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Cardenas Auto Group Official Blog

Posts Tagged ‘car tips’

10 Ways To Protect Your Car This Summer

Monday, July 9th, 2018

  1.  Keep your cool – Staying cool is important not just for you, but also for your car.  Beyond checking the level of coolant fluid in your car, be sure to inspect the state of the hoses and coolant reservoir to keep an eye out for leaks.  Squeeze the hoses (when the engine is cool) from time to time to make sure they feel firm and not excessively squishy or soft
  2. Tighten up your belt – There usually is a serpentine belt that runs between the alternator, the fan and several other components that can become loose or deteriorate over time.  It needs to be in good condition and at the right amount of tension, so if you see cracks or small pieces missing, it’s time to replace the belt.
  3. Clear your vision – Summer rain showers really can do a number on wearing out your windshield wipers, creating nasty streaks across your windshield and affecting your vision while driving.  Replacing your wipers is not costly but can be a fiddly operation, so you may want to inquire about wiper installation during your regular oil changes or a dealership visit.
  4. Stay hydrated – Check oil, brake, power-steering and windshield-washer fluids regularly, as these liquids are in constant use and are key to your vehicle functioning properly.
  5. Crank the air – Air-conditioning is a summer essential, so if the system hasn’t been working properly in recent months, summer certainly is the time to get serious about repairing any leaks or issues.  Have a qualified mechanic fix the leak before paying to have the air-conditioning system recharged.
  6. Clean your filters – Summer is the time to take out your air filter to give it a good cleaning, or buy a new filter if needed.  Many modern cars also have pollen filters or cabin filtration systems, so be sure to take a look at those, too.  And as always, when in doubt, consult a qualified technician.
  7. Under pressure – Tires really need to be checked regularly all year round, and summertime is no exception.  Pressures must be correct (consult the manual for levels specific to your vehicle), treads should be free of stones, stray nails and the like, and all four tires should be in good condition (meaning no cracks, no uneven wear and plenty of tread depth).  Don’t forget to also check your spare to ensure it is usable.
  8. Throw some shade – Don’t underestimate the greatness of a dashboard sunshade for those times you are not driving but the car is still out in the sun.  It helps protect the dashboard and interior against ultraviolet rays and can help prevent fading over time, and in the short-term, it helps the cabin stay a little cooler.
  9. Keep it clean – Those long, balmy evenings when the sun seems to hang low for hours can be lovely, but also hazardous if your car’s windshield is dirty.  The haze on your windshield can diffuse the light and make things hard to see, so keep your car’s exterior clean.  Things look much sharper after your car has had a good wash, and regular washings protect the paintwork from the sun’s rays.
  10. Plan accordingly – It’s hot out there, so keep both the driver and passengers happy by keeping everyone hydrated. Plan road trips by making lists of what you’ll need to keep everyone in the car happy while on the journey (examples:  sunglasses, travel mugs, games for the kids, snacks, phone chargers and more), and don’t forget to have those just-in-case items like a flashlight and small tool kit handy.  Be sure your license and insurance are up to date, and that you’re keeping tabs on your vehicle’s scheduled service.

Source: Autotrader

 

 

Car Upholstery Cleaning – DIY With Cheap and Simple Home Remedies

Monday, June 18th, 2018

Common concerns when cleaning car upholstery

A common misconception when cleaning any kind of upholstery is that the more water used, the better the result. This could not be further from the truth as more water doesn’t necessarily mean more effective stain removal. Moisture is extremely bad for the fabric, and can damage the fabric as well as leave the interior of the car with a dump or musty smell. Another point to note is to avoid getting water on any metal portion of the seat such as zippers. This can lead to rust, and more stains to deal with in the future. With these two important points in mind, below is how to use home remedies to clean your car upholstery.

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Removing smells from car interior

It is common for car upholstery to absorb stains and odors over time. Before starting any kind of cleaning on the car seats, the first step is to deal with the smell.

Removing smells from car interior can be done in 5 easy steps:

STEP 1: Fill two bowls with white vinegar.

STEP 2: Place one bowl on the dashboard of the car and the other on the back seat the night before cleaning.

STEP 3: Close all the windows and doors and leave the bowls over-night. The white vinegar should effectively absorb all the odors from the car.

STEP 4: Remove the bowls of vinegar in the morning and leave the car doors and windows open for as long as it   takes for the smell of vinegar to completely disappear.

STEP 5 (optional): The last step is to vacuum clean your car upholstery thoroughly and take stock of the stains that need to be dealt with as the car is airing out.

Getting rid of stains on car upholstery

Before starting the stain removal process, you’ll need to prepare the following two homemade cleaning solutions:

For the first part of the cleaning you’ll need:

  • ¼ cup of baking soda
  • 1 cup of warm water

Mix together the baking soda and water and you’re ready for the second part.

For the second part of the cleaning process you’ll need:

  • Warm water
  • A few squirts of dish detergent and a
  • ¼ cup of vinegar in
  • A spray bottle

Mix the warm water, the few squirts of dish detergent and the ¼ cup of vinegar in a spray bottle. Shake the mixture well and leave for 5 minutes to set.

And now we’re ready to start cleaning the car upholstery:

STEP 1: Use a toothbrush to gently apply the baking soda and water solution to any stains that you might have on the upholstery and leave the solution for 30 minutes to penetrate the stains (This is by the way a great cleaning procedure for stubborn stains including ketchup and coffee stains among others)

STEP 2: After the half hour, use a clean dry towel to blot the stains with the baking soda and water. Be careful to absorb as much liquid as possible before commencing the next step in the car upholstery cleaning process.

STEP 3: Use the detergent, water and vinegar mixture to spray the upholstery starting with the front seats and working your way to the back.

STEP 4: After spraying the seats, use a stiff-bristled brush to gently work in the solution.

STEP 5: Leave the mixture to sit for 15 minutes on the seats, and then use dry towels to absorb excess moisture.

STEP 6: The last step is to air out the car to get rid of any smells. You may want to leave all the car doors and windows open for the rest of the day or until all the cleaning smell is gone.

Other alternative car upholstery cleaning solutions

Baby wipes: These work surprisingly well when cleaning car upholstery. You don’t necessarily need soap and water to clean your car seats. Baby wipes are a great alternative, and should get most stains out. They don’t contain abrasive chemicals, which is especially great for the environment and safe for people with small children and adults with sensitive skin or allergies.

Dry cleaning cloths: Dry cleaning cloths such as Dryel are also great for cleaning car upholstery. They are easily accessible, and are effective car upholstery cleaners. – An additional bonus for using Dryel or other brands of dry cleaning cloths is that they leave the car smelling great.

Club Soda: Club soda is also another great stain remover worth considering. This works especially well for vomit stains on car upholstery. Club soda is cheap and easily accessible, and offers a thorough cleaning job at a fraction of the price. A mixture of baking soda and water also works great as an alternative for cleaning car upholstery and getting rid of stubborn stains.

Clear ammonia: A mixture of clear ammonia and water can be used to brighten the color of the carpets. Over time, the color of the carpets may begin to fade. This mixture can help restore the color, and have the car carpets looking great even after many years of service.

Source: bestdiy.tips

CORRECT TIRE PRESSURE

Monday, June 11th, 2018

A Few Things to Keep In Mind

When it comes to keeping your tire pressure right, there are a few things to consider

  • Always set your tires to the pressure specified in your vehicle’s owner manual or tire information placard.
  • Always check and adjust your tire pressure before driving.
  • Temperature differences affect your tire pressure. Cold, winter weather may cause your pressure to drop, while warm, summer weather may cause your pressure to increase. Although you should check your tire pressure periodically as part of good vehicle maintenance, it is exceptionally important to check it when the season changes.
  • Always check your tires with a good quality tire pressure gauge. Many vehicles come equipped with a tire pressure monitoring system (TPMS). Generally, this system will alert you if your tires are losing air or are below the recommended pressure. We recommend keeping a tire pressure gauge in your glove compartment—even if you have a TPMS built into your vehicle. This will ensure you are getting a consistent reading each time rather than using multiple gauges at different gas or service stations. If you suspect your TPMS system is malfunctioning, we offer TPMS service package designed to fix the faulty component.

Overinflation

Overinflated tires are rigid and stiff, causing the tire’s contact patch (the amount of rubber that meets the road) to be reduced. That leads to a “harder” ride as well as uneven tread wear. The most common type of uneven tread wear due to overinflation is referred to as “center wear.” Exactly what it sounds like, the center of the tire will be smooth and worn down while there will be more tread on the sides of the tire. Due to the rigidity of an overinflated tire, it can be more easily damaged by everyday road hazards such as potholes and imperfections in the road.

Underinflation

Underinflated tires do not hold their shape and are flatter to the ground. Therefore, more of the tire comes in contact with the road, causing the shoulders of the tire to wear prematurely. That is referred to as “shoulder wear.” There will be a strip of normal tread down the center of the tire, while the shoulders of the tire will be smooth and worn down. Underinflated tires are more flexible when they roll, leading to increased rolling resistance and therefore a decrease in fuel economy.

Source: Pep Boys