflated, tires offer sufficient grip on road surfaces. Oppositely, under-inflated tires can affect fuel economy, handling, and hasten tire wear. Tires with tread wear indicators showing should be replaced.

Adequately inflate your tires to the level outlined on the placard located on the driver’s door jamb. Don’t follow the number listed on the tires. Your spare tire should be in excellent shape and fully inflated. But know this: if your car is equipped with an air inflator kit, it won’t do you any good if you have a blowout. Therefore, consider bringing a full-size spare with you.

Getting it Done

There are a few more areas of your car to examine before you take to the road this summer.

Replace your worn wiper blades, check the air conditioning for sufficient cooling, replace burnt out lights, and test your brakes. Blades and bulb replacement you can handle yourself; coolant systems and brake care may require the assistance of an automotive technician.

Finally, you handle most problems en route if your car is equipped with basic tools, a flashlight and replacement batteries, duct tape, and a spare belt and hoses. An emergency kit contains many of these same items and can be assembled on your own or purchased.

America’s Crumbling Infrastructure and Your Car

February 22, 2016 by admin 1 Comment

Americans shell out an average of $300 for each pothole-related vehicle repair. Time to fix the infrastructure!

pothole repair infrastructure — A federal maintenance and equipment staff member makes pothole repairs.
(U.S. Air Force Photo By/Josh Plueger)

America’s infrastructure of roads, bridges, and highways is in serious need of a major investment. Roads are in such disrepair in some areas that consumers are paying for it in personal repairs to their own vehicles (costing approximately $250 to over $1,000 per vehicle), to fix pothole-related damage according to a study conducted by AAA.

The motorist organization found that consumers made $15 billion in pothole-related vehicle repairs over the past five years, or about $3 billion per annum. Potholes routinely appear throughout the winter as roads freeze, thaw, and refreeze.

The Birth of a Pothole

The Michigan Department of Transportation adequately outlines the pothole development process in its four-step “Birth of a Pothole” graphic. It all begins when rain and snow seeps into the soil beneath the road surface. Then, when the ground freezes, it pushes the pavement up. Next, as temperatures climb, the ground returns to its normal level, but the pavement typically remains raised. Finally, a pothole is formed once a vehicle travels across the resultant cavity, damaging the road. It is that damage that causes potholes and puts all drivers at risk.

AAA cautions drivers be on the look out for potholes while at the same time urging local and state governments to prioritize road maintenance.

“In the last five years, 16 million drivers across the country have suffered pothole damage to their vehicles,” said John Nielsen, AAA’s managing director of Automotive Engineering and Repair. “The problems range from tire punctures and bent wheels, to more expensive suspension damage.”

Deep Financial Hit

The AAA survey revealed that lower- and middle-income drivers have the most concern about potholes. That’s expected given that such consumers will also experience a deeper financial impact. For people who live paycheck to paycheck and depend on their vehicles for their livelihood, pothole-incurred damage can prove devastating.

“On average, American drivers report paying $300 to repair pothole-related vehicle damage,” continued Nielsen. “Adding to the financial frustration, those whose vehicles incurred this type of damage had it happen frequently, with an average of three times in the last five years.”

Because of the elevated risk of encountering potholes, AAA offers suggestions for damage avoidance that go beyond slowing down and skirting road damage. For one, drivers should ensure that their tires are properly inflated. Having sufficient tread depth remaining is important too, as it provides additional cushioning between the vehicle and the pothole.

When Avoidance is Not Possible

When encountering a pothole, drivers cannot always safely avoid hitting one, but they can slow down, release the brakes and steer straight when driving over a pothole. Remaining on the alert for road damage and allowing sufficient room between vehicles can also help drivers avoid potholes explains AAA.

Annually, AAA claims its members make more than 4 million calls to for flat tire assistance, usually due to pothole damage. The motorist organization also found that the typical spare tire has been replaced by a tire inflator kit, but those kits are not sufficient for making repairs for destroyed tires. Instead, motorists should opt for a full-size spare and keep it properly inflated. Adding that tire to the vehicle’s normal tire rotation procedure is a wise decision too.

Making Infrastructure Repairs a National Priority

AAA believes that road conditions will only worsen until legislators make road repairs a national priority. Motorists rely heavily on a crumbling infrastructure, what includes sketchy bridges, inadequate tunnels, and porous roadways. In 2015, Congress increased transportation funding to meet those repairs, but AAA says that as much as $170 billion in additional funding is needed annually to adequately rectify the problem.

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