Avoiding Costly Repairs in Winter

While we would love to take care of your car should anything happen, we would rather you not get into a horrible accident during the winter and be forced to see us.  Maintenance is one thing. Repair because of an accident is another.

Avoid this!

 So, here are a few tips to avoid costly repairs while driving in winter conditions.

Check your tires:  you will lose 1 pound of tire pressure for every 10 degree drop in temperature.  Check your tire pressure RIGHT NOW!  Maintaining proper tire pressure help with traction AND improve your fuel economy. Also, even if you have all-season tires, you need to watch your speed. These tires also have reduced performance at cold temperatures.

Check your fluids:  We recently wrote about the importance of checking fluids before it started getting too cold. If you haven’t yet, do it now…with windshield-washer fluid being key right now.  Also, keep your gas tank at least half filled. Your lines could freeze.

Be Prepared to Dig Out: If you spin out into a snow bank or even off the side of the road in a little bit of ice and snow, do not let your wheels spin in an attempt to get out. Have a shovel in the trunk and sand to help with traction. You can even use kitty litter thrown under the tire to help.

Keep Your Eyes on the Road: Potholes, debris…hidden in the snow. If you hit something like a pothole, be prepared for some bent rims or axles as well as alignment issues. And, be weary of ice flying off of cars in front of you. That can damage the windshield.

Your Car Could Soon Be a Plane

The Event Data Recorder or Little Black Box for the car

OK…not really. We aren’t talking about the flying car…but that would certainly be cool. All planes have an instrument that allows crash investigators to figure out what brought a plane down or caused an accident.  The little black box could soon be in the next car you buy!

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has been pushing to get black boxes in all new cars for many years. Some newer cars already have them installed. The new regulations will make sure that all new automobiles (lighter cars) have them installed. Late last week, the White House signed off on the proposal and that means the NHTSA can put together the last portion needed to make car manufacturers add this to the vehicles.

The EDR’s (event data recorders) will gather information that will include how quickly the car slowed down before a crash. Of course, the biggest issue is already privacy. Right now, automakers wouldn’t be able to access the data unless the car owner gives it. The information, though, would be very useful in regards to insurance claims in an accident as well as for crash investigators if the accident resulted in death or serious injury.

Is the El Camino Making a Comeback?

Don’t lie…you loved the El Camino design. It’s OK. It was everyone’s dirty little secret…the love of a “pick-up/car”, the alluring foreign name, the intriguing call of a “low-rider”.

OK…we are being a little facetious, but the El Camino was popular and millions of Americans purchased them starting the year they debuted, 1959.  They are no longer made and aren’t that popular in the U.S., they were re-introduced in 2008 as the Pontiac G8ST. Unfortunately, Pontiac disappeared and the El Camino went with it.

Pontiac G8 ST which was never built

So, why is GM applying for a trademark for the El Camino and the old 1955 Nomad wagon?

Pure protection. 

GM is waiting for the U.S. Patent office to approve the trademarks on the names and says that since they are so iconic, they felt the need to make sure someone else doesn’t try to put the name on one of their automobiles.

What if an El Camino did resurface? Would you buy it? Why?

Apps for Your Smartphone for Car Maintenance

There are plenty of apps out there that can actually help you with your own car maintenance. They don’t actually do the work (not yet anyway), but remind you when you need work done and help you keep track of what has happened.

AutoLog – for the iPhone, iPad or iPod Touch

                This app is all about detail. You will load the basic info for your car such as the make, model, year and mileage and then you will need to add oil and oil preference as well as tire specs and air filter preference. You will log all activity that is relevant to your car which includes filling up the tank as well as major repairs. All this data comes in handy when you do need work done or maintenance, but the app has one issue: it doesn’t remind you of scheduled services.

Car Maintenance Reminder Pro – Android

 

                For $2.99, this app will help you keep track of mileage for fuel efficiency and cost as well as for work tracking. It will let you log all your services and, best of all, remind you when a new one is needed. The reminders are based on the info you put into it but it will remind you of all regular services including oil change, tire rotation, alignment, filter change, fluid flush, brake pads and timing belt replacement. It will also remind you about car registration, part numbers for your car, and phone numbers for your mechanic.

Car Minder Plus - for the iPhone, iPad or iPod Touch

                Most tech-gurus give this app the highest grade, an “A” because it features all the essentials that the others above have but also gives your quick reference to your scheduled maintenance and displays the information compared to all other maintenance essentials. For example, your brake pads need to be changed, and the graphic is red and down below it, your timing belts are yellow. So, you can change both at the same time rather than making another trip later.

Car Maintenance Tips - Android

                This is a basic and free app that will teach you what you need to know when it comes to basics for your car. This app is for anyone who doesn’t know how to check engine oil, and coolant.