It’s a Glass, Glass, Glass

Posted by on May 17, 2012 under Auto News | Be the First to Comment

Glass makes up a large portion of any automobile. It may look the same as it has for decades but there have been subtle changes, most of which involve the windshield

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It’s a Glass, Glass, Glass

Top 10 Car Maintenance Tips

Posted by admin on May 1, 2008 under Windshield Repair Kits | 2 Comments to Read

The truth about cars is that they do eventually start to have problems, no matter how much we may try to prevent it. Car problems are a loathed hassle to have to deal with. While there is no way to protect yourself from all car issues, there are steps that you can take to avoid them. Here are ten car maintenance tips that you can follow in order to prevent future troubles :

1. Engine Cooling System : An engine overheating will cause serious damage to your car. This is definitely something that you want to avoid at all costs. Make sure you regularly check your coolant and make sure that it is filled to the line. If you discover that you have a coolant leak, bring your car to be fixed right away.

2. Air Filter : Dirty air filters cause a loss of engine power and reduced gas mileage. Air filters need to be replaced periodically. You can check your owner’s manual for replacement details for your car.

3. Spark Plugs and Timing Belts : Just as with air filters, these parts also need to be changed regularly to maintain engine efficiency.

4. Brakes : Having brake pads changed is an important money-saving maintenance tip. Brake pads are relatively inexpensive, but if you let the brakes bind it will be a costly repair.

5. Battery : Check battery terminals to see if they are corroded. Corroded battery terminals can cause lots of problems including low charge, trouble starting, and dim headlights. Also if you see any battery leaks, change the battery right away.

6. Oil : Oil should be checked at least once a month. If oil levels are low, re-fill to the line and check for leaks. Oil should be changed every 3 months or 3,000 miles, whichever comes first. Old oil can cause major damage to the engine.

7. Tires : Check your tire pressure at least once a month. The proper pressure should be listed in your owner’s manual. Tires should be rotated at every other oil change to ensure that they wear evenly. There is a safe limit of tread wear and once that limit is passed, the tires are unsafe. Replace them.

8. Windshield Wipers : Old wipers can damage the windshield and replacing them is only a few dollars. Besides damaging your windshield, they can be hazardous to your driving since you can’t see out of your windshield if the wipers don’t work!

9. Clutch : If you have a manual transmission, do not keep your foot on the clutch while driving. If you do this, you can cause serious transmission problems.

10. Regular Service : Taking your car to a professional mechanic will save you lots of money in the long run. Regular checks allow minor problems to found and fixed, preventing them from turning into major, expensive issues.

Windshields: What to Watch Out For On The Road To Prevent Cracks

Posted by admin on January 22, 2008 under Windshield Repair Kits | Be the First to Comment

While windshield chips may seem to be little more than an annoyance, fixing a chip in your windshield should not be put off. It is often easy and inexpensive to fix a chip, but an unrepaired chip can cause your windshield to crack out. If this happens, your windshield cannot simply be repaired. Once a chip causes a windshield to crack out, the windshield needs to be replaced. Replacing an entire windshield is much more costly than repairing a chip.

There are things you can do while driving and caring for your car to help prevent chips:

·         Don’t follow big dump trucks or construction trucks. They are often carrying materials that can break apart and send small particles flying off the back of the truck. If you are behind the truck, the particles are likely to hit your car.

·         Don’t tailgate. Cars’ back tires kick up little rocks and sand particles from the road and send them flying behind the car. If you are driving too close to the car in front of you, those particles are likely to hit your windshield and cause a chip.

·         Avoid parking on the side of the road. Try to park in a parking lot or driveway where other cars won’t be speeding past your parked car.

·         Check your windshield wipers regularly. Windshield wipers that are torn, cracked, bent, or broken can cause a chip in the windshield.

·         Only use plastic ice scrapers. Metal ice scrapers can scratch your windshield.

·         Regularly check your windshield for any small chips and cracks

·         Don’t use hot water to remove ice from the windshield. This will cause any chips to instantly crack your windshield. Instead use table salt to loosen the ice. Keep a salt shaker in the glove box during the winter.

If you do happen to get a chip in your windshield there are steps you can take to help prevent the chip from cracking the windshield until you can repair it:

·         On the outside of the windshield, cover the chip with clear plastic tape. This will help keep out moisture and dirt.

·         Try not to use the defroster. If it needs to be used, use the lowest setting possible.

·         If possible, park in the shade. Leave the side windows cracked in order to keep heat from building up in the car.

·         Don’t use anything liquid to seal the chip, such as glue or nail polish.

·         Don’t wash the car. Pressure from the hose or the temperature difference between the water and windshield can cause the chip to crack out.

·         Don’t use sun shades. They cause the windshield to heat up, which can cause a crack.

·         Don’t slam the doors, trunk, or hood. Any extra vibration to the car could cause the chip to crack.

Always try to avoid a chip in your windshield, but if you happen to get one, be sure to immediately follow the steps to protect it and then repair it as soon as possible. While repairing a chip may seem tedious, it beats spending hundreds of dollars on a whole new windshield.