Tag Archives: car care

Proper Car Maintenance

windshield repair and replacement fresnoProper car maintenance of your car can be important for its long life and safe operation. Your tires are one of the most important parts of your car and checking the tire pressure is important. Regular care and maintenance are crucial to the safe and reliable performance of your vehicle.

When to check the tire pressure

Many drivers may feel that they don’t have the time or money to address vehicle repairs immediately, but beware that ignoring some repairs can get you pulled over and even ticketed.

“Ignoring certain vehicle repairs may seem to save money in the short term but can lead to extra costs, such as fines or ‘fix-it’ tickets, if these problems are not taken care of when they arise,” said Rich White, executive director, Car Care Council. “In some jurisdictions, car owners may even lose their license for certain violations. A few dollars spent on simple vehicle repairs can help avoid trouble with the law.”

While a vehicle is in operation, traffic laws require that certain equipment is properly installed and functioning correctly, including brakes, headlights, turn signals, mirrors, windshields and safety belts, to name a few.

The Car Care Council recommends that drivers address these repairs right away as they present public safety concerns that can earn drivers a traffic ticket on top of a repair bill.

• Non-functioning turn signals and headlights or taillights that are cracked or broken. Most states require vehicles to have functioning turn signals as well as two functioning headlights and taillights. Taillights must illuminate red; if a taillight is cracked, it can give off a white light, which is also typically a traffic violation.

• Cracked windshield. If a windshield is cracked, discolored or tinted in a way that obstructs vision, drivers may get ticketed and fined. In some states, vehicle modifications, such as tinted windows, are prohibited.

• License plates are unreadable. If the license plate light is out or if the plate is otherwise unreadable, drivers may be pulled over. In some states this includes clear or tinted plastic license plate covers.

• Loud exhaust system. A defective exhaust system that is too loud, either because it has been modified or because it needs repairs, can be cause for a ticket. What is considered loud depends on the state.

Many states also require periodic vehicle safety inspections. For an overview by state, visit https://drivinglaws.aaa.com/tag/safety-inspection/.

The Car Care Council is the source of information for the “Be Car Care Aware” consumer education campaign promoting the benefits of regular vehicle care, maintenance and repair to consumers. For the latest car care news, visit the council’s online media room at http://media.carcare.org.

Reproduced from the Car Care Council

Car Glass Maintenance

Maintaining your car glass Fresno is something you should do regularly. This way, you can ensure your car is in tiptop shape, runs smoothly, and is safe. Therefore, for a flawless car, you should follow these five vital car care tips:

windshield crack repairCleaning Your Windshield Inside and Out

A clean windshield helps accomplish a couple of great things.

  • You can prevent sun glares
  • You can prevent scratches
  • And you can have a clearer driving visibility

Thus, it is a wise idea to wash your windshield inside and out as often as you can. Be sure to rely on a windshield cleaner and a microfiber cloth for the job. You will have an immaculate, clear windshield and stay safe on the road with this fantastic car care tip.

Refill on Windshield Washer Fluid

Frequently filling up on windshield washer fluid can help you maintain your windshield’s cleanliness. Plus, the less dirty your windshield is, the less sun glares you will have. This way, you can stay safe on the road. Additionally, this car care tip is great for preserving your car’s value.

Do Not Wash Your Car Under the Heat

A lot of drivers do not know that washing their cars under the heat can leave behind watermarks and stains. Not only is this an unappealing sight, but it is also terrible for your car’s health. Stains can create glares on your windshield as well as leave behind scratches. Similarly, stains can cause your car paint to dull in color. Thus, it is best to wash your car when the sun is not sharp.

Swap Sponges with Microfiber Cloths When Washing Your Car

A lot of drivers wash their cars with a sponge and dry them with a towel. It should be noted that that is a terrible thing to do. Sponges and towels can scratch the paint and glass over there. As a result, it is not a good idea to use them. Instead, swap them with microfiber cloths. They are gentle and safe on auto glass and car paint.

Clean Your Headlights with Baking Soda and Vinegar

This last car care tip is amazing! Clean your car’s headlights with a baking soda and vinegar mixture. This mixture eats away at the hazy dirt blocking the lights. In a few minutes, you will have shiny headlights as if you had just purchased your car.

Maintaining your car is crucial for its safety. With these five amazing car care tips, you will keep your car in tiptop shape and have total comfort.

windshield repair Fresno

Car Care for Environmental Protection

We all hear about a “greener” environment and we want to do our part like recycling but what else can we do? Car care for environmental protection can be another way to reduce pollution.

 Keep your car properly tuned for optimum performance – A properly maintained vehicle can improve its efficiency, reduce emissions and save you money. Regular engine performance maintenance will help you burn less gas, pollute less, and prevent car trouble down the line. This will include checking the spark plugs, replacing the fuel and air filters, replacing ignition system and/or emission system parts if needed and ensuring the onboard computer control system is working properly.

Improve gas mileage by 4% on a proper tune-up and up to 40% when fixing a serious maintenance problem such as a faulty oxygen sensor. Worn or fouled spark plugs can cause the engine to lose power or misfire and waste fuel.

Fuel Economy

How you drive has a lot to do with fuel economy. Go the speed limit. Avoid sudden starts and stops. Minimize unnecessary miles by combining errands in one trip, getting good directions and avoiding excessive idling. Other guidelines to follow include:

  • When possible, use your vehicle’s cruise control.
  • Use your air conditioning only when needed. Parking in the shade and using a reflective windshield shade can help your car stay cooler when parked, meaning it takes less to cool it off when you get back in.
  • Speeding and Aggressive Driving: Most cars lose fuel efficiency over 50 miles per hour (MPH) at a rate of about $0.24 per gallon for every 5 mph over 50. Aggressive driving (speeding, rapid acceleration and braking) can also reduce gas mileage – as much as 33 percent on the highway and five percent on city streets.

 Lighten the Load – Get the junk out of the trunk and the stuff out of your car, with the exception of emergency items such as a spare tire and a first-aid kit. Extra items weigh the vehicle down and cause an increase in gas usage.

 Regularly check and replace dirty air filters- An air filter that is clogged with dirt, dust and bugs chokes off the air and creates a “rich” mixture that causes the engine to lose power. Replacing a clogged air filter will improve your car’s performance and acceleration, but not miles per gallon. The air filter should be inspected at each oil change, and replaced annually or when restricted, torn, water or oil-soaked.

Have spark plugs checked and replaced if necessary- A vehicle can have four, six or eight spark plugs, which fire as many as three million times every 1,000 miles. This results in a lot of heat, electrical, and chemical erosion. A dirty spark plug also causes misfiring, which wastes fuel.

The cooling system- A cooling system thermostat that causes the engine to run too cold will lower the fuel efficiency of a car by as much as one or two mpg. There also are improved radiator caps on the market today that allow the cooling system to operate at a higher temperature before boiling over, increasing the system’s efficiency and reducing emissions.

Tire Checks – Proper tire pressure can improve gas mileage by 3.3 percent or 10 cents per gallon.

Tire pressure should be checked at least monthly, including the spare. Tires that are not properly inflated add rolling resistance that makes the engine work harder to move the vehicle. Remember, tires can lose pressure due to seasonal temperature changes. Optimal tire pressure for your vehicle is listed in the owner’s manual or on the car door sidewall.

Gas Caps  – Check your vehicle’s gas cap. A loose, cracked or damaged gas cap allows gas to escape from your tank as a vapor, wasting fuel and increasing vehicle emissions. It’s also wasting your gas money!

Fill-Ups- When filling up your car, remember to stop when the nozzle shuts off! Topping off the gas tank can release harmful vapors into the environment and waste money.  Remember, your tank needs some extra room to allow the gasoline to expand. Some pumps engineered to protect the environment draw extra vapors back into the pump, meaning you pay for more gas than you are getting, according to the Environmental Protection Agency

Maintenance

The A/C system should be inspected annually, during which a technician checks pressures to test operation, refrigerant charge and outlet temperatures. Use the window to help keep the car cool.

Vehicle Fuel System – By properly maintaining your vehicle’s fuel system such as replacing your car’s fuel filter every two years or 24,000 miles and having your fuel injectors flushed our every 30,000 miles, you will not only have a cleaner, ‘greener’ car, but you will save money at the pump.”

Emission systems – Your car’s emission system keeps the engine running cleanly and efficiently in all sorts of operating conditions, and keeping it in proper working condition can save money and protect the environment. Fixing a faulty oxygen sensor can improve gas mileage by 40%!

* Facts according to the Car Care Council

family vacation

Safety Tips for Travel

As summer comes to an end for school children, many families will use these last few weeks for a family vacation. While this is a great time for family bonding, there are a few safety concerns you should adhere to.

  1. Windshield Cracks – If you have a crack in your windshield, have it repaired before you leave, even if it’s a small one. It can become larger as you travel even by going over the smallest bump in the road and cause potential harm to you and others.
  2. Check your tires and windshield wipers – Be sure the tires have good treads. Bald tires can be a road hazard for you and those cars traveling around you. Cracked windshield wipers will not do the job they are meant to do by removing rain so you have a clear view. It’s not the time that you realize your wipers should have been replaced when a thunderstorm comes up unexpectedly.
  3. Be sure to fill up with gas – This is especially true when going on a road trip to an area unfamiliar to you. There may not be a gas station when you need it. You do not want to spend the first hours of vacation on the side of the road waiting for Roadside Assistance.
  4. Don’t drink and drive – This goes without saying but drunk drivers account for about 1/3 of all traffic-related deaths.
  5. Stop texting – This is a danger to avoid. Even when you are at a stop light, don’t start texting or scrolling. It only takes a moment of inattention to cause accidents or create road rage.
  6. Give yourself enough time – Don’t be in a rush to get to your destination. Be sure to take breaks along the way and stay overnight when you get tired. Dozing off at the wheel can be deadly.
  7. Get help from your navigator – It’s a great time to discover new places. Choose another family member to guide you through turns so you can concentrate on the road. GPS has taken care of the guesswork. Even then, it’s better to have someone else in charge of the route. If you miss your turn, don’t panic. There’s always a safe solution at the next light or exit.
  8. Buckle up your seatbelt – No matter your age, wearing a seatbelt can be a life-saving step. Besides it is against the law. Law Enforcements Officials can stop you and ticket you for not wearing your seatbelt. They don’t have to have another reason.

Remember that you can be the best driver in the world but you never know what the next driver is going to do. Have fun on your vacation! Be safe!