Happy Thanksgiving

New Infographic: 6 Vehicle Warning Smells

The new inforgraphic from the Car Care Council outlines six car smells that could mean trouble for your vehicle. The infographic is based off a recent press release titled “Six Vehicle Warning Signs Your Nose Can Recognize” and a non-technical approach to understanding when something may be wrong with your car.

Remember, once you know what a smell may be, don’t delay in fixing it to ensure you are safe on the road!

Does my Car Need a Wheel Alignment?

If your car feels shaky and the steering wheel is vibrating, it may need a wheel alignment. An alignment is an important part of vehicle maintenance that will save you money in the long run.

WHAT IS A WHEEL ALIGNMENT?

An alignment involves adjusting three main angles of your tiresto ensure the car is tracking straight, or driving where you point the steering wheel. Over time, your car’s suspension endures enough abuse from the road to shuffle and jostle things out of their original position.

Given enough time on the road, this happens to every car. Add other mishaps like bumping into a curb or driving over a speed bump too quickly and your suspension and steering can be rendered unsafe.

HOW DO I KNOW IF MY CAR NEEDS AN ALIGNMENT

If your steering wheel is off center but the car is driving straight, it’s probably time for an alignment. Alternatively, you can probably draw the same conclusion if the steering wheel is centered, but the car isn’t driving straight.

Finally, it’s time to seriously consider an alignment if the car wanders from side to side on the road.

WHY GET AN ALIGNMENT?

If your alignment isn’t correct, the car will react differently to than the manufacturer intended and the more time you drive your misaligned vehicle, the more damage you’ll do to the suspension and steering components.

Additionally, the lifespan of your tirescan suffer drastically from poor alignment. Tires are designed with the idea that a specific part will make contact with the road. A misaligned car will put them at an incorrect angle, meaning that the right part of the tire isn’t making contact with the road. Your tireswill wear unevenly or wear out sooner than they should, which means you’ll have to replace them more frequently.

SAVE TIRES, SAVE FUEL

Fuel economy is another major reason to get your alignment checked. In addition to forcing more frequent tire purchases, the improper way the tire rolls on the road will create more resistance, forcing your car to work harder, using more fuel.

Getting your alignment checked is an excellent way to ensure your safety and proper operation of your car. Spending a little bit to get your alignment fixed will save you money on tiresand fuel in the future. Costing about $80 to $100, an alignment is good money spent for safety, fuel savings and peace of mind.

Is your car ready for winter?

Winterizing your vehicle is a wise idea, says the Car Care Council.  An investment of an hour or two to have your vehicle checked is all it takes to have peace of mind and help avoid the cost and hassle of a breakdown during severe weather.

“The last thing any driver needs is a vehicle that breaks down in cold, harsh winter weather,” said Rich White, executive director, Car Care Council. “A vehicle check before the temperatures drop is a sensible way to avoid the inconvenience of being stranded out in the cold and with the unexpected expense of emergency repairs.”

The Car Care Council recommends the following nine steps for winterizing your vehicle.

1. Have the battery and charging system checked for optimum performance. Cold weather is hard on batteries.
2. Clean, flush and put new antifreeze in the cooling system. As a general rule of thumb, this should be done every two years.
3. Make sure heaters, defrosters and wipers work properly. Consider winter wiper blades and use cold weather washer fluid. As a general rule, wiper blades should be replaced every six months.
4. Check the tire tread depth and tire pressure. If snow and ice are a problem in your area, consider special tires designed to grip slick roads. During winter, tire pressure should be checked weekly.
5. Be diligent about changing the oil and filter at recommended intervals. Dirty oil can spell trouble in winter. Consider changing to “winter weight” oil if you live in a cold climate. Have your technician check the fuel, air and transmission filters at the same time.
6. If you’re due for a tune-up, have it done before winter sets in. Winter magnifies existing problems such as pings, hard starts, sluggish performance or rough idling.
7. Have the brakes checked. The braking system is the vehicle’s most important safety item.
8. Have the exhaust system checked for carbon monoxide leaks, which can be especially dangerous during cold weather driving when windows are closed.
9. Check to see that exterior and interior lights work and headlights are properly aimed.

Motorists should also keep the gas tank at least half full at all times to decrease the chances of moisture forming in the gas lines and possibly freezing. Drivers should check the tire pressure of the spare in the trunk and stock an emergency kit with an ice scraper and snowbrush, jumper cables, flashlight, flares, blanket, extra clothes, candles/matches, bottled water, dry food snacks and needed medication.

The Car Care Council is the source of information for the “Be Car Care Aware” consumer education campaign promoting the benefits of regular vehicle care, maintenance and repair to consumers. For a copy of the council’s Car Care Guide or for more information, visit www.carcare.org.