Sunday, August 30, 2020

Monday, August 24, 2020

Friday, August 21, 2020

Have You Ever Wondered What is a Clear Coat? – Ask Meguiar’s


So, what is a clear coat? The top clear coat portion of a base coat/clear coat paint system is a transparent layer of paint that is designed, not only to create gloss for the base coat, but also add a layer of protection to that base coat.

While clear coats certainly add vibrance and protection, they’re also very sensitive to abrasion and can magnify the appearance of swirls and scratches. So, it’s very important that you always use products that are designed for clear coat technology along with clean and fresh accessories like car wash mitts and microfibers to minimize any chance of creating swirls.

Tuesday, August 18, 2020

Take Control: Choose the Right Body Shop


After a collision, choose your own body shop. Your car was damaged. You have the right to choose the repair shop you want, which may or may not be on the insurance company's "referral" list. This video will help you ask the three most important questions to ask a body shop before dropping your vehicle off for repairs.

Saturday, August 15, 2020

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

Wednesday, August 12, 2020

Will Thinner Oils Damage Your Engine?


What do oil weights mean? What does 5W-30 mean? Do thinner oils get better fuel economy? Do thin oils like 0W-20 protect your engine? I spent some time discussing these questions with Mobil 1 engineers and am excited to share what I learned.

There’s an incredible amount of testing and verification that goes into labeling a motor oil’s viscosity rating, which is the single most important factor for how a motor oil will perform in an engine. Motor oil is responsible for protecting your engine, removing contaminants, reducing friction and cooling your engine. Plus, motor oil creates a protective barrier between moving metal parts allowing for your engine’s longevity.

In this video we’ll use a 6.2L V8 engine cutaway from the C8 Corvette to better see and understand how oil interacts with automotive engines.

Sunday, August 9, 2020

Drivetrains 101 | Consumer Reports


A car’s drivetrain is how you get power from the engine to the wheels. Consumer Reports’ expert explains the difference between front-wheel, rear-wheel drive, all-wheel, and four-wheel drive.

Monday, August 3, 2020

Do You Want the Best Spray Wax? – Ask Meguiar’s


Spray Waxes are a great way to add protection and gloss to your paint in a minimal amount of time. You can even apply a spray wax while drying your car after washing it. What is the best spray wax? The best one is the one that meets your individual wants and needs.