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November 26, 2014
Published by Tony Rammer at November 26, 2014
Windshield wiper fluid is a liquid that is used with the wiper blades to clean the windshield of your vehicle. This feature on vehicles is used to conveniently clean the windshield of a vehicle while driving, increasing the visibility by clearing off any debris that has accumulated on your windshield. This green mixture is housed under the hood of the vehicle and is pumped through a small hose that is attached to your wiper blades or at the base of the windshield on the hood. By pushing the button that is typically located on the lever that controls the wiper blades, the fluid is activated and provides you with a spot free windshield. By topping off the windshield wiper fluid, you can help improve the visibility when you drive. What is the Windshield Wiper Fluid? The windshield wiper fluid is alcohol-based to prevent it from freezing in the cold winter months. Generally windshield wiper fluid contains about thirty to fifty percent methanol with very little detergent. Since windshield wiper fluid contains poisonous ingredients that can be harmful, it is important that it is stored out of the reach of children and pets. Some fluids contain a de-icer, which helps get the frost and ice off your windshield in colder weather. While windshield wiper fluid is not necessary in the operation of your vehicle, it is recommended, as it can save you from a dangerous situation if your vision through your windshield becomes impaired. Check the Windshield Wipers Also When you check the windshield washer fluid, also remember to check the windshield wipers. When you check the wipers, make sure that the blades are in the best condition. This includes any signs of tears or rips that might be on the rubber of the blade. If the windshield wipers are vibrating or skipping when they operate, it may be time to purchase new ones. If you are unsure how often the windshield wipers will have to be replaced, make sure to bring the vehicle in. We can then inspect the windshield wipers for you. We can also check the condition they are in at any time. If the wipers need to be replaced, it can also be done when you bring the vehicle in. Check the Fluid Levels on a Regular Basis Windshield wiper fluid cannot go bad, but it is good to check it regularly to make sure it is filled and is not dirty or leaking. If your wipers are not fully wiping the area clean and are leaving smears, it might be more than just a problem with your windshield wiper fluid. It may signify that your windshield wipers or inserts need to be replaced. If your blades look corroded or if they are falling apart then it is probably time to consider purchasing a new set. By performing routine checkups on your vehicles wipers and fluid you catch problems more quickly and make your driving time on the road much safer.
November 25, 2014
Published by Tony Rammer at November 25, 2014
Categories
Often times, the tires will be forgot about until an issue occurs. The tires will allow the vehicle to move, and therefor you can travel to your destination. Many people will perform oil changes, windshield wiper replacement, and other general car maintenance tasks, but will neglect a tire inspection. A tire inspection is an important part of regular maintenance, and even more important during the winter months. What a Tire Inspection Includes A tire inspection involves more than just a look at the tires to make sure that they are still inflated. When you check your tires, you should make sure that you have the correct air pressure. Auto parts stores and stores with an auto supplies section have a tire pressure gauge you can purchase. It will tell you how much air you have in your tire in pounds per square inch, or psi. The tire pressure depends upon the brand, type, and size of tire you have. Consult your manual or product information sheet to determine how much air pressure should be in each tire. Then you can inflate or deflate each tire as needed. You should check to tread on your tires. During the winter, driving on ice and snow can be treacherous. You will need a good tread to maintain traction on the road. If you see that the tread is wearing down or has already worn down, replace the tires. If the tires show wear on one side of the tire but not the other, you should have your tires rotated. Help Prolong the Life of the Tires While you are inspecting your tires, you can also use the time to check your brakes and brake pads. Brake pads are pads that attach to the brake drums in order to provide smooth stops. When the pads wear down, your brakes will begin to grind against each other. The metal-on-metal contact will damage your brakes and cause them to crack. You will then need to replace the entire brake drum, which can be expensive. Your brakes are part of a system, so you should also check the brake fluid when you are performing your fluid checks. Many accidents in the winter occur because the braking system was not up to par for safe driving in the winter. Benefits for Checking the Tires The brakes are the physical mechanisms in an entire system that stops your vehicle when you depress the brake pedal. A regular inspection will reveal any potential small problems that may arise before they become big problems that will result in big repair bills. You can also increase your fuel efficiency by having properly inflated tires. A tire alignment will help your vehicle to remain steady on the road and not pull to the side. It will be easier to handle in traffic and easier to control. You can also bring your vehicle in, and we can inspect it for you. This way it can run as efficient as possible.
November 10, 2014
Published by Tony Rammer at November 10, 2014
The tires are an important part for your vehicle. They have contact between the surface of the road and your vehicle. Without the tires, your vehicle will not even operate. The tires also help you to control the vehicle when you drive. You simply cannot have the handling, fuel efficiency, and braking power that you need to have complete control over your vehicle without the proper tires. There are plenty of things to know about tires that many are unaware of. Learning more about your tires is a great way to understand why you must work to keep them in shape, and why you must get new ones as soon as your tires show drastic wear and tear. Without proper tires, your chance for an accident to occur could increase. Tires Help with Fuel Efficiency The tires have direct control over the fuel efficiency of your vehicle. The air pressure in your tires is the one aspect that completely controls this efficiency. When the tires are under inflated or over inflated, it can lead to poor fuel mileage. The vehicle will then have to work harder to handle the change in pressure on the road. If the vehicle has to work harder, it will cause more fuel to burn than what it typically should. One of the best ways for you to stay safe on the road in bad weather is to have tires that exist to handle those conditions. If you are looking for tips on winter driving, know that your tires have a direct effect on your handling and your safety on the road. You will be able to purchase tires that can handle the ice and snow with better effectiveness. Rotation is Key If you are trying to avoid new tires for as long as possible but want to be safe on the road, have your tires rotated. This helps to even out the wear and tear on your tires, helping to give them as long of a life as possible. Tires that are rotated can also lead them to wear evenly when you drive. This is beneficially because the tread will be in the best condition possible, as long as it can. Air Pressure and Safety Safety on the road is key for anyone who is operating a vehicle. Most people fail to realize that the air pressure in your tires will control more than fuel efficiency. Over inflated or under inflated tires can flatten or burst while driving. This creates an unsafe scenario in which the driver can lose control on the road. If you want to be as safe on the road as possible, you need to regularly check the inflation of your tires and adjust the air pressure as necessary. Look to your owner’s manual for the proper tire inflation numbers for your tires and vehicle. We can also recommend what the proper air amount should be based on your vehicle and tires. The tires are also the key to your control on the road, the amount of gas that you burn, and your safety on the road. This is the reason why you should pay attention to the tires that you have on your vehicle and should work to care for those tires. If you fail to give proper attention to them, you will find that you ride is not as smooth and that you are not as safe on the road as you should be.
November 4, 2014
Published by Tony Rammer at November 4, 2014
Categories
When owning a vehicle, make sure you take good care of it. This can help it to last as long as possible, while also providing you with a reliable vehicle when you drive. Part of maintaining the vehicle includes regular maintenance inspections. Bring the vehicle in on a regular basis and we can check the parts and components of the vehicle to ensure it is operating efficiently and effectively. While a vehicle maintenance check requires a lot of inspections such as tire inspections, engine repairs, radiator, and antifreeze inspections, the most important components that need to be regulated are fluid checks. If you are not regular with the fluid checks, your vehicle will adversely be impacted and necessitate large maintenance repair costs in future. Some particular fluid checks that have to be carried at least once a month are the oil and windshield wiper fluid. Oil Changes are Important The oil levels will vary depending on the time you chose to check them since they expand when they are exposed to heat and contract when they are cooled. The best time to check oil is when your engine is on and the oil is considerably warm. Checking the oil level is a very easy job. All you have to do is park the car on a flat surface, insert a dipstick inside the fuel system, and check the oil readings. If the oil mark is near or on the marking labeled full, you have no reason to worry. However, if it is near label empty, you shall need to change the oil and ensure that the oil is at the recommended level. It is difficult for us to generalize for all vehicle, and depending on the make and engine performance of your model. Make sure to bring the vehicle in so you get the right oil for your vehicle. The Brake Fluid should be Checked Brake fluid checks are a very important part of fluid level checks in vehicles and we recommend carrying out a brake fluid check during your general maintenance, as it is fast and easy. When you look around the driver’s seat in the front, under the hood you will find the brake master cylinder that contains the brake fluid. In most of the vehicles, the cylinder is translucent and you can easily see the level of the fluid without opening the cap. All you have to do is check for the fluid levels and then go through the owner’s manuals to ensure that the brake fluid levels are within acceptable limits. We recommend keeping a safe distance from brake fluid as is is highly toxic and harsh on human skin. Coolant Levels are Important It is important for you to check the coolant and antifreeze levels too, should there be a problem in the heating of the vehicle. During winter, the antifreeze is a very important component that ensures proper temperature control and you must ensure that the coolant fluid levels and antifreeze levels are within acceptable ranges. If there are discrepancies in the radiator, we recommend you bring the vehicle in as soon as you can, so you can have a pleasant drive again.