Battery Life
Posted on October 6, 2008
Filed Under Tips | Leave a Comment
Image Source:tayna.co.uk
Car batteries lifespan depends on the type of car we use, the accessory we added, how often we use the car and what type we buy.
This happened to me just recently, when I was going home from work and it was raining hard. My wiper suddenly starts to slow down and my dashboard light was blinking. When I tried to use my signal light to turn right, it was vague and my horn hardly made a sound. Yes, it’s terrifying when you don’t know the problem because their maybe a lot of reasons to think of. Good thing our mechanic warned me already that my battery needs to be changed any moment now. To top it all we even marked the battery when it was bought. Unbelievable! It lasted two years when the kind of battery I bought should be for fifteen months only.
To extend the life of the battery we need to make sure that the battery is properly serviced. If it is not maintenance free, make regular water checks. Every so often battery terminal and leads are to be cleaned to ensure a good connection. Leads can be cleaned with a steel brush or a terminal post cleaner. Check if battery is properly installed, battery straps should keep the battery from rocking. An unstable battery will receive bumps, especially from driving through potholes. It will knock about 6-8 months off the life of the battery. Install the appropriate battery to meet the power requirements of your vehicle. It is better to have reserved capacity than too little. Lastly, label your battery from the date purchased so you can be sure that when it dies it is the time expected and your hard earned money was well spent.
Indicator is blinking fast
Posted on July 4, 2008
Filed Under Warnings | Leave a Comment
This has happened to me once. I was driving and signaled a turn but then the indicator was flashing fast like hell the other way. I thought I’d be zapped into a parallel universe that I scurried off to a garage. My mechanic assured me however that the bulb has blown and had to be replaced. Now, if ever this happens to you, the first time, go to your friendly service station and take note of which type of bulb your car carries as it is different in every make and model. Watch as they replace the bulb and ask questions.
Save more money on fuel
Posted on June 1, 2008
Filed Under Fuel, Tips | Leave a Comment
Here are a few tips on how to save fuel:
If you drive a stick-shift, do not press on the clutch too much.
Know the speed limits and stick to them when driving. Why drive 40 when it should only be 20?
Schedule your car for regular tune-ups.
Avoid extra weight. Remove unnecessary tools such as an empty roof rack. The heavier the load is the more fuel it takes to keep the car going.
Check your tires. Did you know that under-inflated tires can increase fuel consumption by 5%?
Have your vehicle serviced at least once a year.
Vacuum magic
Posted on May 30, 2008
Filed Under Cleaning, Information | Leave a Comment
People who keep a mini portable vacuum cleaner in their cars have good reasons for doing so. For one thing, it allows them to not only keep the interiors of their vehicle free from unwanted dirt and dust, they are also able to save their lungs from a lot of unhealthy clogging from said substances. It is most especially useful when you have kids, because as you know, they tend to eat all kinds of junks which just so happens to always find itself all over the floor. Unfortunately, the crumbs aren’t easy to pick up with your bare hands and leaving them to stay till next month’s all over cleanup can get them stuck on your car’s interior cover, especially if you have rugs. So join in the band wagon of the OCs and invest on a good vacuum.
Protecting your car from a your trip-kit
Posted on May 28, 2008
Filed Under Information, Warnings | Leave a Comment
Put all paper materials inside a plastic-zip bag and make sure that you tie a rubber band around the driver visor to hold on to your parking tickets (avoid them though) maps, to do lists and other reminders for the day’s destination. If it’s going to be a family trip, we recommend you soften the cushions of your car seat by dipping it in fabric conditioner. This will make sure that those who ride along catches the good scent of the conditioner which if you must know, releases a calming aroma which helps long drives become bearable. After all, you don’t want your passengers, (especially if they are kids), to be uncomfortable on the way do you?
First aid
Posted on May 22, 2008
Filed Under Information, Warnings | Leave a Comment
Be paranoid, accidents and mishaps occur when you least expect it, so it’s always better to be safe than sorry. Do yourself a favor and put up a small survival kit; this will include a compass, a map, a flash-light, candles, lighter, granola bars or energy bars, garbage bags, portable shovels, cat-litter (when its pouring hard), sleeping bags, an extra cell phone battery and keep them all inside a duffel cage which you will be keeping in the trunk or under the seats. These are called survival items, you never know when a simple road trip could get bumpy and you end up all alone and stuck under a bad weather.
Neat freak
Posted on May 21, 2008
Filed Under Cleaning, Information, Storage | Leave a Comment
Prevention is much cheaper than cure, hence, it pays to be OC with regards to the cleanliness of your car as it will save you from all the unwanted bills supposedly spent on actually cleaning them. First, do make sure you reuse plastic bags by making sure you store a few in your compartment, just in case you need an impromptu trash bag. Don’t underestimate the power of towels in your car. After all, you are bound to take something that isn’t totally dry inside one day. Think ahead by stocking some extra towels, this will prevent stain and rumpled covers in the future. With this said, keep small hand towels just in case anything spills.
Make use of wipes
Posted on May 19, 2008
Filed Under Cleaning, Information | Leave a Comment
Cleaning wipes that is, you can use them on all the plastic areas of your vehicle, as well as the vinyl. Begin at the top of your dash and slowly progress all the way to the front, then finish at the side doors. You can also use the wipes on your shifter, in-between air flow slots and also on your pedals and pretty much anywhere on the frames of the car door: its corners and nooks in order to get rid of fabric strands, dusts, and all other stuff that shouldn’t even be there. For hard to remove items such as gum, make use of grease to loosen its hold, then use cleaning wipes afterwards to polish it off, but for little rocks left here and there, use a vacuum cleaner instead of a mini broom.
Loose all that useless weight
Posted on May 17, 2008
Filed Under Information, Storage, Tips, Warnings | Leave a Comment
Most of us think that our private vehicle is an extensions of our home, this is not really a bad thing but once you stuff your car with all the useless toys you usually fill your room with, you’re in for a lot of trouble. For one thing, a heavy load consumes a lot of gas, plus the fact that they leave behind a lot of unwanted clutter. Stuff-toys for instance, leave behind a lot of stray cotton strands while electronics tend to clash with your internal systems. The worse part is if you stock around drinks because they could easily rub off on your interiors. Clearing all these things would not only save a lot money on your fuel, it could also steer you away from any unwanted damages and additional clutter caused by objects that shouldn’t be there in the first place.
Idiot’s step to a brand new look
Posted on May 14, 2008
Filed Under Car Parts, Cleaning, Tips | Leave a Comment
Invest on a quality paint restorer or at least a circular polisher or buffer. You can then use a minimal amount of any of these coatings directly on the damaged area of your vehicle’s exterior. Make sure that the pad you will be using to apply the coating on has not been used before on another foreign substance. This will help you avoid discoloration. You may attach this to a polisher if you’re not up to manual rubbing, just make sure that the pace is set at medium pace. The pattern should be circular or at least that resembling of an eight formation. Do not exceed the motion for more than one minute and make sure you concentrate on the edges to even it out.
