Posts Tagged ‘automobiles’

Easy Guide to Automotive Check-Up

by Everette JT Jamison

Your car needs regular servicing in order to continue running smoothly. The good news is that even though a mechanic can do everything for you, most of it can be done in your garage. We’re not talking about overhauling your engine or transmission. We’re referring to the little things that can influence your car’s performance, maneuverability, and handling over time. Below, I’ll provide a 6-step checklist that you can use to make sure your vehicle is in tip-top condition.

Step 1 - Check The Oil

Get used to checking your oil every few weeks. That way, you’ll have the peace of mind of knowing that your engine will remain well-lubricated while you’re driving. Often, engines will begin burning or consuming too much oil. Checking it periodically will help you keep on top of potential problems.

Step 2 - Check The Coolant

You should check your car’s coolant level regularly, especially if you drive for long distances. Even though it’s easy to keep the reservoir filled, a lot of drivers neglect going so. If the levels decline too far, your vehicle’s engine can overheat. That can lead to expensive damage.

Step 3 - Examine The Air Filter

Look at your air filter every time you change the oil. You won’t need to replace it each time (unless you’re driving over extremely dusty roads), but you should replace it when it gets dirty. The air filter catches debris before it can enter your engine. Over time, the accumulation of dirt and dust will prevent proper airflow.

Step 4 - Fill Up Your Power Steering Fluid

Sometimes, it’s easy to take your vehicle’s power steering for granted. But, the ease with which you turn your wheel requires that you keep the fluid level topped off. Check it at least once a month. Then, if the level seems low, look in your owner’s manual to check whether a particular type of fluid is recommended.

Step 5 - Repair Dents And Dings

Not only do they look unattractive, but dents and door dings can also pave the way for rust to settle in. Unfortunately, being on the receiving end of these small blemishes is practically a foregone conclusion. As inconvenient as it is, getting them fixed can prevent costlier problems later.

Step 6 - Test The Lights

Most cars today are designed to warn the driver that one of the headlights is about to fail. The turn indicator will begin blinking rapidly before the light completely fails. To make sure that you haven’t missed the problem, get into the habit of checking your front and back lights every two weeks. The last thing you want is to find out one of your lights is broken while you’re driving in poor weather.

The six items above are not hard to check. They merely require a few minutes of your time. By keeping on top of each of them, you can help ensure that your vehicle is operating properly. If you notice signs of more severe issues (for example, your engine is burning oil), have a trained mechanic take a closer look.

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Safer Cars

by Jeff Cline

Every since the first car rolled down the road it has been a popular and convenient means of transportation. People love having their own wheels to go where they want when they want. Almost every household in America has a car. Safety and dependability has come a long ways since the 1800s.

You should get to know all of the safety features that cars these days can be equipped with. The roads today has as many hazards if not more then way back when. There are many more vehicles on the roads today.

One of the most innovated inventions is the air bags. Air bags can save lives. Most cars have frontal air bags and some have both front and side air bags. If you are involved in a moderate to severe crash sensors trigger a harmless gas to inflate the air bags providing a cushion.

Placement of the air bags are important to know. Most frontal air bags are placed in the steering wheel for drivers and dashboard for passengers. If you have side air bags also they can be found in the doors, the seats or the roof near the door jam.

Although airbags are meant to save lives there are precautions to follow to prevent injury or death. You should never sit close to the compartment that holds the air bags. The inflate with such force if you are close they can be very harmful.

Another safety feature that is being used these days is rollover prevention. There are a few different preventive measures being taken by car makers. One is they are building the cars engineered for ride-height ratios. Some have started implementing rollover air bags to help cushion your body. Some use electronic stabilization control.

Tires are a safety issue often ignored. Both under inflated and overloaded tires are a safety hazard. You should make it a habit to check the condition of your tires and check the pressure once a month. Also know what kind of weight limit you can have.

If you are shopping for a new car for your family shop safety over appearance. You can use the safety rating system that cars are given to determine how safe they are. They are rated based on safety features implemented and test done.

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