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Before you head out on your Summer road trip, take a look at these tips to prepare your vehicle that All Tech Automotive found on Mobil.  Car maintenance checklist for road trips The summer road trip is as American as apple pie and Fourth of July fireworks, so don’t fail in your national duty to hit the road this year just because Old Nellie is overdue for some car maintenance.  Those who neglect to do a quick mechanical check-over – even of newer cars – before taking to the highway are begging to be stranded. We’re not talking about rebuilding the cylinder head or performing a line-bore on the crankshaft mains. Below are just a few reminders that may slip your mental checklist in the rush to get bags packed and kids fed. Your family is counting on you to take a few preventative measures before you hurl them into the gauntlet of our national highway system. Engine oil Check your oil levels and the date you’re due for an oil change, preferabl ... read more

Although it is not the end result for soft tires, in a pinch, Fix-a-Flat can a great option to help plug a hole until you're able to get your car to a mechanic. This article about how to use Fix-a-Flat comes from ThoughtCo. How to Use Fix-a-Flat There is nothing exciting about getting a flat tire. In fact, it can be the immediate end to an otherwise enjoyable time. Is that aerosol can a true emergency flat tire repair tool or would it be better used to flag down a trucker via his windshield? Roadside tire sealants are a constant source for debate amongst car people. Classic car drivers often don't even have room for a proper spare tire in their vehicles, so one of these products is the only chance they have on the side of the road outside of calling for the flatbed hauler to scoop them up. Remember, if an auto repair product seems too good to be true, it probably is. Now forget you ever heard that for a minute. Fix-a-Flat is the real deal, and it's the original roadside fl ... read more

If you put the wrong fuel in your car, it can seriously hurt your engine. This article from Jerry Advice talks about what happens when you put the wrong fuel in your car and what to do if it happens.  What Happens if You Put the Wrong Gas in Your Car Everyone makes mistakes, and gassing up your car with the wrong fuel does not have to spell disaster. Stay calm and take immediate action to fix the situation to avoid paying higher repair costs for damage to the engine from running diesel instead of unleaded fuel or vice versa.  However, if you accidentally used a premium version of your usual gas, you're fine to drive normally and just pay closer attention the next time you are at the pumps. Here's what to do after gassing up with the wrong fuel:  Step 1 Do not start your car. You don't want to draw the wrong fuel into your engine, causing costly damage. If you need to move your car away from the gas pumps, ask an attendant or onlooker to help push your car ... read more

We've all been on the road when a flat tire happens and the only solution is to drive on a spare until you can find time in your schedule to get a new tire, but how long can that last? This article that All Tech Automotive wanted to share with you about driving on a spare tire comes from Nationwide.  Tips for Maintaining and Driving on a Spare Tire  While most drivers realize the importance of taking care of their tires, there's one tire that usually gets overlooked - the one in your trunk. But some people assume that because they haven't used a spare, that is can operate like new. Accidents resulting from faulty or poorly maintained spares happen more than most drivers think. Learn how to safely drive on a spare tire, and what precautions you can take to help keep your spare in working condition. How to safely drive on a spare tire When you resort to driving on your spare, it's important to know the limitations of your new tire. Remember the ans ... read more

The Summer is here and hot weather can cause problems with your car if you're not careful. This article that we wanted to share with you comes from Dummies.  What to Do If Your Car Overheats Cars overheat most often in very hot weather. It’s rare with modern vehicles, but even a well-tuned automobile can overheat.  If you find yourself in stop-and-go traffic or climbing a steep grade on an extremely hot day, and your dashboard temperature indicator starts to rise or a malfunction indicator light comes on, here’s how to help your vehicle regain its cool: At the first sign of overheating, shut off your air conditioner and open your windows: Doing so decreases the load on the engine and helps it cool off. If you continue to overheat, turn on the heater and blower: Doing so transfers the heat from the engine to the passenger compartment of the vehicle. (This does wonders for your overheated engine but very little for you!) ... read more

Looking for the perfect Father's Day present for your car-loving dad? This great article comes from the Allstate Blog. Father’s Day Gift Ideas for a Car-Loving Dad Wondering what to buy your car-loving dad for Father’s Day? From a simple car wash to an unforgettable experience behind the wheel of a race car, here are some Father’s Day gift ideas geared toward a dad with a passion for cars. A Clean Car If your dad appreciates a clean car — or could use a hand in that department — consider creating a car wash kit. A bucket filled with car-wash essentials, like soap, glass cleaner and a sponge, may make a good gift for your car-loving dad, Martha Stewart suggests. As a bonus, include vouchers he can redeem for you to do the job. If dad’s car is a job for the pros, detailing may also make a good Father’s Day gift, Angie’s List says.  Car Accessories Could your dad’s car use some additional sprucing up? Spring for all-weat ... read more

With Summer on its way and the hot weather right around the corner, these tips from the Allstate Blog will help you keep your car cool this Summer.  Tips for Keeping Your Car Cool in Summer If you are wondering how to keep your car cool during summer, there are plenty of simple things you can do. From maximizing your air conditioning to taking advantage of a shady spot when parking, the following tips can help you maintain a cooler vehicle on those hot and humid summer days. Block Car Windows from the Sun Cars can trap heat, causing the temperature inside them to quickly rise, says the National Weather Service. According to one test, a parked car’s temperature rose from 80 degrees to more than 94 degrees in about two minutes and reached 123 degrees within an hour. A car can reach up to 200 degrees inside, according to Consumer Reports. Reducing the amount of heat entering through your windows may help keep your car cooler, making it more comfortable when it’s time ... read more

Today’s gas pumps display a potentially confusing array of names, colors and alphanumeric symbols. Gasoline comes in five or more varieties, and that doesn’t account for diesel. Mix them up and the results may result in a ruined engine, corroded fuel lines or, if you’re lucky, no serious damage. This informative article comes from the Allstate Blog. Fuel Functionality: What If You Add the Wrong Fuel To Your Tank? What Happens When You Put Gasoline Into A Diesel Engine? “If you notice (that you’ve filled a diesel car with gasoline) before starting the engine, you just have to clean the whole system,” said Jim Gill, head of product and technology public relations communications for Volkswagen. “This primarily entails draining the fuel tank and refilling with correct diesel fuel.” But if you realize that you’ve put gasoline into your diesel engine, don’t drive it or your engine may suffer serious damage. You’ll need it ... read more

More and more vehicles are making it well past 100,000 miles today, but how far can you push your car? This article that we wanted to share with you comes from the Allstate Blog. High-Mileage Cars: Is 200,000 the new normal? In the 1960s and 1970s, many automobile odometers did not even read beyond 99,999 miles. Hit 100,000, and the odometer “flipped” or turned back to zero. But now, thanks to tougher quality standards and post-recession financial concerns, Americans are driving their cars longer than ever before, says IHS Markit, and high-mileage cars may now be the rule, not the exception. Are 200,000 miles the new 100,000 miles? The average age of light vehicles (cars and trucks) on U.S. roads increased to 11.6 years, according to IHS Markit. The trend of holding onto vehicles longer continued through the end of 2015. The average length of ownership was 79.3 months, more than 1.5 months longer than reported in 2014. For used vehicles, that number is approximately 66 mo ... read more

We know that most drivers like to grab a coffee on their way to work, and it's highly likely that once in a while (or more often than desired) most will experience spills. This great article that All Tech Automotive wanted to share with you comes from the Allstate Blog.  Quick Fix: Clean Coffee Stains Out of Your Car Mats If you like to enjoy a morning cup of coffee in the car as you drive to work, start your errands or drop the kids off at school, you’re not alone. But, because we’re all human, this multi-tasking can sometimes lead to coffee spills on the carpets. Don’t worry! The below step-by-step guide may be able to help you clean those stains right up. But, as Autoblog.com indicates, the method varies based on whether you drink your coffee with milk or not. Note: Do not attempt to clean up any spills while driving. Wait until you have stopped your car to perform the steps below. Step 1 Soak up as much of the spill as possible, as quickly as possibl ... read more