Avoid these frightening scenarios on the road to remain safe this season.
It is the season for scary stories, falling leaves, and pumpkins. It is cool to be scared this time of year, but if it has anything to do with your car, you may just think you are living through your worst nightmare. Like any vehicle, all will eventually have problems, but with a proactive approach to auto repair and maintenance, you can avoid some common problems.
To stay safe this fall, and in the future, avoid these auto repair nightmares.
1) Choosing the lowest-priced repair shop
You might like saving pennies on repairs of the car, but rushing for the nearest discount repair place will not make money dance in your wallet. Always choose a specialist that deals with certified technicians, that offers lifetime warranties.
2) How to repair your windshield by yourself
You probably feel that with YouTube how-to videos, you can easily repair a small chip in your windshield on your own. Be wary of the use of the DIY auto glass repair kit – unless that is the intention: to make it worse. These kits will not repair your windshield completely if the resin used isn’t strong (which is rare). The tiny chip that you thought you fixed could grow and crack or break while you drive. It’s good to know that certified technician can fix your windshield correctly the first time. They have the knowledge, experience, and tools needed.
3) Driving dirty oil
If you do not replace your dirty engine oil, it can be a pretty serious problem for your vehicle and your wallet. Providing your car with enough lubrication can make it better and longer-lasting. It will also help you get better gas mileage.
4) Failure to check fluids such as brake, transmission and other fluids
Do you think that engine oil is all you need to change or check? You should change all your transmission fluids, your brake fluids, your power steering fluids, and the engine cooling fluids. You could end up with brake, power steering or engine failure if you don’t.
5) Ignoring regular maintenance and inspections
It is a nightmare to car owners to spend for repairs. In case you fail to live up to the inspection schedule and the scheduled maintenance checkup, it is well known that cost will significantly increase once repairing starts. You are able to keep thousands from repair by the long-run term maintenance processes, which also helps the chances of buying a fresh vehicle rather earlier than hoping.
6) Skip recalibration following a replacement of a windshield
Most newer cars have windshield-mounted cameras which operate advanced safety features such as forward-collision-warning and automatic braking. You will need to recalibrate the camera in your windshield after a replacement. This is for safety reasons. Service Pros Auto Glass, a leading windshield replacement company, offers a complete service that includes calibration.
7) Ignoring a recall
You’re not the only one who has ignored a recall. 30% of vehicle recalls are left unrepaired. Some vehicle owners may not be aware of recalls. Others simply don’t consider them important enough. Ignoring recall notices puts you, your passengers and other drivers in danger. Act on recalls immediately to avoid accidents caused by mechanical faults.
8) Ignoring dashboard warning lights
Some dashboard warning lights may not be urgent, but they can alert you to potentially dangerous situations. Avoid ignoring battery, brake, check engine, coolant, airbag or oil lights. You could end up stranded or face a large repair bill.
9) Not changing your air filter
You ask, what could be scarier that seeing a ghost? What could be scarier than invisible particles infiltrating into your engine? You can cause expensive engine repairs if you do not change your air filters regularly. Small pieces of dust, dirt and other debris may enter your engine. What’s even scarier? Air filters that are dirty increase emissions, which pollute our air and environment.
10) Neglecting your tires
Tires wear out from your vehicle every time you drive. Rotation, wheel alignment, and checking air pressures are all important to prevent uneven treadwear and strain on steering and suspension components.
11) Using the wrong glass cleansers
The home glass cleaners you use may do more harm than good. Ammonia in household glass cleaners can dissolve the heating elements on vehicle glass. (Think of those thin, red wires that are used to defrost). Regular glass cleaners leave a film or streaks that prevent one from seeing properly through the glass. Avoid an accident because you used the incorrect glass cleaner. Use vehicle glass cleaner for the best results.
12) Failure to inspect brakes
The most significant part of car maintenance is brake inspections. If your brakes are not working well, you are risking being involved in an accident. However, when you replace your brakes, the rotors will always be the most expensive; but with brake pads, they will help your rotors from wearing out too fast. Change your brake pads to keep your brakes well and save your money.
13) Forgetting to change your wiper blades
Old wiper blades may damage your windshield. If your wipers are too old, the rubber edges can wear off and leave unsightly scratches. It’s not enough to make you scared, but using old blades in rainy or icy weather can create streaks that reduce visibility and make driving dangerous. To protect your windshield and keep you safe, equip your vehicle with advanced wiper blades.