How do you know when your automobile is sick? You can use your senses, as we mentioned in our last blog post (click here to read “If it Looks, Smells, Sounds or Feels Like Car Trouble… .” There are usually certain specific symptoms you will notice with each system in your vehicle. When it comes to your car’s cooling system, there are four symptoms that can alert you to a potential problem.
Today’s vehicles are quite sophisticated with computer controls designed to alert you to potential problems. Advanced technology in fluids has also improved engine performance, but you have to stay up-to-date with your maintenance schedules for those fluids to do their jobs properly. Often times, we end up forgoing maintenance because the car is running great. Unfortunately, if one of your warning lights comes on it often indicates a problem that could have been taken care of earlier.
In the very near future, the hustle and bustle of the school season will be upon us. College-bound drivers will be heading back to school. Moms and Dads will be car pooling to sporting and after-school events. Before things get too hectic, it’s a good idea to think about making sure your vehicle is safe and reliable. That way you can avoid the hassles of dealing with a breakdown, or if you are away at college, finding a mechanic near your school. By following some basic automotive advice, college-bound drivers and car-pooling parents can make sure their car is ready for the roads.
Have you been considering a little Do-It-Yourself car repair? If you have, you may want to check out this article from RepairPal. It talks about what repairs are okay to DIY and what repairs should be left to the professionals. Click HERE to read “DIY Car Repair – A Way to Save Money or Better Left to the Pros.”
As parents of young children, there are always so many things to consider when it involves their safety. Driving them in the car is one such area, especially when it comes to the use of Child Safety Seats. There are so many factors that come into play. Parents often find themselves asking questions like, “Does the seat face the front or the rear?,” “Did I install this seat correctly?,” “What type of seat is best for the age and weight of my child?” You may also not be aware of the fact that Child Safety Seats expire over time and become unsafe for use.
There are any number of reasons you can experience poor gas mileage. One thing is certain, if you are seeing an increase in the number of times you have to fill up at the pump, you’re vehicle’s engine is not performing as efficiently as it could. Some of the main reasons for poor mileage:
Use this simple test to tell if you need new tires. Take a regular penny (with today’s deeper treads, some are saying to use a quarter as opposed to a penny), and place it in between the grooves on the top of the tire (shown to the right). If you can see the top of Abraham Lincoln’s head, you probably need new tires.
Dashboard warning lights are meant to alert you to a problem with your vehicle, but what do you do when you don’t know exactly what that light is telling you? The first thing to note about a dashboard light is this… If the light that is on is “red,” it indicates a serious problem and you should safely pull over to the side of the road and call for assistance. If the light is “amber” or “yellow,” your vehicle needs attention and it should be scheduled for service/repair as soon as possible.
Everyone wants to find ways to save money these days, especially when it comes to the gas pump. Here are some simple ways to help you save on gasoline.
You’re driving along in your car or truck and suddenly a yellow light illuminates on your dash telling you to check or service your engine. If you’re like most car owners, you have little idea about what that light is trying to tell you or exactly how you should react. While it doesn’t mean you have to immediately pull your vehicle over to the side of the road and call a tow truck, it does indicate a problem that needs to be checked as soon as possible. If you ignore the warning, you could end up damaging expensive components.