Happy New Year!

May the New Year bring you happiness, peace, and prosperity. Wishing you a joyous 2020!

What to Do After a Car Accident

Car accidents happen, so don't panic. Follow these steps if you ever get in one.

Merry Christmas!

May the special joys of the Season be yours today and always.

What If You Forget To Change Your Oil?

What if you forget to change your oil on time? Can you damage your car's engine by not changing the oil late? Do you really need to change your oil every 3,000 miles? Obviously, you should change your oil regularly, but exactly how much damage you will cause by changing the oil late? This video looks to answer this question. We'll discuss what happens to oil viscosity as it ages, and what happens to oil additives in over time.

Land Use Plays a Role in Pedestrian Freeway Fatalities - IIHS News

Land use plays a role in pedestrian freeway fatalities

Pedestrian fatalities on U.S. interstates and other freeways rose 60 percent from 2009 to 2018. Most of those killed were trying to cross the freeway in urban areas.

How To Avoid Pothole Damage

Driving through a seemingly innocent hole in the road could result in costly car damage. Before you end up at the auto shop in need of suspension repair or wheel replacement, know the five best ways to avoid pothole damage

1. Check Tires

Frequently inspect your tires to ensure they are properly inflated and do not have significant wear. If you hit a pothole with worn or underinflated tires, there is a greater risk of wheel or suspension damage. Inflate tires according to your vehicle manufacturer’s recommended tire pressure levels. Find this information on the door jamb sticker and in your owner’s manual. Do not use the pressure levels molded on the tire sidewall. To check the tire tread depth, insert a quarter upside down into several tread grooves. If the top of Washington’s head is visible, it’s time for new tires. How to properly check tire tread

2. Inspect Suspension

Make certain struts, shock absorbers and other suspension parts are in good condition. Changes in vehicle handling, excessive vibration or uneven tire wear can indicate damaged or worn parts. Have a certified auto service technician inspect the suspension if you suspect a problem.

3. Look Ahead

Stay alert and check the road ahead to avoid potholes. Stay focused on the road and avoid distractions. Before swerving around a pothole, check your surroundings so you do not collide with another vehicle or endanger nearby pedestrians or cyclists.

4. Slow Down

If you cannot avoid a pothole, reduce your speed safely. Check the rearview mirror before braking abruptly. Hitting a pothole at higher speeds greatly increases the chance of tire, wheel and suspension component damage. Releasing the brakes just before hitting a pothole allows the wheel and tire to roll through the depression and helps minimize potential damage.

5. Beware of Puddles

Drive cautiously through puddles as they may be deep potholes filled with water.

What to Do If You Hit a Pothole and Suspect Damage

Get a Vehicle Inspection. Hard pothole impact can knock the wheels out of alignment and affect steering, or dislodge wheel weights, damage a tire or wheel, and bend or even break suspension parts. Have a qualified mechanic check the wheel alignment if the vehicle pulls to the left or right. Have the suspension inspected if you notice any new or unusual noises or vibrations.

Article Source: https://www.aaa.com/autorepair/articles/how-to-avoid-pothole-damage

How V8 Engines Work - A Simple Explanation

V8 engines operates under the same basic principles as any other gasoline four-stroke engine. First the piston pulls in air and fuel as it moves downward, then it compresses that air and fuel as the piston moves upward. A spark plug fires, igniting the air/fuel mixture and forcing the piston downward. Finally the piston pushes out the exhaust gases on its way back up, before for the cycle repeats itself.

In a V8 engine, this cycle is happening in 8 different cylinders, at different times. Instead of multiple cylinders firing at the same time, you want them to be spread out so that power delivery is smooth. For this Chevy V8, the firing or is 1, 8, 7, 2, 6, 5, 4, 3. With 8 cylinders, there is a cylinder firing for every 90 degrees of the crankshaft rotating, which means at any point in time, there are two cylinders on the power stroke.

With regards to the valvetrain, the intake air comes from the top of the engine, and into the sides of the cylinder head. The exhaust flows to the sides of the engine, exiting the exhaust valves from the cylinder head. In this LS3 model, there is a single intake valve and a single exhaust valve, though it’s also common to see engines with two intake valves and two exhaust valves. The larger valve is the intake valve, and the smaller valve is the exhaust valve.

The pushrod valvetrain gets its name from the metal pushrods which activate the rocker arms which open up the valves. The camshaft, located in the center of the V, has lobes on it which push the push rods up, opening the appropriate valves. For a full explanation of V8 engines, check out the video!

How to Get Your Christmas Tree Home without it Fa La La La-lying Off Your Car

This year, an estimated 84 million Americans will flock to tree lots across the country in search of the perfect Christmas tree. While finding just the right one may seem like the hard part – getting it home safely is where the real challenge begins. Just like moving furniture, appliances or other large objects, transporting a tree is no different. If not properly secured, a tree can cause vehicle damage such as scratched paint, torn door seals or distorted window frames. Even worse, it could fly off or out of the vehicle and become a danger to other drivers. In fact, a new survey from AAA found that 44% of Americans who plan to purchase a real Christmas tree this year will use unsafe methods when transporting it home – such as not using the roof rack or placing it in the bed of a pickup truck unsecured.

Losing a Christmas tree on the drive home would no doubt put a damper on the holiday season. But, more importantly, a tree that comes loose from a vehicle could also cause an accident. Previous research from AAA found that road debris caused more than 200,000 crashes during a four-year period, resulting in approximately 39,000 injuries and 500 deaths. The roads can be treacherous enough during the holiday season with increased congestion and winter weather conditions without the addition of flying Christmas trees. Luckily with a little preparation, the right tools and the right vehicle – transporting a Christmas tree is easy with these tips from AAA:

• Plan Ahead – before heading out to buy a real Christmas tree, make sure to bring strong rope or ratchet straps, an old blanket, gloves and of course – the right vehicle. One with a roof rack is ideal but a pickup truck, SUV, van or minivan can work just as well.

• Wrap & Cover It – once you’ve found the perfect tree, have the lot wrap it in netting before loading it. Loose branches can also be secured with rope or twine to help protect the tree from damage. Also, prior to loading the tree, cover the roof with an old blanket to prevent scratches to the paint and protect the car from any damage.

• Trunk First – place the tree on the roof rack or in the bed of the truck with the trunk facing the front of the car. If the vehicle does not have a roof rack and is large enough – place the tree inside.

• Secure It – tie down the tree at its bottom, center and top using strong rope or nylon ratchet straps. Avoid using the nylon offered by many tree lots. Use fixed vehicle tie-down points and loop the rope or strap around the tree trunk above a branch to prevent any side-to-side or front-to-rear movement

• Tug Test – once tied down, give the tree several strong tugs from various angles to make sure it is secured in place and will not come loose.

• Nice & Easy – drive slowly and take back roads if possible. Higher speeds can create significant airflow that can damage your tree or challenge even the best tie-down methods.

Article Source: https://www.aaa.com/autorepair/articles/transporting-a-christmas-tree

Get a Grip on the Right Way to Hold a Steering Wheel

AAA warns "10 and 2" is NO Longer the best way to hold a steering wheel. Learn the best way here.

Winterize a Car - Surviving a Roadside Breakdown

In this video series, automotive professionals, Ed Kriston and Jeff Boone of AAA Mid-Atlantic, will demonstrate how to inspect and prepare your vehicle for winter driving. The videos will cover several of the most important areas of your vehicle to help you get through winter and minimize the potential for breakdowns. The final segments provide safety tips in the event you find yourself stranded on the side of the road due to a breakdown. The series is designed for drivers of all levels and automotive knowledge. Ed and Jeff are ASE Certified Master Technicians.

5 Driving Hacks To Save Money On Gas

5 easy ways to save fuel while driving. These are real driving techniques for better gas mileage.