Pre-Trip Auto Inspection

Snacks? Check. Awesome music? Check. Funny stories? Check. Is everything we need all packed up? Hmm... how about your car? Is it ready to hit the road? Here are some safety checks you can include in your vehicle's pre-trip inspection before your awesome road trip with friends!

Are your brakes trying to tell you something?

Knowing the warning signs that your brakes need maintenance is essential to keep you safe on the road. If you experience these signs, then your brakes are telling you that they need to be inspected!

How to change a flat tire

Knowing how to change a flat tire, especially while you're out on the road, is a skill every driver should possess. Even if you already know how, here's a step by step guide to change a tire to make it less of an ordeal.

Top 10 Automotive Tools Every Car Owners Should Invest In

Car repair is not a job to take lightly. So whether you’re a seasoned mechanic or a regular car owner who wants to take charge in his own car troubles, you need to invest in tools that you can rely on through thick and thin. Here are the top 10 tools that you’ll want and need in your garage.

1. Milwaukee Cordless Impact Wrench, 18.0 V

When trying to grip or apply torque on things like nuts and bolts, you need a reliable tool like this especially when a compressor or air tank and hose aren’t available. But since this is a rechargeable cordless impact wrench do not expect it to apply the same kind of torque a pneumatic model can. However, it has enough energy to handle axle shaft nuts.

2. Proto Sealed Head Air Ratchet, 3/8” Drive

An air ratchet wrench is more powerful version of your trusty handheld socket set. But the best thing about this is that it’s lightweight and compact that you can get it into tight places in your car and get those tough nuts loosened.

3. Mac Tools Spinflex Flex Head Ratchet

This rugged 30-tooth design is for maximum durability, it has a low-profile switch, and its design allows users to slide comfortable grip on its handle so that when released from locked position it converts ratchet to a speed handle. No more struggle when reaching for tight nooks and crannies in the car’s engine bay when you’re in the middle of car repair.

4. Steelman STE97202 Wireless Chassisear Kit

The problem with a traditional stethoscope is that you can't use it while you're taking a car for a test drive. This is why having Steelman is such an ease to have when you’re trying to diagnose certain problems in your car. This one comes with a transmitter that you can attach to the problem area which allows you to hear noise changes better even when you’re driving the car.

5. Craftsman 17-Piece Standard & Metric Flex Socket Set

Once you’re faced with a car repair that requires you to get into tight spaces without disassembling other parts to get there, you’d be thankful you decided to invest in this set. This is especially known for nickel-chrome plated socket and precision machine which is perfect for loosening or tightening bolts or nuts.  

6. Chicago Pneumatic CPT-7748 Air Impact Wrench

With a maximum of 922 ft-lbs of torque and 1200 blows per minute, this impact wrench can do even the toughest rusted bolt there is. No wonder this is known for its quality and reliability.

7. Mityvac MITMV8500 Hand Vacuum & Pressure Pump Kit

For those who are determined to take on car repairs on their own, this kit is a must buy. It will make your life easier when dealing with brake bleeds or vacuum tests. It comes with all the necessary attachments and accessories that will allow you to handle any type of vehicle or components, and can quickly switch between applying vacuum and pressure too.

8. Gearwrench 81229 3-Piece Offset-Handle Ratchet

Mechanic’s knuckles often take the beating when getting into odd spaces under the hood. If you want to avoid looking like you beat people for a living because of your knuckles this bent-handle ratchet is your new best friend. Reaching spark plugs became easier too because of this guy’s deep-well sockets.  

9. SK Hand Tools 1/4-In.-Drive Thumbwheel Ratchet

Trying to get to a connector under the dash with a big-handled tool is a surefire way to lose your patience and get nothing done because there’s just no way it’s gonna happen. This SK Hand Tools have a knurled rim that's easy to grip and can fit almost anywhere. Goodbye frustrating attempts to take on this task with the wrong tool.

10. Torin T82040 Trolley Jack With Jack Stand And Creeper

When you’re faced with a car repair which calls for going under the car, the most important thing is to have a secure tool that will hold that car in place. This guy right here includes a comfortable creeper to get you around while you’re under there and trolley jack and jack stands which are all rated to two tons and are easy to adjust. This jack stand and creeper is definitely a keeper!

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Top 5 Old Car Repair Tricks That Are Still Applicable To Modern Cars

Top 7 Tire Problems That Could Mean Trouble On The Road

Flat tire, blowout, or worst a collision due to tire failure could’ve been avoided if you spare a couple of minutes to check on your tires and took it to the mechanic when necessary! Don’t let this happen to you. Here are the signs that your tires need attention ASAP!

1. Overinflated Or Underinflated

Your tires’ inflation doesn’t just affect your tires’ condition but it also makes it more difficult to control your car and it also reduces gas mileage. Be sure to check your tire pressure every month as well as before long trips, and when carrying extra load.

2. Baldness

You can either use the classic penny trick by inserting it into each tread groove or a tread depth gauge. Don’t try to drive a bald tire otherwise you risk blowout in the middle of the highway and put your life as well as other motorist’s lives in danger.

3. Uneven Tread Wear

Improper inflation, problems with a car’s suspension, and misaligned wheels are just some of the possible reasons why your tires have uneven tread wear. All of those mentioned can pose serious trouble on the road so make sure you take your car to a car servicing here in Singapore before anything happens.

4. Cracked Sidewalls

This could put you at an increased risk for a blowout! This is why it’s best to take your vehicle to car servicing if you see any cracks on the tires. They should be able to help determine if it’s time to have them replaced.  

5. Bulges And Blisters

These are signs of damage within the tire structure that could lead to blowout too! Replace them right away!

6. Vibration

Do not ignore it or just get used to that annoying noise when you’re driving. You could be prolonging minor mechanical problems or damage on your tires which can get worse over time. Send you car to car repair shop once you experience this.

7. No Spare Tire

Well, you can never tell when you’re gonna need a spare tire. So whether you’re just driving to work or you’re off to a long road trip it’s always a must that you have one at the back. Always check if you have it and if it’s still in good condition. 

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Top 5 Tips When Taking Your Car To The Shop

Top 10 Cars Fit For Powerful People In The Society

We all know that owning a car comes with a responsibility to keep up with maintenance, car grooming, and car servicing no matter how reliable your car is.  The same goes with these cars in this list, although they’re obviously built differently to suit the needs of powerful people in the society, still they wouldn’t be able to provide security if they weren’t well-kept. 

Top 5 Old Car Repair Tricks That Are Still Applicable To Modern Cars

Technology has helped us in a lot of ways to make our daily living easier and faster. Just look at how advanced vehicles are today. Most of them come with a lot of modern features that makes driving experience even better. However, not everything relies on technology. Here are some good old tricks that work even on modern cars which most people no longer do but could’ve saved a lot of money on car repair otherwise.

1. String Alignment Trick

If you’re a little low on cash but needs to align your car, did you know that you can do it on your own with just a ball of string, some jack stands, a tape measure, and a plumb bob? Oh yes! It doesn’t even matter no matter how old or new your car is because this trick works on any car. This video shows the simplest way to do it so you shouldn’t have any problem following it. Even better if you’re very detail oriented, patient, and can handle basic geometry and you’ll surely get a precise suspension.

2. The Engine-Saving Oil Change

It has been said over and over that it’s best to refer to your owner’s manual for the recommended oil change interval. Though this is correct, it may not be applicable all the time especially if you’ve had your vehicle for a while. Expert mechanics who have extensive experience with car repair and training seminars on engine lubricants, viscosities, and molecular breakdown says it’s best to stick with 3,000-5,000 miles. This ensures you have fresh filter which helps keep the engine at its best.

3. The Two-Second Braking Period Rule

Your brake rotors and pads are bound to wear out considering that you hit them all the time. However, you can prevent it from happening to soon by doing the two-second braking periods at high speeds and avoiding riding the brakes until the vehicle dips below 35 miles per hour. This keeps you from riding on your brakes for too long and busting them too soon.

4. Brake Fluids Needs To Be Changed Regularly

Brake fluid is not just exposed to lots of heat, it also comes into contact with all forms of corrosion and dirt within the system as it pushes its way to the wheels. Therefore, letting it run dry could affect the brakes function. 

5. Lube Up

Every latching, pivoting, suspension and locking component you find in your car needs to be lubricated. This is one important form of preventive maintenance that is often overlooked but should be a mandatory part of any routine service stop. Don’t wait until something is stuck and won’t budge because they’re already corroded. 

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5 Things You Can Do To Prolong Your Tires’ Lifespan