Most auto repair and service shops suggest an annual fall checkup for vehicles just prior to the cooler and rainy months ahead. Following your car's recommended maintenance schedule helps ensure your vehicle operates safely and uses fuel more efficiently. Here are some important tips to keep your car in shape and on the road:
Icy Roads: Keep a coffee can full of cat litter in the trunk during winter months. Sprinkling it over icy patches can supply the traction you need to get rolling when you are stuck.
Battery: Your vehicle’s battery loses 33% of its power when the temperature dips below freezing, and over 50% of its power when the temperature falls below zero. When temperatures become colder, turning over an engine can take up to twice as much current as needed under more favorable conditions and low temperatures can significantly decrease battery output. Use a battery charger to maintain charge levels and keep the battery fully charged during the winter months.
Fuel Pump Life: Avoid letting your fuel go below the 1/4 mark. If so, you run the risk of damaging your fuel pump faster. This is cause by the residue left at the bottom of the tank. It will clog the pump, not allowing fuel to go into the vehicle system.
Oil Check: Black or brown drips on the driveway means your car is leaking engine oil. Red drips indicate a transmission fluid leak and green or pale yellow fluids indicate a coolant leak. If you notice signs of fluid leakage, get your car inspected asap.
Brakes: When driving a vehicle equipped with anti-lock braking system (ABS), don’t pump the brake when stopping. Pumping the pedal does not allow the ABS to properly engage. Instead, hold the pedal firmly down without letting up and let the ABS keep the wheel from locking up as the vehicle slows.
Windshield: Get small chips and cracks in your windshield fixed before they grow and ruin the glass. Chip repair is quick, restores the windshield's structural integrity and does not adversely affect visibility. Insurance companies often cover this cost.
What can I do if my car overheats?
If you are driving at normal highway speed and the vehicle starts to overheat, turn off the air conditioner, turn on the heater and immediately pull over to the shoulder. Odds are if the vehicle starts to overheat at highway speed, there is a problem in the cooling system such as low coolant, a clogged radiator or a broken drive belt or burst hose. Once at the shoulder, shut off the engine, open the hood and let the engine cool down — 20 minutes minimum. Once any overboiling stops and the engine has cooled, look for obvious signs of trouble. Do not attempt to open the radiator cap unless the engine is off and the top of the radiator is cold. If there is no noticeable problem such as a broken drive belt or burst hose, you can then add a coolant/water mixture to the radiator or overflow reservoir, start the vehicle and drive slowly to a service facility.
What’s the correct tire pressure for my vehicle?
The correct tire pressure for a vehicle is determined by the size and weight of the vehicle, the type of tires it uses, load hauled, and the type of driving the vehicle is intended for. The vehicle manufacturer places a tire inflation placard in each vehicle that gives the proper tire inflation pressures for that vehicle. This placard is located on the inside of the glove box door, inside the fuel-filler door, or on the driver’s side doorpost (depending upon manufacturer). Most manufacturers also list tire inflation levels in the owner’s manual.
How often should I change my wiper blades?
For vehicles that are parked inside, car care experts recommend that the wiper blades be replaced at least once a year or when the wiper blades start streaking — which ever comes first. On vehicles kept outside or in areas where the wipers receive excessive use, changing the blades two or even three times a year is recommended for clear vision.
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Beas Auto Repair is one of our 60 Reasons to Shop Coppell. Beas Auto Repair is a family owned and operated auto repair shop offering body and collision services to all types of vehicles. Their services range from brake and clutch repair to collision repair and painting. They also offer glass repair, replacement and tinting as well as towing and roadside assistance.
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