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Put the vehicle in the air if it’s not already. Plastic ramps are handy, but if you’ve never driven a car onto ramps, don’t try it in your garage. Have a spotter. Double-check clearance on your front bumper/air dam. With a jack, always use jack stands. Duh. Let the oil drain as long as you can. 10-30 minutes should do the trick, so more old oil will leave the engine. If your vehicle uses a drain plug washer, apply a new one when you replace the plug. Drain the pan before removing the filter. Remove the filter. Oil filters stick, so good leverage is a good idea. Sometimes the best angle is from underneath - another reason to let things drain. It’ll take more oil out of the filter and it’ll spill less when you remove it. Use the right tools. There are several tools for getting a better grip on the filter. We prefer a strap-style wrench – simple and effective. You don’t need much angle to get a little rotation, then repeat. Use a factory-replacement filter, or one approved by the factory. Try to use the recommended oil type and viscosity as stated in your manual, but some extreme environs will necessitate special oil. Back off the ramps s-l-o-w-l-y. Recycle your used oil or Mother Nature...
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While Memorial Day and Labor Day traditionally bookend the beginning and end of the summer travel season, this year's Labor Day weekend is expected to see 13% fewer travelers than last year. This is expected mainly because of its late date, which occurs after school has already started for many children across the country. "With Labor day falling a week later this year when many children will have returned to school, the decline may more to do with the calendar than with the economy," said AAA President & CEO, Robert L. Darbelnet. According to statistics released this week from AAA, only 39.1 million Americans are expected to take a trip of 50 miles or more away from home, a decrease of 13.3 percent from the 45.1 million travelers who hit the highways last year, even though average national gas prices this season are a full dollar less expensive than they were last year. Last Labor Day weekend, the nationwide average price of self-serve, regular gasoline had dropped to $3.68 per gallon after peaking at an all-time record of $4.11 per gallon on July 17, AAA says. (Remember, that's the nationwide average: In Los Angeles, gas prices reached above $5 per gallon.) This...
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People are often curious about girls and women who love, race, and/or write about cars. I owe my passion for cars (and my career) to my dad. My dad was 23 when I was born; his second child and, all told, his only daughter. He’s called me Baby my whole life. Southern California in the early Sixties was innocent and spacious, and a great place to be during a hot rod heyday. My dad was a machinist, a mechanic, an engineer, a flat track motorcycle racer, and a born-and-bred automotive aficionado and engine builder. He, like most young men, learned about cars from his dad—and I learned about cars from mine. He gave me an appreciation of cars—not just the shiny new ones, but how to take care of them, to make them last and run well. He taught me racecar driver skills, and the importance of maintenance for safety’s sake. As a teenager, he had ’37, ’38, ’39, and 1940 Fords. He put a cam for a hydroplane boat on one and later bought a ’42 Cadillac, which he converted to a hot rod. When he met my mom, he drove a ’53 Lincoln Capri, two-toned yellow and black—not bad for a 21-year old. Buying cars and hot rodding them was what he did, and did often. He found a ’53 Studebaker in the wrecking yard...
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Father's Day is this weekend, so we've collected an assortment of gadgets and gizmos meant specifically for that Car Guy you love so much: It doesn't matter if he's your Dad or Husband, Brother or Uncle, Son or special friend, if he loves cars, we know you'll find something here that's perfect for him. ...
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Changes in the economy have hit us all hard, but summer is here and that means many families are making plans for their summer vacations. According to recent research performed by Jiffy Lube International, "88% of people surveyed say they plan on taking a vacation this summer, up 4% from those who indicated they took a vacation last summer." ...
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Are you planning a road trip for Memorial Day? According to the American Automobile Association (AAA), as many as 32.4 million motorists will be traveling 50 miles or farther from home this weekend, traditionally the opening of the summer travel season. Because gas prices were so high last summer, many drivers chose to stay home, but at nearly two dollars less per gallon this year, we can definitely expect the roads to be more crowded. In fact, Auto Club predicts the average trip taken by Americans this Memorial Day holiday weekend to be farther than 600 miles! "Last year, soaring gas prices and a deteriorating economy resulted in far fewer trips being taken than had been forecasted," said Robert L. Darbelnet, AAA President & CEO. "The good news is sharply lower gasoline prices and plentiful travel bargains have Americans feeling better about taking a road trip this summer which should help tourism-based economic activity throughout the nation." Regular vehicle maintenance should be a part of your routine, but before you load up your family for your personal pilgrimage, make sure you don't wind up in your own particular version of the Griswold's "Vacation"...
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American motorists are putting significant elbow grease into maintaining their cars, according to a new "Elbow Grease Economics" survey conducted by Harris Interactive and 3M. Based on responses from 1,835 car owners, tightening budgets are driving the trend toward DIY car care . And it is no wonder, with 55 percent stating they will hold on to their current car longer, and more than one-third (34 percent) of car owners feel they have to take better care of their car now because they can't afford a new one. The scariest finding: three percent say they are afraid they might have to live in their car if their home is foreclosed. Nearly one-fifth (19 percent) of car owners used to think they could just go buy a new car if necessary, but now they say they know they can't afford it. This is even higher -- 25 percent -- among Baby Boomers ages 45 to 54, reflecting their concerns over pending retirement and tight household budgets. Good news for the auto industry is that there appears to be a pent-up demand for new cars, as more than two-fifths (42 percent) are considering trading or selling their current car for another model but haven't done so yet. Key reasons include...
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General Motors has created much buzz for the 2011 Chevrolet Volt , and now the insights are coming a part at time. Case in point, Goodyear has announced a new Assurance Fuel Max tire that provides 27 percent less rolling resistance than a standard Goodyear Assurance tire, equating to a four percent improvement in highway fuel economy. Goodyear estimates that this greater fuel efficiency means drivers can potentially save 2,600 miles worth of gas over the life of the tire on a conventional vehicle. With the Volt, and really any model, it is difficult and expensive to make a 1 mpg improvement. (Learn about tire basics .) The technology behind these green tires was first developed for use in large truck tires, where fuel savings and overall driving efficiency are critical for fleets and individual truck operators. The technology is now being applied to automobile tires, with the usage on the Volt recognized as the first-announced original equipment fitment. By choosing the right tires, the fuel economy can be improved with low-rolling resistance tires, and Assurance Fuel Max presents a compelling new option. Learn how to choose the best tire for your vehicle .
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Late October is the perfect time of year to check your vehicle’s cooling system for antifreeze/coolant viability and levels. If you live in cold country and take your car to the dealer or other mechanic for service, make sure they check it for you and use the right antifreeze/coolant for your area’s temperature extremes. If you’re a do-it-yourselfer who’s never done this before, here is some antifreeze advice to help keep your car running—and you out of the cold: Cold, winter weather makes hoses and other pliable materials stiffer and more susceptible to cracking. Be sure to check your car’s hoses and belts while you’re checking your radiator/cooling system. Why do you need to check your cooling system in winter, you might wonder? Antifreeze/coolant—while seeming like a dichotomy—keeps your radiator fluid from freezing up when it’s super cold and from overheating when it’s seriously hot. When either happens, you’re stuck; and, either way, no one wants to be stranded by the side of the road when it’s freezing or frying outside. That said, radiators should be flushed every year or two to maintain optimum system performance—and to prevent a breakdown in bad weather. Wayne Scraba, our Car...
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With a faltering economy and elevated gasoline prices, many households are struggling to make ends meet. Cutting corners may seem like the key to preserving one’s lifestyle, but it is important not to neglect your car. Skimping on routine service may lead to long-term reliability issues that ultimately could cost much more. And a well-tuned car runs at peak efficiency, minimizing fuel consumption. Maintenance is more than a financial concern, it also impacts safety. More than 5 percent of all vehicle accidents result from unperformed vehicle maintenance, according to the Car Care Council. These accidents result in 2,600 deaths, 100,000 disabling injuries, and a financial cost of over $2 billion every year. Below are tips on common maintenance items, with links to articles that can provide more in-depth advice and how-to instruction. Air filter – Much has been written about the benefits of a clean air filter for fuel efficiency , though in reality it would take considerable filth to make a measurable impact. For most drivers, replacing the filter at regular manufacturer-recommended service intervals is a sound routine. Unless you are spending much time on dirt-covered roads or off-roading...
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As summer dawns, the season change is a good reminder to tend to your car’s maintenance needs before depending on it for lengthy road trip. Summer heat takes its toll on cars, being harsher on batteries than winter, stressing the cooling system, wearing the tires, and drying out rubber trim and hoses. Keeping up with the recommended maintenance schedule is a great defense against problems that could become expensive or downright inconvenient, but it is worthwhile conducting your own inspection, as well. Champions of maintenance, The Car Care Council offers these basic tips… Battery – Have the electrical system checked to make sure it is charging at the correct rate. If your car’s battery is the type that needs to be topped off, check it often, especially in hot weather and add distilled water if necessary. Keep the top of the battery clean. Dirt can become a conductor, which drains battery power. If corrosion accumulates on battery terminals, it becomes an insulator and inhibits the current flow. Cooling system - The coolant and distilled water mixture for a vehicle’s radiator should be 50:50. Of course, never open a hot radiator cap when checking the coolant level in the reservoir...
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As any motorist can attest, the cost of driving has been on the rise. Just how much? Recent analysis from AAA shows the cost of driving a passenger vehicle in the United States has increased 1.9 cents per mile in the last year and now averages 54.1 cents per mile. Costs for maintenance, full-coverage insurance and depreciation are all slightly lower this year, while the costs for fuel, tires, financing, license, registration and taxes showed increases. In 2008, AAA estimates it will cost $8,121 to own and operate a new passenger car driven 15,000 miles per year. This compares to $7,823 per year in 2007; or 52.2 cents per mile. These figures come from an AAA study that puts dollar figures to some common-sense car-buying advice . For example, AAA's research shows the annual average cost of driving a small sedan is $6,320 per year, while a large sedan costs $9,769 per year. Similar savings can be realized by driving a minivan, instead of a larger and less-fuel efficient sport utility vehicle (SUV). AAA estimates the annual expense of owning and operating a typical minivan at $8,644 per year versus $10,448 for a four-wheel-drive mid-size SUV . Ultimately, right-sizing car choices to...
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As snow storms grabbed headlines this weekend, many drivers found their vehicle lacked the traction necessary to safely transport them to work, school, or the grocery store. While winter's days are counting down, it is clear from the number of roadside mishaps that not everyone was properly prepared. (Check out this Weather Channel video.) Being safe is a combination of the right tires, the right driving techniques, and simply common sense. You may find that the tires that came on your car are perfectly adequate on most days. Do you truly know what the tires are and what conditions they were engineered for? Many drivers think that an M+S (mud and snow) rating stamped on their tires' sidewalls assures decent traction in sloppy conditions. Granted, more-aggressive tread patterns such as those on all-terrain or even mud-terrain truck tires can offer better bad-weather traction compared to some pavement-friendly skins, but tire manufacturers actually engineer tires for specific low-grip conditions. (Learn more about winter tires .) A main difference among winter tires, all-season-tires, and summer tires is the pliability and durability of their rubber at different temperatures....
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