Monday, November 24, 2014

Winterizing Your Vehicle | Nissan 422 of Limerick



Are you ready for the upcoming winter and what it will be offering? Before you rush to the store for the last gallon of milk and loaf of bread, you’ll want to be sure your car is ready to battle the elements. Follow these tips before venturing out into the winter wonderland.
  • Get a Tune-Up. Have your mechanic check your hoses, belts 
    and anti-freeze. A weakened hose or belt can break and leave you stranded, or a 
    weak solution of anti-freeze can ice up and damage your cooling system. 
  • Check Your Battery. Make sure your car’s battery connection 
    is clean, tight and corrosion-free. The battery should be securely mounted. If 
    the battery is three years old or more, have it tested and replace it if 
    necessary.  
  • Check Your Heater and Defroster. If your heater isn’t 
    working, you’ll probably know. But what about front and rear defrosters? Before 
    you’re faced with a frosty windshield, turn your front and rear defrosters on 
    and off to make sure they’re working. 
  • Give Yourself a Brake. If you have the slightest concern 
    that something’s amiss with your brakes, get them inspected immediately. If you 
    have anti-lock brakes, you should avoid pumping the brakes if you begin to 
    slide.  
  • Have Your Exhaust System Checked. Ask your mechanic to 
    double check the exhaust system for leaks, which can emit dangerous carbon 
    monoxide into your car. If you become stuck in the snow and want to run the 
    engine and heater, make sure your tail pipe is clear of the snow and crack open 
    a window to avoid carbon monoxide poisoning, which can be fatal. 
  • Fill up with Washer Fluid. Slush and mud splashed on a 
    windshield can spell danger for a winter driver. Make sure your washer fluid 
    reservoir is sufficiently full, and keep a spare jug in the trunk. 
  • Consider New Wiper Blades. Even if your windshield wiper blades 
    are in good condition, you might want to upgrade to a rubber coated snow blade 
    that can handle the extra weight of wet snow. They’re not expensive, and could 
    make your winter driving a lot safer in the long run. 
  • Take a Look at Your Tires. Your tires need to have adequate 
    tread with “grip” to propel you through the snow. 
  • Fill Her Up! One of the best driving tips for winter is to 
    keep your tank more than half full at all times. It will help you avoid 
    freezing in your fuel lines, and will keep you safer in winter weather 
    situations.
If for any reason you are in need of assistance with any one of these safety precautions please give us a call and we will be happy to help you in any way we can. Please give us a call at  (888) 418-6117.

Friday, November 7, 2014

Five Habits that will Ruin Your Vehicle | Nissan 422 of Limerick



Avoiding these habits can go a long way in preventing an expensive repair bill.

Most things you own will last longer if you take care of them and treat them well. Your car is no exception to this rule. While neglecting your car may seem harmless in the short term, regular neglect and mistreatment will add up and will reduce your car’s lifespan. To keep your car running longer and stronger, avoid these five harmful habits.

1. Delaying regular maintenance
Regularly maintaining your car is vital to your car’s longevity. Regular maintenance includes oil and filter replacement, as well as transmission fluid, air filter and brake pad care. Every vehicle manufacturer specifies a different maintenance routine, which can be found in your owner’s manual. While regular maintenance requires you to invest some time and money, it’s peanuts compared to the cost of a new engine or transmission.

2. Ignoring dash warning lights
When a warning indicator lights up on your dash panel, it’s important to address the problem immediately. If you don’t know what the light means, check your owner’s manual or call your mechanic. Dash warning lights can alert you to some very serious problems, such as a coolant leak, which can cause your engine to overheat. A simple preventative repair can often prevent a large problem down the line.

3. Shifting while moving
The transmission is one of the most complex and expensive parts in your car and it’s important to use is as it was intended. Be careful not to shift from drive to reverse or vice versa while the car is still moving. This “jerky” shifting places excess strain on the transmission’s internal gears and can instantly destroy it.

4. Jerky driving
We all know someone who accelerates wildly on every straightaway only to brake hard at a traffic light or stop sign. This type of driving won’t destroy your car immediately, but will cause your engine, transmission and brake system to deteriorate much more quickly than intended. Cars that have been abused will have premature fluid leaks, broken seals and mechanical problems.

5. Putting off tire replacement
Tires for some cars can be expensive, so replacing them is an unwelcome cost. Driving on bald tires is very risky, however. If a tire blows out while you’re driving, you can lose control of your vehicle and have a serious accident. And if you drive with bald tires in the rain, the risk of hydroplaning goes up tremendously. A new set of tires may seem pricey, but probably costs less than your car, and even less than your insurance deductible.