Top 10 Most Common Vehicle Repairs

January 29, 2018

Changing the oil and oil filter, replacing wiper blades and air filters, and scheduled maintenance top the list of the 10 most common vehicle repairs of 2017.

According to research conducted by IMR Inc., an industry leader in automotive research, the top 10 most common vehicle repairs performed by vehicle owners and their trusted repair shops are shown on the right:

“We thank IMR for sharing this important and informative data with the Car Care Council,” said Rich White, executive director, Car Care Council. “With scheduled maintenance toward the top of the list, these findings are a sign that more motorists understand the importance of routine vehicle maintenance and are taking steps to ensure the safety and dependability of their vehicles.”

1. Oil/oil filter changed

2. Wiper blades replacement

3. Replace air filter

4. Scheduled maintenance
   

5. New tires

6. Battery replacement

7. Brake work

8. Antifreeze added

9. Engine tune-up

10. Wheels aligned/balanced

.................................................................................................................................................................

Six Quick Tips for Bomb Cyclone Winter Driving

January 4, 2018

When it comes to winter car care, many motorists think of antifreeze and batteries, but vehicles need extra attention in winter, especially when a bomb cyclone hits and temperatures drop.

“Most people never heard of ‘bombogenesis” until heavy snow and dangerous cold recently hit many areas of the country, including several states that usually don’t experience this type of severe weather,” said Rich White, executive director, Car Care Council.

“Making sure your vehicle is properly prepared for the elements will help you avoid the aggravation of an unplanned road emergency.”

The non-profit Car Care Council offers six quick tips to help your vehicle perform at its best during cold weather months.

• Keep the gas tank at least half full; this decreases the chance of moisture forming in the gas lines and possibly freezing.

• Check the tire pressure, including the spare, as tires can lose pressure when temperatures drop. Consider special tires if snow and ice are a problem in your area.

• Have the exhaust system checked for carbon monoxide leaks which can be especially dangerous during cold weather driving when windows are closed.

• Allow your car a little more time to warm up when temperatures are below freezing so that the oil in the engine and transmission circulate and get warm.

• Change to low viscosity oil in winter as it will flow more easily between moving parts when it is cold. Drivers in sub-zero temperatures should drop their oil weight from 10-W30 to 5-W30 as thickened oil can make it hard to start the car.

• Consider using cold weather washer fluid and special winter windshield blades if you live in a place with especially harsh winter conditions.

Drivers should stock an emergency kit with an ice scraper and snow brush, jumper cables, flashlight, blanket, extra clothes, bottled water, dry food snacks and needed medication. The Car Care Council also recommends a thorough vehicle inspection by a trusted professional service technician as winter magnifies existing problems such as pings, hard starts, sluggish performance or rough idling.

...................................................................................................................................................................

Avoid Damaging A New Fuel Pump and Improve Engine Performance with a Clean Gas Tank

Motorists may not know much about their fuel pump but over the life of owning a vehicle, it will probably need to be replaced.

One area that often gets overlooked when putting in a new fuel pump is cleaning the gas tank. The Car Care Council recommends that when it comes time to replace your fuel pump, that you have your gas tank cleaned thoroughly to avoid damaging your replacement fuel pump. A clean fuel tank can also ensure maximum engine performance and fuel efficiency.

“While a vehicle’s fuel pump is not a routine maintenance item, it will likely need to be replaced at some point while you own a car,” said Rich White, executive director, Car Care Council.

“Before replacing a defective fuel pump with a new one, the fuel tank should be properly cleaned to clear old debris, dirt and contaminants that have accumulated at the bottom of the tank.”

Whether performed by a professional service technician, or you do it yourself, follow this 10 step process to clean your gas tank properly and avoid damaging your new fuel pump.

“The original fuel pump that came with your vehicle when you purchased it went into a clean gas tank so it only makes sense to put your replacement fuel pump into a clean gas tank as well,” said White.

“Cleaning the gas tank will not only improve engine performance, but it will also lead to better fuel economy so you pay less at the pump – a goal of most vehicle owners.”

 

10 Steps to Properly Clean a Gas Tank

..............................................................................................................................................................

 

How To Identify a Flood Damaged Vehicle

Following one of the worst hurricane seasons in years and record setting rainfall in many areas of the country, flooding has taken its toll on vehicles. It is important for those considering the purchase of a used vehicle to be car care aware and check for signs of water intrusion or contamination, says the non-profit Car Care Council.

“Purchasing a used vehicle and later learning it has been flood damaged can be very problematic and lead to costly issues down the road. Worst yet, these vehicles can be unhealthy to occupy because of mold and bacteria growing in the carpet and ventilation system,” said Rich White, executive director, Car Care Council.

The Car Care Council and the Car Care Professionals Network (CCPN), a network of professional automotive service providers, say it all comes down to how much water the vehicle took in and where it can be reached. As well, they recommend taking the following steps to determine if a vehicle has been flood damaged:

• Take the sniff test. Close all the windows and doors and let the car sit for about five minutes then crack open a door and sniff. Mildew and mold have very distinctive smells and it doesn’t take long for that smell to present itself.

• Try the touch test. Get some paper towels and press them against the low spots in the carpet. The paper towels will draw the moisture out and reveal if the carpet is wet under the surface. Some carpets can be several inches thick to insulate from heat and sound. If the paper towel becomes wet it could mean water has gotten into the car.

• Investigate the interior. Look under the seats and dash for corrosion and rust and look for exposed metal that is untreated. There are metal springs under the front seats that are usually not painted. If they are rusted that is a sign the interior has been wet. Look for mud and debris in places it does not belong.

• Inspect the instrument panel. Turn on the key and perform a bulb test. Make sure every bulb lights up. If a system has an issue, removing the warning bulb can hide it. Many times vehicles that have flooded have malfunctions in their anti-brake and air bag systems. Ensuring the light comes on and then goes out after the bulb test is an indicator that the system is on and has no active faults.

• Take it to a professional. Let a service and repair technician inspect your vehicle. They can raise the car and look underneath to see if there is any mud, sticks or rocks in the suspension. A professional can check the oil in the differentials to make sure they contain no water in them. Spend a few dollars to have it looked over to give you peace of mind.

he Car Care Council is the source of information for the “Be Car Care Aware” consumer education campaign promoting the benefits of regular vehicle care, maintenance and repair to consumers. For the latest car care news, visit the council’s online media room at http://media.carcare.org. To order a free copy of the popular Car Care Guide, visit the council’s consumer education website at www.carcare.org.