automotive

Hailstorms can wreak havoc when they strike. Since there is very little time to prepare before a hailstorm hits, the potential for hailstorm damage to a vehicle not parked under a protective covering is significant. If a recent hailstorm has left your vehicle with some indentations, there are some simple ways you can attempt to repair this minor damage. 1. Harness the heat of the sun. If the dents in your car are fairly small and shallow, you may be able to harness the heat of the sun to help you repair your vehicle's damaged exterior.

The master cylinder plays the important role of converting the force applied onto the pedal into hydraulic pressure. Any problems with your master cylinder are therefore likely to have devastating effects on the effectiveness of your vehicle's braking system. This makes knowing how to detect signs of master cylinder defects important. Here are tips that will come in handy in helping you do so. Soft brake pedal movement When pressing against the brake pedal, you should experience a little bit of resistance.

Your car's radiator system is an extremely important part of your vehicle, helping to maintain the comfort levels in the exterior of your car during the winter months while also venting heat away from your engine system. A faulty radiator can pose a number of problems to you and your car, including reduced performance and comfort in the winter. Thankfully, there are a number of warning signs you can keep your eye out for to know when you should consult a mechanic about repairing or replacing your car's radiator.

Going away to college for the first time can be a little frightening. Especially if you are moving hundreds of miles away from the home you have grown up in and will need to maintain a very tight budget in order to cover your school expenses and basic needs, such as food, clothing, and transportation. If you are preparing to start college soon and worried about your finances, the following tips will help you reduce many of your necessary expenses and ease the strain on your finances.

Most factory driveshafts are constructed of steel or aluminum, but more and more drivers are discovering carbon fiber driveshafts. There are many reasons for consumers' preference for carbon fiber choices, as carbon fiber choices have many benefits. Here is an overview of the many benefits of these innovative custom driveshafts, so you can determine if investing in one would be a good idea:  What is carbon fiber? Carbon fiber is a thin material that is used in many different products for its strengthening abilities.

If you're trying to arrange a house move and are transporting the equivalent of a small studio's worth of stuff, you know it will likely be a lot cheaper to just rent a moving truck or van yourself. But which one to get can be a difficult decision, especially when you don't have that much stuff. Look at these factors to decide which vehicle is best for you. Fuel Use

Few amateur auto mechanics pay attention to the bellhousing of their transmission, but it's one of the most important parts. If your transmission is acting up, it's worth checking the bellhousing for cracks, understanding the typical cause of this problem, and how to fix it. Finding Your Transmission The first step in the process is finding your transmission, the location of which will vary depending on the type of car you drive.

Your car operates by numerous intricate systems working together – much like the human body. The transmission is one of those systems. When the transmission has problems, your entire car can suffer. Unfortunately, trying to figure out what's wrong with your transmission can be a difficult task, especially if you're not familiar with automotive repair. In most cases, your car will provide you with plenty of clues designed to tell you what the problem is.

When your car suffers extensive body damage, it can be easy to appreciate the need to have it repaired. However, it can be common for individuals to neglect to repair minor damages, which can expose their car to a much higher risk of suffering damage. If your car has recently sustained a minor dent, you may benefit from having the following few basic auto repair questions addressed. Why Is It Important To Have Dents Repaired?

Having a fifth wheel hitch installed in your tow vehicle makes it easier to haul campers, flatbeds, or livestock trailers over the open road. Proper maintenance is essential when it comes to maintaining the quality of your hitch, but many drivers fail to perform essential maintenance tasks before embarking on a long trip. Here are three things you should be checking on your hitch before each trip to ensure maximum safety.

If you just closed the sale on that first fifth wheel, you might be eager to take it out for its first trip. When you attach a fifth wheel to your truck, you need to be sure that the hitch is securely attached. The last thing you want is for the trailer to come loose on the road. Here are a few tips to help you do just that so that you can get the most from your fifth-wheel investment.

When you work with aluminum for the first time, whether for crafting or repair, you'll find that it's often a little bit harder to work with than some other metals. One challenge in particular comes when you're welding, as you might need to do for patchwork or something similar. Aluminum's thermal conductivity makes welding a challenge because it reduces weld penetration. At the same time, the oxide layer found on most aluminum will reduce the fusion of the weld.

One of the most important auto maintenance tasks is an oil change, mostly because oil changes can help you avoid all manner of problems with your vehicle. Listed below are just a few of the reasons to make sure that you have your oil changed on a regular basis. Deal With Moisture One of the most important reasons to perform an oil change is in order to deal with the buildup of moisture in your oil.

Your camper works hard during the summer season when you are on the road, but winter can be the most damaging season if you don't prepare it for off-season storage correctly. The following tips can help ensure your camper is ready to hit the road again as soon as the the snow melts and spring arrives. Tip #1: Prep the roof This is especially important in wet or snow climates, but should be done everywhere.

Everyone knows that brake pads are an important part of a vehicle. Unfortunately, every vehicle owner doesn't realize that all pads aren't created equal. The quality of brake you choose will determine not only how long they last, but also your vehicle's stopping performance and power. If you're in the market for new brake pads for your truck, make sure you know the differences between the available kinds. Ceramic Pads Ceramic brake pads are made from a combination of ceramic fibers and filler material that is bonded together to form the pad.

Only bright and functioning headlights can transform a lonely stretch of road into a safe place for a moonlight cruise. If you notice water beading on the inside of the lenses, it's natural to feel alarmed since there are such delicate electric components responsible for producing the light you need to drive by. Find out why headlights produce condensation and what to do about the problem. Why Headlights Fog Up

As a mechanic at an auto body repair shop (such as Wolfe's Foreign Auto), you often deal with customers who are going through vehicle emergencies. Generally, customers use auto body shops when they need repairs due to an accident or collision. These are not scheduled maintenance repairs that the customer was planning for, which can lead to higher emotional states. This guide will help you effectively deal with an upset auto repair customer.

It can be quite unnerving when you start hearing noises each time you put your foot on the brakes. The first thing you think is that your brakes are about to fail. Luckily, those initial squeak sounds usually don't mean that your brakes are in immediate danger. However, those sounds do mean that you need to have your brakes attended to by a mechanic. When you start hearing sounds coming from your brakes, pay attention to them.

When you replace your tires, the tire shop will usually handle the disposal of the old tires as a courtesy. However, old tires can be an asset for crafty individuals seeking building materials for projects. The following 5 crafts turn your old tires into functional outdoor items. With the right tools, these projects can all be completed in an hour or less. 1. Umbrella Holder You'll need two tires for this project.

If you go in to get an oil change on your car, and the auto shop tells you your serpentine belt needs to be replaced, you may find yourself with many questions. Here are a few frequently asked questions you may have about a car's serpentine belt. What is the Serpentine Belt? The serpentine belt is a vital part of your car. It is the belt responsible for turning or driving multiple parts connected to the engine.

If you find yourself involved in a fender bender that leaves a few scratches behind, then you may be tempted to repair the scratches yourself. If you do, then you will need to work with auto body paint to make your repair invisible to the naked eye. If you have never worked with the paint before, then there are a few tips you should follow to make sure the paint blends in properly.

Even if you are on a tight budget, doing all the preventative maintenance to your car makes a lot of economic sense for you. You save money in the present by getting the best possible gas mileage and save money in the future by catching small problems before they become big problems. Preventative maintenance also lets you get the full benefit of the investment that you put into your car. Oil Changes

If you were in an auto collision that didn't do a lot of body damage, but you can tell something isn't right with the way your vehicle handles, you'll want to find an auto collision specialist to see what's wrong. There are a lot of problems that may not be noticeable right away when you get behind the wheel but that you notice when you start speeding and slowing down.

If your mechanic is backed up on completing orders or you are unable to get your car to the mechanics shop until late, your car may need to stay at the shop overnight. If you do wind up needing to leave your car with the mechanic overnight, understand that there are some extra precautions that you should take. Decreasing the possibility that your car will be damaged or that you will have to pay out of pocket for damages that happen to your car overnight should be the goal.

Demon camber, also known as oni-camber, or onikyan in Japanese, is an extreme auto wheel look that turns many heads and leaves others shaking in disbelief and worry. Cars with onikyan appear to have been dropped from a great height, because the bottoms of the tires are splayed out in an exaggerated manner that makes the modified cars look as if they will collapse at any moment. If you're curious about this strange wheel alignment phenomenon, here's what you should know:

When you are in the market for a commercial semi-truck, you may opt for a used truck so that you can save some money. This can be a great choice, but it is important that you make the right choices in order to end up with a truck that can serve your business well for some time. Use these tips to ensure you purchase a good used truck. Secure a Truck Loan