For most drivers, their vehicle’s maintenance is something that they carry out as when it needs doing. There is nothing wrong with that if that is what you are happy to do, but waiting until the last minute to get stuff done can actually make your car’s maintenance a lot more expensive than you should be. That’s because you will probably only catch problems once they have become big issues and might take quite a bit to fix. That means more work for the mechanic, which will push up your final bill by quite a bit. 

There is one way to bring down the cost of your car maintenance and repairs. You just need to stick to a seasonal maintenance schedule and carry out regular checks. After your driving, the thing that will affect your auto the most will be the weather. Driving in extreme temperatures and weather conditions can take a lot out of your car, so it is always best to match your maintenance to the seasons. Doing so will nip any potential problems in the bud very quickly. 

So, are you ready to switch to a seasonal maintenance plan for your trusted auto? Here’s a year in the life of your car to give you an idea of what jobs need carrying out and when. 

Spring 

Check The Brakes 

Your brakes will take a battering through the winter months. When driving on ice and in snowy conditions, you will be braking a lot more than usual, even if you don’t notice that you are doing so. So, once the weather starts to get better and we enter spring, it is a good idea to get your brakes checked out. You should be able to tell if you need to find a mechanic to carry out any work on them. It’s worth taking your car for a slow drive around the neighborhood as this will give you the chance to listen out for any unusual noises, like grinding or high-pitched squeals.

   

Look At The Windshield Wiper Blades 

Just like the brakes, the windshield wiper blades will go through a lot during winter as well. So, it’s a good idea to have a close inspection of them. For instance, all of the salt that is put on roads to prevent them icing over can actually have a corrosive effect on the blades. So, if you notice any corrosion, it’s a good idea to get them replaced. 

Clean The Vehicle’s Underbody 

All of that salt could also be quite corrosive to your car’s bodywork. Usually, the areas by the front and back bumpers are often the places that are the worst affected. All you need to do is spray them down with a hose to remove any excess salt that is still on them. If you notice any rusting patches, you should paint these with an anti-rust paint. For excessive rust damage, it is always best to take your car to your nearest mechanic for advice.

Clean The Car’s Interior 

Most people hate carrying out any outdoor jobs during the winter just because of how cold it can be. So, don’t feel bad about not having got out to clean the car’s interiors over the cold months. Unfortunately, though, that means there is a good chance that your car will now be quite dusty and in need of a good clean out. Don’t fancy doing it yourself? That’s okay, there are plenty of mechanics, such as Telle Tire, that offers valet services. Simply drop your car off with them and they will get inside it and give it a good clear out! 

So you’ve bought a car off the lot, and it really doesn’t look a lot. It’s a base color, and it’s a standard model. It doesn’t really do a lot for your style or appearance. But hey, it’s safe and economical. OK, none of that matters when you want to make a statement! If you want your motor to impress, then don’t panic. There are plenty of upgrades and alterations you can make to even the most boring of compacts. Try some of these tips to improve the look of your new wheels: 

Wash, Wax, Protect 

If you bought a brand new car, then the body work has already had a polish. But even factory fresh models will need a bit of work to keep that body in good shape. Valeting is essential if you want the paint to stay pristine. And if you’re changing the paint job, then these tips are essential. 

Pick a wash or shampoo product that is designed for the job. Standard detergent will destroy your paint work! It needs to be pretty powerful though to cut through the muck and debris that cars collect when they’re outside the garage. Take your time to cut into the trims, arches, and the inside facing door frame. If you take care of the paint, none of the metal in your motor should be exposed. Exposure can lead to degradation and even rust. 

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The wax brings out the shine, and it also provides a protective layer or barrier to prevent hard buildups of dirt. When you consider how many exhaust pipes are chugging out muck when you’re stuck in traffic, it’s easy to see how cars get so dirty so quickly. If you buy a good product, there is no need to double coat. 

Tires And Trims 

If you’ve bought a good car with good tires, it’s important you look after them. Tires can be painted to bring back that absolute black we all love. Trims and alloys are easily scuffed on the road. They can be replaced, but it is usually cheaper to use a special cutting paint that will mask the damage. Some people even use sticky plastic covers to protect their trims as these are a little more hard wearing. 

You might not be able to afford the fastest car in the world, but you can still reach serious speeds with the smallest of motors. Your tires need to be appropriate for the vehicle and in good condition to be able to stop you safely in an emergency. In most places, good tires are a legal requirement, so check yours monthly for pressure and tread. 

If you’re looking for a car for your family, then where do you start? There are many options to choose from. A lot of people will steer themselves towards SUVs and MPVs. But a traditional family car, like a saloon car, is still going to be a worthy option, depending on how many seats you need to have, of course. For one thing, the lower height of saloon cars, compared to SUVs can give quite a few advantages. They tend to be less bulky and more aerodynamic than their larger counterparts, meaning a smoother drive in many ways. So if you’re looking for a good drive, as well as space, then here are some of the top options for you for a family car. Which is your favorite? 

Skoda Superb Estate 

This estate car from Skoda is on the list because it is such good value for money. You get a lot for very little. So it makes it a no-brainer when it comes to family cars. It is a similar price to getting a BMW One series, but in terms of the space you get, it is closer in size to a BMW Three series, perhaps even Five series. So you do get much more bang for your buck with Skoda. Being an estate car means that you get plenty of trunk space, which is great for larger families, or those with strollers or a pet dog to transport. It has a solid driving experience too, as well as some well-made and stylish interior. So it is a real contender. 

Do you really give your car the love and attention that it needs? If you don’t, now is the time to change all that. You don’t need to accept second best from your car. Sure, you might never drive a Ferrari, but that doesn’t mean you can’t experience the benefits of treating your car right, even if it is a cheap motor with plenty of miles on the clock. 

Keep Checking Your Oil Levels 

The oils levels in your car make a big difference to how your vehicle performs. If you want your car to remain smooth and efficient, you should check the oil levels regularly. As soon as you notice that they’re starting to run a little low, top them up right away. You can get all kinds of oil, so find the one that suits your vehicle best. 5w30 synthetic oil is a popular choice at the moment, so you might want to consider that. You should pay the same amount of attention to the other liquids that your car relies on to stay functional. 

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Follow the Maintenance Schedule Outlined in Your Manual 

Every car has a maintenance schedule that should be stuck to. This is outlined clearly in your car’s manual. You should do what you can to stick to this schedule because it will help you to make sure that your car is always looked after. There are so many things that can go wrong with your car if you don’t take it to be serviced and maintained by a professional. You will be rewarded with fewer breakdowns and headaches if you do manage to follow the maintenance schedule, so don’t skip over this. It’s not worth it. 

If you’ve owned your car for more than ten years, you’re probably looking for a replacement. That might be the best option depending on the condition of your current vehicle. However, there are lots of things you can do to extend the lifespan of any automobile. With that in mind, you might want to spend some time reading the tips on this page. If it’s too late for your current model, there’s no need to worry. You can use this information to ensure your next purchase lasts a little longer. At the end of the day, next to your home, your car is the most expensive thing you will ever buy. So, it makes sense to ensure you look after it properly. 

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Take it for regular services 

When you first buy your vehicle from a dealer, you should always ask about the frequency with which it will need to undergo services. That way, you can make sure it always gets the attention it needs as it matures. If you can afford a new model, that’s fantastic! It means you might get free services from the manufacturer for the first few years. That will save you a lot of time and money. Also, it makes you can relax, safe in the knowledge that the experts have it covered. If you never forget an essential service, mechanics should notice any issues with the vehicle before they get too bad. That should mean you never have to deal with expensive repairs, and your car lasts much longer. 

If you haven’t taken your vehicle to a repair shop for a long time, then it’s probably due for a regular maintenance checkup. If you aren’t looking after your vehicle by taking it to a garage on a regular basis then it can start developing engine or electrical faults that could cause troublesome accidents. For instance, your tire pressure can have a massive impact on your fuel economy as well as your traction, and your engine coolant might need a little top up to keep it running. 

Most new car owners neglect to take their vehicles to regular maintenance appointments because they either don’t use their car very often or they feel like they can handle it themselves. While it’s true that car maintenance can be done by yourself, it’s best to get a professional to look at your car in case there are faults beneath the surface that you might not know about. 

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Tire Pressure 

The importance of tire pressure is something that many people don’t fully understand. If your tires are underinflated, your tire won’t hold its shape properly which causes your car to sink down. This means that the body of your car could scratch against the road as you drive and cause damage to your vehicle. In addition, more of the tire itself will come into contact with the road, causing it to wear out faster than it is rated for. Using a system like Safe T Tyre is a great way to monitor your tire pressure should it ever drop too low or be raised too high. A good quality tire pressure gauge is important if you want to get accurate readings each time so that you can ensure your tires are working at optimal efficiency. 

Whether you buy a Bugatti Veyron or a van, you want to make sure you ride in comfort. There is no point in paying a lot of money for a vehicle only to hate the interior. Instead, driving the car should be one of the highlights of your day. And, it can be if you take the time to invest the effort and money. The good news is that it won’t cost you much and it will make all the difference. Even better, you don’t need to hire Xzibit to make it happen. Here is a few of the best tips to pimp your ride. 

Steering Wheel Desk 

There is just no stopping some people from eating and driving. Are you one of these people? It is easy to see why. You’ve been driving for a long time, spot McDonald’s, and decide to pull over for a break. But, when you look at the clock, you realise you don’t have time to stop. So, you decide to multitask. The only problem is that eating and driving is so hard and you don’t get to enjoy your meal. With a steering wheel desk though, it all changes. The pull out desk attaches to the wheel and pulls out to form a mini table so you can even access your laptop too.. Cool and practical.

Wireless Camera 

No, this isn’t for vanity purposes. A wireless camera has a far more practical use as well as looking killer. The camera allows you to see out the back of the car without stopping the engine. The result is that parallel parking has never been easier. In fact, you will never worry about backing into another car again. Of course, this feature is available in a lot of models but it is also very expensive. A cheap wireless camera does the same job and is a lot cheaper. 

Being able to fix your own car has a number of benefits. For one thing, it makes you more independent. You don't need to rely on anyone else to sort out simple problems with your vehicle. Another great reason to learn to maintain your car is that it will save you money. You won't have to go to an auto shop if you need to have something repaired. Just get out your tools and do it yourself. There are so many easy issues that you can mend without anyone else's help. Of course, there are still some problems that will require an expert. If you want to take charge and fix your own car, here's how to do it.

via Per Erik Strandberg

Study the Manual

Every car is different, even if many of them are the same in principle. Even though tasks such as changing your oil are pretty much the same with any car, yours still has its unique quirks. For example, it might have different lights the indicate various problems. So learning to fix it isn't just about repairing cars in general. It's about getting to know your car specifically. All cars have a manual, and they're very useful for familiarizing yourself with your vehicle. But what if you don't have one? If your manual is lost or you never owned it, you can find one online. You can easily find a Chilton repair manual for many cars and other vehicles. Check with the manufacturer too.

Take a Class

If you learn best by watching and doing, a class might be the best avenue for you. You can see someone demonstrate something in person and put it into action. Many people find this better than reading about something or even watching a video. You might have missed out on shop class in school, but you can do it as an adult. Try finding a class at your local community college if you want this sort of hands-on experience. You could learn much faster than if you try to teach yourself.

Watch Videos and Read Books

If you would rather just learn what you can in your spare time, you can. There are thousands of excellent resources both online and offline. You can find videos on YouTube and other sites that will give you clear demonstrations. You can buy books and manuals that will teach you how to fix anything. Try looking for forums online too, as they can have lots of members who are willing to help you out.

via Amanda Mills

Put Theory into Practice

Don't forget, you need to practice the skills you're learning. It's all very well to know them in theory but need you need to be able to use them too. If you're not sure about using your own car, consider getting a run-down vehicle to work on. You can use it for tinkering so you can make sure you don't make any mistakes with the car you drive.

It doesn't take a lot to learn how to fix your car. Next time you hear a strange noise, you'll be able to work out how to repair it.

It is increasingly drilled into us that driving is a man's domain. One of the most tired tropes is that women don't know how to drive properly, despite evidence to the contrary. This becomes especially evident if, as a woman, you suffer a vehicle-related setback. All of a sudden, everyone around you is a car expert ready and willing to offer their insight into what you're doing wrong.

It's crucial that we arm ourselves with knowledge so that we can deal with car trouble by ourselves and avoid the dreaded mansplaining. Here is how to deal with some of the more common setbacks that usually leave women scratching their heads.

Image Source: Visual Hunt

Filling Up with the Wrong Fuel

Despite what people may tell you, putting diesel in a petrol engine or vice verse is more common than you think. It's an error in judgment that has affected most drivers at some point or another. Knowing how to handle the situation will save you the embarrassment of phoning your husband to admit your mistake.

"Help! I've put the wrong fuel in my car!" isn't the death sentence for your engine that you might think. Provided you don't start the ignition, you can make amends for your mistake. Getting in touch with your breakdown cover will allow your car to get towed to a safe spot and drained of the wrong fuel. This minimizes the damage to your engine. That way, your seemingly costly mistake can remain a little secret between you and your breakdown service of choice.

If you haven't been so lucky as to uncover your error before starting your engine, things get a little trickier. You'll have to check whether your insurance covers you in this instance as you may need to replace the engine depending on the extent of the damage.

Jump Starting the Battery

There is only one thing worse than driving along when your car battery suddenly cuts out. And that's waiting by the side of the road for your knight in shining armour to come and rescue you. Our destiny is in our own hands, ladies. Arming yourself with the necessary tools and knowledge will keep you from being left red-faced when someone has to come and bail you out.

Jump starting a car is a two-person job, whatever way you look at it, but it's certainly not a man's job. All you need is another willing car with a working battery and a set of jump leads. Now, turn off everything that could possibly be draining the battery. That includes headlights, radio and air conditioning. Never try to charge a damaged or leaking battery, as this can spell trouble.

Connect the positive cables to both battery's positive terminal, and do the same with the negative terminal of the working car. Take care not to touch the terminals with your bare hands. Touch the metal of the flat battery with the remaining cable to earth the car. Start the assisting car and allow ten minutes or so until your car can fire up again. Job done.

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Unless you drive alone at night, you will come across other cars on your travels. And when you do, you always see a car you prefer than the one you currently drive. It cannot be helped because it is human nature to want something that we cannot have. But, instead of pining for a car and settling for another that is not quite yet in the twenty-first century, you can make yours better. Let me give you a few examples of how to get the job done.

Get Better Tires

Whether you have an old banger or a brand spanking new car, you can always change the tires. In fact, it is something that I would suggest you seriously consider. Tires can make a massive difference to the handling and the performance, and you can install them on any car. As the thread starts to wear, the tires become less effective. The car won’t stop as quickly or do as it is told, almost like it has a mind of its own. New ones will negate all of this for the cost of fifty pounds per set.

Get Better Brakes

Again, brakes are another massive accessory that has an impact on performance. And again, they are something that is easily remedied. When you think about the twenty-first century, you think about advances in technology and safety, especially with regards to cars. The safety aspect, in particular, is something that has come along astronomically in the past couple of years. Just by installing new ceramic or metallic brakes, you can enhance the safety ten-fold.

Splash Of Paint

In modern society, there are a lot of emphases placed on looks, and cars are no different. Most people will just look at a car and take to it because of the colour or the style. Forget about what is under the hood; all we are bothered about as a society is what is on top of the hood. So, to make your car look the part, you don’t even need any performance enhancing upgrades, just a paint job. Paint jobs are not hard to come by, either. Just check out the packages at and Auto Body and pick the colour scheme that you find the most attractive. Easy!

Add The Right Gadgets

The time of looking at a map or an AZ is long gone. In 2015, we have gadgets that will take you to your doorstep from any place in the world. Of course, satellite navigational systems are so standard that even car manufacturers install them for into the fixtures. But, there are other gadgets that your car can have that will enhance your driving experience. For example, you can always add stereo speakers into the interior or TV sets into the headset. Maybe the most important of them all is the portable phone charger. Although it says phone charger, any electronic device with the right fitting will work.

If you don’t like what you have, do not settle. Always try and push yourself, and your car, to be better.

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It seems like every week we pour more and more money into our cars. There’s nothing worse than spending money on fuel; it feels like empty money. Prices are always getting more expensive, and the cost of running a car is higher than ever. But, don’t worry, there are some tricks and secrets to preserving your fuel and making it go further. If I told you it was possible to squeeze an extra 25% out of your petrol, would you believe me?

All you need is a few simple tricks of the trade. Most of the things on this list, you could start doing tomorrow. Trust us, it’s easy when you know how. Without further ado, here’s how you squeeze fantastic mileage from your car and keep costs down.

Keep it well maintained

Not every car owner is comfortable opening the bonnet and fiddling with the engine. And, don’t worry, we’re not asking you to pull the engine apart! Your main priorities here is checking the fluids, particularly the oil. When the oil runs low or old, each of the engine parts rub over each other, causing friction and grinding. That makes it harder for the engine to move the car forward. Check the oil, along with the coolant, every two weeks. Replace it every 3,000 miles. Next up are the tyres. Keep them at the recommended pressure for optimal fuel use. If they’re slightly flat, the engine has to work harder to move the car.

One of the most talked-about topics in the car world is gas mileage. Car makers around the world are often coming up with ways to introduce fuel-efficient vehicles to the market. Many of the world’s governments are also putting pressure on those car makers to do so.

Scores of nations around the world are keen to lower car tailpipe emissions. And one of the ways that can make this happen is to use less gas.

Some folks don’t have the money to buy new cars, and so they have to keep driving their gas guzzlers. They will have got told some gas mileage facts by various people at some point. But did you know that some of those “facts” are nothing more than a fallacy?

Photo obtained from Flickr (Image Credit)

Today I will share with you some surprising myths about gas mileage. Check them out below:

Myth: only small cars offer good gas mileage

Anyone that has listened to their physics teacher at high school will know about drag. Heavier cars place more load on engines, and so those engines will use more gas.

Small cars have always been lighter than bigger ones. But these days, car makers are using lightweight materials such as aluminum and carbon fiber in larger cars. In fact, many of the top-ten fuel-efficient cars of 2014 are medium-size to large cars!

It’s no secret that all modern cars on the road today don’t have silent cabins. The faster you drive your car, the more wind noise you hear. And if you’re stuck in traffic, you will doubtless hear noise from the world around you.

That can be quite annoying if you’re in a traffic jam, and you have to listen to some music you don’t like! On the other side of the spectrum, what happens if you want to listen to your favourite tunes at a loud volume?

Other road users stuck in the same traffic jam with you will have to listen to it too! There’s no point trying to shield them from your music by putting your windows up because they can still hear it!

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If you’re worried about hearing road noise, or other people hearing you inside your car, this blog post is for you! Here are some tips on how to soundproof your car’s interior.

Apply soundproofing mats to your car’s interior

The first thing you need to do is strip your car’s interior out. It can be quite a long and involved process, so make sure you have the time and space to do it.

You will need to remove your seats, carpets, and headlining. Some people will even remove their dashboard too; it’s up to you whether you wish to go that far!

Once your car’s cabin is shell-like, it’s time to get busy! I recommend applying some Dynamat soundproofing mats to all internal surfaces of your car. The floor, roof and door panels all need covering. I also recommend applying soundproofing mats to the bulkhead and in the boot (trunk) of your car too.

The soundproofing mats offer a soundproofing barrier between your car’s chassis and its interior.

Fit thicker carpets

The carpets that get installed in your car as standard are thin. Consider fitting thicker carpets to help absorb any noises from the rest of your car.

Now you can put your car’s interior back together again!

Upgrade your tyres

Here’s a great tip from Natalie at imperialcarsupermarkets.co.uk. If you hear a lot of road noise from your wheels at high speed, it will be because you have noisy tyres!

The chemicals used in the vulcanised rubber for tyres differ according to the make and model of tyres that you have. Some tyres are quieter than others. It’s worth doing some research into the subject, so that you can upgrade to some quieter tyres.

Tyres with soft compound rubber, such as Yokohama tyres, are often quiet. But the tradeoff is that they wear quicker. Still, if you’re in pursuit of a silent ride, you might not have any choice.

Tighten up and fix any loose components

A lot of the noises that you hear from your car are due to loose or broken components. For example, exhaust systems with worn rubber hangers can cause loud banging noises when you drive over bumps in the road.

If your mechanical knowledge is poor, get a mechanic to check your car for you. I hope this blog post has helped you today. Thanks for reading!

Back in the day when dinosaurs roamed free across the land (OK - I’m exaggerating a little, but it was 16 years ago!), I had just passed my driving test and bought my first car, a battered old Volkswagen Golf mk1.

I seem to remember that it was silver in colour, although at first glance you probably wouldn’t have been able to tell given that the car appeared to be made up largely of body filler and rust! In hindsight, I probably should have saved up a bit more for something that wasn’t a piece of scrap metal on wheels, but even in those days it was a rare sight on the roads, so I just had to buy it!

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But, I digress. The reason why I was bringing up my old banger of a Golf was because the car didn’t actually have any form of warning system to tell me that my car had a serious engine problem, for example. The only dashboard icons that alerted me to any problems were the battery and handbrake icons.

These days, things are very different. It is now possible for all modern cars to effectively self-diagnose themselves, with most giving drivers a simple explanation as to the reason the problem has occurred.

So, just how do today’s cars self-diagnose themselves, and are they useful at doing so? In this blog post, I walk you through the different systems checks that the cars of today perform.

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For most drivers, taking their car in for an auto tune up can sound a bit unnecessary. This is often the case for people who don’t consider themselves “auto aficionados”, but it’s important that everyone understands the advantage of routine vehicle inspection and repair. You don’t have to be an expert on cars to realize that regular tune ups make a difference, and many people who haven’t been staying on top of their car’s needs end up paying for them down the line. Whether you’re a new driver or an experienced driver who wants to learn a little bit more about the ins and outs of properly caring for your vehicle, this article will lay down some of the basics for you.

Not Everything Has a Red Flag
The problem with many vehicle-related issues is that you don’t always know they’re there. Until you take your vehicle in for its annual inspection, there’s no way of knowing that you were driving with unsafe repairs. There’s not a warning light on our dash for every little thing, and that’s where an auto tune up really comes in handy. Your mechanic will run your vehicle through a series of diagnostic tests to uncover any underlying issues. By catching these problems early, you could prevent further damage from occurring and even save yourself from getting into an accident. Remember, just because you don’t know it’s there doesn’t mean it doesn’t exist!

Replacement, Not Repair
We all know that replacing something is usually much more expensive than simply repairing it. When you take your vehicle in for an auto tune up on a regular basis, you can often catch problems when they’re still in the repair phase. By simply swapping out a part, you can save yourself from paying for an entire system replacement, which can often be thousands of dollars depending on what’s been affected. And in some older cars, it can save you from having to total a vehicle over what could have been a relatively minor replacement job. Whether you’re on a budget or not, this can be a huge savings that will certainly be appreciated. One of the many advantages of being a responsible and proactive vehicle owner!

When you own a car, one thing that you don’t like to think about but is a thought that sits at the back of your mind is whether your car will become a victim of car theft. Back when I was 18, I was pretty gutted when one of my first cars was broken into.

At the time, I had an aftermarket alarm system installed on it, and was lucky that when they smashed the window of my car and the alarm went off, it deterred them from stealing anything (it was quite a loud alarm in what was otherwise a sleepy street)!

Photo Source (Flickr: Tim Dorr)

If you want to know how to prevent your car from being attacked by the rogue elements of our society, take a look at these weird and wonderful ideas that can help you to do just that!

Photo Source (Flickr: Ryan McLean)

Alloy wheels look pretty awesome when they are brand new. I know this sounds a little sad, but some look so shiny and clean that you just want to eat your dinner off them! Of course, in reality I wouldn’t advise that you do such a thing, because alloy wheels are designed to help you propel your car forwards or backwards, and aren’t a particularly light or practical substitute for a plate.

Sadly, alloy wheels don’t always have that shiny, unblemished look about them and considering the amount of abuse they get (i.e. being driven over potholes, into kerbs and so forth), they end up looking pretty sorry for themselves.

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When I was giving my car a wash the other day, I gave my alloy wheels a good scrub with a special brush which can fit through the spokes, and I even used an alloy wheel cleaning product (Meguiar’s Hot Rim Wheel & Tyre Cleaner, in case you wondered), but despite my best efforts the alloy wheels were still nowhere near as great a condition as they were brand new.

The lacquer (i.e. the clear coat of paint layer applied to all paint finishes on cars) on the outer surface of the wheels was peeling, and the front wheel on the passenger side is badly scuffed due to various kerb mountings in the past; some by me, some by the car’s previous keepers.

Considering there is nothing more I can do in terms of using cleaning products on the wheels, the only options left to me are to either buy brand new alloy wheels, or refurbish my existing ones.

Have you ever travelled on the road somewhere and spotted a car that doesn’t look as though it was produced by the car’s manufacturer that way from the factory? If so, you probably came across what is known as a “modified car”.

In a nutshell, these are cars that have been modified from the car’s original specification for the purposes of improving its aesthetics or increase the engine’s performance. For some people, they modify a car for a specific purpose, such as for track day events around racing circuits such as the Nurburgring in Germany.

Image via Flickr

But for most modders, they simply do it because they want to stand out from the crowd. The problem is, the latter reason is a completely pointless waste of time and money, and as a person that did just that in his younger days, I can explain to you why!

Some modifications look stupid

I have seen hundreds, if not thousands, of examples in the past where people have modified their cars, and they look really tacky and stupid. There seems to be a rise in the number of people going for the “Euro” look, as per the mk1 Volkswagen Golf pictured above.

This includes having ridiculously wide and small alloy wheels with stretched tyres on them, lowered so much that any extra weight in the car will undoubtedly cause the tyres to scrape on the arches and fail any government-mandated car tests, such as the annual MOT test for cars that are more than three years old in the United Kingdom.

Repairing a cracked car bumper is the perfect example of a DIY project  that you can do with plastic welding equipment. Doing these types of repair jobs on your own can save you hundreds of dollars that would otherwise be spent to get the bumper fixed at a body shop.

The following is a simple step-by-step guide for repairing a bumper using a hot air welder and plastic welding rods.

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Every automobile should be equipped with the proper lights as mandated by law. First and foremost, lights are used for road safety. Proper light bulbs should provide sufficient illumination on the road as dictated by the department of motor vehicle in each state of the United States. For example, headlights at high beam should illuminate the road for at least several hundred feet in dark conditions. For safety reasons, all of the lights of a car need to be regularly checked and replaced when not working properly. For example, one single burnt headlight can cause dangerous situations by making the other headlight appear as it the turn signal is on.

Tail lights and license plate lights should also be working properly for safety reasons. When braking or parking, the lights in the rear of a vehicle should emit a mandatory illumination that goes through amber colored housings. Improper brake lights can send the wrong messages on the road and lead to some serious accidents and other unpleasant traffic situations.

Drivers should replace the headlights of their vehicles every few years. It is easy to shop for High Intensity Discharge, Halogen and Xenon headlights that are available at online auto shops. When selecting light bulbs for headlights, it is important to understand the different wattage ratings. A headlight that is too powerful for a vehicle can burn out some of the electrical fuses under the hood. Modern headlights are also available in a variety of color temperatures such as deep blue.