Auto Repair Advice: Learn To Speak "Auto Tech"

Auto Repair Advice: Learn To Speak "Auto Tech" will show you how to speak to your automotive technician so he will understand exactly what is wrong with your car. (NAPSI)-You may be better able to stay on the road to safety and savings the next time you need to have your car repaired if you select a quality facility and learn to speak a little "auto tech." When communicating with an automotive technician, AAA recommends motorists do the following: • Before taking the vehicle to a repair facility, write down the symptoms and any performance issues so important information is not overlooked or forgotten. • Describe the symptoms to the technician. Explain what has been seen, smelled, heard and felt while driving the vehicle. For example, does it vibrate or pull to the left? Explain under...

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Small Car Repairs Now Can Save You Money And Time In The Future

As drivers hold on to cars longer, small repairs now can save money, time in the future (ARA) - Drivers are holding on to their cars longer in these tough economic times, so AutoZone, the nation's leading auto parts retailer, is offering tips to help motorists get the most out of their investment. "Holding off on purchasing a new vehicle can be a smart financial decision, especially if drivers properly maintain their vehicles to ensure they're running safely and efficiently," said Steve Stoll, Merchandising Director of AutoZone. "Maintaining and replacing key components, such as brakes and batteries, can keep vehicles on the road and help prevent costly repairs in the future." The average length of time consumers hold on to their vehicles is more than five years, according to a recent automotive...

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Car Carpet Repair - How To Repair The Carpet In A Car

Find some helpful car carpet repair tips. You can make the interior of your vehicle look new by learning how to clean car carpet or by making some spot repairs. After time, the carpet in your car can start showing wear and tear, which can cause a decrease in the value of your car. Not only does dirt wear your carpet down, but it can become stained or burnt from cigarettes, making your carpet unsightly. Replacing the entire carpet can be costly and isn't necessary most times as it can be repaired. Repairing your carpet can be done, which will add the value back to your car and make it more attractive.Here are some easy to follow steps to repair the carpet in your car: 1. Vacuum the carpet thoroughly. This should be done whether you are repairing carpet from burns, tears or just cleaning...

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Custom Car Rims

Car Modification In the business of modifying, enthusiasts spend most of their hard-earned cash on personalizing their cars. It's all about building the kind of ride no one else on the planet drives, that extraordinary vehicle to make people in ordinary cars do double-takes in the traffic. Modification is about creating a unique piece of automotive art, but getting it right is certainly not as simple as it looks. Too often over-eager modifiers end up with a ride on the wrong side of garish, and all the time and effort poured into the project is in vain. However, putting together a car you can be proud of doesn't have to be all that intimidating either. The best thing is to pick a theme and run with it, and settling on the right set of rims for your car is definitely a step in the right...

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Body Shops Go Mobile

(NewsUSA) - A minor accident in a parking lot, a too-close encounter with another car's door. Small dents and scratches hurt cars' resale value, but few owners make repairs. When damages cost less than their deductible, many drivers would rather pay out-of-pocket than see an increase in their insurance rates. Other car owners simply feel too busy to take their vehicle to a collision repair shop, where they might be expected to leave their car for several days. The average driver keeps their car for nine years. Minor accidents are on the rise, and yet, dent and scratch repair work remains stagnant. Many people simply cannot pay increased insurance premiums or take precious time from their busy schedules. So, minor dings, dents and scratches remain eyesores on people's cars. But new companies...

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How to Paint and Clear Coat your Car

How to Paint a Car If you have ever painted a vehicle before, you will have no problem with this project. If this is your first paint job, just makes sure your read all of the instructions on your varnishes and take your time; you will do just fine. Before you begin this job, make sure that you are familiar with the airbrush equipment; there is a lot of preparation work to be done first, but when it comes time to apply the paint you do want to make sure you are comfortable with the equipment and its operation. Difficulty Level: Difficult Make sure to read all the directions on the products you buy for this project. Make sure they are exactly what you need. Things you'll need for this project: Airbrush equipment Air compressor Masking tape Old newspapers Hand and electrical sander with...

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Detailing Your Car

There are many definitions as to what car detailing really is. To some, it is just wash and wax jobs, while to others, it involves not only the exterior but also the interior and cleaning the engine compartment as well. Evaluate Before Starting Before you begin to detail your car, try to evaluate first every aspect of it. Here are some guidelines as to what to inspect.Paint job: A car’s paint is like a man’s skin. A smooth feel will tell you that the paint is free of contaminants, while a rough feel may indicate a need for a good wash. Also check for minor scratches as these are to needed to be dealt with before applying wax. Car Interior Checking the car's interior may require more time and effort than the exterior, so do try to do it in a proper way. Use a notepad or checklist in order...

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Check Your Sunroof

Check Your Sunroof! Car Owners Are Asked To Check Their Sunroofs (NAPSI)—Though millions of Americans have a sunroof in their car, many are not aware of a related product recall that could affect them. Regardless of the make or model of your car or truck, your sunroof may be among more than a quarter million that are being recalled by Webasto, the sunroof manufacturer, for potential glass debonding. Though only a small percentage of vehicles with sunroofs are affected by this voluntary recall—less than 1 percent—it poses a potential safety hazard, so it is important for all owners to do a simple check of their sunroof to see if they need the repair, which will be done at no cost to them. What Consumers Should DoThere is an easy way to determine if your sunroof is one of two product lines...

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Check Your Car Mirrors - Take Action Before You Hit The Road

Check your car mirrors everytime you get into your vehicle. Check your seat belts too...regular maintenance and vehicle checks can save lives. And when you are in a vehicle safety is very important. (NewsUSA) - Checking mirrors and seat belts every time you get in you car might seem overly cautious, but driving experts say that what you do before you turn on the ignition may mean the difference between life and death. "So many accidents can be traced back to bad decisions before you even get behind the driver's seat," said Jeff Purner, a professional driving instructor for Porsche Cars North America. Routine maintenance is critical to your safety. For example, under-inflated tires are the primary cause of tire failures and can adversely affect you car's handling and fuel mileage. Check you...

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Conquer Your Winter Driving Fears

Conquer your winter driving fears. Black ice, snow storms, other drivers and loss of vehicle control are all valid fears, but you can conquer them by paying attention to these simple driving tips from the experts at Michelin Winter Driving Academy. (NC)—Every year, winter driving is a source of many unpleasant surprises. For many, driving on snowy or icy roads is a cause for alarm and even a source of stress. Black ice, loss of control, other drivers, and snow storms are the four major fears identified by Canadians in a recent Michelin survey. To give you some insights into these problems and allow you to benefit from the experience of a pro, we asked Richard Spénard, professional race car driver and driving instructor, to share his know-how with you. He offers some simple, effective ways...

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Simple Steps To Staying Safe For Women Drivers

Simple Steps To Staying Safe For Women Drivers. Read these smart safety tips and share them with your friends and your daughters. Learn how to protect yourself when you are driving alone. (NAPSI)-If you are a woman who travels alone frequently, there are a few simple steps you can take to help ensure your safety on the road and that could potentially protect you in a dangerous situation. • Selective Parking: Whether it’s an outdoor parking lot or a covered garage, make sure the lot and space you are parking in are well lit. Avoid parking away from other cars and be aware of parking beside commercial vans without glass side panels, where potential attackers could be hiding. When you return to your car, quickly survey your surroundings, including under your vehicle and the backseat. • Have...

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A Natural And Economic Solution For Safer Roads

A natural and economic solution for safer roads during the winter months. Learn how treated salt, a high performance de-icer can help keep roads in safe driving condition. (ARA) - Life doesn't stop when dangerous winter road conditions arise. Emergency vehicles respond to citizen needs, and school buses must take children to school. So when wintery weather causes traffic problems, drivers are left to rely on local road professionals to use the best technologies available to keep them safe. More and more North American counties and municipalities are using treated salt, a high performance de-icer available from major salt manufacturing companies like North American Salt Company (NASC). Snow and ice removal crews find that treated salt is an economical de-icing solution that increases road...

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New Year’s Eve and Drunk Driving

New Year's Eve and Drunk Driving...many people associate those two and rightfully so. New Year's Eve is when we celebrate a brand new year and we usually celebrate with alcohol. Make sure to designate a driver who will not drink to take everyone home from the party. (ARA) - If you were to conduct a poll of Americans, it's likely that a vast majority would associate New Year's Eve with drunk driving. But the reality is the danger of being hit by a drunk driver or receiving a citation for DUI (driving under the influence) may actually be far greater between Thanksgiving and Christmas, according to Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD). While many Americans have become conditioned to take extra steps to avoid drinking and driving on New Year's Eve, many fail to recognize the danger that exists...

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Is Your Child Ready For A Seat Belt?

Is your child ready for a seat belt? Without a booster seat, Safe Kids Canada says a child can sustain serious internal injuries in a crash if the vehicle lap belt rides up on to the soft abdominal area rather than staying on the bony hips and thighs. More safety tips can be found online at www.safekidscanada.ca. (NC)—When your child outgrew their forward facing car seat, did you move him or her into a booster seat? If you did, you're one of the growing numbers of Canadian families that use this important safety device, says Safe Kids Canada, the national injury prevention program of The Hospital for Sick Children. In order to be properly protected, children need to use a booster seat in the car from the time they outgrow their forward facing car seat until they are at least four feet nine...

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Speeding Is Dangerous And Expensive

Speeding is dangerous and expensive, make sure you pay attention to how fast your car is going. Speeding wastes gasoline since the faster the vehicle is traveling the more fuel it uses. (NC)—Spring weather tempts even the most conscientious drivers to take their vehicles out for a joy ride on the dry, open road after months of manoeuvring their way through snow and slush. Aside from the obvious dangers of speeding, on the highway driving over the speed limit, even by 20 kilometres, costs you more at the pump while saving you very little time. Consider these facts from Natural Resources Canada:• Each vehicle operates most efficiently at a given speed. While this speed varies from model to model, most cars, vans and light–duty trucks are most fuel–efficient when travelling between 50 and 80...

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Five Tips To Find The Best Car For You

Picking the perfect ride: Five tips to find the best car for you can help you can decide what you want in a vehicle before you hit the car lots. Find out all you can about the different make and model vehicles and what they offer you before you start looking. Research car financing options to get the best deals! (ARA) - "If my van doesn't start, I'm in trouble," says Leanne Kocsis, a working mom whose family of six relies on having a vehicle. It must run reliably, accommodate her family, keep them safe and be fuel efficient. And, the loan payments can't rob their savings. Whether you're a soccer mom or a jet-setter, choosing the right vehicle isn't something to take lightly. "Do your research before you buy," advises Kocsis. As a member of financial services provider USAA, she used car-buying...

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How To Find The Right Car For The Teen Driver In Your Family

How to find the right car for the teen driver in your family so you know your teen is safe behind the wheel of a car. (ARA)Your teen is beyond excited because he finally passed his driving test. You share his enthusiasm - until you suddenly realize your baby will soon take to the open road alone for the first time in his life. For a split second, concern fills your head, but you tell yourself everything will be all right. The harsh reality is, per mile driven, teen drivers ages 16 to 19 are four times more likely than older drivers to crash, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Why? Several factors are in play, but one of the main reasons for the increased risk is that teens are more likely than mature drivers to underestimate dangerous situations and not know how...

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The Tools of Car Modification

The business of car modification is a big one, and the business of turning out tuner car parts is growing along with it. Every week a new barrage of products hits the market, all of them promising better, faster, cleaner performance using the latest in automotive technology. For every stock car rolling out of factories all over the world, there are tuner parts available to enhance that vehicle’s driving experience. A “tuner” car part used to be a reference to engine parts specifically, but now the term also extends to the aesthetic aspect of modification. To most modders (someone who loves tuner cars and car modification), enhancing the looks and performance of a car is more than a pastime or something they engage in on weekends and holidays. It’s a way of life. They live, work and...

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