Tags: car maintenance / finances

6 Ways You Are Prematurely Killing Your Car without Realizing

- Rabu, 16 Desember 2015 No Comments

2013 Dodge Journey. Image courtesy of Dodge.

For most people, a car is their second biggest investment. It is a reliable form of transportation that takes them anywhere they want. And yet, many treat their car as any other regular appliance. Sure, the elements can be tough on your car, but your bad habits might be making things worse than bad weather.

Not caring about your car until something is wrong is an awful habit. Since the cost of replacing certain parts can be extremely expensive, it is important to keep your car alive as long as possible, so you don’t end up back at the dealership. Don’t fool yourself into thinking that you will be able to tell when something is wrong with your car. Sometimes, problems can go unnoticed, and coupled with bad maintenance and usage practices, you might be on the verge of prematurely killing your car.

Here are six ways you are hurting your car without realizing.

1.      You Never Check or Change Your Car’s Oil

According to AutoMD, cited by abcnews.com, one of the most common and most costly problems car owners face is related to oil. Although car engines today don’t burn oils as they used to, a lot of issues can still arise. By simply checking the oil level every couple of weeks, you will be able to catch most problems on time.

Oil level isn’t the only problem that is prematurely killing your car. As the old oil passes through your engine, it can have a huge impact on is integrity. If you don’t change your car’s oil regularly, your engine will wear out, and your vehicle will suffer.

2.       You Don’t Change Your Car’s Air Filter

Another common problem that can affect your car is neglecting to change your car’s air filter. Just like a person, a car needs to breathe to survive.

The air filter is your car’s respiratory system. If not enough clean air passes through, the performance will drop significantly. Since bad news loves company, guess what else will suffer damages if the airflow is restricted? The heart of the car itself, the engine, which will overheat and cost you a lot of money.

3.      You Don’t Change Your Car’s Fluids

Cars need proper maintenance to run smoothly. Neglecting to change the steering fluid, coolant or transmission fluid is a surefire way to get your car sick. Anyone can lift a hood and check the fluid levels, so you don’t have to schedule an appointment with a mechanic every other week. Doing this on a regular basis will keep your car running well and your maintenance costs down.

Consider adding a transmission oil filter and a bypass engine. They screen the fluid to 3 microns, and they do that using a small amount of oil. Also, a coolant filter prevents overheated parts, so do your car and yourself a favor and invest a bit in this.

Image courtesy of Lotus. 

4.      How About the Brake Pads?

If every time you hit the brakes, you hear a screeching noise, then that’s your car telling that it’s time to change your disc-brake pads. The pads that stay between the rotor and the metal caliper wear down at some point because of the friction. Neglecting to change the pads will not only affect the effectiveness of the brakes, but it will also damage the rotor. As a rule of thumb, you should change the brake pads every 20,000-25,000 miles.

5.      Your Shock Absorbers Are Shockingly Worn

Well, not so shockingly, but since they perform a lot of duties of great importance to your car’s suspension, handles and rides, you should expect them to wear fast. They basically “decide” how your car takes the corners regarding comfort and handling, and they’re the difference between comfort and discomfort when it comes to potholes and bumps. Your car suspension elements will wear extremely fast, especially if you live in a place with a cold climate.

Image courtesy of Chevrolet.

6.      Let Your Car Warm Up

Cold oil won’t get your car very far. You don’t go out in the cold immediately after you wake up, or do you? The same scenario applies to your car.

You just fire your engine. Let it purr for a while and warm up before going about your day to day business.

As you can see from this list, a large part of your car’s maintenance is preventative. Checking your car on a regular basis and going for scheduling regular professional check-ups is the perfect way to make sure that your car stays healthy.

Tags: Car Advice / car maintenance

Are You Treating Your Car As Well As You Should?

- Kamis, 12 November 2015 No Comments

Image source: Ildar Sagdejev / Wiki


You’ve probably heard it a million times in the past, but if you look after your car, then it will look after you. When you consider their importance to modern life, as well as the cost, it would be foolish not to heed that advice.

But the big dilemma is how to look after your car. Here are five top tips to keep your car purring while also improving your

Tags: Car Advice / car maintenance / Wheels & Tyres

Do Your Half-Term Travel Plans Include Safe Tyre Checks?

- Senin, 26 Oktober 2015 No Comments

With many families about to take a break in the school half-terms, TyreSafe is reminding mums, dads and all drivers to ensure they’re keeping the risks to a minimum by practising #SafeTyreChecks.

October is typically the wettest month of the year and coincides with the onset of colder weather, a combination which places high demands on the only safety feature of a vehicle which is in touch

Tags: Car Advice / car maintenance / Wheels & Tyres

How Wheel Alignment Can Affect Your Vehicle

- Senin, 28 September 2015 No Comments

Most drivers don’t think much past checking the tyre pressure and tread depth when it comes to the wheels on their vehicle. Aside from the occasional puncture, nothing much else much ever seems to require your attention, right? Well if this is the case for you then you are probably overlooking the importance of wheel alignment.


The alignment of your vehicle wheels (also known as tracking)

Tags: car maintenance / motorcycles / tips

Charging a Motorcycle Battery

- Senin, 21 September 2015 No Comments

Photo courtesy of BMW

When you leave a motorcycle sitting long enough without turning on the engine, the battery will lose its charge, just like in a car. If you don't want to deal with a dead battery and you aren't riding your motorcycle regularly, like when winter hits, you can still keep it ready to go at a moment's notice by charging the battery periodically.

First off, you need to know that it isn't safe to use a car battery charger on your motorcycle. Chargers that are made for car batteries supply too much electrical current for a motorcycle battery. Using such a charger on your motorcycle will ruin the battery in short order, meaning you will need to replace rather than charge it. If you don't have a motorcycle battery charger, you can purchase one at your local motorcycle dealer or from one of many legitimate online motorcycle parts stores.

When handling a motorcycle battery, you should wear protective gloves and goggles. The fluids that are contained in the battery can be extremely acidic and toxic. If you were to drop or otherwise damage the battery, having those fluids come into contact with your skin, eyes, or any other part of your exposed body could be painful and leave permanent scarring.

Always work in an area that is properly ventilated. There might be fumes coming from the battery, so it is better to be safe than run the risk of inhaling something harmful. Before you can charge the battery, you must remove it from the motorcycle. Use a pair of pliers to loosen the connections that hold the battery in your bike. With the battery removed, place it on a sturdy and flat surface, like the floor or on a work bench. Before continuing, check the battery connections for any corrosion or damage. You can clean them with a wire brush. If you do find damage, you must replace your battery to avoid personal injury or damage to your motorcycle.

Pry off the chamber caps and fill the cells with deionized water. Using any other type of water can harm your battery by introducing other chemicals. Connect the cables from the charger to the battery. Match up the positive cable to the positive terminal, and the negative cable to the negative terminal.

With the connections established, plug the charger into an electrical outlet. The amount of time it will take for the charger to replenish the battery depends on the battery, how depleted it is, and the type of charger you are using. Many times it will take all night to charge a battery, especially if it was fully depleted.

Once the battery charger lights indicate that a full charge has been reached, turn the charger off and disconnect the cables. Connect the battery to the motorcycle just as it was before you removed it.

Because charging a depleted motorcycle battery is a pretty lengthy process, it's best to give yourself plenty of time to perform the task. Many motorcycle owners regularly charge up their battery as a way to avoid a surprise when they need to use their bike, which is a smart practice you should consider. 

Tags: car maintenance / finances / tips

How to Make Your Car Last

- Jumat, 18 September 2015 No Comments

Image courtesy of General Motors

Cars cost quite a lot of money, not only to buy but also to maintain. By maintaining your car properly, whether you do it through your car dealership, a private shop or at your home, you will save money by avoiding at least some major problems as well as extending the overall life of your car. By enjoying more years without car payments or large mechanical problems, you can stretch your money further. Of course there are some specific ways to accomplish this goal, so read on to find out what they are.

Keep your tires properly inflated. Too many car owners don't even think to check their tire pressure, or they think the tires need to be inflated to the pressure listed on the tires' sidewall. The vehicle manufacturer specifies how much air pressure should be in the tires and places the information on a sticker located in the driver's door jamb. Keeping your tires properly inflated will help the tread last longer. Also, underinflated tires make the engine and transmission on a car work harder, which places more strain on them and will cause them to fail sooner.

Maintain your car's battery and the ignition system by parking in your garage as much as possible in the winter. If you cannot park in a garage, install a battery insulation kit to keep your battery warm enough at all times. Hook the battery up to a tender regularly to ensure it keeps a full charge, which will take some strain off the rest of the ignition system. If you do have a garage, absolutely do not heat it since it will cause your car to rust.

You can make your brakes last longer by using them sparingly. Some drivers like to speed up quickly from a stop, then practically slam on their brakes when they reach a red light. Instead, coast toward red lights and touch your brakes as little as possible. You can even shift to a lower gear to slow your car down instead of riding the brakes.

Most people completely forget about their windshield wiper blades since they are small and relatively inexpensive. You can extend their life significantly just by cleaning them once a month with denatured alcohol. The cleanings not only remove debris buildup, they also keep the rubber more flexible so it holds closer to the glass, eliminating streaking that otherwise would appear.

Use synthetic oil. While synthetic oil isn't exactly cheap, it lasts significantly longer and provides better protection for your engine's internal parts. Synthetic oils are even designed to not break down in extreme temperatures, making them excellent for driving in hot weather or on long road trips.

Washing your car regularly is about more than just looks. As you wash your car, you remove corrosive agents from the paint, keeping it in better condition. Waxing your car then places a protective coating over the paint. A well-maintained paint job will prevent corrosion like rust from taking hold on a car, which if left unchecked can lead to its ultimate death. You can also protect the paint by keeping the car covered or in a garage as much as possible.

Tags: car maintenance / finances

Ways Car Owners Waste Money

- Senin, 24 Agustus 2015 No Comments

Owning a car is not only liberating but it can also be a source of extra expenses. While there are some costs associated with owning a car that you cannot avoid, such as registration fees or insurance premiums, there are other expenses you can minimize. Knowing the common ways car owners waste their money helps lower the cost of owning and driving your own car, increasing the amount of money you have in your savings or to pay other expenses.

Using a Higher Octane Fuel Than Recommended

You should never use a higher octane fuel than recommended by your car’s manufacturer. Using a higher grade of gasoline will not harm your car, it will hurt your pocketbook since it offers no performance benefit. Higher octane gases are formulated for cars with high compression ratios, typically luxury vehicles or vehicels with turbochargers or superchargers, to prevent engine knock. You are not giving your car a special treat by giving it higher octane fuel than needed, but you are giving the oil companies more of your hard-earned money.

Changing the Oil Too Often

You should always follow your car manufacturer’s recommendations for oil changes, as well as for the type of oil to put in your car’s engine. The manufacturer knows how long the oil can withstand the conditions in the engine before the oil begins to break down and not protect against engine wear as effectively. Some oil change stations or mechanic shops will place a sticker in your windshield that directs you to return for another oil change much sooner than the manufacturer recommends. Changing the oil more often is unnecessary and simply wastes money.

Neglecting the Tires

Everyone leads a busy life, and as a result your car’s tires are probably not always at the forefront of your mind. By starting a habit of maintaining your car’s tires you can save money in multiple ways. Newer cars might come with a tire pressure monitoring system that alerts you when your tires’ pressure drops too low, making maintenance easier. You should regularly check your car’s tire pressure, especially when the outside temperature changes drastically. Driving on underinflated tires lowers your car’s gas mileage. Low tire pressure also increases the distance your car needs to stop and negatively affects your car’s handling—which can cause you to get into an accident. Driving on your tires when they are underinflated also wears them out faster, which means you must buy tires more often. You should also follow your tire shop’s recommendations for balancing and rotation, which also protects against premature tire wear.

Paying to do Simple Maintenance

Cars require many other small maintenance jobs that need to be done on a regular basis. Every time you have a mechanic, lube shop or any other automotive professional perform maintenance on your vehicle you must pay for labor. When it comes to simple maintenance items, such as replacing your car’s windshield wiper blades or air filter, you can save a fair amount of money doing it yourself. Many shops mark up the price of the equipment they put on your car, increasing the cost of the maintenance on top of the labor. If a maintenance item is something you can easily do in less than 30 minutes, save yourself the money and do the maintenance yourself.

Tags: Car Advice / car maintenance / Wheels & Tyres

Is It Time to Replace Your Tyres?

- Jumat, 21 Agustus 2015 No Comments

Most drivers never give their tyres a second thought. After all, they’re solid pieces of rubber that last a lifetime. Well, not quite. Your tyres are one of the most important aspects of your vehicle. They take the brunt of damage from the road, absorbing the bumps and cracks. Braking constantly wears them down, and eventually, they will begin to affect your driving performance. Tyres in poor

Tags: advice / car maintenance

How You Waste Money on Your Car

- Rabu, 24 Juni 2015 No Comments

For most people, their car is one of the biggest assets and liabilities they own. While some talk about a car as an investment, in reality they depreciate in value over time (with very few exceptions) and they constantly require care and maintenance. It's easy to become wrapped up in keeping your car in "perfect" condition, whether to maintain your image or to avoid maintenance problems further down the road. While some activities and items for your car are well worth the cost, there are others that are a complete waste. Read on so you can avoid throwing away money on your car.

Performing too frequent of oil changes. On old cars, a 3,000 mile interval between oil changes was necessary. Modern engines are designed with much tighter specifications, meaning they can go longer between oil changes. Using synthetic oil means that the lubricant will maintain its viscosity for a much longer time, requiring less frequent oil changes. Instead of following a lube shop's recommended 3,000 mile oil change interval, follow the recommended intervals from the vehicle manufacturer. Also, never fall for the oil system flushes lube shops sell since they are unnecessary if you change your oil at the manufacturer-recommended intervals.

Ignoring the tires. For many car owners, tires are something they never think about until they're told they need new ones. The fact is that by ignoring their maintenance, tires last only a fraction as long as they should. Check the tire air pressure regularly and keep it at the level the vehicle manufacturer recommends, not what's printed on the side of the tires. Tires aren't exactly cheap, so doing this simple thing will save you significant money.

Ignoring problems until they become big. Every once in a while you should drive with your windows down and the sound system turned off. Listen for your car's engine, brakes, etc. If you hear any strange noises, it could be an early indication of a problem. Also, pay attention to any of the warning lights on the dash as well as fluids leaking from your car. Strange odors can also indicate a problem that is brewing out of sight. The best thing to do if you suspect there is a problem with your car is to have it examined by your mechanic early. Addressing issues earlier usually means they are less severe and cost less to fix.

Paying others to do simple tasks. With a little effort, you can wash and wax your car yourself, plus clean the interior. Many people want to pay a steep fee to have professionals do the work for them, but in all honesty it's a cost you can most definitely avoid. The same thing goes for oil changes, swapping wiper blades, checking and topping off fluids, and replacing burned out light bulbs. If you perform work on your own car regularly, you will notice things you would otherwise overlook. Being more familiar with your car will help you catch any problems early and keep you aware of anything that needs to be addressed.

Using premium fuel unnecessarily. Your car's manufacturer recommends using fuel with a certain octane rating. Filling up with a fuel that has a higher octane rating does not make your car run any better or increase performance. Such a "treat" is simply a waste of money.

Rolling down the windows instead of running the air conditioning. This has been proven over and over by car manufacturers and others, but driving with your windows down does not save on fuel. In fact, having the windows down creates so much extra drag on the car that it ends up consuming more fuel than the extra load placed on the engine by running the air conditioning. The faster you go, the more rolling down your windows hurts the car's fuel economy, so plan accordingly. 

Tags: advice / car maintenance

Signs Your Transmission is Wearing Out

- Senin, 08 Juni 2015 No Comments

Every car uses a transmission to send the engine's power to the wheels. A transmission is a highly complex piece of machinery, which in turn means that purchasing a new one is typically pretty expensive. Transmissions do not normally wear out overnight, but instead fail over a long period of time. Knowing the warning signs that your transmission is ailing can help you possibly nurse it along a little more, or at the very least prepare you for the inevitable.

In a few cases, you can actually avoid big transmission problems by engaging in some easy and inexpensive servicing activities like flushing the transmission or replacing a cable linkage. By being proactive about the situation, you could potentially save yourself thousands of dollars and a considerable amount of heartache.

One sign of transmission failure is that the gears slip. Transmissions should stay engaged in a gear until you or the computer shifts out of the gear and into another. When the engine RPMs start racing and the car stops moving forward, you know the transmission is slipping and is heading toward death.

Sometimes a failing transmission will trigger the check engine light. Nobody likes to see the light illuminate, but avoiding having the engine codes checked by a mechanic can just make the situation worse. Once you know why the light turned on, you can take steps to fix the problem.

If you have a car with a manual transmission, you might notice the clutch starts to drag. Dragging is when the clutch fails to disengage from the flywheel when you push down on the clutch pedal. Any attempts to shift a transmission with a dragging clutch will result in grinding gears. Usually the problem is easy and inexpensive to fix, saving you from having to replace the entire transmission later.

Leaking transmission fluid is never a good sign. Transmission fluid is red and sticky, making it appear like blood. Like blood, transmission fluid leaking can lead to death if not addressed. A qualified mechanic can pinpoint the source of the leak and fix it before it causes damage.

Transmissions can overheat, creating a burning smell that should tip you off that a problem exists. If you smell something or see smoke coming from under your car, park for a while and let the transmission cool off. Check the transmission fluid and top it off to alleviate the problem.

Not being able to put a manual transmission into gear because the stick won't move is a very bad sign. Unfortunately, this means you will be replacing it in the near future.

If your car's transmission is noisy when it is in neutral, at the very least it needs to be serviced. The other possibility is that you will be purchasing a new one before too long. When the transmission makes other strange noises like whining, clunking or humming, either the transmission fluid is low or different parts are wearing it out. A qualified mechanic can tell for sure what can be done at that point.

It might seem obvious, but a transmission that does not respond can be a sign of impending failure. This includes if you push on the accelerator and the car does not speed up for a moment. The other possibility is that the clutch is worn, which is a far more affordable problem to fix.

The final sign that your transmission is failing involves any vibrations or grinding coming from it. A well-functioning transmission should work smoothly and almost silently. Instead of just ignoring the sounds and vibrations, take your car to your mechanic to evaluate what can be done. 

Tags: Car Advice / car maintenance

Braking the Bank : Nearly a Quarter of Car Owners Feel Ripped Off by Mechanics

- Kamis, 16 April 2015 No Comments

Most mechanics are reliable and trustworthy, but there are a minority
of cowboys taking advantage of the fact that most consumers just don't
know how much their car repairs should cost.
New research conducted by ClickMechanic, an online marketplace for car repairs, reveals that almost a quarter (23 percent) of people felt ripped off by the price they were quoted when they last visited a car

Tags: Car Advice / car maintenance / Top Lists

Wheeler Dealers Offer Top Tips for Car Restoration

- Rabu, 18 Maret 2015 No Comments

Image source:  Lwp Kommunikáció / Flickr - Licensed for reuse under Creative Commons 2.0




Nothing can match the excitement of turning back the clock and transforming a rusting mess back into its former glory.
Restoring a classic car can be a hugely challenging task, so the presenters behind the Discovery Channel’s hit TV show Wheeler Dealers have released their top 5 tips to get a used car

Tags: Car Advice / car maintenance / Top Lists

3 Steps to Changing Your Car's Bumper

- Jumat, 06 Maret 2015 No Comments

Bumpers are called bumpers for a reason. If any part of your car is going to receive damage, it’s probably best that it’s your bumper. Therefore, it will probably take a lot of knocks over the years. A few small knocks are fine but once the problems get bigger, it’s time to replace it. And replacing it is much easier and cheaper than getting it fixed.

Changing your car’s bumper is a big job,

Tags: Car Advice / car maintenance

What Exactly Does The 'Check Engine' Light Mean?

- Selasa, 03 Maret 2015 No Comments

The check engine light is dangerous and elusive little aspect of our cars. We’ve all seen it, we’ve probably all ignored it at times too! It’s really important that you take heed when the little light flicks on. It can indicate all manner of issues with the engine or the car’s mechanics. The biggest trouble is that it doesn’t tell you exactly what’s wrong.

Often the light will flick on and

Tags: car maintenance / winter driving

Follow These Tips to Avoid Getting Stranded This Winter

- Selasa, 25 November 2014 No Comments

Image courtesy of GM

Have you ever had your car battery die? It's the pits, especially if you are somewhere remote, or at a parking lot late at night when pretty much everyone else has gone home. It pays to have a roadside assistance program that will come and give you a jump start, but even better is to take some preventative measures so that your battery lasts through the winter.

When the weather turns cold, your battery is put to the test. The chemical reactions that take place inside of them slow down as the temperature drops, which is why many times people end up stranded when everything is frozen outside.

One great method of prevention is to buy and use a battery charger. Go with one that not only charges quickly, but shuts off once the battery is full. These are essential for vehicles that aren't driven much, but are also useful if you want to ensure even your daily driver's battery will have enough juice to start up the engine every time.

Keep your battery clean, since corrosion and other debris can cause it to not hold a full charge. The area you want to focus on the most is the terminals. Use a wire brush to remove any buildup and spread on a generous amount of dielectric grease to keep the corrosion at bay.

If your car still struggles to start up, have the battery tested by a qualified shop. It might be worn out, or you could have a problem with the alternator, distributor, or other portion of the ignition system. Taking care of the problem proactively is the best route, otherwise you could find yourself sitting in a freezing car as you wait for AAA to show up.

Tags: car maintenance / car repairs / four-wheel drive / SUVs / winter driving

Use Your 4WD or Lose It

- Jumat, 07 November 2014 No Comments

Photo courtesy of Toyota.

Winter is coming, and that means people who live in snow-prone areas like here turn their attention to the SUV or pickup truck they neglected during the warm summer months. I say neglected because not driving your four-wheel drive vehicle all summer is actually shortening the life of the driveline, which can in turn lead to some pretty expensive repairs.

I used to own an SUV and have had some all-wheel drive vehicles as well. While they don't make you immune from sliding on the roads, and so don't excuse people driving like maniacs, they are incredibly nice to have when the roads are packed with snow. All-wheel drive provides a more reassuring ride than front- or rear-wheel drive, but the ultimate is a true four-wheel drive setup. The low gears are indispensable when the going gets tough, allowing you to get home and not be stranded somewhere for a few days in an especially bad storm.

Most people don't think about using the four-wheel drive system on their SUV or truck when the weather's nice. I like to go out into the wilderness, so it was never a problem for me. About once a month, you should drive around with four-wheel drive engaged. Doing this will allow the joints between the driveshaft and the transfer case, as well as the front axle to flex. Inactivity can cause those joints to seize up when four-wheel drive is finally used again, which will lead to failure and an unpleasant experience with your mechanic.

If your four-wheel drive system has a set of low gears, you need to engage the low setting as well and drive around.

And remember that you need to stay on top of the fluids and change intervals that the manufacturer recommends. Doing this will help ensure that your vehicle keeps running smoothly all year long.