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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

Have you ever used your emergency brake before? Maybe you're one of the few who actually is not sure when and where to use it? This great article that All Tech Automotive found on Nationwide that talks about how and when to use this feature. How and When to Use Your Emergency Brake When should you use the emergency brake? New and experienced drivers often don’t know how the emergency brake works, or how and when to use it. Yet it can increase the safety of a vehicle, not to mention its engine life.  How emergency brakes work The emergency brake, or parking brake as it's sometimes called, works independently from the brakes that you tap to stop your car. It's that way on purpose so you have access to an alternative braking system should your primary brakes fail. Your primary brakes work through a high-tech hydraulic system and are meant to slow your car to a stop. The emergency brake, on the other hand, is designed to hold your car in place. However, if your p ... read more

Some of the most basic things you can do on your car, a lot of people actually don't know how to do, like checking your tire pressure. This article about how to check your tire pressure comes from the DMV website. How To Check Your Tire Pressure Proper tire maintenance keeps you safe and your car running its best. One of the most important - and most often overlooked - regular maintenance you should be doing is checking the pressure of your tires regularly.  Car tires don't have to be punctured to leak air. And unlike your gasoline gauge, most cars don't alert you to check your tire pressure. This guide will walk you through how to properly check the pressure of your tires, and why you should keep it at the top of your routine.  Why Is Tire Pressure Important? According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, under-inflated tires have a higher risk of damage and failure. Not only will they wear out faster if under-inflated, but faster deteriorat ... read more

Winter is coming! All Tech Automotive found this article from the DMV with recommendations on how to prepare your car for the cold and snow that lies ahead.  Winter months can prevent many challenges for your vehicle. While modern vehicles are designed to handle inclement weather conditions, there are some basic steps every driver should take as the days get shorter and the temperature drops. How to Winterize Your Car Replace or refill all fluids The best way to winterize your car is to start by checking your fluid levels. Coolant - It is especially important to have the correct antifreeze/water mixture to prevent fluid from freezing in your radiator. Consult your vehicle's owner's manual for information on this mixture. Pick up a tester at an auto parts store and make sure the fluid is filled to the maximum line. Oil - Some mechanics recommend switching to a thinner oil if you live where temperatures drop below freezing. Your best be ... read more

Owning a working set of jumper cables -- and knowing how to use them -- is a must for drivers.  Since using jumper cables incorrectly can be dangerous, follow every step precisely. Most jumper cables have an instruction card or label so you can make sure you're connecting them the right way. Find a car to serve as the boosting car. Park the two cars -- the dead car and the boosting car -- close to one another, making sure that they're not touching each other. Make sure both cars' engines are turned off, and both cars are in park. Clamp the red jumper cable (i.e. the positive cable) to the dead car's positive battery terminal, which is marked with a "+." Make sure that the clamp is firmly connected to the battery. Clamp the other end of the red jumper cable to the booster car's positive battery terminal, also marked with a "+." Make sure that the clamp is firmly connected to the battery. Clamp the black jumper cable (i.e. the negative c ... read more

Would you ever willfully perform an unnatural act? That's what you're doing when you drive at night.  People are diurnal, versus nocturnal, and we weren't meant to be traipsing around in the darkness, at the same time the wild things are. Even though we humans are at the top of the food chain today (usually), our bodies have failed to keep up with the radical changes we've made in our lifestyles. Nearly 90-percent of your reaction ability while driving relies on sight, yet the ability to see goes down dramatically at night. Your depth perception, color recognition and peripheral vision all take a nosedive when the sun goes down [source: Risk Control Services]. Also, we're naturally less alert at night. As a result, nighttime driving is one of the most dangerous activities you can do, statistically speaking. Of all fatal car accidents, 49-percent occur at night, despite there being fewer drivers on the road. In fact, night driving has a fatality rate per mile ... read more

Teenagers should take these steps to drive away with a great deal Teens might love the freedom a first car can bring, but it also brings a lot of responsibility. They need to be ready for significant expenses even after figuring out how to pay for the car. There's fuel, maintenance, repairs, insurance, taxes and more. Here are some strategies for getting behind the wheel as painlessly as possible. And because an important element of driving includes sharing the road responsibly, you should read our guide to teen driving safety. What Can You Afford? It’s critical for teens and their parents to establish a reasonable budget. Money available for a down payment and for making monthly installments on a loan will determine the range of car choices.  One key consideration is whether the car is meant to see a teen through high school or college and beyond. That will determine how new and reliable it needs to be. The best way to save money is to buy used. A new car loses alm ... read more

Halloween is a holiday that children and adults alike can enjoy. Who doesn't love costumes, candy, and scary stories? But Halloween can also be a very dangerous time to be a driver and a pedestrian.  If you have to drive this Halloween, follow these driving safety tips. 1. Use your headlights. Even in the daytime, trick-or-treaters are much more likely to see you if you are shining your headlights (not your brights – you don’t want to blind anyone). Especially important in residential areas. 2. Don’t drive distracted. It’s a good idea anyway to avoid distractions while driving, as distracted driving is the largest cause of motor vehicle accidents. Put your cell phone away, don’t reach for anything until you’re safely stopped, and save your snacks for your destination. 3. Turn the radio down. We all love to jam out in the car, but Halloween is a time when it’s vitally important to be able to hear what’s going on around ... read more

This month is Car Care Month, and All Tech Automotive wants to share some important information with you. This article we found on AAA.com highlights the main points you should always check to prepare your car for the cooler months. October is Car Care Month, an ideal time to remind motorists as the weather cools, motorists should complete a seasonal vehicle checkup to maintain safety and maximize efficiency. Winter Car Care Checklist Battery and Charging System Have the battery and charging system tested by a trained technician. A fully charged battery in good condition is required to start an engine in cold weather. AAA members can request a visit from a AAA Mobile Battery Service technician who will test their battery and replace it on-site, if necessary. AAA Approved Auto Repair shops can also test and replace weak batteries. Battery Cables and Terminals Make sure the battery termin ... read more