Car Car Tips & Other News

Avoid Vehicle Breakdown with Semi-Annual Check-Up

Nobody likes to be caught off-guard, especially with vehicle problems.Getting a multi-point inspection should come well before packing up for that road trip this summer.

“Surveys of our certified technicians show a well-maintained vehicle lasts longer, retains more of its resale value, pollutes less, and gets better mileage than one that’s been neglected — to say nothing of being safer to operate,” said Tony Molla, vice president of communications for the National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence (ASE).

ABS replaces the need to pump the brake pedal

ABCs of ABS: Things Drivers Should Know

Ask a driver how their ABS is and chances are you’ll get a blank stare.

Anti-lock brake systems are credited as one of the most advanced safety technologies in modern vehicles yet they are an enigma to many.

How do you know if your ABS is functioning properly? It’s part performance and part education.

Dash cams become eye witness to driving incidents

Drivers turn to dash cams for video evidence during accidents

Cameras similar to those worn by thrillseekers are finding their way to the dashboards of safety-conscious drivers.

“Dash cameras are helpful in hit-and-run collisions – or other situations where you’d want to get someone’s license plate,” said Johan-Till Broer of Garman, a Kansas-based electronics company that started making dash cameras this year.

Family hiking: Letting dog be your guide

One North Carolina native believes she has found a way to unlock the beauty and wonders of nature to America’s internet-crazed youth.

For Ellen Eastwood the answer lies in four paws and a discriminating nose. Her guidebook, “The Trail Hound’s Handbook, Your Family Guide To Hiking With Dogs,” teaches kids how to have fun in the wilderness with man’s best friend.

Don't let all the small electronics turn a good day bad

It’s not enough anymore for your car’s battery to just help start the engine. It also needs to power a navigation system, charge your cell phone, operate a back-up camera and a plethora of 21st century conveniences. 

So how do you ensure your battery has enough strength to do all that and prevent you from being stranded thousands of miles from home on your summer road trip?

Get a grip on winding roads with summer tires

They are known as summer tires or ultra high-performance tires--and they are an effective way to increase your car’s traction in dry weather and handle faster speeds. 

There’s no industry standard for what constitutes a summer tire, according to Rubber Manufacturers Association, but they commonly wick away moisture, grip the road well and are softer than tires formulated for cold weather driving.

Rinseless wash lets you drop the hose, save water

Sometimes using a hose and bucket just doesn’t make sense for washing a car.

That’s especially true in drought-stricken areas where water is an expensive commodity. Apartment dwellers and urbanites also face challenges looking for an available faucet and appropriate location.

Subtle Signs Indicate Need For Brake System Inspection

You are dropping your kids at school and as you approach the crowded turn-out, you press down on your brake pedal but get a slow or spongy response. That delayed response or spongy feel may indicate a more serious problem--air or moisture in your vehicle's brake lines. Inspection by a brake expert is critical to prevent possible brake failure.