car care 2012

8/2/2019 Car Care 2012

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A Special Section of

The Lebanon Democrat,Mt. Juliet News and

Hartsville Vidette

P R n G

8/2/2019 Car Care 2012


2 • Spring Car Care 2012

The return of warm weather marksthe return of road trips for millions of

motorists across the country. Whether

going to the beach or heading off to parts

unknown, hitting the open road with the

windows down is a time-honored tradi-tion for drivers of all ages.But such road trips can prove disas-

trous if drivers don’t take the right steps

to prepare their vehicles for spring and

summer travel. The following are a few

ways motorists can ensure their car isready to tackle the open road.

Tighten things up. Loose parts, such

as exhaust clamps, license plates, and

interior trim panels, can create rattles and

cause parts to get damaged or fall off.What’s more, rattling sounds can be a

noisy nuisance for drivers and passengers

alike. Threadlockers can be used to keep

the nuts and bolts from coming loose and

save parts replacement costs. There arealso threadlockers for plastic fasteners,

which vehicle manufacturers have grown

to rely on more and more.

Wash your car. A newly washed car notonly looks good, but it’s often much safer

as well. Take your car to a car wash a fewdays before the trip and have the vehicle

thoroughly cleaned. A thorough clean-

ing will remove dirt and grime from the

vehicle’s undercarriage, not to mentionunsightly bird droppings and water spots

or salt stains leftover from winter.

Fix foggy headlight lenses. Many spring

and summer road trippers travel at nightso their days can be spent soaking up

some sun at the beach or lake. Before

heading off for parts unknown, motor-ists should inspect their headlight lenses

to reduce risk of accident. If the lenses

are yellowed and foggy, that’s likely

because salt, ozone and road debris has

dulled them to a point where vision canbe impaired, placing drivers and theirpassengers at risk. But foggy lenses don’t

mandate an expensive headlight replace-

ment. In fact, you can nd lens renew kits

which makes it easy to clean up and pol-

ish dull headlight lenses and restore themto like new condition, improving your

car’s lighting and driver visibility.

Check the battery. Over time, battery

terminals and cables will start to corrode.

Such corrosion will eventually eat awayat the battery’s parts, creating a bad con-

nection that sooner or later will require

the battery be replaced. Check the battery

before your trip and remember to clean

the battery periodically as part of routinevehicle maintenance.

Address windshield nicks and bullseyes.

Nicks and chips in the windshields are

a common problem regardless of the sea-son. But such damage is most prevalent

in the winter because of the extra debristhat’s on the road. These nicks and

cracks need to get xed as soon as pos-

sible to prevent them from spreading and

resulting in the need for a windshieldreplacement. Oftentimes, motorists can

address nicks and bullseyes in their own

driveways in a matter of minutes. Some

windshield repair kits are tailor made for

do-it-yourselfers, requiring no heatingor mixing while ensuring each repair is

virtually undetectable. n

Ready your car for

Spring Travel

DecideToDrive.org

IN THIS EDITION

Ready your car for Spring and Summer travel

What to do with a Cracked Windshield

Helping your car ‘Spring’ back to life

Simple Ways to Improve Fuel Economy

Improve Vision for a Safer Ride Ride

What to do if a Tire Blows Out

8/2/2019 Car Care 2012


Spring Car Care 2012 • 3

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The scenario is all too common. Drivers are traveling down the road, and a pebble gets

kicked up and hits into their windshield, causing a small chip to appear. Slowly but surely

that chip turns into a spreading, snaking crack that only gets worse with each bump andpothole.

Having a broken windshield is not only unsightly and a big inconvenience, it can also

be illegal. That’s because the crack reduces the efcacy of the window safety composi-

tion, meaning it may shatter in the event of an impact accident and cause extensive inju-

ries. The crack also may impede a driver’s ability to see the road clearly.It’s important to note that liability car insurance typically doesn’t cover a cracked

windshield that occurs in a collision. Instead, drivers hoping to be covered need to have

collision insurance on their vehicle. However, not all windshields crack in a car accident.

Many are damaged in nonaccident related circumstances, whether this be a tree branch

that falls on the car or a rock kicked up from the roadway. It’s important to read an insur-

ance policy thoroughly to be sure that nonaccident related cracks to the windshield willbe covered.

Even if the damage is covered, it may not be worth the expense of paying the insurance

deductible and ling a claim, which may end up raising your rate in the long run.

Many small nicks can be repaired easily with a kit purchased from an automotive sup-

ply store. Inexpensive and user-friendly, the instructions guide users through the processof sealing the crack and preventing it from spreading.

If the crack is beyond the scope of a do-it-yourself x, a windshield repair service thatspecializes in this type of work might be necessary. These companies use products that

harden quickly and reglaze the windshield so that the crack may not even be noticeable

afterward.

Upon inspection, a mechanic or a windshield replacement company may determinethat the crack is not something that can be mended. The entire windshield will have to be

replaced at this point. In some cases the windshield can be removed and replaced in the

same day.

While there is no way to prevent a cracked windshield entirely, there are certain ways

to reduce the risk. This includes avoiding running over any debris on the road that can bekicked back at the windshield. nA windshield crack is something that should be remedied soon.

What to do with a

Cracked Windshield

8/2/2019 Car Care 2012



T&A CyclesTony Ferrell, Owner/Operator

www.tacycles.net • Ofce: 615-444.8959

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Helping your car by Kimberly Jordan

‘Spring’ back to lifeAnyone who looks forward to the warm months for road trips and family outings should think

about making sure the family car (or van) is in ship shape and ready for the rigors of the road.As spring approaches, local automotive professionals are offering tips to motorists on for preparing

and caring for your vehicle to get ready for the summer months.

RSSE WAE, Performance Tires & AutomotiveI recommend A/C work getting ready for summer; make sure coolant levels are right.

With summer coming, if the coolant levels are not right it’ll overheat. Make sure the tire

pressure’s right, when you come out of winter the tire pressure changes going into summer,when it starts heating up things change a little bit and you don’t want to blow a tire.

MICE SPEIHT, ebanon TransmissionThe best tip is preventive maintenance; watch the gauges, the transmission needs to be

serviced also, at least one a year which includes changing the uid and lter; inspect the

belts. That’s crucial the longevity of the vehicle.

TO FERRE, T&A Cycle, ebanonCheck your tire pressure and check your brakes would be the most critical. If you have

low tire pressure you have the chance of bad handling (of your motorcycle). Right now

everybody is having their tire pressure checked.

BRCE COER, Conder’s APA Auto Care, Mt. JulietGet your air conditioner serviced, cooling systems are very important. Check your uid

levels and make sure your radiator fan is working properly.n

Ensure you’re ready for those family road trips with somepreventative maintenance and safety checks.

8/2/2019 Car Care 2012



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• Rotate the tires – This should be done roughly every 5,000-10,000 miles and it can

extend the life of your tires signicantly by reducing wear.

• Check the wiper blades – Windshield wipers take a beating during the winter – clearing away dirt, debris and salt

spray. Make sure the blades are making full contact with the windshield and have not dried out.

• Change oil and lter – Keep to the manufacturers’ recommendation and change your oil and lter in accordance

with the vehicle owners manual. Usually every 3,000 to 5,000 miles.

• Change the air lter – Your car’s air lter prevents dust and other debris f rom getting into the engine’s running parts,

meaning less efcient use of gas and weaker engine performance.

• Check the belts and hoses – Winter weather takes a toll on your car’s belts and hoses making them more likely to

break. Visibly inspect them for wear. Replace glazed or frayed belts or bulging hoses.

• Check battery and plugs – Make sure battery posts and connections are clean. Spark plugs re as many as 3

million times every 1,000 miles.

• Clean the interior – Residual salt and sand that was brought into the interior of the vehicle can damage oor mats

and carpet. Use a hand vacuum to remove dirt and debris from the oor and seats of your vehicle.

• Remove items that may have been used for winter driving – There’s no need to carry sand, shovels and other winter

driving “musts” once the snow and ice have melted. Keep your trunk clean to improve gas mileage which can lead to

considerable savings at the pump.

• Prepare the interior surfaces and upholstery of your car for more sun exposure – Use a good leather protector to

avoid any cracking on leather seats and invest in a product that will help avoid fading cloth interiors. n

AAA recommends that motorists do a thoroughcheck of their vehicle. Here are a few tips:

8/2/2019 Car Care 2012



• Search by make, model, price or dealer• Contact the dealer through email about

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Looking for a car or

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The economy might be slowly

recovering, but saving money is still

foremost on the minds of many people.

Men and women have looked to save

money in a variety of ways, includingat the gas pump. While there’s little

drvivers can do to reduce the cost of a

gallon of gas, there are ways they can

make the gas last a little longer.

Improving fuel economy is noth-

ing new to many motorists, but somemight still be surprised at the myriad

ways they can get more bang for their

buck with regards to fuel costs.

O’T BREA THE AW. Obeying thespeed limit might save your life, and

it can also save you money. Typically,

fuel economy decreases rapidly as a

car reaches and surpasses 60 miles per

hour. According to the U.S. Depart-ment of Safety, drivers can assume

that each ve miles per hour they drive

over 60, they are paying an additional

$0.26 per gallon for gas.

EMPT THE TR. Though it might

be more convenient to keep your golf

clubs in the trunk of your car, extra

and unnecessary cargo in a vehicle’s

trunk drastically reduces fuel economy.

An extra 100 pounds in a vehicle canreduce miles per gallon by as much as

2 percent, so keep a trunk free of itemsthat aren’t absolutely necessary.

STOP II. Many people let theircar idle for several minutes on cold

mornings. But today’s newer vehicles

don’t really need to idle to warm up,

and idling can be very taxing on fuel

economy. Depending on the size of the

car, idling can use between a quarterto a half gallon of fuel per hour. If

you still insist on letting the vehicle

idle, a few seconds of idling should be

enough to warm the engine up.

EMBRACE CRISE COTRO. On long

drives, maintaining a constant speed,which a vehicle does when drivers

utilize cruise control, can help save

fuel, as it’s less taxing on an engine to

continue at one speed then it is to con-

stantly switch back and forth between

high and low speeds.

IFATE THE TIRES. Poorly inated

tires lower gas mileage and also pose

a safety hazard. The DOE notes that

properly inated tires can improvegas mileage by as much as 3 percent.

Ideal tire pressure is different for

each vehicle, so check your vehicle’s

owner’s manual for recommended tire

pressure. Some vehicle manufactur-ers also include the recommended

tire pressure on the vehicle itself, be

it in the driver’s side door jamb or in

the vehicle’s glove compartment. Tire

pressure printed on the tire’s sidewallmight not be the ideal tire ination

for your particular vehicle, so always

adhere to the manufacturer’s recom-

mendation instead.

RIVE THE CAR O EE. Driverswho truly need to save money at the

pump should consider the type of ve-hicle they’re driving, and whether it’s

the car they need or the car they want.

For instance, ofce workers who owna pickup truck but don’t use it to haul

items might want to consider a smaller

vehicle that gets better gas mileage.

Improving fuel efciency is a great

way for motorists to save money andreduce the expenses associated with

vehicle ownership. n

Simple ways to improve

Fuel Economy

8/2/2019 Car Care 2012



441 E. Division St. • Mt. Juliet, TN 37122

Conder’s Automotive Service

615-758-1515

Owner: Bruce Conder

ASE Certifed - AC & Heat Specialist

CHARLIE TATUM CAMPERS, RV SERVICE,

PARTS, SALES & CUSTOM WORK 444-3435

304 Carver Lane • Lebanon, TN 37087Hours: Tues. - Sat 8:30 a.m. - 5:30 p.m.

www.charlietatumcampers.com

As the motor vehicle industry contin-

ues to evolve, the emphasis drivers and

manufacturers place on safety continues

to increase. But even though technologi-cal advancements have vastly improved

driver safety, accidents still happen.

One of the more concerning trends with

regards to trafc accidents is when they

occur. In spite of the fact that there areve times as many motorists during the

day, statistics indicate that one-third of all

accidents and roughly half of all trafc fa-

talities occur at night. Though that might

seem counterintuitive, this peculiarity

can largely be traced to a driver’s visualacuity, which is reduced by 70 percent at

night. Simply put, the human eye is not

adapted for nocturnal vision, so drivers

must take steps to improve their vision

and visibility within their vehicle. The

following are just a few of the ways

drivers can do just that.

Replace headlight bulbsever tw ears.Addressing automobile lighting is one

of the most underperformed vehicle

maintenance tasks. In fact, many driversdo not even consider replacing their

headlight bulb until it fails. But as a

bulb ages, its light output is drastically

reduced by a host of factors, including

humidity, electrical resistance and la-

ment fatigue. Industry experts recom-mend replacing headlight bulbs every

two years, and motorists should add bulb

inspection and/or replacement to their

list of routine maintenance tasks. Inspect and replace wiper bladeswhen necessary.Similar to headlight bulbs, wiper blades

are often overlooked when it comes to

vehicle maintenance. But many motor-ists would be shocked to discover that

industry experts recommend wiper

blades be replaced at the change of each

season or on three month intervals. That’s

because the longer a wiper blade is on thevehicle, the more brittle and ineffective it

becomes, putting drivers and passengers

at risk. Drivers can also purchase inex-

pensive treatments designed to make the

rubber more pliable and extend the life

of the wipers. In addition, when inspect-ing or replacing wiper blades, top off the

windshield washer uid as a precaution-

ary measure.

Install daytime running lights, or Rs. While many drivers will admit to having

trouble driving at night, just as many, if

not more, might also concede they strug-

gle with visibility at dusk or even during

the day. But DRLs operate whenever the

vehicle is moving, helping to increasevisibility during the day and at dusk.

While most DRLs are based off the car’s

headlights, causing the headlights to wear

down over time, the new LED DayLight

DRLs from Philips operate on their own

and use high powered LEDs which drawless power from the vehicle. These LEDs

are incredibly bright for maximum visibil-

ity in daylight and have a much longer life

expectancy than headlight bulbs.

Clean interior glass and mirrors.Another way to improve visibility is to

clean interior glass to remove any lm

buildup that can reduce vision and create

a hazy reection from the sun. This is

especially important for motorists who

smoke in the car, as this lm is typicallythicker. When addressing interior glass,

take the time to adjust all side and rear-

view mirrors properly to cover all of the

views around the car, especially the blindspots. n

Improve vision for a Safer Ride

8/2/2019 Car Care 2012



Full Service Auto Care

LEBANON

TIRE SERVICE906 West Main

Lebanon, TN • 449-4000

It’s the clear choice for your wallet, your car, and,

most importantly, the people riding with you.

Replacing compressed air with N2Cel Dry Nitrogen is the best thing

you can do for your tires. Ask your tire sales professional how you

can get all of the advantages of nitrogen in your tires today.

• Nitrogen is safer than compressed air

• Nitrogen lled tires give better fuel mileage

• Nitrogen maintains tire pressures better

• Expect 25% or more tire mileage with nitrogen

• Nitrogen lled tires improve handling and ride

• Braking is improved with nitrogen inated tires

• Nitrogen is non-combustible, will not burn like compressed air

Complete Auto CareOil Changes • Front End Alignments • Tire Rotation

Check All Fluids • Brake Inspection • Check Belts & Hoses

Check Filter • Test Battery, Etc.

Is your “Check Engine” light on? Vehicle just not running right?

Come in today for a complete fuel service for only $119.

Accidents that occur on the roadways are

unpredictable and can be caused by just about

anything. Impaired or distracted motorists might

heighten the risk of an accident, but even things

like a squirrel running across the street and scar-ing a driver can lead to an accident.

Tire blowout is another potential cause of acci-

dent, and such blowouts might be more common

than motorists expect. For instance, a 2005 study

from the French National Institute for Transportand Safety Research found that, between 1996

and 2002, nearly 61,000 vehicles were involved

in crashes with property damage and/or injury

on a particular stretch of highway. More than six

percent of those accidents involved tire blowout,

a problem many motorists might mistake assomething that only happens in movies.

But tire blowout can put motorists in a precari-

ous position, especially if they don’t know what

to do should one of their tires blow out. Surviv-

ing tire blowout can be done by adhering to thefollowing tips.

on’t respond by hitting the brakes. It might be

counterintuitive to squeeze the gas pedal when

a tire blows out, but doing so puts drivers in

control of the vehicle and keeps it going in theintended direction. Immediately slamming on

the brakes will cause the vehicle to turn, pos-

sibly turning the vehicle into oncoming trafc,

a guardrail or other cars traveling in the same

direction. When squeezing the gas pedal, drive

straight down the lane. Within seconds of press-ing the gas pedal, slowly begin to release it.

Coast to a slower speed. As the accelerator is re-

leased, allow the vehicle to coast to a slow speed,

but not a speed so slow as to put driver and pas-sengers at risk. Once the car is coasting between

25 to 30 miles per hour, use the turn signal and

slowly turn toward the side of the road where

the tire is blown. For example, if the front right

tire is blown, turn toward the right shoulder. You

want to turn toward this side because it’s alwayssafest to limit your own exposure to oncoming

motorists when changing the tire.

Check tire pressure when you can pull into aparking lot. When you have safely made it to theshoulder and the tire has been changed success-

fully, nd a lling station or other parking lot

and check the tire pressure on the tires that did

not blowout. A blowout is often the result of an

underinated tire, so if one tire blows out due to

underination it’s quite possible the others mightas well. n

What to do if a tire blows out

car care 2012

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