Automotive Check-Up in 6 Easy Steps

By Everette JT Jamison

Your car needs regular servicing in order to continue running smoothly. The good news is that even though a mechanic can do everything for you, most of it can be done in your garage. We're not talking about overhauling your engine or transmission. We're referring to the little things that can influence your car's performance, maneuverability, and handling over time. Below, I'll provide a 6-step checklist that you can use to make sure your vehicle is in tip-top condition.

Step 1 - Check The Oil

Get used to checking your oil every few weeks. That way, you'll have the peace of mind of knowing that your engine will remain well-lubricated while you're driving. Often, engines will begin burning or consuming too much oil. Checking it periodically will help you keep on top of potential problems.

Step 2 - Check The Coolant

You should check your car's coolant level regularly, especially if you drive for long distances. Even though it's easy to keep the reservoir filled, a lot of drivers neglect going so. If the levels decline too far, your vehicle's engine can overheat. That can lead to expensive damage.

Step 3 - Examine The Air Filter

Look at your air filter every time you change the oil. You won't need to replace it each time (unless you're driving over extremely dusty roads), but you should replace it when it gets dirty. The air filter catches debris before it can enter your engine. Over time, the accumulation of dirt and dust will prevent proper airflow.

Step 4 - Fill Up Your Power Steering Fluid

Sometimes, it's easy to take your vehicle's power steering for granted. But, the ease with which you turn your wheel requires that you keep the fluid level topped off. Check it at least once a month. Then, if the level seems low, look in your owner's manual to check whether a particular type of fluid is recommended.

Step 5 - Repair Dents And Dings

Not only do they look unattractive, but dents and door dings can also pave the way for rust to settle in. Unfortunately, being on the receiving end of these small blemishes is practically a foregone conclusion. As inconvenient as it is, getting them fixed can prevent costlier problems later.

Step 6 - Test The Lights

Most cars today are designed to warn the driver that one of the headlights is about to fail. The turn indicator will begin blinking rapidly before the light completely fails. To make sure that you haven't missed the problem, get into the habit of checking your front and back lights every two weeks. The last thing you want is to find out one of your lights is broken while you're driving in poor weather.

The six items above are not hard to check. They merely require a few minutes of your time. By keeping on top of each of them, you can help ensure that your vehicle is operating properly. If you notice signs of more severe issues (for example, your engine is burning oil), have a trained mechanic take a closer look. - 21396

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The Best Maintenance And Care For Your Car

By Chuck R Stewart

Engine tune-up is a dying trade as a result of electronic ignitions and fuel injections. This paved the way for computers to become the main method of repair. While the older types of engine requires a certain amount of adjustments on a regular basis, the newer ones need better equipment.

Here are some important things to remember when doing Cincinnati BMW service when you want your engine to work perfectly. This involves the replacement and maintenance procedures that need to be followed in the proper Cincinnati BMW repair.

The spark plugs will tell you the most about the condition of your BMW engine. You have to regularly inspect the spark plugs to determine the cause of the problems that you are experiencing in the performance of your BMW. The Cincinnati BMW service will check your cars spark plugs every 30,000 miles. The inspection schedule must be followed in all types of BMW vehicles including the low maintenance types that require replacement of spark plugs every 100,000 miles. Failure to follow the prescribed Cincinnati BMW service and maintenance schedule may result to the seizing of the spark plugs in the engine block which will need expensive repairs. When doing the spark plug inspection, take note of which engine cylinder the spark plugs come from in order to determine where the source of the problem. Make sure that you replace old spark plugs with the spark plugs that are made for your specific engine type.

The rotor and the distributor cap also should be checked regularly. These parts of the BMW car are usually made of plastic thus it is prone to breaking after so much use. Existence of cracks in these assembly may allow moisture to come in which may lead to misfiring with the corrosion of the metal contacts.

The wire that sets of the spark plug should also be inspected when doing the regular inspection of the spark plugs. Newer models of BMW are equipped with wire sets made of new materials and sizing to ensure top performance and reduced failures. The operating ranges have also been increased with|Increased operating ranges are the effect of the use of electronic ignitions. When doing the regular replacement of the wire sets of the spark plugs, it is important that their resistance is examined. They do not need to be switched out nearly as often as the rotor, cap and the spark plugs. - 21396

About the Author:

Chuck R. Stewart recently purchased a car for his son that needed Cincinnati BMW repair and paint touch ups. He also thought it was best to get Cincinnati BMW service prior to him driving it.

Keeping Your Car Securing Safe

By Colin Samuels

The security and safety of your car is not something to be taken lightly. Having a reliable security system is something that most people feel is a necessary part of car ownership.

Choosing the right kind of car security is your first step. However, after you have selected the right type of security for you, installation will be next. Many people opt to do this on their own rather than paying big bucks for a professional to install it for you. It is possible to do as long as you are careful and have a reasonable idea of what it is that you are doing.

It can save you a lot of money if you have the capability to install your car security system by yourself. However, it is a big job and it might be a good idea to have a friend help you so that it goes faster and more smoothly. Read through the instructions and make sure you are comfortable doing everything needed. If you do not know anything about installing car security systems, you might want to get help so that you do not miss anything you need to do.

Keep the instructions for the installation close at hand. The first thing you will have to do is find a good place to mount the brain of the security unit. Make sure that the brain is secure and will not be jostled around when the car is moving.

After this you will need to mount the sensors for your system. Many people find that putting these components under the dash is the best place. It is out of the way and out of sight.

If you want a keyless entry system, the door and lock controls are also going after the part of your security system. You will need the instructions for this because every car is different. After you take care of this, you will need to make sure the system works as it should. Make sure there are no crossed or loose wires, etc., to fix. Test each feature of the system as you go through it.

You will usually mount the siren for your security system under the hood of the car. When you do this, make sure it does not touch anything that is going to get really hot, like the engine. If you do not know where you should mount the siren, call someone who knows what they are doing to ask for help or take a look at the instructions for information there.

You need to look over everything and be certain that it will not become too hot or wet in any way. This is very important to the working condition of your security system. It can be tempting to do it your own way and call it a job complete but it does not always work that way.

Test every component and feature of the security system, thoroughly. If something does not work right, take a close look at it. If it still does not work, go to your place of purchase or call it, for more help and information. If you do not install your car security system correctly, it is not going to do the job you bought it for. - 21396

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What Is Comprehensive Car Insurance?

By A. Nutt

When you purchase a vehicle or put one back on the road, beyond the responsibility of owning and driving the car daily, you also need to have insurance. Insurance is a legal requirement in order to protect yourself and others financially and medically in the event of an accident, natural disaster, or other incident that can cause significant financial hardship for you or other drivers. One type of insurance you may need, depending on the circumstances under which you purchase your vehicle and your needs as a consumer, is comprehensive insurance. What is comprehensive insurance, and why would you consider this?

Understanding Comprehensive Policies

Comprehensive insurance covers losses that occur to your vehicle due to fire, theft, natural disaster, or vandalism. This type of insurance also covers anything that is considered an "Act of God," which can be anything from severe storms to flooding.

Comprehensive insurance should be especially considered if you are paying full price for a vehicle as a new purchase or lease. You will also want to obtain comprehensive insurance if you live in a high risk area such as a coastal area or flood zone, or a densely populated area where vehicle vandalism or thefts may occur on a more frequent basis. Depending on the type of vehicle you intend to insure, comprehensive insurance can be of help if you would not be able to replace the vehicle easily or if it would be too costly to do so.

Comprehensive Insurance Benefits You

Unlike other types of insurance like liability and collision, which are generally required for all drivers regardless of type of vehicle or value, comprehensive insurance is more of an insurance that protects and reimburses you directly. Other types of insurance are generally for the benefit of other drivers and pay for losses sustained during traffic accidents. Comprehensive coverage allows you to quickly recoup any losses to you directly if your vehicle is stolen, damaged intentionally. or subject to a naturally occurring event like a fire or flood. You need this kind of coverage to make up for any gaps in your liability and collision policies, particularly since those policies may not cover your losses in full.

Consider Your Options Carefully

Choose wisely when deciding what types of insurance to place on your vehicle(s) and you will be glad later on when and if you have to place an auto or glass repair claim. Comprehensive car insurance coverage is not only affordable; it can give you peace of mind that other basic insurance policies cannot. If you had to replace your vehicle today because it was stolen or totaled by a tree falling on it, what would you do? Not only would you have to replace the car, but you would be legally and financially responsible for paying off your car note. Comprehensive insurance takes care of those worries and protects you from having to come up with a lump sum to replace a vehicle loss. - 21396

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Save Yourself With Car Insurance

By Nancy Pitts

There are many reasons why auto insurance coverage is important. One of the most important reasons to obtain auto insurance is for the peace of mind it offers you. If you are ever in a car accident you need to know that your expenses will be covered. Accidents can be costly. You almost always have some sort of physical damage to your vehicle which may or may not leave you with a functioning vehicle. If your car is damaged auto insurance covers the majority of the cost to repair it so that you can get back to your normal day-to-day routine.

You may also have suffered a personal injury from a car accident. If you are injured in an accident, your insurance also covers medical expenses to get you back on your feet. Sometimes you're not the only one with injuries. It may be a passenger in your vehicle, or perhaps the driver or passenger of the other vehicle. Auto insurance covers those expenses as well.

Perhaps you have damaged someone else's property in an accident. Would you really want to be financially responsible for their property as well? Auto insurance would cover expenses to repair other individuals' property so that you wouldn't have to.

You may have just purchased a new vehicle and need financing. Your lender will also require you to obtain insurance so that their investment in your car is protected. They need to know that if your car is stolen or is damaged beyond repair that they will get the money they lent you to buy it, back. Auto insurance will provide them with the money to settle your loan so that you don't have to continue making payments on a car that doesn't exist anymore.

With all that can go wrong in a car, why wouldn't you want to be protected. It's so easy to buy auto insurance. The insurance industry today offers many ways of shopping for the right coverage. Many companies offer auto insurance quotes in a matter of minutes and can allow you to compare them to other companies to be sure you are getting the best coverage at the best price. - 21396

About the Author:

Nancy is an expert in Texas car insurance, staying plugged in to the world of Texas auto insurance and the genius of Online Texas car insurance quotes.