SUVCars.com News

🔒
❌ About FreshRSS
☷
△ 🔃
There are new available articles, click to refresh the page.
Before yesterdayRelated Blogs

Simple Tips for Checking and Changing Your Oil

By The Allstate Blog Team

Keeping your car in tip-top shape can help prevent unnecessary repair bills and unexpected trips to the mechanic. One essential car maintenance task is a routine oil change. Oil changes are a must for proper vehicle care, but they can be easy and relatively inexpensive.

Oops. Something went wrong with the CTA block.

Why You Should Check and Change Your Oil

Your car’s engine is complex and contains numerous moving parts. Oil lubricates these moving parts and keeps everything running smoothly, says Angie’s List. Over time some of the motor oil burns off — leaving a thick sludge behind. This sludge reduces the oil’s ability to lubricate the parts properly, which can lead to engine wear. Checking your oil can help determine if the oil needs to be changed and if there is enough in the car.

According to Cars.com, here are some of the reasons why you should change your car’s oil:

  • Oil cools, lubricates and cleans moving parts. Without oil, your engine would stop working.
  • Oil can become dirty and break down, likely reducing engine efficiency and longevity.
  • Regular oil changes can help prevent long-term engine damage, which may help you avoid costly repair bills.

How to Check Your Oil

Consumer Reports suggests that drivers check their oil at every other gas fill-up. Start by consulting your owner’s manual. It should contain information on how to check the oil in your vehicle. Once your car is parked on level ground and the engine is off, Consumer Reports recommends these steps for checking your oil:

  • Pop the hood. Locate the oil dipstick and remove it. A graphic of an oil can usually marks its location.
  • Wipe off the dipstick and reinsert it. Clean the oil off the dipstick with a rag, put it back in and remove it again.
  • Determine the oil level. The dipstick is marked to show at what level the oil is full. If the level of the oil is at or below the levels marked “add,” “low” or “min,” add a little bit of oil (a half-quart) at a time. Then wipe, reinsert and remove the dipstick again for another check.
  • Check oil color. Look for brown or black color. If the oil is a light, milky color, or if you notice tiny metal particles, take your vehicle to a mechanic for further diagnosis.

Which Kind of Oil Should You Use?

Which kind of oil you use in your vehicle depends on your engine’s needs and the manufacturer’s recommendations in the owner’s manual. You can choose synthetic oil, conventional oil or high-mileage oil, depending on your engine’s needs and the expected oil life. Also, you’ll need to choose the right viscosity for your engine — that information is typically found on your engine’s oil cap or in the vehicle’s owner’s manual.

Sign up for our email newsletter.

Get more tips and tricks like this delivered straight to your inbox each month when you sign up for our newsletter.

How Often Should You Change Your Oil?

Every car manufacturer has a slightly different recommended oil change schedule. Consult your owner’s manual to find your car manufacturer’s suggested oil change interval. When a dealership or service center changes your vehicle’s oil, they will typically put a sticker on your window to tell you when your car is due for another oil change.

When you have the oil changed, it’s a good idea to check the oil filter, as well. You may also want to perform other routine maintenance, such as checking the brakes, rotating the tires and topping off fluids, says Angie’s List. Be sure to ask your mechanic what inspections they perform during an oil change. Routine oil changes are a key part of car maintenance to help keep your vehicle running smoothly. If you need help checking or changing your oil, consult a car care professional.

Originally published on October 1, 2016.

The post Simple Tips for Checking and Changing Your Oil appeared first on The Allstate Blog.

When and How to Check Your Car’s Brake Pads

By The Allstate Blog Team

Proper brake pad maintenance is not only critical for helping your car last, but also for your safety as a driver or passenger. Simply put, your vehicle’s brakes are what enable you to slow down and stop. To help ensure your vehicle can stop safely, consider these tips on when and how to check your car’s brake pads.

Oops. Something went wrong with the CTA block.

When to Check Your Brakes

There’s no specific schedule for when it’s time to replace your brake pads, according to Cars.com. That means it’s a good idea to check your brake pads regularly to help determine the amount of wear and tear. Typical brake pad wear depends on how and where you drive, says Cars.com. For example, if you drive in urban areas, your brake pads may wear out faster than they would if you drove on rural roads due to the stopping and starting of city traffic.

Whether you go to a professional mechanic or handle maintenance yourself, it’s a good idea to check the brake pads each time your tires are rotated — about every six months, says Cars.com. It’s also a good idea to check your car owner’s manual or talk to a professional technician so you understand what service schedule and parts may be right for your particular vehicle.

How to Check Your Brakes

Fortunately, brake pads are designed to provide clear signals that they need to be checked and possibly replaced. Here are some ways to check your brakes:

Brake Checks While Driving

Here are a few ways you can be in-tune with your brakes and whether it’s time to have them checked.

  • Listen to your brakes. Brake pads are designed to make a noise as an early warning signal that they need to be changed, says J.D. Power and Associates (J.D. Power). This noise will usually sound like metal scraping on the wheels when the car is moving. The sound caused by these wear indicators will typically get louder the more the brakes are used. If, after inspection, you still have noisy brakes, you may require different adjustments or repairs.
  • Pay attention to your brake pedal and steering wheel. When brake pads are worn out, a vibration can often be felt in the brake pedal when braking. A vibrating steering wheel when braking may also be a sign of brake pad issues.
  • Notice if the warning light comes on. If the brake warning light on your dashboard comes on while you’re driving, Cars.com says you may be running low on brake fluid. Have your brakes checked as soon as possible.

If you have concerns about whether or not your brake system is functioning properly, you should have it inspected by a professionally immediately.

Visually Inspect Brake Pads

It can also be helpful to take a look at your brakes to see if there are any obvious signs of wear and tear. When the car is parked safely and the ignition is off, follow these tips for visually inspecting your brake pads:

  • Look at the wheels. Brake dust accumulation in the wheel is a sign of normal wear, according to MotorWeek. If you notice that your wheels are dirtier or cleaner than usual, you may want to have your brakes inspected.
  • Observe the brake pad. On many cars, the brake pad can be seen through the wheel. Look at it to determine its thickness. If it seems very thin, less than ¼ inch, it is likely in need of replacement, according to J.D. Power. Some brake pads have a slot in the center that serves as a wear indicator. Look at the slot — if it’s almost gone, the pad probably needs to replaced.

When to Replace Brake Pads

Cars.com says some common signs that may indicate it’s time to replace your brake pads include:

  • Pulsation or vibrations in the brake pedal.
  • Longer stopping distances.
  • Your foot goes down further than normal when you apply the brakes.
  • The vehicle pulling to one side when you brake, according to J.D. Power.

If you do not feel comfortable checking your brake pads, take your vehicle to a local dealership or repair shop where a professional can do it for you. Not only will replacing worn brake pads help make your car safer, it may help save money in the long run by helping prevent avoidable accidents.

Originally published on May 29, 2017.

Sign up for our email newsletter.

Get more tips and tricks like this delivered straight to your inbox each month when you sign up for our newsletter.

The post When and How to Check Your Car’s Brake Pads appeared first on The Allstate Blog.

Quick Fix: Avoid Door Dings With A Pool Noodle

By The Allstate Blog Team

Have you ever pulled your car into your garage, opened the car door and accidentally hit the wall? Just like that, the side of your car door has a ding. We’ve all been there, but there’s an inexpensive way to help avoid dents and dings. A pool noodle may be the key to helping protect your car doors, according to Precision Garage Door of Salt Lake.

Watch this video to see how a pool noodle can become a bumper for your car door.

Oops. Something went wrong with the CTA block.

Step 1: Gather the Materials

First, gather these materials:

  • A dry pool noodle
  • A box cutter or utility knife
  • Double-sided foam tape
  • A pencil
  • A measuring tape (optional)

Step 2: Cut Pool Noodle in Half

Use a utility knife or box cutter to cut the pool noodle in half lengthwise. Take care when cutting — do this step on a flat surface such as a workbench or the garage floor. You may also want to consider wearing work gloves while cutting.

Step 3: Determine Where Your Car Door Meets the Garage Wall

Carefully open your car door to determine where it makes contact with the garage wall. Using a pencil, lightly mark the point of contact on the wall. Using that mark as your guide, draw a longer line horizontally across the wall. If desired, you can use a measuring tape to make sure you are extending your line at the correct height or for the length of the pool noodle.

Sign up for our email newsletter.

Get more tips and tricks like this delivered straight to your inbox each month when you sign up for our newsletter.

Step 4: Attach the Noodle to the Garage Wall

Cut two strips of mounting tape the length of the pool noodle. Apply these strips of tape to the edges of the noodle. Then, attach the noodle to the wall, horizontally along the line you marked earlier.

Alternatively, The Family Handyman says you could use nails to attach the pool noodle to the wall to really help it stay in place. However, be sure to use the appropriate tools and nails for your garage wall.

Step 5: Test Your Handiwork

Again, carefully open the car door. It should now touch the soft pool noodle instead of the wall. If it doesn’t, remount the noodle at the appropriate height.

No one likes dents in their car, especially when it is from something as simple as opening the door. Use this quick fix to help avoid door dings by mounting a simple pool noodle to your garage wall.

Originally posted on November 16, 2016.

The post Quick Fix: Avoid Door Dings With A Pool Noodle appeared first on The Allstate Blog.

How to Clean Your Car Windows Without Getting Streaks

By The Allstate Blog Team

Do your car windows need a good cleaning? There may be a simple solution in your cabinets. According to Reader’s Digest, a mixture of vinegar, ammonia and cornstarch can help you get sparkling car windows without leaving streaks.

clean car windows hack

Oops. Something went wrong with the CTA block.

Gather the Cleaning Supplies

Start by gathering the ingredients you need to make the glass cleaning solution:

You’ll also need a clean bucket to use while you’re mixing the solution. When the cleaner is ready, you’ll need a spray bottle and clean cloth, such as a microfiber towel, to use while cleaning.

How to Clean Your Car Windows

Follow these steps to get clean windows without pesky streaks.

Step 1: Create the Mixture

In a bucket, combine 2 tablespoons of cornstarch with ½ cup ammonia, ½ cup white vinegar and 3 to 4 quarts of warm water. Mix the ingredients together — Reader’s Digest says it’s normal for it to look milky.

Step 2: Spray the Solution onto Your Car Window

Pour the finished mixture into an empty spray bottle. Then, spray the solution onto your car window.

Step 3: Wipe, Rinse and Dry

Wipe the window with warm water to rinse off the solution and loosened dirt. Then, use a lint-free cloth or paper towel to dry the window.

Step 4: Repeat

Repeat this process for each window on your vehicle.

Follow These Cleaning Tips

For best results, consider these window-cleaning tips from Angie’s List:

  • Wash your windows in the shade or on a cool day. The cleaning mixture may dry too quickly in the sun, which can leave streaks.
  • Wipe the windows using up-and-down strokes on one side of the window (inside or outside) and side-to-side strokes on the other to tell which side requires extra polishing.
  • Switch to a new towel when the one you’re using gets dirty. This can help prevent residue or dirt getting transferred from the towel to the window you’re trying to clean.
  • If you’re washing the whole car, clean the windows last. This will allow you to get soap residue or car wax off the glass, so the windows will truly be clean.

Making sure your car windows are clean not only helps your car to look it’s best, but can also help improve visibility while you’re driving. With this homemade glass cleaner and a little effort, you’ll have a clearer view of the road ahead.

Originally published on October 2, 2017.

Sign up for our email newsletter.

Get more tips and tricks like this delivered straight to your inbox each month when you sign up for our newsletter.

The post How to Clean Your Car Windows Without Getting Streaks appeared first on The Allstate Blog.

Prepare Your Tires for Winter Weather

By The Allstate Blog Team

If you live in an area where winter means driving on icy, snow-covered roads, you likely understand how challenging those road conditions can be on your car — not to mention how stressful it can be for the driver. There are a few things you can do, though, to help ensure your tires have as much traction as possible. Consider these tips to help prepare your tires for winter weather:

Check Your Tire Tread

Your tires’ tread is what gives them their ability to grip the road. So, one of the first ways to tell if your tires are ready for winter roads is to examine the tread on each tire, including the spare. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) recommends checking your tires at least once a month. If a tire has uneven or excessive wear, it should be replaced.

NHTSA says tire tread depth should be a minimum of 2/32 of an inch. To check this, hold a penny between your thumb and forefinger so that Lincoln’s head is showing. Place the top of Lincoln’s head into one of the grooves of the tire’s tread. If any part of Lincoln’s head is obscured by the tread, you have a safe amount of tread, according to NHTSA. If you can see above Lincoln’s head, then you need a new tire.

Make Sure Your Tires Are Properly Inflated

Tires that are not inflated to the correct pressure may negatively affect your car’s handling, according to Cars.com. And, as the temperatures outside drop, the NHTSA says your tires will lose pressure. This is why it’s important to check your tire pressure throughout the winter.

The recommended tire pressure for a vehicle is typically listed on a sticker inside the driver’s door, or it can be found in the owner’s manual, says Cars.com. Use a tire pressure gauge, which you can get at most gas stations or auto parts stores, to check that each tire is at the correct pressure. (Edmunds recommends checking the tires before driving, as the friction created when driving affects the pressure.) If necessary, use an air compressor to inflate the tires. If any of the tires are overinflated, use the small bead on the back of the tire pressure gauge to release some air.

Sign up for our email newsletter.

Get more tips and tricks like this delivered straight to your inbox each month when you sign up for our newsletter.

Consider Buying Winter Tires

You might think winter tires are only for areas where the winter weather conditions are very harsh, with lots of ice and snow. But, winter tires, which used to be called snow tires, are designed to work in lower temperatures regardless of road conditions, according to Road and Track Magazine. In fact, colder temperatures may cause standard tires to become too hard and lose their normal traction, even when the roads are dry.

There are several types of tires you may want to consider for winter driving:

  • All-Weather: A type of all-season tire that is designed to handle winter conditions, according to Consumer Reports.
  • Winter: These tires have both large treads and narrow grooves, called sipes, which allows them to better grip snowy roads, says Road and Track.
  • Studded: Winter tires with small metal points fitted into the tread. These studs grip and pierce snow and ice, says TrueCar, but they don’t ride smoothly on pavement and are not allowed in some states.

Your local mechanic or car dealership can help you decide which tires make sense for your area’s weather, and they can also recommend appropriate tires for your vehicle.

While preparing your car for the winter takes a little extra work, it can be worth it in the long run. Your car’s tires can help keep you safe on the road during winter, so remember these tips when preparing for the new season.

Originally posted on January 10, 2012.

The post Prepare Your Tires for Winter Weather appeared first on The Allstate Blog.

Quick Fix: Defrost Your Windshield

By The Allstate Blog Team

During those cold winter months, you may often find your windshield covered in frost. Maybe you let the car run with the defrost on, or you get out an ice scraper to clear your windshield. But, Meteorologist Ken Weathers has a tip that may help you clear up the frost quickly and with less effort.

Oops. Something went wrong with the CTA block.

Step 1: Mix the Solution

Put on rubber gloves, then mix two parts rubbing alcohol with one part water. (Do not use hot water, Weathers says, because it may crack your windshield. Room temperature or cold water is fine. Isopropyl alcohol can be used instead of rubbing alcohol, too.)

Step 2: Get a Spray Bottle

Pour the mixture into an empty spray bottle.

Step 3: Spray the Mixture

Spray the mixture onto your windshield, and watch the frost clear up.

You can even leave the spray bottle with the mixture in your car, because rubbing alcohol has a freezing point of 128 degrees below zero (in Fahrenheit), says Weathers.

As the temperatures drop, be ready for frosty days by having this simple defrosting spray at hand. By spending a few minutes to make this mixture, this quick fix can help you get on the road a little quicker.

Originally published on January 4, 2017.

Sign up for our email newsletter.

Get more tips and tricks like this delivered straight to your inbox each month when you sign up for our newsletter.

The post Quick Fix: Defrost Your Windshield appeared first on The Allstate Blog.

Help Prevent Car Doors From Freezing With Cooking Spray

By The Allstate Blog Team

When dealing with the frigid temperatures of winter, there’s not much worse than coming out to your car to find the doors frozen shut. According to Lifehacker, car doors can freeze because water from rain or snow gets into the rubber seal, or gasket, around the door and then freezes when the temperatures drop. Fortunately, there is a simple trick that may help prevent this from happening, using nothing but ordinary household cooking spray.

Apply the spray to the door’s rubber seal weekly during the coldest winter months, or as needed before expected icy, frigid storms, says Brian L. Gochenour, laser operations manager and sales engineer at Broadway Metal Works.

Oops. Something went wrong with the CTA block.

Step 1: Grab some cooking spray.

Any ordinary cooking spray should work.

Step 2: Spray your car door’s rubber seal.

Open your car door, and look for the rubber gasket all around its edge. Spray the rubber on the top, side and bottom of the door with the cooking spray.

Step 3: Wipe off any excess with a paper towel.

Take a dry paper towel and gently rub the rubber seal to get rid of drips and excess spray.

Step 4: Repeat process on each of your vehicle’s doors.

Apply the cooking spray to each door on your car. This should help prevent the doors from freezing shut, and you’ll be able to get into your vehicle with ease in the cold weather.

Originally published on November 15, 2016.

Sign up for our email newsletter.

Get more tips and tricks like this delivered straight to your inbox each month when you sign up for our newsletter.

The post Help Prevent Car Doors From Freezing With Cooking Spray appeared first on The Allstate Blog.

❌