Month: May 2013

5 Ways To Keep Your Parked Car Cool When It’s Hot

car in shadeSummer is here and that means hot weather for us Minnesotans. And while it’s great to be able to drive with the windows down after so many cold months, the summer heat can also really heat up your car when it’s parked for a long period of time.

No one likes stepping into a heat soaked car when it’s extremely hot out. So here are a few quick and easy things you can do to keep your car cool in these hot summer months.

  • Park in the Shade. This is the most obvious solution but may not always be an option. Naturally, shade will keep the sun away from you car and keep it cool in the process. Try to find trees on the edges of parking lots that you can park under.
  • Use a Windshield Sunshade. If you can’t park in the shade, the next best option is to use a sunshade. A windshield sunshade is a device made out of varying materials that you use to cover your windshield while it’s parked. The sunshade will reflect sunlight and keep your car cool as it protects from interior fading.
  • Cover Seats with Blankets. This is especially beneficial if you have leather seats. The blankets will absorb the heat and prevent the leather from heating up.
  • Crack the Windows. This will increase air movement so that hot air isn’t sitting stagnant in the car.
  • Get your Windows Tinted. This is the effective and long lasting solution. Having your car’s windows tinted will constantly reduce the amount of sun rays that enter your vehicle – keeping it cool throughout the summer.

Use these above methods to keep your vehicle cool in the summer and avoid burning yourself on your leather seats or seatbelt buckles.

Why Does my Car Pull to the Right or Left?

Reasons your Car Pulls

Ever get the feeling that your car is dragging or “pulling” to the left or right? This could be the result of several different factors, including:

  • Vehicle alignment. Alignment keeps your tires parallel with one another and even with the ground. If the alignment is off, it can cause a car to pull.
  • Brake Hose. The brake hose distributes brake fluid to your tires. If it gets clogged, fluid is dispensed unevenly to the tires, causing a car to pull as a result.
  • Tires. Over time your tire tread will wear out. If you don’t help distribute the wear evenly by rotating your tires on a regular basis, one will inevitably wear out quicker than the others. Low tire pressure can also be a cause of pulling.

A car that pulls to the right or left is more difficult to control as it requires the driver to constantly correct the pull. This can put an increased burden on the driver and take their focus off of driving safely.

Cars designed for driving on the right side of the road are manufactured to pull slightly to the right. This is to prevent the car from drifting into oncoming traffic if the driver falls asleep at the wheel. That being said, this should only be a very slight pull to the right. If your car is pulling significantly, it’s a good idea to get it checked.

How to Correct the Pull

There are a few home remedies you can try to stop the pull, such as:

  • Switching your front tires is a good test to see if the problem lies in the tires. Only rotate your tires if you know exactly what you’re doing.
  • Check your tire pressure to make sure one tire isn’t significantly lower than another.

If none of these tests work or you’re uncomfortable rotating your tires, it’s best to bring your vehicle into an auto repair shop and have an auto technician take a look. An experienced mechanic can examine your vehicle, identify the cause of the pulling, and fix the issue.

Why Pay for Car Diagnostics?

Car Diagnostics - Wiki CCVehicle diagnostic checkups are often ignored by car owners, but are very important to the long life of your car.

What are Vehicle Diagnostics?

Back in the day, it was up to the individual mechanic to determine what was wrong with your vehicle. Now Electronic Control Units (ECUs), which are present in all modern cars, help mechanics figure out and fix vehicle issues quickly.

When the ECU in your vehicle detects a problem, it will turn on the “check engine” light. A mechanic can then plug into the vehicle and download the error report recorded by the ECU.

It’s true that anyone who knows what they’re doing can plug in and download the ECU error report. So why is it a good idea to bring your vehicle in when the check engine light pops up?

Why Bring your Car in?

Even if you know what’s wrong with your vehicle, fixing the problem is another thing entirely. An experienced mechanic can interpret the error report and determine the best solution for fixing the problem.

There are also certain issues that won’t cause the “check engine” light to go off. A mechanic can examine your vehicle inside and out and get you back on the road in no time!

When Should you Change your Oil?

There is a lot of confusion about how often you need to change the oil in your vehicle. Every 3,000 miles is a common benchmark that many people stand by. The truth is that the answer varies greatly based on several factors.

Why do you Need to Change your Oil at All?

Your engine requires oil to run smoothly. Since the engine is arguably the most important part of your vehicle (after all, the car won’t go anywhere without an engine), it’s important to keep the engine happy by changing the oil when necessary. This will keep the engine running smoothly and make it last longer.

Should you Trust the Windshield Sticker?

If you get your oil changed at an auto shop, the technicians will often place a small sticker on your windshield with the date of the oil change and when to come back in for another change. The most common interval recommended is 3,000 miles. While older vehicles may very well need to have their oil changed every 3,000 miles, newer models can generally last longer before an oil change is recommended.

Consult your Vehicle Owner’s Manual

The most important thing you can do when considering when to change your oil is to consult your vehicle owner’s manual. Every car is different and there is no universal answer to the question – “How often should I change my oil?” The owner’s manual will have instructions from the car’s manufacturer on when to change the oil.

Other Factors

In addition to the number of miles driven, there are several other factors that can impact when an oil change is necessary, such as:

  • Towing
  • Driving in off road conditions (gravel, dusty roads)
  • Driving in cold weather
  • Taking frequent short trips (less than 10 miles)

Top 4 Car Repairs you Shouldn’t Skip

It’s a fact of life that cars break down over time. But if you take good care of your vehicle and keep up with routine repairs and maintenance, you can extend the life of your vehicle. Most people don’t even think about vehicle maintenance until something goes wrong. Following repair procedures can also help avoid a vehicle breakdown. With that in mind, here are 4 car repairs that you shouldn’t skip.

1. Oil Change

There is a lot of confusion about how often you should change the oil in your car. Every 3,000 miles? Every 5,000 miles? The truth is there is no universal answer to this question since every car is different. When to get your oil change depends on numerous factors such as:

  • Driving conditions
  • Driving frequency
  • Vehicle age

But the bottom line is that your car’s engine needs oil to run smoothly. It’s absolutely essential to get your oil changed in order to keep your vehicle running at top performance levels.

2. Tire Check & Rotation

Since the weight of any vehicle is not distributed evenly across all 4 wheels, certain tires will wear out quicker than others. This is why it’s important to have your tires rotated. Your vehicle owner’s manual should have instructions on when and how exactly to rotate your tires. Or you can bring your car in and have your tires checked and rotated by an auto professional.

3. Brakes & Brake Pads

Brakes are one of the most essential elements of your vehicle. Checking your vehicle’s brakes is an obvious safety precaution. An auto technician can examine your brakes and brake pads and catch any flaws before they break down while you’re driving.

4. Fluids

This includes brake fluid, transmission fluid, and coolant – all important for keeping your vehicle running efficiently. These fluids can run low or deteriorate over time. Make sure you keep an eye on your fluid levels and ask an auto mechanic if you are unsure about anything.