Category: Blog

How to Extend the Life of Your Vehicle

CC image Wikipedia.orgWe’re here to help fix your car if something goes wrong, but the best way to extend the life of your vehicle is by practicing good driving and maintenance habits. Below, we discuss some simple things you can do to squeeze every mile possible out of your car.

On The Road – Certain driving habits can help extend the life of your car, and they can also help boost your fuel economy. This is especially important for new cars without many miles on them. Avoid flooring the gas pedal or slamming on the breaks when possible. It might be tempting to see if your flashy new car can hit 90 mph on the highway, but pushing your car’s engine to the limit is a recipe for disaster.

By giving yourself plenty of time to accelerate and to brake, you’ll avoid placing unneeded stress on your vehicle. The less stress, the better.

At The Pump – If you read our post on gasoline, you already know the best time of day to buy gasoline. Although the density of your fuel doesn’t necessarily equate to extending the life of your vehicle, there is another situation when you’ll want to avoid the pump.

If you notice a gas tanker is emptying its tank at the gas station, you’ll want to drive to another location to fill up. Sediments and other particles in the underground reserve can be stirred up when the tanker deposits its fuel. If those particles make their way into your fuel line, it can cause problems in your tank and filter.

At Home – Another way to care for your car is by doing minor maintenance on your own. Although you might not know how to fix a busted intake valve, odds are you can read the owner’s manual. Inside the manual you can learn about certain recommendations, like how much air you should put inside your tires and how to maintain proper fluid levels. With the help of an air hose and funnel, you can make sure some of the controllable aspects of your car are in optimal shape.

At The Shop – Doing minor maintenances on your own can keep your car running smooth, but it’s also important to have it regularly looked at by professionals. Mechanics know the best way to replace integral components like timing belts or batteries, and they can spot other issues that may be overlooked by the untrained eye.

Some common maintenance habits that can easily be preformed by your local mechanic include:

  • Tire rotation
  • Filter changes
  • Diagnostics testing
  • Alignment checks 

Check back each week for more tips on how to properly care for your car.

Related source: Reader’s Digest

How Often Should I Check My Car’s Fluid Levels?

Car FluidsOther than gasoline, most drivers don’t give their car’s fluid levels a second thought on a daily basis. As we’ve said before, the key to extending the life of your vehicle is to prevent breakdowns from occurring, as opposed to fixing the problem after it happens. While some fluids aren’t as integral to maintaining peak performance, it’s a good practice to routinely inspect your fluid levels to keep them in an optimal state. Below, we explain how often you should check and change your fluid levels.

Regular Fluid Checks

Oil – You can check your oil level and color with the help of a dipstick. Insert a clean dipstick into the oil tube and slowly remove it. Most dipsticks will have an indicator to determine if you’re above or below the recommended amount of oil. If you’re below the minimum amount, or if the oil is black, you’ll want to have it changed.

Final verdict: Change every 5,000-7,000 miles.

Windshield Wiper Fluid – Motorists use a significant amount of windshield wiper fluid during the spring months as melting snow is constantly being sprayed up onto the windshield. Windshield wiper fluid isn’t integral to maintain peak performance, but you won’t want to be out of fluid if a passing vehicle sprays your car with mud.

Final verdict: Pop your car’s hood every month to give your windshield wiper fluid container a quick check. If it’s less than ¼ full, top it off.

Moderate Checks

Brake Fluid – A dipstick is also handy for checking your brake fluid level. Reference your owner’s manual to determine the procedure for checking your brake fluid to ensure it is at the proper level.

Final verdict: You probably only need to check your brake fluid levels once a year, and most mechanics recommend changing it every 30,000 miles or three years.

Coolant – Coolant helps make sure your engine doesn’t overheat while driving. You can easily check your coolant levels by checking under your hood and referencing your owner’s manual.

Final verdict: Coolant should be changed every 30,000 miles or every three years, whichever comes first.

Transmission Fluid – You can use your dipstick to check your transmission fluid levels, and you’ll want to have service done immediately if you realize you are running low. You’ll also want to make sure the fluid is the right color. Transmission fluid is clear pink, so if you notice any darkness in the liquid you’ll want to get it changed.

Final verdict: You should check your transmission fluid once a year, and most mechanics recommend you change it every 30,000-50,000 miles.

Longer Checks

Battery Fluid – Most batteries have a pretty good shelf life, but you should still keep an eye on the color of your battery’s fluid so you know it’s still in good shape. Most batteries have a condition indicator on the top of the battery that changes color based on the fluid quality:

  • Blue/Green: Good
  • Red: Add distilled water
  • White: Needs to be changes

Final verdict: Change your battery every 3-5 years.

Related sources: Yahoo, NapaOnline.com

What Should I Keep In My Trunk In Case of an Emergency?

CC image Icon Drawing Cartoon First Aid Kit Emergency by geralt on PixabayNobody wants to be stranded on the side of the road, but a minor delay can turn into a major problem if you are unprepared for an emergency. These days, nearly everyone has a cell phone, so trouble usually isn’t more than a call away, but you should still prepare an emergency roadside kit in case you get stranded far from home or in an area with no cell reception. Below, we discuss some thing you should store in your trunk so you’ll be prepared in the event of a roadside emergency.

Flashlight – A flashlight is an essential part of a roadside kit if you’re planning on traveling during the wee hours of the night. A flashlight or lantern can help you look under the hood for any problems, or it can simplify the process of changing a flat tire. Don’t forget to pack appropriate batteries as well.

Jumper Cables – Although you’ll need the assistance of another car, jumper cables are a great tool to store in your car’s trunk. Jumper cables can get your car working if you accidentally leave the headlights or dome light on overnight. If instructions aren’t included in the cable packaging, make sure you write down the instructions for properly hooking up the cables.

Roadside Flashers – You’ll want to pack a device that alerts other motorists of your presence so they give you enough room on the side of the highway. This can be achieved with reflecting caution cones, a roadside triangle, or flares. If you are going to pack road flares, make sure they are off to the side of the road so they aren’t a danger to the other drivers, and never use a flare as a light source for checking anything on your vehicle.

Miscellaneous Tools – If you’re handy enough to fix a flat on your own, you’ll want to pack the right tools to get the job done. Keep items like a car jack, a jack handle or crank, and a lug wrench in your trunk to assist you in the process. Also, our auto mechanics recommend storing a bungee cable in your car in the event that your hood or trunk latches break.

Age-Appropriate Materials – If you routinely travel with children or elderly individuals, it’s safe to assume they might be with you during the emergency. Pack essential age-appropriate materials, like:

  • Infants: Diapers, food supplies, blankets
  • Children: Stress-relieving toys, extra clothes, blankets
  • Elderly: Vitamins, water, medical testing supplies

First Aid Kit – Sometimes a passenger may suffer an injury that requires medical attention. Always keep a first aid kit in your car in case of a medical emergency. Some items to include in the first aid kit are bandages, Band-Aids, gauze, sterilization wipes, over-the-counter pain medication, eye-wash, and a CPR mask.

What is my Timing Belt & When Should I Replace it?

CC image Wikipedia.orgEveryone knows the simple fixes to keep your car in top shape, like getting routine oil changes, regularly changing your filters and fluids, and maintaining your tires, but some of the most important maintenance habits are the least well known. One such service is making sure you take care of your timing belt.

What is a Timing Belt?

A timing belt, also referred to as a timing chain or cam belt, is an integral part of the internal combustion engine. Its job is to synchronize the rotation of the crankshaft and the camshaft so that the engine’s valves open and close at the correct time during each cylinder’s intake and exhaust pump. In certain engines, the belt is also designed to prevent the piston from hitting the valves.

As its name implies, the timing belt needs to be perfectly calibrated to keep everything in proper order. If the belt gets out of alignment, or if it breaks altogether, you could severely damage or destroy the engine, which means your car could soon be hauled off to the junkyard if the damage is too great.

If your belt breaks, you’ll know it right away. Once the belt snaps, your engine will cease to run, and you won’t be able to get it started again. You’ll need to call a tow truck to haul you into a friendly automotive technician to assess the damage.

When to change the belt

Replacing your timing belt isn’t the cheapest service in the book, but it sure beats having to buy a new car if the break totals your car. Although the exact mileage varies on the type of vehicle and what type of driving you commonly do, our service technicians recommend that you replace your timing belt every 60,000-80,000 miles.

Timing belts are built to last up to 100,000 miles before requiring change, but that doesn’t mean you should call a service technician when your odometer hits 99,999. Because of the damage that can be caused when the belt breaks, it is never recommended to exceed 80,000 miles on the same belt. They say hindsight is 20-20, and the same rule can be applied to timing belts – replacing the belt before it becomes and issue will save you a major headache down the road.

Related source: Yahoo

 

3 Common Car Problems After Hitting a Pothole

CC image Wikipedia.orgMinnesota is known as the land of 10,000 lakes, but during the springtime it can look like the land of 10,000 potholes. These holes can prove dangerous, especially if you drive over a deep pothole. Below, we’ll discuss why potholes form, and what kind of damage they typically cause.

Pothole Problems

Ever wonder why potholes seem to sprout up everywhere as winter begins to thaw? That’s because as the snow melts, water seeps into the cracks in the road. As the temperature drops at night, the water in the cracks freezes. If you’ve ever taken 6th grade science, you know that water expands as it freezes. The frozen water puts pressure on the area, and that pressure can rupture if it becomes too great or if a car drives over the spot.

People often try to avoid potholes, which is the preferred method as long as you don’t leave your driving lane. Others think that if they slow down, they’ll put less damage on their car than if they hit it at high speeds. Unfortunately, this is a misconception, and slowing down can cause increased damage to your vehicle.

To illustrate why slowing down is problematic, consider this example. Imagine you are on a golf course, and you’re putting on the 18th hole. If you hit your ball perfectly, it will fall into the cup near the end of its roll. If you hit the ball too hard, but right on line, your ball may hit the far edge of the cup and ricochet away. The ball didn’t go in the hole because it was going too fast and didn’t have enough time to drop. The same rules apply for hitting a pothole. The faster you hit the pothole, the less time your wheel will have to drop into the hole. The slower you hit a pothole, the further your wheel will sink into the hole before hitting the other side. That said, hitting a pothole at excessive speeds an be dangerous if it causes you to lose control of the vehicle.

Common Issues

Three common issues cause by potholes include:

Tire Damage – Hitting a pothole can flat out pop your tire, but it can also take a chunk out of your tire. A damaged tire can make you more susceptible to blowout on the road, which can be dangerous at high speeds.

Alignment – If you hit a significant pothole, or just a collection of potholes over time, your car can get out of alignment. This can cause your car to pull to the left or right, which aside from being dangerous, can lead to further damage if left untreated.

Bearings – Bearings are what help your car turn from side to side. If you hear a grinding noise when turning, you may have damaged your bearing. No need to explain the danger associated with the inability to get your car to turn in the proper direction.

If you think your car has sustained pothole damage, don’t hesitate to contact us for a free quote.

Related source: Yahoo, MDoT

5 Ways to Increase Gas Mileage

CC image Wikipedia.orgWith gas prices on the rise, motorists are once again looking for ways to stretch their dollars and increase their gas mileage. To aid in their search, we compiled a list of five ways you can increase your car’s gas mileage.

Drive the speed limit – Although you may not get to your destination as fast as you would if you put the pedal to the metal, driving at appropriate speeds will increase your gas mileage. Traveling at 55 mph can increase your gas mileage by up to 21% compared to driving at 65 or 70 mph. Also, traffic lights are designed to keep traffic flowing. Peeling out after a light turns green may be fun, but chances are you’ll have to hit the breaks at the next light. Normal acceleration, combined with obeying the speed limit, will give you the best chance to hit a bunch of green lights in a row.

Know when to buy – You can get more for your money by purchasing gasoline at the optimal time on the optimal day. Studies have shown that gas prices are statistically lowest on Tuesday, as the price often fluctuates a little based on supply and demand. As for the time of day, you’ll want to fill up before it gets hot out. When the temperature rises, the gas at the pump becomes less dense. By filling up early in the morning or late at night, you’ll be getting a denser version of gasoline, which will help your car go farther.

Keep your windows up – You might think rolling down the windows instead of blasting the air conditioning will increase your gas mileage, but open windows still create a large amount of drag. Air conditioners can reduce your fuel economy by 10-20%, but traveling with your windows down on the highway can also reduce your gas mileage by 10%. Open windows are better than air conditioning, but for best results, keep your windows up and the AC off.

Properly inflate your tires – As we documented in a previous post, overinflated or underinflated tires can be detrimental to your car’s fuel economy. Over inflated tires leave you more susceptible to blowouts, while underinflated tires lose their tread more quickly. Properly inflated tires can extend your car’s gas mileage by 3%, which is roughly 12 cents a gallon.

Park smart – When possible, park so that you can put your car in drive the next time you start your car. Shifting from forward to reverse or vice versa requires more gasoline, so plan ahead. Consider pulling through into the next parking spot at the grocery store or parking just before a driveway to ensure no car will be blocking your path forward the next time you get in your vehicle.

Related sources: HowToAdvice.com, Yahoo

5 Common Reasons Your Car Won’t Start

CC image ignition by Bill Selak on FlickrYou rely on your car for a lot of things, like shuttling the kids to soccer practice or for getting to work on time, so it’s easy to see why problems can arise if your car refuses to start.

There are literally hundreds of reasons why your car won’t start, but some are more common than others. Below, we discuss five common reasons why your car won’t start, and we offer some advice to ensure your car stays in top shape!

1. Dead Battery – A dead battery is the most common reason your car won’t start. Your battery can die for a variety of reasons; you left the dome light on over night, a wire is loose, water inside the component evaporated leading to poor conductivity, or it’s simply a really old battery! You can test to see if the battery is the problem by jump-starting your car. If the jump-start works, you’re most likely dealing with a dying battery. Consider replacing the battery, cleaning the connections, or have a technician do the service for you.

2. Bad Ignition Switch – If you know your battery is working properly, but your car doesn’t turn over on the first few tries, you might have a problem with the ignition switch. You can try to narrow down the cause of your issue by turning on your headlights. Because the battery controls your headlights and dashboard, if they turn on, but your engine won’t start, a bad ignition switch is the likely culprit.

3. Broken Starter – Similar to a bad ignition switch, a broken starter is another common reason your car won’t start. As the name implies, the starter provides the turning force necessary to get everything moving to start the engine. If you hear a clicking noise when you try to start your vehicle, a broken or weakened starter could be to blame.

4. Clogged Fuel Filter – If your fuel filter is clogged, the gasoline won’t be able to reach the engine. Fuel filters should be changed every 10,000 to 15,000 miles, so consider swapping filters next time you bring your car into the shop.

5. Gas Tank is Empty – Sometimes the most obvious answer is the right one. If you were running on fumes and forgot to refuel, your car might not have enough gas left in the tank to start. To quote funnyman Mitch Hedberg, go ahead and grab your toolbox, aka wallet, and ask someone to give you a lift to the nearest gas station.

Related source: About.com

The Benefits of Tinting Your Car’s Windows

CC image 2000 Mustang GT by J Heffner on FlickrWindow tinting has grown in popularity over the years, and it’s one of the many techniques we specialize in at our shop.

Tinted windows are not just for young people who want to look “cool”. In fact, there are many benefits associated with adding some tint to your car’s windows. Not only will your car be cooler temperature-wise, but tinted windows can also protect you in the event of an accident. Check out the bullets below for an expanded list of benefits.

  • You’ll be cooler. Literally – Window tint is designed to block more than 70% of solar energy from entering your car. Not only will your car be cooler when you leave it parked in the sun, but it can keep you cool while you drive, minimizing the need for you to blast your AC unit.
  • Protect your skin – Window tint is made to block up to 99% of the sun’s harmful UV rays. If you spend a lot of time in your car, it may be worth having your windows tinted to decrease your exposure to UV rays.
  • Tinted windows shatter more safely than un-treated windows – Your car windows may shatter during a crash. Although the windows are designed to break in a safe manner, passengers can be in danger from flying glass when a window shatters. If tint is applied, the glass will break in one giant piece, meaning the occupants won’t be exposed to shards of flying glass.
  • Keep your car safe – Car theft is often an impulse crime. Although a thief may decide in advance he’s going to break into a car, they usually don’t break in unless they spot something worth taking, like a backpack or purse. Not only will tinted window prevent would-be thieves from spotting your valuables, but they also won’t be able to see if your car has a built in alarm.

Tinting Laws in Minnesota

Now that you’ve brushed up on the benefits of window tinting, you might be considering getting your windows darkened. We’d love to help you with the procedure, but there are certain laws and regulations that govern which windows you can tint, and how dark they can be tinted.

A look the Minnesota Tint Law reveals that the state has some pretty strict standards compared to the rest of the nation. In order to regulate how tinted a window can be, darkness is measure by Visible Light Transmission percentage (VLT%). As you can tell by its name, VLT measures the amount of visible light that can pass through the window. Below, you can see the minimum VLT percentage each window on a passenger car must let in.

  • Windshield – Tint is not allowed on the windshield.
  • Front Side Windows – At least 50% of the sunlight must be allowed through the tint.
  • Back Side Windows – At least 50% of the sunlight must be allowed through the tint.
  • Rear Windshield – At least 50% of the sunlight must be allowed through the tint.

The regulations are slightly different when it comes to different types of vehicles. On vehicles like an SUV, truck or minivan, the rear windows only need to have a VLT of 20%. In fact, most of these types of vehicles come with factory-installed tinted rear windows.

Lastly, window tint cannot reflect more than a certain percentage of light. This regulation helps protect you from blinding other drivers on the road. According to Minnesota law, tint cannot reflect more than 20% of the visible light on any window.

Related source: HowStuffWorks.com, TintLaws.com

Is Premium Gas Worth the Money?

Gasoline_pump_2

Gasoline is the lifeline of your vehicle. It’s what powers your car to the grocery store and to work every Monday, but many drivers rarely give a second thought to what type of gasoline they put in their vehicles. You’ve probably noticed that most gas stations offer a few different options when it comes to gasoline, but have you ever stopped and asked yourself, “Which type of gas is best for my car?”

What are my options?

Most times when you hit the gas pump, you’re can choose one of three types of gasoline to put in your vehicle. Your choices are:

  • Regular Unleaded
  • Unleaded Plus
  • Super Unleaded (or Premium Unleaded)

The three options are separated based on their octane ratings. The higher the octane rating, the less your engine will rattle (also called “knocking”) as the gasoline ignites. Regular unleaded gasoline has an octane rating between 86-87, unleaded plus is often between 89-90, and super unleaded has a rating between 90-94.

My car doesn’t rattle, and I use regular gas

You might be thinking to yourself, “I’ve only ever used regular gasoline, and I’ve never heard my engine rattle.” That could easily be the case, because some cars don’t need premium gasoline to operate at optimal levels.

As car technology has advanced throughout the years, engineers have found new ways to prevent engines from knocking. Many average consumer cars have been developed with internal knocking sensors that prevent rattling if you use gasoline with a lower octane rating. That being said, a lot of luxury and performance cars have engines with high compression ratios that need a higher grade of gasoline to function smoothly.

The easiest way to determine if you should use premium gasoline in your vehicle is by referencing the owner’s manual. Your owner’s manual will provide you with one of three options, two of which are easy to comprehend.

Yes, No, and Recommended

When referencing your owner’s manual, you’ll likely see one of three answers; Yes, No and Recommended. We’ll explore the three options below.

  • Yes – If your manual specifically states that you should only put premium gasoline in your car, heed the advice. This will keep your can operating at top level, and prevent engine knocking that can cause thousands of dollars in damage.
  • No – If your car says premium gas is not needed, stick to regular unleaded.  Premium gasoline will not improve your cars performance; you’ll simply be throwing money down the drain.
  • Recommended – Determining if you need premium gasoline when the owner’s manual recommends it is a little trickier. As we said before, many of today’s vehicles are built with internal knocking systems that can adjust your engine’s performance based on the type of gasoline you use. Some industry professionals believe you’ll notice a very small drop in acceleration speed, but getting from 0 to 60 one second quicker isn’t likely worth the extra cash it will cost you to fill up your tank with premium. Ultimately, it’s up to the driver to make the call on premium gas in this situation.

Related sources: LifeHacker, HowStuffWorks

When Should you Replace your Brake Pads and Rotors?

CC image IROC Brake Upgrade by Nick Ares on FlickrYour brakes are arguably the most important part of your vehicle because they regulate your speed and help prevent accidents. Anyone who has had brake trouble can tell you how important it is to address any problems as quickly as possible. If your car takes a long time to come to a complete stop, or if you hear grinding noises coming from your car when you brake, you might have broken or worn out brake pads and rotors.

How do brake pads and rotors work?

When you apply the breaks in your vehicle, you begin a process that slows the momentum of your car. The two main components in this process are your:

  • Break pads; and
  • Disk break rotors

Different vehicles require different types of break pads and rotors, but they all serve the same function. As you break, your break pads clamp down on your spinning rotor. The kinetic energy is converted into thermal energy as your break pads clamp onto the rotors to bring the car to a stop. Your car is essentially turning forward momentum into heat.

By picturing this process in your head, you can understand why it’s better for you to come to a slow stop than to slam on your brakes. A slow, gradual stop will create less heat in your brake system. Similar to when we discussed proper tire inflation, systems wear out quicker when they operate at a higher temperature. If you’re constantly slamming on your brakes, you’re exposing them to intense thermal energy.

Types of rotors

There are a few different styles of rotors available for your vehicle. Although there are rotors specially designed for performance vehicles (like racecars) and heavy vehicles (like 18-wheelers or fire trucks), we’ll focus on the two main rotors that are used among typical drivers.

  • Drilled rotors are probably the most common type of rotor on the road. A drilled rotor has small holes drilled into the side. These holes help regulate the thermal energy produced during braking, which keeps your rotors operating at a cooler temperature. Although they help get rid of excess heat, drilled rotors are weaker than other types of rotors because there are holes in the disc. Drilled rotors can crack after being exposed to long-term stress.
  • Slotted rotors are the other main type of rotor used in passenger cars. A slotted rotor has small divots in the disk that help regulate temperature. Because the divots aren’t full blown holes, slotted rotors tend to be more durable than drilled rotors. That being said, slotted rotors tend to wear down your brake pads faster than their drilled counterparts, so most people opt for drilled rotors.

How often should you replace brake pads and rotors?

There are a lot of different answers out there for when you should replace your break pads and rotors. You should consult with your trusty auto mechanic when you’re having either replaced, as they can estimate how long certain pads and rotors will last. As a general rule, break pads should be replaced every 10,000-20,000 miles, while rotors should usually be replaced every 50,000-70,000 miles.

With that said, it is imperative to get your brakes checked the first time you hear grinding or crunching while braking. The noise usually mean your break pads are worn and need to be replaced. If you continue to drive with worn pads, your rotors can become damaged. By replacing your pads before they become too worn, you can actually extend the life of your rotors, which will save you money.

Related sources:  PrimeChoiceAutoParts.com, HowStuffWorks.com