The Importance of Serpentine Belts

By Ron Haugen

There are few belts in your car which are more important than serpentine belts. This is the belt which runs in between the alternator, water pump, air pump and a few other devices. It is basically the belt which makes sure that the engine is running exactly the way that it should be running. There are a few different problems that your car can run into if the belt is bad or snaps because it was either not changed properly or it was not a good belt to begin with. This is why it is of the utmost importance that you have a good quality belt in your engine.

Looking for a Good Belt

The first thing you need to figure out is exactly what kind of belt it is your car uses. This is because every belt is a different size. If you but in the wrong belt, you will cause your engine even more problems. Check with your manufacturer guidelines to find out exactly what length belt you will need for your engine. This will help you to get the right belt for your engine rather than taking chances that you will get the right length.

Looking for the Right Brand

This can get tricky because it is not fair to say that one brand of serpentine belts are better than another. This is, however the case. Just looking at which belts last longer, you will see a clear trend in how well one brand performs over another one. You can check through all of the different reviews about the belts you are interested in buying to see exactly which one will be best suited to your car. This is important to do because while you are thinking that a good brand is a good brand. In fact, there are brands which are better suited to one brand of car over another.

Getting it Installed Correctly

Unless you have a lot of specialty engine tools in your home, it is recommended that you allow a professional to install serpentine belts. This is to make sure that the belt is of the right tension and that there is not any problems with the belt slipping later on. Best of all, when you go through a repair center they will guarantee their work. This way if there is a problem which happens right after you get the car fixed, they will be obligated to complete any work to make the problem right for free.

Check the Belt Regularly

Serpentine belts should be checked regularly for wear and tear. This is something you can do yourself if you feel like it. Simply take a look at the belt. If you see any cracks or signs of wearing on the belt, it is an indicator that the belt might need to be replaced. While you can check it as often as you wish, the optimal time to check it is every other oil change to make sure it is not going too long without being checked.

If you are looking for honest advice, prioritized repairs, options on repairs, maximized fuel economy, and a good feeling with who you are doing business with go to http://www.westsideautopros.com

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Tips For Towing a Trailer With Ease

Tips For Towing a Trailer With Ease

By Ron Haugen

There are many different reasons why you might want to tow a trailer behind your car. You might want to pull along a storage container. You might want to pull along a flat which will hold certain items like lawn mowers. You might even need to pull along your car. No matter why you are pulling a trailer, you need to make sure that you are following certain guidelines for towing a trailer. These standards will help you to be able to get better fuel efficiency from your car. They will also help you to make sure that you are driving safer.

Check All Connections

The most important thing that you can do when towing a trailer is to make sure that you have properly attached everything to your car. This includes the brake lights, the safety chain as well as the hitch itself. Making sure that these connections are made correctly will help you to be a safer driver. They will also help you to make sure that the trailer will not fly off while you are driving your car across the country. The most important thing to remember is that each kind of hitch is different and you will need to follow the guidelines as instructed for your hitch.

Get a Better Hitch

One of the most important aspects of towing a trailer is to make sure that you have a good hitch to attach your trailer to. This is important because no matter what you do with the trailer itself, if the hitch is not of good quality and properly attached, it can simply fly off of your vehicle unexpectedly. The best advice if your car did not come with a hitch is to make sure that the hitch is professionally installed. This will help to avoid any problems down the road.

Load the Trailer Correctly

It is very important that you get to know your trailer. Know what weight limitations you will need to operate under. You will also need to make sure that you have loaded the trailer properly. This means making sure that the weight is distributed properly. When towing a trailer that does not have the weight distributed properly, it can cause problems like uneven wear in the tires to pulling the trailer to one side or the other which can affect your ability to drive and maintain safety with the trailer.

Get a Better Trailer

Another solution you can look for what towing a trailer is to make sure that you have a good trailer to begin with. This is important because the trailer can have a better axle or load capacity than others. Make sure that when you purchase your trailer that you are getting the one which is best suited to the task you are using it for. This will help to make sure that you have the ability to load it correctly and that you will not be exceeding weight capacities. If the trailer is not suited to your needs, buy one that is.

If you are looking for honest advice, prioritized repairs, options on repairs, maximized fuel economy, and a good feeling with who you are doing business with go to http://www.westsideautopros.com

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3 Hot Tips on Having Your Car Towed

3 Hot Tips on Having Your Car Towed

By Ron Haugen

No one likes to think about the possibility of having their car towed. It is usually something which is associated with a legal problem or if your car is not working properly. This is why whenever you hear someone say they had to get a tow, it has negative connotations. No matter what the reason you are having your car towed, there are a few pieces of advice you should follow to make sure that you are getting the best tow possible. While it may seem that a tow is a tow, they are in fact, quite different.

Not all tow companies are the same and not every truck has the ability to keep your car safe. When you are investing in having your car towed, it is important that you get exactly what you want and that you protect your car from being injured from the tow. This is possible when you follow a few pieces of advice. It is your car and you deserve to get what you are paying for when you hire a company to tow your car.

1. Use a Flat Bed - The first thing you should know when having your car towed is that the flat bed is the best kind of method for having your car towed. This is because the flat bed will keep your car off of the ground and will reduce the risk your car will be damaged while it is on its way to the repair shop or to the next destination. The tie downs on the flat be will consist of a few points on the car which were designed just for this use. These are the same points which were used when the car was delivered to the dealership and they will help to insure that your car arrives safely at its destination.

2. Be There - One big mistake people make is to not be there when their car is being towed. While you might lead a busy life, it is important that you are there when you are having your car towed. This is because anything can happen when you are not there. The person doing the tow might do something which is completely against regulation. They might scrape the car on the pavement when they are loading the car. They may even try to use another tow method than what you prescribed. You will never know and you will have no recourse unless you are there.

3. Research the Company - Look for a tow company which has a history of towing cars correctly. This is important so that you can be assured that they will treat your car correctly. Simply take a look online or contact the better business bureau. This will help to make sure that there are no hidden charges and that they will treat your car properly while it is being picked up and delivered to the location that you have chosen for repairs or otherwise.

If you are looking for honest advice, prioritized repairs, options on repairs, maximized fuel economy, and a good feeling with who you are doing business with go to http://www.westsideautopros.com

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Users Guide to Replacement Convertible Tops

Users Guide to Replacement Convertible Tops

By Ron Haugen

There is nothing like driving down the road in the summer time with the wind blowing through your hair. This is just one of the many reasons why more and more people are turning to convertible cars every year. After a while the top on the convertible has the potential to be ruined by the sun and other factors. This will lead you to need to go out and purchase a new top for your car or go through the process of getting your top patched which will look very unsightly. The problem is, most people are not sure exactly how much it will cost and where they will need to turn to get the top that they need.

The first thing you need to know is that you can get replacement convertible tops. They are produced every day by the same people who produced your original top as well as by companies which specialize in creating the convertible top that you use. If you are unsure about what kind of convertible top you are looking for, you can always contact the dealership to find out from them exactly what the specifications are on the model that you have. This will help you when you order your new top.

The next thing you need to know is where to order convertible tops from. You will need to check a few different sources for this. This is because some manufacturers will specialize in different kinds of tops companies like Robbins Auto Top Company specialize in domestic models, but they have the ability to make tops for any models. You just need to let them know what model you are looking for and what color you are looking for. They will get right to work in creating you a brand new convertible top which you can install on your vehicle.

The next thing you will need to do is to figure out where you can get convertible tops installed at. This is not like getting your oil changed. Not all auto repair shops will be able to handle this kind of work. Your best bet is to go to a collision expert for the kind of car that you have. You might even want to go right to the people who ordered your convertible top. They will have the expertise to know exactly how to go about installing your convertible top.

The very last thing you need to worry about is the cost. This is the last thing to worry about because no matter what the cost of the procedure, it pales in comparison to how much you will have to spend if the top fails and the inside of your car is flooded. At this time, you will still have to pay the expense for getting replacement convertible tops. Only now you are also having to pay to get all the water removed from your car so that you will not have to worry about mildew.

If you are looking for honest advice, prioritized repairs, options on repairs, maximized fuel economy, and a good feeling with who you are doing business with go to http://www.westsideautopros.com

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The Importance of Antilock Brake Systems

The Importance of Antilock Brake Systems

By Ron Haugen

The modern car comes with many different modern conveniences. These include the ability to have antilock brake systems in the car. The importance of the systems lies in the safety features that it provides you the driver. The old systems used to lock on when you stepped on the brakes too hard or if they got too hot. This would cause unsafe driving conditions which would lead you to be involved in an accident you were trying to avoid. This is why most car manufacturers do not use drum brakes anymore. They have too many incidences of causing the brakes to lock up.

Providing Better Stopping Power

The reason why antilock brake systems are so important is because they make it possible for you to stop the car better. The wheels are designed to grip the road. This is what the brakes are supposed to be taking advantage of to slow down the car. When the brakes lock, they will only allow one section of the wheel to be in contact with the road. This will allow the tire to slip on the ground and you will lose all traction causing the car to be able to slide out of control.

When the brakes are able to slow the wheel down rather than locking on, it allows the grip to stay in contact with the ground. The more constant contact the wheel has with the ground, the better your chances are that you will be able to slow down in time to avoid a collision. This is the entire point of the antilock brake systems being installed in every car produced today. They are designed to make sure that you will be safe when you are driving a car no matter what kind of driver you might be.

Stopping Driver Tendencies

The simple fact of the matter is that there are plenty of people out there who will make a point out of stomping on the brakes every chance that they get. This is why the antilock brake systems are so important. They allow you to not be a victim of your own bad driving skills. While it is still important to pump the brakes when you are coming to a stop, it is not the essential safety tip it used to be. This is because the system will pump your brakes for you so that there will be less of a chance of the brakes locking.

Get the System Inspected

The best way to make sure that you will be protected from collision is to get antilock brake systems inspected regularly. This is something which should be done at least every 15,000 miles. While the brake pads should at least be looked at every other oil change, it is a good idea to make sure the whole system gets checked at regular intervals to avoid any kinds of problems in the future. Regular maintenance will avoid the need for costly repairs in the future.

If you are looking for honest advice, prioritized repairs, options on repairs, maximized fuel economy, and a good feeling with who you are doing business with go to http://www.westsideautopros.com

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Why People Prefer Diesel Engines

Why People Prefer Diesel Engines

By Ron Haugen

When most people think of diesel engines, they get the wrong impression. They think about billowing black smoke coming out of the back of the car which causes untold problems in the environment. What most people do not realize is that diesel actually burns cleaner than regular gas and has more efficient burning properties than any other kind of engine available. There are quite a few different reasons why people prefer the diesel engine over a regular one. Here are just a few examples.

Better Gas Mileage

These days everyone is looking at the price of gasoline so that they will be able to save money. There is a misconception about diesel gasoline because it costs more at the pump that other kinds. While it is a little more expensive, it is important to remember that the engine actually runs more efficiently than other kinds of engines. This is why you will be able to enjoy three times the gas mileage of a normal engine. While you will pay a little bit more at the pump than you will for normal gasoline, you will end up saving money in the long run because you make less trips to the pump.

This kind of gas mileage comes in vary handy when you are going on long trips. This is exactly why the trucking community uses diesel engines almost exclusively. There is another reason why diesel engines are used by the trucking industry. The engines are better suited to producing steam and hydraulics. These are things which are used all the time in the trucks so that they will be able to power the brakes, steering and many other properties of the engine. This is just one of the many reasons why truck engines are diesel engines.

Cleaner Burning

There are a few different reasons why the diesel engines are cleaner burning than the regular engines. The first reason has to do with the type of fuel itself. This is because the gas is burning at a much higher temperature than normal gasoline does. This eliminates many of the pollutants which the gas can release into the air. The result is that you do not see any black smoke coming from the back of diesel cars anymore. This is in part because of better filtration systems in the car for the exhaust. It is also because of more efficient usage of the fuel itself.

Getting Gas

The most difficulty people with diesel engines run into is finding gas stations which sell the diesel fuel. This is because the industry is still trying to get used to the fact that more car manufacturers are using this type of engine than ever before. At best you will be able to find one pump available at most locations which sell the fuel. This is sure to increase in the future as more car makers turn to this kind of engine. This will happen as more people find the benefits of the diesel engine.

If you are looking for honest advice, prioritized repairs, options on repairs, maximized fuel economy, and a good feeling with who you are doing business with go to http://www.westsideautopros.com

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What You Need to Know About Air Bags

What You Need to Know About Air Bags

By Ron Haugen

All cars these days have at least a driver's side air bag. This is an important safety device which will allow you to stay safe in case of a collision. What happens is when you run into something a signal will be issued through your car to the deployment mechanism. It will be deployed through the use of compressed gas. The bag will deploy instantly and will help to keep you from going through the windshield or hitting your head on the steering wheel. There are a few other things you will need to know about them to maintain safety.

Changing Driving Habits

While air bags are designed to keep you safe in case of an accident, there are certain things you should be doing in order to keep yourself safe when you are driving in a car that has air bags, The first thing you need to be aware of is how close you are sitting to the steering wheel. It is designed to inflate to full capacity. It will not make concessions for people that prefer to drive with their chest right up to the steering wheel. If this is the way that you drive, you are likely to come away from the accident with a broken nose at least.

The recommendation of the industry is that when driving cars with air bags that you drive at least an arms distance from the steering wheel. This will leave a significant gap between yourself and the air bag. This way when there is an accident, you will fall into the bag rather than the bag pushing you back from where you are sitting in the seat. If it is a height thing, consider elevating the seat or using a pillow under you so that you will be elevated rather than moving closer to the wheel.

Another thing you should watch out for is the way you grip the wheel. This is because if you are holding the wheel in such a manner where your arm crosses the middle of the steering wheel, you will run the risk of your arm being broken when they are deployed. The old standards of 10 and 2 still apply for more reasons than just making sure that you are keeping both hands on the wheel at the same time.

Getting Air Bags Inspected

It is a good idea to get the air bag system inspected from time to time. This is because you do not want for the system to malfunction at any given time. Remember that you do not want to get the system inspected too often of you run the risk of the system malfunctioning as well as the fact that you will spend a lot of money unnecessarily. You should, however get the system check at least every five years if it has not been used. This will make sure that the gas is ready to go and that the bag is still packed correctly.

If you are looking for honest advice, prioritized repairs, options on repairs, maximized fuel economy, and a good feeling with who you are doing business with go to http://www.westsideautopros.com

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