How to Change Your Brake Pads

 

Very few things on your car will be as important to you as a properly working braking system. Effective brake pads are a crucial part of this system. Once you determine that your brake pads are ready to be replaced, this process is something you can do at home with the right tools and a free weekend afternoon.

First, you have to start with removing the old brake pads. It’s a good idea to place blocks behind the wheels to help keep the car from rolling while you are working on it. You’ll want to you use car’s jack to lift it up and remove the tire and wheel so that the brake rotor and caliper are exposed. Using a wrench, loosen the bolts holding the caliper in place and lift it off the brake rotor. Do not allow the caliper to be left hanging by the brake line, as it will still be attached at this point. Use a piece of hanger wire to secure the caliper. Ensure the brake line is not pinched, kinked, or tightly wrapped in any way.

Turn the caliper over and you’ll be able to see the brake pads. Take off whatever hardware is holding the pads in place and slide them out from the caliper. Before you install the new brake pads, you will need to manually retract the caliper piston.

Using a C-clamp, place the end with the screw on it against the piston. The pressure on the piston will increase as you turn the screw. When you have enough room to do so, slip the new brake pads into place. Replace the hardware that kept the old pads in place.

Next, move the caliper back into its resting place over the rotor and tighten the bolts to keep it from moving. Give the brake pedal a few pumps to make sure everything feels right to you. Put your wheel back on, tighten the nuts, and lower the car back to the ground with your jack. It’s as simple as that.

Top Five Ways to Keep Your Vehicle Running Forever

 

You may set out to buy a car that you can drive for several years, however sometimes circumstances change and you may be seeking a new car sooner than expected. Perhaps a new model comes out that you just have to have. Or maybe an addition to your family has you in the market for a bigger vehicle. However, don’t let the reason you get rid of your current vehicle be that it has not held up well over the years. You can greatly extend the life of your car and reduce the chances of mechanical mishaps by sticking to the tips below to keep your car in tip-top shape for the long haul.

1 – Be Gentle During Start-up. If your engine has been turned off for more than five hours, all of the oil will have seeped down to the oil pan. The engine needs at least 30 seconds after start-up to get the oil pump to adequately lubricate the moving parts before you put it gear and take off. If the car has sat for more than 24 hours, give it a little more time during start-up.

2 – Follow Recommend Service Schedules. While this is common sense to a lot of us, there are still too many cars on the road that don’t receive proper and timely maintenance. The owner’s manual of your car has a vehicle maintenance schedule set forth by the manufacturer listed right inside. Follow this guide. After all, the manufacturer built the car so they know what’s best for it.

3 – Listen for Irregular Sounds. Every once in a while, opt out of your karaoke session in your car and simply listen to it. Listen for any odd noises coming from the vehicle, both while idle and while driving. Clicking, scratching, or grinding noises are not normal and could be your best indicator that a problem is at bay. Have this looked at before it becomes a bigger hassle and expense.

4 – Practice Being a Calm Driver. There’s no need to drive like a racecar champ through your suburban neighborhood, so take it easy on your car. Driving too hard and jamming on your brakes will have your car out of commission in no time. Avoid stress on the transmission by taking it easy on the gears as well. Be sure the car is at a complete stop before switching into reverse. Being a calm driver also saves you money. Having an easy-does-it attitude on the road improves fuel economy by almost 35 percent.

5 – Regularly Check Tire Pressure and Fluids. Oil is the most important engine fluid. Take about 10 minutes out of your day occasionally to check the oil reservoir level. When your engine is cool, open the hood of your car and pull of the oil dipstick. Use a rag to wipe it clean then put it back in and pull it out again to check the level. Use a pressure gauge to make sure each tire is properly inflated according to your owner’s manual or by the tire manufacturer’s specifications.

One more piece of advice is to start with a car you love. Did you know the average American spends over 18 hours per week in their car? Make sure you are spending all that time is a vehicle you love to drive. A little TLC for a car you love to begin with will undoubtedly keep you driving it longer as well.

 

Replacing Your Headlight Bulb

 

Want to know a sure fire way to get pulled over? Drive with a headlight out and at the very least you’ll find blue lights flashing in your rearview mirror. Avoid the hassle and expense this can cost you by checking your headlights periodically and replacing them yourself if needed. Use the easy to follow steps below as a guide to replacing your headlight bulb.

Step 1 – Located the bulb holder. Look for a trapezoid-shaped plug that has three wires coming out of it.

Step 2 – Unhook the bulb holder. The plug the three wires are attached to is at the base of the headlight. It is held in place by either a plastic catch, a metal clip, or a screw cap. If it’s a plastic catch, press the little lever sticking up at the top of the plug with your thumb while you gently pull the plug out. If you see a metal clip, simply pull it off. If it’s a screw cap, turn it counter-clockwise to loosen it.

Step 3 – Remove the old bulb. With the wiring gone, the bulb should be easily accessible and can be pulled out.

Step 4 – Insert the new bulb into place. Hold the bulb by the plug end and slide it into the back of the headlight. When the bulb is lined up evenly and none of its rubber gasket is showing, then you will know it is in all the way.

Step 5 – Re-secure the wiring. Put the wiring back in and give the headlights a test. It’s as simple as that!

Now remember, these steps are only for most halogen headlight systems, so if your car has sealed beam headlights these steps won’t help.

Easy Car Repairs You Can Do at Home

 

For many drivers, a car repair can be nothing short of a horror story. The car won’t start. The battery… it’s dead! Dollar signs dance before your eyes as your cell phone seems to dial the tow truck all by itself. What’s that silhouette coming over the hill behind you? It’s The Mechanic, a gruesome beast here to sap you of next week’s paycheck. He’s getting closer, there’s nowhere to run!

The good news is that you can avoid a scary service bill with a little forethought and these easy at-home car repairs. Not all car repairs can be done at home (can you say serpentine belt?), but there are a few quick fixes that are easy and inexpensive.

Replace a Car Battery - This is an easy one that can save you around $30 when you skip the repair shop. A replacement takes up to 45 minutes to complete, and you will need to wear some protective gear.

Change Windshield Wiper Blades – This is a 10-minute repair that could cost you nearly $50 in the service station. Wiper blades tend to cost under $20, so the savings are significant. Read our blog below for simple steps on how to do this yourself.

Fix a Burnt-Out Tail Light – How many mechanics does it take to change a light bulb? About $20 - $100 worth (depending on your car model). But getting pulled over for a burnt-out tail light is no fun, so it is a good idea to fix a bad bulb as soon as possible. Look for our next blog to feature steps on how to change the bulb yourself.

Jump-Start a Dead Battery – In our drive-in scenario, hopefully there would be a nice bearded man in a pick-up truck that is more than happy to help you jump-start your car. In case he turns out to be a little old lady without jumper cables or a clue, you’d better learn how to jumpstart a dead car battery. Progressive has a set of jump-start instructions to study before you find yourself in trouble.

While you can save a lot of money by taking on simple car repairs, you should also know when to throw in the towel. Modern cars are complicated, with onboard diagnostics systems and engines that can be hard to work around. If you aren’t sure of how to proceed, go to a knowledgeable mechanic. It is best to get an expert on the job than to risk doing further damage to your car.

How To Replace Your Windshield Wipers

As summer is drawing to an end, cooler and rainy weather are just around the corner. Be sure your windshield wipers are in proper working order and replace the blades if necessary. Follow our simple steps below to change out wiper blades yourself at a time convenient for you.

Step 1 – Before you begin, make sure the new wiper blades are the same length as the ones you are replacing. This will ensure you are getting the optimal coverage on your windshield.

Step 2 – Gently pull the spring loaded wiper arm from its resting place on the windshield until the arm is perpendicular to the windshield. The arm will be able to stay up without you having to hold it once it reaches this position.

Step 3 – Apply pressure to the release pin of the wiper arm and remove the old wiper blade.

Step 4 – Slip the new wiper blade into place over the wiper arm and insert the clip into the hook to lock it in. Duplicate these steps for the other windshield wiper blade.

Step 5 – Start your vehicle and test the new wiper blades for proper operation before hitting the road.

In no time at all, you’ll be an expert at perform simple repairs like this at yourself.

10 Items You Should Always Keep in Your Car

Cars break down. It’s only a matter of time before a blown tire, a stalled engine, or transmission issues interrupt your travel plans. Don’t be left helpless and hopeless on the side of the road. Be prepared for these potential problems before they happen. Keeping an emergency supply kit in your car can really save the day (or night) if you find yourself unable to drive and in need of a tow.

If you want to save yourself the time of putting together your own emergency road kit, there are several options of prepackaged kits available at a variety of stores. However, the majority of these kits don’t include supplies for keeping vehicle passengers comfortable and happy until help arrives. We’ve compiled a list of 10 things to keep in your car at all times in addition to an emergency road kit:

1.       Water – Since you can’t plan for roadside emergencies, you can’t plan for how long they will have you stranded. A few one-liter bottles of water should be kept in your car.

2.       Food – We’re not saying that you need to keep a feast in your trunk just in case you miss a meal due to a roadside problem, but it’s a good idea to keep a few high-calorie items, such as fitness bars, in your car to keep hunger pains away. Individually wrapped nonperishable items like granola bars will easily satisfy short-term hunger. Remember to swap out water and food items quarterly or semi-annually to make sure they are fresh.

3.       Clothing – Throw an extra pair of sweatpants and a windbreaker in your trunk. Warm and waterproof clothing can make a big difference when you are stuck in cold or rainy weather.

4.       First Aid Kit – This one is pretty self-explanatory. A basic first aid kit can be found at almost any convenience or specialty store and should be kept in your car at all times.

5.       Flashlight – Keep a simple, good sized flashlight and extra batteries in your car if your emergency road kit did not come with one.

6.       Lighter – Unless you spend every weekend on an adventure in the wilderness, you probably can’t start a fire by hand. If you find yourself out of your car and off the well beaten path in extreme cases it may be necessary to start a fire for light and warm.

7.       Blanket – Keeping an extra blanket from your linen closet in the car can really come in handy.

8.       Tow Rope – As long as you have another vehicle that is able to pull you out, a tow rope is a quick solution to getting your car out from over an embankment.

9.       Additional Tools – A basic tool kit can be improved with the addition of a proper jack, a lug wrench that fits, and a roll of duct tape.

10.   Jumper Cables – One of the main reasons you may find yourself on the side of the road is due to a dead battery. Jumper cables and a willing partner to actually give you the jump are a quicker and cheaper solution than calling a service to do it for you.

Five Easy Steps to Changing a Tire

If you have gone your entire life without changing a tire, consider yourself lucky. However, if you are like most of us, this nuisance of this task has crossed your path at least one time. Here are few easy steps to help eliminate the stress of changing a tire:

Step 1 – Gather the tools you’ll need. If your car came with a spare tire, most car manufactures will also place the essential tools you will need to change that tire next to it under the trunk floor. Upon lifting the flooring, you should find a spare tire, diamond jack, and tire iron.

Step 2 – Loosen lug nuts. The lug nuts holding the wheel to the hub will need to be loosened before you beginning using the diamond jack to lift the car. Use the tire iron and some elbow grease to loosen the lug nuts. Be careful not to round off the edges with all that force or you won’t be able to get them off yourself. Do not remove the lug nuts all the way, just to the point where you will be able to use your hands to unscrew them the rest of the way.

Step 3 – Crank the car up. Now it’s time to use the jack. The jack needs to be located under the vehicle so that it pushed up on the frame in order to raise the car correctly. Typically car frames will have a notch next to each tire where the top of the jack will fit. After placing the jack under this slot, twist the lever to start opening the jack and the car should start rising.

Step 4 – Welcome new tire. Use your hands to unscrew the lug nuts the rest of the way. Remove the flat tire by pulling it straight off and make the new tire match up with the holes on the rim with the bolts on the car. Lift the spare tire up and hold it in place as you tighten the lug nuts by hand. When the lug nuts are as tight as you can get them by hand, lower the car slowly with the jack.

Step 5 – Tighten lug nuts. When the car is safely back on level ground, finish tightening the lug nuts with the tire iron. Be sure to tighten lug nuts in a diagonal pattern (ie: after tightening the first one, go to the lug nut diagonally across from it).

To help you feel more comfortable, there is no harm in practicing these steps in the safety of your driveway before you actually have to use them on the road. Practice makes perfect and in doing so you’ll have the confidence you need to change your own tire the next time it is necessary.