Car Care Tips from the Pros Prepare You for Fall and Winter Driving
It’s foolhardy to head out in a poorly maintained vehicle in the dead
of winter, of course, but even vehicle owners in temperate zones need a
car care check as the days grow shorter, note the pros with the
nonprofit National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence (ASE), an
independent group that tests and certifies the competence of auto
technicians.
“Regular, routine maintenance can help improve your gasoline mileage,
reduce pollution, and catch minor problems before they become big
headaches,” says Tony Molla, vice president of communications at ASE.
ASE offers these car care tips to give you peace of mind during fall and
winter driving:
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Before you do anything else, read your owner’s manual and follow the manufacturer’s recommended service schedules.
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Get engine performance and driveability problems —
hard starts, rough idling, stalling, diminished power, etc. — corrected
at a reputable repair shop that employs ASE-certified repair
professionals. Cold weather makes existing problems worse.
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Replace dirty filters, such as air, fuel, and PCV. A poorly running engine is less efficient and burns more gasoline.
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As the temperature drops below freezing, add a bottle of fuel deicer
in your tank once a month to help keep moisture from freezing in the
fuel line. Keeping the gas tank filled also helps prevent moisture from
forming.
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Change your oil and oil filter as specified in your
manual — more often if your driving is mostly stop-and-go or consists of
frequent short trips. A poll of ASE Master Auto Technicians revealed
that regular oil and filter changes is one of the most frequently
neglected services, yet one that is essential to protect your engine.
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The cooling system should be flushed and refilled as
recommended. The level, condition, and concentration of the coolant
should be checked periodically. A 50/50 mix of antifreeze and water is
usually recommended. Do-It-Yourselfers: Never remove the radiator cap
until the engine has thoroughly cooled! The tightness and condition of
drive belts, clamps, and hoses also should be checked regularly by a
professional technician.
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The heater and defroster must be in good working condition for passenger comfort and driver visibility.
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Replace old blades regularly. If your climate is
harsh, purchase rubber-clad (winter) blades to fight ice build-up. Stock
up on windshield washer solvent — you’ll be surprised how much you use
during the winter months. And don’t forget to always carry an ice
scraper.
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Have your battery checked. The only accurate way to
detect a weak battery is with professional equipment. However, most
motorists can perform routine care: Wear eye protection and protective
rubber gloves. Scrape away corrosion from posts and cable connections;
clean all surfaces; retighten all connections. If battery caps are
removable, check fluid level monthly. A word of caution: Removal of
cables can cause damage or loss of data/codes on some newer vehicles, so
always check your owner’s manual first. Be sure to avoid contact with
corrosive deposits and battery acid.
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Inspect all lights and bulbs. Replace burned out
bulbs; periodically clean road grime from all lenses. To prevent
scratching, never use a dry rag. Clouded lenses can be refinished by
many service outlets or by using a DIY kit found in major auto parts
outlets.
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Exhaust fumes inside your vehicle’s cabin can be deadly.
Have the exhaust system examined for leaks and problems while the
vehicle is on a lift. The trunk and floorboards should also be inspected
for small holes.
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Worn tires are dangerous in winter weather. Examine
tires for remaining tread life, uneven wearing, and cupping; check the
sidewalls for cuts and nicks. Check tire pressure once a month, letting
the tires “cool down” before checking the pressure. Rotate as
recommended. Don’t forget to check your spare, and be sure the jack is
in good working condition. Under-inflated tires or poorly aligned wheels
makes your engine work harder and thus use excess gasoline.
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Have your brakes checked periodically for safety and to prevent costly repairs that can be caused by neglect.
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The transmission is often neglected until a major failure. Routine checks and fluid changes at prescribed intervals can prevent very costly repairs down the line.
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Always carry an emergency kit with you: extra gloves,
boots and blankets; flares; a small shovel and sand or kitty litter;
tire chains; a flashlight and extra batteries; and a cell phone and
extra car charger. Put a few “high-energy” snacks in your glove box.
Source: http://www.ase.com/News-Events/Publications/Glove-Box-Tips/Getting-Your-Vehicle-Ready-For-Winter.aspx
Scenes like this are all too common on American highways. Accident
prevention is important — but knowing how to react is also essential.
Each year, thousands of people are involved in traffic accidents during
the holiday weekends. If you are one of these unfortunate people,
will you know what to do in the aftermath of a collision? How you react
can prevent further injuries, reduce costs and accelerate the clean-up
and repair process. If you are involved in a traffic collision, try to remain calm, and follow these steps:
Action Plan to Deal with Accidents:
1. Keep an Emergency Kit in Your Glove Compartment.
Drivers should carry a cell phone, as well as pen and paper for taking
notes, a disposable camera to take photos of the vehicles at the scene,
and a card with information about medical allergies or conditions that
may require special attention if there are serious injuries. Also, keep a
list of contact numbers for law enforcement agencies handy. Drivers can
keep this free fill-in-the-blanks accident information form in their glove compartment. A set of cones, warning triangles
or emergency flares should be kept in the trunk.
2. Keep Safety First. Drivers involved in minor
accidents with no serious injuries should move cars to the side of the
road and out of the way of oncoming traffic. Leaving cars parked in the
middle of the road or busy intersection can result in additional
accidents and injuries. If a car cannot be moved, drivers and passengers
should remain in the cars with seatbelts fastened for everyone's safety
until help arrives. Make sure to turn on hazard lights and set out
cones, flares or warning triangles if possible.
3. Exchange Information. After the accident,
exchange the following information: name, address, phone number,
insurance company, policy number, driver license number and license
plate number for the driver and the owner of each vehicle. If the
driver's name is different from the name of the insured, establish what
the relationship is and take down the name and address for each
individual. Also make a written description of each car, including year,
make, model and color — and the exact location of the collision and how
it happened. Finally, be polite but don't tell the other drivers or the
police that the accident was your fault, even if you think it was.
4. Photograph and Document the Accident. Use your
camera to document the damage to all the vehicles. Keep in mind that you
want your photos to show the overall context of the accident so that
you can make your case to a claims adjuster. If there were witnesses,
try to get their contact information; they may be able to help you if
the other drivers dispute your version of what happened.
5. File An Accident Report. Although law enforcement
officers in many locations may not respond to accidents unless there
are injuries, drivers should file a state vehicle accident report, which
is available at police stations and often on the Department of Motor
Vehicles Web site as a downloadable file. A police report often helps
insurance companies speed up the claims process.
Texas law requires that a Crash Report, Form CR-2,
be filed when an accident occurs that results in injury or death, or
when damage to property or vehicles is more than $1,000. If law
enforcement does not come to the accident scene or complete a report.
6. Know What Your Insurance Covers. The whole
insurance process will be easier following your accident if you know the
details of your coverage. For example, don't wait until after an
accident to find out that your policy doesn't automatically cover costs
for towing or a replacement rental car. Generally, for only a dollar or
two extra each month, you can add coverage for rental car reimbursement,
which provides a rental car for little or no money while your car is in
the repair shop or if it is stolen. Check your policy for specifics.
The final question in dealing with an accident is usually who will
pay for the damages? If the accident was minor, you and the other
drivers may decide to handle the damages yourselves without the
involvement of an insurance company. But this isn't always the best
idea, for several reasons.
While the other driver may agree to pay for the damage to your car on
the day of the accident, he may see the repair bills and decide it's
too high. At this point, time has passed and your insurance company will
have more difficulty piecing together the evidence if you file a claim.
Also, keep in mind that you have no way of knowing whether another
driver will change his mind and report the accident to his insurance
company. He may even claim injuries that weren't apparent at the scene
of the accident. This means that your insurance company may end up
paying him a hefty settlement, or worse yet, you could be dragged into a
lawsuit. So make sure that your company has your version of what
happened and check your policy — if the damages paid out by your
insurance company are below a certain amount, the accident may not be
considered chargeable. And you will avoid the penalty of a premium hike.
Auto accidents take a tremendous toll on everyone involved, both
financially and emotionally. If you're one of the lucky ones who have
thus far avoided a serious accident, hopefully the tips on prevention
will help keep it that way. The chances are high, though, that at some
point you will be involved in a minor accident. Just keep your head and
make safety your primary concern. You'll have plenty of time to deal
with the consequences later.
Source: http://www.edmunds.com/car-safety/what-to-do-after-a-car-accident.html,
http://www.dmv.org/tx-texas/accident-guide/
