by tvetensautocliniccom on February 22, 2012
With Valentine’s Day this month, you go all out and lavish your special someone with flowers and chocolates. But don’t let the focus completely slip away from your non-human companions. That’s right-cars need love too, and unlike humans, they’ll never tell you that they’re just not that into you.
Here, then, are four heartfelt ways to renew your bond with your vehicle and show it how much you care.
Buy New Tires
Spring isn’t far away, which means a tire swap could be in order. It’s time to think about changing out snow tires, switching to a good all-season tire or maybe adding a high-performance tire to a sporty car. Or maybe the tread on your current set has worn away. New tires can dramatically improve everything from ride comfort and handling to ambient noise on the highway, and they’re much more resistant to blowouts than the aging rubber that we too often see on the road. There’s a tire to fit virtually any budget these days, so why not do some research and price out a new set? Cars love new tires, and that’s what the Valentine’s Day spirit is all about.
Clean It Up!
You’ve already seen a few winter months pass by, and that layer of grime on your car has probably gotten pretty thick. Here’s a thought: don’t just take your car through the mechanical car wash for eight bucks, as this can scratch your paint and leave filth untouched in some areas. If you don’t want to get the sponge out yourself, we recommend anteing up for a professional hand wash. It’s like a spa treatment for your car; you’ll be amazed at how refreshed it looks afterwards. If you’ve suffered through a particularly nasty winter, however, you may want to spring for a full detailing job, which is akin to a full-body rejuvenation. Is your car worth it? Of course it is; it’s your valentine!
Take a Road Trip
If you’re like most American drivers, you might feel like you’ve been stuck in a chilly commuting rut all winter. So how about hitting the road for a weekend getaway? It’ll be good for you, of course, but your car will appreciate it too, and here’s why. You know how used-car classifieds will claim a vehicle has driven “mostly highway miles”? Well, that’s because a steady cruise on the highway is just about the least stressful experience a car can have. Cold starts are a killer for engine components; ditto short trips, prolonged idling and stop-and-go traffic. Chances are you’ve been doing that stuff all winter. So don’t keep abusing your car with the usual routine; take it out on the open road and get its heart singing again.
Install a USB-Compatible Stereo
Are you still listening to CDs in the car? Or maybe an iPod with a shaky connection? Well, check it out: there’s been a digital-music revolution over the past couple years, and a growing number of head units are being now equipped with an honest-to-goodness USB port-just like a new car’s stereo. Having a USB port is great because you can play your iPod/mp3 player through it with superior fidelity (compared to an auxiliary input jack), or you can insert a flash drive with a bunch of mp3s on it and enjoy an exceptionally portable jukebox full of your favorite songs. It’s a worthwhile upgrade, especially if you’re already accustomed to using mp3s in other contexts. And, having received a new technological lease on life, your car will likely be your loyal valentine for years to come. Flowers and chocolates not required.
February 2012 by DriverSide
by tvetensautocliniccom on January 23, 2012
If you don’t control your money, your money will control you. Today let’s focus on getting control over the cost of auto repair and maintenance.
The Cost of Owning a Car
Here’s a look at all the budget categories you may want consider when attempting to nail down your auto expenses:
- Purchase price – payment (cash and/or financing and interest) to acquire the vehicle
- Taxes - paid when you buy or sell the vehicle
- Fuel - the gasoline/fuel you need to make the vehicle run
- Insurance – all levels auto insurance including personal liability, collision, comprehensive, roadside assistance, etc.
- Tags and registration – state vehicle registration, license plates, and renewal tags
- Repair and maintenance - tires, oil changes, and all other repairs and maintenance necessary to keep your vehicle operational
Benefits of Controlling These Costs
Many of the benefits of controlling your auto maintenance costs are similar to those you experience when gaining control over any area of your money, so let’s focus on those that are specific to the topic. Proper budgeting for auto repair and maintenance will allow you to:
- Have a better relationship and better communication with your auto mechanic
- Prepare/plan better so you don’t have to race to get oil changes before your next trip
- Reduce your maintenance expenses going forward
- Relax in the knowledge that you’re prepared
You can achieve all of these things simply by setting aside enough money to cover your expenses. That way you won’t have to stress or worry about where the money is coming from – if it can be found at all.
by tvetensautocliniccom on August 15, 2011
Regular oil changes are necessary to ensure the proper performance of a car’s engine. An oil change, which involves installing a new engine oil filter and draining old engine oil and replacing it with fresh, clean oil, offers a myriad of benefits.
Cleaner Engine
Oil changes help to keep car engines clean and running smoothly. As an engine operates, microscopic wear and debris particles flake off from various internal engine parts and enter a car’s oil. Regularly changing a car’s oil eliminates these particles and ensures that an engine is bathed and lubricated with clean, quality motor oil.
Longer Engine Life
Wear and friction are the two leading causes of engine wear and failure; regular oil changes reduce engine wear and result in a longer lasting car engine.
Lower Vehicle Emissions
Clean oil enables an engine to run cleaner, and a cleaner running engine emits less exhaust than a dirty engine. An oil change replaces old, dirty engine oil with fresh, clean engine oil, oil that is better able to absorb harmful engine particles and engine by-product emissions.
Better Gas Mileage
An oil change infuses an engine with clean, quality engine oil that provides better lubrication and friction-reducing capabilities than old, dirty engine oil. Increased engine lubrication results in less engine friction, which enables an engine to run easier and smoother and leads to increased gas mileage.
Better Engine Performance
Clean engine oil allows an engine’s internal parts to operate easier and smoother, enabling an engine to maximize its mechanical output. This leads to not only an increase in gas mileage, but also an increase in engine performance.
Schedule your Oil Service Appointment today!
by tvetensautocliniccom on July 12, 2011
Air Conditioning, which was once considered a luxury, is now a common feature on most cars and vehicles today.
While the servicing of modern car air conditioning systems is best left to professionals, you can get the most enjoyment from your A/C system if you know a bit about how it works and what malfunctions you should be on the lookout for.
1. Odd smells coming from the air conditioning may be caused by bacterial build-ups in the A/C system.
As your car becomes older, or when the air conditioning system is used infrequently, bacteria, micro-organisms, mold and fungi may start growing, just behind the dash panel on the evaporator causing some very unpleasant odors. Some even claim this can result in headaches and flu like symptom sometimes referred to as “sick car syndrome.”
This problem can be solved by using an anti-bacterial treatment that destroys the bacteria growth and leaves your car smelling fresh again.
2. If your automobile does NOT feel cold enough, then you may need to recharge your system.
If you feel that your car doesn’t feel as cold as your friend’s car, then your system may need servicing. The air conditioning system in your vehicle is not usually covered by most manufacturers servicing schedules and the refrigerant gas that is used to operate the system depletes over time. This leakage can be caused when the system is not used during the winter months. Thus allowing the small “O” ring seals to dry out resulting in a gradual deterioration in system performance. If this continues, eventually the system will not be able to operate at all.
Most problems of this type can be put right fairly easily by a leak check of your system followed by a complete refill of your air conditioning refrigerant, this is sometimes referred to as a re-gas.
3. Running your air conditioning year round will help maintain the automobile A/C system.
If you run the air conditioning in the winter it will help to keep the system well lubricated and leak tight. This is because the refrigerant actually carries the oil that lubricates the system and most importantly the compressor. It also keeps the seals and hoses moist, thus preventing them from drying out and cracking which can lead to leaks.
4. Strange noises coming from the air conditioning should be attended to immediately.
If your air-con system suddenly starts making noises you have not heard before it is very advisable to have a qualified vehicle air conditioning specialist to have a look at it. Some noises could be early symptoms of a compressor failure (the compressor is the air conditioning pump). The compressor is usually the most expensive part on the system and if the bearings in your compressor break down or if the compressor seizes up it also means that other components can become contaminated with metal particles A flush of the system would then be needed as well as replacement of the compressor, the receiver/drier and the expansion valve – quite a hefty bill.
5. Don’t worry too much about a pool of water forming under your automobile after using the A/C.
If you see a puddle of water on the ground, usually under the passenger area don’t be alarmed. This is a normal feature of the system as it is only water dripping from the air conditioning evaporator. The evaporator has a drain tube fitted to allow the condensation from the evaporator to drain away from the vehicle.
6. Excessive moisture inside the car can be fixed easily.
Sometimes the drain tube from the evaporator may become blocked or detached allowing the condensation to build up inside your evaporator. If this occurs water will just build up inside your car to a point where there are damp carpets or misting / high humidity type problems. These problems can be solved with low-cost servicing.
7. Have your air conditioning serviced regularly, even if there are no visible problems.
Just as the other systems of your car need servicing on a regular basis, the same is true for the air conditioning system. The compressor needs oil, or else it will seize up. The filter collects debris and moisture. If the filter becomes blocked, then the performance of the system will deteriorate and it can even quit working entirely (probably when you need it most!)
Normally the refrigerant gas in a car air conditioning system has to be recharged completely within four years from the manufacture date and thereafter every two to three years.
An annual servicing of your car’s air conditioning system will guard against malfunctions in the compressor and other vital parts of the system. Regular maintenance will save you money in the long run and guarantee you comfort in the hottest months.
Schedule your A/C Appointment Online today!
www.autorepairtips.org
by tvetensautocliniccom on May 30, 2011
Here are a few things to consider regarding your car, truck or SUV!
During the upcoming summer months, the weather can get hot. You’ll want to take a few things into consideration regarding your car, truck or SUV. It’s important to remember that hot weather can be tough on mechanical components. While there are many similarities between getting your vehicle ready for summer and getting it ready for winter, a couple of differences do exist.
Here’s a list of what needs to be done to get your vehicle ready for summer:
- Remove snow tires.
- Check the tire pressure. Tire pressure is important at all times. It’s critical to have properly inflated tires, as this assures the best possible contact between the tire and the road.
- Change the engine oil and adjust the viscosity grade.
- Inspect the belts and hoses. Before summer begins, have the belts and hoses inspected on your vehicle. And if you’re not sure when they were last replaced, consider having them changed, especially before commencing a long road trip.
- Inspect the wipers and wiper fluid. The life expectancy of a wiper blade is one year. If your car’s blades are dried out and not making full contact with the windshield, replace them.
- Check the battery. A battery gives little warning before it goes dead. Hot weather can put additional strain on a battery similar to what is experienced in cold weather.
- Check coolant/antifreeze mixture. The ideal mixture of coolant and water inside your vehicle’s radiator is 50:50. If the mixture deviates from this norm, then hot-weather performance (and cold) can be compromised.
- Carry an emergency kit inside your car. Things you might consider carrying include the following:
- A flashlight, flares and a first-aid kit
- Jumper cables
- Extra clothes and gloves
- Paper towels
- Extra washer fluid
- Food and water
- Basic tools like wrenches, a ratchet and sockets, screwdrivers and pliers or Vise-Grips
Drive safe this summer!
by tvetensautocliniccom on April 22, 2011
Watch this video from CarCare.org on Gas Saving Tips!
by tvetensautocliniccom on April 13, 2011
With gas prices nearing four dollars a gallon in many parts of the country, the Car Care Council is offering gas-saving maintenance and driving tips that really work. Record Gas Prices Make it Perfect Time to “Be Car Care Aware.”
“Millions of dollars worth of gasoline is wasted every day by motorists, because simple and inexpensive vehicle maintenance is neglected,” said Rich White, executive director of the Car Care Council. “Loose or missing gas caps, under-inflated tires, worn spark plugs and dirty air filters all contribute to poor fuel economy.”
The Car Care Council offers these fuel-saving tips:
Vehicle gas caps – About 17 percent of the vehicles on the roads have gas caps that are either damaged, loose or are missing altogether, causing 147 million gallons of gas to vaporize every year - Under inflated tires – When tires aren’t inflated properly it’s like driving with the parking brake on and can cost a mile or two per gallon.
- Worn spark plugs - A vehicle can have either four, six or eight spark plugs, which fire as many as 3 million times every 1,000 miles, resulting in a lot of heat and electrical and chemical erosion. A dirty spark plug causes misfiring, which wastes fuel. Spark plugs need to be replaced regularly.
- Dirty air filters – An air filter that is clogged with dirt, dust and bugs chokes off the air and creates a “rich” mixture – too much gas being burned for the amount of air, which wastes gas and causes the engine to lose power. Replacing a clogged air filter can improve gas mileage by as much as 10 percent, saving about 15 cents a gallon.
Fuel-saving driving tips include:
- Don’t be an aggressive driver – Aggressive driving can lower gas mileage by as much as 33 percent on the highway and 5 percent on city streets, which results in 7 to 49 cents per gallon.
Avoid excessive idling – Sitting idle gets zero miles per gallon. Letting the vehicle warm up for one to two minutes is sufficient.
- Observe the speed limit - Gas mileage decreases rapidly at speeds above 60 mph. Each mph driven over 60 will result in an additional 10 cents per gallon. To maintain a constant speed on the highway, cruise control is recommended.
Some of the above statistics were gathered from a U.S. Department of Energy Web site, www.fueleconomy.gov
Article by carcare.org
by tvetensautocliniccom on March 25, 2011
More customers are satisfied with the work of independent mechanics than with that of dealership mechanics.
People who took their car to an independent mechanic for maintenance were generally more satisfied than those who went to a dealership, according to a Consumer Reports survey involving 349,000 vehicles.
Eighty-four percent of owners reported being very satisfied with maintenance performed at independent shops compared with 77 percent at dealerships.
Most customers agreed that their independent shop was “very thorough and thoughtful, and always gives a good sense of how important something is to fix.”
Among owners whose cars needed repairs and maintenance, the difference in satisfaction with dealers and independent shops was even more pronounced: 75 percent were very satisfied with independents vs. just 57 percent with dealerships.
Bring your vehicle into Tveten’s Auto Clinic next time you need service!
Schedule your next appointment online!
By the Editors of Consumer Reports
by tvetensautocliniccom on March 25, 2011
