Old vehicles tend to produce more pollution than older vehicles. In fact, when it comes to California fleet vehicles, the California Bureau of Automotive Repair say that “75 percent of vehicular pollution is caused by just 25 percent of the vehicle fleet” in the state of CA.

Because some fleet vehicles are proving to be big polluters, CA completely removes these vehicles from the road should they fail the their biannual smog checks. In addition to looking at its own vehicles, the state is also considering a proposal that would expand its Fleet Modernization Program, which would give money to vehicle owners who turn in their cars that fail their smog checks.

While getting gross, dirty, polluting vehicles off the road for good is generally a popular idea, there is one demographic that is always weary of such programs – car collectors. But despite concerns, California stresses that this new program is completely voluntary.

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Driving 101: the most important aspect of driving is safety. Sure, we all understand the fundamental safety tips which include obeying the speed limit, using turn signals to change lanes, knowing your surroundings, and not multitasking – especially now since using your cell phone is illegal! But what about changing a tire? If you do not know how to change a tire, waiting for an auto club response vehicle is very unsafe. Anyone learning to drive should learn how to change a tire to stay safe when on the road. If changing a tire is new to you, follow these steps on your way to successfully changing your first tire:

1. When you realize you have a flat tire, pull off the road as far away from traffic as possible, making sure you are on a solid, flat surface. Place the car in park and apply the parking brake. Do not change your tire on a hill or on soft ground. Chicopee Nissan recommends to all customers wanting to perform maintenance on their own, remember one thing: safety first.
2. Remove the spare tire and the jack from your vehicle to begin. They are most likely stored in your trunk. Your owner’s manual can also be of assistance and should be stored inside your vehicle.
3. Place the jack under your vehicle on the frame and raise it until it is supporting the vehicle, not lifting it.
4. Loosen the lug nuts by turning the socket wrench counterclockwise.
5. Next, raise the jack until the tire is off the ground. Now you can remove the lug nuts completely and then the tire from the wheel.
6. Once the flat tire is off the wheel, you can now put on the spare tire. Align the rim of the tire to the bolts of the wheel and then apply the lug nuts.
7. Tighten the lug nuts by hand until they are snug on the wheel.
8. You can now lower the car to the ground but do not put full weight on the new tire until you tighten the lug nuts as much as possible with the socket wrench.
9. Lower the car completely to the ground, remove the jack, and tighten the nuts once again.

The final step of the process is to put the flat tire in the trunk along with the jack and all of your tools so you can take the tire to a mechanic for repair. It is not advised to drive excessive distances on the spare tire.

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Sometimes car trouble can sneak up on you. Simply relying on your check engine light is not enough to address numerous mechanic problems that could occur from normal driving. That’s why it’s important for all drivers to become more in tune with what you may see, hear, and smell to avoid being stranded.

Warning Lights – Naturally the first type of warning signs for engine trouble is naturally the amber warning lights. These lights are located on your dashboard and usually consist of oil pressure, oil level, and/or the check engine warning. The latter could be indicative a number of problems. By taking your vehicle to a mechanic immediately, they can diagnose what’s happening and hopefully figure out a quick solution. You can even purchase one of these diagnostic tools yourself for about $100 at your local auto parts retailer.

Jerky Driving – All cars should provide a relatively fluid, smooth ride. If there are any jerky sensations, stalls, or delays, chances are something may be wrong. This could be a sign of clogged fuel lines, impaired spark plugs, or a number of other issues. In many cases, these sensations can be averted with regular oil changes and replacing belts and filters at recommended intervals.

Funny Noises – If tapping, popping, or rattling noises from the engine have permeated the cabin, there may be an expensive mechanical issues lurking. Issues could involve anything from the starter to the cylinders. If these noises sound familiar, have your vehicle inspected immediately to avoid costs damage.

Unusual Smells – All cars emit gases since they burn fossil fuels. However, emissions systems on your vehicles should prevent your car from emitting too many odors. If you smell anything from inside your vehicle, that may be a sign that your vehicle is leaking from an otherwise closed-loop system. Some gases, such as carbon monoxide, are extremely dangerous, and if you smell that gas in the cabin or the smell burning rubber from belts under the hood, don’t hesitate to get it checked out. Washington DC Honda dealers typically warn that if something just doesn’t smell or seem right, chances are there may be an issue developing.

Up in Smoke – If you’re seeing smoke, chances are there’s a foreign substance being burned along with the fuel-air mixture inside your engine. Blue smoke means oil is being burned, and white smoke typically means water condensation or antifreeze is being burned.

If any of these issues sound familiar, get them inspected by an auto repair professional fast. By getting these issues checked out in a timely manner, you may be able to avert more costly repairs down the road.

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In the last post, we covered general tips and tricks for performing an oil change yourself. While there are many locations such as Kansas City Auto Repair that are more than capable of providing this service quickly, it’s sometimes a little more rewarding to perform this routine type of auto maintenance yourself. To compliment our previous posts, here’s a video to better illustrate the steps you’ll need to take for a quick lube.

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Many cars feature drum brakes in the rear. Although most of your vehicle’s stopping power comes from the front disc brakes, your drum brakes also require regular maintenance to ensure the utmost stopping power and safety.

To begin inspecting the rear brakes, you’ll need to jack the car up and remove the rear wheel and tire. Try to service one drake at a time, rather than trying to do them both. This will provide you with a guide when reassembling if you need one advises one Ford parts Collegeville retailer. You’ll also want to wash excess debris and brake dust off of the drum to be able to inspect wear and tear. You’ll want to look for any cracks in the drum and make sure that the hydraulic wheel cylinder isn’t leaking any fluids.

Measuring the drum is important an auto body shop Richmond says to determine if it is the appropriate size for your vehicle. This will require taking micrometer measurements along the inside of the drum. If the drum measures less than the maximum specifications outlined by the vehicle’s manufacturer, then Acura Service St Louis suggests it will need to be machined by a mechanic. If the drum is more than the maximum measurements, it will need to be replaced.

The brake shoes may also need to be replaced if they’ve been worn down significantly. If the lining is doesn’t meet the manufactures requirements, it will need to be replaced recommends Suzuki Service Rochester, and to do this you’ll need brake pliers. You’ll also need to remove the brake shoe return springs.

During this process it’s important to check for any leaks that may have developed. Leaking hydraulic fluid can be dangerous and Medford used car dealers say it could reduce stopping power. To do this appropriately requires loosening the brake line and checking the bolts located on the back of the cylinder. Be aware that inspecting this can be a bit awkward due to the position of such components and the bolts may be a bit difficult to reach.

When replacing a brake cylinder, always place the cylinder on the first. Afterward, bolt this it into place and reconnect the brake line. Manchester NH car dealers stress that it’s important to replace the cylinder before the shoes. In addition, you’ll want to replace the back shoe before the primary shoe. Using your brake pliers, you can apply the brake springs next. If you get lost during reassembly, you can inspect the owner’s manual, or look over the brake on the other side of the vehicle.

A turkey baster could come in handy to drain old brake fluid and add fresh fluid. After all steps are done, they can be repeated for the drum brake on the other side of the vehicle.

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Learn how to change your brakes with ease.

Taking preventive measures to ensure your car is functioning and looking its best can help save money in the long wrong. Take a look at some of these simple steps to take to prevent costly damage from occurring.

Oil Changes Make All the Difference

Oil is the lifeblood of your car. While they can seem cumbersome within your busy schedule, it’s important not to avoid getting your oil changed at the scheduled intervals says Commercial Trucks Portland ME.  But changing your oil should also include a number of fluid changes, such as your vehicle’s antifreeze as well as transmission and brake fluid. Overtime, these vital fluids fail to lubricate properly or fail to fight against rust and freezing. When this happens, used cars St Louis dealers warn it could take a toll on the engine and reduce longevity. Your air filter should also be replaced regularly to keep foreign debris from building up in the engine, which easily damages vital engine parts. A clogged air filter can even hinder fuel economy since the engine essentially will have to work harder to breathe.

Keep Cool Under Pressure

Your cooling system should be checked regularly to prevent devastating damage. Trenton Auto Service says this is especially true in summer months and in warmer climates. Ensuring your cooling system is working adequately helps prevent the engine from overheating and essentially melting down. Chevrolet Cincinnati Ohio agrees that simply ensuring your hoses are in good condition, as well as maintaining proper coolant levels, is a cheap and easy way to prevent inconvenient and costly repairs.

Keep Your Car Rolling

One of the commonly neglected parts of a car is the tires according to Kansas City Used Cars. This is unusual considering that checking air pressure takes seconds, and is usually free to do. It’s difficult to see how neglecting your tires adversely affects your car but this can easily impair fuel economy. More importantly, improper air pressure can also impair vehicle safety. With tires receiving constant wear, it’s crucial to avoid too much wear. To prevent excessive wear, Mazda Service Seaside stresses that you should rotate your tires about every 3,000 miles, which will help the tires wear evenly.

Listen to Your Car

Your car’s gauges can give you plenty of insight into what’s going on with your vehicle advises Pennsylvania Acura. If you choose to ignore them, you may end up paying the costly consequences.

Put Your Trust in the Right People

Locating a repair shop is more difficult than you may think. Sure it’s easy to find plenty within a reasonable distance, but having a mechanic that truly understands your car and won’t overcharge you for repairs is crucial – and hard to come by admits Illinois Hyundai. Don’t settle for just anyone when your car needs repairs, go to someone you trust and can give helpful advice.

Check Ups Keep Your Car Healthy

Getting a check up by a mechanic can solve can help your car in a couple ways. First it allows you to build a relationship with your mechanic, and it familiarizes them with your car. Secondly, Used Cars New Haven CT believe a simple checkup can give your mechanic an opportunity to spot a red flag and prevent future mechanical problems.

Alter Your Driving Habits

Changing the way you drive can make a huge impact on your car. By accelerating slowly and braking early, Allentown Auto Loans suggests that you can improve gas mileage and increase the longevity of your brakes. Also, by consolidating errands and making fewer short trips, you can greatly reduce wear and tear on your vehicle.

Decrease the Extra Baggage

Just as shedding some extra weight can improve your energy, losing weight can have the same effect on your car. Carrying around heavy or unnecessary cargo can add weight, which impairs aerodynamics and adds strain on the engine. One St Paul used Ford dealer warn that this increases wear and tear and dramatically reduces fuel economy.

Don’t Forget to Wash

A clean car isn’t just an attractive car suggest the Boston Infiniti service center. By cleaning your car regularly, not only will it look better in the long run, the it will also become more aerodynamic which can impact your fuel economy.

Cover Up Whenever Possible

Weather and nature can easily damage your car. According to Ford Pittsburgh, keeping your car in a garage or carport can help you avoid harmful elements that impair the look of your vehicle.

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The first thing to do is to keep your eye on the temperature gauge recommends Los Angeles Body Shop. If you see that the gauge is rising, it means that your vehicle may be on the verge of overheating. The best thing to do is to pull over and shut the vehicle off, but this obviously guarantees that you will not be able to arrive at your destination on time.

If your vehicle begins to overheat and you need to keep moving to your destination, San Diego collision centers say the best thing to do is to turn the car’s heater on full, which will help blow cool air into the engine. In addition to cranking up the heater, you’ll want to drive slow to keep the engine from working too hard. Eventually, Nissan Washington DC stresses that you’ll want a mechanic to take a look at the engine and inspect the coolant level, radiator, and the thermostat.

Having your cooling system checked as soon as possible will prevent serious engine damage. Although simply turning your heater on may not work all the time on all vehicles, it is a proven way to hell curb an overheating engine if you catch it early.

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