Summer is here. It’s the glorious time or year, when children are out of school and many are planning their family vacations. If you are going to be headed out on a road trip consider the tips we have put together for you to avoid problems and have enjoy your vacation. Before hitting the road, you want to make sure that your car is prepared as much as you are for the hot conditions.
A couple simple and preventive auto maintenance steps will help you save a buck or two and make your trip as enjoyable as it’s intended to be.
Hot weather maintenance tips
If you think hot weather can not harm your car, think again. The higher the temperature the faster your car wears out due to fluids and lubricants breaking down much faster. However if you follow the manufacturer’s recommended maintenance requirements, your vehicle will be more likely operate smoothly without any problems.
1. Invest in a great and reliable technician to inspect your vehicle before your trip. Any mechanical failures on the road might cost you twice as much, or more to repair.
2. Periodically inspect the air conditioning as well as belts and hoses. It is recommended to have a specialist take a look at the entire system.
3. The Battery’s life can be shortened by heat, therefore you should check battery and cables. It is much more convenient to change a battery while at home, than to have it die and be stuck on the side of the road, with your family.
4. Make sure to change out the oil and filter before your long trip and maintain healthy intervals specified by your manufacturer. During oil and filter change, the mechanic should also check the brakes, windshield wiper and power steering fluids.
5. Remember to replace old wiper blades for the safety of you and your loved ones.
6. It is important to check the air pressure in all tires (the spare included) for correct inflation. You also want to make sure that your tires are not too old and worn out.
7. Before taking a long road trip, always check the interior as well as exterior lights to make sure they work properly.
We hope you have enjoyed our tips and have a great summer free of car trouble.
Tuesday, June 22, 2010
Summer Auto Repair
We’re finding the need to wipe the sweat off our foreheads. That’s right, it’s finally getting hot. After a long cool start to this year here in Sacramento it’s heating up. Summer heat is also time for summer auto maintenance. The majority of folks wait for that first Check Engine Light to come on or have an Engine overheat on their summer vacation.
Many will wind up bringing their car into some mechanic repair shop they have never heard of in a location far away from home because they skimped on simple repair and car maintenance. Don’t be caught in a strange place talking to a strange mechanic, one whom you aren’t sure about. Do your research now. Find a trusted mechanic you enjoy working with, like the guys over at Comtec Automotive. Have your car checked out now and avoid the pitfalls of quick summer fun.
Spending a little now on your car can save you from coughing up thousands later. Would you rather pay for a radiator flush and other simple maintenance or be caught needing a replacement, or even thousands of dollars for a new engine because you melted it in this summer heat without changing your oil. Do the math. Keep your car on the road and running nice and cool this summer. You can save time and money by minding the condition of your car and what maintenance is needed. Don’t face the alternative of waiting for car trouble to start before taking action.
Many will wind up bringing their car into some mechanic repair shop they have never heard of in a location far away from home because they skimped on simple repair and car maintenance. Don’t be caught in a strange place talking to a strange mechanic, one whom you aren’t sure about. Do your research now. Find a trusted mechanic you enjoy working with, like the guys over at Comtec Automotive. Have your car checked out now and avoid the pitfalls of quick summer fun.
Spending a little now on your car can save you from coughing up thousands later. Would you rather pay for a radiator flush and other simple maintenance or be caught needing a replacement, or even thousands of dollars for a new engine because you melted it in this summer heat without changing your oil. Do the math. Keep your car on the road and running nice and cool this summer. You can save time and money by minding the condition of your car and what maintenance is needed. Don’t face the alternative of waiting for car trouble to start before taking action.
Keeping your car alive past 150,000 miles
Technology is always a step ahead and the cars made today tend to live much longer, however the car will not run to even to its life expectancy without your loyalty and basic maintenance. If you wish to keep your car running as long as possible, you must follow a few guidelines in order to help this happen:
1. Purchase a good car. Even though Japanese models are known for their reliability, do not forget American models, which have improved tremendously over the years and will often cost you less to fix.
2. Maintenance schedule. Be sure to check your owner’s manual for any necessary scheduled maintenance that needs to be followed, but also keep in mind that sometimes parts need to be replaced based on a schedule rather than when they break. One of the common parts is timing belt, which needs to be replaced approximately every 90,000 miles. You also want to take care of it when it’s time vs. paying double when it breaks on its own and causes damage to other parts in your vehicle.
3. “Auto Repair Piggy bank.” In the real world cars do not run forever and have tendency to break, which can put many folks in financial restraints without having enough funds saved for such repairs. In order to avoid panic from a $2,000 repair bill, a savings for just such needs will do just the trick. Others will get scared their older car is costing them too much and run to purchase a new car. This as apposed to putting some “repair money” away, is not a good financial decision. You will be amazed what $100-$200 per month will do for you once the time comes to fix your car, and it would take about twice as much in repairs every year to equal the cost of buying a new car.
4. Do your research. There are many cars that are known for certain problems, so if you are an owner of one of those vehicles, there is no need to panic, instead you can always be prepared before the problem comes your way.
5. Do not wait on repairs. If you wish to drive your car for as long as you can, you must fix it as soon as it breaks. Try not to ignore things such as “check engine” light or a weird noise that you have not heard before.
6. Always choose quality. When it comes to choosing replacement parts for your car, do not settle for cheap as it will give you more trouble down the road.
7. Choose a great mechanic- Choosing a good Sacramento mechanic is like choosing your family dentist or Doctor, it can be no fun switching, and you may see them in times of trouble, but a good mechanic will save you money time and energy through the years as you keep your cars on the road.
8. Avoid aggressive driving. While you don’t need to completely baby the vehicle, your car will last longer when you treat it well. It is ok to push your accelerator from time to time, but please avoid race car driving behavior.
9. Gloat – If you have managed to get your car past that 150000 mile mark, be proud. Show off and have some fun with it. If people give you hard time about you older car. You can mention their car payments or the thousands you have saved keeping your car.
1. Purchase a good car. Even though Japanese models are known for their reliability, do not forget American models, which have improved tremendously over the years and will often cost you less to fix.
2. Maintenance schedule. Be sure to check your owner’s manual for any necessary scheduled maintenance that needs to be followed, but also keep in mind that sometimes parts need to be replaced based on a schedule rather than when they break. One of the common parts is timing belt, which needs to be replaced approximately every 90,000 miles. You also want to take care of it when it’s time vs. paying double when it breaks on its own and causes damage to other parts in your vehicle.
3. “Auto Repair Piggy bank.” In the real world cars do not run forever and have tendency to break, which can put many folks in financial restraints without having enough funds saved for such repairs. In order to avoid panic from a $2,000 repair bill, a savings for just such needs will do just the trick. Others will get scared their older car is costing them too much and run to purchase a new car. This as apposed to putting some “repair money” away, is not a good financial decision. You will be amazed what $100-$200 per month will do for you once the time comes to fix your car, and it would take about twice as much in repairs every year to equal the cost of buying a new car.
4. Do your research. There are many cars that are known for certain problems, so if you are an owner of one of those vehicles, there is no need to panic, instead you can always be prepared before the problem comes your way.
5. Do not wait on repairs. If you wish to drive your car for as long as you can, you must fix it as soon as it breaks. Try not to ignore things such as “check engine” light or a weird noise that you have not heard before.
6. Always choose quality. When it comes to choosing replacement parts for your car, do not settle for cheap as it will give you more trouble down the road.
7. Choose a great mechanic- Choosing a good Sacramento mechanic is like choosing your family dentist or Doctor, it can be no fun switching, and you may see them in times of trouble, but a good mechanic will save you money time and energy through the years as you keep your cars on the road.
8. Avoid aggressive driving. While you don’t need to completely baby the vehicle, your car will last longer when you treat it well. It is ok to push your accelerator from time to time, but please avoid race car driving behavior.
9. Gloat – If you have managed to get your car past that 150000 mile mark, be proud. Show off and have some fun with it. If people give you hard time about you older car. You can mention their car payments or the thousands you have saved keeping your car.
Finding a Good Mechanic
It is not an easy task to find a good mechanic so we put together a few helpful tips for you.
Watch Out for:
- Mechanics that stray from answering your questions.
- Mechanics that do not want you to seek second opinion.
- Shops that have fixed the same problem over and over and it’s still not fixed.
- Mechanics that try to rush you.
- Garages that are unorganized and dirty.
- Shop where you cannot tell the waiting area from the work area.
Referrals
- Always remember to ask around, family, friends, co-workers about their experience.
When online see what other users have said about your potential new mechanic.
Questions to Ask
- What is the cost of repairs and the run down list of problems?
- Are there any guarantees of their work?
- Would it be ok for me to take a tour of the shop or watch my car being worked on?
- Do they offer transportation while your car is being worked on?
- What is the length of the repair job?
- How are the mechanics paid, by the job or by the hour? (Shops that have a posted hourly labor rate still often charge by the job, based on how many hours that job takes the average mechanic.)
- Why should I choose your shop to work on my car?
Protect yourself
- If you have a feeling something is not right, always ask for second opinion.
- Do not be afraid to ask questions.
- Always get a written estimate before giving your authorization for any repairs.
Watch Out for:
- Mechanics that stray from answering your questions.
- Mechanics that do not want you to seek second opinion.
- Shops that have fixed the same problem over and over and it’s still not fixed.
- Mechanics that try to rush you.
- Garages that are unorganized and dirty.
- Shop where you cannot tell the waiting area from the work area.
Referrals
- Always remember to ask around, family, friends, co-workers about their experience.
When online see what other users have said about your potential new mechanic.
Questions to Ask
- What is the cost of repairs and the run down list of problems?
- Are there any guarantees of their work?
- Would it be ok for me to take a tour of the shop or watch my car being worked on?
- Do they offer transportation while your car is being worked on?
- What is the length of the repair job?
- How are the mechanics paid, by the job or by the hour? (Shops that have a posted hourly labor rate still often charge by the job, based on how many hours that job takes the average mechanic.)
- Why should I choose your shop to work on my car?
Protect yourself
- If you have a feeling something is not right, always ask for second opinion.
- Do not be afraid to ask questions.
- Always get a written estimate before giving your authorization for any repairs.
Common mistakes made by drivers- Auto Safety – Safe following distance
Safe Studies show that most drivers keep only a distance of one or two seconds behind the vehicle in front of them. Why this distance? Studies have shown:
1. Many claim that they were taught the two second rule while learning how to drive.
What many forget to consider is that two second rule was derived by testing the stopping g distance and reaction time of the driver in the ideal situation. The ideal situations mostly do not exist. Given two seconds or less, the driver finds time to analyze the situation further ahead or behind him, leaving him no time or ability to react if something suddenly happens to the vehicle that is directly in front of him. This causes unnecessary danger for any passenger and additional wear and tear on the vehicle caused by having to break or react suddenly.
2. “But leaving more distance in front of me, gives other drivers the chance to cut in and I will always be in the back.”
Believe it or not, this reasoning is based more on emotions vs. logic. The honesty of it all is when a situation like this happens; another vehicle is usually leaving the lane you are currently in further up in front. There is always balance. As much as we would like to believe situations such as these have a massive effect on our schedule, it is not so. Here is a typical scenario:
Assuming that driver that cuts in maintains distance of two seconds, which means it added two seconds to our schedule. If this type of situation occurred forty times daily, it would only add eighty seconds to our day worth and this is with assumption that none of the vehicles leave your lane, however usually most will.
So now I’m sure you are asking, “What is the correct following distance”? The answer is more than four seconds. This is how it must be measured: every time a car in front of you passes an object such as traffic light or a telephone pole, count one thousand one, one thousand two and so on. By the time you are passing the same object you should be counting one thousand four. When the weather conditions are poor, this distance must go even higher. Maintaining this distance will minimize the risk for you and your loved ones.
1. Many claim that they were taught the two second rule while learning how to drive.
What many forget to consider is that two second rule was derived by testing the stopping g distance and reaction time of the driver in the ideal situation. The ideal situations mostly do not exist. Given two seconds or less, the driver finds time to analyze the situation further ahead or behind him, leaving him no time or ability to react if something suddenly happens to the vehicle that is directly in front of him. This causes unnecessary danger for any passenger and additional wear and tear on the vehicle caused by having to break or react suddenly.
2. “But leaving more distance in front of me, gives other drivers the chance to cut in and I will always be in the back.”
Believe it or not, this reasoning is based more on emotions vs. logic. The honesty of it all is when a situation like this happens; another vehicle is usually leaving the lane you are currently in further up in front. There is always balance. As much as we would like to believe situations such as these have a massive effect on our schedule, it is not so. Here is a typical scenario:
Assuming that driver that cuts in maintains distance of two seconds, which means it added two seconds to our schedule. If this type of situation occurred forty times daily, it would only add eighty seconds to our day worth and this is with assumption that none of the vehicles leave your lane, however usually most will.
So now I’m sure you are asking, “What is the correct following distance”? The answer is more than four seconds. This is how it must be measured: every time a car in front of you passes an object such as traffic light or a telephone pole, count one thousand one, one thousand two and so on. By the time you are passing the same object you should be counting one thousand four. When the weather conditions are poor, this distance must go even higher. Maintaining this distance will minimize the risk for you and your loved ones.
Auto Safety - The Dangers of Texting While Driving
If you own a mobile phone, the chances are you are most likely have been exposed to text messaging. If not these are simply short messages that allow you to type approximately 160 characters and send to another person’s cell phone. Over the last several years text messaging has been increasing daily and unfortunately many of those messages get sent while driving.
Why is this a problem? Text messaging while driving is very dangerous. Here are some statistics:
• Texting causes nearly 25% of auto accidents.
• In 2008 nearly 6,000 suffered and died and half million had injuries in crashes involving texting as the primary cause of distraction.
• Some studies have shown texting while driving to be approximately 6 times more dangerous than driving while intoxicated.
• 4.6 out of 6 seconds on the road, the driver has their eyes off the road while texting.
Texting while driving may be good for auto body shops and increase you need for auto repair, but we hope you stop. Don’t text while driving, it’s against the law and it isn’t safe. Protect yourself and your loved ones. Either pull off to a safe place or finish your conversation later. Don’t pay the ultimate Price.
Why is this a problem? Text messaging while driving is very dangerous. Here are some statistics:
• Texting causes nearly 25% of auto accidents.
• In 2008 nearly 6,000 suffered and died and half million had injuries in crashes involving texting as the primary cause of distraction.
• Some studies have shown texting while driving to be approximately 6 times more dangerous than driving while intoxicated.
• 4.6 out of 6 seconds on the road, the driver has their eyes off the road while texting.
Texting while driving may be good for auto body shops and increase you need for auto repair, but we hope you stop. Don’t text while driving, it’s against the law and it isn’t safe. Protect yourself and your loved ones. Either pull off to a safe place or finish your conversation later. Don’t pay the ultimate Price.
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