The IDEA Publishing
  • HOME
  • Popular IDEAS
    • IDEAS for Your Better Business Life >
      • The Business Idea
      • The Career IDEA
      • The Money Idea
    • IDEAS for Your Better Diversions >
      • The Tech IDEA
      • The Travel IDEA
      • The Auto IDEA
      • The Outdoors IDEA
    • IDEAS for a Better Table >
      • The Food IDEA
      • IDEAS de Cocina Espanola
    • IDEAS for a Better You >
      • The Health IDEA
      • Living Well IDEAS
      • The Fitness IDEA
      • The Beauty IDEA
    • IDEAS for a Happier Home >
      • The Home Idea
      • The Entertaining Idea
      • The Parenting Idea
      • The Senior Living IDEA
      • The Pet IDEA
  • The Video Domain
    • Video IDEAS for Your Better Business Life
  • About
  • Contact
  • ads.txt
the_auto_idea
The Auto IDEA

The Auto IDEA

The Best and Latest News on All Things in the Car Kingdom!

5 tips for drivers hitting the open road this spring

4/25/2019

Comments

 
woman-checking-tires-on-car

Just as spring cleaning your house is a habit, so should a spring tune-up for your car, especially before that much-anticipated road trip. Even though more than one in three drivers (37%) say they want to stay on top of car maintenance this year, what many people don’t realize is that the snow, freezing temperatures and salt, as well as potholes that develop as the roads finally thaw, can do a number on your car. Make sure your car is in top shape for any trip with five spring cleaning tune-ups.


(BPT) - Americans are ready for spring weekend getaways and road trips. According to the latest Gauge Index survey from Hankook Tire, most of us are planning an outdoor getaway. The beach (51%) is the top vacation Americans are planning this spring, followed by a national park (39%) for the outdoorsy type and an amusement park (31%) for the thrill seekers.

Just as spring cleaning your house is a habit, so should a spring tune-up for your car, especially before that much-anticipated road trip. Even though more than one in three drivers (37%) say they want to stay on top of car maintenance this year, what many people don’t realize is that the snow, freezing temperatures and salt, as well as potholes that develop as the roads finally thaw, can do a number on your car. Make sure your car is in top shape for any trip with five spring cleaning tune-ups:

1) Check your oil

The survey found that a quarter of Americans would like to learn how to change their oil. While actually changing your oil is a bit more involved, checking oil levels before heading out is just a matter of looking under the hood. To do so, be sure the car is on level ground, let the oil settle for a few minutes, then pull out the dipstick — it usually has a yellow or red handle, but the owner’s manual will direct you where to look. Wipe the dipstick clean, then push it all the way back in, wait a second, and withdraw again. If the oil lands between the two markers, you’re ready to roll. Otherwise it’s time for an oil change.

2) Monitor your air pressure

A quick air check can be the difference between a bumpy road trip and smooth sailing. Begin by driving around for a couple of miles because tires that have been parked for a while won’t have as accurate of a pressure reading. Then remove the valve cap from the tire, place the pressure gauge on the valve stem, and press until the hiss sound disappears and the gauge offers a reading. This reading should match the recommended PSI, which you can find on the driver’s side door jamb or in the owner’s manual. If the reading indicates the tires need air, head to your local tire shop or gas station.

This is also a good time to check all four tires’ treads. Insert a penny with Lincoln’s head facing down — and if his entire head is visible, it’s time to replace your tires. For those who do need new tires, be sure to consider your driving habits and upcoming travel destinations, to ensure a flat tire doesn’t hold up any adventure. If you’re among the 44% of drivers who consider themselves adventurous like an SUV and are heading off the beaten path, consider rugged off-road tires, like the Hankook Dynapro AT2 All-Terrain Tire.

3) Replace your windshield wipers

Snow and ice can really wear down the blades on windshield wipers. Look for cracks, creases or imperfections in the blade’s rubber, or if you notice streaks or grime on your windshield when using the wipers, it’s time to replace! Make sure the washer fluid is topped off by looking at the white, translucent container with a windshield or water symbol on it. Then just remove the cap and check the fluid level in the reservoir so that you’re ready to handle any weather down the road.

4) Update your roadside assistance

Spring is a good time to make sure your roadside assistance plan is up to date — especially for the 42% of drivers behind the wheel of a vehicle six years or older. Be sure your service card is valid to give yourself peace of mind for any trip.

5) Wash your car

Snow and salt can leave a lasting impact, especially within the wheel wells of a car. Give your vehicle a thorough cleaning to prevent any rust or permanent damage. Besides, everyone wants their car to look shiny and clean in those road-trip social media posts as they head out for their spring getaways!
No matter what destination drivers are steering toward this spring, a few quick tune-ups will keep things running smoothly, all season long.
​


KEYWORDS

  • accidents×
  • advice×
  • auto×
  • automobile×
  • autos×
  • BPT×
  • Brandpoint Content×
  • car×
  • cars×
  • car trip×
  • consumers×
  • drivers×
  • driver safety×
  • driving×
  • hacks×
  • highways×
  • lifehacks×
  • maintenance×
  • motor oil×
  • oil×
  • oil change×
  • research×
  • road trip×
  • safety×
  • salt×
  • snow×
  • survey×
  • tips×
  • tire×
  • tire pressure×
  • tires×
  • tire tread×
  • tread×
  • wear×
  • windshield wipers×
  • winter×
  • winter driving×
  • wiper blades×
  • wipers

RSS Feed

Comments

Tips and tricks to keep your car looking new

6/29/2018

Comments

 
tips_and_tricks_to_keep_your_car_looking_new
Tips and tricks to keep your car looking new

​You can celebrate springtime by spending some time enjoying the fresh outdoor air and showing your car some love ahead of upcoming family vacations and summer road trips with friends. Start with these smart and simple tips to improve your ride.


(BPT) - The colder weather is fleeting, flowers are blossoming and the grass is just a little greener, which means spring is finally here. While most of your time will be spent preparing your home, clothes and family calendars for the warmer weather, it’s important not to forget about your car.
In fact, you can celebrate springtime by spending some time enjoying the fresh outdoor air and showing your car some love ahead of upcoming family vacations and summer road trips with friends. Start with these smart and simple tips to improve your ride:

Freshen up the interior

Interior and exterior cleaning makes a big difference in keeping a car looking and driving its best, but that doesn’t solve odor issues. To finalize spring car prep and maintenance, make sure to use a product that will leave the car smelling as good as it looks. Innovative and discrete vent sticks and mini diffusers from Refresh Your Car! come in a wide variety of scents, like Lemon Lime Sunshine, and are an affordable, long-lasting way to keep a car smelling great!
​
Clean and protect your interior

The interior, especially leather, is the most used and abused part of a car. Over time, constant use and sun damage can result in you leather interior drying out, causing it to fade, crack and rip. A quick and trusted way to address this issue is to use Lexol Leather Cleaner & Conditioner. The easy two-step process will help clean, restore and protect a car’s interior, keeping it looking and feeling like new.

Check your battery

The colder the weather, the harder a battery and charging system need to work in a car. Start by making sure the battery is mounted correctly and the connections are free from corrosion. Also, consider replacing the battery if it’s older than five years, which will ensure you don’t get stranded out on the road.

Check and replace basic car items

Before heading out on any lengthy adventures, make sure the car is up-to-date on oil changes. During the oil change a technician should also check and replenish other fluids like the brake, transmission, windshield wiper and power steering fluids, as well as your coolant. This often forgotten about maintenance will help a car run smoothly for months to come.

Wash and wax

No matter the season, a car that is driven daily is constantly battling the elements, which can cause damage to its exterior. Washing regularly and waxing at least twice a year is an easy way to keep a car looking its best, protecting it from damaging UV rays, road debris, tree sap and rusting. When washing and protecting, don’t forget about tires and wheels. The Eagle One A2Z All Wheel & Tire Cleaner is an affordable, easy-to-use spray that clings to the dirt on the surface of most wheels and tires, easily removing brake dust, grime and grease; giving your wheels and tires a spotless, professional look.

These simple tips can keep a car clean, fresh and running smoothly throughout the hectic summer driving season.

KEYWORDS

  • advice×
  • appeaarance×
  • auto×
  • automobile×
  • autos×
  • battery×
  • BPT×
  • Brandpoint Content×
  • car×
  • car care×
  • cars×
  • cleaning×
  • hacks×
  • interior×
  • leather×
  • lifehacks×
  • maintenance×
  • motor oil×
  • paint×
  • sun×
  • tips×
  • wax×
  • waxing×
  • windshield wipers

Comments

Prepare Your Car for Summer

5/8/2018

Comments

 

Summer is a time for sunshine and road trips. No matter the length of the trip, you’ll want your car safe and functional, especially with your family and friends in the passenger seats. No matter if you’re worried about safety or showing off your ride in style, there are specific steps you can take to prep your car for warmer temperatures. ​


Prepare Your Car for Summer

(Family Features) Summer is a time for sunshine and road trips. No matter the length of the trip, you’ll want your car safe and functional, especially with your family and friends in the passenger seats.

With summer weather approaching, it can be a great time to inspect your vehicle and make sure everything is up to par. No matter if you’re worried about safety or showing off your ride in style, there are specific steps you can take to prep your car for warmer temperatures:

Inspect your brakes and tires
Tires and brakes can suffer a lot of damage through normal driving. You should check your tires and brakes for wear at least once a month and before and after long trips. Look for debris embedded in tires and for excessive wear, scuffs or bubbles. Also try removing your brake pads to look for wear or cracking, and make sure the edges aren’t discolored. If you see any signs of damage, consider consulting a professional.

Check your oil level
If your oil level is low or the oil is discolored, it might be time to replace it. There should be a line on your oil dipstick to show how much oil should be in your car. For the most accurate reading, clean your dipstick with a rag or paper towel then reinsert it into the reservoir before removing again to check the level.

Wash your ride
There is hardly anything better than rolling down the road with the windows down and a freshly washed car. Try to rinse off and scrub the outside windows, sides and lower parts of the car to remove seasonal residue. Vacuum out the inside including the seats, floors and trunk. Wax can also be helpful to make your car shine in the summer sun.

Check your fluids
There are several fluids under the hood to check, including brake fluid, transmission fluid and power steering fluid. Check to ensure you have the appropriate amount of each fluid and if not, fill them appropriately.

Test the air conditioning
Summer can be hot and no one likes a sticky, overheated car that’s been sitting in the sun. You and your passengers can be set and ready to roll with a working air conditioner. Try to test it out before the summer heats up and make sure it is working properly.

Add safety essentials
Long trips to explore new places are a hallmark of summer fun. However, you need to be prepared for anything, even worst-case situations. You can buy a premade emergency kit or simply create your own. Some necessary safety measures include jumper cables, a small tool set, a portable floor jack and a spare tire that’s in good condition.

Install new windshield wipers
Your windshield wipers work hard throughout the year. They can easily become dull and worn out. Before a summer rain shower strikes, it might be time to replace your windshield wipers with a fresh set.

Look at the coolant
Summer can be a prime time for cars to overheat with rising temperatures. Check your coolant and flush and refill it, if necessary, to help ensure your car doesn’t get too hot during hours of travel.

For more tips to prepare for summer fun, visit eLivingToday.com.

5 Tips for Summer Road Trips

For many people, summer means setting out on a road trip in search of bucket-list-worthy excitement or a relaxing vacation.

Whether you’re going down the road to visit family or across the country to see a national monument, it is important to prepare your vehicle – and its tires – before you pull out of the driveway.

These five safety tips can help get your family ready to hit the road this summer:

1. Check Your Tread – A tire’s tread depth can determine a vehicle’s safe stopping distance. You can check your tread depth by sticking a penny upside-down in a tread groove. If you can see President Lincoln’s head, it’s time to replace your tires.

2. Ensure Proper Tire Pressure – Low tire pressure can lead to poor handling and gas mileage, excessive wear and overloading. Drivers should check their tire pressure at least once a month, and especially before any long trip. Use a dependable air gauge or stop by an automotive store like Discount Tire or America’s Tire to take advantage of complimentary air checks.

3. Rotate Often – Tires should be rotated at least every 6,000 miles or earlier if irregular or uneven wear develops.
4. Inspect Your Trunk – Some new vehicles no longer come equipped with a spare tire, opting instead for tire inflation kits that feature puncture coating sealants and air compressors, or even run-flat tires. Check your trunk to see what your vehicle contains and make sure you have a roadside assistance plan should the need arise.

5. Don’t Overload – The combination of heat and overloading a vehicle, which can be common during summer travel, is one of the most dangerous conditions for a vehicle’s tires as overloaded tires can overheat and possibly fail.

When it comes to summer driving safety, it can be imperative to check your tires early and often. Knowing the condition of your tires can keep your family safe and your vehicle in quality condition.

“It is important that drivers know how to check and maintain their tires and recognize the warning signs of when to replace them, especially during the hotter months,” said Tom Williams, senior vice president at Discount Tire. “Keeping customers and their families safe is our No. 1 priority each summer.”

To learn more about tire safety before a summer road trip, or to schedule an appointment for a tire safety check, visit tires.com.

Photos courtesy of Getty Images

SOURCE:
eLivingToday.com 

KEYWORDS

  • advice×
  • air conditioning×
  • air pressure×
  • antifreeze×
  • automobile×
  • autos×
  • car×
  • car care×
  • cars×
  • car travel×
  • driver safety×
  • driving×
  • family×
  • Family Features×
  • fluids×
  • hacks×
  • lifehacks×
  • maintenance×
  • packing×
  • prevention×
  • road trip×
  • safety×
  • storage×
  • Summer×
  • temperatures×
  • tips×
  • tires×
  • travel×
  • trip×
  • trips×
  • upkeep×
  • warm×
  • windshield wipers

Comments


    Archives

    December 2021
    August 2021
    July 2021
    January 2021
    June 2020
    February 2020
    December 2019
    November 2019
    August 2019
    April 2019
    March 2019
    January 2019
    November 2018
    July 2018
    June 2018
    May 2018
    March 2018
    January 2018
    November 2017
    September 2017
    July 2017
    June 2017
    April 2017
    March 2017
    February 2017
    December 2016
    November 2016
    October 2016
    August 2016
    July 2016
    June 2016
    May 2016
    April 2016
    March 2016


    Interested in Publishing on The Auto Idea?
    Send your query to the Publisher today!

    Categories

    All
    Access
    Accessories
    Accident
    Accidents
    Advice
    Aftermarket
    Air
    Air Conditioning
    Air Pressure
    Antifreeze
    Antique
    App
    Appeaarance
    Applications
    Apps
    Attention
    Attentive Driving
    Attorney
    Auto
    Auto Buying
    Auto Financing
    Auto Insurance
    Automobile
    Auto Parts
    Autos
    Baby
    Bargains
    Battery
    Benefits
    Boat
    Boats
    BPT
    Brakes
    Braking
    Brandpoint
    Brandpoint Content
    Budget
    Bus
    Buyers
    Car
    Car Buying
    Car Care
    Car Crash
    Car Dealer
    Car Insurance
    Car Loan
    Car Repair
    Cars
    Car Sales
    Car Seat
    Car Selling
    Car Shopping
    Car Title
    Car Travel
    Car Trip
    Cause
    Cellphone
    Change
    Child
    Children
    Child Safety
    Chrome
    Cleaning
    Cold
    Commute
    Commuters
    Commuting
    Companies
    Concentration
    Connecttivity
    Consumers
    Convenience
    Cost Of Ownership
    Crime
    Custom
    Customers
    Customize
    Customizers
    Customizing
    Dealer
    Dealerships
    Deductions
    Distracted Driving
    Distractions
    Driver Education
    Drivers
    Driver Safety
    Driving
    Earning
    Economy
    Education
    Educational
    Electronics
    Engine
    Engines
    Entertainment
    Environment
    Exhasy
    Exhaust
    Exterior
    Extrerior
    Family
    Family Features
    Fatal
    Fatalities
    Finance
    Financing
    Fluids
    Focus
    Freezing Temperatures
    Fuel
    Fuel Economy
    Gas
    Gas Mileage
    Gasoline
    Government
    Hackers
    Hacking
    Hacks
    Handling
    Hazards
    Health
    Heat
    Highways
    History
    Holidays
    Horsepower
    Hospital
    Ice
    Income
    Infant
    Information
    Injury
    Innovation
    Insurance
    Interior
    Job
    Kids
    Las Vegas
    Law
    Lawsuit
    Lease
    Leasing
    Leather
    Legal
    Lending
    Lifehacks
    Lighting
    Lights
    Lists
    Lyft
    Maintenance
    Marketing
    Mechanic
    Medical
    Medium
    Mileage
    Money
    Motor Oil
    Moving
    MPG
    National Highway Traffic Safety Administration
    New Car
    News
    NHTSA
    Oil
    Oil Change
    Owner
    Packing
    Pain
    Paint
    Parents
    Parts
    Passengers
    Performance
    Personal Finance
    Phone
    Pickups
    Picture
    Planning
    Plowing
    Policies
    Prevention
    Prices
    Private Party
    Pulling Capacity
    Purchase
    Quiz
    Rain
    Recommendations
    Recreation
    Recycling
    Regulation
    Research
    Ridesharing
    Rims
    Risk
    Road
    Road Conditions
    Roads
    Road Trip
    Rotation
    Safety
    Sales
    Salt
    Salvage
    Savings
    School
    School Bus
    Season
    Seats
    Security
    Sellers
    Shopping
    Sight
    Signal
    Smartphone
    Snow
    Social Media
    Speed
    Speeding
    Spring
    Statistics
    Storage
    Study
    Summer
    Sun
    Survey
    Tax Benefits
    Taxes
    Tech
    Technology
    Teens
    Temperatures
    Texting
    Tips
    Tire
    Tire Pressure
    Tires
    Tire Tread
    Title
    Toddler
    Totaled
    Tow
    Towing
    Traction
    Trailer
    Transaction
    Travel
    Tread
    Trends
    Trip
    Trips
    Truck
    Trucks
    Tune-up
    Uber
    Upgrades
    Upkeep
    Used Cars
    Vacations
    Valuables
    Value
    Vegas
    Vehicle History
    Visibility
    Vision
    Warm
    Warranties
    Wax
    Waxing
    Wear
    Weather
    Wheel
    Wheels
    Windshield Wipers
    Winter
    Winter Driving
    Wiper Blades
    Wipers
    Work






    RSS Feed


Powered by Create your own unique website with customizable templates.
  • HOME
  • Popular IDEAS
    • IDEAS for Your Better Business Life >
      • The Business Idea
      • The Career IDEA
      • The Money Idea
    • IDEAS for Your Better Diversions >
      • The Tech IDEA
      • The Travel IDEA
      • The Auto IDEA
      • The Outdoors IDEA
    • IDEAS for a Better Table >
      • The Food IDEA
      • IDEAS de Cocina Espanola
    • IDEAS for a Better You >
      • The Health IDEA
      • Living Well IDEAS
      • The Fitness IDEA
      • The Beauty IDEA
    • IDEAS for a Happier Home >
      • The Home Idea
      • The Entertaining Idea
      • The Parenting Idea
      • The Senior Living IDEA
      • The Pet IDEA
  • The Video Domain
    • Video IDEAS for Your Better Business Life
  • About
  • Contact
  • ads.txt