WASH & WAX 

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  • Are you washing your car the wrong way? Over one third of car owners use damaging products that contain harmful detergents, abrasives and additives.
  • The car care council recommends avoiding dish detergent to wash your vehicle. Since it is intended to cut through grease, it will strip the wax finish off your car.
  • A proper wash requires a formulated automotive wash, which will gently lift dirt and grime while protecting the finish.
  • While waxing your vehicle twice a year is strongly suggested, about half of car owners don’t wax at all! The clear-coat finish on your vehicle is only paper-thin and is easily damaged from the effects of sunlight, UV radiation, acid rain, salt, dirt and air pollution.

BRAKE FLUID 

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  • You use your brakes about 75,000 times a year! Brake fluid is one of the most vital yet neglected fluids in vehicles today. When’s the last time you replaced your brake fluid?
  • The boiling point of brake fluid in the average vehicle can drop to a potentially dangerous level in 2 years or less. This is because brake fluid absorbs moisture, which maneuvers through the hydraulic system.
  • It’s recommended that you replace the brake fluid in your vehicle every 2 years or 24,000 miles.
  • In between, a professional brake technician should check the condition of the fluid with an accurate fluid test safety meter, which is inserted into the master cylinder reservoir to record the fluid’s boiling point.

RUST PREVENTION 

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  • A small scratch from a shopping cart in a parking lot can turn into a huge rust problem if it’s not taken care of properly.
  • Once metal is exposed to the elements, unprotected, serious rust damage may occur.
  • If you spot a paint chip on your vehicle, fix it immediately. Until you are able to properly touch up the chip, cover the scratch with clear nail polish.
  • Touchup paint can be found for nearly every vehicle in every color.
  • In your car, there is a paint code number shown on the identification plate located either on a door jamb, in the glove box, under the hood, in the trunk under the carpet near the spare or wherever else the car maker has hidden it. The owner’s manual will tell you how to find it.

CAR INSPECTIONS 

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  • October is fall car care month. Are you and your family safe  in your car?
  • Vehicle inspections at community car care events in 2009 revealed that 80% of vehicles need service or parts!
  • Celebrate Fall Car Care month at the St. John’s town center from 10am to 2pm this Saturday by getting your vehicle in shape for the cold weather approaching and protecting your mobile investment…for free!

ALIGNMENT  

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Having wheels that are out of alignment causes costly irregular tire wear, safety issues in handling your car, and a crooked steering wheel. Due to misalignment, your wheels may tilt in or out, point in toward your car or out toward the road, or your steering column may shift forward or backward.

  • If the tires are both tilted to the left, your car will always pull to the left. If they’re tilted to the right, your car will always pull to right.
  • If your car is properly aligned, the steering wheel will be straight and will remain straight as you begin to drive.
  • If your steering wheel is tilted, your tires are wearing unevenly, or your car is pulling to one side or the other get an alignment check as soon as possible.

CHECK ENGINE LIGHT

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Ignoring your check engine light could cause expensive damage and could mean that your car is getting poor fuel economy and emitting high levels of pollutants. Your check engine light is part of your car’s onboard diagnostics system. When this computer finds a problem, it illuminates a light on your dashboard and also stores a trouble code in its memory which can be read by equipment found in auto repair shops.

 The check engine light could mean that there is a serious problem, but here’s a trick to try:

  • In newer vehicles it actually may be a problem with your gas cap not being screwed on tightly enough.
  • Go to your gas cap, click it 3 times to tighten it.
  • If this doesn’t solve the problem bring your car to a Car Care Florida qualified auto shop.

WINDSHIELD WIPER BLADES 

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Neglecting your wiper blades will eventually create the annoying screech and unsightly streaks across your windshield that we all dread, but it will also put you and your passengers lives at risk when rains begins to fall or debris covers your windshield.

  • UV rays, oil, acid rain, salt water, sand, mud, and dust all contribute to the deterioration of your wiper blades over time so they need to be checked every 6  months and changed at least once a year.
  • Evaluate both the rubber squeegee and the metal frame for issues such as excessive wear, splitting, or bent frames.
  • To extend the life of your wiper blades, clean your windshield often and gently wipe the rubber squeegee with a damp cloth to remove loose dirt or oil.

If you’re experiencing any of these issues your car’s engine should be inspected immediately by a professional.

ENGINE PROBLEM SIGNS

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Here are key signs that something is wrong with your engine:

  • If you have difficulty starting the engine during ignition
  • If the check engine light on the instrument panel is on
  • If your car begins to display poor acceleration
  • Poor fuel economy
  • Excessive oil use
  • If the engine continues running after the key is removed

If you’re experiencing any of these issues your car’s engine should be inspected immediately by a professional.

SIMPLE MAINTENANCE

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You can show your car that you love it with a simple maintenance schedule:

  • Your oil should be changed every 3,000 miles to maintain optimal performance. If you drive heavily, replacing the oil more frequently should be considered.
  • Your car’s spark plugs and air filters should also be replaced about once a year, while your timing belt needs to be replaced every 60,000 miles.
  • Replacing a timing belt should not be delayed; if it breaks you could lose the whole engine!
  • Finally, tires should be rotated every 6 months and completely replaced every 2 to 3 years.

CAR SMOKE

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Smoke is one way for your car to communicate with you. Here are some common smoke signals you may get from your car:

  • White smoke coming from your tailpipe is often a sign of oil burning while black smoke means that fuel is burning.
  • White smoke coming from your car could also mean internal engine damage has occurred and that the cooling system is malfunctioning.
  • Be sure to take your car to a professional right away in order to determine the cause of smoke.
  • Although smoke coming from your car isn’t always an emergency it certainly can be and therefore you should always have your vehicle inspected when smoke is spotted.

 VEHICLE STORAGE

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If your car won’t be on the road for over than a month then be sure to follow these storage tips to prevent costly damage:

  • Fill your gas tank before leaving in order to prevent condensation from accumulating in the gas tank.
  • Be sure to disengage the parking brake to help avoid brake corrosion.
  • Don’t forget to disconnect the car battery since the car will slowly drain the battery over time if left plugged in.
  • Always plug the tailpipe with a rag; this will prevent moist air from entering the car.

ALTERNATOR

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Modern automobiles have 2 engines: The standard engine and the electric engine also known as an alternator. Here are some signs that your car’s alternator may be malfunctioning and in need of replacement or repair:

  • Any dashboard warning lights involving electricity such as a battery problem or voltage problem
  • If your car battery is dying frequently or your engine is slow to start
  • If your headlights lights seem dimmer than normal it’s possible that the alternator is not generating enough electricity for the headlights to function properly.

 POWER STEERING

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Without power steering you won’t be able to maneuver your car properly, so it’s vital to keep track of your power steering fluid.

  • Most experts agree motorists should change their car’s power steering fluid every 50,000 miles or every 3 years, whichever comes first.
  • If the fluid is amber or pink that means it’s fresh and working, but when it becomes dark it’s time to change the fluid.
  • Changing the power steering fluid may not be fun in the short term, but if you don’t take action now you’ll regret not changing it when you’re paying for very expensive replacement parts.

CAR ACCIDENT

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A well maintained car can help you to avoid accidents but since you can’t control everything that takes place on the road it’s still important to be prepared for a car accident before it happens!

  • Keep an “emergency kit” in your glove compartment at all times. This should include a cell phone, pen and paper, a disposable camera for taking pictures of the crash for your insurance, and most importantly a card with any vital medical and allergy information in case the car accident results in serious injury.
  • If the accident is minor remember to be safe and avoid immediately getting out of your car if you are in traffic. Instead you should drive out of the way of traffic and then exchange insurance information with the other driver.

OVERHEATING

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Recognizing the common causes of an engine overheating can save you time and prepare you for your auto repair shop visit.

  • The coolant system is a good place to start checking since its primary purpose is to fight heat in the car.
  • The next most likely suspect is the radiator hose. Consult a professional to check this out since it is not located at the top of the engine.
  • The motor oil is not only involved in keeping your car lubricated, it also helps deal with overheating. Being low on motor oil by only half a quart can result in ten percent more heat being produced.

BRAKES

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Here are some helpful tips to see if your brakes are in good condition and on how to ensure that they will last for years to come.

  • You should inspect your brakes twice a year.
  • When inspecting your breaks, make sure you have a clear view of the big disc, then check to make sure it is shiny throughout and fairly uniform. Slight variation is normal, but if you notice distinct grooves in the disc, then the brake should probably be replaced.
  • If and when you have to replace your brakes remember to replace them in pairs. Never replace one brake at a time. This will ensure that your car’s drivability and safety will not be compromised.

 

IT KEEPS YOU GOING

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Your car can’t function without a working transmission, so in order to keep your transmission in top condition be sure to keep an eye and ear out for these signs of a failing transmission:

  • Your transmission may be struggling and in need of repair if you experience abrupt or hard shifts between gears, delayed or no response when shifting from neutral to drive or when shifting from neutral to reverse.
  • Other signs of transmission problems include the transmission staying stuck in one gear, experiencing failure to shift during normal acceleration, or sudden engine acceleration without your vehicle responding.
  • Poor transmission performance may be due to actual component failure, a disconnected hose, or even a plugged filter.

YOUR NOSE KNOWS

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Your nose doesn’t lie; if your car stinks then something is probably wrong with your vehicle! Paying close attention to these smells will help to diagnose what may be causing the trouble.

  • If you smell a thick acrid odor, it’s likely a sign of burning oil and you should take your car to a professional immediately to ensure you don’t have a leak.
  • The smell of burned toast could indicate an electrical problem that’s burning your insulation. To be safe you shouldn’t drive your car until the problem has been diagnosed.
  • The smell of fuel vapors after a failed start usually indicates a flooded engine. If the odor continues to persist it could mean there’s a leak in the fuel system.
  • A sweet, steamy odor is a sign that your coolant may be leaking.

KEEPING YOUR COOL

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Here are a few tips to ensure your A/C keeps you cool through the summer:

  • The refrigerant gas in your car’s air conditioning system needs to be refilled within four years of the manufacture date and every two to three years after that. Otherwise your A/C may not operate at its full potential.
  • Your compressor needs oil, or it will seize up.
  • Your air filter, which collects debris and moisture, can become blocked and cause the A/C to deteriorate or even quit working entirely.
  • Annual servicing will protect you and your car from a hot, sticky summer and save you money in the long run.

TIRE PRESSURE & TREAD DEPTH

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You can improve gas mileage by more than three percent by maintaining proper tire pressure. Keep an accurate tire gauge in your car and check the tires one a month when they’re cold. The minimum amount of tred allowable by law is at least 1/16 of an inch or more. There are several ways to check the tire tred depth:

  • Use a tread depth gauge.
  • Place a penny into a tread groove. If part of Lincoln’s head is covered by the tred, you’re driving with the proper amount of tread.
  • If you see a ware-bar across the width of the tred while facing it, replace the tire.

A CLEAN AIR FILTER

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Do you ever experience headaches, breathing problems or allergic reactions while driving in your car? If so it’s probably time to change the cabin air filter.

  • According to the Car Care Council, cabin air filters clean incoming air from the road and remove allergens.
  • You should change this filter every 12,000 to 50,000 miles or as instructed in your vehicle’s owner’s manual.
  • Failure to change your filter when necessary could lead to a build-up of containments so strong that the air quality in your car actually becomes worse than the air quality outside.
  • A bad filter could also cause cooling problems for your A/C unit.

ROAD TRIP INSPECTION

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The Car Care Council suggests these tips on vehicle inspection:

  • Replace wiper blades that look worn or damaged, check your tire pressure and tred depth watching out for uneven ware, and check your oil.
  • If you notice any fluid puddles or stains under your vehicle, it’s a good idea to have it inspected by a local professional.
  • Check all fluids, hoses and belts, check underneath the vehicle, the brake system, and all lighting.
  • Now is also a great time to give your car a good cleaning and maybe even a wax. Be sure to use products specifically developed for use on automobiles.

MAXIMUM FUEL ECONOMY

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The Car Care Council suggests these tips for better gas mileage:

  • Keep tires properly inflated to gain a mile or two per gallon.
  • Replacing a clogged air filter can increase gas mileage by as much as 10%.
  • Make sure your gas cap fits tightly. 17% of cars on the road have gas cap problems causing 147 million gallons of gas to vaporize every year!
  • Aggressive driving could lower gas mileage as much as 33% on the highway.