Automotive Driver Tips and Safety Information

Full throttle car - A car with a stuck full throttle is scary. There is one thing to remember, if any car suddenly goes to full throttle simply push the gear selector to the neutral position or push the clutch in depending on the transmission the car is equipped with. This will disengage the engine from the transmission allowing the brakes to work. The engine will be loud and will rev up but it is better than having an accident. If you are wondering if the engine will suffer damage the answer is no in most cases. The manufacturers have built in a failsafe that will not the engine rev high enough to suffer damage.

Window defrosting - Window defrosting is a big problem because when it occurs it can impair vision of the road and other obstacles. If the defroster in your car stops working but you still need to drive the car simply roll down the windows on both sides about one inch. This allows air to circulate and remove the moisture from inside the car effectively clearing the windows.

At the shop - One of my customers called me today asking me if I could help him. It seems he was having a problem with his 2001 Toyota Avalon (V6 engine), the car had 76,000 miles. In the morning he would try to start the car, it would crank over and start but then just die, this happened three more times before he got it running again and now the check engine light was on. His office was right next door to a repair shop so he took it in for a diagnosis; they told him it needed an idle air control motor and an air mixture sensor to the tune of $1,200.00 dollars.

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He brought the car to me the next morning. I checked it out and recommended a simple solution. Some manufacturers use a magnetic field style idle air control motor that is very susceptible to carbon build up. I removed the idle air control unit, cleaned it, reassembled it and cleared the trouble codes from the computer. This fixed the problem for the cost of a can of carburetor cleaner. The customer has never been happier with a car repair. With the right information you too can avoid costly auto repairs. All it takes is knowing the right information. "Knowledge is power".

Car storage tips - If a car sits for a long period of time or in storage it can have some of the same problems as a car that has been driven daily. If a car is not prepared for storage properly it can create additional and unusual problems. First of all the fuel system should be emptied to avoid fuel that can gum up and clog the injectors or on older cars the carburetor. Next, disconnect the battery and remove it.

If the vehicle is in storage for any length of time the battery wouldn’t be any good and you don't want excess battery acid leaking out and onto the car’s chassis. When a stored car is put back into action inspect the hoses and all other rubber components. Rubber components such as hoses and intake boots are subject to natural decomposition. If a car sits for a long period of time or in storage it can have some of the same problems as a car that has been driven daily

Dim instrument cluster at night - When driving at night where outside light is low it is better to lower your instrument cluster lighting to avoid glare. Once the light has been dimmed your eyes can better adjust to the darkness outside of the car to increase visibility. Return dash lighting level back to normal when returning to a more well lit area.

Common Questions with Answers

Question: How often should you clean off your car headlights to prevent winter grime build up? What are some dangers of this build up? Would coating the lights with WD-40 or car wax help repel such build up?

Answer: As far as the head lights, I would recommend a quality non abrasive auto wax. There is no danger of the grim build up other than visibility problems if they get too dirty. As far as cleaning them, do it as necessary.

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Question: What makes car doors get frozen shut in the winter? Is there any way to prevent this from happening—for example, rubbing cooking oil into the rubber seal to repel moisture?

Answer: Doors freeze shut due to snow and ice melting from the escape of heat from in the vehicle. When the vehicle cools off, it refreezes and causes the door's weather stripping to freeze to the door jam. You could use a product that will repel water. If the water doesn't stay on the weather stripping, chances are it won't freeze. Make sure the weather stripping is in good condition and tight and snug. But remember, there are areas that the water may not be able to escape from. Thus, it will still freeze.

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Question: If your car is in storage for the winter, how can you keep pests/rodents from making nests inside the engine? Are there any alternatives to mothballs?

Answer: To keep vermin out of the air filter box of the vehicle when stored, stuff a rag in the air intake duct of the air piping going to the air filter box. If the vehicle is driven on occasion the vehicle will stay pest free.

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Question: Why do car batteries tend to fail in the winter? Is there anything you can do (preferable a DIY solution) to safeguard them from corrosion/rust?

Answer: Batteries fail during the winter due to cold temps. The colder it gets the less power the battery is able to produce. Always remember, when you purchase a battery, never get one with less cold cranking amps (CCA) than the engine's cubic inch. For example, a 350 CI engine requires a minimum of 350 CCA) from its battery. I always recommend getting one with as many CCA as you can afford. Batteries do not last forever and eventually they all fail.

If you have not replaced your battery in many years, you should have it tested to make sure it will not leave you stranded when conditions get colder. As far as maintaining your battery, you can use water and baking soda to neutralize any battery acid that may have leaked on and around the battery. Rinse off completely with a hose; avoid getting splashed yourself or soaking any electrical wiring on the engine and fuses. Make sure the battery posts are clean and free of corrosion.

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Question: What are some dangers associated with car tires in the winter? Should you clean your tires early in the season to prevent slush buildup?

Answer: As far as tires, make sure they are properly inflated and have sufficient tread depth. An over inflated tire will cause a loss of traction. To test the amount of tread left on your tire, put a quarter inside the tread, George Washington’s head should drop below the tire tread. If you can see his entire head, the tread is not deep enough to channel water and snow safely from under the tire and possibly cause hydroplaning and loss of traction. As far as cleaning them, the only concern is when snow and ice buildup in the wheel well.

Car Tips and Information Every Car Owner Should Know