Five Easy Auto Fixes

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Even with the advanced technology and computerized automotive systems that most vehicles come equipped with, there are still simple maintenance tasks that you can do that will save you time and money.

This list of DIY car maintenance projects requires few tools and no experience. If you've hung a picture or pounded a nail, you can tackle any one of them. By doing these jobs yourself, not only save money, but there are added benefits. And who knows, you just might like the hands-on experience enough that you'll move on to other DIY projects.

Check Your Tire Pressure and Properly Inflate Your Tires

The average consumer doesn’t realize the importance of properly inflated tires. If your tires are under-inflated, it can decrease your fuel economy, costing you hundreds of dollars. Take 15 minutes, once a month and make sure your tires are properly inflated. All you need is a tire pressure gauge and an air pump. If you don’t have an air pump, you can usually find one at a gas station.

Reducing fuel cost should not be the only reason you keep your tires properly inflated. Doing so can improve safety by improving handling during emergency braking and cornering, prolong tire life.

Tire Rotation

Tires tend to wear differently depending upon where they are on the vehicle. Front tires often wear faster than rear tires because braking and cornering is more demanding on them. Plus, you can save approximately $120 a year and all you need is an jack stand, tire iron, car jack, and about an hour of your time.

When rotating your tires, be sure to follow the rotation pattern laid out in your owners manual. Also, check for defects and premature wear. You may be able to spot a foreign object in your tire that is causing a leak.

Change Your Air Filter

Changing your air filter only takes five minutes and will keep dirt out of your engine and improve fuel economy. Plus, it can save you $60 in labor costs. All you will need is an air filter, which you can pick up at any parts store, and a screwdriver. To find out how often to change your air filter, refer to your owners manual. If you live in an area with lots of dust, you will need to change your air filter more often.

Replace Bulbs and Fuses

While it may not cost much for a mechanic to change a bulb or fuse, many shops markup the price for the part. Plus, you have to drive to the garage and wait around. Instead, just pick up the bulbs and fuses from you local automotive parts store and look at refer to your owners manual.

Before you begin changing any bulb, review the instructions and take a look at the access point first. If it looks a little too tight, then take your car to the pros and let them change the headlight or taillight bulb for you. On the other hand, the fuse compartment in easy to reach. You may have to look at the electrical chart in your owner’s manual in order to find the right fuse.

Engine Oil and Filter Change

An oil change is one of the more advanced item on this list, but that doesn’t mean that you can’t do it. Anyone with a little mechanical knowledge and the right tools can change their own oil. Plus, you can save yourself hundreds of dollars a year by doing it yourself. All you need is:

  • A Car jack
  • Oil pan for Catching the Old Oil
  • Socket Wrench
  • Oil-filter Wrench
  • Recycling Bottles for the Oil
  • Rubber Gloves
  • Plenty of Rags
  • Engine Oil
  • Oil Filter

 

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How to Properly Check Your Tire Tread
Performing regular maintenance on your vehicle will help keep your car running for as long as possible. Part of vehicle maintenance is making sure your tires are in proper working condition. While much car maintenance requires the work of a technician, this one of the things you can do yourself.

To check your tire tread, all you need is a penny. A penny substitutes for the traditional tire tread depth gauge. It’s important to determine the depth of your tire down to the 32nds of an inch, and a penny is just as accurate. Place the penny in the several tread grooves across your tire. You will also want to go around the circumference of the tire to ensure that there is no uneven wear.

Now, how do you determine the depth? Lincoln’s head should always be covered. If it is, then you have more then 2/32” of tread depth remaining. If it is not, you will need to get your tires replaced. According to most state laws, tires are legally worn out at 2/32” of tread depth.

It is important that you replace your tires when they’ve reached this depth as it’s a matter of safety. The less tread your tires have, the poorer their performance will be. Their resistance to hydroplaning in the snow greatly reduces, and traction in the snow essentially disappears. If you rotate your tires and change them out for new ones when necessary, you will not only keep your car in top of the line form but also keep yourself and your passengers safe.
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Lights, Wipers and Filters
There are many people out there that consider themselves DIYers (Do it Your Self). They would rather do things themselves than pay someone else to do it. Vehicle maintenance is one of those tasks that many of us try to do ourselves. While there are some things that should be left to the professionals, there are certain maintenance items that any DIYer can do.

Windshield Wiper Blades Replacement

Windshield wiper blades and wiper blade inserts are essential to visibility when it is raining. If the wiper blades or inserts don't function properly, they won't remove the water, they can cause streaking, and they can also damage your windshield. Replacing the windshield wiper blade or insert is a simple task to perform. Plus, wiper blades can be found at any automotive store for fairly inexpensive.

Filter Change

There are several filters located on a vehicle. Some, like the fuel filter, may need to be changed by a trained mechanic, but there are others, like the air filter and in-cabin filter, that you can change yourself. The air filter is easily accessible and can be found at most automotive stores. The in-cabin filter can be easily accessible, depending upon the manufacturer of the vehicle. Even if they are little harder to get to, a DIYer can still gain access it to change it. Now, the air filter and the in-cabin filter should be changed at regular intervals. To find out when the filters should be changed, refer to your owner's manual.

Light Replacements

There are several types of lights on a vehicle. The ones that we worry about the most are the headlights, taillights, and brake lights. When one of these goes out, not only could you get a ticket, it could also be dangerous. If a headlight goes out, then it could reduce your visibility. If a tail light goes out, then it could make you less visible to another vehicle. On most vehicles changing a light bulb is a very simple task, but on others it is not so easy. Newer vehicles come with HID lights and once those fail to work properly, then you will need to take it to a repair shop to have the lights replaced.

While these maintenance items may seem simple and within the reach of a DIYer,  they are very important in keeping your vehicle operating properly. Also, if the air filter and in-cabin filter are not changed when recommended, then is could affect the validity of your factory warranty or extended warranty, if applicable.
 
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Fuel Myths Debunked

Since the dawn of the gas powered vehicle, there have been myths about fueling your vehicle. They range from what type of fuel to how much gas to put in your vehicle. With gas prices continually on the rise, why would you want to spend more money than you have to? The average price for regular gas in the Savannah, GA area is $3.30 a gallon while high octane fuel, or premium gas, is $3.77 a gallon.

So, what about the myths? Is there any truth to them or are the just that, myths? Vaden Automotive Group in Savannah, GA and the surrounding areas care about informing our community on what is the truth and what is hearsay. Following is a list, put together by Cars.com, of their favorite fuel myths and the truth behind them.

Using premium gas will enhance my car's performance

Putting premium gas in your vehicle is not going to make your vehicle perform better. There are are instances where you should consider using premium in your car, but nowadays, most vehicles can adjust the engine’s performance in a majority of conditions. Some people may report a pinging or knocking sound if they do not use premium. Typically, modern knock sensors will detect a pinging noise before you hear it. Basically, if your vehicle’s manufacturer does not recommend the use of high octane fuel, then you’re safe saving some money by using regular gas.

It's better to fill up in the morning or at night because you'll get more fuel.

The reasoning behind this myth is that when the fuel is cooler it is denser and a denser fuel will pack more energy in the same amount of space. While density may change with the temperature, the fuel is stored in underground tanks that maintain a temperature of around 55 degrees Fahrenheit. So, no matter the weather outside, the fuel temperature will remain the same.

It's OK to top off your gas tank after the nozzle automatically shuts off.

We all know people who are guilty of this one. While you may feel like you are getting more gas, you may not be. The extra fuel may just be rerouted into the station’s storage tanks. Also, you may potentially harm your vehicle’s evaporative control system. The system is designed to re-burn vapors, not liquid gasoline. If you overfill your tank, these vapors will get pushed out of your gas tank and can cause damage.   

Not fully pressing the gas nozzle will make you pay for gas you don't get.

This is a new one and lives up to it’s title as a myth. Gas dispensers use volumetric measures that gauge whether they are pumping fuel slow or fast. It is not an on/off nozzle that can only tell when the fuel is being pumped out at maximum speed. So whether or not you press the nozzle half way, it can still measure how much fuel is being pumped and charge you accordingly.  

Using the wrong octane fuel will void my warranty.

This one may have some truth to it. Some automakers claim that by using regular gas, you can do damage to your vehicle’s engine. This is why you should always read your owner’s manual. It may seem daunting, but there is some really useful information in there. Will you void your warranty if you use regular gas one time? No. Many automakers that require a higher octane fuel acknowledge that regular fuel can be used in an emergency, but premium fuel should be used on a regular basis.

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