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.

Tune-Ups save money!!

Treat your car to a tune-up and get better gas mileage in return. According to the Car Care Council, even today’s modern vehicles need a periodic tune-up and that can save big at the pump.

“Regular tune-ups are an investment that really pays off. A well-maintained vehicle is not only more fuel efficient and environmentally friendly, but performs better and is safer and more reliable,” said Rich White, executive director, Car Care Council.

The council recommends a 21st Century tune-up during which the fuel, emissions and ignition systems are checked, as well as the battery, charging and starting system, and the engine mechanical and powertrain control systems. Keeping a car properly tuned can improve gas mileage by an average of 4 percent.

In addition to performing a tune-up, keeping tires properly inflated improves gas mileage by 3 percent. A clean air filter can improve fuel efficiency by as much as 14 percent on older vehicles and also helps the environment, as do regular oil and oil filter changes. Air filters are usually inspected during an oil change, which should be performed regularly as recommended in the owner’s manual. Tire pressure should be checked monthly.

White reminds motorists that many fluids and components replaced during vehicle service should be properly recycled or disposed of, including oil and oil filters, coolant, batteries, tires, and brake, transmission and power steering fluids.

To learn more about the benefits of a well-maintained vehicle, view the Car Care Council’s 21^st Century Tune-Up Car Care Minute video or visit www.carcare.org.

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 more information, visit www.carcare.org.

Smell the warning signs

Most vehicles start out with a “new car smell,” but there are other specific odors that motorists should never ignore. Identifying these suspect smells early on can help car owners be car care aware and avoid the hassle and expense of an unexpected breakdown, says the Car Care Council.

“Unusual smells can be the sign of serious, and potentially costly, trouble for your vehicle. By acting quickly and making necessary repairs, you’ll be able to breathe easy knowing there is no harmful damage to your car,” said Rich White, executive director, Car Care Council.

The Car Care Council recommends a sniff test of your vehicle to identify any unusual smells, including the following six warning signs:

1.  The smell of burnt rubber could be slipping drive belts or misplaced loose hoses that might be rubbing against rotating accessory drive pulleys. Do not reach in if the engine compartment is hot.

2.  The smell of hot oil could mean that oil is leaking onto the exhaust system. To verify the leak, look for oil on the pavement or smoke coming from the engine area.

3.  The smell of gasoline is likely the sign of a gas leak in some area of the vehicle such as a fuel injector line or the fuel tank. Any smell of fuel can result in a possible fire hazard, so immediate attention should be given.

4.  The sweet smell of syrup may be a sign that your car is leaking engine coolant from a leaky component related to the car’s cooling system. Do not open the radiator cap when it is hot.

5.  The smell of burning carpet could be a sign of brake trouble and a safety hazard. Have your brakes checked right away, especially if this smell is happening during normal driving conditions.

6.  The smell of rotten eggs is never a good one and, if you smell it coming from your vehicle, it could mean a problem with your catalytic converter not converting the hydrogen sulfide in the exhaust to sulfur dioxide properly. This smell can also be attributed to a poor running engine, causing the catalytic converter to become overloaded and fail due to meltdown.

“When you smell any peculiar odor, you should not ignore it. Instead bring your vehicle to a professional service technician that you trust to get an informed opinion on the nature of the odor,” concluded White.

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.

Is your information safe at the pump?

Almost every gas station has the option to pay for your fuel at the pump by using your debit or credit card, but is it safe to do so? Devices called “skimmers” are one threat that can compromise the safety of your bank account, and can be present right on the pump you use every day.

It’s a problem that’s increasing in occurrence around the country. Thieves nabbing your debit card or credit card details. Clever criminals are using new technology to get the details of your bank account without even having to interact with the machine.

“These devices are essentially fitted on top of, or in place of regular card readers,” says Miranda Perry from Scambook, an online consumer complaint resolution site.

“It’s worrying that they’re now becoming more common on pumps” she says. “We used to see them exclusively on ATMs, but the technology has advanced and they can put them almost anywhere.

How often do you pay for gas at the pump using a credit or debit card? You might be at risk of a compromised account.

“These devices are capable of picking up all the information on your card and your PIN number as well.”

Perry and Scambook is advising consumers to be wary of these skimmers, which can be set up and left alone; transmitting information via Bluetooth. This means that thieves can potentially set up a skimming device and never return to the gas pump.

Not only that but they’re becoming far more common these days. “We’re definitely seeing more warnings from local law enforcement,” says Perry, “And usually the thieves start off in smaller cities.”

The Scambook cites an example from Oklahoma, where two thieves used skimmers at Murphy’s gas pumps for nearly two months before being caught. The total money swiped? $400,000.

It’s advised that consumers should carefully inspect the card reader at the gas station before inserting their card or pin number. If it looks shifty, or has been tampered with, then maybe it’s a better idea to pay in the store, or with cash.

“There’s a few signs that hint at a skimmer” warns Perry. “Usually they will accept any PIN  number you enter in.”

Take a close look at the card readers at the other pumps at the gas station? Does yours appear shoddy compared to other pumps, or is it a different size or color? If so, bring it up with the gas station attendant.

Despite the added convenience and speed of using a card at the pump, it might not be as safe as you’d hope. If you’re suspicious of a card reader at a gas pump, be sure to tell the owners and alert the authorities.

“Ideally I’d advise everyone to use cash or a pre-paid credit card,” says Perry. A pre-paid credit card is a good way to budget your gas-expenses for a road trip, and keeps your bank account safe from high-tech thieves.

Frank Gersich - Co-Owner

952-808-0031   fgersich@burnsvillemotors.com

Frank is co-owner of Burnsville Motors.