Tuesday, April 30, 2013

Seat Belt Public Service Announcements



Public Service Announcements Tenn State coach and Child restraint. seat belts prevent headaches, pumpkin crashing, egg crashing.

Saturday, April 27, 2013

The Importance of Using the Right Oil for Your Car

One of the most important things you can do for your car is to use the right type of oil. You already know that the purpose of motor oil is to lubricate the various parts of the engine. It reduces engine wear, makes the car run more smoothly, and even increases gas mileage.

But, perhaps you thought that all oil was created equal. It's all pumped out of the ground and ends up in barrels, right?

The truth is that there are many different kinds of engine oils, and the one you use in your car will depend on a number of factors, such as the age of the engine, its specifications, and the type of weather you drive your car in.

Old engines

Old car engines need lubrication, primarily, to keep the metal parts from rubbing together. Engines that have many miles on them, however, can contain a lot of sludge in the bottom.

Some motor oils have been designed specifically to deal with this problem and even claim to remove it offending material circulating in it altogether.

High spec engines

High-performance car engines, the sort found in the most expensive sports cars, demand that best oil available. Quite often the engines are very large and run at much higher rpm than ordinary cars. That means that the oil has to retain its lubricative qualities even at very high temperatures.

The clearances between engine parts are often much smaller, too. And so a thinner oil has to be used in order for it to be able to lubricate all of the parts, regardless of how little space there is between them.

Weather

Believe it or not, weather can have an effect on your car engine's oil.

When the air temperature is high, the engine oil can get hotter, faster. When oil is hot, it is unable to coat the engine parts as well because it's also thinner. And so an oil that responds better to higher temperatures is often used.

Conversely, it colder climates, a thinner oil is used. That's so that the engine can still be lubricated effectively.

Oil thickens when it gets old, and in really cold weather, it can cease to be a lubricant simply because it won't flow enough to cover the metal parts.

Either extreme can cause a lot of damage to a car engine.

Your manual is always the best source of information about which oil is best for your car.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/7668386

Wednesday, April 24, 2013

Used Cars to Avoid from Consumer Reports



After surveying car owners about 17 trouble spots on more than a million vehicles, we know which used cars to avoid.

Thursday, April 18, 2013

Tips for Improving Your Gas Mileage by Driving More Efficiently

Gas is getting more and more expensive each day, leaving many people struggling with their budgets. While there is not a lot you can do to lower the price you pay at the pump, there are some things that you can do in order to try to drive more efficiently and to make sure that you are getting the best gas mileage that you can in your vehicle.

In order to make sure you are getting the best gas mileage, here are a few key tips for you to follow:

• Drive within the speed limit. When you drive 50 miles per hour or faster, your car will typically get far worse gas mileage than when you drive at a more reasonable speed. Some estimates indicate that each five miles per hour that you exceed the speed limit, you will basically be paying the equivalent of an extra.26 cents per gallon for gas. This is because cars are less fuel efficient at faster speeds. Of course, driving the speed limit is also safer for you.

• Keep extra weight out of your vehicle. The more stuff your car is packed with and the heavier it is, the more your gas mileage will be reduced. This is a bigger issue when you have a small car, as compared with a larger one, because the added weight will make a bigger difference in relation to your vehicle's weight.

• Make use of cruise control. If you use cruise control at a reasonable speed and keep your car going at a constant speed, you can typically get better gas mileage than if you regularly vary your speed or go up and down in speed dramatically. Using cruise control can also make longer drives more pleasant. Of course, cruise control is only possible on highways and on long stretches of road where you go at a steady speed without traffic signals.

• Try to avoid idling whenever possible. For each hour that you idle, you use a quarter to a half a gallon of gas. Idling is unnecessary and wasteful and you can turn your car off and on in only a second, using much less fuel than if you leave your car to idle. The downside to this is that repeatedly turning your car off and on can wear on the starter of your vehicle. However, if you know you are going to be parked for any length of time, then you are definitely better off turning off the car rather than letting it idle.

• Be sure your car is properly maintained. Having a well maintained car with good tires is one of the keys to making sure that you get the best gas mileage possible.

By following these tips, you can make sure that you are running your car as efficiently as possible and getting the best gas mileage possible. This will help you to save a lot of money at the pump, even with gas prices going up.


Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/7615901

Monday, April 15, 2013

How to Avoid a Tire Blow-Out and How to Act When It Happens

If you ever have the unfortunate experience of having a tire blow out while you are driving your vehicle, you need to act fast to avoid having a serious accident. No matter what kind of vehicle you drive, there are some simple steps to follow to make sure you safely come to a stop. There are also some important tips you should follow to lower the risk that you will have tire failure in the first place.

When a tire fails, you will know it. You will hear a loud noise and the car will become harder to steer. As soon as the tire blows, let off the gas pedal as soon as possible, but do not slam on the brakes as this could make you lose control. Be firm but smooth on the steering while guiding your vehicle to the side of the road, away from the traffic lanes. It is extremely important not to jerk on the wheel, as this too can make you lose control and crash.

If it is a front tire that fails, the vehicle will normally want to pull in that direction, but you should still have ample control to stop safely. A rear tire is a bit trickier though. If a rear tire fails, the vehicle can be very difficult to control and can dart unpredictably. Be gentle on the steering, and do not apply the brakes at all until you are going under 25 mph to minimize your risk of an accident.

While some tire failures are simply unavoidable, there are some things you can do to reduce the chance this happens to you. First, make sure your tires are properly inflated by checking them regularly with a tire pressure gauge, which you can buy at an auto parts store. When checking the pressure, make sure you do it before you drive the car and that the air temperature is mild. Checking the pressure on a day which is abnormally hot or cold, as well as checking them after you have driven the vehicle, can lead to an inaccurate reading, making you think that the tires are properly inflated when they actually are not.

Another way to prevent tire failure is to replace your tires every five to six years even if they are not worn out, especially if your car sits out in the sun a lot. The sun will rot and dry out the rubber, making it brittle. If this happens, the tire can fail even if there is plenty of tread left on it. To prevent this, visually inspect your tires once every couple of months. Look at where the tread meets the sidewall of the tire and check the area for cracking. A few tiny cracks are alright and nothing to worry about, but if there are many cracks, or very deep ones, replace the tires as soon as possible.

One final cause of tire failure comes from hitting curbs too hard. This can be especially damaging since the wheel normally gets bent as well. However, this situation is easy to avoid. Simply be careful and drive slowly if you think you might come in contact with a curb, and try to avoid all contact with curbs in general. Note that having cracked tires may increase the chance of a blow out when coming in contact with a curb.As you can see, with a little time and effort now, you can save yourself a big headache later on. Remember, take care of your tires and they will take care of you.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/6775157

Tuesday, April 9, 2013

Car Vibration: Causes of Engine Vibration in Cars

Car vibration is not uncommon. There are several causes of vibration in cars, not all of them easy to cure. If you are an experienced driver, the type of vibration might give you a clue as to its cause. For most people, however, the reason is a mystery and they are advised to seek professional help as soon as possible. A vibration that is left unattended could develop into a serious fault and an expensive repair.

Engine vibration can be easy to resolve or difficult and expensive. You can tell engine vibration if your car vibrates when idling. If you have a tachometer, the revs will vary with your foot off the gas pedal. Some engine vibrations only occur when driving, sometimes only on acceleration or after driving for a while. Here are the main causes of engine vibration in cars.

Car Vibration: Main Causes of Engine Vibration

Worn Spark Plugs: If your spark plugs or worn or dirty, they will tend to misfire and one or more cylinders will fail to function properly. Because all the cylinders are not operating as they should, this can set up a vibration in your engine, particularly if the problem is severe. If you feel an engine vibration, first check your plugs. Replace them if they seem dirty or worn and recheck your engine.

There may also be other compression issues such as carbon in the cylinders or mistiming of the firing sequence or valves. These problems are difficult for most people to identify, but are usually easily corrected by a trained mechanic. Another firing issue could be a lack of air. Make sure your air filter is clean and that there is nothing stopping the correct air/fuel mixture reaching the engine. This brings us to the next common cause of engine vibration in cars.

Loose Hosing: A loose air hose will likely affect the passage of air to the engine and also itself could be the cause of vibration. Air and vacuum hoses are important to the proper functioning of a vehicle. Check all the hosing and make sure none of is loose, disconnected or split causing leakage.

Belt Problems: Mistiming can be caused by problems with the timing belt. Other drive belts can also lead to vibration if they are loose or damaged. The timing and operation of the valves, fans and alternators are all belt driven, and problems with belts can lead to a number of different vibrations in the car. Make sure all the belts are tight and are undamaged.

The timing belt controls the timing of the opening and closing of the valves in the engine. This belt will possibly shriek if worn, particularly when you start the engine. You might also hear a whirring sound when idling. If your car is difficult to get started, not just in cold and wet conditions, or if you see spots of oil or other fluids on the belt, then it may need changing.

Carburetor Problems: A poorly adjusted carburetor can also cause shaking and vibration in the engine. A well-adjusted fuel intake system is essential for smooth running. The air and fuel mix should be just right, and your idle speed is also important. Give the carburetor a good clean out and adjust the idling speed until the engine is just ticking over, not so slowly that it coughs and cuts out but not racing.

Insecurely Fixed Engine: Car vibration under the hood while you are idling or waiting at lights can indicate lack of proper mounting of the engine. Check the motor mounts by idling in neutral. If the vibration reduces then it could be that the mounts are insecure. This will involve a professional inspection to be certain and is not a job most people can handle themselves.

Other Causes of Car Vibration

There are many other causes of vibration in cars other than engine vibration. Your tires might be misaligned, or axles or driveshaft can be slightly bent. One or more of your brake disks or rotors might be out of true which cause a vibration when you brake. If your wheel wobbles you could have worn tie rod ends, ball joints or your wheel bearings might need replaced. The wheel itself might have run-out, or not rotate completely circular.

Any of these issues can cause vibration, but only when driving. With most, the problem becomes more severe the faster you travel. If you feel a vibration when idling, then it is likely to be engine vibration. You can carry out the simple checks indicated above, but it is ultimately safest to have a qualified car mechanic check your vehicle over

A simple solution can rapidly become an expensive one if the correct remedial action is not taken quickly. Car vibrations must be dealt with rapidly, though there is often a simple solution for engine vibration in cars.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/7574357

Saturday, April 6, 2013

Auto Body Repair and Painting Services

An auto accident can happen in a split second. You are always left with many questions and are always wondering what happened. As well as wondering how and when you are able to get your automobile repaired. Whether it is repairing a full dent repair or just repairing a simple scratch in the paint. There are many services that are available to you when you are in the time of need.

One service that is available to you for your auto repair is frame straightening and reconstruction. Sometimes when you are in a auto accident it is so bad that it actually bends the actual frame of the automobile. Now you are able to have that problem easily fixed for you. Having a bent frame can be very detrimental to your car in a number of various obvious and unpredictable ways. And with using state of the art tools they are able to insure that your frame is perfectly straight without a question.

Another auto body repair service is the ability to have dents and dings pulled out and fixed. Not many things can hurt the good looks of your automobile like a dent in the door. Auto body repair shops can fix those dents and dings for you and have your car or truck looking like new. And now they are more accurate than ever with thanks to the new laser measuring system assists to make sure that the repair is done perfectly every time.

One more service for an auto repair shop is repairing the paint job the car or truck has. A simple scratch can take away a lot from the look of your automobile. Nowadays they are able to use a computerized paint matching system that guarantees that the new paint on your car or truck matches your old paint perfectly every time. And a heated pressurized down draft paint booth ensures that you are left with a factory like finish every time no matter what.

A car accident leaves you with many unanswered questions. Some of those questions shouldn't be how you are going to get your car or truck fixed. With auto body repair and paint services these days you can insure that your car or truck will be back in good shape as soon as possible. And with such a large variety of services you only have to take your automobile to one service business.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/5186619

If your vehicle has been damaged in an accident come see the experts at Corby's Collision. When you do business with us you will not only deal with our qualified and professional staff but, also with Paul himself. He is an Owner/Operator and likes to be "hands on" with everything that goes in and out of the shop.
707-448-1696

Wednesday, April 3, 2013

Gas Saving Tips - Tire Maintenance

Gas is getting more expensive all the time. You might not think of it at first, but your tires can make a big difference in how fuel efficient your car is. Here are several tips that go far beyond the standard "keep your tires inflated" gas saving tips.

1) Buy better tires

Car manufacturers actually put high fuel efficiency tires on new cars in order for them to more easily meet federally mandated CAFE (Corporate Average Fuel Economy) standards. Most of us downgrade our tires to far less fuel efficient models when it comes time to buy the first set of replacement tires because we want to save money. But buying cheaper tires could end up costing us more. Some estimates state that as a nation we could cut our fossil fuels usage by 3% just by switching to more efficient tires.

Some of the fuel efficient tires available now include the Michelin Cooper GFE and Energy Saver A/S, the Goodyear Assurance Fuel Max and the ProContact EcoPlus+ Continental. As a group, these tires typically save only about two percent fuel efficiency. If you drive 12,000 miles a year, and get 25 miles per gallon, and spend $3 per gallon of gas, that works out to a savings of $28 per year. So, unfortunately, this tip is not going to make a major difference, but it does matter over time. If gas prices go up, it will matter even more.

2) Do not "reverse" your wheels to save tire tread

This is a trick to make your tires last longer, and while it will make your tires last a little longer, it will also substantially increase the resistance of the tires. More resistance means more fuel usage, and fewer miles per gallon.

 3) Keep your front end aligned

This is another place where resistance can drain your gas budget. The front alignment of your car refers to how straight your tires and the front axle line up. Over time, the bumps and turns of the road can make your car tend to drift in one direction or another, and the more you adjust this (which you have to do, and you unconsciously do), the more gas you use. The typical way to test if your front alignment is off is to drive on an empty, straight, flat road and carefully take your hands off the wheel just for a few seconds. If your car continues straight, the alignment is good. If it drifts to the left or the right, you need to get the alignment fixed, both to preserve your car's fuel efficiency and to prolong the life of your tires.

4) Choose radial tires

They create less friction, and thus use less gas.

5) Keep that air pressure gauge handy

And finally, keep your tires fully inflated. Your car's owner's manual will tell you what the tire pressure should be. Check it once a month to keep your tires properly inflated. The standard estimated gas savings for keeping your tires inflated is 3%. For most people, that works out to a savings of a cheap lunch or two nice cups of coffee per month.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/5362661