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Keeping Up with Proper Vehicle Maintenance is Easier Than You Think

Motorists can protect their family’s safety by meeting their vehicle’s maintenance needs. While it’s easy to be car care aware, too many people are putting off simple preventative maintenance and repairs that could make their vehicles safer and more dependable.

For Ladies Who Enjoy Shopping: How to Shop For a Battery

When it comes to smart shopping, women generally have the upper hand and, because they buy their share of batteries, this information will help the ladies stay up to date in the automotive department.

Gender-wise or otherwise, if your car battery is dead or even weak, you’re not going anywhere. It is the leading cause of starting trouble, whether because of lights left on, a charging system problem or other cause. Sometimes it is just that the battery has outlived its usefulness.

Ease Gas Pump Pains by Replacing Old Habits with New Ones

Gas pump prices remain on their roller-coaster ride, with more ups than downs. They’re hard on the budget and beyond consumers’ control. With some changes in our daily habits, however, we can compensate, at least partially, for rising fuel costs. Adhering to your errand list, thereby eliminating an extra trip to the store for a forgotten item, saves miles and dollars. (U.S. Department of Transportation reports 63% of all trips are 5 miles or less)

How NOT To Save Money

It doesn’t take an accountant to recognize that it costs more money to operate a vehicle than it did a few years ago. This may cause some motorists to try saving a few dollars by using cheap gas delaying needed maintenance. “That’s a classic case of false economy,” says Rich White, of the Car Care Council, “and it’s no surprise that these ‘money-saving’ measures can cost big money in the long run.”

Drivetrain Quiz

Your car's drivetrain is a vital power-transmitting component, and key to dependability. It's responsible for transmitting the flow of power from the engine to the wheels. The components include the clutch, torque converter, transmission, driveshafts (or axle shafts in front wheel drive), U-joints, CV joints, differential and axles.

For Safer Teen Drivers, Read This Before Handing Over the Keys

Moms are the ones who usually cart kids around from school to scouts to baseball. More often than not, these women take responsibility for the repair and maintenance of their vehicles. But what happens when the kids grow out of the backseat and into the driver's seat? Who's looking after their vehicles?

Faith in Your Tech = Faith in Your Vehicle

“I feel like such a fool,” Sandra complained. “All I did was take my car in for an oil change and wound up paying for oil, an oil filter and an air filter. Plus, because he called to tell me my fan belt was shot, I had to get one of those installed.

“How am I supposed to know if the old one really was in bad shape? How am I supposed to know if they took advantage of me?”

Motorists Can Save Thousands By Repowering Their Engines

A “totaled” engine no longer means having to purchase a new car. Today’s car owners have another option: purchasing a repowered engine.

Repowering simply means installation of a rebuilt or remanufactured engine by your vehicle service provider or the process of rebuilding your existing engine and reinstalling it. Both are alternatives to trading in your vehicle, according to the Engine Repower Council.

Free Car Care Repair Tips for the Ravages of Winter From the Car Care Council

The ravages of winter can be hard on a vehicle, so whether you do it yourself or take your car to a professional service technician, the Car Care Council recommends a spring tune-up to help ensure that your car is ready for the upcoming spring and summer travel season.

To stay on top of proper care, maintenance and repair, the Car Care Council is offering a free vehicle service interval schedule on its Web site, www.carcare.org.

What is Your Check Engine Light Telling You?

One of the most vital components to a properly functioning vehicle is the ‘Check Engine’ light. It alerts the driver to a variety of potential problems based on the vehicle’s onboard diagnostic system. When the ‘Check Engine’ light comes on, it means that some system in your vehicle, including ignition, fuel injection or emission control, is not operating at peak performance, even if your vehicle appears to you to be running normally.

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