Using Aerosol Tire Repair Spray

A flat tire always seems to occur at the worst time possible.  They can be quite dangerous if it affects your ability to steer.  The aerosol tire repair option is a convenient choice, especially if you are in a hurry or if you are far from help.

While most of us don't carry an aerosol tire repair spray can around, they sure can come in handy in an emergency.  They are not meant to be a permanent fix, but instead as a way to get you up and running again after a flat tire.  Not all of us know how or want to change a flat tire by ourselves. 

This part is very important; if you do use the aerosol to inflate and seal your tire, you must get to a repair shop ASAP for a “real” repair.  You must inform the mechanic that you used this and it would help if you kept the empty can to show him what product was used.  Why is this important?  Because a mechanic has to release air from the tire, thereby emmiting flammable chemicals from the spray propellant.  Furthermore, some believe the stuff in these cans can actually corrode the tire from the inside out.  Another reason to take the car in afterwards.

If this happens to you, first decide if the tire has simply just leaked air, or if it is damaged.  The spray won’t do you any good if the tire is severely damaged.  Then be sure your vehicle is moved away from traffic. 
Here is a quick summary of the best way to use tire repair spray:

1.  Move the car slowly so that the flat tire’s valve stem is neither directly at the top or at the bottom.  A 4 o’ clock position works well.  Unscrew the valve stem cap of course.

2.  Shake the can well.  Apply the nozzle right in line with the valve stem and keep that alignment the whole time.  The contents should begin to fill the tire now.  Keep holding until can empties.  The can is only meant to fix one flat tire.

3.  When done, remove the can and wipe any excess off the tire.

4.  Now you can put the valve stem cap back on and start your vehicle.  The best thing to do now is to slowly drive the car for a few miles so the sealant spreads evenly throughout the inside of the tire.  The product takes a little while to cure.

5.  Fill the tire to the appropriate pressure, then get to a repair station as soon as possible to have a permanent repair done.  Don’t forget to tell your mechanic about the use of the spray.

Good luck, hope this helps.

Brake Maintenance

Every vehicle needs to have its brakes in proper working order.  Not only might it save your life, it sure is less expensive than paying for repairs after an accident.  Get brake inspections done by your mechanic at recommended intervals to prevent problems.  The intervals vary and are dependent on how/where you drive and how many miles are put on between brake jobs.

In the meantime, there are things you can do to keep tabs on the condition of your brakes. 

Here are some things that might indicate a problem;  the brake warning light is on, there are clanking sounds when you brake, there are vibrations, grinding or squealing sounds when you brake, the brake pedal feels “soft” or just plain low.  Another symptom might be the difficulty in pressing down the brake.

If you notice any of those things, it’s time to take your car in to your mechanic.  Don’t let it go thinking you will save money or that you are too busy to get it checked out.  You will damage the rotors if you allow the brake pads to actually wear away.  Having rotors replaced or resurfaced is even more expensive.  Letting things get to this point is downright dangerous.

Also, make sure brake fluid is changed when required.  See your manufacturer’s recommendations as to how often this should be done.  If you are lacking brake fluid, then there is not enough pressure for the car to brake properly.  In addition to that, moisture can build up in brake fluid over time and leads to harmful corrosion.  It is also necessary to inspect brake hoses at every wheel.

When you take your car in, as with most things in life, you get what you pay for.  The better grades of brake pads cost more than the lower ones.  Once again, if doing the brake pads yourself, check the manufacturer’s suggestion as to the grade of brake pad needed.

Keep in mind that if you have a front-wheel drive, the front brakes normally wear out first.  When your car is serviced, find out if they are doing just the front brakes or the back too.  Will be smart to keep this in your records.

Tips For Improving Gas Mileage

Gas prices are on the rise again here in January of 2011.  Who knows what they will be in the future, but it is safe to assume at one point or another they will go.  Want to save money by improving gas mileage?  Here are some of the best ideas that actually work.

1)  As was mentioned in my previous post, check that air filter and make sure it’s clean.  This affects gas mileage more often in older vehicles than the newer ones.

2)  Learn to drive more evenly, avoiding braking and accelerating unnecessarily and excessively.  Keep in mind that the speed at which you drive matters; the faster you drive, the higher the RPMs will be, and usually that results in lower mileage.  When you drive at higher speeds it is best to keep your speed at the recommended MPH.  This is the safest thing to do anyway.  Driving faster may reduce mileage, with best fuel economy usually being achieved around 55 - 60 mph, although it varies a bit by vehicle.  Also, using cruise control keeps your car at a more constant speed and will also help save gas. 

3)  Don’t let your car sit at idle unnecessarily.  If you plan on sitting in one spot for a long time, it’s actually best to turn the engine off while you wait. 

4)  Don’t use the air conditioner as much if at all possible. 

5)  Keep the appropriate tire pressure.  It’s easiest just to buy a tire gauge and store it somewhere in your car, like the glove compartment.  It is wise to check air pressure once every week or so.  It is said that gas mileage can be improved around 3% or more by keeping tires properly inflated.  Besides, it is a safer way to drive.  NOTE:  Use the pressure advised on the driver’s side door or in the owner’s guide. 

6)  If you have overdrive gears, use them.  This will help the engine speed to decrease, thereby saving you gas. 

7)  Keep the car up to date with its maintenance.  There are many issues that can reduce efficiency, such as: improperly seeded or bad spark plugs, bad oxygen sensor, and bad fuel injectors.  Be sure to always use the recommended motor oil grade suggested by the manufacturer.

8)  Combine your errands into one trip whenever possible.  Taking care of all of your little trips while the engine is warm makes it more efficient, not to mention the miles and time you will save.  When it comes to your job, try carpooling or ask your boss if you can telecommute once in a while. 

9)  Reduce your vehicle’s weight.  Basically, if you have unnecessary stuff in your car, remove it.  The more weight there is, the less mileage you will get.  It is estimated that every additional 100lbs in your car reduces the MPG by as much as 2 percent.  If you have a large roof rack and aren’t using it, you might as well remove that too. 

10)  Finally, you could always buy a more fuel efficient car in the first place.  If you gain an extra 5 or 10 miles per gallon, that could add up to a savings of a few hundred a year or more, depending how much you drive.  For official mileage estimates, check out: http://www.fueleconomy.gov/

Replacing Your Car’s Air Filter

It seems odd that so many people pay to have this done at a shop when they can easily do this at home with most cars.  Why is this important to do once a year?  A dirty or clogged air filter can decrease gas mileage and overall performance.

Your only cost is that of the air filter itself, which varies based on the model of car.  Some are as little as $10, some are much more.  You will want to buy a filter that is specifically designed for your car.  Any large auto parts store will have a huge variety of options, most likely containing what you need.

When I did this, my hands got pretty dirty – so if you are the tidy type, you will want to wear gloves for this. 

-  The first step is to location the air filter compartment, usually a box that is black in color and contains a hose that connects to the engine.  Usually they are a good size and easy to locate.  See your owner’s manual if you need help finding it, or go online for images.

-  Then remove the clips on the air box. When you open it up, you will find the filter.  Some are round, some are rectangular.  Simply remove your air filter.  Be sure to make a mental note of how it was situated.

-  Place the new air filter inside, then close the air box.  That is it!  Very easy, and saves you a few bucks on labor costs. 

 

If you want to see this for a better demonstration, here is a brief video to help you out: 

 

How To Repair A Car Scratch

It is quite maddening when you walk up to your car while in a parking lot and notice that in the brief time you were gone, someone managed to scratch your beautiful car!  Want to fix those scratches before they become rust spots, or maybe you just can’t stand having the scratches on your car?  Here are some tips that we have used successfully in the past that should help you out.

1)  The most important thing is to find the exact paint color match.  One way to do this is to take your VIN number to an auto shop so they can set you up with the correct paint.  While you are there, be sure to ask if your vehicle’s paint is enamel-based.  If it is, get the right kind of primer too.

2)  Wash the scratched area with appropriate car-wash fluid and dry with a clean, soft cloth.  Cotton is best. 

3)  Keep in mind that nobody can actually “remove” a scratch, but instead we sanding down the paint that surrounds it until the two areas are even.  Sand the area with a 2000 grit sandpaper, higher if you want (you can find this at almost any auto parts store).  It helps to make the sandpaper slightly wet.  Use light, short strokes and be careful not to sand too far.  We prefer to go along the length of the scratch.  Very delicately, brush away all of the dust from your sanding activity.  Be sure the brush is soft.  You might even need to wash the area off again with water. 

4)  Carefully spray primer onto the scratch the day before you plan on doing the paint.  Don't let primer get on any other part of the car.  Let it dry overnight.

5)  You can either spray the affected area with the touch-up paint you picked up earlier, or you can even try a tiny paintbrush to apply a little bit of paint.   Of course, the last step is to let it dry completely.

6)  If you are satisfied with the results, it would be best to seal the paint job with car wax.

That's it!  Hopefully you won't be able to see any evidence of that horrible scratch.   

My first post ... hello!

Hello readers!  I hope you will find great use in my upcoming posts regarding caring for your vehicle.  Will cover many do-it-yourself ideas.  I have a passion for cars, and wish to share what I have learned over the years with you.  If you feel you have something to add, please let me know.