Automotive Maintenance | Automotive Parts Suppliers

The Pros and Cons of Paintless Dent Removal Services

April 16, 2013 By

With all the cars out there, from highways to parking lots, it can be quite difficult to protect a car from those dents and scratches, which are the common nuisances for drivers that continue to become more common as the days go by. No matter how careful one is, his or her car will eventually suffer that unlucky fate, either by his or her own action or by someone else’s.

To have such damages fixed is neither easy nor cheap, although one fair and effective way to resolve them is through availing paintless dent removal services. IF you consider yourself to be a car enthusiast and a supporter of certain car manufacturing corporations, then maybe you can do perform the remedy on your own. Otherwise, leave the job to the experts.

Before anything, we ought to define this method and determine its pros and cons. You ready? Good. Let’s begin.

Turning to dent removal services eliminates the need of getting a new paintjob, sparing your car from any kinds of scraping, drilling, filling, and/or retouching. This method is not the usual “band aid fixes” we have to know about; it is not an uninformed process conjured up by some unprofessional that got passed on from one person to another. In truth, this service was invented by an assembly line personnel of car manufacturers who had to fix a few dings and minor dents before releasing their brand new car to the market. Eventually, this process was adapted was adapted by auto repair houses and lived happily ever after.

Moving on. What’s the first thing that we should check to help us decide if we should go for dent removal services? The cost. This service is relatively cheaper (and faster) than that of a paint job done by professionals.

The second factor to consider is the warranty, which remains unhampered should you choose to avail of the service. Paint jobs, on the other hand, usually voids the factory paint. A limitation of this service, however, is that it can only be performed to the metal parts of the car.

To sum it up all up, paintless dent removal services are most applicable against minor dents where the structure of the car is hardly affected. Think about its advantages. Think about the time and money you’ll end up saving. Cool, right? You know what’s even cooler? Not getting your car scratched in the first place.

8 Ways to Take Care of your Auto Car Window

April 3, 2013 By

Being a responsible driver means being knowledgeable about the vehicle you’re driving. Before driving off your garage, it is important to check your BLOW-BAG: Battery, Light, Oil, Water, Brakes, Air, Gas. These are all essential elements of an automobile, but what about other car parts that are just as important? What about our precious car windows?

If you are able to list down the number of times your car windows has protected you from pollution, sunshine, and rainfall, then’d you’d reward it with more credit that what most car owners usually give it. Listed below are 8 ways on how you can properly maintain your car windows.

1) Use an ammonia-free glass cleaner

This helps your window, specially tinted ones, retain their form and body. It is recommended to use this type of cleaner for they contain no intoxicating fumes whatsoever.

2) Use a microfiber glass towel

It is mandatory that you have something to channel your glass cleaner agent onto your car windows. Microfiber glass towels with tight weaves should be your first and only option for they will prevent scratches on your windows.

3) Remove water marks

Whilst engaged in the process of cleaning your car windows, you need to ready a polisher that will effectively rid any water marks that may result. To have an easier time eliminating water marks, pursue their removal the moment you notice their presence.

4) Use different Strokes

Only execute vertical/horizontal strokes as you clean the in and out of your window. This way, you can gauge which side needs more cleaning or has cracks.

5) Clean the rubber

It is important to clean the rubber that holds your window. Make sure that there are no tiny objects that can instil scratches to your window. Looking for ann official tool? No need. A toothbrush will do just fine.

6) Clean both sides

It is an undeniable fact that when people clean their car, most of them only perform thorough cleaning on the outside surface of the car. This should not be the case! Clean both sides with an equal amount of care and effort.

7) Close you door lightly

Although car parts are designed for extensive use, too much door banging can cause damage to its window. To avoid cracks and heavy damage, be gentle when closing your car;s do

8) Fix or replace damaged windows

All damaged items either needs to be fixed or replaced. In case of window malfunction, it is wise to go to your trusted auto shop for immediate repairs to avoid any possible accidents whilst on the road.

Your car windows might not be as important as your BLOW-BAG. However, it is one of the things that keep both you and your passengers comfortable and safe inside the vehicle. Care for your car windows as much as you care for the essential car parts.

5 Benefits of Tire Siping

February 5, 2013 By

Tire siping, which is the process of cutting the tread of the car with slits and minute edges, is most favorable if you are fond of traveling to wet and icy roads. In this article, we will discuss five benefits of car siping that every car enthusiast should know about.

1) Improved Traction

People used to get studs for their tires to prevent dirt and tiny rocks from damaging them. But studs can’t be installed on used tires, which is one of several reasons why you shouldn’t buy used tires in the first place. To avoid any of these hassles and dilemmas, have your tires siped at a trusted automotive shop. Siped tires will result in a 200% improvement in traction, protecting the tires against materials that can lead to flat tires.

2) Smoother Ride

Because siping will leave smooth edges on the tires, the cooling process will be quicker. In the same way, it will be able to expel water easier from the tread, providing better bite for the tires to dissipate heat. This is especially advantageous for trucks that travel long distances for an extended stretch of time. Thanks to the smoother ride it offers, siped tires also provide high-performance grip during wet conditions.

3) Extends Tire Life

Manual tire siping has been the standard service of car dealers before, but the innovations of computers and the improvement of machines has paved the way to automated siping, which has managed to alter the tread pattern and tire design, prolonging its life to up to 30%. Because the cuts from tire siping allow the tread block to flex and conform to the ground easier than a monolithic tread, they provide better grip, less heat, and ultimately, less wear.

4) Voids the Manufacturer’s Warranty

Most car manufacturers consider tire siping as a mere gimmick that they don’t approve for they believe that it’s a form of tampering. Tire siping involves slicing about a thousand horizontal razor-thin slits in each tire, so before deciding to have your tires siped, consult with your car’s manufacturing company regarding its warranty. If they can extend the car’s warranty, then you may proceed with the service. Else, decide if you are okay with a voided warranty and not have them stand behind you whenever you encounter a problem.

5) Better Overall Handling

Especially true during snowy, rainy, and icy conditions, your car will have better overall handling with siped tires as there is more rolling resistance that gives way to improved braking system. Note that the two advantages from acquiring this service is increased noise and reduced gas mileage. But hey, if you are perfectly fine with these things, then you should have a great time will your car.

The “Check Engine” Light: Should it be a cause of worry?

December 10, 2012 By

The “Check Engine” Light, also known as the Malfunction Indicator Lamp, is usually a cause of worry for many car owners. It is designed to activate in instances when the car’s computer system notices something wrong with the electronic control system. But what else does this warning device tells us aside from the fact that there is “something wrong” with our vehicle? Below, I have listed some specific malfunctions that would activate our car’s Check Engine Light (CEL).

Oxygen Sensor: It is the sensor that keeps track of how much oxygen in the exhaust has been burned. A busted oxygen sensor may cause a decrease in gas mileage an increase is harmful fuel emissions. If this incident is the cause of the CEL, replace your oxygen sensor as soon as you can. Damage to such sensors can be caused by oil ashes that cover it over time.

Loose Gas Cap: A faulty gas cap is probably the last thing one can think of when it comes to finding the reason for CEL’s warning. And although it’s as simple as it sounds, this problem should considered seriously as not replacing a loose gas cap could lead to excessive fuel vapors, resulting to a decrease in gas mileage.

Worn-out spark plugs: The spark plug can be identified as an essential car part. Worn-out spark plugs cause major issues with the car’s acceleration power, causing the CEL to activate. When you encounter such cases, simply replace your car’s spark plug with a newer piece and things should be back to normal in no time. So there. Faulty spark plugs should not be a cause of worry to car owners, but it should be addressed once identified.

Catalytic Converter: The combustion process of this car part converts the gasses within the engine to a less harmful exhaust. Once you realize that the CEL is pointing to the failure of the catalytic converter, make it a priority that you have it repair or replaced; further damage would mean more expense for the owner. That would be a real bummer. So act quickly.

Airflow Sensor: The airflow sensor incorporates proper distribution of air intake and fuel in the engine system. A busted airflow sensor can cause a decrease acceleration power, an increase in emission and an increase in gas consumption as well. An improperly-installed airflow sensor could be the cause of such a malfunction.

The problems listed above shouldn’t be that much cause of a worry as they are usually very easy to fix. As long as you are always conscious with your car’s warning devices, you won’t suffer any serious accidents. So the moment you notice that your Check Engine Light is flickering, take your car to your trusted automotive shop.

Top 10 Emergency Tools for your Car

December 4, 2012 By

Just because we are secure inside our car doesn’t mean that we’re safe from the many kinds of dangers outside of it. Sooner or later, we drivers will encounter a tricky and hazardous situation, and the tools that we have with us may be our only ticket home. In this article, let us take a quick countdown of the 10 emergency tools or accessories that are extremely useful for getting out of an untimely ordeal on the road.

10) Back-up Battery

A common downfall in cars is its unexpected shutdown due to an empty battery. Always reserve a back-up battery in your car as this might just save your day. Because an average battery usually lasts 3 to 4 years, take note of the date of when you last replaced your battery.

9) Phone Charger

It’s pretty safe to assume that all people who are wealthy enough to own their own car also has a mobile phone. Like the batteries of our cars, our phones may suddenly run out of juice. And when you run out of both in the middle of nowhere, a phone charger will be your saviour. Always keep a phone charger in your car’s dashboard; this is to make sure that you’d be able to call a friend, a family member, or even a tow truck when the situation demands for one.

8) Toolbox

What is the next thing you should do once you are able to identify the issue within your car’s mechanics? Get your tools! Make sure that you have all your handy tools inside a well organized toolbox for convenience. Essential tools such as a wrench, pliers, screw drivers, car jacks, among others, should be ready for action.

7) GPS

“Desperately and hopelessly lost? Perhaps you are in serious need to get back to your original track? Why, I have just the thing for you! A GPS!” In a dire and stranded situation, your fully-charged phone is only the solution as chances are, you’ll need to inform the other person on the line your specific location, and a GPS can give you the exact coordinates of your location, allowing help and rescue to find you in no time!

6) Jumper Cables

What if your back-up battery failed you by turning out to be as useful as your dead battery? I know that this is an unlikely scenario, but you have to consider all possibilities when talking about your well-being. When your car dies out, it is risky to leave your car and you search for help for car thieves can be lurking in the corner, just waiting for an opportune moment. A good option is to have a Good Samaritan help you jump-start your car. But for that to happen, you’re gonna have to own a pair of jumper cables

5) Swiss Knife

Your toolbox may not contain all the necessary items for you to use in a certain scenario. Because of this, try to make it a habit to always bring a small handy Swiss Knife that would provide you with extra tools for extra-difficult situations.

4) Mini Cooler

All vehicles need their necessary juices, but so do you, my friend! Carrying a water bottle will extremely be vital, but to survive longer in a stranded situation, you’re gonna have to bring some food as well. A mini cooler can store all sorts of food that will allow you to maximize the number of days you stay fresh as you act to get out of an unfortunate ordeal. This kind of preparation is most advisable for those who are about to embark on a road trip.

3) Spare Tire

A flat tire is probably the most common show-stopper when it comes to unwanted misfortunes while driving. Never go out for a drive if your car isn’t equipped with a spare tire. Also, make sure that you have a reliable car jack around that should enable you to properly replace flat tires.

2) High Wattage Flash light

Emphasis on the “High Wattage” part. If you happen to experience your road mishap in the middle of the night, you’re going to need all the bright light you can get. If your car’s damage is beyond the capability of simple tools, use your light to make Morse Code signals.

1) Satellite Phone

Most useful in remote areas with no network signal, a Satellite Phone will enable you to connect with anyone with a phone, no matter where you are. This deserves the top spot in our countdown as it is of utmost priority to be able to call for help, and a Satellite Phone can do just that.

How to Determine Where that Smell Comes From

October 19, 2012 By

Riding in a car with bad odor can be increasingly disturbing if you don’t find the time to get rid of the smell. While you can ignore it all you want, you’ll only end up letting that awful stench grow stronger in time. And if you don’t want to risk being made fun of or talked about, you might want to stop giving people a ride for some time. The only way to suppress this smell is to get rid of its source. Here are a few places that might help you find the culprit.

Start with the easy locations by taking a look at the obvious spots. It isn’t uncommon for cars to smell bad. In fact, unless you have it cleaned once a week or so, an unpleasant odor will soon develop within your automobile. Before you go snooping around for unusual sources, use your instinct first by inspecting common areas and work your way from there. If you have kids, then it’s possible that they may have spilled food and drinks inside the car. Check your carpets and upholstery to see of any signs of spilled perishables.

If food and drinks aren’t the source, you might have to do a little more digging. Take a sniff and see if it smells like mildew musk. This smell comes from leaks in your floorboard that could’ve come from rain accidentally getting into the car’s carpet. Check the lower floorboards to see if there are any damp spots. Apply a solution of chlorine bleach and sundry. But before you put the carpets back, check the source of the wet spots. There might be some openings under the car or loose plugs, allowing rain to enter.

Also make sure to check inside the glove compartment, the trunk, under the seats, and even your ash trays. Check back seat fasteners because it may be the right time to change them.

A cabin air filter can also be the cause of an ugly smell. This filter can dampen due to condensation caused by your car’s air conditioner. As a result, the filter becomes moldy and smelly. If you’ll be replacing the filter, make sure to consult a professional to consider all of your options. On the other hand, you can also select the “return air” option to lessen the moisture that enters the system.

It is also important that you check your engine and exhaust system if it emits any bad smells. A radiator leak will result in an increasing engine temperature. It will heat up and quit, causing a sickly-sweet smell. Be wary of an engine exhaust leak because the fumes from the engine can build up inside the car, endangering your health.

Make sure to get your car cleaned at least once a month to avoid these kinds of inconvenient odors. Take time to check your tires and spray water on them to get rid of pieces of road kill that you may have run over. Be careful not to get your engine compartment wet. Never ignore any form of foul stench inside your car. Not only will it continue to bug you, but it might be coming from a source that may harm you in the long run.

The Right Time to Rotate your Car’s Tires

October 4, 2012 By

Tires are like pencils. If you sharpen one side of a pencil too much, it’ll end up breaking when you use it. Instead, you have to make sure to sharpen every side of the pencil as even as you can. This is similar to driving. When you drive, you end up throwing the weight of your car around, leaving patterns of erosion on the tires. If you use your tires too much without rotating them, you’ll end up wearing out your tires unevenly. This is why it is important to know when to rotate your tires to the right locations.

The wearing out of tires is inevitable. It may be because of the weight dispersion of your car. It may even be because you have an uneven alignment. The tires at the front usually end up with accidental bruises from parking, steering and braking. At the same time, they also carry the weight of the engine. In these situations, the tires in front are likely to wear out faster than those at the back.

When to Rotate your Tires

Luckily, the tires itself will send out warning signals whenever the tread is uneven. Once you start hearing your tires emanate a humming sound even when you’re on smooth roads, it may be time to rotate your tires. However, according to Joel Burrows of Precision Tune Auto Care’s Car Doc, it isn’t wise to wait until you see uneven wear. If the tires wear out abnormally, it may be difficult to straighten them out, despite trying to correct it through rotating the tires.

Just to be on the safe side, knowledgeable manufacturers will recommend rotating tires when you’ve run at least 6,000 miles. Since you’ll also need to change your oil once in awhile, it may be a good time to have your tires rotated at the same time.

On the other hand, if you’re one of those who drive their cars on rough roads or use four-wheel drive vehicles, it may be safer to rotate your tires more often. If your daily routes involve annoying burrows and those pesky potholes, I suggest that you rotate your tires when you reach 5,000 miles.

Why Rotate your Tires

When it comes to driving cars, it is important to consider your safety at all times. If you don’t rotate your tires, you may be at risk because balder tires at the front of the vehicle can cause you to lose control of the steering wheel. By keeping your tires even, the car’s brakes will be even and effective, resulting in a car that’s easier to handle. Not only that, you can also expect increased traction, improved gas mileage and a smoother ride.

Besides, if wear out your tires evenly by thorough rotations, you can buy a new set of tires at one time, instead of changing tires one by one. You won’t have to buy new tires frequently or end up with a car in maintenance due to uneven tires. Despite the hassle of rotating tires, it should always be in your maintenance checklist. After all, who doesn’t want a safer and more efficient ride?

Characteristics of a Good Car Alarm System

September 28, 2012 By

Gone are the days when you needed someone to watch your car for you. Almost every car sold in the market has a car alarm system attached to it, allowing you to hear its loud, annoying sound, whenever someone accidentally steps into the car’s vicinity. Unfortunately, while it’s a good way to attract attention to a theft-in-process, it may not be enough to prevent it.

However, you can protect your car with more than just the alerting sounds. Various car alarm systems are now available with a wide selection of options and safety features. Here are some characteristics you might want to consider when looking for an alarm system for your car.

Keyless Entry

Without a keyhole to open up your car, devious thieves and potential carjackers won’t be able to break locks anymore. Instead, security systems offer car owners a remote that can be used to open a car or trunk just by clicking on a button. You won’t even have to add another key to your collection. If you add this feature to your car alarm system, this remote will also receive an alert every time your alarm sounds. And if you get just the right kind of alarm system, you can enjoy the benefits of having an LCD screen, which will inform you of whatever may be happening to your car. Other remotes can also be connected to a smartphone so every time your alarm goes off, your phone will receive a message.

Starter Kill

With an ordinary security system for your car, an alarm will go off but after a few seconds, it will also stop automatically. By then, a thief can easily climb into your car, start the engine and dash off into the sunset. With a starter kill feature, your remote will buzz once the alarm sounds and you have the option to kill your engine for the meantime until you can get to the location of your car. Without a running engine, a thief won’t be able to drive it, ruining his chances at a successful escape.

Full-Vehicle Sensors

Ever had your car towed without you knowing? With this full-vehicle sensor, your car security system can detect every movement your car makes. With its comprehensive and accurately-detailed sensors, this feature will also alert you every time a significant change has been made to your car. Shock sensors within this feature will tell you if your car is being towed or if your wheels are currently in the process of being stolen. Every move your car makes without you, you’ll know about it too.

Remote Start

This feature allows you to start the car, even without you inside it. A remote start feature is especially useful during the winter, when your car gets too cold or in summer, when your car is too hot. Before you get inside the car, your air conditioner or heater will have already started running, preparing the car’s temperature for your comfort. But don’t worry, even if someone tries to get into your car and starts the engine without the key, it will turn off instantly. The engine will only keep going when a key has been inserted into the ignition.

Top 5 Reasons Why You Should not Overload your Car

August 26, 2012 By

You are about to engage yourself in an exciting road trip. You’ve packed five huge bags with enough equipment to let you live alone in the jungle for a month. You’ve checked your tires and buckled your seatbelts. You’ve convinced yourself that you’re absolutely ready to go.

Not quite.

Every car has a recommended maximum combined weight of cargo and passengers. This is called payload. Exceeding this capacity will cause a damaging amount of stress on your car’s tires, shocks and springs. These three important car parts keep vehicles under control and on the road.

This means that every time you pack too much, or carpool too many people, you are a potential hazard to yourself and to other motorists.

So what happens when you exceed your payload? And why should you be careful about your car’s weight?

1) Built-in safety mechanisms that help you maintain control of your car at highway speeds may not work as well when you exceed your payload.

2) The heavy weight causes wheels to bulge at the bottom, causing the wheels’ sidewalls to stick to the pavement and heat up, resulting to disastrous blowouts.

3) Sudden swerves will cause your car to roll too far outside, causing the springs and shocks to rebound and push the vehicle back inside too quickly. Steering will be difficult and you may lose control of your vehicle.

4) An extra 100 lbs can reduce your mileage by 2%. This means that overloading also makes you less fuel-efficient. Considering the fact that gas prices continue to rise, that 2% will lead to great losses in the long run.

5) Steering becomes difficult because you are hauling more weight. Imagine running with an empty cup versus running with a glassful of water.

So how do you keep your payload within safe range? Here are some safety tips that you should apply:

1) Know your car’s payload capacity. To know how many passengers or how much total weight your car can carry, look for the sticker on the driver-side door panel. If your car has a total payload of 1200 lbs, and if each passenger weighs around 200 lbs, then a maximum of six passengers can ride without luggage. How Stuff Works also lists cars with their payload capacities. You can find your car’s make here: http://auto.howstuffworks.com/auto-parts/towing/towing-capacity/vehicle/payload6.htm.

2) Consider renting a car or commuting if you might exceed your payload capacity.

3) Drive slower because overweight vehicles take more time to brake, steer, and speed up.

4) Do not overload the trunk. Top load should not exceed to 18” high and not more than 100 lbs.

5) Get rid of junk items in your trunk. Maybe you are still carrying old stuffs from your last trip that you don’t need anyway.

Not overloading your trunk (or top) will not only save fuel, but can also be the difference between a great trip and a disastrous one!

How to Properly Maintain your Car

July 21, 2012 By

Every car owner/driver’s responsibility is to make sure that his/her car is in its best condition at all times. This is to ensure safety and to avoid further problems that would entail higher cost in repair or replacement. We have enumerated some of the most basic tips on how to ensure proper car maintenance.

TIRES

Ideally, tire pressure should be checked at least once a week. Over-inflation consumes more gasoline, while over or under-inflation can easily wear out your tires. Check your car manual for the correct air pressure that should be loaded in your tires. Improper tire pressure affects fuel economy and ease in handling.

Moreover, front and rear tires wear out differently. It is recommended to rotate your tires to even out the wear. Your car manual will provide you with the recommended rotation periods.

OIL

An oil level that’s too high or too low can damage your engine, so a regular check of oil level is advised. It is something everyone can do. To check the oil level, park your car on a level ground. Once the engine has cooled down, locate the dipstick and pull it out. Clean the dipstick with a rag, and dip it in the tube again until the top is properly sealed to the opening. Wait for a few seconds and pull out the dipstick. If your oil level is between the two dots (denotes ‘High’ and ‘Low’ level), you’re safe. If it’s too low, add a little. See? It’s that easy.

Moreover, a regular oil change is highly encouraged to ensure that the engine is bathed with clean and smooth motor oil. As the engine operates, various debris from different internal engine parts fall off and goes to the engine oil. Clean oil allows internal parts of the engine to operate smoothly. Ideally, it is best to have an oil change (and oil filter) every 5000 kilometers or more, depending on the manufacturer’s suggestion that can be seen in, you’ve guessed it, your car manual.

COOLANT

Coolant, a mixture of anti-freeze element and water, ensures that the water does not turn into ice nor boil in extreme weather conditions. It also prevents rust in the radiator and thus, needs to be checked regularly. You can easily check the level by looking at the overflow tank. If the coolant level is low, it’s safe to add a few ounces of water. But if you are to add more than a quart, fill it with a mixture of anti-freeze and water. Remember not to open the radiator cap when the engine is hot and pressurized, for it will burn you. Let it cool down for 30 minutes before opening.

Also, you should also examine the quality of coolant in your system. It should not be brownish. Also, coolant with floating rusts is an indication of coolant that seriously needs to be replaced. The longer your car goes without fresh fluid, the more serious damage it will cause to your engine.

BELTS

Rubber wears out easily, so these belts should be replaced more often than we think. Timing belt is a synthetic rubber that links two engine valves that allow air and gas to flow in to the engine. It causes these two valves to move in harmony; without it, these valves will collide. This collision can cause serious damage to your car’s engine. Therefore, it is best to replace timing belts before its lifespan – every 3 years or after every 80,000 kilometers, whichever goes first. Check your car’s maintenance manual to know more about what the manufacturer suggests.

Proper car maintenance will save you money in the long run and will spare you from the hassle of serious damage. It is best to have a logbook to keep you on track with all the maintenance procedures and schedules of your vehicle. Make sure your car is checked regularly by your trusted mechanic. And remember, prevention is always better than cure.