How To Wait for a Tow Truck

If you have roadside assistance, give them a call.  If not, make sure you are calling a reputable tow truck service; you can always call your insurance company for recommendations.

Make sure the tow truck company isn’t located too far from where you are stranded, no need to wait any longer than you have to.

When You Decide on a Tow Truck Company

Make sure they have accurate directions, give details. Some smart-phones and GPS units can provide you with your exact coordinates. If you have them, share them.

When you call the company, ask them what type of payments they accept.  You may have to tell them your credit card number over the phone, if you are not carrying enough cash or checks. Make sure you have a plan to pay before the tow truck arrives and you find yourself in a pickle.

Where to Have Your Car Towed

 Make sure you are getting your car towed to the right place the first time.  Be certain the shop or dealership you are using for your repair is covered by your insurance company and can handle the repair.  If you get your vehicle towed to the wrong place and need to have it towed again, that’s probably going to come out of your pocket.

Content Credited to: http://www.pedalsandpumps.com

http://bit.ly/1rqGXzi

Understand The Different Types of Oil

Make sure you consult your owner’s manual before deciding what type of oil to put in your car. If your car or truck gets damaged because you used a different type of oil then recommended, the damage will most likely not be covered under your warranty.

Conventional Oil 

Conventional oil produces a barrier that lubricates the parts it interacts with. As it heats up and wears down over time and miles, the lubrication lessens. Most mechanics recommend that you change conventional oil every 3,000 – 6,000 miles.

Synthetic Blend

Synthetic blend is a mixture of synthetic and regular (conventional) motor oil. Synthetic blend offers a middle ground between full synthetic blend and conventional oil. It is middle of the road in price, and lasts longer than conventional. Check your owner’s manual or the vehicle manufacturer before switching to synthetic blend oil.

Synthetic 

Although some people think that synthetic oil is completely man-made, is it also derived from crude oil, it just goes through a different refining process than conventional. It has smaller molecules and penetrates the microscopic holes in the metallic parts of the engine. This allows less friction and breakdown which prolongs engine life and helps the engine run smoother. The engine running smoother may also slightly improve your gas mileage. Synthetic oil also breaks down much slower than conventional oil.

 

To be the safest, follow the vehicle manufacturer’s recommendation for your vehicle, do not over fill your oil and don’t exceed 7,000 miles between oil changes. 

Content credited to: PedalsandPumps.com

http://bit.ly/VmGbo6

Prevent Your Car From Overheating With These Tips

Watch Your Temperature Gauge

This may seem like rather elementary advice, but it does warrant a mention because so few drivers actually make a habit of monitoring their truck's engine temperature gauge. Once you've located your truck's temperature gauge, pay attention to what the gauge displays as a normal operating temperature for your engine. If your engine's cooling system is operating properly, you'll find that the temperature should remain fairly stable or at least consistently fall within a certain range. If you see the temperature reading begin to increase rapidly, you may have a problem.

Look for Obvious Leaks

One clear indicator of a problem under the hood (or really anywhere on your vehicle) is the presence of fluid beneath your parked truck. But how do you determine if you're seeing coolant and not some other type of fluid? Typically, it's fairly easy to determine the specific type of fluid your truck is losing based on the fluid color and location of the puddle. To put it in the simplest terms: If you see a puddle of coolant beneath your truck, you have a leak. And if you have a leak, that means you're in danger of running low on (or running out of) engine coolant, which would definitely cause your engine to run hot or even overheat. So, don't delay in getting that leak repaired, or you could end up with a hefty repair bill.

Don't Get Hosed

Again, this falls under the category of "routine maintenance" but it certainly is deserving of additional recognition. Checking hoses and belts is a step that's frequently overlooked or forgotten, despite its simplicity. And this is yet another engine overheating cause that doesn't differ all that much from the way it would be handled in a car. Check the edges of the belts for fraying or wear, and while you're at it, check the tension. If a belt's tension isn't correct, it'll make the alternator work much harder than necessary, as it tries unsuccessfully to transfer power to other components. 

Content credited to: howstuffworks.com

http://bit.ly/1pXPK5b

How To Keep Your Car Spotless

Be ready at any moment

Keeping a couple of cleaning tools handy can save you a lot of time in the long run. If you have a rag or cleaning wipes within reach, you can quickly clean up a spill. If you are stuck in traffic, take advantage of that time and wipe down your center console and dash. Instead of road rage, you could have a clean car.

Products matter

Think about the surfaces in your vehicle when you are stashing cleaning products. What does your car need?  Most vehicles will have three to four main surfaces that need to be cleaned.

Enlist the troops

If you have children and they are old enough to help, give them a job that will entertain them while helping you get your car clean. Vacuuming the floor mats while you wipe down the seats is a great job for little helpers. Everyone in the family can benefit from a clean car! 

Organization makes a difference

If you have a place to put your stuff, it is easier to keep it clean. Assess what you need in your vehicle, find the appropriate space and containers to hold it, and get rid of the rest. A great tip when you are cleaning your car is to take a bag or basket with you to hold all of the additional items that have collected and do not belong there. Fill up your bag and return your non-essential car items to their rightful homes.

Content Credited to: PedalsandPumps.com

http://bit.ly/1o5j51S