What To Do When It Comes To Washing Your Car
May 7th, 2012For many of us that have the joy of owning our very own car, our once in a while weekend ritual of washing our car by hand is a simple and therapeutic act. It can even be as beneficial for our state of mind just as much as it is for our car’s appearance! This is a good thing because washing your car by yourself instead of using a car wash is also the the best way to maintain a new car’s finish. So, what should you do when it comes to washing your car so you don’t damage your car’s appearance as you innocently wash it? Following are some basic car-washing tips you can take into consideration when it comes to wondering if it is time to beautify your vehicle:
How do you know when it is time to wash your car?
Of course you would want to wash your car when there are dead bugs, bird poop, and tree-sap mists all over it. Besides the obvious, a weekly car wash will keep your car’s finish in its best shape for as long as possible. Also, if you live in an area that suffers from acid rain, rinsing your car off after a period of rainy weather is a no-brainer. If you don’t, acidic chemicals in the rainwater will most likely leave a mark that can permanently tarnish the paint.
What should you use to wash your car?
There is no question that you should always be using a real car-wash product that is milder and exclusively designed for use on car paint.
Also, when grease, rubber, and road-tar deposits amass on your wheel wells, you can have a difficult task to take on. This act may require a stronger tire-cleaning product, and you should use a soft, nonabrasive cloth to remove the gunk, as it will probably tear apart your sponge!
Are there any general guidelines you should follow while washing your car?
Make sure that you always rinse all surfaces thoroughly with water before you begin cleaning to remove any loose dirt and debris that could scratch your car. Also, work on one section at a time, and NEVER forget to wash and rinse each area completely before moving on to the next part of your car. Not rinsing after each section will allow the soap to dry on your car and make it spotty!
Removable Car Paint
April 20th, 2012
Something fun that many people have never heard of are removable car paints. These paints allow you to create removable graphics or lettering for your vehicle that can be removed once you no longer wish for it to be there -and there will be no sign on your car that it was ever there. With these paints you can decorate your vehicle for the big game, advertise your company, add a design, test an idea that you’re not sure about, or even change the color of your vehicle. There are several brands of removable car paint to choose from, and here is information on two of the most popular brands.
DupliColor: This paint uses specially designed pigments and ink powders that allow it to dry in just minutes. It comes in an aerosol can, it is weather resistant, and will remain in place through wind or rain – but is still easy to remove on your own. Soap, water, and a sponge will remove the paint with no trouble, and with no residue left behind. It’s available at stores such as NAPA, Auto Zone, and Pep Boys and at only about $6 per 5 oz. can it comes in colors such as red, blue, green, and black.
Magic Color: This paint is also weather resistant, but is typically removed with their removal formula. It has been used by the military to paint tanks for training. It dries in 5-7 minutes and is available in several colors including yellow, green, blue, and silver. They can even perform color matching when provided with a sample or image. It is durable for up to 2 years and is available in a variety of sizes including 6 oz. aerosol cans or liquid gallons, quarts, and pints.
If you’re looking for an easy way to advertise, celebrate or just decorate, these paints provide a fun and inexpensive way to express yourself. There’s even free stencils available online!
Obscure Traffic Laws
April 13th, 2012
It’s important to know the rules of the road, especially when traveling in an unfamiliar place, so we’ve put together a list of laws you may not know but will want to keep in mind when traveling across the United States.
If you just got done playing with a piñata, make sure to remove your blindfold before driving your car because in Alabama driving while blindfolded is illegal.
While visiting California, be sure to obey the speed limits. If there’s no driver in your car, be extra careful because the vehicle’s speed cannot exceed 60mph without a driver. And if you pass through Eureka, California along the way and get tired, try to find a sidewalk because it’s illegal to use the road as a bed. If you’d rather sleep in your car just make sure you wake up before you reach Tennessee because here it is illegal to drive while you are sleeping. As you continue on your journey, and if you’ve had enough sleep and just need to rest, while stopping in Nevada be sure not to place your bench or chair in the middle of the road because it is illegal here. And last, if you pass through Oregon along your journey always yield to pedestrians when driving on the sidewalk.
Oh, and if you decide to switch your mode of transportation in Illinois, keep in mind that “fancy riding” on bicycles is illegal here.
Have Pets? While driving in Alaska, your car may be full, but be sure to clear a seat for your best friend because it’s illegal to tie your dog to the roof of the car. And when in Massachusetts make sure the front seat is clear because it’s illegal for your gorilla to ride in the back. Not driving a car? If an elephant is your choice of vehicle for the day and you’re in Florida, when parking at a meter you must pay the meter as if he were a car. And if you drive him up to Virginia you cannot park him on Main Street. Decided not to take the elephant for a ride and went with your camel instead? Keep in mind it’s illegal to drive him on the highway in Nevada. And last, if you’re not using your pet as a mode of transportation and decided to take him for a walk instead, don’t tie your alligator to a fire hydrant while in New Orleans. And while walking your chicken in Quitman, Georgia, if you want to keep him out of trouble, don’t let him cross the road.
Feeling Green? Just remember, it’s illegal to plant trees in the road in Blairstown, New Jersey, or to plant rutabagas in the road in Chico, California.
Safe Driving: Tips To Keep You Safe And Accident Free
March 28th, 2012
Here are some simple tips for things to check before getting in the car, and things to keep in mind while driving that will help keep you and your passengers safe and accident free.
Before getting in the car there are a few things you should check – especially if there will be children with you. If you have a young child, make sure to double check the child seats and be sure that they are installed correctly. If there is an accident this will increase the safety of children and help them to avoid injury. Another thing that can be checked before beginning to drive is that all lights, including turn signals and breaks are working properly. This way other drivers will always be aware if you are breaking or making a turn and can act accordingly.
Once you begin to drive, keep the headlights on. Cars are visible at nearly 4x the distance when their lights are on. When other cars can see you well you have greater security while driving. If you have stopped at a red light, which then turns green, before beginning to drive again, look for cars trying to make their red light at the last second to avoid pulling out in front of other cars. Never assume it is safe to begin moving just because you have the green light.
Another important habit to keep is to check your mirrors every 6-8 seconds and leave a 4 second space between you and the car in from of you. You should double this space at night or in inclement weather in order to account for increased stopping time or limited visibility. If there is inclement weather, always reduce your speed, and when applying the break do so slowly – remember as your speed increases, so does your breaking distance. Another factor that increases stopping time is the amount of weight in your vehicle; if you have a heavier load your stopping distance will be longer than usual. When on the highway, always stay in the right lane if you are not actively passing a vehicle to ensure constant flow of traffic and to stay out of the way of speeding cars. Also, when driving near trucks it is important to remember that if you cannot see them in their rearview mirrors they can not see you either, so be sure to keep out of their blind spots.
Pay attention at all times, remember that using a cell phone while driving increases your chances of being involved in a collision by nearly 400%. Always pay attention to speed limits and other signs. Sometimes drivers assume they are going the speed limit without paying attention to signs and looking for speed limit changes along the road. Other road signs will inform you of changes in the lanes or terrain of the road such as sharp curves or a stoplight ahead. Being aware of what is to come will help you to be prepared at all times.
Some safe driving habits to keep in mind at all times are to think ahead, scan the road, and always be ready to react. Do not drive if you are sleep deprived and be sure to keep your driving consistent and smooth – be easy on the gas and don’t break or accelerate too fast. If you keep these basic tips in mind you will decrease your chances of being involved in an accident and help to assure the safety of yourself and your passengers.
Simple Vehicle Maintenance: Tips To Keep A Vehicle Running At Its Best
March 21st, 2012
We all know it’s important to perform vehicle maintenance in order to ensure safety and efficiency, but what are some important checks to keep in mind? Here is a list of simple ways to make sure that your vehicle is running at its best, helping you to increase performance, efficiency, and safety.
1. Tire pressure: Be sure to check your tire pressure once a week. Every vehicle is made to run on a certain pressure and poor tire pressure can decrease fuel efficiency up to 2 miles a gallon. Check the owner’s manual to find the proper tire pressure for your car.
2. Oil and other fluids: It is important to change your oil every 3,000 miles to keep it running well. Be sure to change your oil whenever necessary and use the grade recommended by your car maker. Another fluid that you should keep an eye on is coolant. Levels should remain within 1 inch from the top of the radiator filler neck and fluids should be free of any contaminants. Flush or refill your coolant levels every 40,000 to 100,000 miles.
3. Air Filter: Replace the air filter once a year or after 12,000 miles (and more frequently if you live in an area with high levels of dirt or smog) to allow more air to enter the engine and increase power and energy.
4. Oxygen Sensor: Check this sensor to make sure it’s not plugged, and if it is, replace it. This will help to improve fuel economy up to 50%.
5. Spark Plugs: Your spark plugs help increase performance. You should change them once they become dirty so that they will work better as well as increase horsepower and give you better fuel economy.
6. Breaks: Don’t ever ignore break noises. Your breaks should be checked every 6,000 miles to ensure safety.
Some simple tips include cleaning windows, windshields, and mirrors in order to increase improve visibility. Another way to increase visibility is to be sure to replace wiper blades when they become worn out. To help improve gas mileage, get rid of extra things in the car that add additional weight and clean off snow and ice, which also adds weight and increases wind resistance. In warm weather, roll down your windows rather than turning on the air conditioner – it takes about 15 horsepower from the engine to use the a/c.
Always use proper tools, check the owner’s manual before repairing, take safety precautions, read all instructions, and consult a professional when necessary. Simple and proper car care helps improve fuel efficiency, save you money, and ensure your safety.
The Safest Car Colors
February 29th, 2012
Although the idea is not accepted by everyone, there are a number of tendencies and studies that point to the fact that some car colors are safer than others. There are a number of variables that need to be taken into account such as weather conditions and the time of day, but overall light colors such as silver and white are accepted as the safest car colors. This is because bright and vibrant colors reflect more light than darker colors, making them easier to be seen even at a further distance. The United States National Safety Council says that the safest car color is “one that is highly visible in the widest range of lighting, weather, and vision conditions.”
There are a number of studies that have supported the idea that lighter colored cars are safer than darker ones. One study done by the University of California showed that drivers react differently to car colors because car colors influence their judgment of the distance between themselves and other cars. The study found that colors such as blue and yellow made cars seem closer while gray made them seem further away. Besides judgments of distance, psychological studies have showed that color affects behavior – that we react differently to certain colors. Some colors may encourage us to react more aggressively than others.
In another study held by Daimer Benz, it was found that the color conspicuousness of cars (the extent to which a color attracts attention or notice) had a wide range. White was found to have a conspicuousness level of 86%, but colors such as black, dark red, and blue were found to be as low as 4%. Similar to the Daimer Benz study, which showed that lighter colored cars attract more attention, a study at the University of Auckland in New Zealand linked car color to rates of injury causing accidents. The study showed that those who drove brown cars were at the highest risk of sustaining an injury in a car crash. Colors such as black and green also showed a higher risk of involvement in injury-causing accidents. While darker colored cars were linked to the highest risk for drivers, those who drove silver cars were shown to have the lowest risk. It was found that those who drive silver cars are half as likely to be involved in accidents leading to injury than those who drove dark colors such as brown, black, or green.
Although there is no proven scientific data or statistic that pinpoints the safest color car, it is safe to say that lighter colored cars are better than darker when it comes to visibility. When it comes to which color car is the best, there are many factors that come into play that may make one car safest in one situation and another car safest in another situation depending on a number of variables such as background color, weather conditions, lightness, and time of day. For example, the visibility of a white car, which has the highest visibility at night as well as the highest visibility in uniform light, is less visible against clouds, snow, fog, or a bright sun. In these situations it is thought that a yellow car is better because of its high visibility (but if you want to avoid a ticket you may want to avoid abnormally bright colors such as yellow.) Although silver is thought to be a good color because it is not found in nature, it is also difficult to see against a sunrise or sunset. It is thought that red is the least visible car color and it is known that people have poor peripheral detection of red.
Note: Although having a certain color car may make you more visible to others, it is still important to watch the road, and pay attention to your own driving as well as that of others. Car color may increase or decrease the visibility of your car to others, but if they or you are not paying attention, car color will have no influence on the outcome. If the safety of car color is important to you it is best to choose a light color, but do not expect this to ensure your safety, or to prevent you from being involved in an accident.
The 2012 Philadelphia Auto Show
February 3rd, 2012
This year, the Philadelphia Auto Show runs from Saturday January 28th to Sunday February 5th. There will be over 700 vehicles to see at the show, with featured models as old as the 1953 Nash-Healey, and the new 2013 models from Chevrolet, Dodge, Cadillac, and more. Other categories of cars that can be seen this year include Exotic, Classic, and Green Technology cars – there’s something for everyone!
The Philadelphia Auto show offers a number of other fun activities which include indoor and outdoor “ride and drives” from Toyota, Cadillac, General Motors (Chevrolet, Buick, GMC), and Kia. This offers you the chance to take a ride through the designated course on the show floor or experience the cars while driving through the streets of Philadelphia! There will also be celebrity appearances on February 3rd and 4th from Philadelphia Flyers hockey players, Philadelphia Union soccer players, and even a UFC fighter. You can check the Philadelphia Auto Show website for specific times for each of these events.
Besides offering fun activities for visitors, the Auto Show has also worked hard to come up with ways in which they can raise money to help other organizations. On Friday January 27, at their annual Black Tie Tailgate, they raised over $25,000 for the Division of Gastroenterology, Hepatology, and Nutrition at The Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia. They have also decided to donate $2 of every Philadelphia Auto Show ticket purchased to the Auto Dealers CARing for Kids Foundation, which participates in campaigns such as Driving Away the Cold, which provides winter coats to children in the Greater Philadelphia Area. The work that has been done to help the local community through this event is incredible and we strongly encourage you to visit the show to not only enjoy yourself, but also help out a worthy cause.
The Philadelphia Auto Show is held at The Pennsylvania Convention Center located at 1101 Arch Street, Philadelphia PA 19107 – directions can be found on the Philadelphia Auto Show website. Adult tickets are only $12 with discounted tickets for children and seniors, and can be purchases online. The dates and times of the Auto Show are as follows:
Saturday, January 28: 9am – 10pm
Sunday, January 29: 9am – 8pm
Monday, January 30 – Friday, February 3: 12noon – 10pm
Saturday, February 4: 9am – 10pm
Sunday, February 5: 9am – 6pm
4 Care and Maintenance Tips To Help Keep Your Car Running In Good Condition
January 9th, 2012By following these four care and maintenance tips you may just be able to help prolong the life of your automobile.
1. Be Patient While You Break Your Car In!
So, you’ve just purchased your dream car, and now you want to make it last for as long as possible in its “new condition.” Here are some things to keep in mind as you pull it out of the dealer’s lot thinking about how you can keep it in “good” condition:
a. As you break your car in, the first 1,000 miles (1,600 km) keep your driving speed under 55 mph (88 kpm) or to the speed proposed by your car’s manufacturer.
b. Don’t let your new car idle for long periods of time—which is not only good advice to abide by for the life of your car, but especially while you break it in.
2. Make Sure Your Key Chain Isn’t Too Heavy!
If your car key shares a chain with a dozen other keys, that is a pretty heavy load hanging from your car key when it’s in your ignition. The weight of the other keys, combined with the bouncing while you drive, can wear out the tumblers inside the ignition and can eventually lead to your ignition switch failing. To add years to your ignition switch, you should drive with only the ignition key in your ignition. Also, if your ignition key “sticks” when you try to turn on the car, it’s a warning that your ignition switch is about to break.
3. Park In The “Shade”
A garage will always be the ideal place to park your car, but if one isn’t available, you can reduce the interior damage from UV sunlight and heat by parking in the shade. However, if no shade is available, or you find that there are too many “bird droppings” on your car, you can use a car shade to reduce how much sun enters into your car. Car shades also render your car cooler during those hot and sunny days.
4. Make Sure The Inside Of Your Car Stays Clean
Try to vacuum and clean the inside of your car every time you wash its outside because dirt particles can turn out to be abrasive, and spilled liquids (such as soda) can be corrosive!
4 Tips To Help Keep Your Car In Good Shape
December 6th, 2011Trying to avoid expensive bills from your mechanic? Try some of these four tips for keeping your ride in good shape.
Waterproof Your Windshield
Many manufacturers suggest changing your blades every 3 months as well as keeping spare blades in your trunk. Also, a product such as “Rain Clear” can help reduce the work of your wipers. Spray “Rain Clear” onto the glass every few weeks—in some light rains, it makes the wipers useless!
Eradicate Disruptions
As driving instructors stress, your hands are likely to follow where your eyes are looking. Changing the radio dial can take a few seconds—and those are seconds where your eyes may not be on the road (and both hands may not be steering!) Also, using your phone worsens your risk of having a crash. Reaching for a moving object increases it almost ten times…worst of all is texting…which makes you nearly thirty times more likely to crash.
Lower Your Seat!
Those who sit higher often feel as if they’re driving slower. So, SUV drivers (who are already steering the vehicles most prone to roll) drive faster because they feel like they’re tiptoeing along. Therefore, lower your seat to acquire the feeling of going faster.
Confirm Where Your Hands Are!
You should know that your seat is placed properly when you can put your wrists over the top of your steering wheel. Remember, don’t grasp the wheel as you would a tennis racket (with your thumbs enveloped around so that they unite in back with your fingers.) Instead, leave your thumbs on top of the wheel, if you don’t, the wheel may whip back around and break your thumbs.
Choosing A Windshield Auto Glass Professional
November 14th, 2011Windshield repair is a specialized field that requires its own certifications, warranties, and quality of work. It is important that for when you are in the market searching for a windshield technician that you choose one that will not only give you results, but will also save you time and money. Repairs that are not done properly or without the best training can do more damage to your vehicle than you think. Make sure the glass professional installing your windshield is certified. This means the individual has received the right training to use windshield tools properly and can provide you with the most seamless finish. Also, ask how much training the technician has in the field. Finally, ask the professional what is the end goal of their work. Keep in mind that the final work must provide you and your passenger’s safety while restoring the overall structure of the windshield frame.
The company that you choose should also come with a few standard guarantees such as estimates and warranties provided in writing. It is always best to protect yourself and your investment by getting everything in writing. If the windshield repair company does not provide this, they may not be the best one for you. In addition, warranties can include everything from materials to labor. Just stick with the comprehensive policy, since technician errors may happen in the future (that you should not be held liable for.)
Trust is key with any type of repair since because you do not know when the next time will be that you need their services. When it comes to your vehicle’s safety and quality, your auto glass professional does more than just make your car look like new again!
Archives
- May 2012
- April 2012
- March 2012
- February 2012
- January 2012
- December 2011
- November 2011
- July 2011
- June 2011
- April 2011
- March 2011
- January 2011
- December 2010
- November 2010
- October 2010
- September 2010
- August 2010
- July 2010
Categories
- Auto Repair Services (14)
- Car Cleaning (1)
- Car Maintenance (3)
- Collision Repair (3)
- Painting (3)
- Philadelphia Car News (1)
- Saftety (4)
- Uncategorized (3)
- Windshield Repair Services (1)
Request an Estimate
Please fill out the form below.
