Tire Maintenance To Save You Money

Maintaining your tires can help you save a lot of money. Tire maintenance includes regular practices such as alignment, rotation and inspection. The tires carry the entire weight of your vehicle and without them; your car would not be able to move, so why not invest in quality tire maintenance?

What can tire maintenance do for you?

Just like any other part of your vehicle, your tires get old and worn out depending on how you take care of them. Taking good care of your tires can extend their lifespan and you would not have to buy new tires as often. Doing things as simple as checking the pressure to ensure that they are properly inflated can make a huge difference. The lifespan of tires that are consistently under inflated by 20% reduces by 20%. Instead of your tires taking you the recommended 60, 000 miles, they will only handle 48,000 miles and that makes a colossal difference. This is because underinflated tires do not wear evenly, and before you know it, you will not be able to drive your vehicle safely. Rotating your tires regularly also makes sure the wear is evenly distributed and this makes them last longer.

Proper tire maintenance also saves you fuel. If you are using excess fuel and cannot find any explanation from your engine or driving habits, you should check if your tires are properly inflated because under inflated tires are one of the most common reasons for using excess fuel. This is because there is a higher rolling resistance and your engine has to apply more effort to move the vehicle.

Your own personal safety and that of the vehicle occupants are also a reason why tire maintenance is important. You rely on the brakes and tires to grip the road and bring the car to a stop in emergency situations. They should be in ideal working conditions at all times for your safety.

Tire maintenance tips

·         Always inspect your tires regularly. If you do not have a lot of driving experience, it is quite difficult to notice when one of your tires has a problem. Take the initiative to inspect your tires at least once or twice a week before you roll out of the driveway. You should also have your tires professionally inspected every year.

·         Check your pressure at the gas station since it affects the vehicle handling and braking, especially during rainy weather. You should always check the tire pressure before a long trip.

·         All tires have a recommended load capacity and you should keep this in mind when buying tires or loading your vehicle. You should avoid loading the tires beyond the recommended load capacity as a matter of safety first. Sudden tire destruction may be caused by the excess heat that builds up when driving with overloaded tires.

If you notice any damage to the tire or wheel, replace it with your spare tire before getting it checked by a professional. This can help you avoid further damage and accidents as well.

Posted By: Crawfordville Automotive  http://crawfordvilleauto.com

Common Auto Repair Mistakes to Avoid

If you are planning on doing any auto repairs on your own probably because you want to save money or that you consider yourself a handy person, there are a couple of things you should beware of to avoid common mistakes. DIY repairs have their own fair of challenges. You’re less likely to do the job as meticulously as a professional would but sometimes it’s worth a try.

But in the interest of saving you a couple of dollars, let’s look at some common things to avoid when performing auto repairs on your own.

1.     Failing to know what you can and cannot do

Here’s the thing, not all auto repairs can be converted to DIY projects. There are some repairs that must be handled by a professional because not only are they potentially dangerous but also do require a high level of skill and experience to be done right. For instance, replacing your windshield, swapping a transmission or changing your brake pads are tasks you would want to leave to a professional. It’s not worth risking potential injury and spending your time and money only to require the services of a professional later on.

2.     Failing to read expert advice and information on auto repairs

There are countless resources online that provide information on auto repairs that can be done at home. You need to start reading this information and make sure you are well versed with the repair jobs you can handle. Start with the easier projects for beginners and then work your way up as you understand more about your car and the way it works. Don’t just start working on the car blindly before you get any information on what you are supposed to do and why.

3.     Failing to label auto parts as you remove them

It’s easy to get confused after you remove parts from your vehicle and forget what goes where. To avoid this, make use of proper labelling as you are removing the parts. Write down all the areas that you are tampering with so that you can easily fix them back together when you’re done.

4.     Using the wrong type of oil on your engine

The type of oil you use on your engine can really affect your vehicle’s performance. Consider the weight and type of oil recommended by the manufacturer and strictly follow the guidelines given. Using the wrong oil may not cause the engine to fail instantly but it deteriorates over time and causes your car to be inefficient. Most importantly, don’t forget the necessary oil changes that are required to keep your car’s engine running efficiently.

5.     Failing to do the basics

Some car owners will go straight into the tough stuff and forget certain important basics such as rotating the tires and checking oil pressure. You can save yourself a lot of money if you ensure that your oil changes are done within the required schedule and that the brake pads are replaced on a regular basis to avoid the screeching sound.  

Posted By: Crawfordville Automotive http://crawfordvilleauto.com

How Much Should I Pay For a Rebuilt Transmission?

If your car's transmission is giving you trouble, the first thought that might cross your mind is how much that trouble's going to cost you. After all, transmissions aren't cheap - so how can you be sure that you're getting the best estimate possible?

Wondering how much you should pay for a rebuilt transmissions? Take a look at these tips on getting the best estimate; they'll ensure that you walk away with a newly functioning transmission without spending an arm and a leg.

Be as Descriptive as Possible. The more you can tell your mechanic about what's wrong with your car, the more likely it is that he or she will be able to diagnose the problem right away. You don't even have to be a car expert to describe what's wrong with your transmission. Tell your transmission repair expert about any sounds and sensations that you've been experiencing.

You may feel like you're not making much sense, but trust us - your transmission repair expert can make sense out of what you're saying!

Request a Diagnostic. If your mechanic isn't able to diagnose the problem the first time around, he or she may request a diagnostic test. This may sound expensive and time-consuming, but it's actually extremely simple. The diagnostic test is a fast process that gives the mechanic a concrete idea of what's wrong with your transmission. This is usually delivered in the form of an error code, which the mechanic then uses to pinpoint the specific problem.

Your diagnostic test should be free - and if it's not, take your car to another transmission repair expert, pronto.

Be Understanding. There may be times where the diagnostic test doesn't give your mechanic an accurate idea of what's going on with your car. If that's the case, your mechanic will need to actually remove the transmission from your car to get an accurate idea about pricing.

If this happens, don't assume that the transmission repair expert is trying to rip you off. In fact, this is often a sign that your mechanic is trying to give you the most fair and accurate price as possible. Should the mechanic need to remove the transmission, expect between $500 to $1000. This should determine the exact problem with your vehicle.

What's the Final Cost? Transmissions are not cheap; therefore, it's in your best interest to expect to pay $1000+ when your transmission needs to be repaired or rebuilt. Most transmission repairs average between $1400 to $1800 considering the year, make and model of your vehicle. Economy cars and older vehicles will tend to be less expensive while SUVs and luxury cars will usually cost much more.

However, now that you know how much a transmission repair should actually cost, you'll be in a better place to ensure that you're not getting ripped off. Make sure your mechanic walks you through every step of the process, as this can help you get a better understanding of why these costs can be so high.

Use these tips to get the best estimate for your rebuilt transmission!

Posted By: Crawfordville Automotive http://crawfordvilleauto.com

All you need to Know about Wheel and Tire Safety

Your entire car performance depends on how well the four wheels handle the road. Many people often focus on engine maintenance and forget all about the wheels that the car rides on. Wheel and tire performance is very important for your safety when driving. The following are some important factors to keep in mind:

Check your tire pressure

Depending on how often you drive your car, you may need to check your tire pressure at least once a week. Getting the right tire pressure prolongs the lifespan of the tires, enhances safety and makes your vehicle more economical in fuel usage.  Your tire lifespan may reduce by up to 75% even when you are operating at 80% tire pressure.

You can tell there is a pressure problem when the tires start wearing out faster on the outer edges. Tire blowouts often occur when the tire is under inflated since there is not enough air to hold up the weight of the vehicle. The sidewalls of the tires end up getting flexing beyond their limit and blow out. If you are driving at a high speed, you could easily cause a bad accident. Make sure you inflate the tires according to the tire rating.

Replace your tires

Replacing all four tires may be costly but it is not expensive as what you may lose in case of an accident. Bald tires should be used on racetracks only. When your tire treads are worn out and you cannot retread them, you need to replace them. The treads enable the tires to grip on to the road surface, which is necessary for breaking and making turns. Worn out tires are also illegal and you can get a fine for riding on tires with a low tread depth. You can buy a tread wear indicator and check the tread depth yourself. Make sure to check all the tires in every main grove and at least two different points along the grove.

Use the right tire for the right weather

You cannot use the same tires for summer during winter. Tires come with a variety of ratings. There are some which are all weather and there are specially designed winter rated tires. If you experience heavy winters in your areas with a lot of snow, you should get rated tires for your own safety.

Clean your wheels

You need to clean the wheels when you are washing the car. Avoid washing car wheels when they are still hot as this could cause rapid contraction and weaken the wheel. A lot of mud, grime and dirt often end up covering the wheel and this could affect the way the breaks work. Get some mild soap and water to loosen the grime and dirt and wash off the wheel when it is cool. You can wax or polish the wheel after washing for the finishing. Make sure you get the right rims for your tire so you do not damage the edges of the tire.

Posted By: Crawfordville Auto http://crawfordvilleauto.com

Benefits Of Having Regular Automotive Repair

Very few car owners actually go through the auto manual which comes with new cars. As time goes by, automotive repairs of your vehicle become very important. This is due to the fact that with regular use the different parts of a vehicle do not perform like they used to when they were in newer condition. Most US residents, including those living in cities like Tyler and Athens face high repair bills just because they did not service their vehicle in time.

Getting your car serviced every now and then has its benefits. Some of these are:

1. Less chance of high repair bills: If you notice that your car tires have become worn out or the car fluids are continuously leaking out or you regularly overlook the dashboard warning lights and still you neglect taking the vehicle to a mechanic, you may incur heavy repair bills when you finally decide to get your precious vehicle repaired. Better would be to do a regular check up of your car to avoid such heavy costs on automotive repairs at one go. It has been noticed that several US citizens, including those residing in cities like Tyler and Henderson have their precious cars checked on a regular basis.

2. More dependable vehicle: Nobody would like the idea of getting stranded in the middle of the road. Regular maintenance of your car, like different fluid checks or oil change will ensure that your car serves you for a longer life span.

3. Better re-sell value: A person who has his car well maintained will have a better chance of getting a good re-sell value for his car when he decides to trade it in. Nobody would like the idea of purchasing a used car for which the new owner has to pay a fortune to get it in a better working condition.

4. Environment friendly vehicle: Timely maintenance of your vehicle will ensure that it passes all emission tests. This will prove that your car is in perfect running condition. A car which does not blow out smoke and does not make any sort of sound while it is running would add to make this planet a lovely place to live in.

Posted By:Crawfordville Auto Repair and Tire http://crawfordvilleauto.com

How to Cut Back on Your Auto Repair Costs

Auto repairs can be really expensive, especially when you consider the fact that auto repair emergencies happen unexpectedly and usually after you are done spending the paycheck. The good news is, there are certain things that you can do to ensure you do not spend a fortune at the auto repair shop.

Follow the manufacturer’s manual

When you buy a car, it comes with a manual from the manufacturer, recommending how and how often you need to get your car checked. Unfortunately, many people throw away this manual as soon as they get home, only to retrieve it once a problem arises. For the sake of your car and your pocket, pay heed to what the manufacturer has to say. After all, they know the car best. Get your car checked regularly, even when there is not an obvious problem. Sometimes an issue will fester below the surface, only to escalate into a full blown problem at the worst of times.

Handle your car gently

Do not be rough on your car, as this will only make it susceptible to damage. Pay attention to where you drive and park your car. If your car is not made for rough terrain, then do not drive it on such. Drive carefully and do not lend your car to reckless drivers. And finally, do not drive when drunk. This will only lead to accidents, which are costly and sometimes fatal. If you have to clean your auto glass, do it the right way. Do not use abrasives on your auto glass, this will damage them.

Get insurance

Protect yourself against the financial risks associated with car ownership by getting a car insurance policy. This way, you will have some of the costs of your auto repair covered. Footing all your auto repair bills from your pocket will have a detrimental effect on your finances. And remember to always ask the auto repair shop whether they work with your insurance provider. Otherwise, you might have an impossible time filing claims.

Choose a good auto repair shop

If you want to spend less on your auto repairs, choose a good auto repair shop. Such a shop will not only offer quality services (which will mean fewer trips to the mechanic) but they will also be transparent about their charges as well. You do not want a situation where you are asked to pay additional costs that you had not been told about.

Don’t wait till the last minute

Do not wait for that tiny chip on your windshield to grow into a full-blown crack. Address problems as they arise, so that you do not give them time to become really big problems.

Let the professionals handle it

Unless you are one hundred percent sure of what you are doing, do not attempt to fix auto repairs on your own. If you do this, you run the risk of tampering with your car and incurring huge costs at the auto repair shop.

Auto repairs need not be too expensive. With these simple steps, you will be headed towards cheaper auto repair bills.

Posted By: Dan Hinchee  http://crawfordvilleauto.com/

How to Avoid Expensive Auto Repairs

If you do not take good care of your car, you are very likely going to incur great costs when you head to the auto repair shop for repairs, replacement and other maintenance needs. Your car is an important part of your life, and you should strive to ensure that you do everything possible to keep it in good shape, and in doing so, avoid expensive auto repairs. Here is what you should do:

Follow the maintenance schedule as outlined in the owner’s manual.

The manufacturer of your car includes a maintenance schedule that is to direct you on how and when to touch up your car for maintenance purposes. This schedule is your best guide as it comes from someone who understands the car properly, and all its components and the needs of every one of them.

Fix problems soon enough

Pay attention to your car so that you can detect when something is amiss. And if at all you detect something wrong, get it checked out immediately. If you allow little problems to exist without getting fixed, they will escalate into something much bigger that will not only be expensive to fix but dangerous to your safety as well.

Change fluids, filters and spark plugs as recommended by the manufacturer

You might think you are saving some money by not changing these as recommended, but waiting longer than the time the manufacturer has stipulated only serves to damage your vehicle. So that in the long run you end up spending more money in getting your car repaired.

Inflate tires properly

Tires that contain too little air or too much of it are dangerous not just to your car, but your safety as well. This is because such tires are prone to excessive wear and tear which can result into a blow-out.

Synthetic oil

Consider upgrading your motor oil to a high-performance synthetic oil which will not only prevent certain problems associated with common motor oil, but improve your car’s performance as well.

Unusual noises

Unusual noises on your car might be an indication that something is wrong, and for this reason you should check the owner’s manual to ascertain what is usual and what is unusual. If the unusual noises persist, take your car to an auto repair shop where the repair professionals can check to see what is amiss.

Drive carefully

Avoid expensive auto repairs by driving your car carefully, so that you can minimize the chances of wrecking your vehicle, which would definitely necessitate extensive repairs. If someone borrows your car, make sure they are careful drivers and remind them to handle your vehicle well. This is especially important if you are lending your car to someone who has just started to drive.

Know what you can handle and what you cannot

If your car needs some repairs, do them only if you are sure you can adequately deal with them. Otherwise, let the auto repair shop deal with auto repair problems that are beyond your scope. Tinkering with your car when you are not sure about what needs to be done is only going to worsen the problem, and lead to expensive auto repairs.

Posted by: Crawfordville Auto & Repair http://crawfordvilleauto.com