Why Checking and Topping off Fluids is a Good Idea

Your car needs certain fluids in order to operate properly. Fluid checks are very important to the longevity of your vehicle. Checks should be completed at least every time that the vehicle is brought in for general car maintenance. When completed during these times, the ASE master technicians will be able to top off all of the fluids to the proper levels. Doing so will assure that the vehicle will operate properly at all times. There are certain checks you can do on your own so that you will be able to assure the proper working condition of your vehicle. Here are a few suggestions of what you can do to keep the fluids at the right levels.

Checking Oil in Between Oil Changes

The oil in your vehicle is vitally important many of the moving parts in the engine. It provides lubrication to moving parts so that they will not seize up or create a lot of friction that heats up the engine. To check the engine oil, you need to locate the dipstick in your engine. This is normally a loop you can put your finger in to remove the dipstick. Pull the stick out and wipe it clean with a paper towel or oil towel. Replace the dipstick to get the oil on the end. Remove it again to check the oil level. There are three lines which includes the low line, normal line and max line. Maintaining the oil levels can keep the engine running smoothly.

Checking Levels for Coolants

Coolants are highly important to make sure that the engine is running smoothly. The coolants help to keep the engine from overheating. Checking the coolant is easy once you have learned to find the reservoir. Reservoirs often have a dipstick which is attached to the lid of the reservoir. Some of the reservoirs allow you to see the level of the coolant on the side of the reservoir. If the coolant is low, it could mean that there is a problem with the engine. Remember that this also serves as the antifreeze so that you can keep your engine from freezing in the winter. Never use water because it will freeze fast and burn off easily which can cause major engine problems.

Checking Windshield Wiper Fluid

Cleaning the windshields is easy to do with the right amount of windshield wiper fluid. The fluid allows you to remove the dirt and grime from the windshield because of the cleaning solution combined with the windshield wiper blade. The reservoir for the fluid is found close to the windshield and holds a blue liquid inside. This only needs to be filled relative to how often you use it to clean the windshield with. The windshield wiper fluid is not very expensive to purchase, but can help you to see the road easier. Simply poor the fluid into the reservoir until it is filled. You can use the fluid as often as you want to so that it is easy to see where you are going. This is especially important whenever you are on a long trip so you will be able to see where you are going.

The Many Reasons To Call AAA

Becoming a member of the American Automobile Association, AAA, is one of the most important decisions a driver can make. It doesn’t matter how old you are or how much driving experience you have, there is no more reliable company for a flat tire, a tow or a dead battery charge than AAA.  Nobody plans on breaking down or having an accident.  When the worst occurs it is a great peace of mind to be able to pick up the phone and dial a number and have help coming to the scene any time of day.  There are many reasons that AAA is great and this article is going to explain them to you.

Tires are Flat

How many times have you been driving down the road and you hear the very distinctive sound of a tire going flat? This can be a frustrating experience because of the time and effort involved. When you are a AAA member you pull over to a safe spot and wait for the local tow truck to come to your assistance.  Many people can change a tire themselves, but if you are on your way to work, or to a special event, changing a tire may soil your good clothes and you may not have the appropriate time to change, especially since you have a flat.  You can have the professionals do it, by the time you mess with a jack and fight with the lug nuts and roll a spare out, the AAA rep could probably be there, change the tire and have you on your way. A family plan provides a particular peace of mind to those who want their families protected and taken care of.  You can’t be everywhere, if they get a flat tire you want them protected. The AAA reps can also check the tire pressure in the other tires and make sure that all drivers will be safe.

When You Need a Tow


There may be nothing as scary as being stuck on the side of the road in a vehicle that won’t start or run like it should, unless it is having a loved one stuck in that position.  Your car may have a problem with the brakes or overheating because of a coolant problem. It doesn’t matter where you are AAA tow services will find you and/or your loved ones and get you to safety. It is a small price to pay to have AAA on your side in an emergency. Even if you are in an accident and it has rendered your vehicle so you can’t drive it, the tow services will get your vehicle to the garage of your choice and out of harm’s way. The last thing you want to worry about if you have just been involved in an accident is where your car is going to be towed to.

When You Need Directions

One of the services that AAA has provided for many years have been their trip tickets, which provide you with maps and directions to get anywhere you want to go. Even in today’s world this is a simple thing to do because they have new computer applications that work on your phone or tablet to help guide you where you want to go.  The many benefits of membership in AAA will keep you on the road safely with as few problems as possible. It doesn’t matter if you are driving a monster truck or hybrid vehicles.

Save Money on Fuel with Tire Alignment

The gas prices always seem to be going up with no end in sight. This makes getting the best fuel efficiency a high priority. You do not have to drive with the AC and lights off to improve your fuel efficiency. Simply making sure that you have proper tire alignment will help to make sure you are spending less at the pump. Getting your tires aligned can only be completed by a service professional, but you can take steps to make sure your tires will remain aligned for a longer period of time so you can save more money at the gas station. Your car will not constantly be pulling one or more tires as a result of maintaining the alignment.

Checking the Tire Pressure

Tires have a tendency to lose air as they get older. Even newer tires can have bad valves that will cause them to lose air faster. Sudden changes in temperature and other environmental factors can also play a part in altering the amount of air in tires. If one of your tires is consistently lower in air than the rest, it can cause you to pull in the opposite direction of the tire with less air. The more this occurs, the more your alignment will be off. Taking the time to check your tire pressure whenever you fill up with gas will help to alleviate any problems tires low on air can cause.

Tighten Suspension Systems

More cars have suspension systems that are not adjusted properly than most people realize. If you find you go over a dip or bump and your vehicle is still bouncing afterwards, your suspension is very off. This can cause the wheel alignment to be off as well. As you go over a bump or dip, the wheels might leave the ground for a second. As the wheels return to the street, they may be going in a slightly different direction. The sudden change can cause the alignment to be off. Transversely, if the suspension is too tight, any slight bump in the road can send you careening off course. Make sure to have the suspension checked if you feel every bump in the road or you feel you are bouncing too much.

The Effects of Steering and Suspension

Steering and suspension is connected by more than just the jarring effects of going over a pothole when your suspension is not tuned correctly. Simple quirks in the power steering system can cause your alignment to go off. The longer you are struggling against a misalignment, the worse the problem will become. Make sure that the power steering fluid is being checked in the fluid checks. If this fluid is off, it can make fighting a misalignment even harder to overcome. A stiff steering and suspension system can cause major problems not only in controlling the vehicle for regular driving. It will exacerbate a problem that is caused by going over a pothole in the road. Maintaining the system through regular checks can help to alleviate the problems that can occur. Following these tips can help in reducing the amount of gas you are wasting from a misalignment.

Getting More Power from Fuel Injection Cleaners

As you step on the gas in your vehicle, you deserve to have the power to get you off of the line or to accelerate as you see fit. Making sure that you are able to get the power you need is possible when you are keeping the fuel systems clean. Taking the time to purchase such things as fuel injection cleaners can help to alleviate any problems in the fuel systems to allow you get the power you are looking for. To make sure that the fuel system is getting the help it needs to stay powerful, you need to pay attention to changing the engine oil regularly as well as making sure that any necessary auto repair is being handled as soon as possible.

Using Fuel Injection Cleaners

It is easy to get the help you need for better power with fuel injection cleaners. These are cleaners which combine with the gasoline in your tank to get rid of any deposits you may have in the fuel system. Using the cleaner is easy to accomplish. Simply pour the cleaner in with your next tank of gasoline and it is possible to remove all of the deposits which might be in the fuel system. Make sure that you are adding this in along with good gasoline that is free of any additional cleaners. Using the same gasoline you normally use will help to make sure that the cleaner is able to get through the system quickly and do its job.

How Oil Changes Help 

The best way to make sure that the engine is working properly is to make sure that the engine oil is as clean as possible. Investing in oil changes allows you to make sure that all of the moving parts in your engine are working properly. Keeping clean oil in the vehicle will make sure that when the fuel system is clean that the cylinders will be able to efficiently burn the gasoline being fed into the system. Every vehicle has a general car maintenance schedule to follow which includes oil changes. Following this helps to make sure to get more power as you are stepping on the gas.

Important Auto Repair for Power

The engine needs to work properly to make sure that the fuel injection cleaner you are purchasing will get the desired effect. Keep in mind that the engine needs to be able to deliver power to all of the different components of the engine. Doing so, translates the power from the gas pedal throughout the engine. Investing in regular fluid checks can help to alleviate many of the engine repairs which might normally be necessary. Always make sure that any engine repairs that are necessary are being completed quickly and efficiently. Small problems will only become large problems if they are not addressed immediately. Make sure to only bring your vehicle to ASE master technicians. They have the knowledge to make sure that the engine is working properly so you can get all of the power you deserve whenever you are driving in your car. Following these steps can help to make sure you are getting more from your engine.

Getting the Safety You Need with Better Air Bags

The safety of your vehicle depends on a few different factors. Other than the seat belts in the car you will also be able to depend on the air bags to provide protection. These have gone well beyond just the air bags which are on the passenger side of the vehicle. You will be able to count on air bags which drape in front of the windows as well as those which are provided to shield you from the windshield. The more air bags you have in a vehicle, the easier it is to get the protection you need whenever you are in an accident. Here are a few of the things you should know about the air bags in your vehicle.

Curtain Air Bags

The glass which flies around in an accident is a major problem as it can cause cuts in the skin or it can also cause damage to eyes. When with the use of safety glass, this is still no guarantee that you will be free from harm whenever you are in an accident. Making sure that you are using curtain air bags will help to make sure that you are being protected from direct impact with the glass or with the frame of the car as well. These deploy from just above the frame of the door and in front of the windshield to offer protection to the driver.

Front Dash Air Bags

The air bags which are deployed in front of the driver and passenger are intended to prevent whiplash and also to stop people from being ejected form vehicles. These have helped to prevent many people from being killed on impact. It is important to make sure that when in an accident that you are not using your arm across the steering wheel at all. This will help to prevent any kinds of problems in which you will encounter a broken hand or a broken wrist. As long as you are keeping your hands at 10 and 2 on the wheel, you will have a better chance of preventing anything from being broken. If you are making sure to sit an arm’s length away from the steering wheel, it will help to ensure your safety should you happen to be in an accident.

Repacked Air Bags

Air bags can be very expensive to replace. Many people have been getting around this cost by purchasing repacked air bags. These have been used and repacked after being inspected for damage. The air bag is pressurized and ready for use if you should get into another accident. The important thing to remember whenever buying these is that not all companies know what they are doing when packing these. There have been reports of improperly packed air bags deploying when they were not supposed to. By researching the companies you are buying from, you will have a better chance of getting the air bags which will operate correctly whenever they are needed. The money saved can help you to buy the curtain air bags which have been deployed as well to protect yourself and your passengers if you should get into another accident.