Thursday, June 29, 2017

How to Prevent Scratches, Swirls on a Black Car


Maintaining a black car's exterior is an intimidating experience considering a single finger swiped across the paint can show a noticeable blemish. With so many cars coming off the assembly line with fresh coats of deep, glossy black paint, we gathered tips on how to keep that luster looking as good as new. Cars.com’s Matt Schmitz shows how to help keep any car's paint color free of scratches and swirls in this week’s segment of Driving Smart.

Monday, June 26, 2017

5 Car Care Hacks: What Your Auto Body Shop Wants You to Know


While auto body shop professionals are happy to help with tiny and large problems alike, some car problems can be prevented or at least delayed. A great mechanic wants to empower car owners with knowledge of how to take great care of their vehicles. They should follow these five car care hacks to enjoy logging many miles to come in their automobile.

1. Tending to Tires

It's easy to trust that tires will keep spinning until the driver feels one go flat, but car owners can extend the longevity of their tires with a bit of extra care. They should wipe off brake dust on a regular basis, meaning at least once per week. If brake dust builds up, it's a little-known fact that it can bake into the wheels of an automobile if left on for too long. They should rely on a damp sponge and soapy water to clear off the dust.

That's not all it takes to keep tires in great shape. They should check the car's tire pressure regularly, or have a professional mechanic do so if they're not familiar with the ins and outs of tire pressure. Also, having their tread depth checked and tires rotated regularly is advisable.

2. Keeping Their Cool

Many people don't know that it's important to flush their motor vehicle's cooling system at least once per year, and they should change the coolant then as well as whenever it's needed throughout the year. Automobile owners need to trust a professional mechanic for this job, and they can ensure that grime, corrosion, and other deposits don't build up in the car's cooling system.

3. Letting Their Light Shine

Car owners should check their headlights and brake lights regularly to make sure these lights are in excellent working order. Not only can broken lights result in tickets, but they can also present a hazard on the road. Both the headlights and brake lights can be quickly tested at an auto body shop, and when there is a problem, it's usually easy to fix as long as vehicle owners catch it before it causes problems on the road.

4. Showing Pride in the Car's Appearance

One crucial aspect of taking the best care of a car is also keeping it clean. Whether they own a small car, a huge SUV, or anything in between, automobile owners should get a regular car wash and wax. They need to schedule a vehicle wash every week or at least every other week. Also, if they notice immediate issues, such as a bird relieving itself on the top of their car, it's important to wash the excrement away as soon as possible. Bird waste can actually damage a car's paint job, so cleaning up the mess right away is essential.

5. Paying Attention to Warnings

If drivers notice a warning light on their dashboard, they need to resist the temptation to look the other way. Whether it's a check engine light, a temperature light, an oil light, or something else, car owners should take their vehicle to an auto body shop to check on the problem right away. The earlier they catch an issue, the easier and less expensive it may be to fix.

Finally, automobile owners need to keep in mind that they can prevent some trips to the auto body shop for repairs by taking optimal care of their car. They need to take action today to keep their vehicle in pristine condition.


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Friday, June 23, 2017

Road Tripping - How to Pack Your Vehicle Like a Pro


One of the keys to staying safe on road trips is knowing how to pack your car properly. Maximize your cargo space with this quick checklist.

Tuesday, June 20, 2017

Tips for Finding a Collision Repair Service


You've been in an auto accident and you've escaped unscathed, but what about your car? You need to find a trusted collision repair center that can fix your car, both cosmetically and mechanically. You don't want to employ an unreliable mechanic and waste money on repair after repair, nor do you want your car covered in mismatched or cheap, flaky paint. Use this guide to learn how to identify a good collision repair center and avoid unreliable service.

Naturally, the biggest concern when your car needs body work is cost. Estimates from different body shops can differ dramatically, but choosing the cheaper option may result in a poor quality job. Use these tips to help distinguish between when it's alright to take a lower price and when it's too risky.

Word-of-Mouth

Listen to any recommendations from your friends, family, and acquaintances. They may have had a successful experience with a collision repair shop and may even have a contact number. This gives you a chance to find local businesses which may not be listed on the internet. Small, family-owned shops offer a more involved experience by allowing you one-on-one access to the individuals working on your car.

Location and Overhead

Labor charges make up a healthy chunk of overall cost. Collision repair shops charge anywhere from $40 an hour to $70 an hour or more, depending on the location. Corporate body shops may have higher rates in order to support a large front-office work staff. Some may feel more comfortable doing business in an office setting with a front desk clerk, but estimates tend to increase according to the company's overhead. A shop with a small number of employees may be easier on your wallet.

Shop for Estimates

In order to make sure you get the best price you can at a repair center you trust, take your car to multiple shops and ask for quotes. This will help you avoid being overcharged. If there is a particular shop you really like, but their price is too high, try to find a few lower estimates and see if they'll consider bargaining. Remember, the cheapest estimate isn't always the best option.

Warranties and Insurance

Make sure your collision repair center provides written warranty for their work and ask about warranty details before making any agreements. At the minimum, the warranty should last for one year. If you've heard of places offering lifetime warranties, consider it an advertising tactic. Yes, the warranty technically lasts a lifetime; however, the contracts include a copious amount of regulations and stipulations. You should also ask if the repair center carries fire and theft insurance in case your car is damaged, destroyed, or stolen while being repaired.

Follow Your Intuition

Finally, trust what your intuition tells you about each shop you consider and the employees you encounter. If the facility is dirty and disorganized, you can expect sloppy body work. Take care in selecting a collision repair center and remember these tips during your search. Good luck!


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Saturday, June 17, 2017

More Than Half of Midsize SUV Headlights Tested Rate Marginal or Poor - IIHS News


More than half of midsize SUV headlights tested rate marginal or poor

ARLINGTON, Va. — New midsize SUV ratings from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety show that headlights are improving when it comes to visibility, but many still need to do a better job of lighting the road ahead while limiting bothersome glare.

The 2017 Hyundai Santa Fe and the 2017 Volvo XC60 are the only models available with good-rated headlights among the 19 midsize SUVs and 18 midsize luxury SUVs evaluated in this new round of tests. Twelve SUVs are available with headlights rated acceptable, while 23 aren’t available with anything other than marginal- or poor-rated headlights.

Wednesday, June 14, 2017

Ensure Your Pet Travels Safely in the Car


Trips with your pets can be lots of fun, but it's important to remember their safety when you're on the road. While 83 percent of dog owners agree that an unrestrained dog is dangerous, only 16 percent use some type of pet restraint. Cars.com’s Matt Schmitz talks with pet safety expert Jennifer Burklow on the best products to keep everyone safe and happy in the car in this week’s segment of Driving Smart.

Sunday, June 11, 2017

What's the Best 2017 Compact SUV for Towing?


A full-size truck or SUV might automatically jump to mind when considering a tow vehicle, but depending on what you need to tow a smaller compact SUV might do the trick and still be suitable for urban driving. Cars.com’s Mike Hanley goes over the 2017 compact models that offer significantly more towing capability than the class norm in this week’s segment of Driving Smart.

Thursday, June 8, 2017

How to Inspect and Replace Your Car's Cabin Filter


Help keep your car's interior clean by replacing the pollen filter. The Humble Mechanic will show you how to inspect and replace your vehicle's cabin air filter.

Monday, June 5, 2017

Friday, June 2, 2017

Common Driver Mistakes That Cause Vehicular Damage


There are so many actions car owners do simply out of habit when driving their vehicles. Actions such as putting on our seatbelts after we sit down, checking the rearview mirror before backing up, or plugging in our music before taking off for the day. Similarly, there are several other things we do that are not as harmless as the rituals mentioned above.

Many drivers are totally unaware that certain habits can actually damage their vehicles. Driving habits you once thought were harmless are actually highly detrimental. Continue reading to learn a few common habits that can cause serious, costly damage to your car, and see if you are guilty of a few of them yourself!

The Parking Brake

The parking brake is one of the most neglected parts of an automatic transmission vehicle. Those who own manual cars or trucks often use their parking brake, but for several other drivers out there, this operation is often ignored, whether automatic or manual. This is a mistake that can jeopardize the integrity of your parking brake and the transmission itself. It can also result in your vehicle rolling downhill uncontrollably, after being parked on an incline. The parking brake puts a lock on the wheels and prevents it from rolling away. Failing to use a parking brake puts a lot of pressure on the car's transmission; a part of the vehicle not meant to "hold" a car in place. It also strips the parking paw, as mentioned before. Always use the parking brake, but remember to release it before putting your car into drive again!

Switching Gears

Another common driving mistake is switching gears while the car is in motion. This often occurs when a driver backs up in reverse, and then switches their car into the drive-gear before it comes to a complete stop. This can strip the gears and bands within a vehicles transmission, which can be a costly repair. After a while, your vehicle may lose its ability to switch gears altogether because there is nothing there to provide the necessary tension it takes to thrust a vehicle into drive. Always come to a complete stop before switching gears.

Air Conditioning

Many people start their cars the wrong way by leaving their AC on when they shut off the ignition the last time they drove it. Leaving the AC on when you turn your car off, or already having it on when you start your car, is bad for the serpentine belt and causes the engine to work harder than it has to. This can lead to costly repairs down the line.

Automotive Fluids

Failing to replace or change-out automotive fluids is another major mistake made by drivers and car owners alike. This can cause several issues and performance failures with a vehicle. Fluids like brake fluid, motor oil, transmission fluid, power steering fluid, battery fluid, coolant, and windshield wiper fluid are the most important lubricants and liquids for all vehicles. Have them flushed, filled, and replaced as suggested by the manufacturer.

Noises and Sounds

We are probably all guilty of ignoring funny noises and strange sounds coming from our vehicles, at some point in our driving careers. But this is bad to do, and can lead to very costly repairs and put a driver and their passengers in danger. It is not safe to drive a car that is not in good condition. Bad brakes, an overheating engine, and much more can cause serous car accidents and collisions. If your car's brakes are squeaky, or your engine seems to hiss louder than usual, or you hear some other type of unfamiliar noise coming from your vehicle, take it in to a licensed mechanic right away.

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