12 Steps on How to Care For Your Car Battery During Summer

Batteries should be check and maintained not only during winter months but also during summer days. Actually, summer heat is more detrimental to your battery than cold temperatures. Unfortunately, only a few people know about this fact.

The truth is, the strength of the batteries lessens when the mercury rises. With 95˚ F temperature plus under the hood temperature will definitely cause corrosion to your batteries. Bear in mind that heat causes evaporation, thus depleting fluid out of your battery resulting to the breakdown of battery grids.

Batteries are very important for your vehicle to start that is why it is necessary (for car owners especially) to learn about the proper steps on how to take care of your battery especially during summer.

What is an automotive battery?

An automotive battery is also known as an automotive SLI battery (starting, lighting, ignition ). These batteries are rechargeable types of batteries. They are needed to start your engine, give power to the lightings and the ignitions of your car. Battery maintenance is vital to assure that there will be no problems caused by battery related issues.

The Importance of Proper Battery Maintenance

Proper battery maintenance is very significant especially when you are traveling a lot. Make sure that your batteries are in good condition before you decide to bring it for a long drive. Check the poles and terminals , the loose connections and the electrolyte level.

Steps On How To Properly Care For Your Battery

1.    Know the type of battery you have to be knowledgeable of the proper care it needs to keep it in good condition. It is not advisable to play around with your battery. Remember that proper maintenance helps prolong the life of the battery, and knowing how to safely clean them is a big help. There are indicator lights inside your vehicle that tells you of its status. You must be able to understand what the indicators mean to know what it is trying to tell you to avoid getting damage.

2.    To prevent batteries from being discharged especially when not in use or stored for quite some time, it is highly recommended that you should disconnect it from any connections and remove the battery in your car. Put it on top of a wooden table or on anything wooden. Don’t leave it on the ground or floor as it could also cause the discharged. You might be surprise that your car would not start even if it was working fine before you stored your car in the garage. We recommend a trickle charger that can be picked up for a nominal fee at any automotive parts store.  This will assure  a start for you when you hook up your battery again.

3.    Batteries should be kept away from direct contact or exposure to heat. If your batteries are exposed to too much heat, this can cause your batteries to explode or get damaged. If you read the precaution notice on the battery, you will know which to avoid.

4.    In recharging your batteries, see to it that the charger is compatible with the configuration of your batteries to avoid certain problems that might occur. There are many battery chargers that you can choose from and purchase. To be certain, ask the opinions from experts on this field in your area. Skilled auto electricians can help you with this.

5.    Heat can hasten the presence of internal battery corrosion. Therefore it is vital to clean your battery and get rid of any possible formation of corrosion, lead oxidation and rust by using  a brass brush or scouring pad. Make sure that these chemicals are taken off before it causes damage to your battery.

6.    For batteries with filler caps, make sure to perform regular checking of the water levels and refill each cell with water when needed.

7.    To prevent sulfation and reduction of internal battery explosion possibility, make sure that battery plates are filled with the correct level of fluid.

8.    Do not use tap water to as a replacement to distilled water when the level is low.

9.    Do not overfill the plates as well especially during hot weather. Keep in mind that heat can cause the solution to expand and will surely result to an overflow of liquid which can also cause damage to your battery.

10. Make sure to inspect your battery from time to time for any cracking or leaking or bulging of the case. Once you see signs of the following, be aware that battery replacement is already needed.

11. Cold and warm weather have opposite effects on batteries so you have to be observant. It affects the discharge and charging of your batteries. Though you may not notice it if you are not going to check it out. Try to prevent adding excessive amount of electrolytes during a warm weather because the heat can cause it to overflow.

12. It is very much recommended to have your batteries tested or checked every three to six months and especially when you are planning to take a long trip. Bring it to a trusted auto repair shop and have an auto electrician look at it for you to be aware of how much longer your car battery can go. It is very important to know your battery life to avoid problems later on.   In severe hot climates, even a “lifetime battery “ may only have 35 months of charge.

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                         Rock and Roll Auto Recycling

                          Malcolm Calder                          Rick Benson
                          Steven Erdmancayk Jr.

5 Star Tire Rotation and Car Repair in Greenway, Glendale, Sky Harbor, Tempe and Phoenix, AZ,

http://www.CommunityTirePros.com/ (602) 978-0251. We get rave reviews on our car repair, tire rotation and air conditioning and more in our Glendale and 4 other locations - stop by and inspect our facilities. We're a car repair and maintenance company in Phoenix, AZ.

Check out our website for monthly specials here: http://www.communitytirepros.com/coup...

Community Tire Pros & Auto Repair prides itself as we offer roadside assistance to our clients.

We're an auto repair shop that specializes in all kinds of service and repair. We have five locations to serve you better. Receive a FREE oil change on every year on your birthday, by signing up for our newsletter: http://www.communitytirepros.com/news...

Community Tire Pros & Auto Repair, Arizona's Tire Kingdom!

We invite you to check out our car care information, service tips and you are welcome to speak with one of our Automotive Service Excellence (ASE) technicians, certified Master Automotive Repair Service Advisor, or mechanics.


Locations:
-----------------------------------------------
Community Tire Pros - Corporate
123 E Durango, Phoenix, AZ 85004
Phone: (602) 569-4930
Fax: (602) 569-9627

Community Tire Pros - Greenway
15812 N. 32nd Street, Phoenix, AZ 85032
Phone: (602) 992-2830
Fax: (602) 992-3064

Community Tire Pros - Glendale
12251 N 51st Ave, Glendale, AZ 85304
Phone: (602) 978-0251
Fax: (602) 978-2988

Community Tire Pros - Sky Harbor
2424 E. Buckeye Road, Phoenix, AZ 85034
Phone: (602) 231-9090
Fax: (602) 231-8569

Community Tire Pros - Tempe
4139 E. University Drive, Phoenix, AZ 85034
Phone: (602) 470-0677
Fax: (602) 470-0073

Community Tire Pros - Commercial/Truck Center
123 East Durango Street, Phoenix, AZ 85004
Phone: (602) 250-8650
Fax: (602) 716-0035

Contact us through:

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What Women Considers As A Good Auto Repair Shop

For women, there is always this feeling that they are treated differently especially to an industry where men are dominant particularly  in auto repair shops. All they want is to be treated equally, as men and women alike have the same concern when it comes to cars. They have the same car problems, they require the same solution and most of all they pay the same charges.

So what do women really have in mind when they say...this is a good auto repair shop. Listed below are their “concept” as to what a good auto repair shop should be.

1. A good auto repair shop is when you feel comfortable whenever you visit the place and that you are greeted with a warm welcome. Are the staff friendly? Do they attend to your needs immediately and explain the solution to you with clarity? Do they treat you with respect and address the problem directly? Do they have facilities to keep you busy and comfy while waiting for your vehicle to get fixed? Do they have a cozy and clean waiting room with magazines to keep yourself busy while waiting?  Do  they have clean restrooms with the woman in mind with extras? Do they have wifi?  If all these questions are answered with yes, then you can say that this is one good repair shop after all.

2. Awards and certificates are visible and hanged on their wall such as AAA, NARPRO, and Better Business Bureau to name a few. This will prove their worth to clients regarding their services, quality workmanship and possibly fair rate charges. In short they are auto repair shops that can be TRUSTED.

3. Aside from the certificates received by the company, they should have certificates and pictures of their technicians hanging on the wall like ASE. If they do, we are assured and confident that the technicians handling our car is skilled and qualified to do their job. Hence we can expect a quality output.

4. Repair shop owners must let you know about their warranty. It could be a warranty for workmanship or parts to assure us that they have addressed the problem and if ever there is a need for rework we can always bring the car back to them free of charge. However, rework is not what we should look forward to ,but having our car fixed at the first visit. With the complexity of these computer driven machines, education is  constant in keeping up with technology.  On rare occasions a second visit  does have happen to fine tune an issue.....It is always the desire of the repair facility to have you on your way with a fixed vehicle, motoring safely & generally the day of repair.

5. Auto repair shops can be messy because of some oil spills, dirt, water and other chemicals when fixing vehicles. But it doesn’t mean that it has to be messy all the time. A good repair shop always has strict policies regarding cleanliness and orderliness of the working area.

6. They must have a comfortable waiting area. They will feel comfortable, especially when there are newspapers or magazines to read, music to listen to or a television to watch the news or sports or other programs while waiting for their cars to be fixed. The availability of snack and beverages will surely be more welcomed. As long as they feel like they are treated special, customers would most likely be loyal to your shop.

7. Auto repair shops must have good and clean facilities to create a comfortable atmosphere for their business. These would attract the customers and they may even recommend your shop to their friends. Good and clean facilities will make a very good investment for your shop. Right investment is and will always be good for business. Taking care of their facility, assures that they will care for your vehicle with kid-gloves too.  

8. A playing area for kids may also be good to have,if the facility deems necessary with  it’s traffic of clients. Kids can be bored with music and television alone. They are normally playful and you would never want them in the waiting area running around and screaming. They might disturb other customers. A playing area for them to stay in makes for a more pleasant repair experience .

9. Most importantly, the restroom. A good auto repair shop should have clean and well maintained restrooms. People prefer a restroom with no bad odors or smell. It should also be complete with hand soaps, toilet paper and of course, water. For most people, the most important facility that should be maintained is the restroom.

It is always admirable for auto repair shops to extend care to their valued clients. Providing excellent facilities is tantamount to providing quality and effective car repair performance. There may be a lot of good repair shops out there, but nothing beats a repair shop that can provide the extra services such as a clean restroom, a cozy waiting area, a playroom for kids and friendly staff.

image source:  vinnyocc

                        Greg Neate

                        Jonathan Danker

Auto Repair and 24 Hr Roadside Assistance in Greenway, Glendale, Sky Harbor, Tempe and Phoenix, AZ,

4 Advantages of Foam-Filled Tires

What are foam fill tires?

There are two kinds of foam-filled tires. One is called foam fill or tire fill, which is like a liquid bowling ball material and is very hefty. However, it does not foam and are mostly used for earth moving equipment, agricultural equipment, etc…

The other type is also called foam fill but this one foams when mixed. Remember that this kind of foam fill has weight limitations and is only recommended for small bobcats, lawnmowers and other situations that weighs less than a thousand pounds.

Keep in mind to use only the foam fill if the weight does not exceed its capacity, beyond that it is advised to use the tire fill.

What are the advantages of foam filled tires?

Foam filled tires are commonly used on heavy equipment like tractors.

4. Stability

This is the ultimate advantage of foam fill tires – its stability. It adds significant weight to the vehicle making it considerably stable keeping you the need to buy counterweight kits.

Another advantage is it will never get punctured saving you time in fixing flat tires.

3. Treads

Foam filled tires have tread designs that makes it more effective on tough terrains which are not available on other types of tires. It will give you better traction and stability.

2. Pressure

These types of tires has constant pressure, which means you don’t need to keep on checking the tire pressure as opposed to air filled tires. Plus, you can use different types of foam that will give different levels of pressure as well. You may also have different tread options when using foam-filled tires.

1. Flats

It never goes flat. This is one of the biggest advantages of foam-filled tires. Once the foam is set, the tire will never go punctured due to thorns, glass or stones. On top of that, these types of tires will also never lose its pressure.

Auto Repair Tune-Up: Top 9 Signs That Your Cars Need Them

A lot of people have cars, and it is also a fact that not everyone knows how and when one needs an auto repair, or tune up in particular. Taking care of your car is very important as it prolong its life and gives you the most value for your money. It can also be a much more comfortable ride if well taken care off.

But, what exactly is a tune up? A tune up is a type of scheduled maintenance designed to make your car run at its optimum performance or a preventive maintenance to immediately fix a car problem so as it will not cause more problems saving you a ton of money. When is the right time for me to get a tune up? If you have a new car, check the owner’s manual for the recommended tune up schedule for your unit, but at 30,000 miles the transmission fluids should be replaced. Every 60,000 miles your spark plugs should be replaced.

Then here are some tips to guide you in your auto repair tune up:

1. The Break-in
If you have new car, that does not mean it can run for a long time without worry, in fact, the first thing you have to do is to let your car “break-in.” Breaking in means that you let the machine run and settle in its place. Let your car run for a while, 500 miles is the recommended break in distance, and take it back to the shop to check for loose screws, bolts, bearings, and the likes.

2. The mileage
Every 3,000 miles, the oil and oil filter should be changed. This is done to prevent dirt from accumulating in your engine. Every 15,000 miles the air filter should be replaced.

3. The time
 Yearly, the brake fluid should be replaced while the coolant has the interval of every 2 years. Those mentioned above are scheduled maintenance, and should be done religiously to keep your car in tip top shape. But sometimes problems arise even when these scheduled checkups are followed. If you observe some of these problems in your car, it might need to see a mechanic for some needed tune up.

4. The car takes a long time to start.
Your car should start immediately, this problem is usually caused by a weak battery, and sometimes it only needs replacing.

5. Black smoke comes out of your car when it starts or when your car accelerates.
Black smoke is the result of a high gasoline mixture, indicating that your car has a messed up air to fuel ratio, meaning that when you accelerate you expel more gasoline than you need.

6. The car stops itself.
Spark plugs may be overused and needs changing, some may be due to wire problems or fuel filters.

 7. The brake system feels different or something sounds wrong when you hit the brakes.
Your brake pads may stick or something may be stuck in between the disk and the pad, sometimes the brake fluid has leaked. Never take your brake system for granted, your families safety depends on it.

8. The clutch is loosened or unresponsive (manual vehicles)
If your clutch does not return to its normal position when it was stepped on or when the gear stick is hard to get into the gear it is a sign of leak.

9. Car overheats.
Check your water levels; also make sure that the cap is placed properly. If your water level goes down very quickly, leakage is a possibility. If you are not sure of the problem your car is having, consult a mechanic or visit an auto repair Glendale. Having a relationship with your repair facility is utmost important. They have your records of repair and warranty of parts replaced. Never fix anything in your car if you are not sure that it is the problem. These may result in injuries and may get you to do even more damage to your car.

Wheel Alignment: Why Do You Need This

Glendale Wheel Alignment answers what happens if you don’t fix your wheel alignment problems right away

The worst scenario could be a tragic vehicular accident. Of course, who would want that to happen? Your steering wheel would tend to direct  itself  to opposite direction when you think your going straight. There are also times that after making a turn you’ll find it hard to maneuver the steering wheel back and this can call for an accident especially when you’re driving a little faster . Aside from that, your tire might have a shorter lifespan, for sure it would wear off faster than expected. You will be likely be exposed to a great risk driving your vehicle.

How Glendale Wheel Alignment Can Save Your Tire and Your Money

Wheel alignment is often mixed-up with wheel balancing. Wheel alignment is a sophisticated way to keep your tire  last longer, by making sure that your tires are aligned or pointing towards one direction. Aligned wheels increases fuel mileage, keeps your suspension system out of trouble and literally giving you and your passenger comfort riding your car. Misalignment should not be taken for granted because they can really give you a headache. Basically, alignment requires accurate positioning of the belts, bolts, levers and all trinkets of your mobile.    

The Benefits of Going to Glendale Wheel Alignment Skilled Mechanics

Our well trained and skillful mechanics will help you with this. It will cost you money but it will  surely be more costly if you disregard this problem. Our shop has the most modern facility to better service all your car care needs. For wheel alignment, a clamp like device which is linked to a computer, a diagnostic program, will show the symptoms before they will carry out on the repairs.  

When Do You Need to Go to Glendale Wheel Alignment Shops

Watch out for these signs, your wheel might need alignment:

• your car is like pulling  to other direction when you think your going straight
• your car’s steering wheel is shaking or vibrating
• your tire is wearing off abnormally
• steering wheel does not return after making a turn

Live a worry-free lifestyle! Your car cares depends on you!