Automobile News

3 Important Benefits of Regular Car Servicing   When your car is overdue for a service but you are too busy or short on cash, sometimes you may choose to let the vehicle run for a few hundred miles before bringing it in the repair shop. However, you should know that it is in your best interest to get your vehicle an oil change as soon as it’s time. If you wish to keep the performance of your car at an optimal level and extend the life of the engine, don’t wait to take your car in! 1. Boosts your safety One of the primary reasons for having your car serviced is to ensure that it is safe for driving. Getting a regular oil change is vital, and during that time the mechanics should also perform a routine check to make sure there are no other underlying issues that may arise while you drive. This includes checking the brakes, your air and cabin filters, and the air pressure in your tires. If they discover an issue that needs immediate attention, you will be glad you t...

Driving in conditions that involve strong or heavy wind and rain may not seem like the most pressing safety concern for many drivers, but our safety professionals know that driving in any type of severe weather can significantly increase your risk and potential for a dangerous situation for you, your family and other drivers. Remember that severe weather demands your undivided attention, so be sure to reduce any possible distractions by turning the radio down or turning off that phone to keep your attention fully on the road. Keep in mind that sometimes the best driving decision you can make is to stay off the road completely until the weather clears. Driving in Heavy Winds Wind may seem like a minor risk, but this weather condition deserves special consideration from drivers. Strong wind can occur just about anywhere, but it can be more common in wide open spaces. Areas for concern also include highway overpasses, tunnels and ‘road cuts’ through mountainous areas tha...

1. Don’t Pre-Cool Your car air conditioning works much better when you're actually driving, because the faster the engine turns, the faster the A/C compressor runs, which lets the system cool more effectively. Don't waste time and gas by letting your car run before you go. If the interior is really hot, crank up the fan when you start driving, and open just the rear windows for 10 to 20 seconds. This forces all the hot air out of the cabin. Don’t open the front windows—that only moves the heat out of the front of the car, and it will leave the air in the back of the cabin hot and stagnant.  2. Go Low Setting to the lowest temp and adjusting the fan makes the car air conditioning more efficient, will dry out the air less, and can actually save some fuel. Why's that? In a typical A/C system, the air is cooled to 38 degrees. If you set the temp higher, you are actually forcing the system to re-heat your air, which takes more effort, burning more fuel. ...

The majority of drivers probably don't give much thought to windshield wipers and washer systems. However, if you get caught in a rainstorm, a snowstorm, get splashed with mud or slush, or run into a swarm of bugs, your windshield wipers and washer system will be the first thought you have. The first windshield wipers were invented in 1903, but they've come a long way since then. By 1916, wipers had become standard equipment on most vehicle makes. In 1917, the first windshield wiper powered by an electric motor became available. During the mid-thirties, the first windshield washer system, the system that sprays window washer fluid at your windshield, was introduced. By the late-forties, the first combination windshield wiper and washer systems were being used. These important inventions provided additional vehicle safety and made it possible to drive during inclement weather. Today, modern windshield wiper and washe...

Essentially, shock absorbers do two things. Apart from controlling the movement of springs and suspension, shock absorbers also keep your tyres in contact with the ground at all times. At rest or in motion, the bottom surface of your tyres is the only part of your vehicle in contact with the road.   When to replace shock absorbers: Longer stopping distance Having worn shock absorbers on your vehicle can increase your stopping distance by up to 20%. As you increase your traveling speed this will also increase the distance it takes your vehicle to completely stop. This 20% extra distance can be enough to cause a fatal incident and should be attended to as soon as possible. Swerving & nose-dives Does your car dip or swerve under braking? If so, you need to have your shock absorbers checked. If you do dip or swerve under braking it decrease your control over the car which can be very dangerous in wet weather. Vibrations Are you getting vibrations through ...

Excessive fuel consumption can be caused by a number of different things. So, There are dozens of problems that can lead to excessive fuel consumption, some of them are serious and some can be easily corrected. Consequently, Identifying the reasons your car has excessive fuel consumption and correcting them will save you money and help you to avoid costly repairs. Excessive fuel consumption can also be an indicator of a much more serious issue that if left, can develop into an expensive repair. Did you know that a vehicle can burn up to 30 per cent more fuel if proper maintenance is not performed on a regular schedule? As a result, Familiarizing yourself with the more common causes of poor fuel economy is a smart way to help keep your car running as economically and efficiently as possible. We all know the importance of regular car maintenance, but for many reasons, we just don’t do it often enough. Cars use the most fuel during initial acceleration, so if ...

Lug nuts are very small parts on your wheel, but they have the essential job of keeping your tires attached to the hub. Using the right amount of torque on these parts is vital to the safety of your vehicle. Understanding what torque is, what wheel lug nuts do, and how to check your lug nuts will help you maintain your vehicle’s safety. What Is Torque? Torque is a force that produces rotation. When it comes to the attachment of a car's wheels, torque is the amount of force that is applied to a lug nut when tightening it. Your vehicle requires a certain amount of torque to keep the wheels in place. Mechanics use a torque wrench to properly tighten the lug nuts on your car. This tool can be set to apply a specific amount of force and takes the guesswork out of torqueing the lug nuts properly. Using too much torque can damage the vehicle. Using too little torque can cause the wheels to come loose. You can find the amount of torque required for your vehicle in the owner...