18/09/03 BY GERRY
Weather can change for the worse at any moment. Knowing how to properly handle your car can prevent serious damage to your vehicle and can even save your life.
A severe rain storm can sometimes form quickly. They can cause slippery conditions that will make your trip dangerous. When you are caught driving in a bad weather pattern, you will need to consider several things. Do you feel comfortable traveling at your current rate of speed? Is the road congested with other traffic? Driving slowly is always sound advice to follow, however depending upon the circumstances it may not be an adequate amount of precautionary measures.
If you feel that you can continue driving, then you should slow down so that you can have a large distance between your car and those that are in front of you. If you are uncomfortable driving, you should pull over immediately onto the shoulder and turn your hazard lights on. You should remain in the car until you feel at ease with continuing to drive. If you do choose to pull off the road, make sure that you pull your car as far over as you can, as it will reduce the chances of another vehicle crashing into you.
The best way to avoid an accident during bad weather conditions is to wait until it has passed. This will prevent damage to your vehicle as well as any potential bodily injury.
18/09/03 BY GERRY
A sun deflector is a great product to have in your car. When arriving at your destination, your vehicle may sit in the sun for long periods of time. This will not only increase the internal temperature dramatically, but can also damage your dashboard and other plastic items. Sun deflectors allow you to enter a much cooler car and maintain the appearance of your vehicle.
Deflectors come in various sizes and styles for you to choose from, and they can be found at most auto supply stores. The deflectors fold easily for quick storage so that you don’t have to have a lot of set up or break down time.
You can even purchase side window shades for all around car protection. These are good if you have a toddler in a car seat in the back seat.
18/09/03 BY GERRY
Maintaining your vehicle is important for its optimal performance. If your vehicle is left unchecked and unmaintained, you can end up with a large repair bill or may even lead to the big expense of purchasing a new vehicle.
Your cars oil is an important component of your car. The oil needs to be changed at regular intervals to ensure that the engine remains in good shape. Oil changes should happen typically every 3 months or 3,000 miles.
Car tires also need to be checked. You should make sure that they are properly inflated on a monthly basis. Check the pressure rating that’s listed in the driver’s side doorjamb for the correct reading. Having the proper amount of air in your tires, as well as frequently having them rotated, will extend the life of the product.
Air filters also need to be changed at scheduled intervals. The cars engine will endure a great amount of stress and have reduced performance if it cannot properly breathe.
You can either refer to your owner’s manual to view all of the necessary maintenance items that need to be performed on your car, or stop by Auto World and we’ll be happy to consult with you on how to keep your vehicle properly maintained.
18/09/03 BY GERRY
A great way to keep your car clean is to properly organize your vehicle. Having a proper place for every item can help you find things quicker and reduces your chances of getting into an accident while trying to find them.
Keeping your car as clean as possible is the first task. You should try to utilize every compartment that your car has. If you need to buy additional organizers, they are available at most auto supply stores.
You can purchase a console organizer where you can quickly access a small notepad and pen to take down a phone number or address. You can also arrange your loose change and other important items.
A trunk organizer can make shopping trips much simpler and more efficient. These organizers allow you to safely store your groceries without fear of having them tip over and make a mess.
An orderly car will provide you with easy access to your belongings and a safe driving
18/09/03 BY GERRY
Car Washing Tips
Having to wash your car can sometimes feel like a chore, but with a few tips it can actually be a simple task.
One of the first things to do, is to have all of the necessary tools ready to go. Gather your soap, bucket, sponge, drying cloths and hose. Then you will not have to search for things in the middle of your car wash, which can be a nuisance.
Make sure that you do not wash the car during the hottest part of the day. If you do, the water and soap will quickly dry up. You should wash the car in sections — start on one side of the car and then wet, wash and rinse it, then continue to move around the car.
Many people use water and dish soap to wash their car. This method may be convenient, but is not very effective. You should buy a car wash product that will bring out the shine and protect your cars paint.
A great way to remove bug buildup on your car, is to use bug remover or a sponge that that will not harm your paint job. You can remove tough buildup off your windshield by carefully using a razor blade.
Taking the time to wash your car right will ensure that it continues to look its best.
18/09/03 BY GERRY
Having the proper fluid levels is important to your vehicle’s performance and operation. There are quite a few fluids in your car, which include oil, anti-freeze, windshield and power steering fluids. Eventually, your fluid levels can decrease below the recommended amounts during normal car use. You should check your levels often to prevent any serious damage to your car.
To check your oil, you will need to wait until your car has been off for about an hour, so that the oil has cooled down. You will need to pull the dip stick out to remove and clean it. Then you can place it back in to get a proper reading. When you pull the stick back out, you will be able to see what the fluid level is.
Anti-freeze, power steering fluid, and windshield washer levels can also be checked by following the same process. If the levels are low, add the fluid to the recommended level.
Of course, you really don’t need to get your hands (or clothes!) dirty by doing any of this yourself. Just stop by Auto World and we’ll be glad to check your fluid levels for you.
18/09/03 BY GERRY
Keeping your car in tip-top shape is important because it will keep your car looking new for much longer.
Exterior car maintenance includes properly washing and waxing the vehicle, cleaning the tires and wheels, and applying protective products to the paint and tires. On the interior of the vehicle, you will need to apply stain remover on carpet and cloth seats, vacuum, dust and polish. For a good detailing job, you should also shampoo the carpets and mats, to make sure that any dirt that has settled into the fibers is removed. If your seats are made of leather, you should clean and apply a leather protector to keep them in good shape.
The dashboard and car paneling should be properly cleaned and maintained as well. You will need to remove the oils and dirt that accumulate on these surfaces. You can apply a protective liquid like Armorall to help keep the panels looking shiny and new.
To complete your detailing job, you can spray a car scent or purchase air fresheners that will keep the car smelling clean and new.
18/09/03 BY GERRY
Bad tires can make your vehicle difficult to drive or create a driving hazard, because balding or misaligned tires will slip in certain weather conditions. In addition, if your tires are not properly inflated, by being under or over inflated, your tires can wear down prematurely which will require a new set of tires. Even without premature wear, tires need to be replaced a few times during the span of your car’s life.
It’s important to check your tires at least once a month to see signs of advanced wearing on the inner and outer side of the tires, or if one side of the tire is wearing faster than the other. If you notice either of these premature conditions, then you should consider getting your alignment checked at our shop.
Some tires have wear-indicators that will notify you that it is time for a new set of tires. If you do not have these indicators, you can use the penny test to determine if your tires are good. This test requires you to insert a penny into a tread groove with Lincoln’s head upside down. If you can see the top of Lincoln’s head, then you need new tires.
Of course, the best way to ensure that your tires are safe to drive on is to visit Auto World at least every 3 months or so (wow, isn’t that how often you should be changing your oil) that way we can properly inspect them for you.