That Simple Car Wash Could End Up Costing You More Than You Bargained For
Everyone enjoys a great looking car, but many consumers are unaware of some every day habits that can harm your paint finish. Keeping your car in shape helps to avoid costly damage down the line, which is why Meguiar’s®, the world’s leading surface care company, wants car owners to know how to protect their cars. Meguiar’s reveals six common ways consumers neglect their cars, and easy routine changes to help prevent each.
1. “Using Dishwashing Detergent to Clean the Exterior” – Most household detergents are formulated to strip everything off the surface, including the wax protection on your car. While this might be great for your dishes, your car is now defenseless against the elements. Meguiar’s suggests using a pH balanced car wash product, like Meguiar’s Gold Class Shampoo and Conditioner, that removes loose surface dirt and debris without damaging the car’s surface.
2. “Parking Under Trees” – Although it’s tempting to take advantage of parking in the shade, it’s actually one of the most damaging things you can do to your paint finish. The damage caused by items falling from above like tree sap and bird droppings, is actually greater than leaving your car in the sun, because sap and bird droppings, if not removed quickly enough, can permanently damage your paint finish.
3. “Neglecting Headlights” – Dull, hazy, and oxidized headlights are the first giveaway sign of a neglected car. Not only are they unattractive, they can also be a safety concern as they make it difficult to see the road ahead and avoid potential hazards. To maximize the brightness of your headlights, try using Meguiar’s Heavy Duty Headlight Restoration Kit™.
4. “Leaving Spilled Food and Drinks” – Forgetting to clean up spills is not only unsightly, it can also lead to permanent stains and unpleasant odors in the interior of your car. Meguiar’s recommends leaving a few terrycloth towels and Quik Interior Detailer™ in the trunk in case of emergencies. Cleaning up spilled food right away is key to getting the entire stain out. To tackle any foul odors, Meguiar’s recommends also having a bottle of Odor Eliminator handy.
5. “Using Just One Bucket" – By using just one bucket when washing, you end up transferring dirt back onto the car, which can create swirl marks and defeats the purpose of your wash. Meguiar’s suggests using two buckets: a plain water bucket for rinsing the wash mitt and a wash solution bucket for retrieving fresh suds to continue cleaning. Using a Grit Guard in each bucket also helps to trap loose dirt particles, preventing them from transferring back onto your car.
6. “Using Too Much Product on Your Vehicle” – When applying wax to protect the surface of your vehicle, a common mistake is to use too much product in one application. Not only is this wasteful of the product, but it also creates extra work when removing the product. To get the most out of your wax, Meguiar’s suggests a single uniform thin layer of wax. If you are worried about coverage or protection during tough winter months, a second uniform, thin layer may be applied.
Still trying to pare down your household budget? Here’s an option you might not have considered—doing more of the regular maintenance on your car.
The idea can be a little intimidating—even scary—for some. The website, womens-finance.com, reports that one-third of women have some sort of “car-phobia” when it comes to servicing their cars.
You’ve learned DIY for your home, so why not for your vehicle? We’re not talking about a brake relining, but simple things that not only can cut your service expenses but also extend the life of your car, save on gas and keep you and your family safer on the road. Here are seven tips to get you started:
You always have a ‘choice,’ even where something simple is concerned – even something as simple as your car’s engine air filter. Say you’ve been driving around without having changed your car’s engine air filter in a while. You can choose to buy one for $15-20 and install it yourself or perhaps with the helping hand of a friendly parts store clerk. Or, down the road, you may find yourself shopping for a laundry list of parts and a reliable repair shop.
Under these circumstances, your shopping list could include:
Piston rings - $120
Full gasket set - $175
Connecting rod bearings - $80
Main bearings - $80
Machine work - $600
Repair shop labor to remove/reinstall engine and parts - $1,200
Now’s the time to get your car ready for the demands placed on it in the coming winter months. Especially in rain, sleet, freezing rain, and maybe snow, you’ll want your vehicle to start and run reliably. And you’ll want your driving experience to be as safe and comfortable as possible. Here are some things to check to make your winter driving safer and more secure.
Start Most important, you’ll want your car to start reliably every time. “While routine tune-ups are not what they used to be, your vehicle still needs to have new spark plugs installed periodically,” said Mark Wilkinson, Group Product Manager, Spark Plugs for Robert Bosch LLC. Bosch is the company that invented the first commercially-viable high voltage spark plug more than a century ago.
Installing new spark plugs will help assure quick starts even in very cold weather when battery power can be severely compromised. According to Wilkinson, “Most drivers feel that the original spark plugs performed well and lasted quite a while. Our Bosch Iridium is the replacement spark plug most like the Original Equipment (OE) plugs used in many late-model cars. Bosch Iridium has optimized spark projection in the combustion chamber and uses a fine wire electrode design for superior ignitability and performance. It is an excellent replacement plug for any car using older-technology spark plugs.”
Wow, it's hard to believe, but it's true: we are officially into single digits on our "days until Christmas" countdown. A little more than a week remains until tinsel time, but there's still time to bring you one last Holiday Gift Garage post, this time focused on the one person we haven't shopped for yet: YOU!
We've done the kids, and we've done the pets, now it's time for us to look at some great automotive themed gifts that will make your holiday a little bit brighter, and maybe a little bit safer, too. Let's get to it!
The CarMD Vehicle Health System - Check engine light on? It's one of life's deepest mysteries - what, oh what could that light possibly mean? Is it your gas cap? A sensor of some sort malfunctioning? To find out, you'll have to take it to a mechanic and have it scanned, or - you could do it yourself, at home. CarMD uses the same sophisticated technology your mechanic uses, but was designed for everyone to use. It does not matter whether you know a lot about cars or don't have a clue. The CarMD Vehicle Health system will not only tell you what that check engine light means, it'll also tell you how much you can expect to pay for a repair, not to mention empowering you with the ability to diagnose and even fix simple problems yourself. It even does emissions testing, so you're not surprised come inspection time.
The Wagan Heated Seat Cushion - Some people have heated seats in their cars already. I very much enjoy being in the passenger seat with those people during the winter, because my own car doesn't have that feature. If you're in the same boat, stop hitching lifts to keep your behind warm and treat yourself to this heated seat cushion. Apparently I'm not alone, because it's one of the most wished-for automotive items on Amazon today - and at $20, it's a no-brainer, really.
Jump-n-Carry Jumpstarter - No one wants to be stuck, especially not in winter. If you get stranded with a dead battery it's either find a good samaritan to give you a boost, or wait for a friend, family member, or roadside assistance to arrive... and if it's the latter, you'll be waiting a while. This jumpstarter can get you back on the road quickly and painlessly - it jumpstarts your own engine! A must have for any vehicle emergency kit.
Craftsman NEXTEC Inflator - A perfect companion piece to the jumpstarter, this will keep those tires ready for the road. Powered by a 12.0 Volt Die-Hard® Lithium-Ion battery for enhanced performance and longer shelf-life, this unit's powerful, adjustable air pressure quickly inflates objects all the way up to 200PSI! Fill up a variety of inflatable's including pool toys, sports equipment and yes, vehicle tires. Simply use the up/down arrows to set the desired PSI on the digital screen and it will do the rest. Once the desired PSI is met the inflator will automatically shut off to prevent over inflating.
3M Scotchprint Wrap Film - Want to make your ride a little more distinctive? More affortable and less permanent than paint, this awesome wrap film is the perfect way to customize your car for a day, a year, or more. Choose from a variety of finishes, textures and colors including carbon fiber, that off a unique, head-turning look. You can get a sample, more info, and installation instructions at 3M's website.
MADD Virgin Drinks- If you're attending holiday parties and driving, please remember to do so responsibly. To help you keep yourself and your family safe, MADD presents a series of virgin beverages that allow you to participate in holiday cheer without any of the ill-effects. These virgin drinks are all 100% alcohol-free, and varieties include champagne, merlot, chardonnay, mojito, pina colada, margarita, and even a virgin lager. Remember, at the holidays and every day, buzzed driving IS drunk driving and one small step can and will save lives.
It’s foolhardy to head out in a poorly maintained vehicle in the dead of winter, of course, but even vehicle owners in temperate zones need to consider a fall car-care check, note the pros with the non-profit National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence (ASE), an independent group that tests and certifies the competence of auto technicians.
“Regular, routine maintenance can help improve your gasoline mileage, reduce pollution, and catch minor problems before they become big headaches,” says Martin Lawson, ASE’s editorial director.
The following tips ASE will give you a road map to winter car care.
It’s crunch time and if you’re still struggling with what to give a loved one, family member or friend this holiday season, the perfect gift can be an item related to vehicle safety. Tire pressure gauges, ice scrapers, emergency kits, windshield wipers or the new consumer Car Care Guide, published by the Car Care Council, are suitable items for any drivers on your list.
“These small and relatively inexpensive items play a big role in vehicle safety and reliability especially during winter driving when road conditions can be hazardous and unpredictable,” said Rich White, executive director, Car Care Council. “They’re a perfect stocking stuffer or holiday gift that shows the drivers on your list that you truly care about them this holiday season.”
The AskPatty team of women Jody DeVere CEO, expert women Amy Mattinat of AutoCraftsmen of Vermont, Bogi Lateiner 180 Degrees Automotive in Phoenix and automotive senior editor Diana Claussen were in full force for SEMA, the TIA Global Tire Expo, I-CAR and AAPEX last week, covering all the female-friendly events, products and news!
Female-Friendly Awards and Event Highlights:
Scott Williams, president of Lex Brodie’s Tire, Brake & Service Co an AskPatty.com Certified Female Friendly® clientsin Honolulu, was named Tire Business’ 2011 Tire Dealer Humanitarian Award winner. I was in attendance when Scott won this well deserved award Oct. 31 at the Tire Industry Honors event sponsored by the Tire Industry Association during the SEMA Show in Las Vegas. He was presented with a medal symbolizing the spirit of giving and a $1,000 donation to two charities, Hawaii’s Institute for Human Services, which supports homeless in the area, and the Lex Brodie’s Tire Co. Foundation, which provides donations to Hawaiian schools.
Attended and supported the Collision Industry Foundation 2nd Annual Gala Fundraiser to benfit Crash Hunger on November 2nd at teh Las Vegas Hilton, a joint donation and volunteer project to combat hunger in the USA. While also raising awareness for hunger initiatives, during the month of February members of the collision industry will be asked to donate their time at local food banks. AskPatty.com donated a beautiful Passchal.com travel bag for the silent auction.
Congratulations to Audra Fordin, one of our AskPatty.com automotive expert women, of Great Bear Auto Shop, named the first “Female Service Shop Owner of the Year.” The announcement was made at the 2011 Car Care Council Women’s Board reception Tuesday evening. Audra Fordin educates women on car care in Flushing New York through a weekly radio call-in show called “The Auto Lab” and through her website, www.womenautoknow.com.
Great News! Continuing to broaden its outreach to women, Cooper Tire & Rubber Co. announced during SEMA its plans to expand its partnership in 2012 with AskPatty.com Inc. Cooper Tire, which began a relationship with us this past July, will continue to engage women customers through AskPatty’s growing educational interactive platforms, social media and online outreach. The Findlay-based tire maker cited research showing that 74 percent of American women feel automotive marketers could understand them better—“a concern that Cooper Tire is working to change by developing female-targeted brand messages with a focus on tire maintenance and education,” the company said. Cooper said its continuing partnership “highlights the importance of tire maintenance and education, especially for busy women.
Jody Devere CEO AskPatty.com spoke on 'What Women Want' at the TIA Global Tire Expo SEMA educational sessions and was also named the 2011 winner of the SEMA Businesswomen's Network annual Athena Award, established to honor an industry person (male or female) or company for outstanding contributions to women in the automotive aftermarket, during the SBN Breakfast on Thursday November 3rd.
New Female-Friendly SEMA / AAPEX Products:
The AutoTex PINK PLUS wiper blade was launched and is the optimal wiper replacement for drivers who are both concerned with ensuring safety through improved visibility on the road and making a bold statement. A high quality, molded rubber wiper blade with aerodynamic, pink colored steel frame, and polymer sleeve that meets or exceeds Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE) specifications, AutoTex PINK PLUS wipers are perfect for all-weather conditions and are guaranteed to be nearly 100% compatible with vehicles using existing metal wiper blades. In addition, AutoTex PINK donates a portion of every windshield wiper sale to the National Breast Cancer Foundation.
ESCORT Inc, the leading manufacturer of premium automotive electronic accessories and maker of the world's best radar and laser detectors, announced at the 2011 SEMA Show the release of the new ESCORT Live™ the social network for the road where drivers share live alerts with other drivers so everyone in the network can drive smarter.
ESCORT Live™, now available directly from ESCORT, uses Bluetooth technology embedded in SmartCord Live™ cords and a unique app for the driver’s smartphone. When alerts are detected, they are transmitted to the ESCORT Live™ “cloud” and then broadcast across the ESCORT Live™ network, notifying drivers of potential ticket threats. In addition to these live alerts, ESCORT’s industry leading Defender® database of fixed position cameras and speed traps is also provided.
The patented PASSPORT iQ™, the world's first and only driving accessory that integrates radar/laser detection and GPS navigation, and also provides important driving information, such as speed traps and speed limit data, in a single compact device. I recently reviewed the PASSPORT iQ™ and now call 'her' Lola and don't drive without her! Check out the new Limited Edition Passport 9500ix Susan G Komen version that benefits breast cancer.
The SEARS Craftsman brand unveiled several new products to the Craftsman NEXTEC line of tools for 2011 that I think are great for women, powered by the same interchangeable, compact and lightweight 12-volt DieHard lithium-ion battery. Each tool allows the user to perform various tasks around the home, in the garage and on-the-go. From charging your phone to inflating a flat tire or cleaning out your car, Craftsman’s new NEXTEC tools have you covered.
Our FAVORITE PICK the Craftsman NEXTEC Inflator: This very small light-weight digital inflator utilizes powerful, adjustable air pressure that quickly inflates objects from 0.5 pounds per square inch (PSI) to 200 PSI, allowing users to inflate a variety of objects such as vehicle tires, pool toys, sports equipment and more. The Craftsman NEXTEC Inflator (29641) retails for $39.99 as an add-on tool without the battery or charger.
Craftsman NEXTEC Multi-Purpose Work Light: This florescent work light has a clear poly carbonate lens to direct and focus light, eliminating shadows or blinds spots on the workspace. The lens contour throws light forward and outward to provide a full range of 320 degrees of light. The work light has a long-lasting, 13-watt, 300 lumen ENERGY STAR®-rated fluorescent bulb that lasts 1.75 hours on a single charge.The Craftsman NEXTEC Multi-Purpose Work Light (2966) retails for $29.99 as an add-on tool without the battery or charger.
Craftsman NEXTEC Vacuum: This dual stage vacuum cleaner uses a Gore® filter that is reusable and dishwasher safe. A powerful vortex suction quickly and easily removes dirt and debris from automobiles, the workbench or common household items such as blinds, draperies and furniture. The Craftsman NEXTEC Vacuum (29642) retails for $49.99 as an add-on tool without the battery or charger.
Each of these new products will be available at Craftsman.com, K-Mart and Sears stores nationwide. For more than 80 years, Craftsman has developed innovative products. To learn more about Craftsman’s assortment of innovative hand tools, power tools and lawn equipment, visit www.craftsman.com, www.facebook.com/craftsman or one of the many Sears or Sears Hometown Stores nationwide.
Teen Safety!
Took a great test drive with Mitsubishi Motors North America to demonstrate Scosche’s cellCONTROL in a moving vehicle the All-New 100% Electric-Powered Mitsubishi i with an Impressive EPA Rated 62 Mile/98 Mile LA4 Mode Range and 112 MPGe Rating arriving in 2012.
Scosche’s Safe Driving System helps parents monitor their teen drivers by automatically disabling the most distracting functions of a smartphone including handheld phone calls, texting and emailing capabilities. As the vehicle begins to move, cellCONTROL will automatically connect to the users phone via Bluetooth to disable distracting functions. The system is completely tamper proof and will automatically alert the system’s administrator with any removal, deactivation or other misuse.
Scosche’s Safe Driving System easily connects to a vehicle’s OBD2 port and communicates with the smartphone in the vehicle. Scosche’s cellCONTROL Safe Driving System retails for $129.95 and is available at www.scosche.com and at specialty retailers. Like the Scosche’s Facebook Page for a special 20% off promo code https://www.facebook.com/scoschecaraudio
Scosche also makes a ton of cool mobile phone accessories. OUR TOP PICK the iPhone case with a kickstand called the switchBACK g4 with Polycarbonate Case with Interchangeable Backs for iPhone 4S and 4 (Verizon, Sprint and AT&T) $29.99. For more information visit our website at www.scosche.com.
Bendix launched a "Brakes for Teen Safety” a social media campaign aimed at educating teens and their parents about proper vehicle care to keep them safe on the roads. This digital program launched in October to coincide with National Teen Driver Safety Week. It includes a series of online videos and a designated Facebook page that offers relevant tips and safety information, enabling teens and parents to post their own questions and advice.
The first two videos, “What Teens Don’t Know About Car Safety” and “The Top Five Car Care Tips for Teens,” address the importance of regularly checking and changing brakes and other components, and highlight proper vehicle maintenance habits for safe driving. They can be found on the brand’s YouTube channel and on the campaign’s Facebook page.
More SEMA / AAPEX coverage coming soon, so stay tuned.
Editors at shopautoweek.com find most terrifying auto noises can be eliminated without an exorcist
While wary ears may be scanning for the spooky sounds of Halloween this time of year, the sounds coming from beneath your hood should be taken just as seriously. Editors at shopautoweek.com recommend a semiannual checkup to keep a truly terrifying maintenance bill out of your future.
“If the problem is caught and solved early on, it usually costs far less than waiting until the noise gets very loud,” said Dave Kusa, owner of Autotrend Diagnostics in Campbell, Calif.
Associate shopautoweek.com editor Angie Fisher found some common explanations for sounds that drivers should be aware of at this time of year, or any other:
October is Fall Car Care Month, the perfect time to fall into a vehicle maintenance program and get your car ready for the challenges of harsh winter weather.
“A thorough inspection of your vehicle during Fall Car Care Month will go a long way toward ensuring safety and dependability when temperatures drop and severe winter weather strikes,” said Rich White, executive director, Car Care Council. “A routine maintenance program also makes financial sense, extending useful vehicle life and helping avoid costly repairs down the road.”
Whether you do it yourself or take your car to a professional service technician, the Car Care Council recommends 10 basic maintenance procedures to keep your vehicle operating at its best:
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