High Water Headaches

Posted on August 8, 2010 by admin
While your vehicle may not have been flooded or completely covered in water, that doesn’t necessarily mean that you should not be concerned about water damage. If you drove through high water, there’s a chance that you may have damaged your vehicle. It all comes down to how much water the vehicle took in and where it reached.

According to the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), floods are one of the most common and widespread of all disasters. Most communities in the United States have experienced some level of flooding from high water due to spring rains, heavy thunderstorms or winter snow thaws. While your vehicle may not have been flooded or completely covered in water, that doesn’t necessarily mean that you should not be concerned about water damage. If you drove through high water, there’s a chance that you may have damaged your vehicle. It all comes down to how much water the vehicle took in and where it reached. Follow these guidelines to check for damage due to water intrusion or contamination.

  • Check interior carpets, upholstery and door and trim panels for dampness. If they are wet then the vehicle will need professional attention. If all you do is let the carpet dry, you will quickly be rewarded by mildew and nasty odors. Seat brackets, motors and modules should also be checked for rust and proper operation.
  • Pull the engine oil and transmission fluid dipsticks and differential plug. If the fluid appears milky, diluted, is no longer its original color or is beige in color, then it is likely the pans contain water. The vehicle should be towed to your ASE certified mechanic or repair shop. Driving the vehicle with water present may damage the internal parts and require extensive overhaul or repairs. (NOTE: Some new synthetic differential fluids may appear to be milky but are not water contaminated, when in doubt let a professional make the evaluation.)
  • Check the air filter for water. If it is wet, replace the air filter and change the oil.
  • Check the undercarriage, bumpers, radiator area and frame for mud, grass, dirt, debris and rust. If any of these are present have the vehicle washed and cleaned as soon as possible.
  • Have the brake system checked by a professional.
  • Check the exterior lights for moisture and water. Replace headlights and bulbs that contain water.
  • Listen for abnormal noises while the engine is running. Make a note of where the noise is coming from and take the vehicle to a mechanic as soon as possible. Pay particular attention to the alternator, serpentine belt, starter, power steering unit, air conditioner and wheel bearings.
  • Inspect the suspension joints and lubricate as necessary. Many newer vehicles are lubricated at the factory for life; however, these joints should be checked for rust.

By being car care aware and following these simple guidelines, you can help minimize the potential for damage to your vehicle.

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Botox For Your Car?

Posted on August 8, 2010 by admin
Automotive upholstery and interior repair shops, known as trim shops, can fix a drooping headliner, replace worn carpeting, repair torn upholstery and replace a weathered convertible top.

America’s growing obsession with younger looking faces evidenced by the Botox craze, is inspiring car owners to prolong the appearance of their automobiles as well. Four billion dollars were spent last year in the United States on enhancements to keep the interior and exterior of vehicles looking like new, according to the Car Care Council.

“As consumers spend more time in their vehicles and drive more miles each year, they are placing more importance on comfort, luxury and appearance,” said Rich White, spokesperson for the council.

Many consumers don’t realize that just as they can buy new carpet for their home or refinish and repair furniture, they can also rejuvenate their second largest investment, the automobile. Automotive upholstery and interior repair shops, known as trim shops, can fix a drooping headliner, replace worn carpeting, repair torn upholstery and replace a weathered convertible top.

“Home owners don’t sell their house because someone put a hole in the wall. But too often vehicle owners will trade in a vehicle that is paid off just to get a new ‘look’. Repair and restoration is a very cost-effective alternative to buying a new car and taking on a new car payment,” White said.

While leather is still the most popular upscale option for a vehicle’s interior, where age shows first, innovative fabrics offer many more customization, repair and restoration options for the average car owner. Today’s modern trim shop can replace original materials like seat or door panels to an imperceptible condition.

The council advises that, if you want to preserve the new look and feel of your faithful car, truck, SUV or minivan, search for trim and upholstery shops in the phone book or on the Internet, which specialize in repairing and enhancing interior as well as exterior features of automobiles.

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Rust: A Nasty Four-Letter Word

Posted on August 8, 2010 by admin
How to prevent rusting due to minor dings and scratches.

Henry Ford told buyers of his Model T they could select any color as long as it’s black. Today we see cars in any of 7,000 hues, including shades of rust that won’t appear on color chips in new car literature.

“Serious rust damage, including a hole right through the metal, can begin with a minor scratch in a parking lot from a shopping cart,” said Rich White of the Car Care Council. “Steel is strong and lasts a lifetime when it’s protected, but when that protection is invaded, the metal is exposed to the elements. That’s when rust begins its invasion.”

Cover paint chips as quickly as possible, White recommends. For a quick fix until you can get some touchup supplies, dab a little clear nail polish on the scratch. Touchup paint can be found for virtually every vehicle ever built, including antiques. Use the paint code number shown on the identification plate located on a door jamb, in the glove box, under the hood, in the trunk under the carpet next to the spare or wherever else the car maker has hidden it. The owner’s manual will tell you how to find it.

“Some uncommon colors will have to be ordered where auto parts are sold or from the Internet. Also available are scratch repair kits including everything needed from preparation to finishing a deep scratch,” White said.

Small dents can be fixed with paintless dent repair, a service found either through local automotive suppliers, the classified section of the phone book or on the Internet.

Like so many aspects of car care, preventive maintenance is much easier and beneficial than corrective measures. Maintaining the original integrity of the finish keeps the vehicle in “like new” condition. The basic rules of body and paint maintenance apply:

Avoid parking in the hot sun; it can damage interior surfaces as well as the exterior. Wash the vehicle frequently, including areas underneath, with mild, safe products. Select and use cleaners and waxes carefully. A cleaner that is effective for one type of finish could be disastrous for another. Consult the vehicle owner’s manual to be sure.

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Your Car Looks Like New. What’s Your Secret?

Posted on August 8, 2010 by admin
Tips on the latest techniques to help keep car looking new.

“It looks like new! I would have never guessed that car was eight years old.”

That is what we owners want to hear, but keeping our cars looking like the late models is tough, even with today’s long-lasting finishes. Dents, dings and cracked glass are several items that age the appearance of a vehicle. Fortunately, technology has helped advance the solutions to these problems, making the fixes quicker and less expensive. With mobile repair units, these items often can be repaired on site at your home or work, adding to the convenience.

Many types of door dents or small dings are fixed without sanding, filler or painting, preserving the integrity of the vehicle’s original factory finish. Technicians use specially designed tools that allow them to access the problem and actually massage it out. If paint touch-ups are required, the technology is available to match your vehicle and repair scratches, minor chips and blemishes on most surfaces. There are a couple of factors that have an effect on the success of this process:

  • The location of the dent on the car is important. For example, a dent on the edge of a door, trunk or hood probably can’t be fixed using this process.
  • If there is paint damage or scrapes across multiple panels, this may indicate that the damage is too severe, as the paint may crack as the dent is removed.

Like dents and dings, chipped cracked glass can also diminish the value of a car. However, the fix is not necessarily a new windshield. Seventy percent of all glass damage is repairable. Using resins that are constantly being improved, technicians not only can fix your glass, but also make it stronger. In addition, the resin can create a repair that is difficult to detect. This technology can be used to repair the following types of glass damage in automobiles: star breaks, combination breaks, bulls-eyes and cracks of any length.

Before having any repairs performed, the Car Care Council reminds you to choose the facility as carefully as you would choose your automotive repair shop. Be sure to get all estimates and warranties in writing. Ask for two or three references and call them. Finally, find out what happens if you’re dissatisfied with the job.

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A Clean Car is Cool

Posted on August 8, 2010 by admin

An excellent car washing guide, which includes advice on a few commercial products that make the job easier.

Cleaning a car: a piece of cake, right? Certainly, if you follow the procedures suggested by the Car Care Council. While it’s the most basic procedure in car care, it does deserve some thought. The first step in cleaning the car is to wash it. Give it a good rinsing from top to bottom, including the wheels and inside the fenders. Always clean the tires and wheels before washing the body, and don’t use the same mitt for both. This way you’ll avoid contaminating the vehicle’s paint with debris from the wheels and tires.

Use a good tire cleaner with a stiff brush, to improve your tires’ appearance even if you don’t have white sidewalls or white letter tires.

Next, clean the wheels with a wheel cleaner that removes the brake dust, which often blackens the front wheels. Application of these cleaners vary, so be sure and follow the directions on the container.

Now it’s time to wash the body. Use a product sold specifically for automobiles. (Household cleaners can strip the wax from the paint and damage the finish.) Starting at the top, wash one section at a time, thoroughly rinsing away the soap. Work your way down toward the front, sides, and rear of the vehicle. Clean the rear last since it usually has the largest accumulation of dirt and grime, which can contaminate the wash mitt. Wash the inside door jams about once a month.

To rinse, remove the spray nozzle from the hose. Starting at the top, let the water cascade down the surfaces of the vehicle.

Then, to avoid water spotting, dry with a chamois or other product made for this purpose.

Now is an excellent time for waxing, which not only protects the finish but also makes subsequent washing easier. Before proceeding, look for foreign particles on the paint. Use a car cleaner, available at auto supply stores, to remove contaminants imbedded in the paint.

Once the surface is clean, apply the wax, following the manufacturer’s instructions for application of the product. Often they recommend not using the product in direct sunlight..

Keeping your vehicle clean, while it doesn’t require a lot of effort, says the Council, it does foster a feeling of pride and accomplishment.

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An Automotive Gift for Mother’s Day? You Bet!

Posted on August 8, 2010 by admin

Describes several non-traditional Mother’s Day gifts from the automotive industry. This type of unexpected, yet practical gift may be what Mom really wants.

With Valentines Day behind us it’s not too soon to begin thinking about Mother’s Day. One place to look for useful ideas is from the driver’s seat of the car, especially if Mom spends a lot of time behind the wheel.

Her vehicle is her home away from home and gifts that enhance her enjoyment of that second home are likely to be appreciated, suggests Rich White, spokesperson for the Car Care Council. “We tend to gravitate toward gifts like jewelry, a framed photo or flowers,” he says. “But why not break from the traditional and dress up her car? Maybe she’s always wanted a sun roof or has admired someone’s wood grained dash trim. Her wish could come true, with the help of your local auto specialty shop.”

White suggests that, beyond the obvious gifts such as a car phone or floor mats, Mom might appreciate having her damaged steering wheel replaced with one that’s stylish, possibly leather covered. Her sun-damaged and faded padded dash could be repaired, replaced or recovered to upgrade the interior.

“Security devices such as a remote keyless entry or alarm systems are popular add-ons,” says White, “as are custom wheels or wheel covers. Women usually are interested in safety and appearance accessories, as opposed to those which are performance related. Gifts can be inexpensive, too. Those net shopping bags, for example, that hook on back of the driver’s seat, are great gift items.”

Right on the heels of Mother’s Day, of course, is Father’s Day, with additional categories of gifts to consider: special tools, a bug deflector, running boards or stereo equipment, to mention a few. “Gifts for the car generally are well received and”, adds White, “the variety of innovative products never stops growing.”

For more ideas and prices visit your auto supply store or specialty shop listed in the classified phone directory.

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For Safer Teen Drivers, Read This Before Handing Over The Keys

Posted on August 8, 2010 by admin

Here’s valuable advice on teaching young drivers about preventive maintenance.

Moms are the ones who usually cart kids around from school to scouts to baseball. More often than not, these women take responsibility for the repair and maintenance of their vehicles. But what happens when the kids grow out of the backseat and into the driver’s seat? Who’s looking after their vehicles?

Automotive preventive maintenance and repair knowledge is like algebra, says the Car Care Council. We’re not born knowing it, it has to be learned. Teach your young drivers the basics about their cars before they get the keys. If you don’t know much about automotive maintenance/ repair, do yourself a favor and learn it along with your kids. Here are a few tips:

  • Explain that all cars, new and old, need regular attention. Make sure your teenager knows and follows the maintenance schedule for his/her car. In addition to making a car safe to drive, preventive maintenance can save thousands of dollars during a lifetime of driving.
  • Don’t overlook the owner’s manual. This is full of information about the car that your young driver may never know unless he/she is familiar with this automotive bible.
  • Make it fun. There are myriad sites on the Internet that are fascinating for young and old drivers, alike. Some have Q & A sections. Let your teen send his/her tough questions to the professionals.
  • It’s probably been a while since they went on a field trip. Take them with you to the repair facility, the tire store, the body shop and wherever you have automotive work performed. Get them accustomed to the automotive world-its people, places, jargon and prices.
  • There are hundreds of books available on this subject. Many are written specifically for non-technical audiences; some are even humorous. Buy a few and make them required reading for the licensing process.
  • Make a plan. What happens if the car breaks down, he/she has a wreck, or the car gets stolen? What if no adults are home to receive the panic call? Whether you want your teenager to call your family repair facility or Aunt Sadie, give them some instruction and put important phone numbers in the glove compartment.

For many parents, driving age is the final frontier. Certainly it is an important rite of passage for teenagers. Don’t let your child pass into this stage of his/her life without being prepared. Take the time and the necessary materials to make your young driver feel competent and secure.

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Consumers Can Avoid Problems by Watching for Warning Signs

Posted on August 8, 2010 by admin

When it comes to your car’s safety, brakes top the list of systems that need monitoring. However, many people are unaware of the signs that indicate a car’s brakes may need maintenance or repair.

When it comes to your car’s safety, brakes top the list of systems that need monitoring. However, many people are unaware of the signs that indicate a car’s brakes may need maintenance or repair.

For routine maintenance, it’s important to check the vehicle’s braking system at least once a year. A thorough inspection should include brake lining wear, brake fluid level, rotor thickness, condition of hoses and brake lines, brake and dash warning lights, as well as taking the car for a test drive to detect other potential brake system problems.

Check out this brake system diagram to better understand how the braking system works.

It is important to be alert and recognize the danger signs of brake problems. Other warning signs include an illuminated brake warning light, brake grabbing, low pedal feel, vibration, hard pedal feel and squealing.

“Sometimes it’s only a few miles between a soft brake pedal and a pedal that goes clear to the floor,” said Stephen Powell, NAPA/ASE Technician of the Year and owner of Thoroughbred Transmissions & AutoCare, Inc. in Laurel, Md. “But consumers easily can protect themselves from brake failure by watching and listening for a few simple clues.”

Powell says noise is one of the leading indicators that something is awry with brakes. “Any out of the ordinary sound is often a sign that brakes have worn to the point they should be checked,” he said. “Watch especially for a grinding noise, and if your brakes typically throw off brake dust on your wheels, look for a sudden increase or decrease in dust.” He added that finding small metal flakes on the wheels is also a sign that brakes should be checked.

Another leading indicator is the feel of the brake pedal, Powell said. If the car pulls left or right when braking, or if the front end shakes, those are both signs of excessive brake wear. If the brake pedal begins to feel spongy, it could be a sign that air has entered the brake system or fluid is low.

“A mushy brake pedal, along with a decrease in brake fluid, could also indicate brake wear,” Powell added. “Check the brake fluid reservoir to make sure it’s topped off. If not, then brake fluid is likely remaining at the wheel to fill the space caused by wear.”

Many cars now have ABS (Automatic Braking System) that initiates a rapid- fire pumping sequence to the brakes to keep the car straight during sudden or hard braking. “If the ABS light illuminates on your instrument panel, then it’s likely that the wheel sensors have detected excessive build-up of metal particles from the brake system,” Powell said. “Most cars are designed to shut down the ABS when excessive particle build-up occurs.” Powell added that a shutdown ABS does not prevent you from stopping, just that the ABS feature isn’t working.

Other tips:

  • Wheels should be pulled and brakes checked once a year by an ASE- Certified technician. “It’s not uncommon to replace brakes after 12,000-15,000 miles,” Powell explained. An inspection typically includes the rotors, calipers, drums, pads, pistons and brake lines.
  • Brake systems should be flushed and brake fluid replaced every two years. “Brake fluid absorbs moisture in the system and becomes acidic after two years or 30,000 miles,” Powell said.
  • Check your owner’s manual or ask your ASE-Certified technician to see what kind of brakes your car has and how they are adjusted. For example, most drum brakes are self-adjusting by backing up or engaging the emergency brake.
  • Regardless of care, brakes should most likely be replaced every 20,000- 30,000 miles. “Of course, how and where someone drives will greatly influence when brakes should be replaced,” Powell emphasized.



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Spring Showers Bring Driving Safety Hazards

Posted on August 8, 2010 by admin

Worn out tires and windshield wiper blades are symptoms of neglected vehicle maintenance that put drivers and passengers at serious risk during the typically rainy months of spring.

Worn out tires and windshield wiper blades are symptoms of neglected vehicle maintenance that put drivers and passengers at serious risk during the typically rainy months of spring.

Thin tire treads create hazardous driving conditions when water builds up on the roadway, according to the Car Care Council. Deep tread accommodates accumulated water; thin tread does not. Thin tread causes the tire to hydroplane – ride up on a film of water, losing contact with the pavement, similar to driving on ice.

The simplest way to check tire tread depth is with a penny. Insert the penny into the grooves of the tread. If you are able to see all of Lincoln’s head, the tire needs replacement.

Rainy weather also affects driver visibility. Because 90 percent of driving decisions depend on good vision, a clean windshield is imperative. Streaking and smearing impair vision and are caused by worn windshield blades. One out of every five vehicles that went through the Car Care Council’s check lanes had worn wiper blades.

“Replacing worn wiper blades is easy and inexpensive,” said Rich White of the Car Care Council. “Why put it off until there’s a downpour and your blades are chattering and smearing the windshield?”

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Hot Weather the True Culprit Behind Car-Battery Trouble

Posted on August 8, 2010 by admin

Summer is the season for major car-battery problems. Heat, not cold, shortens battery life, says the Car Care Council.

Summer is the season for major car-battery problems. Heat, not cold, shortens battery life, says the Car Care Council.

Excessive heat and overcharging are the two main reasons for shortened battery life. Heat causes battery fluid to evaporate, this damaging the internal structure of the battery. A malfunctioning component in the charging system, usually the voltage regulator, allows too high a charging rate. That’s slow death for a battery.

True, there are more road service calls in cold weather for dead batteries that cause starting failure. That’s when a battery’s output is diminished because of sluggish electro-chemical action that gives the battery its power. Also, colder temperatures increase thickness of the engine oil, making the engine harder to turn over. These factors lead to harder starting.

“An average of one out of four vehicles gets a new battery every year,” said Rich White, executive director of the Car Care Council. “Sooner or later all batteries have to be replaced, but having to so prematurely can involve more than the cost of a road service call and a new battery, it can be inconvenient as well.”

To get the most life out of a battery, White suggests the following:

Be sure the electrical system is charging at the correct rate; overcharging can damage a battery as quickly as undercharging.
If your battery is the type that needs to be topped off, check it regularly, especially in hot weather. Add distilled water when necessary.
Always replace a battery with one that’s rated at least as high as the one originally specified.
Keep the top of the battery clean. Dirt becomes a conductor, which drains battery power. Further, as corrosion accumulates on battery terminals it becomes an insulator, inhibiting current flow.

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