Tire Maintenance Woman Checking Car Tire Pressure Using Gauge

4 Simple Tire Maintenance Tips All Drivers Should Know

March 17, 2018October 29, 2024 in Blog, Car Tips, Maintenance, Uncategorizedby Chris

The tires on your vehicle are critical to its safety as well as its performance. All drivers should know simple tire maintenance. Doing so will keep your tires functioning at their best and will also make them last longer. It will significantly lessen your chances of getting flat tires, skidding, and other tire emergencies.

⇒ Check The Tread On Your Tires

One of the most important steps you should know for tire maintenance involves checking the tread on them. Tread helps the tires grip the road. It can be incredibly important during inclement weather. It prevents the car from skidding and sliding on wet or icy roadways.

To check the tread on your tires, you can insert a upside down quarter into the tire grooves. If you can see George Washington’s head, the tread on the tire is too low, meaning that you will need to replace the tire soon. If you cannot see Washington’s head, the tread is sufficient for safe driving.

You should check the tread on your tires every month or before you embark on a long car journey. This preventative tire maintenance tip can help you avoid being in an accident or not being able to control the car in bad weather.

⇒ Check Your Tire Pressure

You should also check the pressure in all four tires at least once a month or before you take a long road trip. The tires should have the required weight of air in them. You can find the amount recommended for the tires on your car by looking on the inside of your car door or in your car owner’s manual.

You should check the tire pressure first thing in the morning when the air inside of the tires is stable and cool. Maintaining the right amount of air in the tires is critical for being able to control the car on wet surfaces. Proper air pressure helps the tires grip the road and prevents the car from slipping and sliding on slick roads.

⇒ Rotate Your Tires

Another preventative tire maintenance tip to keep in mind when you want to take the best care of your tires involves having them rotated on a regular basis. Ideally, you should have the tires rotated every 5000 to 7000 miles. Rotating the tires helps all four of them wear at the same pace.

Further, when you buy new tires, you should have them placed on the back axles rather than on the front. Putting new tires on the back axles makes the car easier to handle in all types of road conditions. It also reduces the likelihood of the rear part of the car losing traction and spinning out of control when you are driving on slick road surfaces.

⇒ Balance & Align Your Tires

Finally another tire maintenance tip , you should have your tire balanced and aligned on a regular basis. Balancing and aligning the tires prevents them from wearing out too quickly. It also prevents the car from pulling to one side while you are driving it.

Many people schedule their tire balancing and alignment at the same time as their oil changes. You should ideally have the tires balanced and aligned every 3000 to 9000 miles or whenever you buy new tires for your vehicle.

The tires on your car can last longer and perform better when you take care of them. Simple tire maintenance does not require a lot of money or effort. Simple measures like checking the tread and tire pressure can go a long way in maintaining the tires properly and ensuring that your car is safe to drive at all times.

Ready for a Road Trip: What to Ask

January 18, 2018October 29, 2024 in Blog, Car Tipsby Chris

A road trip offers you the opportunity to explore a new region of the country without the added expense of a flight or train ticket. Also, this experience is an adventure. You might not even know exactly where you’re going until you arrive. Before embarking on this exploration, you should plan to bring your car to a local Winston Salem Auto Repair Shop. Here are a list of handy questions to ask and your mechanic.

1. How much time should I plan for?
While you know that you should bring the car into the shop, you might procrastinate until the last minute. Dropping off your vehicle the day before you leave on a trip might mean that you don’t have it back in time. Instead, call your mechanic to find out what a reasonable time to bring the car in is. If you suspect that your vehicle needs major repairs, you’ll then need to allow even more days for the work. Planning a road trip in advance is imperative when you don’t want to cancel your trip.

2. Is the car in good condition for this drive?
If you’re planning to travel across the country in a car that’s practically old enough to have its own license, your mechanic might advise you otherwise. While you might fear the answer that you’ll receive, it’s better to know and work on alternate travel arrangements than to get in a car that could breakdown before you’re even halfway to your destination.

3. Can I choose more efficient fueling options?
Chances are that you want to save some money on this road trip, and gas is going to consume a large portion of your budget. Perhaps you’ve been using the wrong type of gas for your car all of these years without knowing it. Even if the fuel you’ve been putting in the car isn’t damaging, it might not provide you with the most miles. Asking this question can provide you with an answer that is useful for your road trip and the future.

4. How are my tires?
Finding yourself stranded in an unfamiliar place with tire issues can feel frightening and overwhelming. Now is the time to ask how your tires are likely to hold up during the trip. If any question exists, consider replacing them now so that you don’t have to deal with unexpected costs and delays when you’re trying to enjoy your vacation.

5. How much do I fill my tires?
Some cars are quite sensitive to changes in the environment. For example, you might notice that your dashboard alerts you to low pressure in the tires every time that the temperature drops below a certain level. Knowing how to fill your tires, especially when you’ll be driving in new conditions, is important. In addition to learning how to use the air pump at the station, you can also purchase a unit that you keep in your car. Low pressure in the tires could happen when you are miles away from a gas station.

6. Why does that check engine light keep coming on?
If you have a mysterious light that keeps appearing on your dashboard alerting you to some trouble, you might cross your fingers that it turns off when you bring your car to the mechanic. However, failure to ask a question at your Winston Salem auto repair shop service appointment could just lead to greater problems later. The answer might be that you need a replacement part for your car, or you may learn that the computer is malfunctioning. Some of the fixes are simple.

7. Can my car handle that terrain?
On your road trip of the region or country, you may want to test your car out on new terrain. Still though, your desire to try out the new terrain does not mean your car can handle it. Mapping out your journey to get a sense of what you’ll be driving in can assist you in asking the right question when you meet with the mechanic.

8. Are any of the fluids low?
Getting your oil changed or having other fluids added to your car during the road trip doesn’t necessarily take a tremendous amount of time, but it can put a halt to your plans. Instead of waiting until the light starts blinking on the dashboard, have all of the levels checked before you start on your trip.

9. Should I have my car inspected now?
In the event that your car is up for an inspection in the near future, you may want to consider having it taken care of at this point. By doing so, you can know about issues present with your vehicle and cross an item off of your future to-do list.

As you’re packing and preparing for your road trip, you might not put too much thought into the car itself. However, if you want to have a road trip without hassle, then you should pay attention to these issues.

Here at Cloverdale Auto Service we strive to become your go to Winston Salem Auto Repair Shop Contact Us Today to Schedule an appointment! Or Call Us Now 336-331-3448

Repairing a Hybrid Vehicle Safely

October 11, 2017October 29, 2024 in Blog, Car Tips, Uncategorizedby Chris

The technology with vehicles are improving each year, and because of the introduction of hybrid vehicles during the early 1990s and the threat of carbon emission to the environment, many people are considering hybrid vehicles as their mode of transport. Hybrid vehicles are types of vehicles that use two sources of power. In some vehicles, there can be more than two sources of power, and it gives better performance and fuel economy to the vehicle. Hybrid vehicles have multiple sources of their power. One of the most abundant sources of power for hybrid vehicles would be coal & wood, natural gas, gasoline, hydrogen energy, solar energy and wind energy.

Hybrid vehicles ranges from two wheeled hybrids, heavy vehicles which include buses, and rail transport which is being used on all modern rail roads in the planet. Many people are already in the possession of several hybrid vehicles, and the leading names in the world of hybrid made-vehicles are currently Toyota Prius and Chevrolet Volt.

Hybrid vehicles are said to have an amazing performance compared to their regular counterparts. Thus, whenever the vehicle breaks down, it is highly suggested that it should be taken to a professional technician to have it checked. Hybrid vehicles have a complicated system that I full of electrical charges, and it would be unsafe for someone without proper training to go through it because of the risk of electrocution.

Some owners are lucky enough to find treasures on second hand auto shops. There are many sedans which are working perfectly fine that can be found in second hand auto shops just because their engine has a head gasket which has blown, and their owners have lost trust in their performance, even if these vehicles can still register high fuel economy.

Dealers usually sell these vehicles for lower price, without the potential buyer suspecting that these vehicles are actually hybrid ones which would require special training and handling in order to be fixed. Those who had a similar experience of seeing a tempting offer at the dealership often become surprised once the used vehicle reaches their garage. These auto enthusiasts are 100% ready to do the job, until they opened the hood and see a warning that says how dangerous the task would be. Then they would realize that the vehicle is hybrid, and repairing it by themselves poses a risk of injury or death.

The most recommended thing that can be advised to an individual having issues with their hybrid vehicles is by taking them into the dealership or a certified auto repair shop. Hybrid vehicles have a computer system which can be scanned using a diagnostic tool, and it can display the error that the vehicle is currently experiencing. Dealerships and auto repair shops also has trained technicians which have studied and have undergone training to handle these types of concerns. It would be best if the issue with the vehicle is left with the technicians because they are certified to do the job.

Aside from the certification that they have which proves how competent they are with fixing hybrid vehicles, these technicians also know where to handle the vehicle safely so injury and death can be prevented. Many car owners who own hybrid vehicles would sometimes reason out that taking the vehicle to the dealership or an auto repair shop would be costly, and they would just waste their time and energy. However, they do not know the full risk of taking the solution into their own hands.

People should be thoroughly informed how dangerous fixing a hybrid vehicle is without the supervision of a professional. Repairing the hybrid car at home is possible, although it is not recommended. One could have serious injuries while doing it, and because of the high charges of the battery on a hybrid vehicle, one can also be electrocuted. Some people who are facing up the risk use different tools and items when fixing their vehicle by themselves. They would use rubber gloves to prevent being shocked by electricity, and they would seek assistance from another person to perform the task.

Hybrid cars are said to be the future of transportation. With the rate of how nations consume energy and gasoline, a futuristic peak oil scenario is not impossible to happen – which is why governments are encouraging their citizens to use vehicles that have the ability to save a lot of energy. Hybrid cars, with the kind of system that they have, can actually save a lot of fuel and it would become a huge relief especially for families which have a lower budget reserved for petroleum.

Hybrid vehicles also promote a good environment, as they emit lesser carbon dioxide into the atmosphere. More hybrid vehicles are expected to be manufactured in the future, because more people are becoming interested on how they work and how they can save fuel.

Six Simple Steps to Keep That Old Car Looking Like New

October 5, 2017October 29, 2024 in Blog, Car Tipsby Chris

For most people, their vehicle is one of the most important possessions that they own. Without a vehicle, many people would be unable to make it to work or ferry the kids around to and from school, sports and other activities. Unfortunately, many people simply don’t have the money to replace their old car should it break down or begin looking old and outdated. For this reason, we’ll now take a look at some simple steps that you can use to help ensure that your older vehicle continues running and looking like new.

Keep It Clean Inside and Out

One of the biggest keys to keeping your old car looking like new is to make sure it stays clean both inside and out. This means regularly washing and waxing the exterior and also fully detailing the interior. Shampooing the carpets and cleaning and treating the seats, dashboard and other interior elements should help to prevent stains and damage. Furthermore, keeping your vehicle clean can also help ensure the interior smells nice in addition to looking good.

Repair Any Exterior Damage

Small dents, cracks and chips in the paint may not seem like that big of a problem at first. Unfortunately, these minor cosmetic issues could potentially turn into a much more serious problem if left unchecked. If you don’t make sure to touch up the paint job or repair any minor cosmetic damage, it could potentially allow rust and corrosion to begin to eat away at the paint and the body. Luckily, most minor cosmetic damage can be repaired fairly easily, and by doing so, you should be able to ensure that the exterior is free from rust and other issues.

Focus on Routine Maintenance

Everyone knows about the importance of regularly changing your oil, but there is a lot more that goes into keeping an old car running well than simply getting an oil change. Making sure your tires are properly inflated and having them balanced and rotated can help to prevent numerous potential issues. Similarly, you will also want to keep the wheel bearings properly greased and maintained and also ensure that your brake pads, drums and rotors are in good condition.

In most cases, it is best to simply take your care into your favorite repair shop at least once a year to undergo a full inspection and perform any necessary maintenance tasks. Being diligent about maintenance will not only help ensure your car continues to run smoothly, but it can also potentially prevent more serious issues that could otherwise set you back some serious cash.

Remember to Flush Your Fluids

Oil is far from the only important fluid in your vehicle. Brake fluid, transmission fluid, engine coolant and differential oil are all things that you’ll also need to think about occasionally. Flushing these fluids is a good way to ensure that the fluid is clean and free from debris, which can help to prevent damage and problems from arising. Therefore, it is important to follow your manufacturer’s recommendations and make sure to change or flush all of the vehicle’s fluids as needed.

Watch Out for the Damaging Effects of Sunlight

Nothing can harm the interior or exterior of a vehicle quicker than sunlight. If you constantly leave your car parked directly in the sun, the result can be that the sun’s UV rays will start to make the exterior paint begin to dull, fade and discolor. Similarly, sunlight can also wreak havoc on the interior of your vehicle. UV rays can easily begin to damage the dashboard or cause your carpets and seats to fade or discolor.

Therefore, it is always best to park the vehicle indoors whenever possible, or at the very least, attempt to park it somewhere shady if you do need to leave it outside. As well, you should also consider using a sunshade to help shield the interior of your vehicle from harmful UV rays whenever you do have to park it in the sun.

A Little Upgrade on an Old Car Can Go a Long Way

If the exterior of your old car is beginning to look old and faded, taking it in for a new paint job is a quick and easy way to instantly spruce up its appearance and make it look newer. Of course, there are also even easier steps you can take to improve the look of your car’s interior. Spending a few bucks on a new steering wheel cover or using a dashboard cover or seat covers can help to hide damage and make the interior feel shiny and new no matter how old the car actually is.

No matter what you do, there is no way to ever fully prevent damage to your vehicle or mechanical issues from arising. However, by being diligent and making sure to follow these simple steps, you should at least give yourself a better chance of keeping your older car around for years to come. As long as you make sure to focus on routine maintenance and keep your car clean and well-cared for, there is absolutely no reason why your older car can’t continue to look and perform like new.