Be A Summer-Ready Driver

Summer's heat, dust, and stop-and-go traffic will take their toll on your vehicle. Add the effects of this past winter, and you might be poised for a breakdown. You can decrease the odds of auto mechanical failure through regular maintenance. By taking the advice of Jungerman CARSTAR in St. Peters, MO, your motor vehicle will last longer and command an increased resale price, as well!
Many of the tips below are really easy to do; others call for a skilled auto technician.

Air Conditioning

A marginally operating system will fail in warm weather. Have the system inspected by a qualified technician in the St. Louis, MO area. More recent models include cabin air filters which clean the air getting into the heating and air conditioning system. Check your owner's manual for location and replacement interval.

Cooling System

The greatest cause of summer breakdowns is overheating. The cooling system ought to be completely flushed and refilled about every 24 months. The level, condition, and concentration of the coolant ought to be checked regularly. A fifty-fifty mixture of antifreeze and water is usually recommended. DIYers, don't remove the radiator cap until the engine has thoroughly cooled! The tightness and condition of drive belts, clamps, and hoses should be checked by a professional like those at Jungerman CARSTAR.

Oil

Many factors affect how often you need to switch out your oil and oil filter. The standard rule of thumb is every 3,000 miles, but some of the factors that might make you need to switch out your oil include making lots of short trips, making big trips with a lot of weight, or hauling a heavy trailer.


Engine Performance

This may sound like a daunting task, but it is actually very easy to take some simple steps to keep your engine working properly. The biggest thing that you can do besides oil changes is replace the filters. PCV, fuel, and air filters all have to be switched out every once in a while, particularly in dusty environments. Also do not forget to have an auto body shop immediately take care of funny noises and feelings, like hard starts, reduced power, stalling, and turbulent idling.

Windshield Wipers

It’s a bad idea have a dirty windshield. That could lead to eye fatigue after long trips on the road and ultimately it’s a safety hazard. Get rid of your blades when they get worn out and do not forget to keep plenty of windshield washer solvent on hand.

Lights

You’re going to want to keep your lenses clean of dirt and insects by cleaning them regularly. Don’t use a dry rag because that could actually scratch the lens. And do not forget to check all of the bulbs regularly to make sure that they are not burnt out.

Tires

Getting your tires rotated every five thousand miles to assure even rotation on them. Be sure to check your tire pressure every month. Also, when the weather gets colder, check them before you drive too far. Also, regularly inspect your spare tire and jack. Look for uneven wear on your tires, cupping, and tread life. Look for lacerations in the sidewalls. You should get your tires realigned if you discover uneven tread wearing or whenever your car pulls over to the side.

Brakes

Brakes ought to be inspected as suggested in your manual, or sooner if you notice pulsations, grabbing, noises, or longer stopping distance. Even minor brake problems ought to be fixed promptly.

Battery

Batteries can fail at any time of the year. The only accurate way to detect a weak battery is with professional equipment. Routine care: Scrape away corrosion from posts and cable connections; clean all surfaces; re-tighten all connections. If battery caps are detachable, check the fluid level every month. Avoid contact with corrosive deposits and battery acid. Wear eye protection and rubber gloves.

Emergencies

Carry some standard tools -- ask a technician for suggestions. Also have a first aid kit, flares, and a flashlight.

Travel Cheaper With These Gas-Saving Tips

While it is always wise to preserve natural resources, the price of gasoline over the last couple of years has made even the most wasteful individuals think twice. Whatever your motivation, listed below are some gas saving techniques from the professionals at Jungerman CARSTAR in St. Peters, MO.

• Keep track of your tires. Under-inflated tires or inadequately aligned wheels waste fuel by forcing the engine to work harder. (Let the tires cool off before examining the air pressure.) Out-of-line wheels, as demonstrated by uneven tread wear, should always be aligned professionally.
• Get rid of unwanted weight. Remove unnecessary items from the automobile. Keep only necessities in the trunk area. Less weight means improved mileage.
• Consolidate trips and errands in the St. Peters, St. Charles, O'Fallon, and Lake St. Louis, Missouri area. Some trips might be unnecessary. Also, try to travel whenever traffic is light so you can steer clear of stop-and-go conditions.
• Avoid excessive idling. Turn off the motor while waiting for family and friends.
• Follow speed limits. Speeding reduces your gas mileage.
• Drive gently. Sudden accelerations guzzle gas. Foretell traffic patterns ahead and adjust your speed progressively.
• Use windows and air conditioning carefully. Your mileage ought to improve if you keep the windows closed at highway speeds, because air drag is reduced. This applies even with the air conditioning on - assuming that the system is in good working order. But turn the air conditioner off in stop-and-go traffic to save gasoline.
• Keep the engine of your car in top working order. A well-maintained engine operates at peak efficiency, maximizing fuel economy. Follow the service schedules listed in the owner's manual. Replace filters and fluids as recommended; have engine performance problems (rough idling, poor acceleration, etc.) fixed at an auto body repair facility. Given today's high-tech engines, it is best to have this kind of work done by auto technicians who're ASE certified in engine performance. Jungerman CARSTAR in St. Peters, MO always utilizes ASE certified technicians.

These conservation tips will not only save gasoline, they will help extend the lifetime of the vehicle. If you've got any more auto body questions, visit Jungerman CARSTAR for the answers you need.