Tire blowouts can be scary and hard to navigate. To correctly handle a blowout, keep the wheel straight, wait for the vehicle to slow down, and stay calm.
The best way to avoid a blowout is to keep your tires at the proper inflation pressure. Check your tire pressure at least once a month!
ALLSTATE.COM
What to Do If Your Tire Blows Out | The Allstate Blog
Experiencing car trouble during a road trip is never ideal. Having preventative maintenance performed before your road trip can give you peace of mind and allow you to avoid the headache that comes with car trouble away from home.
Things to inspect before a road trip include:
- Battery
- Belts and hoses
- Fluids are topped off and filters are replaced
- Lights and electrical components are working
- Brakes
- Tires
ALLSTATE.COM
Get Your Car Ready for a Road Trip | Allstate
All vehicle owners are familiar with their regular oil change, but here are 6 things that you might not know about engine oil:
1. It lubricates engine parts to prevent metal to metal contact and cleans up dirty deposits created during the combustion process.
2. Engine oils are rated in two ways: cold viscosity and hot viscosity, which indicates how the oil will respond to cold start ups.
3. Synthetic oils are distilled and rebuilt for better performance while mineral oils are essentially the same as when they are pulled from the ground.
4. Synthetic oils are more than just oil - they are scientifically modified to provide anti-wear, anti-oxidant, and anti-corrosion properties.
5. Added titanium in oils can actually reduce friction and engine wear.
6. Added magnetic particles in oil can also be beneficial because the magnetic particles cling to the engine to reduce wear upon start-up.
CARTHROTTLE.COM
6 Things You Might Not Know About Engine Oil
A car’s starter is a small electric motor and solenoid that takes energy from the battery to push the starter gear into the flywheel. This process cranks the car and fires up the engine. If your car won’t start up correctly, it could be a starter issue.
What are the symptoms of a bad starter?
- Starter clicking
- Accessories run but engine does not
- Clicking after engine is on
- Smoke coming from under the hood
- Grinding noises after start up
CARBIBLES.COM
Symptoms of a Bad Starter | Car Bibles
Transmission fluid is vital to the overall operation of your vehicle. In addition to lubricating the transmission’s internal parts, it also prevents overheating and metal-to-metal contact.
How often your transmission fluid will need to be replaced depends upon the make and model of your vehicle. Your vehicle’s manufacturer will recommend the correct interval. However, transmission fluid that looks dark brown, dirty, or sludgy should be replaced.
CARBIBLES.COM
When Is The Time To Change Your Transmission Fluid?
Squeaky brakes? Excessive vibrating or shaking? Car pulls to one side on the road?
What is one car symptom that you’re currently experiencing while driving? Comment and let us know!
Did you know that driving with excess junk in your trunk can have an effect on your vehicle?
An overloaded vehicle can:
- Decrease fuel efficiency
- Wear out your shocks and struts
- Wear down your tires faster
- Put your engine at risk of overheating
- Put you at risk for a tire blowout
- Reduce the effectiveness of your brakes
Keep your trunk empty and your vehicle clean to better maintain your vehicle overall.
Test your vehicle knowledge!
What did fuel injection replace in many cars?
A. Leaded Fuel
B. The Carburetor
C. Manual Transmission
D. Water Cooling in the Radiator
Don’t let your vehicle spook you!
Take care of your car’s fall maintenance now to keep your vehicle running at its best all October long. Important fall maintenance items include:
- Brake inspection
- Replace windshield wipers
- Check all fluids
- Inspect tires
- Test lights
- Check heater/defroster
What is a brake bleed?
A brake bleed is the process of removing air from the brake lines to restore your brake system to its best. Over time, small amounts of air can become trapped in your vehicle’s brake line. Air in the brake lines can decrease the effectiveness of your brakes significantly. If your brakes feel soft or spongy, you may need a brake bleed.
October is Fall Car Care Month, and now is the time to remember how addressing certain items like brakes, tires, belts and hoses and fluids, including oil, antifreeze, steering, brake, transmission, and wiper fluids, will help keep your car running smoothly and efficiently, saving money at the gas pump.
Other areas of the vehicle, such as heating and air conditioning systems, wipers, and lights, should also be checked periodically. #CarCare saves you money!
CARCARE.ORG
See How #CarCare Saves You Money - Be Car Care Aware
Are you familiar with your vehicle’s owner’s manual?
It may be collecting dust in your glove compartment. However, the owner’s manual contains important information regarding your vehicle’s proper maintenance intervals and features. Know how to reference it!
Whether you're a seasoned driver or new behind the wheel, there are certain things that every driver should know that they don't teach you in Driver's Ed - how to check tire pressure, how to check tire tread, how to jump-start a car, how to change a tire, and more.
What are some other things you wish you were taught when learning how to drive?
When winter arrives, the last thing you want breaking down is your car's heater and defroster.
Not only is a frosty car inconvenient—it's also dangerous. Heat is needed to remove ice and fog build-up on your windshield. Without a working heater, your ability to see the road clearly can be severely hindered.
If you notice that your heater is faulty or doesn't work as efficiently as it used to, it's time to have it fixed!
During the month of October, The Car Care Council recommends that car owners follow its Fall Car Care Month checklist and inspect their vehicles before the temperatures drop and the weather begins to change. It’s a small investment of time and money to help avoid the cost and hassle of a breakdown during the colder months ahead.
CARCARE.ORG
Motorist Checklist for Fall Car Care Month in October - Be Car Care Aware
Despite their relatively easy operation, cars are actually very complex machines. Cars need fuel to operate, but what does the engine actually do with it?
In general, a standard internal combustion engine — what the majority of fuel-powered vehicles have today — uses air combined with gasoline to produce power. It is a complicated process that relies on many different parts and specific timing.
BLOG.NATIONWIDE.COM
Learn how car engines work
Who is decorating their car for Halloween? 🎃
This one is amazing!
We have all experienced a scary car symptom, such as seeing the check engine light turn on or the sound of rattling bones coming from underneath the hood. But have you ever experienced something spooky or paranormal while inside your car?
We are getting in the Halloween spirit and want to hear your spooky car story below!
Your vehicle’s transmission is critical to the overall operation of your car, which is why an issue with the transmission should always be inspected at the first sign of trouble.
Here are 3 transmission problems that you should never ignore:
1. Issues switching gears
2. Leaking transmission fluid
3. Check engine warning light is on
When’s the last time you replaced your vehicle’s cabin air filter?
The cabin air filter, typically located behind the glove compartment, is responsible for filtering the air that comes into the cabin of your vehicle. This helps to remove pollutants and other contaminants.
Cabin air filters typically need to be replaced every 20,000 miles or so, and breathing in dirty air can be a danger to your health.
Start the new year fresh by taking care of your vehicle’s outstanding maintenance!
Not only does routine auto care and preventative maintenance help keep your car safe and dependable, but it helps save money and avoid car trouble.
Happy New Year’s Eve!
Is your check engine light on? If so, we recommend having your vehicle inspected by one of our trusted mechanics as soon as possible.
The check engine light can oftentimes indicate an immediate issue, especially when paired with other symptoms.
Understanding your vehicle's warning lights and what they represent will help you figure out what to do next once a light turns on.
Read more about the 5 most important warning lights and what they indicate.
CARBIBLES.COM
5 Most Important Warning Lights on Your Dashboard | Car Bibles
