Tips When It Comes To Repairing Hybrid Cars

If more people are just more responsible with the choices they make that affect the environment, we’d all be living a less polluted planet. Who doesn’t want to leave a cleaner and fresher environment for their sons, daughters, and grandchildren in the future?

In relation to that, even the vehicle industry have started taking initiative when it comes to environmental preservation. Considering that air pollution is one of the biggest problems nowadays when it comes to ecological issues, it’s a good thing hybrid cars have been invented. As the technology and supporting infrastructure improves, they are gaining popularity among vehicle owners who are both environmentally conscious and budget-minded.

The thing is, with advances in hybrid car technologies comes car issues as well. For those who own a hybrid car, this is an all too relatable dilemma which you’d probably want to find a solution for. While you’d definitely want to be aware about such things too if you’re looking into purchasing one.

Most Common Maintenance Issues With Hybrid Cars

· Manufacturer Recalls

Now don’t get this wrong, yes, this happens to any vehicle, it’s just that hybrid ones are a lot more prone to it since they have newer technology. That means, unlike non-hybrid cars, these technologies have yet to be tested and proven over the years of use. Recalls may be related to something as simple as improving gas mileage, or they may be important for safety reasons.

· Battery Problems

Yes, traditional car batteries get problems too but hybrid vehicles one can be a bit more complex. Since hybrid cars relies heavily on its battery to reduce gasoline usage and improve gas mileage, it is made heavier which forces the engine to work harder too. Aside from that it also contains materials that have been known to blow up upon impact, potentially putting the driver and passengers at risk. For those who live in places with extreme weather, you’d even notice that a hybrid car’s battery doesn’t perform as well.

· Catalytic Converter Issues

Unfortunately, hybrid vehicles are more apt to have catalytic converter failure than traditional gas-powered vehicles. More frequent replacement or repair means more maintenance expense. Since this type of auto repair requires a greater level of knowledge and skill, it typically must be done by a qualified auto repair technician.

· Oxygen Sensor Failure

Hybrid cars have exhaust and emission systems too. They also have oxygen sensors which are prone to malfunctioning or complete failure. These then results to impaired fuel efficiency and increased fuel costs which obviously defeats the purpose of opting for a hybrid car in the first place. Since a hybrid’s emission and exhaust system is very complex, it can be more difficult to work on, necessitating the use of trusted auto repair shop instead of doing the repair yourself.

While these things can be troublesome, this doesn’t mean hybrid cars are no good. Both traditional cars and hybrid ones have advantages and disadvantages of their own, choosing which one to go for solely depends on your needs as well as preference. If you’re planning to buy a car, just make sure that you do your research may it be hybrid or not. Know what your options are ahead of time and see what works best for your situation. Being a knowledgeable consumer allows you to make an informed decision that will benefit you the most.

But know that, no matter which one you pick, you can’t get away with little to no maintenance at all. So that’s something to keep in mind when looking into your finances. Can you afford a car along with all the other expenses that comes with it? And, even though hybrid cars often come with a higher initial price tag, they offer environmental benefits and savings in terms of fuel economy. The choice is ultimately yours.

Air pollution is a serious issue all of us are facing today. If you can, why not commute or carpool with friends or co-workers, it saves you gas and lessens carbon footprint. But if you must use your car, just make sure it is being well maintained, take it to car servicing on suggested manufacturer’s schedule. This prolongs your car’s lifespan. If more people do this that means less broken cars will be added to the already burgeoning dumpsites.

Dealer Vs Independent Auto Repair Shop: Who Should You Trust Your Car To?

Whether it’s your first time owning a car or have had one for a long time, this question can still be tricky to answer. Have you struggled figuring this out or you still don’t really know? Where do you think would be the best place to take your car, with or without a warranty? Why should you even consider an independent repair shop even when you still have warranty?

It sure can be difficult to decide but to help you along, here are the main concerns why people are hesitant about independent auto repair shops compared to a dealer.

Concerns About Independent Auto Repair Shops

1. The Mechanics Not Being Familiar With The Vehicle
The biggest concern we hear from customers is that they are worried that an independent repair shop has mechanics who won’t know their vehicle as well as the mechanics at the dealership. Because of the rapid changes in automotive technology, it IS crucial that the independent facility you choose is qualified to work on your car.

2. If They’re Accredited By The Automobile Association
An auto car repair won’t be accredited by such association if they’re not qualified for the services that they’re offering. So if you know one with this accreditation, it’s a good sign your car will be in good hands. But if you’re still looking for one, you should always talk to the person in charge where you can inquire about this.

3. The Shop May Not Have All The Proper Tools
How will a car servicing shop be able to work on any car if they don’t have the necessary and appropriate tools to fix a car? Screws and wrench are basic, but they should also be equipped with specific tools for jobs like fixing an irregular brake. 

4. Having Experience And Expertise With Wide Range Of Car Problems
Flat tires won’t be the only problem you’ll have with your car, especially if your vehicle has been with you for quite some time. So, they should be able to fix things from fluid pipes, the carburetor and the clutch oil, to the external repairs including the windshields, window locks and the car bonnet.

5. Warranty
Many dealerships will pressure owners to get the repairs done where the vehicle was purchased so that you don’t lose the warranty. This is not always the case and it varies by situation. The Federal Trade Commission (FTC), the nation’s consumer protection agency, has stated that it’s illegal for a dealer to deny your warranty coverage simply because you had routine car maintenance or repairs performed by someone else. Preventative maintenance often includes services like oil changes, tire rotations, belt replacement, fluid checks and flushes, new brake pads, and inspections. Maintenance schedules vary by vehicle make, model and year; the best source of information about routine scheduled maintenance is your owner’s manual, of course. Without a warranty, you are free to choose a shop that you trust without any worries at all.

Why An Independent Repair Shop May Be A Good Idea

You May Avoid Paying For Any Overhead Costs
A local independent repair shop can be your best bet when you’re paying for repairs. There tend to be more overhead costs at a dealership (larger facilities, higher salaries for technicians and office personnel, better amenities, etc.) which means higher costs for services.

You Can Be Flexible When It Comes To Car Parts
A dealership may only use OEM parts, where a local shop could offer rebuilt, refurbished or generic parts to keep costs down.

They’re Not Locked Into Following Specific Manufacturer Guidelines
With local shops, mechanics may have a bit more wiggle room when it comes to repairs. This then may allow them to solve issues in fewer steps, fewer labor hours or use them differently, or offer certain auto repair financing plans to you.

You might also want to think twice about DIY-ing repairs. For those who are having trouble deciding where to go, doing the repairs yourself may have come to mind. But DIY-ing will consume a lot of your time, whether or not you are skilled in automobile repairs. But if you haven’t done this before, there is a big chance this task will not only take you days to finish on your own considering you’ll have to invest on the tools as well as research on proper execution, but there’s also a fair chance you might screw it up and do it all over again. But if you let an expert do this job, you’re not only sure it will be done perfectly and quickly but you won’t have to put your daily routine and tasks on hold. 

Don’t fall for scare tactics or false information when you’re choosing who will do your auto repairs. Of course you want someone trained and honest to work on one of your biggest investments – your vehicle. But a lot of independent auto technicians are trained and certified to work on a variety of vehicles too. They can offer plenty of vehicle services to match your needs and have fair prices with their own warranty on the work we do as well. You just have to be keen on finding them and know the right questions to ask when you’re looking around for it.

Tips To Drive As Safe As Possible At Night

Driving in itself can already be a challenging activity. Do that during the night and it becomes even more difficult and risky. Driving at night is inevitable. But if you know the right thing to do, you can live through its hazards and enjoy your quiet evening ride. Again, this is another issue of visibility but even more so when you’re out at night when it is already dark. Here are some tips that will help you drive better at night and hopefully keep you out of harm’s way.

Be Alert All The Time

Since the surrounding is already tricky because of the darkness, you can’t afford to be driving with only half of your attention. Alertness and reaction time are vital when cruising around town in your vehicle, especially when visibility is already not at its best. If the cool breeze keeps you from falling asleep then roll down the windows or listen to rock songs if that works for you. Just do whatever it is that helps you stay alert.

Take Regular Breaks

It's always advisable to take regular breaks when driving long distances, but this is even more vital when you're driving overnight. Stop for a rest at least every two hours and drink strong coffee to keep yourself alert.

Check Headlight Adjustment

They’re literally and figuratively your only light, so if you know you’re going to be driving at night time you better make sure that they’re not only working properly but that they’re also placed properly. Otherwise, what's the use of having very bright headlights if they’re not illuminating the road well ahead of your car?

Check Your Headlights Regularly

You’d be surprised to know that a lot of people only find out that their headlights aren’t working once they need it. Don’t be that person and risk getting caught in an accident just because of your headlights. It’ll only take about 5 minutes to check it. Turn them on when you’re parked in a dark place, get out and see for yourself if they’re bright or not. If they’re not, get it fixed right away. Take your car to care repair shop as soon as you see a problem with your headlight, don’t put it off any further especially if you always drive at night.

Deer Never Travel Alone

If you’re travelling in the countryside, one of the things that you should prepare yourself is animals crossing the road. So always watch out for them and keep in mind that, most often than not, you’ll encounter a number of them.

Dim Interior Lights

Driving at night requires lights right? Yes, but not much when it comes to your interior lights because that just makes it harder for you to see the road. Dim your lights to a comfortable level, not too bright or too dark. 

Avoid The Cell Phone

We already know this and yet a lot of people are still guilty of distracted driving because of gadgets. If you absolutely have to take or make a call/text message, stop at the side of the road. Don’t do it while driving. Just don’t. Seriously, a text or call is not worth risking your life on the road.

Focus On The Right Side

Headlights from oncoming cars can be blinding. Not only because they can be too bright but also because there are people that may have positioned their car’s headlight too high, which can really affect your vision. To avoid this, focus on the right side of the road   so that you’re looking at the road ahead of you instead of other car’s lights.

Split Up

You know that you should maintain distance from the car in front of you when driving right? It’s highly suggested that the distance should at least be one car length. But if it’s during the night, it would be better to double that just to be safe since you’re visibility is already reduced.

Clean Your Windshield

Do not underestimate how much a clean and clear windshield can either help you see or not while driving. Don’t just rely on your wipers to clear your view for you either. But then again it’s still important that your wipers are always in good condition; change the rubbers twice a year. If you’ve noticed that it doesn’t work as it should, seek car repair immediately. Always clean it off inside and out especially when you drove while raining as the moist can blur your view and if it’s really dusty.

Don’t Drink

Do you know how many individuals have been in an accident because of driving under the influence of alcohol? Every two minutes, a person is injured in a drunken driving crash according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. That’s just DUI, but even one drink can make you feel sleepy which definitely puts your safety on the road in jeopardy.

The thing about driving a car on the road is that no matter how precautions you are and no matter how skilled you are as a driver, there are some situations that you just can’t help and may put you at risk of accident.  One of them is driving at night, but hopefully you learn how to maneuver as safe as possible so that you wouldn’t be held back by it, resort to taking public transportation, or be scared every time you’re driving under such conditions.  

Simple Car Problems That Can Get Really Bad Overtime

First time drivers easily panics when there’s something off with their car that’s why the problem gets fixed right away. However, overtime, drivers can become lazy when it doesn’t seem like a big deal, they just ignore. It’ll be fine for a while they will say. And because of these, many drivers end up dealing with a bigger damage on their car that would have been prevented if it was taken care of earlier.

Like many things in life, 'you don't know what you got till it's gone'. So before your car gives up on you and becomes too late to realize how much your life is so much easier with having your own ride, pay more attention when it’s already sending you SOS signals! Save yourself from the headache, bigger costs, and road risk. When you notice any of these bad symptoms in your car, get it fixed immediately. 

Tire Bulges

When you notice that a bulge has formed on your tire, replace your tire immediately or take it to car servicing as soon as possible. Otherwise, when you hit a curb or a pothole your tire may blowout and put your life and other motorists at risk.

Tires heat up and wears faster on long trips, add that to a hot weather and you’re a sure candidate for blowouts. So you better see to it that you’re not driving with really worn tires, if you are then replacing them before you leave is a must. Doing visual inspection will also keep you aware of wear, cracks, slipped belts, bulges or other abnormalities when it comes to your tires that can affect your driving.

Jerky Shifting

Does your car feel as if it’s reluctant to shift gears? Or does it changes gears all of a sudden without you changing it? Then it’s a must that your seek car repair immediately because it could end up with serious transmission trouble if you don’t.

When it comes to transmission, you want it to go into gear like it should without any delay or difficulty. Otherwise, you’ll really feel bumpiness while driving like you’ve never before. Don’t let this problem go unattended for too long if you don’t want to spend on an expensive new transmission.

Squeaky Belts

This is a sign that a belt is already worn out. Riding on it even further can lead to irreversible damage on your engine. Often times you only need to adjust the belts, but if yours can’t be adjusted then it calls for a visit to the car repair shop.

Stinky Exhaust

It’s natural for your car exhaust to smell because of the catalytic converter. However, you should be alarmed once the smell becomes too strong. That may mean there’s leaking fluid, your catalytic converter is failing, or there’s something off with your air/fuel mixture.

Scratched Paint

Your car’s paint job isn’t only for aesthetics; it also acts as a protection for the body panels. Why? Because even a tiny scratch is exposing the sheet metal to moisture, which can cause rust to form and lead to corrosion. A dab of nail polish in that tiny scratch may save you a hefty paint job. 

Wobbly Steering Wheel

Improper aligned suspension and wheel and tire that is out of balance, are two possible reasons why the steering wheel feels shaky. Either of these can limit your control over your car which will make driving not only difficult but dangerous too. Worst case scenario would be the steering wheel being detached from the car. Don’t wait for that to happen before you get that wobbly steering wheel fixed. 

Also, if your car is bouncing a lot before stopping, you’re experiencing especially harsh impact when driving over potholes and bumps, or if you notice the vehicle leaning to one side then you’re most likely dealing with suspension problems. Go and visit your trusted car servicing center to get your springs checked out and whatever repairs or replacements to be done.

Squealing Brakes

Riding on your breaks when it’s already worn out produces this squeaking sound because the metal tab is grinding with the brake rotor. This sound won’t go away and will make the braking ability of your car less efficient unless the pads get replaced. If your brakes are noisy, the brake pedal is pulsating, or the brakes are responding poorly, you may need to replace the brake pads.

Brake pads are the ones that grip the rotors so that the car slows down or come at full stop when you hit the brakes. On the other hand, the rotors are the surface that the pads rub against. If these two are too damaged, it could not help slow or stop the car while you’re driving which can be a great risk to your life on the road.

Burnt-Out Bulb

While this problem may not cause any problems with your car’s performance, it may mean trouble with the law enforcement. Replacing the bulb is way cheaper than getting a ticket so you’d better attend to it at once before that happens.

Smoke

Do not ignore it once you see or smell smoke from your car. This could mean a serious problem with your car so don’t drive until you’ve located and fixed the problem that’s causing the smoke – otherwise you risk a vehicular bonfire.

Check Engine Light

Your check engine light helps notify you when something needs attention under your hood. But sometimes it’s not easy to figure out what’s wrong, so it’s best to take your car to the mechanic to get diagnosis and avoid further problems.