Tag: Car Repair
Top 4 Expert Tips For Smart Auto Care
by admin on Dec.22, 2008, under Car Maintenance, Car Tips
Top 4 Expert Tips For Smart Auto Care
Besides purchasing a home, buying a car is likely to be the largest investment you’ll make. Unfortunately, unlike a house, your vehicle is going to lose value over time. The good news is that you can help preserve its value by being a responsible owner. Today, I’ll share the top 4 auto care tips that you can do easily and quickly.
#1 – Follow The Maintenance Schedule
Believe it or not, millions of drivers have never looked at their owner’s manual. It lists the maintenance events that the automaker recommends in order to ensure your vehicle runs properly. Not only does it describe when you should have the oil changed, but it describes when you should have the filters replaced, the tires rotated, and the brake pads inspected. Remember, your manual’s maintenance schedule represents what the manufacturer believes is best for the vehicle they built.
#2 – Repair The Dents
Tiny dents in the body are inevitable. Sometimes, people will allow their grocery baskets to ram your car. Other times, someone will open their door too quickly. A small dent may not look like a problem, but it can become one in the future. For example, if the paint chips, you can practically bet it will continue chipping and flaking if you don’t touch it up. Plus, rust can build and spread, having a huge effect on your vehicle’s resale value.
#3 – Use Synthetic Oil
When they first became available, synthetics were consider unnecessary by the average driver. And the higher price tag didn’t do much to change their minds. In truth, synthetic oils are better for your car. They have a higher level of heat resistance than traditional oils, suffer less loss through evaporation, and can lubricate parts more effectively during cold starts. Even though they cost more, synthetics have a longer life cycle and protect your engine better.
#4 – Keep And File Receipts
When it’s time to sell your vehicle, the buyer will want to know that you’ve been giving it the proper care. Don’t expect him to simply believe you. Have the maintenance and repair receipts ready to present. If you can give a prospective buyer receipts that detail every oil change, tire rotation, brake job, and replacement part, it will give him confidence that your car has been properly cared for.
Squeezing Every Last Dollar
Depreciation is a fact of life for car owners; there’s nothing you can do to stop it. However, you can slow its advance by taking good care of your car. Follow your owner’s manual with regards to the maintenance schedule. Repair any dents you notice quickly before they spread. And invest the extra money in synthetic oil. Finally, keep all of your receipts to show a future buyer. By doing those 4 things, you can help preserve your car’s resale value. And that’s as good as money in the bank.
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When Your Car's Heater Isn't Working
by admin on Dec.05, 2008, under Car Maintenance, Car Tips
When Your Car’s Heater Isn’t Working
Depending upon where you live, you might rely on your vehicle’s heater to keep you warm while driving. When it fails to produce warm or hot air, the drive can be unpleasant. The problem is that a lot of factors can contribute to your heating system not working the way it should. In this article, we’ll briefly explore some of the components that make up this part of your car. Then, I’ll offer a few suggestions regarding why it may be malfunctioning.
How Does It Work?
When you drive your car, the engine goes through internal combustion. As it does so, it produces enormous amounts of heat. If this extra heat were to remain inside or around the engine, it could cause the engine to fail. Your car has a cooling procedure that removes it before it can do any damage. A portion is pushed out through your vehicle’s exhaust while the remainder is absorbed by a coolant (usually a blend of water and antifreeze).
As the coolant absorbs the excess heat generated by the engine, it becomes warmer. The warm fluid travels to the radiator, allowing some of heat to dissipate along the way. As it dissipates, the temperature of the coolant declines and by the time it reaches the engine, it’s cool enough to absorb more heat from the internal combustion process.
Inside your car’s dashboard sits a heater core. It functions similarly to your vehicle’s radiator (though it’s much smaller) and has a number of tubes through which the hot coolant circulates. Near the core sits a fan that blows across it when you turn your car’s heating system on. That warm air is what eventually blows out of the vents.
Why Isn’t It Working?
One of the most common reasons why your heating system may not be working is due to the level of coolant in your car’s engine. There’s a plastic tank into which you can replenish the supply, but you should also check for leaks. After all, putting more of the fluid into the tank won’t solve the problem if it’s leaking out somewhere.
Other factors that could be causing a problem include a thermostat that won’t close properly, a heater control valve that needs to be replaced, or a faulty vacuum feed. In most cases, unless you have experience with performing mid-level car repairs, you should have your mechanic inspect the heating system. It’s easy enough to tell whether the coolant is low, but looking for leaks or defective parts can be much more challenging.