5 Tips to Take Care of Your Windshield Wipers

Windshield wipers are vital necessities that help keep you safe on the road. When neglected, dull wiper blades can cause problems during a sudden downpour, which is why keeping them properly maintained is so important. Here are a few of our top windshield wiper care tips to help ensure your wipers are always ready to go.

Defrost and Scrape Before Using the Wipers

Windshield wipers tend to stick when there’s been heavy snow or ice, causing them to snap if you turn them on before defrosting the windshield. In freezing temperatures, run the defroster first and scrape away any snow or ice, if necessary. It’s helpful if you warm up the car ahead of time with the defroster on high, especially if you have an early morning commute.

 

Replace the Blades at Least Twice a Year

Wiper blades are only designed to last about six months. After that, you’ll start to notice a decline in your driving visibility. To help combat this problem, buy replacements every six months and change them on time. You’ll also need to keep an eye on the blades for signs of early wear, such as smearing, skipping, or squeaking across the glass. The process is so easy, in fact, that you can do it yourself with a little practice.

Keep the Windshield Clean

Your car’s wiper blades are going to wear more quickly if they’re wiping across filthy glass. To help prolong their longevity, clean your windshield every time you stop to fill up at a gas station. Most stations provide a squeegee specifically for this use, so take advantage of it. Just be sure to inspect the sponge before use and wipe it with a paper towel when needed, as communal squeegees can harbor small rocks and other debris that can scratch your windshield.

Never Run the Wipers on a Dry Windshield

Windshield wipers are designed to be used when the windshield is wet. Operating them on a dry surface can cause the wipers to wear out much more quickly than they would normally, which only causes extras headaches. When you do need to clean a dry windshield, such as when there’s pollen buildup on the glass, press the washer button first. This will require you to keep your car topped up on windshield washer fluid, which is another thing to remember as part of your wipers’ routine maintenance.

Reposition the Blades During the Winter Months

Dealing with frozen windshield wipers is the last thing you want to be doing before work on a cold winter morning. To prevent this problem, pull the wiper blades away from the windshield the night before a freeze. This keeps the rubber squeegee part of the blades from freezing to the glass, and it makes it easier to scrape away any ice and snow.

Taking care of your car requires paying attention to the little things. When it comes to your windshield wipers, getting into a routine and being vigilant can ensure they’re always ready to go when you need them.

TIPS

Dangerous heat in cars can be lethal to people and pets

With the summer sizzle well underway, and heat indices in the triple digits more and more, the National Weather Service wants to remind you of some important safety tips for the people and pets you love.

It seems like a no-brainer, don’t leave anyone or any pet in your car. But so far this year, 18 children have died nationwide after being found in a hot car. And hundreds of pets die each year from heat stroke because they are left in a car by their owners. While most of us know the dangers of a hot car, the National Weather Service warns that this time of year, all of us need a reminder.

The temperature inside of a car can reach critical levels putting people and your pet at risk of serious illness or death in less than 10 minutes, even on a day that doesn’t seem that hot to you. And even in the winter months too. Children can either be left accidentally in the car, or may find their way into one while playing and find themselves unable to get out. With the hot and humid weather expected, vehicle temperatures can reach lethal levels in a very short time.

Small children can’t remove their own clothing, tell people they’re too warm, or get out by themselves. Dogs can’t sweat to cool down, and their body temperature can rise to dangerous levels even if the windows are cracked. Heatstroke is a medical emergency that can lead to brain damage or death if not treated immediately. In 2023, 29 children died from heatstroke in cars.

Let’s talk about dogs. All dogs begin to experience heat stress when the air temperature exceeds 85 F. On a 70-degree day, the temperature inside of your car can climb to 90 F in just 10 minutes. At just 6 minutes, your dog can already start to exhibit signs of heat exhaustion. According to the American Veterinary Medical Association, the temperature inside your car can rise almost 20 F in just 10 minutes, and almost 30 F in 20 minutes.

In about an hour, the temperature inside your car can exceed the temperature outside by 40 F. So, even on a comfortable 70-degree day with your car parked in the shade, the temperature inside can top 110 F in just 60 minutes!

Let’s say you have to make a stop at the store and you’ll be gone for just 20 minutes on an 80 F day. In that 20 minutes the temperature inside your vehicle has climbed to 109 F. On a 90 F day, just 10 minutes equals that same 109 F.

  • Here are some tips to keep people and pets safe in hot cars:
  • Never leave children or pets unattended
  • Check the entire vehicle: Before locking the doors, make sure everyone is out of the car, especially in the back seat
  • Put something you need in the back seat: This will encourage you to open the back door when you arrive
  • Use a car with sensors: Some cars have apps that can alert you if someone is in the back seat

A good rule of thumb? When it’s 70 F and over, don’t take Rover. And always look before you lock! That way all pets and people can be safe

TIPS

How to Protect Your Car From Sun Damage

There’s never a bad time to think about sun damage and your vehicle. Even now in the winter, the sun is still beating down on your car, truck, SUV or motorcycle, and damaging everything from the paint to the interior.

People who benefit from covered areas to park – public or private garages, covered spots, or even shade under a tree – also see reduced damage from exposure. That being said, not everyone has the ability to find a place to park and block the rays.

The good news is that there’s plenty that you can do even further to reduce the effects of the sun on your car. Here are a few ways to protect your interior, exterior, tires and yes, even the engine from damage brought on by the sun!

 

Exterior Sun Damage Protection

Obviously, the exterior of your vehicle suffers the most exposure to the rays of the sun. It’s built to withstand it – but heat and UV rays can still take their toll.

  • Wash Your Car Frequently
  • Hand Dry, Don’t Air Dry
  • Wax
  • Ceramic Coating

Interior Sun Damage Protection

Inside your vehicle, it’s more to do with covering up than chemicals. Obviously, you can’t just cover up the outside of your vehicle conveniently – but there’s plenty of preventative measures to take inside.

  • Seat Covers
  • Windshield Sun Shades
  • Regular Cleaning and Protecting: Especially plastics and rubbers
  • Leather Care

Wheels, Tires, Engine, and More

More than just looks can be affected by the sun. How your car runs and operates can also suffer from degradation from the sun.

  • Wheels: As many wheels feature the same paint and clear coat of the exterior, they can be degraded similarly. This means treating them the same! Wash, hand dry, and wax if possible.
  • Tires: Rubber in your interior gets punished by the sun – so no surprise that it punishes the rubber of your tires too. Regular use of tire dressing or rubber protectant will help prevent your tires from fading, cracking, or blistering.
  • Engine: While the engine isn’t directly affected by the sun – the damage the sun does elsewhere can put a strain on your engine. Make sure to check your battery, cooling system, belts, and other fluids regularly when the sun is beating down!

Protection During Car Transport

Sun damage isn’t just when you’re behind the wheel or when your vehicle is parked in your driveaway. It’s anywhere the sun is up, and your vehicle is in the open. Even when you are having it transported it is exposed to the sun’s rays.

A great way to prevent any additional sun damage during transport is by opting for one of our enclosed trailer options. We often talk about how these protect your vehicle from road debris, but they also protect your car from unnecessary sunlight exposure, heat, and UV rays. Using enclosed transport will get your car where it needs without unnecessary exposure.

TIPS

Top 10 Tips to Successfully Maintain Your RV

These 10 handy tips will help you successfully maintain your RV and protect your investment.

1. Inspect the roof seals and seams of your RV

Be sure to inspect your RV’s roof for leaks every three months. Water leaks can occur through any open seams in your roof’s edges, vents, skylights, or air conditioning unit. Initially, water will soak into your roof’s outer wood framework and then it will seep through the inner ceiling panels causing extensive amounts of water damage. There are a number of sealants you can use to patch up your RV’s roof leak. It is important that you use a sealant compatible with the material of your RV’s roof. RV roof materials can range from: Fiberglass, Metal, EPDM (Rubber), TPO, and ALFA.

2. Tighten your RV’s wheel lug nuts and check tire pressure.

Before every RV trip, be sure to tighten your RV’s wheel lug nuts and measure tire pressure to ensure your safety on the road. Check the vehicle’s wheel lug nuts to make sure they haven’t loosened up at any point during previous travel or while in storage. Driving with loose lug nuts is dangerous and could lead to losing a wheel on the road. In addition, checking your RV’s tire pressure is important because overinflated tires may explode, doing damage to your RV, and possibly causing you to get into an accident on the road. Underinflated tires are also dangerous, creating control problems and generating more resistance on the road, which effects your gas mileage.  Tire pressure changes as temperature increases and decreases, so if your RV has been sitting all winter, your tire pressure will have significantly dropped creating an unsafe and fuel inefficient ride.

3. Check your RV’s batteries.

The last thing you want to happen on your camping trip is a dead RV battery. Some batteries have water levels and some are maintenance free. The goal for an RV’s battery is that you do your best to keep it fully charged at all times. Batteries tend to last 3-5 years. After three years, a deep-cycle battery (towable RVs) starts to lose capacity. After five years, a start-type battery (drivable RVs) starts to loose capacity.

4. Keep waste water system in good condition.

Maintenance of your RV’s waste water system includes making sure that you are using chemicals that are designed to work with each system, whether it be gray water or black water systems. In addition, you need to use adequate amounts of fluid to start the system after flushing, and make sure that you flush the system on a regular basis. If you don’t maintain your RV’s water system, you will get excessive amounts of buildup, which may cause clogging of the system, failure of operation, and valves seizing.

5. Keep your RV’s brakes maintained.

It’s important to keep your RV’s brakes maintained for your safety as well as everyone else’s on the road. Brake maintenance should be on your RV’s spring to-do checklist. Maintain the wheel bearings and make sure that they are nice and lubricated throughout the summer.  In addition, make sure your brakes still have enough material left on them and that they’re working properly so you get a good working activation in the trailer. Brake replacements can run anywhere from $300-$500. Replacements usually include a repacking of wheel bearings and replacing the seals.

6. Clean and treat your RV’s slide outs and seals.

Slide outs need to be cleaned on a regular basis so you don’t have dirt build up in and around the seals. Not cleaning your slide out could cause problems sealing your RV. To clean your RV’s slide out, you want to lubricate the slider mechanisms to make sure that they run in and out with the least amount of wear and tear on the motors. For window seals, there are also lubricants that you can use around the rubber to help keep them fresh and pliable so that they create good seals. In addition, it allows easy movement of the windows up and down and side to side. If your windows start to catch, the felt that they slide on could begin to tear and require a replacement.

7. Change your RV’s oil.

Unlike a car that you do regular maintenance to every 3,000-5,000 miles, an RV tends to sit a lot. It’s important that you do oil changes on a seasonal basis just to make sure that everything is lubricated and running to the best of its ability. For RVs, it’s recommended to change your oil every 3,000-4,000 miles or every year (spring is a great time). If you don’t change the oil, your RV will receive excessive wear and tear on its engine and may require expensive service or even lead you to purchasing a new engine.

8. Replace the air, fuel, coolant, and hydraulic filters in your RV.

Similar to changing your RV’s oils, you need to change the air, fuel, coolant, and hydraulic filters in your RV on a seasonal basis. Usually, we recommend inspections of the air filter, fuel filter, coolant, and hydraulic filters at every oil change. Similar to not changing the oil, you could have excessive wear and tear to your RV’s engine and on the drive train of the RV.

9. Keep your RV’s awning maintained.

It’s important to keep your RV’s awning clean so you don’t get mildew and mold buildup. By inspecting it on a regular basis you can catch and repair any possible tears early on before they start to grow larger. If you don’t clean off your awning during an RV trip, debris could cause nests (bees!) to build up, or items could get stuck and tear the fabric. Depending on what type of damage is done to your awning, a tear in the fabric could cost up to $600. Replacing the awning itself is around $1,300-$1,400.

10. Make sure the electrical connection from your RV to your tow vehicle is working.

The connection from your RV to your tow-vehicle is of critical importance to your safety on a RV trip. This is what transmits your electrical signal from your tow vehicle to your RV, turning on your RV’s brake lights when you hit the brake pedal in your vehicle. This electrical connection gives you and your RV safety when driving on the road both during the day and at night. Another benefit of the electrical connection is that while you’re driving, your tow-vehicle is charging your RV’s battery through the charge circuit. Ultimately, your electrical connection makes sure your RV has good brake activation, a fully charged battery, and makes sure all your lighting is working.

 

TIPS

Safety Tips for Driving During a Thunderstorm

Stormy weather can be an inconvenience for several reasons, and driving may be one of your primary concerns. Decreased visibility and concurrent weather hazards such as hail, wind, and flash floods make braving the roads risky when thunder or lightning strikes.

Driving in a storm is best avoided altogether, and The American Safety Council suggests waiting out a storm with your vehicle parked and the emergency brake engaged.

 

Safety Tips for Driving in a Thunderstorm

While it is recommended that you wait for the storm to pass through before getting on the road, there are precautions you can take to reduce your risk of an accident.

  • Keep your doors and windows closed. It may seem obvious, but it is vital to make sure you are safely enclosed in your vehicle should lightning strike.
  • Drive slowly, preferably below the speed limit. As traction issues, puddles, and wind can affect your position on the roadway, make sure that you decrease your speed.
  • Don’t tailgate. While this tip is consistent with general driving practices, it is especially important when driving in bad weather. Make sure to leave the appropriate amount of space between your car and the car in front of you.
  • Turn your lights on. With decreased visibility during a storm, it is important to turn on your headlights.
  • Follow local hazard light laws. Familiarize yourself with laws regarding hazard lights, as states like Florida, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, among others, prohibit the use while driving. Hazard lights have the potential to cause more confusion, leading other drivers to think your car is braking, turning, or stopped on the roadway.
  • Wait to cross bridges. During a storm, bridges are more likely to collapse. Avoid bridges if possible until the storm has passed.
TIPS

10 Basic Car Maintenance Tips You Must Know

Taking care of your car is, in many ways, like taking care of your health. While it is important to take your car to the shop for regular maintenance, as well as obvious emergencies, it is equally important to develop some basic habits for keeping your car in top shape at home.

1. Keep an Eye on the Fluids

Keeping the motor oil, power steering fluid, and coolant topped off is an easy way to maintain your car’s performance. Refer to your owner’s manual or ask your mechanic to show you how to check your fluid levels and where to pour in more if needed.

2. Owner’s Manual

Periodic references to your owner’s manual are extremely valuable. There is so much going on with our vehicles that no one can be expected to remember all of it.

3. Watch the Warning Lights

Cars have elaborate systems of sensors and warning lights that will tell you everything from whether you forgot to replace the gas cap to the fact that one of your tires is low on air. Learn what each of your warning lights means and how to resolve it.

4. Check the Tire Pressure

Correct tire pressure is absolutely essential for proper vehicle handling, and to minimize the risk for premature wear and even complete tire failure (blowouts). Yet tires lose air every day. Your car might have a tire pressure warning system, but it will engage only when a tire drops down to a dangerously low-pressure level.

5. Feel the Car’s Operation

Pay attention to the way your car feels when it is operating normally. Once you understand this baseline, you can begin to notice when something is wrong. When a new “feel, vibration, shudder, jerk, bump or hesitation sets in these are all signs that something has changed.

6. Listen to Your Car

Machines do communicate audibly – they make all sorts of “Normal” sounds so when abnormal sounds begin to appear this is your car telling you to take it to your trusted car care center.

7. Lighting Check

Inspect exterior and interior lighting once a month. Also, refer to your owner’s manual for a proper understanding of all lighting systems used in your car. This might seem simple and intuitive but some lighting systems only come on under certain conditions.

8. Do a Walk Around

Driving is a serious business therefore it’s a good idea to walk around your vehicle at least once per week. In fact, commercial drivers are required to do pre and post-trip inspections each day.

  • Look for body damage.
  • Check your wiper blades to ensure that they are still in good shape.
  • Inspect tires for abnormal wear, punctures or cuts.
  • Test all the locks, windows, and even the sunroof (if equipped) to make sure they operate easily without sticking.(You may need a window for an exit in a wreck)

9. Keep It Clean

Taking care of cosmetic details such as washing and waxing helps to improve the life of your car’s paint, and can prevent the formation of rust.

  • There is no substitute for mechanically washing your car – hand washing. Hand washing removes the film that makes paint appear dull.
  • Wash wheels and tires.
  • Wash glass – inside and out (including mirrors).
  • Keep the interior free from debris that can obstruct your feet on the control pedals.
  • Vacuum the floors.
  • Remove leaves from vents.

In addition, the better your car looks and smells, the more money it will be worth in an eventual trade-in.

10. Find a Trusted Mechanic

It is absolutely vital to your car’s health as well as your financial health for you to form a relationship with a mechanic you trust. Working with the same mechanic throughout your car’s life lets he or she get to know your car, its full history, and its individual quirks. This can make troubleshooting easier and help your mechanic quickly hone in on just the right solution.

TIPS

5 Steps to Cleaning Your Car Rims

A gleaming set of wheels can make an ordinary, used car look new. And with just a little time and the right cleaning techniques, you can take your rims to the next level.

Brake dust, a sticky substance caused by friction when you apply the brakes, is highly corrosive and can cause permanent damage if left on metal rims too long. That’s why cleaning your rims regularly is important.

It’s also smart to clean the rims and tires before the rest of your car to keep dirt on the wheels from getting onto and damaging your car’s painted surface.

Now let’s get started. Before cleaning your rims and wheels, make sure you have the right materials.

Must-have materials: wheel cleaner and sponge

Brake dust can be hard to remove without the right cleaner. Select one specifically made for the material your wheels are made of. For instance, rims that are made of roughcast aluminum and chrome can tolerate stronger cleaners than those that are coated, painted or anodized.

The right brush or sponge is important, too. Opt for a natural sea sponge. Their softness and flexibility lets you more easily wipe away debris, as well as get into hard-to-reach areas. Cotton and microfiber cloths are less effective on brake dust and can even scratch your rims with debris that are not completely rinsed out.

The sponge should be used only to clean your wheels and tires. Otherwise, you risk having brake dust stick to the sponge and damage your car’s paint.

Once you have the right materials, it’s time to clean.

Steps to cleaning your rims and wheels

1. Rinse your rims

First, spray your rims and let the water soak in to loosen the grime. After a few minutes, spray with soap and water to further loosen the debris.

2. Apply the appropriate cleaner

Soak one rim at a time so the cleaner doesn’t dry on the wheel. Follow product directions about how long to leave the cleaner on. Opt for a non-acidic wheel cleaner to help prevent any corrosion.

3. Carefully scrub your rims

Thoroughly scrub the rim with a wheel brush and wipe down each of the spokes. You can use the same sponge on the tire, but as mentioned before; don’t use it on the painted surface of your car.

4. Clean the wheel well

Dirt and grime tends to get caught up in the wheel well, so don’t forget to give it a good scrubbing. Try using a tougher brush than you used with the wheels and rims, as there often is more build up in the well.

5. Spray down rims and wheel wells

Scrubbing might dislodge some of the loose dirt in your wheel, so don’t forget to do another round of rinsing. Spray each wheel to remove the excess dirt and repeat if necessary.

TIPS

When to Replace Your Tires

New tires are an inevitable expense, but telling when it’s time to get new tires may not be widespread knowledge to all drivers. Conflicting information from friends and family, from what you read online, etc. may make diagnosing your tire situation a dubious task.

Here are the five telltale signs you should check to determine if you need new tires.

1. Low tire tread depth

To test tire tread depth insert a quarter upside down into the tread. If it doesn’t cover George Washington’s hairline, it means the tread is less than 4/32 of an inch deep, and it’s about time to bite the bullet and get new tires. In many states, just 2/32 of an inch is considered the minimum legal tread depth. However, more tread is safer.

Tests conducted showed a car going 70 miles per hour with tread of 2/32 of an inch took 5.9 seconds to stop and required a distance nearly double that of a vehicle with new tires. Meanwhile, with treads that were 4/32 of an inch, while it still took 100 feet more to stop and 1.2 seconds longer, this was much better than what was achieved with the minimal 2/32 of an inch tread.

2. Tires are old

No matter how rock-solid the tires were when you first purchased them, time leaves its mark. With age, rubber becomes brittle. In addition, the tire’s reinforcing cords can weaken over time. It’s important to know how often to replace your tires. Even if the tread appears intact, most manufacturers advise you to replace your tires after six years.

If you look at the side of the tire, you’ll see the manufacturer’s code. The last four numbers here indicate the production date. If this is 3009, for example, it means that the tire was produced in the 30th week of 2009 and it may be time to get new tires. In more severe climates where you may routinely deal with extreme heat, the ultraviolet rays of the sun may impart structural changes in your tires. This may mean that you will have to make the change sooner.

3. Tire sidewall cracking

Look beyond the tread to the sidewall of the tires. Are there any noticeable cuts or grooves? If so, you may be wise to purchase new tires, since these can be signs that a leak is developing or that the tire is weakening and may soon blowout.

4. Bulge in tire sidewall

If the tire has begun to weaken, sometimes the rubber may begin to bulge. This is a red flag, indicating that the tire has begun to fail and may unexpectedly blow out at any time, putting you and your passengers in jeopardy.

5. Vibrations while driving

Has the ride recently seemed very rough or have you noticed vibrations while driving? If so, this can be a sign that your tires are indeed shot, and it’s time to put aside your skepticism and get new ones.

TIPS

8 Tips for Safe Travels this Memorial Day Weekend

With more people on the roads, it’s important to drive safely. Be well rested and alert, use your seat belts, observe speed limits, and follow the rules of the road. 

Other tips for safe travels include:

  1. Give your full attention to the road. Avoid distractions such as cell phones.
  2. Use caution in work zones.
  3. Don’t follow vehicles too closely.
  4. Clean your vehicle’s lights and windows to help you see.
  5. Turn your headlights on as dusk approaches. or during inclement weather.
  6. Don’t let your vehicle’s gas tank get too low. If you have car trouble, pull as far as possible off the road/highway.
  7. Carry a disaster supplies kit in your trunk (i.e. charged cell phone, tire gauge, jumper cables, duct tape, water, blanket, nonperishable snacks).
  8. Let someone know where you’re going (your route and when you expect to get there).

We wish everyone a Happy Memorial Day weekend, and safe travels!

TIPS

Is It Time to Change My Spark Plugs?

Have you ever tried starting your car and it just stutters? Many assume it’s a faulty battery, but the problem could very well be the spark plugs. This is why it’s so important to keep up with spark plug maintenance and to look out for symptoms of bad spark plugs.

What do spark plugs do?

Using a small bolt of electricity, the spark plug ignites the fuel-air mixture in the engine, which helps your vehicle move. Each spark plug screws into an engine cylinder and connects to the car’s ignition system.

What happens when a spark plug goes bad?

Want to know the signs to look for that can indicate your spark plugs are misfiring? There are a few key symptoms, such as problems with idling, accelerating and fuel economy. We’re going to break down six signs there could be a problem with your spark plugs below.

6 signs of bad spark plugs

1. Irregular upkeep and maintenance

It’s always important to keep up with proper maintenance to ensure a smooth and safe ride. Each car requires a spark plug change at a certain mileage. Check your owner’s manual to see what the mileage is for your vehicle.

2. Rough idling

If you feel excessive shaking or vibrating when your engine is running but not in motion, this is called rough idling. When your spark plugs are misfiring, rough idling may be a symptom.

3. Declining fuel economy

When spark plugs are having trouble producing energy to accelerate your car, more gasoline is used to make up for the bad spark plug. If your vehicle is using more gasoline for starting your car, sitting at a traffic light and driving, your car’s fuel economy is decreasing.

4. Car struggles to start

If your car is just clicking when you try to start it, the cause could be worn-out spark plugs. If the spark plugs can’t produce enough energy to start the combustion process, your car won’t start. Take your car to a professional and have them check out the spark plugs.

5. The engine begins misfiring or pinging

If there is oil on the tip of the spark plug, this can cause the engine to misfire or keep it from starting altogether. It’s important to take your vehicle to a professional if you notice the oil because a repair is necessary. If you don’t repair it, this can damage the catalytic converter, which can be costly to replace.

6. Warning lights come on

If the check engine light comes on in your car, don’t ignore it. This could indicate a problem with the spark plugs or another issue with the engine. Regardless, if the light comes on when you’re driving, you’ll need to find a safe place to pull over and shut off your engine to investigate the issue or take it to a professional to diagnose the issue.

How long do spark plugs last?

Check your vehicle’s owner’s manual to know how long your spark plugs last, because the mileage varies per car. Some spark plugs may last only 18,000 miles, while others last 100,000 miles. Make sure to take your car in for regular maintenance to ensure that it’s running as smoothly and efficiently as possible. Lastly, make sure you and your vehicle are protected with the right insurance.

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