Car Tips,Auto Repair - Best Buy Tire & Automotive Service

Check those Tires and Brakes ...

Sometimes putting something off for a later date saves money. When it comes to vehicle maintenance, this is not the case.

Most vehicles have scheduled maintenance plans that are created by the manufacturer. These are intended to insure that a vehicle's fluids, belts, tires, and other parts are working properly or are replaced.

There are many parts on a car, truck or van that wear out over time and need to be repaired, serviced, or most likely replaced. The issue is that a lot of these parts are vital to a vehicle in order for it run properly. If these parts are not checked or replaced overtime, it can cause major damage to an engine or vehicle and sometimes even irreparable damage.

A good example of this is an engine's fluids. The oil in an engine is primarily designed to lubricate the inner workings of the engine so that everything runs smoothly. If the oil is not replaced after a certain amount of time, it breaks down and its effectiveness decreases. If it is never replaced eventually an engines parts will heat up, and wear on each other and most likely stop functioning completely because of internal damage. $20-$50 is all that is needed for a scheduled oil change to ensure an engine is properly lubricated.

A vehicle's fan belts wear overtime and will need to be replaced at a certain point. If this is not done the damage done to a vehicle is staggering. Sometimes one belt is driving the alternator, the radiator fan, the air conditioning, the power steering and various pumps. If that belt were to snap it could render your vehicle useless and the amount of repair needed far exceeds the amount of money it would have cost if the scheduled check-up was done and the fan was replaced.

Tires also need to be rotated at scheduled times in order to maintain proper wear. If tire rotation is ignored the life of tires is dramatically decreased and the steering on a vehicle mostly likely is out of alignment which requires servicing. Brakes are also an area of your vehicle that needs to be monitored and checked. If a vehicle's brake pads are not changed, beside the obvious danger of having pads that are worn out, it can also damage the wheels rotors which make large deep grooves. This requires either new rotors or someone to grind down the rotors until they are smooth again.

This could all be avoided with some basic preventative maintenance.

Scheduled maintenance and preventative care goes a long way and saves alot of money! So avoid unneeded costs and damage to your vehicle and schedule a vehicle check up today.

Identifying Leaks

If you notice a fluid leak on your car, taking note of the color can help determine the cause.

When Stuck

Keep a small shovel in your car in case you get stuck. Road flares or glow sticks can also be useful to prevent a collision.

Jack Safety

When using a jack, also use jack stands in case of failure. You should never be under a car that is only supported by a tire jack.

Cold Weather

Take a minute to let your car warm up in cold weather. This will prevent unnecessary wear on your engine.

Accident Preparation

Carry a pen, paper and disposable camera in your car for documentation should an accident occur. Make sure you get a police report and the insurance information for all parties involved.

Seat Replacement

Car seats should be replaced if they have been through an accident, as damage to the securing mechanisms may have occurred.

Fuel Filter Replacement

Your fuel filter should be replaced once every 50 000km. This is also a good time for spark plug maintenance.

Tire Practice

Know how to change your tire before an emergency. Doing a practice run will assure that you have all the necessary equipment.

Cooling Maintenance

The cooling system should be flushed and refilled once every second year so as to prevent damage over time.

Battery Maintenance

Check for wear and dirt buildup on your battery cables. This ensures proper electrical connections.

First Aid

It’s good policy to keep a first aid kit in your car in case of emergencies.

Driving With ABS

When driving with ABS, there is no need to pump the brake pedal as holding down the pedal firmly will automatically perform the pulsating action.

Signs of Traction Loss

Sudden silence while driving can indicate a loss of traction. Paying close attention to the sound of your tires can warn you that you are on ice.

Roof Racks

The maximum suggested weight for roof racks can be found within the Owner’s Manual of your vehicle. This includes the weight of the rack itself.

Maintain Speed

You can save fuel by maintaining a constant speed while traveling. Cruise control can be useful for this purpose.

Bald Tires

When checking your tire wear, keep in mind a tread depth of less than 1.6mm is considered bald by many legal authorities.

Engine Coolant

Engine coolant breaks down with age, causing degradation to the cooling system of the engine. Changing aging cooling thus prevents engine decay.

Oil Filter

It is advised to change your oil filter every 5000km with urban driving. View your Owner’s Manual or consult your automotive specialist for more specific information.

Wiper Blades

It is advised to change your wiper blades as they begin to streak.

Tire Pressure

The proper tire pressure for a vehicle can often be found on the inside of the glove box, on the driver’s side door post or on the fuel filler door. Alternatively, you can find this information in the Owner’s Manual of your car.

Fall- Winter Car Care Tips

NAPSI)-When cold weather hits and you start seeing harmless, steamy, white exhaust from your car, it's usually a good sign that you should protect it.

"Cars and cold don't get along," says Jim MacPherson, who writes for the Hartford Courant, has served as an expert on driving for "Inside Edition" and hosts a car-care radio show on WTIC-AM in Connecticut.

"The plummeting temperatures cause all kinds of problems. So in order to stay safe, save money and reduce fuel consumption, it's important to keep your car properly maintained and tuned. For specific suggestions for your car or truck, check the owner's manual that came with your vehicle."

Follow these tips and cold weather driving can be a little easier:

• Routine Maintenance

For winter, it's important to ensure your vehicle's battery and charging system are in good operating condition. In cold weather, a battery's cranking power is reduced significantly. At the same time, the electrical power needed to start your car increases when the temperature plunges. Having quality jumper cables or a portable power pack in your trunk is a superb way to prepare for the worst. At the same time, check to make sure your heater and defroster work. Finally, check your wiper blades.

• Filters, Coolant and Hoses

Make sure all filters-oil, gas and air-are in good condition. Check your coolant level and thermostat functionality to ensure proper engine warm-up. Coolant should be changed every two years; extended-life coolants last about five years. Check for leaking or soft hoses and replace. Also, be sure to check the radiator or coolant tank pressure cap.

• Lubrication

To ease engine start-up during cold weather, use a multiviscosity oil such as Mobil 1 0W-30 or Mobil 1 5W-30, which will help protect you car at temperatures below zero. Low-viscosity oils not only speed start-up, but help reduce wear by flowing oil quickly to critical engine parts. Fully synthetic oils, such as Mobil 1, are specifically designed to protect your engine in all temperatures.

• Tire Pressure

Examine your tires, checking for excessive wear and proper inflation. Good tread is needed to stay safe on snow and ice. Additionally, both underinflation and overinflation are undesirable. Low pressure increases wear and fuel consumption, while overpressure can reduce traction, especially in icy conditions. If you live in an area with heavy snowfall, consider snow tires.

• Vehicle Warm-up

Let your car idle for a few seconds to make sure the lubrication is circulated throughout the engine, providing protection. It's not necessary to idle for a long time, as that simply wastes fuel and offers no more protection than a few seconds of idling will. Nonetheless, drive easily at first.

• Slow Down

Do not exceed speed limits and keep safe driving distances. Avoid gas-wasting jackrabbit starts and pace your driving to help avoid the need for sudden stops, which is especially critical during wet and icy road conditions.

• Dealing with Ice

Make sure you have window ice scrapers and deicers for the locks. When you're stuck, having a small shovel is useful to dig out of the snow. The weight of a bag of sand in the trunk will give added traction in rear-wheel-drive vehicles and can be used to sprinkle on the snow and ice to gain better traction. Don't forget personal protection such as a warm coat, hat and glove, and a blanket, in case you get stuck in a storm.

• Keep Fuel in the Tank

Never let the fuel tank drop below the half-full mark. A sudden storm with unexpected heavy snowfall could leave you stranded for hours. Having an adequate fuel supply will allow you to idle the engine from time to time to keep warm.

"Your car will be more dependable if properly cared for," says MacPherson. "Take care of your car in the cold and it will keep you from being left out in the cold."
Check your anti-freeze. The best ratio of anti-freeze to water is 50/50. The number one cause of engine-related breakdowns is cooling system failure. Prevent this by having your cooling system flushed every two years.

Replace your windshield wiper blades twice a year. Fill the windshield washer reservoir with freeze resistant wiper fluid (plain water and standard windshield washer fluid will freeze) and keep an extra gallon in the trunk.

Check your battery. If the battery is more than three years old, have a technician test its capacity. Have the alternator tested at the same time. Make sure the battery terminal ends are corrosion-free.

Check your tire pressure. Check the pressure when the tires are cold, and set the pressure to the car manufacturer's recommendations for your specific tires. When the weather turns warm, the air inside the tire will expand and the pressure will increase.

Look at the tread depth on your tires. Put a penny headfirst between the treads. If you can see the top of Lincoln's hair, it's time to replace the tire.

Check your spare tire. Make sure it has the proper air pressure and tread depth and that all the proper tire-changing equipment is in the vehicle.

Check your filters. An oil change can add on to the life of your car and help save on fuel, Clean air filters, and fuel filters, and transmission filters go a long way.

Check that your lights- exterior & interior, air conditioner, and defrosters are working properly.

Check all rubber hoses and belts to ensure they are not damaged. Coolant hoses wear from the inside out. Inspect for heavy cracks or chunking in the belts. Alternatively, have a professional inspect all hoses and belts.

Have your cars brake system checked. If you haven't had the system inspected in the last six months, have this performed.

Assemble a summer emergency kit for the trunk of your vehicle. It should include a map, towels, extra boots and gloves, windshield washer fluid, jumper cables, a first-aid kit, flares, a small shovel, a flashlight, kitty litter (for traction when stuck in mud) and bottled water. Consider carrying extra belts and hoses, and wipers.

"In addition, keep the fuel tank full," "It may be necessary to change routes or you may be caught in a traffic delay or need to turn back during a bad storm."
Along with following these tips, it's also important to read your owner's manual and follow the manufacturer's recommended service schedules. Not only will these tips keep you safe in the winter months but they can also improve your vehicle's mileage while also preventing future repairs down the road.

It seems that millions of Americans have decided to keep on driving their used cars as a way to save money. That is not a bad plan, assuming that old car can keep on going.

With more older, used cars on the road than since the early years of the Reagan Administration, it’s more important than ever to keep up on the maintenance of your vehicle and avoid costly repairs.

Simple checkups and regular maintenance can help you avoid repairs that can cost thousands of dollars and potentially be more than what the car is worth.

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