Automotive News and Tips

Posts Tagged ‘Tips’

Since the 1980’s, criminals have been selling fraudulent high performance car accessories at a cheaper price. The dangers go beyond loss of revenue to the automotive industry. The lower price may save a few bucks in your pocketbook in an automotive world where gas prices are ballooning out of control. It’s understandable but dwell on this: most of these discount car accessories and parts sacrifice quality and safety with more inexpensive and less strong materials.

Sometimes what you see is not what you get. On the surface, an article might look like the real deal, but it turns out to be nothing but smoke and mirrors. Several years ago, CBS Evening News featured a report about counterfeit aftermarket automotive accessories. Brake pads that contained compressed grass or wood chips instead of the usual material were sold to consumers. Brakes are one part that you don’t want to mess with, and having faulty brake pad material could be costly in more ways than one. To be on the safe side with performance car accessories, you might do better to pay the extra money and go with a brand name you can trust.

How can the average consumer protect against aftermarket automotive accessories fraud? Here are some tips:

If the price is too good to be true, it probably is. Seeing a popular brand of an auto body kit you’ve been eyeing for half price may not be for real. Many counterfeiters have started to counter this tact by lowering the price just enough to avoid suspicion. Do your research. Don’t settle with finding the item in one place. Shop around to see what the average price is for the accessory and make an educated decision based on what you’ve observed. .

Take a look at the package. At first glance, the package may look legitimate but closer inspection may reveal some flaws that could be signs of the part being fraudulent.

Visit trusted stores or well-recommended shops. Stick to places you or someone you know trusts. This doesn’t insinuate that every small shop is deliberately being crooked by selling you discount car accessories; sometimes they are fooled just as much as you can be. Going to distributors you’ve had good service with reduces risk as distributors often buy from the same manufacturer that has never steered them wrong.

Contact the manufacturer directly. If you’re still unsure, the manufacturer can often verify if the performance car accessory is real. Most major companies have anti-fraudulent protocols to prove the authenticity of an accessory. Sometimes this is as simple as a code engraved on the part.

Cutting corners by purchasing cheap aftermarket automotive accessories to save a few dollars isn’t worth risking your life. If you feel that you have been a victim of a fraud, report the crime immediately. Many manufacturers have toll-free numbers or websites you can visit to file a report. Protect yourself and those around you, shop smart, and learn how to recognize counterfeit performance car accessories.

Each and every vehicle owner will find great value in these automotive diagnostic and car repair tips from auto service mechanics. The tips cover engines, brakes, transmission systems and even auto AC repair. With these tips, vehicle owners may find themselves better equipped to avoid the use of tow trucks from towing services in Tampa.

Every vehicle owner should keep the vehicle owner’s manual on hand and should read it thoroughly. It is an important reference material for many preventive maintenance, diagnostic and car repair procedures. First of all, the proper maintenance schedule for the vehicle is specified by the manufacturer in the manual. This should be followed religiously. Make sure your regular mechanic is aware of this schedule. If your vehicle is old, do not be surprised if your mechanic recommends even more frequent preventive maintenance procedures.

The vehicle owner should also be very observant and vigilant over all signs of car trouble. With early detection, frequent repairs can be minimized, cutting on costs. Early discovery will also mean avoiding accidents on the road.

Closely inspect any wetness on the ground or parking slot under your car. You do not have to be alarmed if it is caused by clear water since this could probably be from your automotive AC condensation. If you find colored liquid, however, this could point to a leak in your car system. Yellow green, orange or blue liquid could be leaking anti-freeze or leakage from an overheated engine. Leakage from the power steering fluid or transmission fluid will be oily red. Leaking oil is black or dark brown. Transmission fluid could also be black or dark brown when burnt, though, and this is more dangerous. It could lead to a failure in the transmission system.

Any whiff of any burnt smell should be investigated closely. If it is the oil that is burning, the odor will be acrid. With any of these, you should immediately take the car to the auto service shop. If what you smell is light and sharp like burnt toasted bread, your car could have an electrical short of your insulation may be burning. Call your mechanic immediately. If what you smell is a chemical like burnt resin, your brakes or clutch may be overheating. Immediately pull over the vehicle so that these can cool down. If you see any smoke, do not restart the car. Call your towing service for a tow truck.

If what you smell is sweet and seems steamy, your car may be close to overheating. If there is an auto service shop or gasoline station nearby, drive to it. If not, find a place to park. If what you smell is metallic and steam seems to be seeping up from under your car hood, your car is already overheating. Stop immediately and call for a tow truck from your towing service. If what you smell is like sulphur or is like rotten eggs, the problem may be in connection with your car’s catalytic converter or its emission control devices. If what you smell is like gasoline, your fuel system may be leaking. For both cases, the car should be immediately brought to the auto service shop.

Finally, one of the most important tips is to choose the right auto service shop with a truly professional automotive mechanic who can do the best quality of car repair for the most complicated parts such as engines, brakes and transmission systems, to the simplest parts such as auto AC repair. They will ensure that you will not need to call for tow trucks from Tampa towing services in the middle of any of your road trips.

Any mechanic from any reputable auto service shop can tell you that one of the most expensive items in car repair is automotive transmission repair. It does not cost the same as auto AC repair, and it can be even more expensive than engine repair or brakes repair. If you are a car owner, it therefore makes sense to take care of overall car maintenance with all the necessary tune ups in a trusted auto service shop in Tampa. You don’t have to wait until anything goes wrong with your car. Good maintenance prevents frequent need for repair. Pay particular attention to automotive transmission maintenance. Here are some tips on automotive transmission maintenance and, ultimately, repair, for car owners in Tampa.

There are certain diagnostic checks that any car owner can do on any car transmission even at home or in any location in Tampa. The first place to check is the surface beneath the car. That means the parking slot or the garage floor. If you find any fluid that has leaked from the car, it could be automotive transmission fluid and it could be a danger sign. Take the car to your Tampa auto service shop immediately.

If you find no leak spots under the car, check on the condition of the transmission fluid using its dipstick. Prepare a sheet of white paper and a piece of clean cloth. Wipe the dipstick clean with the cloth before dipping it into the transmission fluid. Let the fluid drip on the white paper. You should find it reddish and transparent. If there are black flakes or metal filings, or if the fluid is dark or smells burnt, take the car to your Tampa auto service shop.

When changing your automotive transmission fluid, make sure the appropriate fluid is used for your vehicle. Automatic and manual transmissions each have their own automotive transmission fluids that cannot be interchanged, or else the transmission will fail.

If your car has no leaks and the transmission fluid is normal, you should observe the vehicle’s performance while driving. You must obey proper driving procedures. The transmission gears should engage smoothly upon shifting without delay, jerks, shudders or noises, whether from “park” to “drive” or “drive” to “neutral” and even to “reverse. ” The transmission gears should also engage smoothly without any delay, jerks, shudders or noises upon acceleration and deceleration. Continue your observation for long drives since these problems may not be evident during short drives. Sometimes they are manifested only after the car has already heated up. If you experience any of those warning signs, it could be telling you that the transmission system is worn down. Again, bring the vehicle for a check up to your Tampa auto service shop.

Another common cause for automotive transmission problems is overheating, especially in locations like Tampa where the temperature can rise to high levels. Driving with heavy loads in hot weather can lead to overheating. Even continuous stop and go driving in heavy traffic under hot weather can also lead to overheating. Overheating, in turn, causes the transmission fluid to burn. Burning means oxidation and the creation of deposits. These deposits can clog the transmission system. Furthermore, overheating can warp the transmission system’s metal parts and harden its rubber gaskets and seals, leading to leakage. You should, therefore, avoid overheating of your vehicle in Tampa.

Despite good maintenance procedures, automotive transmission systems come to a point when repair is necessary. Make sure to bring your car only to an auto service shop that specializes in automotive transmission repair, though, to prevent future problems. Sometimes improper repair can lead to later shifting problems from throttle cable issues.

Be wise in automotive transmission maintenance and repair and you will reap savings and long life for your vehicle in Tampa.

If your automotive air conditioner isn’t working quite right, here are a few ideas to begin. First of all start with the control panel on your dashboard. Most automobiles have an A/C button that actually turns the compressor on and allows cold air to be circulated. You might have accidentally hit the recirculation button instead of the A/C button. (Don’t laugh,

I had a friend that spent a week in a hot car and all he needed to do was press the right button. ) The second thing to check is the actual function of the controls. Do they move at all? Are they loose and giggle around? The big question is ‘do they feel different from the last time your air conditioner worked?’ This could tell if the controls are messed up and need replacing. Your air conditioner system may be fine but the controls could befrozen or broken.

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If your controls seem to be functioning, lets move to the blower fan. Turn on your car and start you’re air conditioner as you normally would. Then turn your blower to it’s highest setting. Can you here your fan blowing? If you can hear it, does it sound weak or whining. This could signal that your blower motor is malfunctioning or needs to be replaced. If it doesn’t work at all, check the fuse for the blower motor. The fuse for your blower motor should be located in the fuse box under the dash. Most automobiles have the fuses clearly labeled. First take out the blower fan fuse with the removal tool provided in the fuse box. A blown fuse should be easy to identify. However if you are unsure, replace it with a similar rated fuse and try your blower again. If that fuse blows you may have a bad blower motor or a short in the circuit. In this case, you will need an authorized mechanic to fix it. If the blower fan is working properly and you can only get cold air out of the defroster vents, you may have vacuum-system supply line problem. To check for this, look for a small black plastic tube going from the engine area through the dash. It is usually right by the refrigerant lines. Check this tube and see if it has holes or is not connected. If all of these little tips are not helping and you’re A/C doesn’t blow cold air no matter how many switches you turn on or off, you will probably need an certified mechanic. Good luck and stay cool!

Tips on automotive maintenance procedures that will prepare your vehicle for summer are given by an auto service as a public service on its website. Scott’s Automotive, Inc. provides both easy maintenance procedures that vehicle owners can do by themselves and more complicated maintenance procedures that should be done by a professionally trained and skilled automotive mechanic.   Also included are diagnostic check ups by the automotive mechanic.  

In following these maintenance procedures, the risk of mechanical failure and breakdown for your vehicle is lowered and vehicle owners can hopefully lessen the need for car repair. It will also lengthen the running life of the vehicle and will definitely increase its resale value.

Summer can be a challenging time for a vehicle. The vehicle is still suffering from the effects of the previous winter which has also put much stress on its parts and body. In summer, the factors that could cause problems include high heat, dust and traffic that is stop-and-go. Taken together, these factors can cause the vehicle to malfunction.

Auto AC repair is a common need in summer. Vehicle air conditioning operating systems that are not well maintained are most likely to fail in high heat. To avoid auto AC repair, ask a qualified automotive mechanic to check your vehicle’s air conditioner regularly, and especially before summer. Follow the instructions in the owner’s manual on the schedule of replacement for the air conditioner’s filters.

The summer heat causes vehicle overheating which can damage the engine and transmission. To prevent this, completely flush and refill the vehicle cooling system every two years. Ask your automotive mechanic to regularly check your coolant level, condition and concentration, as well as your vehicle’s drive belts, clamps and hoses.

Follow the instructions on your vehicle owner’s manual on the schedule of replacement for your oil and oil filter. Do this more frequently, though, if you make long trips with heavy loads or towing a trailer, or if you make frequent short trips.

Follow the instructions on your vehicle owner’s manual on the schedule of replacement for all other vehicle filters, including the air filter and fuel filter. Do this more frequently if you drive under very dusty conditions. If you notice engine performance problems such as hard starts, rough idling or stalling, immediately consult an automotive mechanic.

Have your brakes checked by an automotive mechanic regularly, and immediately if you notice any changes in performance.

Using eye protection and rubber gloves, regularly remove all corrosion on battery posts and cable connections, clean its surfaces and tighten connectors. Be careful not to touch the corrosion and battery acid.

Immediately replace any busted light bulbs. Use a dry rag to clean all light lenses regularly, being careful not to scratch them.

Clean your windshield regularly, replace worn windshield blades immediately and always refill your windshield washer solvent.

Have your tire pressure checked monthly. Before a long drive, check your tire pressure again along with your spare tire and jack. Regularly inspect your tires’ treads and sidewalls. Have your tires aligned if you find some uneven tread wear or if your vehicle tends to pull to one side. Rotate your tires every 5,000 miles.

Be prepared for any emergency. Make sure that your vehicle is carrying all the basic tools for troubleshooting as well as flares, a flashlight and a first aid kit. It would be best to always carry a cellphone wherever you go so that you can easily call for help.

Follow the aforementioned automotive maintenance tips given by a concerned auto service in order to prepare your vehicle for summer and watch how it lowers your car repair costs.

When it comes to Austin automotive glass repair or automobile glass replacement in Austin, there are some points that you need to keep in mind. When you deal with professional companies dealing in automotive glass Austin, these points will help you get the best out of them. Let us look at the five essential tips for getting the best out of your automobile glass repair in Austin TX.

Your automobile glass replacement in Austin requirement will include any of the following – automotive glass repair, automotive glass replacement, car glass replacement, windshield repair, auto glass repair, auto glass replacement and mobile windshield replacement among others. When you deal with professional Austin automotive glass repair companies, you get a bevy of advantages that only you can take the best advantage of. Let us see what you need to do.

1. Find the best company – Searching any of the search engines like Google, Yahoo or MSN with the keywords automobile glass replacement in Austin, you will find millions of search results. It is now up to you to find the best among the listed Austin automotive glass repair companies. It is not the easiest job but not tough too. Make a list of the companies that are listed within the first three pages of search result and do some research of your own. You may talk to neighbors or acquaintances or even visit blogs where you will ample information about these companies. All this effort will help you find the best company available.

2. Register – Once you have the Austin automotive glass repair company you were looking for, you must register yourself. Visit the website and locate the online registration form. If you are not comfortable dealing through the Internet, you may even visit the garage and fill up the form there. Once you enter all the required information and make an online payment, you become a member. You will be given a temporary customer ID while the membership card is shipped to you.

3. Choose the package – Austin automotive glass repair companies will offer you various bouquets to choose from. There will be basic packages and there will be premium packages. Depending on the amount of travel that you do and the places you visit, you need to choose the right package. A basic package will offer you services like free service while a premium package may also include free parts replacement.

4. Negotiate – There are many players in the domain of automobile glass replacement in Austin. Hence, you may negotiate a bit on the price. You never know when you get lucky and get offered a discount.

5. Optimally use – Once you choose the package that is usually for a full year, make sure you use it optimally. We are not asking you to break your windshield and then get it replaced. You may also want to go for regular maintenance and cleaning jobs.   Austin Mobile Glass (512) 983-4527 , 13200 US-183, Austin Tx 78750 and Austin Mobile Glass (512) 983-3278 , 1310 South 1st St , Austin Tx 78704.

When you keep these tips in mind, you will get the best out of your automobile glass replacement in Austin package through Austin automotive glass repair companies.

As a free service to the public, Scott’s Automotive, Inc. – an auto service shop trusted by many – gives automotive maintenance tips for summer on its website. This includes simple maintenance procedures that can be done by vehicle owners themselves, as well as the more technical maintenance procedures and diagnostic checks that should be undertaken by trained professional automotive mechanics on the vehicle transmission, engine and brakes. Giving proper maintenance to any vehicle will definitely lower your car repair costs.

The value of complying with proper maintenance procedures is best gauged by the significant decrease in the risk of mechanical failure and breakdown of a vehicle. This results in significantly less need for car repair, an increase in the vehicle’s resale value and, of course, a much longer running life for the vehicle.

Winter, with its extreme cold temperatures, puts much stress on vehicle parts and the vehicle body itself. Summer is no less stressful on vehicles, though. On top of the winter stresses come the high heat, dust and stop-and-go traffic of summer. All these factors add up and can push a vehicle to malfunction.

One of the most common issues for vehicles in summer is the frequent need for auto AC repair. When air conditioning operating systems of vehicles are not properly maintained, they will most likely fail in the extreme heat of summer, just when you need the air conditioner most. To avoid this inconvenience, have your vehicle air conditioner checked regularly by your trusted automotive mechanic not just in the summer. Your vehicle’s owner’s manual will contain the recommended frequency for replacing your air conditioner’s filters, for example.

Your vehicle engine and transmission system can also be damaged by summer heat, especially when you allow your vehicle to overheat. You can prevent this by completely flushing out and refilling your vehicle’s cooling system once every two years. You should then have your automotive mechanic check the level, condition and concentration of your coolant regularly. Let your automotive mechanic know of any performance problems you experience related to your engine, such as hard starts, rough idling or stalling. Do the same if ever you notice any unusual behaviour related to your vehicle brakes. Even without any problems, have your automotive mechanic check your brakes regularly.

Also ask your automotive mechanic to regularly check on your vehicle clamps, hoses and drive belts. Replace your oil and oil filter according to the schedule in your owner’s manual. If you go on long trips with heavy loads such as having a trailer in tow, or if you go on frequent short trips, your oil and oil filter should be changed even more frequently.

You should likewise comply with the schedule in your owner’s manual for the replacement of your fuel filter, air filter and all other vehicle filters. Replace them more frequently if you drive in very dusty conditions.

Maintain your batteries by cleaning surfaces, tightening connectors and regularly removing the corrosion on battery posts and cable connections. Make sure you are wearing eye protection and sturdy rubber gloves whenever you do this. Never touch the corrosion and battery acid with your bare skin.

Check all your light bulbs regularly and immediately replace any busted ones. Clean light lenses with a clean soft rag, making sure not to scratch them. You should likewise clean your windshield regularly. Always keep your windshield washer solvent receptacle refilled. Replace your windshield blades when worn.

Your tire pressure should be checked once a month and before any long drive. Inspect your tire treads and sidewalls regularly. If you find uneven tread wear, have your tires realigned. Rotate them every 5,000 miles. Make sure you always have a spare tire and a jack.

You will definitely benefit from following the summer automotive maintenance tips provided for free by Scott’s Automotive, Inc. See how much less you spend on your car repair costs.