TIPS FOR YOUR CAR l cartips2u

5 Tanda Kereta Anda Sedang Makan Duit Tanpa Anda Sedar

2026-09-03T09:48:33.932+08:00

5 Tanda Kereta Anda
Sedang Makan Duit Tanpa Anda Sedar

5 Tanda Kereta Anda Sedang “Makan Duit” Tanpa Anda Sedar 🚗💸

Kereta masih nampak cantik, enjin masih hidup dan boleh dipandu seperti biasa. Tetapi duit asyik keluar untuk membaiki kereta?

Mungkin kereta anda sudah mula “makan duit”.

💡 Tahukah anda?
Masalah kecil yang dikesan awal biasanya lebih mudah dikawal berbanding kerosakan yang dibiarkan sehingga menjadi serius.

1️⃣ Minyak petrol tiba-tiba semakin kuat

Kalau kereta yang biasanya jimat minyak tiba-tiba menjadi kuat makan petrol, jangan terus salahkan harga minyak.

Periksa perkara asas seperti tekanan tayar, penapis udara, spark plug dan keadaan enjin.

2️⃣ Minyak hitam cepat berkurang

Kerap perlu menambah minyak enjin bukan sesuatu yang patut diabaikan. Ia mungkin berkaitan dengan kebocoran atau penggunaan minyak enjin yang tidak normal.

Semak paras minyak secara berkala dan gunakan spesifikasi minyak yang disyorkan oleh pengeluar.

3️⃣ Mula dengar bunyi pelik

Bunyi seperti “ketuk”, “krek-krek”, “ngiiing” atau bunyi yang tidak pernah ada sebelum ini boleh menjadi petanda sesuatu perlu diperiksa.

Jangan tunggu bunyi semakin kuat baru pergi bengkel.

4️⃣ Lampu amaran dashboard menyala 🚨

Lampu Check Engine, ABS, bateri atau sistem lain bukan sekadar hiasan. Ia memberi isyarat bahawa sesuatu mungkin memerlukan pemeriksaan.

Jika lampu amaran merah menyala atau kereta menunjukkan simptom luar biasa, berhenti di tempat selamat dan dapatkan pemeriksaan yang sesuai.

5️⃣ Kereta terlalu kerap masuk bengkel

Ini mungkin tanda paling mudah untuk dikenal pasti.

Jika hampir setiap bulan ada sahaja komponen yang perlu dibaiki, cuba kira jumlah perbelanjaan anda sepanjang setahun.

🤔 Soalan penting:
Adakah lebih berbaloi terus membaiki kereta lama, atau mula merancang untuk memiliki kereta lain?

💰 Cara mudah elak kereta “makan duit”

Ikut jadual servis pengeluar.
Periksa tekanan dan keadaan tayar.
Periksa paras minyak enjin secara berkala.
Jangan abaikan lampu amaran dashboard.
Catat semua kos pembaikan dan penyelenggaraan.
Minta quotation sebelum melakukan pembaikan besar.

Jangan tunggu kereta rosak teruk baru hendak bertindak. Pengesanan awal boleh membantu mengelakkan masalah kecil menjadi lebih besar.

🚗 CAR TIPs2U
Tip mudah untuk pemilik kereta Malaysia.

📌 Anda Pernah Alami?

Pernah tak kereta anda tiba-tiba kuat makan minyak atau kerap rosak? Kongsikan pengalaman anda di ruangan komen. Mungkin pengalaman anda boleh membantu pemilik kereta lain.

Nota: Maklumat ini adalah panduan umum. Jadual servis dan spesifikasi penyelenggaraan berbeza mengikut model, tahun dan jenis enjin. Sentiasa rujuk manual pemilik atau pusat servis yang sesuai.

Minyak Hitam Kereta: Bila Perlu Tukar & 7 Tanda | CarTips2U

2026-08-30T17:31:20.926+08:00

Minyak hitam kereta
dan pemeriksaan minyak enjin

Bila perlu tukar minyak hitam kereta? Ini antara soalan paling biasa bagi pemilik kereta. Minyak enjin memainkan peranan penting dalam melincirkan komponen enjin, membantu mengurangkan geseran dan membantu memastikan enjin beroperasi dengan baik.

Namun, jangan bergantung kepada satu angka kilometer sahaja. Jadual pertukaran minyak perlu mengambil kira cadangan pengeluar kenderaan, jenis minyak enjin, keadaan enjin dan corak penggunaan kereta.

📌 Dalam artikel ini

Apa itu minyak hitam?
Bila perlu tukar minyak hitam?
7 tanda minyak enjin perlu diperiksa
Jenis minyak enjin
Apa maksud 5W-30, 5W-40 dan 10W-40?
Perlukah tukar oil filter sekali?
Kesilapan biasa ketika tukar minyak
Soalan lazim

🔧 Apa Itu Minyak Hitam Kereta?

Istilah minyak hitam biasanya merujuk kepada minyak enjin. Ia berfungsi sebagai pelincir untuk membantu mengurangkan geseran antara komponen bergerak di dalam enjin.

Minyak enjin juga membantu membawa haba dan bahan cemar tertentu keluar daripada kawasan komponen yang bergerak. Lama-kelamaan, minyak boleh mengalami degradasi dan tercemar, bergantung kepada keadaan penggunaan.

💡 Tip: Jangan menilai keadaan minyak hanya berdasarkan warnanya. Warna yang lebih gelap tidak semestinya bermaksud minyak itu sudah rosak. Ikut jadual servis dan spesifikasi pengeluar.

⏰ Bila Perlu Tukar Minyak Hitam?

Jawapan paling tepat ialah: ikut jadual servis yang disyorkan oleh pengeluar kenderaan anda.

Sesetengah kenderaan mempunyai interval servis yang berbeza bergantung kepada model, enjin, jenis minyak dan keadaan pemanduan.

Faktor	Kenapa penting?
Spesifikasi pengeluar	Menentukan minyak dan interval servis yang sesuai.
Jenis minyak	Formulasi minyak berbeza mengikut produk.
Keadaan trafik	Kerap berhenti dan bergerak boleh meningkatkan beban penggunaan.
Jarak perjalanan	Perjalanan jauh dan penggunaan kerap mempengaruhi jadual servis.
Keadaan enjin	Enjin yang menggunakan minyak secara berlebihan memerlukan pemeriksaan.

🚨 7 Tanda Minyak Enjin Perlu Diperiksa

1. Paras minyak enjin terlalu rendah

Paras minyak yang rendah boleh mengurangkan perlindungan pelinciran. Periksa menggunakan dipstick jika kenderaan anda menggunakannya dan lakukan pemeriksaan ketika enjin berada dalam keadaan yang sesuai mengikut manual kenderaan.

2. Lampu amaran minyak menyala

Jika lampu amaran tekanan minyak menyala ketika enjin hidup, jangan abaikannya. Berhenti di tempat yang selamat dan rujuk manual kenderaan atau dapatkan bantuan.

3. Minyak enjin kerap berkurang

Jika anda perlu menambah minyak dengan kerap, terdapat kemungkinan berlaku kebocoran atau penggunaan minyak yang tidak normal. Pemeriksaan diperlukan untuk mencari puncanya.

4. Enjin berbunyi atau beroperasi secara luar biasa

Bunyi luar biasa tidak semestinya berpunca daripada minyak enjin. Ia boleh mempunyai pelbagai punca, jadi pemeriksaan profesional diperlukan jika bunyi berterusan.

5. Enjin terlalu panas

Overheating mempunyai banyak kemungkinan punca seperti sistem penyejukan. Jangan menganggap minyak enjin sebagai satu-satunya punca.

6. Terdapat kebocoran minyak

Tompokan minyak di bawah kereta boleh menjadi petanda kebocoran. Periksa dan baiki puncanya sebelum masalah menjadi lebih serius.

7. Servis sudah mencapai jadual yang ditetapkan

Walaupun kereta terasa normal, servis tetap perlu dilakukan mengikut jadual pengeluar. Penyelenggaraan berkala membantu mengelakkan anda hanya bertindak apabila masalah sudah berlaku.

🛢️ Jenis Minyak Enjin: Mineral, Semi Synthetic & Fully Synthetic

Minyak mineral

Minyak mineral diperoleh daripada minyak asas petroleum yang ditapis. Ia digunakan pada sesetengah aplikasi, bergantung kepada spesifikasi kenderaan.

Minyak semi synthetic

Semi synthetic menggabungkan minyak asas mineral dengan komponen sintetik. Ia digunakan secara meluas pada pelbagai jenis kenderaan.

Minyak fully synthetic

Fully synthetic menggunakan minyak asas sintetik dan direka untuk memberikan ciri prestasi tertentu mengikut formulasi produk.

⚠️ Paling penting: Jangan memilih minyak hanya kerana ia dilabel “fully synthetic”. Pastikan viscosity dan spesifikasi minyak memenuhi keperluan pengeluar kereta anda.

🔢 Apa Maksud 5W-30, 5W-40 dan 10W-40?

Nombor seperti 5W-30 merujuk kepada gred kelikatan minyak mengikut piawaian SAE.

5W menunjukkan kelikatan minyak pada keadaan suhu rendah.
30 menunjukkan gred kelikatan pada suhu operasi yang ditetapkan oleh piawaian.

Jangan memilih 10W-40, 5W-30 atau mana-mana gred lain semata-mata kerana kereta sudah lama. Rujuk manual atau spesifikasi pengeluar.

🧰 Perlukah Tukar Oil Filter Sekali?

Dalam banyak servis pertukaran minyak enjin, oil filter turut diperiksa atau diganti mengikut jadual servis. Filter membantu menapis bahan cemar daripada minyak enjin.

Oleh itu, jangan hanya bertanya “berapa harga minyak hitam?” ketika servis. Tanya juga apa yang termasuk dalam pakej servis dan sama ada oil filter perlu diganti.

❌ 7 Kesilapan Biasa Ketika Tukar Minyak Hitam

Memilih minyak hanya berdasarkan harga.
Tidak merujuk manual kenderaan.
Menggunakan viscosity yang tidak sesuai.
Mengabaikan oil filter.
Mengisi minyak terlalu banyak.
Tidak memeriksa kebocoran.
Menangguhkan servis terlalu lama.

📋 Checklist Ringkas Selepas Tukar Minyak

☐ Gred minyak betul
☐ Spesifikasi minyak sesuai
☐ Oil filter diperiksa/diganti jika perlu
☐ Paras minyak diperiksa
☐ Tiada kebocoran jelas
☐ Tarikh servis dicatat
☐ Mileage servis seterusnya dicatat

❓ Soalan Lazim

Berapa km sekali perlu tukar minyak hitam?

Tiada satu angka yang sesuai untuk semua kereta. Ikut jadual servis dan spesifikasi pengeluar kenderaan anda.

Minyak hitam cepat hitam, adakah perlu terus tukar?

Tidak semestinya. Warna minyak sahaja bukan ukuran yang mencukupi untuk menentukan sama ada minyak perlu ditukar.

Boleh tukar minyak daripada 10W-40 kepada 5W-30?

Hanya jika gred tersebut dibenarkan oleh pengeluar kenderaan dan sesuai dengan enjin anda. Jangan membuat perubahan hanya berdasarkan cadangan umum.

Perlukah tukar oil filter setiap kali?

Ikut jadual servis dan cadangan pengeluar. Dalam banyak servis minyak enjin, oil filter memang diganti secara berkala.

Minyak fully synthetic semestinya lebih baik?

Tidak semestinya untuk setiap kereta. Yang paling penting ialah minyak tersebut memenuhi spesifikasi yang diperlukan oleh enjin kenderaan anda.

🏁 Kesimpulan

Menjaga minyak enjin bukan sekadar menunggu sehingga minyak kelihatan hitam. Penyelenggaraan yang baik bermula dengan mengikut spesifikasi pengeluar, menggunakan minyak yang sesuai dan melakukan servis pada jadual yang betul.

Jika minyak enjin cepat berkurang, terdapat kebocoran, lampu amaran minyak menyala atau enjin menunjukkan tanda luar biasa, jangan tunggu sehingga masalah menjadi lebih besar.

🔧 Nota CarTips2U

Maklumat ini adalah panduan umum untuk pemilik kenderaan. Spesifikasi minyak, interval servis dan prosedur pemeriksaan boleh berbeza mengikut model dan pengeluar. Sentiasa rujuk manual kenderaan anda atau mekanik yang berkelayakan.

🚗 Nak lebih banyak tips penjagaan kereta?

Teruskan membaca panduan CarTips2U tentang masalah enjin, bateri, tayar dan penyelenggaraan kereta.

Tips penjagaan kereta

2026-08-14T10:51:50.506+08:00

"Kereta bukan sekadar alat — ia teman setia di setiap perjalanan. Jaga ia seperti keluarga: servis berkala, minyak cukup, tayar sentiasa mantap. Kereta sihat, hati pun tenang.

"A car is more than a machine — it’s your loyal companion on every road. Treat it like family: regular service, proper oil, strong tires. A healthy car brings peace of mind."🔧

#PenjagaanKereta #CarCareTips #SelamatDiJalan #DriveSafe #AutoLove #Sukelike

Cara mudah mengesan kerosakan enjin kereta

2024-10-01T08:49:00.002+08:00

Sent by Copilot:

Berikut adalah beberapa cara mudah untuk mengesan kerosakan enjin kereta:

Jika anda mengesan mana-mana tanda ini, adalah baik untuk membawa kereta anda ke bengkel untuk pemeriksaan lanjut. Penyelenggaraan berkala juga boleh membantu mengelakkan kerosakan enjin yang serius.

Adakah anda mempunyai sebarang soalan lain atau memerlukan bantuan dengan perkara lain? 😊

Toyota Corolla

2024-10-01T08:40:00.000+08:00

Lukisan canvas kereta Toyota Corolla di tepi pantai

3 Fast Tips on How To Sell Your Car for the Most.

2020-06-24T14:42:00.001+08:00

3 Fast Tips on How To Sell Your Car for the Most.

3 Fast Tips on How To Sell Your Car for the Most.

Tip 1 - Pick your time. If you can possibly help it, don't sell your car after Christmas, when no one has any money. Consider holiday periods: will the people be in town or away. Sometimes this can work in your favour because if people are not at work they have more time to look for cars, and they are usually cashed up with nothing to do.

On the reverse side, when buyers are busy working, they don't have the time to do a lot of car shopping, which can make negotiating easier.

Additionally for this reason, if you get a buyer to come on a week-night, it is unlikely he can compare yours to other cars - which can sometimes work in your favour.

Tip 2 - First Impressions are everything Just like you are going on a date - first impressions are everything. Get all the rubbish and junk out of it. Deodorize it. Wash it, clean it.

Tip 3 - As the good boy scout says. Be prepared. Get your paperwork in order. Find the spare keys. You don't want to be rushing around at the last minute, just when the buyer is ready to go for it. You can't find something. He may just say, he'll get back to you. Believe me, it happens. So get organized before hand and you'll have a much smoother run of it.

See my other articles for more tips.

About the Author

Graeme Sprigge is the webmaster of SellMyCarForCash.Com, a website enlightening you on how to get the most for your car in a private sale. The site includes more great articles.

For more cool articles, cool car selling tips, car finance tips visit http://www.sellmycarforcash.com

Copyright 2005 Graeme Sprigge. This is a shareware article meaning you can use it provided you include this resource box.
Copyright 2005 Graeme Sprigge

Written by: Graeme Sprigge

Importance of Oil Change in Vehicles

2013-12-01T14:08:00.000+08:00

🚗 When Should You Change Your Engine Oil? 7 Signs Most Drivers Ignore

Engine oil is the lifeblood of your car. Many Malaysian drivers take it lightly, but delaying an oil change can lead to serious damage. This article explains how many kilometers before changing oil, the right oil types, warning signs, and what happens if you wait too long.

📏 How Many Kilometers Before Changing Oil?

Regular cars: 5,000 – 7,000 km (mineral oil)
Semi-synthetic: 7,000 – 10,000 km
Fully synthetic: 10,000 – 15,000 km

👉 Other factors include road conditions, driving habits, and engine age.

🛢️ Mineral vs Semi-Synthetic vs Fully Synthetic

Oil Type	Advantages	Disadvantages
Mineral	Affordable, suitable for older cars	Gets dirty quickly, shorter lifespan
Semi-Synthetic	Balanced price and performance	Needs more frequent changes than fully synthetic
Fully Synthetic	Long-lasting, maximum protection	Higher cost

⚙️ 5W-30 vs 10W-40

5W-30: Ideal for modern engines, better fuel efficiency, performs well in moderate climates.
10W-40: Thicker oil, suitable for older engines or hot Malaysian weather.

🚨 7 Signs Your Engine Oil Needs Changing

Dark and thick oil color
Burnt smell
Rough engine noise
Oil indicator light turns on
Increased oil consumption
Thick exhaust smoke
Reduced engine performance

⚠️ What Happens If You Delay?

Engine wears out faster
Overheating issues
High repair costs
Increased fuel consumption

🧰 Oil Filter: Why It Matters

Oil filters trap dirt and carbon. Replace it every time you change your oil. A clogged filter means dirty oil flows directly into the engine.

🔧 Oil Usage by Engine Type

Small engines (1.0 – 1.5L): 3 – 4 liters
Medium engines (1.6 – 2.0L): 4 – 5 liters
Large engines (2.0L and above): 5 – 6 liters or more

❓ FAQ

How often should I change my engine oil?
Mineral (5k km), semi-synthetic (7–10k km), fully synthetic (10–15k km).

Can I mix different oil types?
Not recommended — it can affect engine performance.

Should I flush the engine?
Yes, if the oil hasn’t been changed for a long time or the engine is very dirty.

Cheap vs expensive oil?
Expensive oils are usually fully synthetic and offer better protection.

Website Designing Company from India (www.speakmeme.com)

2013-10-01T18:30:00.000+08:00

Hi I am Dharmendra K Gupta‏ @choicedelhi from DLL Incorporation , New Delhi , India.

We provide affordable Website Designing and Seo  services at DLL incorporation. 

Visit speakmeme.com/website-designing/ … Skype speakmeme Call us at 9136075049 .

Troubleshooting Car Problems Starting

2013-09-29T06:48:00.001+08:00

Vincent CiullaA car troubleshooting guide is a list of nearly every conceivable symptom, or problem, a car owner might experience with her vehicle. Based on each symptom, a list of potential causes, what to check for, and possible remedies for each cause, are listed in order from most common, to least common. Then, a repair, or replacement of the part, is the next step.

Listed below are some of the most common car problems an owner encounters. Regardless of the car’s make or model, many car problems, and therefore, car troubleshooting steps, apply in a general sense.

When turning the ignition key, you expect the engine to come to life. The first time to attempt to crank the engine, and it does nothing, the instinct is to try and try again. If the engine does not rotate, here are some thing to check.
click here to cont:Troubleshooting Car Problems Starting

10 Energy saving tips for your car

2013-07-04T21:53:00.001+08:00

10 Energy saving tips for your car

[1] Drive sensibly. Aggressive driving (speeding, rapid acceleration and braking) wastes gasoline, it can lower your highway gas mileage 33% and city mileage 5%.
[2] Consider buying a highly fuel-efficient vehicle. A fuel-efficient vehicle, a hybrid vehicle, or an alternative fuel vehicle could save you a lot at the gas pump and help the environment.
[3] Combine errands into one trip. Several short trips, each one taken from a cold start, can use twice as much fuel as one trip covering the same distance when the engine is warm.
[4] Get regular engine tune-ups. Replacing clogged air filters can improve gas mileage by as much as 10% and protect your engine.
[5] Keep tires properly inflated and aligned to improve your gasoline mileage by around 3%.
[6] Use the grade of motor oil recommended by your car’s manufacturer. Using a different motor oil can lower your gasoline mileage by 2%.
[7] Consider telecommuting, carpooling and public transit to cut mileage and car maintenance costs.
[8] Reduce drag by placing items inside the car or trunk rather than on roof racks. A loaded roof rack can decrease your fuel economy by 5%.
[9] Clear out your car; extra weight decreases gas mileage.
[10] Use air conditioning only when necessary, consider opening a window instead.

Sports Car Styling Tips

2013-07-03T21:23:00.002+08:00

Sports Car Styling Tips

Sports Car Styling Tips
Are you coming up with to boost the aesthetic look of your car? Wish to get that sporty and sleek look? Then here are some pointers that can help you dress up your automobile.

What products to decide on from
When deciding what kind of setup you'll do to your automotive, you should initial bear in mind that there are a mess of products being sold out there that claim superior performance and economical. But the fact is there are some sensible ones and and many of bad ones. Be picky when trying for automotive accessories and remember it is not a unhealthy plan to appear at the established brands before considering untested brands.

The wheels
One in all the initial things that a car enthusiast does when dressing up a automobile is to switch the prevailing wheels with custom made ones. But this can be not just for looks since performance wheels and tires conjointly enhance a automotive's handling and performance. Choosing between tall wheels and short ones will be the next step. Bigger wheels get noticed a lot of and increase the design of a car dramatically. Smaller wheels on the opposite hand have that vintage or retro look.

Stickers Galore
Applying sticker designs on the car hood or the opposite parts of the automobile body is one in all the cheapest ways to change and customise your car. Sticker styles vary from popular performance parts logos of makers in addition to those designed for rally and indy races. If you are capable of making your own stickers, it's necessary to get permission for copying a style as it might be copyrighted. If you are coming up with to place stickers on the hood, select the kind that will not be broken by the heat of the engine. Metallic foil stickers are ideal for use on automobile hoods.

Lowering kits
Lowering your automobile means that creating your car a lot of stable in turns other than giving it an aggressive and sporty look. Cars don't seem to be the only ones that have lowering kits, so if you have a pickup truck, probabilities are, there's a lowering kit made for your vehicle. Although having a lower ride means improved handling, the trade off is poor ride quality since the car springs are stiffer and shorter.

These are a number of the things that you can do to improve the planning and stance of your automobile. Your automobile may be a represents you so naturally you want it to look appealing. Of course, having a smart trying automobile additionally suggests that spending thousands of bucks. If this is your passion, then paying extra will not be a downside with you.

What Makes Sports Car Standard To Automobile Enthusiasts?

2013-07-03T21:17:00.004+08:00

What Makes Sports Car Standard To Automobile Enthusiasts

What Makes Sports Car Standard To Automobile Enthusiasts?
There are sure things that arouse the emotional bond between the sports automobile and therefore the auto fanatics.

Driving excitement and appearance are that sets the sports automotive but all the remainder. The sports cars appearance is vital particularly to men; making the one reason the sports automobile is therefore in style.

Sports car enthusiasts bond with every other in clubs, talking, and exchanging ideas. They pay a substantial quantity of spare time engrossed with their sports automotive.

There is in fact, one thing in sports cars that causes drivers to possess a unique attraction and attachment to vehicles, creating them terribly in style among the many vehicles out there.

Others say that sports cars are toys for the “huge boys”. Studies do show that sports cars are a well-liked hobby of many men and that they often occupy the time, as well as the hearts, of the many fans.

Here are reasons why they're well-liked:

1.   Sports cars are common as a result of they're symbolic. Sports cars are thought-about a supply independence or freedom. Drivers are not any a lot of hindered by the restrictions and inadequacy of conventional cars and are ready to possess a versatile and free life maneuvering and tackling parts traveling with ease. This perception of freedom makes the sports car common.

2.   Sports cars are popular as a result of of their “innovative technology”. People are interested in technological progress; sports cars are a moving combination of technical and mechanical expertise.

Sports cars are thought of by auto fans to be an entire package of technological advancement; from compact but sturdy engines to aerodynamic tailoring, sport cars symbolize the frontier of commercial design.

3.   Sports cars are in style as a result of of their capability to respond or counter the motive force. Sports cars are sold, as surveys show, as extraordinarily driver-responsive cars. The driving force is has the whole management.

4.   Sports cars are popular because they attractiveness to the driving force’s desire of combining power and speed moving around.

While others hunt for performance, others desire a definite style, and still others need each. Without any doubt, the sports automobile comes during a package that can match the customers’ desires and needs.

Whatever one’s reason for possessing a sports car, it does not extremely matter; what matters is, if it’s the automotive that you would like, and you can well afford it, then it ought to be what you're driving.

Maintaining Your Tires Keeps Your Automobile Healthy

2013-03-11T22:13:00.000+08:00

We have a tendency to often ignore our tires unless they're flat. But they play a important role in the general condition of your automobile. Maintain them properly, and you'll save cash on repairs and on fuel costs.

Keeping your tires properly inflated ensures that they wear longer and will prevent accidents. Your automotive likely encompasses a card or sticker hooked up to the door edge or the within of the glove box door. The right amount of air your tires want is specified here. In case your car does not have this sticker, you can check your owner's manual.

Serious accidents will happen if your tires are below-inflated or overloaded. One of my tires blew-out on me and caused an accident. Luckily I was on a very little traveled country road and was going slowly. I hate to think of what would possibly have happened if I had been in major traffic.

Buy your own quality tire gauge. You can't tell if tires are inflated properly simply by wanting. And the air meters at your service station may not be correct!

Ask your auto provide dealer for a tire gauge calibrated up to 80 PSI. They'll recognize what you mean, even if you do not.

Take a flash at the beginning of every month to check your tire pressure (do not forget the spare! Uhm, you do have a spare tire, do not you??) Check them before you get in the car to drive. Write down the particular under-inflation quantity for each tire. Take this info with you to the service station.

Currently live the inflation again and record these numbers. (Do not worry, this only takes a couple minutes.) Currently inflate the tires to a level that equals the warm pressure (that you simply took) and the primary under-inflation quantity. (called the "cold" inflation pressure)

If the above directions sound intimidating or confusing, take your automotive to a shop and give them the “cold” pressure numbers. They’ll place the right quantity of air in your tires for a minimum fee – generally they’ll not charge you in the slightest degree.

The leading explanation for tire failure is under-inflation. Therefore build a habit to check them once a month.

Overloading your vehicle will cause tire failure, too. Just because you have got a pick-up truck doesn’t mean it can carry an infinite load.

Schedule a tire check into your calendar every month and you’ll economize, save fuel, and perhaps, even save your family from a car accident.

Diagnose Car Noises

2012-10-21T11:57:00.002+08:00

What is a 'good car sound'? Can you tell when your car sounds unhealthy?

Car sounds good - music to the ears; car sounds bad - scraping, grinding, knocking, tapping or squealing are some of sounds you hear when something is wrong. This article aims to help you tune into the sounds your car makes when its healthy and running well and sounds you should not ignore when something is wrong. If there's a fault with your car the symptom is often an unusual noise; a noise you should not ignore.

This article also aims to give you more information to help you to decide if you can tackle a job yourself or should you get specialist, expert help. Knowledge is power. Find a good garage/mechanic you can go to if the job is too much to do yourself; and you'll get more respect if you know something about the problem.

When an engine is running properly it has a healthy sound. The healthy sound is a regular, constant note. Like music with a regular, unchanging rhythm a healthy engine running at a constant regular speed will not hunt and wander and there won't be any extra noises. Also the engine will pick-up and run smoothly and powerfully when you apply the accelerator pedal.

Unhealthy engine noises include valve train noises(clicking or tapping), sticky hydraulic tappets (knocking), etc. Usually these will be metallic sounding. Scraping, grinding, knocking, tapping or squealing are some of sounds something is wrong

Unhealthy hissing noises from the engine bay may well be the result of a coolant leak somewhere. Coolant/anti-freeze flows in the engine and in pipes or tubes. These can develop small holes or come loose where they are joined. Never ignore coolant leaks or noises. Always check out immediately. Low coolant level can easily mean an engine seizing because it gets too hot. Seizure is bad news for your budget. Very expensive repair bills are almost always the result. If you hear a hissing noise or see fluid leaking onto the floor beneath your car check under the bonnet/hood to find out, if possible where it's coming from. Keep an eye on the dashboard temperature gauge; there will be a change in temperature if the coolant level gets low.

Noises coming from the wheels on your car will usually mean either wheel bearing problems or brake problems.

Wheel bearings are the sort of job you can tackle for yourself and save money. If you need to replace bearings shop around for a good price and also for good quality. Wheel bearings on today's car are usually Taper bearings. This means they can be adjusted to 'take up' normal wear and tear. Usually good quality bearings will last a considerable time and do a fair number of miles. Normal wear and tear can be dealt with by tightening the retaining nut. Make sure you adjust them correctly; too tight and rapid wear and over-heating will result, too loose and rapid wear will also occur.

Noises from the wheels on your car will most likely be from the brakes if the bearings are OK. Brake noises are usually caused by excessively worn brake pads (grinding, scraping noise) sticking caliper piston, excessively worn brake discs. Squealing from the brakes is not always a sign of danger but don't ignore it. Consult an expert if you're not sure.

Brakes on modern cars are not rocket-science. but need to be maintained for the obvious reason of safety. Replacing brake pads is a job you can tackle yourself and save money on mechanics bills. You will find plenty of more detailed guidance on the net or in a Haynes manual for your specific car. Brakes can bind (not release properly), caliper pistons can seize, and worn brake pads can mean metal is running on metal.

The design of some brakes means they can sometimes squeak....open the window while driving so the noise is audible, when safe to do so lightly touch the brake pedal so the brakes are applied lightly. if the noise goes away you can be more confident it is something to do with the brakes.

Modern car brakes have a long history of design and modification behind them. All modern brakes are hydraulically operated. When you press the brake pedal a brake caliper squeezes two pads together and the brake disc sandwiched between them is slowed down. The wheel is slowed because the wheel and disc are attached to each other. The pads have a brake lining glued to them and this lining wears sometimes so thin that the metal backing of the pad makes contact with the metal brake disc. Preferably don't let them get this bad. Take a look at the pads - you can see how much lining is left on them.

The engine has a lot of moving parts and can produce a lot of noises. Listen to the engine when it's healthy and unhealthy noises will be easier to recognise when they occur. Oil is the lifeblood of an engine; it reduces friction and heat. Low oil level will generally mean the engine sounding harsher. Noises from top or bottom of the engine may indicate bearing or component problems. When it's healthy try to keep it that way with regular oil and filter changes; you can do them yourself!

Lastly pay attention to the noises that seem to be coming from the exhaust. The exhaust pipe and the silencers/mufflers are under the car and exposed to water, salt (winter) and very high temperatures (exhaust flame temperature around 1000 degrees C) The exhaust is heated and cooled frequently so it will develop leaks eventually. Any leaks from the exhaust are also a health/safety issue because of the danger of carbon monoxide. If you suspect it get it checked at an exhaust repairers; genuine firms will tell you true and not usually charge for diagnosing a problem.

Car Breakdown Insurance

2012-10-15T10:54:00.002+08:00

No one in this world can think of a day without motor cars. We do not realize this until some damage is done to the car and we are unable to reach our destination and the whole day goes wasted. If this starts happening frequently, we will be on the verge of losing our jobs. So this can not be tolerated at all because it can run you along with your damaged car. So car-breakdown insurance is must for all of us to come for our rescue at any time, at any place. If you have bought your car recently then you should never be late in having car-breakdown insurance. I am going to jot down some significant information about what car-breakdown insurance all about.

Before going for car-breakdown insurance, you must decide whether you want to cover a vehicle or a person under this insurance. Now your mind must be deluged with questions regarding car- insurance covering vehicle or a person.

Covering a vehicle means that insurance company will cover anyone who is driving a car, no matter he is the one who was registered as the driver while buying insurance. On the other hand, covering a person means that an insurance company will only cover that person who was registered as a driver while buying car insurance. It is quite evident that covering a vehicle in car-breakdown insurance is a better option of the two. But the car-breakdown insurance covering a vehicle is very expensive while the later is less costly. Moreover, if you are a sole driver in your home then car-break insurance covering a person perfectly suits you.

Car-breakdown insurance has different cover levels and each of them offers various services. Go for the one that suits you the best. Different levels include Platinum Level, Gold Level, Silver Level and Bronze Level. These levels provide you from low cost to most expensive services. Platinum Cover Level is the most expensive among these levels. Platinum Cover Level covers up to seven passengers. This includes fixing the damages caused to the car even at the roadside and also bringing the car back to your house. It also covers your ongoing travel. Gold Cover Level is the same as that Platinum Cover Level but without onward travel. Silver Cover Level is same as that of Gold Cover Level except the destinations it covers are less. Bronze Cover Level only covers bringing your car to the nearest garage.

Car-breakdown insurance is definitely worth-getting and you will never regret spending bucks on it.

List of actions you may consider while driving.

2012-03-12T12:56:00.000+08:00

There are number of steps you can take to reduce your driving expenses while using you car.

Here's a quick list of some actions you may want to consider while driving.

1. Take the time to check your car's tire pressure each month. Under inflated tires reduce fuel efficiency by 2% for every pound they are under inflated. Under inflation also causes premature tire wear giving your tires a shorter use life.

2. Drive at the speed limit. Cars use about 20% more fuel driving at 70 miles per hour than they do at 55 miles per hour.

3. Avoid driving fast in low gears. Driving at high speeds in the improper gear can reduce fuel efficiency by up to 40%.

4. Avoid using air conditioning whenever possible. Air conditioning reduces fuel economy by 10% to 20%.

5. Don't open windows when traveling at high speeds. Open windows on the highway can reduce fuel efficiency by 10%. It is much better to use the ventilation system. Also remember to remove car racks and other items which make your car less aerodynamic when they're not being used. Use cruise control to maintain a steady pace on the highway to increase fuel economy.

6. Avoid rough roads. Driving on roads made of dirt or gravel can reduce fuel economy by up to 30%.

7. Don't let your car idle. Even on cold mornings, there's no need to let your car idle for more than 30 seconds. Newer cars are designed to be driven almost immediately and letting your car idle longer is a waste of gas. In addition, it's more efficient to turn off your car and turn it on again than to let it idle for more than 45 seconds while waiting.

8. Remove all excess weight from your car. Many people use their car trunk as a storage space adding unneeded pounds to the car's weight. This unnecessary weight reduces the car's fuel efficiency.

9. Try to accelerate gently, brake gradually and avoid stops when driving. Gunning engines, quickly accelerating, and abrupt stops all waste fuel. Try to avoid driving during rush hour periods when you know traffic will be stop and go. If you do find yourself in stop and go traffic, try to maintain a crawl. When approaching hills or steep slopes, accelerate before the hill. Accelerating once on the slope will consume much more gas.

10. Service your car regularly while paying special attention to oil and filters. Blocked air flow from clogged air filters will increase fuel waste. Also check your car's alignment since this can cause engine drag which will also increase gas waste.

11. Periodically calculate your car's fuel efficiency. A loss in fuel efficiency is an indication of possible mechanical problems.

How to Handle Battery Problem

2012-02-29T22:32:00.002+08:00

Use a charger.

Connect the red cable to the positive terminal, black to negative. If you have got a "inexperienced eye" charge indicator on the battery, charge until it turns inexperienced. If not, disconnect the charger for [*fr1] an hour and check the voltage (engine stopped) - 12.6 Volts indicates a full charge, 12.three Volts [*fr1] charged. Use a multimeter set to a DC Voltage vary bigger than 12 Volts full scale.
Touch the red probe to the positive side of the battery, black to the negative aspect. A typical 5 amp charger may take more than 8 hours to charge the battery. A lot of powerful chargers are for skilled users, as a result of they'll amplify the battery! A little one amp cigarette lighter charger might be left connected indefinitely.

Make sure the battery terminals are clean.

A buildup of white powder between the terminal and therefore the cable prevents a giant current from flowing to the starter. Clean with a wet rag with baking soda sprinkled on. Use fine sandpaper if necessary. Be terribly careful when using metal tools near the positive terminal - avoid shorting the terminal to any metal part of the automotive.

Test the charging system with a Voltmeter.

With the car running put the multimeter on a DC Voltage range larger than fourteen Volts and bit the probes to the battery terminals. The Voltage ought to be between 14.0 and 14.5 Volts for effective charging. If below fourteen, you most likely want a brand new alternator. Above, you would like a mechanic to regulate it.

If you think current is leaking and discharging the battery, check it with this measuring part of a multimeter. This may be a little additional difficult. Engine off for all this!
Cover the positive battery terminal with a rag thus you can't accidentally bit it.Use a wrench to disconnect the cable from the negative battery terminal.Set the meter to the largest DC current range (at least 10 Amperes; this may involve plugging the probe wire to a totally different jack in the meter).Use clips to connect the red probe to the disconnected cable and the black probe to the negative battery terminal. The present can then flow through the meter to the automobile, enabling the meter to live the current. When first connected, the current may be giant. An open door will draw at least 5 amperes for the interior lights, and the lights might stay on for many minutes once closing the doors.If you have got an under hood light-weight, disconnect it or take away the bulb. This ought to go down to close zero. Most cars draw only 0.010 Amperes (10 mA) for the clock. Anything beneath 50 mA is alright. Whereas watching the meter, rock the automotive, pat the fuse box, wiggle the doors (while not gap). A current of even 0.5 an Ampere indicates a downside.

The current could be too small for the highest range of the meter.

If you know the present is less than 1 Ampere, you'll be able to switch the meter all the way down to the one Amp vary. Be careful with lower ranges like one hundred mA - it's terribly simple to burn out that vary on the meter with excessive current. If you have to move the probe cause a totally different jack on the meter, you want to use a clip lead to attach the black and red leads to each other throughout the move therefore the automotive maintains its association to the battery and doesn't draw its larger initial current when connected again. At a current of .05 amperes (50 mA), a battery can take 70zero hours (30 days) to half discharge. If your automotive's current is that low, you are doing not have a discharge downside. Do ensure underhood light to make positive it explodes when the hood is closed. Or leave it disconnected.

Easy Tips Guaranteed To Keep You Safer While Driving

2011-11-28T10:49:00.000+08:00

Below are their recommendations and tips for improving driver safety and reducing the incidence or probability of an accident.

Their first tip was to increase the following distance. Aggressive driving and following too close can easily result in a rear end collision, especially at night when vision is reduced and reaction time is slowed. A good rule of thumb is to allow at least one car length of distance between cars for each 10 mph increment. So, for 10 mph 1 car length will suffice and for 60 mph at least 6 car lengths or more. This will allow for proper reaction time and braking in an emergency. Also watch out for cars switching lanes without using turn signals. If you follow too closely there may be another car stopped in you lane that you will not have time to stop for.

Another great tip for avoiding unnecessary night time accidents was to make sure your cars lighting works properly. This is especially important at night when visibility is already low and a dimly or unlit vehicle poses a great risk and threat to other cars. According to New York State Troopers the biggest problem with headlights was not actually the bulb, it was the plastic cover of the headlight lens. Since 1992 clear plastic headlights have been made standard on almost every car made and the problem is that these plastic lenses are very susceptible to damage from the environment. Just like car paint, plastic lenses become damaged and cloudy from exposure to UV rays, harsh weathering and acid rain. The lenses start to cloud and before long light output and safety can become greatly reduced.

According to the AAA Foundation for traffic safety, An average of 9 out of every 10 cars on the road today has dirty or yellowed headlights that greatly reduce vision and need to be replaced or restored. That means almost every car out there is in need of some degree of headlight repair or restoration. It used to be that the only option was replacement of the cloudy headlight lens at an average of $250 per lens. Now there is a headlight restoration kit available that is currently used and backed by numerous police and state agencies that will restore the headlight lens to new again and restore night time driving safety. According to the National Institute for Highway Traffic and Safety dim headlights are the number one most easily avoidable factor in serious night time accidents.

Another tip was dirty or improperly cleaned windshields. According to several state troopers, most people do not realize the effect of glare on night time or daytime driving. Glare can literally blind you. If your windshield or other windows are dirty or even fogged, your vision can quickly be impaired. All it takes at night is for someone to be driving with a dirty windshield and an oncoming car with their bright lights or even regular lights on. You will be temporarily blinded and long enough to easily cause a serious accident. Clean your windows at every fill up. Many gas stations have windshield wash stations available so take advantage of them. If your windshield has scratches or cracks get it replaced. It is also a good time to check your headlights and tires to make sure they are properly inflated as improperly inflated tires can cause you to lose traction when you need it most.

Improving Petrol/Gas Mileage - Three Simple Tips

2011-04-05T12:36:00.000+08:00

If you're looking for ways of improving the petrol/gas mileage of your car for better fuel economy, here are three simple tips you can use straight away in order to cut down on the ever increasing cost of motoring. When you incorporate these tips you instantly reduce the amount of fuel being used while commuting to work and while using your car socially. Also remember the hidden benefits that are associated with the environment when you reduce your fuel consumption. So let's look to see how we can achieve this.

Tip #1 Tune in your engine.

Keep your engine in top condition. A properly serviced and tuned engine will give you the best results in obtaining the maximum amount of miles per gallon. It will run cleaner and be more efficient which in the long run results in much better fuel economy.

An off tune engine that's running out of balance will literally drink fuel, even more so if it is difficult to start. The amount of petrol/gas or diesel wasted trying to start a reluctant engine could carry you for miles on an open road so it makes good sense to eliminate this problem as soon as you can.

Tip #2 A bright spark.
You can purchase such things as aftermarket spark plugs and ignition plug leads for a petrol engine that when fitted will increase the quality of the spark which makes the whole ignition system more efficient.

There is a mini explosion taking place in a conventional combustion engine every time that the cylinder fires, so any increase in the quality of the spark will affect the efficiency to ignite the petrol/air mixture. This allows the engine to be more responsive to throttle openings so you need less throttle to move the vehicle along making the engine more economical which then returns more miles per gallon as a result.

Tip #3 Check your tyres.
Keep your tyres in good condition with the correct pressure and balancing and this will ensure that the road drag is kept to a minimum helping you to achieve more miles per gallon. Under inflated tyres mean more surface area on the road than they are designed for which results in excess drag that requires much more effort and energy to move the vehicle along.

By implementing these tips into your daily motoring, they will eventually pay for themselves over a period of time. The fuel is costing you money anyway so you might just as well invest in these now and enjoy the benefits of a smoother running engine and a more economical car.

Used Car For Sale - A Guide

2011-01-07T11:26:00.000+08:00

With the option of used cars on sale, a car can now be easily purchased. There are numerous advantages and ways to search for a used car on sale.
A decade before, one was dependent just on personal contacts or local automobile dealers or classified ads. Now, one can just surf the Internet, search for used cars that are available for sale in as big a range as one wants, pay online and get the car delivered. Things have become so simple, thanks to technology.

Advantages of Buying a Used Car
There are many of us who prefer to buy a used car on sale when it comes to buying our first car. Moreover, there are many benefits attached to buying used cars
* If you are buying a used car from the dealer, you have an advantage of getting your car repaired on the dealer shop itself and your car could be fixed at cheaper prices.
* Another point to consider is that you might find some defects or some other problems in it. However in that case, you may bargain and ask the dealer to sell the it in a somewhat lesser value than the actual amount.
* Lots of used cars come with a warranty program and proper certification which is an additional advantage.
* To purchase it from the private owner can be beneficial as well since you are likely to get the car at a better price than you would from a used car sale or dealer.

How to Search For a Used Car for Sale
If you are contemplating to buying an old car and wondering where to find used cars for sale then all that is required is a little research.
* You can choose to buy a second hand car from a local dealer or you could browse various websites for the best deals on such cars.
* Some private owners also prefer to sell their used car and put advertisements in the newspapers.
* There is end number of used cars for sale in the market. You may consider your budget and accordingly search for the car that serves your needs the best.
* Research on the Internet. There are several websites which would provide you plenty of useful data.

Points To Remember While Buying an Old Car
* Before buying a used car, remember to always check the model and its make.
* You could run through the details of the used car for sale. You must thoroughly inspect the car to ensure that it is free from any defects.
* Some other features for instance power windows, key less entry; child lock facility, power steering, etc. could also be explored.
* Do not rush. Evaluate the condition of the car and try to look out for maximum information related to the car.
* Sometimes you may feel that there are some dealers who put up advertisements in the newspapers related to the used car sale are trying to move their car quickly and offering it at a great discounted price. You need to be extra careful in cases like this. Do remember that the buyer always has options of asking questions which he may have regarding the product.
* You could probably meet the dealer or car owner in person and find out the required information about the car or you can also ask the questions from the owner or the dealer through email.
* Questions like vehicle identification number, mileage, distance it has run, etc. may be put to the dealer.
* Make sure that you check the papers of the car as well.

Driver Safety Tips

2010-09-29T10:26:00.000+08:00

Since the inception of cell phones, people have been able to take their phones with them, instead of leaving them at home. Cell phones are important tools to have during an emergency, but they can also cause accidents while driving. Instead of using cell phones as a tool for emergencies, they are using them as a social tool while driving. More than 2,000 people die in Canada each year from talking on their phone while driving. Studies have shown that people who talk or text on their cell phones cannot pay attention to the road 100 percent. Talking and texting on a cell phone takes a person's reflex capabilities away. They are unable to react quickly enough to avoid an accident.

Most accidents that happen are fender benders due to a driver suddenly slamming on their brakes. When a person slams on their brakes, the person on the cell phone does not see it in time, and is unable to react appropriately. Studies have also shown that when a person talks on their cell phone while driving, everything in their peripheral vision disappears from view. If a pedestrian crosses the street, many people who are not paying attention will not see them. Texting is becoming far worse while driving because the person has to take their eyes off of the road in order to text. Most head-on collisions have happened while a person was texting.

New laws have come out to prevent people from talking and texting on their cell while driving. People are no longer allowed to talk on their cell without an ear piece, so that a drivers hands can be free to hold on to the steering wheel. Texting while driving should never happen at any time. A driver taking their eyes off of the road at any time can cause horrific accidents. With as much traffic on the roads, especially in large cities, texting while driving is a potential catastrophe waiting to happen. Many people may believe that they are perfectly capable to drive safely while texting, but studies have shown that driving while texting is just as harmful as driving while intoxicated.

For safety sake, a person should not talk on their cell or drive while texting until they get to a safe place where they can pull over. This reduces the chances of an accident, and therefore lowers the risk of raising Ontario vehicle insurance rates, as well. Wearing an ear piece to talk on a cell phone is much safer while driving, but a person's attention span is still not 100 percent on their driving. There are many things happening at one time while a person is driving. Drivers should be on the lookout for people pulling out of shopping centers and changing lanes on a continuous basis. Anything that takes a person's attention away from their driving is a potential accident waiting to happen.

Useful Tips for Total Car Care

2010-09-09T07:49:00.000+08:00

Taking good care of your ride is always a great idea. Not only will your car run better if you perform regular maintenance on it, it will also hold a good resale value if you keep it looking it's best. Keep reading to discover some great car care tips offered here.

Let's start with the outside of your car. Your car should be washed and waxed on a regular basis. But what should you use to wash your car? Some people think that any old soap will do to wash your car, but this is not true. If you are using dish soap to wash your car then you are removing all wax from your car. Dish soap is made to remove animal fat from dishes, so it will be really good at taking off that fresh coat of wax that you applied last week. Your best choice for total car care would be to choose a quality car wash. These washes are more of a detergent than a soap and will do less damage to your wax job.

Minimizing any scratches is always a great practice towards making your car looks great. Any dirt that comes in between the cleaning material and the car surface will cause the surface to be scratched and therefore dulling the paint on your car. So, when you are cleaning your car don't forget to take note of any chips or scratches in the paint. These should be repaired immediately to avoid rust. Minor dings and dents should be noted also. You can opt to repair these yourself or take your car to a body shop for the repair.

Remember to include tire care in your total car care procedure. Check the tire pressure and the tread for wear and tear. Having the correct pressures for your tires not only will prolong the useful lives of your tires, you will experience a smoother drive and better fuel efficiencies. Check all of your valve stem caps to make sure they are tight, as they are the final seal after the tire valve stem and could help to hold up the tire pressure should the tire valve stem fails. Apply a quality rubber protectant to your tires to prevent damage from UV rays. This will keep the rubber of your tires from drying and cracking.

Once you have finished with the exterior of your car, it's time to check the interior. Vacuum the interior thoroughly. If there are stains on the upholstery or the carpet, you can use a quality carpet and upholstery shampoo to clean the interior. Wash the windshield inside and out and clean all vinyl with a good vinyl cleaner and protectant as well.

To complete your total auto car care mission you should look under the hood. Checking under the hood on a periodic basis can help you to spot problems before they become costly and is therefore a wise thing to do. It is best to conduct the check when the car engine is cold, i.e. not after the car is being used and that the engine is hot. Check all fluid levels. Take a good look at your belts and hoses and check for cracks or worn out signs. Finally, make sure that all caps are screwed on tightly after the checks are done..

Following these car care tips will allow you to take the best possible care of your car. It will also save you money in the long run because a well maintained car will bring in more money for you should you decide to sell or trade in your car.

Do yourself and your car a favor and perform total auto car care on a regular basis - it will serve you well for a long, long way to come.

Enjoy safe driving.

Tips on How to Tow Your Car Safely

2010-09-01T07:30:00.000+08:00

All you need to tow your car safely is some basic information and your common sense. Failure to tow your car properly may lead to problems such as damage to one or more parts of the car or personal injury to you or others around you.

You should only tow a car when it is at neutral. This way, the wheels will not be locked. If this is not done, the wheels and other parts of the vehicle may be damaged and there is a safety risk. When towing a vehicle, make sure a sturdy cable such as tow chain is used. It should be properly fastened from the trailer hitch of the vehicle doing the towing to the vehicle that is being towed. This fastening should be double looped and it should go to a strong part of the undercarriage.

You should note that having a passenger on a vehicle that is being towed is illegal in many states and it poses a safety risk. The vehicle being towed should only have a driver whose sole purpose is to direct the vehicle in such a way that it follows the towing vehi cle. You should communicate with the one manning the vehicle being towed to make sure he/she does not stop suddenly or too slowly.

You should always have a clearly visible sign to warn vehicles behind you that the vehicle is in tow so that they should keep a safe distance. Failure to have this sign is actually a violation in many states. When towing a vehicle, you should never drive faster than 45 MPH. This is because the higher the speed, the greater the strain on the tow cable.

There is a risk that the cable could snap and this could cause an accident. You should limit the distance between the car that is towing and the one being towed. This will prevent the car being towed from getting off the course. If the tow is due to a vehicle breakdown, you should never push it beyond the nearest service station.

When towing a vehicle with an RV or a camper, most of the rules that apply to towing a vehicle that has broken down such as maintain 45 MPH apply. However, there are a few extra tips that will help you do this safely.

You should always allow for more stopping distance because of the momentum of the vehicle you are towing. You should always keep in mind the fact that the length of your vehicle has changed. This will help you while negotiating corners and while overtaking. You should note the limit of your RV or your camper and you should never pass this limit. If you do, there is a risk that the cable may snap.

You will find the limits for the RV and camper in the owner manuals, from the dealership, or through research. When towing with an RV or a camper, make sure the safety cables have been crisscrossed - make sure the cross is at the center. This will help center the vehicle behind the RV if it is unhooked for one reason or the other.

Headlight Restoration Solution to Foggy Hazy Headlight

2010-07-12T10:24:00.001+08:00

Problem: Hazy Cloudy or Yellow Oxidized Headlight

First if we understand what causes today car headlights to get oxidized and discolored then we can do some things to prevent or prolong it from happening. In the good old days headlights were made from glass and we did not have the problem of yellowing headlights because of its structure. Now today and for at least the past ten years most headlights are made from polycarbonate plastic which is very though. The problem however is that this plastic is porous.

What Causes Your Headlights To Oxidize and Discolor

The debris from the road the sun UV rays and the acid rain are the main factors that contributes to your headlights becoming hazy dull or discolored. Here is what happens because there placement on your vehicle which is obviously in the front, it is subjected to the sand, small pebbles kicked up by other vehicles in front of you in traffic. These pebbles mixed with oil and other elements from the road makes small pits on them. Some of the oils and dirt settles in the pits that gets rained on and then gets cooked with the UV rays from the sun. Over a period of time this constant pitting bombardment consumes your headlights like a cancer. It just keeps eating away the outer layer until you notice that they are no longer crystal clear any more.

First you start seeing a line towards the top of your headlight then it starts to get dull then foggy or yellowish then to a whitish cloudy look then finally a scared dirty color where you can't even see the bulb.

Cloudy Headlights Compromise Your Safety

At this point your safety is being compromised because while driving at night you are left wondering weather your headlights are ON or OFF. Your light projection is reduced by as much as 70% or more. This creates a danger not only for you but other as well. Here is where most people start thinking about headlight restoration or replacement not only because of the safety issue but their cloudy oxidized headlights makes their car look older and ugly. It becomes like an eye-saw. The question now is what solution to use, replacement or restoration?

Headlight Restoration - solution to cloudy headlights

Restoring your discolored headlights is an economical solution instead of replacement. You can save hundreds may be even thousands of dollars base on your vehicle. Most foggy headlights can be restored because it is generally the outer layer on your headlights that are oxidized and this can be fixed using a headlight restoration kit or using a professional headlight restoration service like us FixMyHeadlights.com if you are in south Florida.

Headlight Restoration Preferred - Wet Sanding method

There are a couple of ways to restore hazy headlights. Chemical and sanding process. I have tried both methods and the method of choice for me is the wet-sanding method because apart from removing the oxidation, scratches are removed as well giving the headlights a like new headlight when finished. Apart from cleaning and polishing the headlights sealing the headlights is a vital step in the headlight restoration process. Because of the porous nature of the plastic if it is not sealed properly your headlights will get oxidized in a very short space of time.

Maintain Your Headlights After Restoration

After restoring your headlights take a little time to maintain them. A five minute program can prolong your headlights from becoming hazy or cloudy. At least once a month when you wash your car apply some car wax on them and this will help keep debris from sticking on your headlights.

Be SAFE

It does not matter weather you do it yourself with a headlight restoration kit or you use a headlight restoration service or replace your headlights. The main thing is Don't compromise Your Safety Restore Your Dim Headlights. Drive SAFE!

Author
Abraham Baksh

Tips to keep the engine in a good shape-naza world

2010-06-18T17:34:00.000+08:00

1. Regular oil change is most important factor to keep the engine running. If you do it more often than suggested by manufacturer’s schedule, that’s even better.

2. Try to avoid engine overheating. ... See More

3. Changing spark plugs, air filter, timing belt and other items from maintenance schedule will save you from expensive repairs.

4. Regularly examine your vehicle in order to fix any small problem before it turns into a serious damage.