Headlamp bulbs need periodic replacement

The days are getting shorter and you will be using your headlights a lot more so did you know that headlamp bulbs need periodic replacement?


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Contrary to popular belief headlamp bulbs lose their brightness over time. Just because a headlamp bulb lights doesn't mean it's good! As a matter of fact you could be driving with far less light than when your bulbs were new. A headlamp bulb can lose as much as fifty percent of its intensity in as little as three years. To be really safe this winter replace your headlamp bulbs if they are three years old or older

Winter wiper blades, What's so good about them!

Do you have winter wiper blades? If you don’t you should! Winter wiper blades can give you a much clearer view when it snows and good vision means a safer trip whether it’s to the corner store or cross country. Winter wiper blades have a thin rubber membrane that covers the metal frame of the blade. The rubber flexes as the blades move across the windshield causing ice and snow to fall off rather than collect inside the blade. This helps keep the blade edge firmly against the glass leaving a clean path on the glass

Use white lithium grease to prevent wear and frozen doors

Applying white lithium grease to hinges and latches helps prevent wear and frozen doors. As the weather turns colder moisture will enter the door, hood, and trunk latches and hinges on your car. If the weather is cold enough the water freezes causing the door, hood, or trunk to be difficult or sometimes impossible to open. Also freezing water expands with amazing force. The expansion of water as it turns to ice is strong enough to bend or break steel. White lithium grease prevents water intrusion and the problems that go with it. Spray hinges and latches before the cold weather arrives.

What Is The Difference Between Synthetic Oil And Conventional Motor Oil?

Motor oil is designed to serve many different purposes within a cars engine. While the primary function is to simply lubricate all the moving parts and provide protection from wear and corrosion, it also is intended to keep the engine cool and free from small pieces of debris. Conventional motor oils are made from crude oil which has been pumped from the ground and then processed in a refinery to create a base oil. Additives are then mixed into the base oil to change the viscosity, protection properties and heat breakdown levels of the oil. Synthetic oil is also created in a similar manner to a conventional engine oil, using a base oil combined with a series of additives. The difference lies in the fact that synthetic motor oils are created utilizing a specially "synthesized" base oil where the size of the oil molecules are all of an ideal weight and of a consistent size. While a conventional motor oil, despite the refining processes, is made up of different molecule sizes which are mixed together, along with various waxes and impurities, a fully synthetic oil is made to provide a much purer base oil, with less waxes and with a uniform ideal particle size to help increase the oils viscosity level. Added to this ideal base oil is a combination of more technically sophisticated additives than are used with the conventional oils. The additives which are used in the production of synthetic oils can help to create an extremely stable engine oil which will sustain the correct viscosity levels across a large range of temperatures and which will flow properly at lower temperatures when compared against conventional oils. Additional friction inhibitors which are activated at lower temperatures than those of conventional oils, are generally included in synthetic motor oils, to provide improved protection for the engine from the moment of start-up. This means that the synthetic oil is designed with improved lubricate properties and enhanced viscosity to provide superior protection from engine wear, reduced heat breakdown volatility for decreased oil consumption, improved fuel mileage, easier engine cold starting and a reduction in engine deposits. When deciding whether it is best to use synthetic or conventional car engine oils, it is always best to bear in mind the age of the vehicle as problems and oil leaks can occur when switching to a fully synthetic oil with an old engine. This is because there can be a build-up of waxes and sludge left by conventional oils over time, which may mask worn engine seals. The introduction of a synthetic oil may cause the detergents in the synthetic oil to break down and clean-up this protective build-up which is maintaining the seal, this will then result in oil leaking through the engine seals when the oil thins as it gets hot. Semi-synthetic oils are an alternative to buying a pure synthetic oil. These combine a certain quantity of synthetic base oil with a conventional base oil in order to provide a high quality oil which can be used to gain some of the protection benefits of a fully synthetic for slightly older vehicles. However semi-synthetic engine oils do not typically include all the synthetic oil's advanced additives. Whilst older vehicles are frequently better using conventional oils due to the engine seals, new cars which experience normal day-to-day use with its short journeys, traffic jams, extreme temperature changes, etc, can benefit from the extra protection of afforded by synthetics, but it is always safest to refer to the manufacturer's recommendations before making any changes.

Top Tips On How To Get The Best Shine From Your Car

We all love that brilliant shine of a new car in the dealer's showroom or at an auto show. There are hundreds of car care products and treatments available. The question is what works best and how do you do it? First, you must properly clean and wash your car. Polishing and waxing a unclean car is sure to leave hairline scratches from dirt and debris on the car. Proper car washing and cleaning should be a main staple of any car care regimen or treatment. It is a proven fact that cars that receive routine car washes will last longer (as evidenced in a recent Popular Mechanics magazine). To properly wash your car, first rinse it off. Get the whole car wet and try to spray off any loose dirt and debris. Then use specific car wash soap (regular household items and chemicals are usually too harsh and can strip the wax or sealant right off) and a soft sponge or towel. Wash one panel or area at a time and rinse when done so the suds and soap won't dry on the paint. When done dry off the car with clean terry towels or microfiber towels (a chamois works great also). Next, examine your car. Look at the bumpers, behind the tires, the roof, etc... Are there any contaminants like bug splatter, bird droppings, tree sap, etc... that are still there after washing? You can try and rewash these areas with a little more pressure to try and loosen them up. If they still don't come off, you will need a contaminant remover. This is a spray and each has their own unique formula and set of directions. Some are similar to foaming glass cleaners and others are a thick emulsion that will sit right on the problem area and not drip off. These contaminant sprays will remove most stuck on road debris and there are formulas specifically for road tar and tree sap as they can be more difficult. Follow the directions and then rinse and dry. To smooth out any imperfections in the paint we recommend a cleaner wax. According to a study by Consumer Reports of every wax currently produced it was found that Turtle Wax was the best for value, durability and shine. So, there is no need to waste your money on expensive treatments that will not deliver a finish as well as a $2 bottle of Turtle Wax. Apply the cleaner wax in small circular motions and do one panel at a time, same as you did with car washing. Let the cleaner wax dry to a white haze and then buff with a clean terry cloth. Repeat as necessary. Next, what we recommend is that you use a polymer car polish (again, there is no need for expensive treatments - you are just wasting your money). A good polymer car polish can be obtained at Walmart for between $2 and $5. They always come as a liquid and are very easy to apply and really do last longer than any car wax (up to 1 year and 50 car washes as some labels state). Apply to the whole car and buff dry. Apply 2-3 coats for maximum protection. After the car polish we recommend a high class carnauba wax (again there is no need for expensive treatments). Turtle wax platinum car wax is around $5-$7 and so are some Meguiars and Mothers top waxes. This will give you a better than new deep and wet looking shine. Apply 2 coats in similar fashion to the cleaner wax. Wait until you see the resultant shine from wax on top of polish. It is unbelievable and gives your car the best shine possible and also the maximum protection available. This is how they get that extra deep shine on cars at the auto shows - it works and you will be amazed.

Restoring plastic headlight lenses to like new!

You know it’s important to be able to see and be seen but that isn’t always as easy as it sounds. Over the years cars have adopted plastic headlamps that blend with the car’s styling. They look great but after a few years their plastic lens becomes hazy and scratched. This reduces light output making night driving hazardous. Rather than spend big bucks to replace your headlamps use convertible top plastic window cleaner to polish away the haze and scratches. There are also special products like the one shown on the left which can Improve the clarity of cloudy headlights. Some vehicles have lens covers for improved driving safety! Most vehicles now have a protective, transparent, plastic lens covering the headlights. These lenses protect expensive lamps from flying stones and road debris but will discolor over time. When these lenses become opaque and cloudy, they severely restrict the amount of light reaching the road which makes night driving dangerous. This clouding is caused by accumulated exposure to ultraviolet light. If you live in a southern state, this discoloration can become noticeable in as little as 2 years. By using these products often(be sure to follow instructions on each indivual product for frequency of application)you will keep your headlight lenses from turning opaque!

Oil Change Outrage-Video

The clip from LOS ANGELES, where there was an undercover investigation. Reporter Joel Grover exposes how some of the state's biggest car repair chains could be cheating customers -- even breaking the law. As seen in this video there some well-known chains mentioned that specialize in doing quick and easy oil changes.

Just remember that what you see in this video does not represent what goes on in all oil change shops around the country, which is what the folks who did this investigation would want you to believe!
http://www.nbc4.tv/video/2620224/index.html

Note:If the above link does not load the video try this link below.
http://mfile.akamai.com/12924/wmv/vod.ibsys.com/2003/1107/2620224.200k.asx

Weekly tips- When replacing a fuel filter..

When replacing a fuel filter, pour a little fuel through the filter inlet to "pre-wet" the filter element inside. This will reduce the risk of the filter element shredding loose paper fibers into the fuel system when the pump starts up and sends fuel at full force through the filter. Some filters come with cap(s) on the end as shown in the picture which keeps the filter element from drying out before installation.