Sometimes, no matter how careful you are disaster strikes inevitably. Typically, in the form of an accident. Make sure that your car will be repaired to the best possible standard by finding an insurer that will pay for parts from the OEM or Original Equipment Manufacturer and will gaurranty the repairs it authorizes.
Weekly Service Tip for October 18, 2011:
Be kind to your battery If you inadvertently leave your lights on and drain your battery, take
the following precautions to prevent damage to the battery and the
starter when jump-starting your car:
Don't risk causing the battery to explode. With both cars off,
connect a positive cable end to the positive battery terminal of the
dead battery.
Connect the other positive cable end to the positive terminal of the source battery.
Connect a negative cable end to the negative terminal of the source battery.
Attach the remaining negative cable to unpainted metal on the car engine (as far from the dead battery as possible).
Wait a few minutes and try to start the disabled car. If it doesn't
start, start the source car and then try starting the dead one again.
When the car starts, be careful to disconnect the cables in the reverse order.
If the car still doesn't start, don't keep trying to charge it or
you are liable to damage the starter. Bring the battery to an automotive
shop to see if it can be recharged.
Even if you're successful, ensure a full recharge by hooking up the
battery to a charger overnight or by driving the car for 5 or 10 miles
Weekly Service Tip for October 4, 2011:
Place a towel under the baby seat.
All manner of food bits and liquids can accumulate under a baby seat,
where they can permanently stain the upholstery. Place a sheet of heavy
plastic and an absorbent towel under the seat to prevent damage, and
re-secure the seat according to the manufacturer's directions.
Weekly Service Tip for September 22, 2011:
Lighten up your key-chain
Does your car key share a chain with a dozen or more other keys? That's a
pretty heavy load hanging off the car key when it's in the
ignition.The weight, combined with bouncing while you drive, can wear
out the tumblers inside the ignition and eventually lead to ignition
switch failure.To add years of service to your ignition switch,
purchase a lightweight key chain that allows you to separate your
ignition key from the others. Drive with only the ignition key in your
ignition. If your ignition key "sticks" when you try to turn on the
car, it's a warning that your ignition switch is about to fail. Replace
it before you get stranded.
If you are like most of us, you have probably heard these words of
wisdom from your mother or grandmother to encourage healthy diet and
life-style. The same wisdom would apply to your automobile. Your
automobile is probably your second largest purchase, and a routine
preventive maintenance schedule is your best assurance of years of
pleasurable, virtually trouble-free driving.
Weekly Service Tip for September 15, 2011:
Have wheel alignment checked
Have your car's wheel alignment checked every 30,000 miles (48,000 km),
or as recommended in your owner's manual. Also have it checked after
buying new tires and when you replace a rack-and-pinion steering unit or
other steering parts. Improper tire alignment will shorten the life of
your tires as well as cause poor handling. If your steering is stiffer
than normal or the vehicle pulls to one side, you probably have an
alignment problem.
Weekly Service Tip for August 31, 2011:
Be patient during the break-in period
You've bought your dream car and now you want to make it last at long
as possible in top condition. Here are some things to remember as you
pull it out of the dealer's lot:
During the break-in period, typically the first 1,000 miles (1,600
km), keep your speed under 55 mph (88 Kph) or to the speed recommended
by your car's manufacturer.
Avoid heavy loads on the drive train, such as towing trailers, and
loading the roof rack or trunk with heavy construction materials.
Do not allow your new car to idle for long periods ? this is good
advice for the life of your car, but especially during break-in. The oil
pressure generated by doing so may not be sending oil to every part of
your engine.
Use only light to medium acceleration, keeping the engine RPM's below 3,000 for the first few hours of driving.
