Author Archives: James Young

Keeping Your Car Battery Clean

Posted on by James Young

Did you ever really have to jump start your car only to notice that the battery was mired in gunk? If you were wondering what the gunk was, it was battery decay, formed by acid condensation. It may be cleaned using a simple chemical solution, since it has been formed by an acid. Something as simple as baking soda might effortlessly clean the battery acid. You need to take some safeguards, but safe cleaning of your battery is only following a few instructions.

Basic Car Battery Cleaning

First off, you’ll need the tools which you can get easily at home. You basically need safety glasses for the eyes, baking soda, adjustable pliers and screwdrivers with insulated handles and a stiff-bristled brush. Other items you need requires a metal or plastic scraper, box or open-end wrenches, cleaning brushes for the battery terminal, and either a turkey baster or small funnel. A few sponges or maybe clean cloths, a spray bottle with all-purpose household cleaner, some rubber gloves and a large pail of clean water. It might appear like a lot of stuff to clean the device, but it will keep it safe and non-hazardous.

Safety First

A lot of the corrosive by-products possess sulfuric acid, so it is a wise idea to use the safety glasses to protect your eyes, and the rubber gloves for your hands. Take care never to get the deposits on the car since it could damage the car’s paint job. Contingent on how corroded the battery might be, the amount of cleaning that is needed may vary. To be able to completely remove the dirt and corrosion, you will need to take the battery out of the vehicle. First use the plastic or metal scraper to get off whatever dirt it is possible to, and also use the bristle brush.

What To Do Next

Next step is to mix one tablespoon of baking soda with a pint of water and add the solution to the battery and the cable connection using the funnel or turkey baster. Work the mixture of baking soda into the heavily corroded places with the brush, and disconnect the battery cables from the terminals for easier cleaning. You can take off the cables, starting with negative first then positive, using the pliers and wrenches. Brush away much of the oxidation from the terminals and all of the parts, and then flush each one with the baking soda solution.

If perhaps you can still find some dirt and grease left over, use the spray household cleaner and sponge to get rid of them. Next, dry out all the pieces with a clean cloth and reassemble everything plus be sure that the cable is connected positive first. Finally, as soon as everything is secured and accurately pulled together, you will now have a safe and clean battery.

Make Sure You Get Your Vehicle Ready For Winter

Posted on by James Young

You might need to do a little extra prepping for your car so it is ready for the winter months. Circumstances that arise during the winter months, especially during severe weather conditions, are not the same than other times of the year. When you have a newer vehicle, it may not mean much but you should still be cautious. You’ll save a substantial amount of money if you decide to apply all of these tips, or at least some of them.

Tire pressure may drop drastically during the cold months of winter because of the cold. By being diligent, you will have a way to have better fuel economy and less chance of a flat. Make certain that your gas tank is definitely higher than a quarter full. In older cars, the gas lines would freeze if the tank was not at least a quarter full though newer cars don’t have this problem. But you must always have enough fuel to avoid being stranded. Make sure that you get an emergency kit that contains cold weather gear like gloves and hats. It ought to likewise contain some tools, flashlight, flares and jumper cables.

Well before winter arrives, have each one of your fluids checked, because some of them are affected by the conditions found during winter. You want to make sure that your cooling system is in appropriate order especially if the temperature goes below freezing. Numerous costly engine breakdowns are the result of an improperly maintained cooling system. Make certain your antifreeze is satisfactory and check it all through the winter. It is advisable to in addition have liquid for your windshield washer that will never freeze during the winter. If your electric battery is becoming older, check it out, because it could be a problem in winter. You’ll want to eliminate any corrosion you may have around the battery terminal so your car can properly start. Chilly winter weather can cut the life of your battery pack. For added protection, make sure those jumper cables remain in your vehicle at all times.

It is recommended to have your oil changed prior to winter even if it is not time yet. If you have an older car, utilizing a light weight oil will keep the parts in your car lubricated. New cars at present use lighter oil so it is not an issue. You may also want to swap your wiper blades for the wintertime as well. These types of new blades will keep your windshield cleaner from the ice and slush, and clean windows are important. You should also get the snow tires on too for the traction. To help to make it easier, you might want to get all-season radial tires.

It is best when you can prepare yourself before the winter comes. In case you delay too long you could get stuck in an early winter storm. You shouldn’t put it off, go ahead and get it done before the mad rush begins.

Steer Clear of Collisions By Considering Other Drivers

Posted on by James Young

You will probably encounter many different conditions and situations any time you drive regularly. When you have a lot of vehicles on the road, you can expect the unexpected to occur. When you’re aware of your surroundings, you’ll be able to stop accidents from happening. We will look at exactly how being considerate of other people can lower the chances of getting into a car accident.

One type of road user that we see all the time are cyclists. As is the situation with vehicle drivers, you’ll discover cyclists that ride their bike with an awareness for other people on the road and those that do not. One particular circumstance that can be dangerous is during heavy traffic when it becomes harder to see cyclists weaving in and out and approaching you from the rear. It is a wise decision to check your mirror and to take a look over your shoulder when pulling out or overtaking to make sure that there isn’t anyone in your blind spot that you have not detected. Numerous cyclists ride together in groups so don’t overtake them until it is safe and be cautious when you approach them.

Some of the challenges of motorcyclists are a lot like cyclists but there is a speed aspect involved. There are some motorcyclists who drive fast and there will probably be times that they may be coming up from behind and you are not aware of it. Many motorcyclists weave in and out of lanes therefore you need to be sure that they are not behind you when you are changing lanes.

There are also considerations when approaching larger vehicles like delivery trucks, coaches and lorries. Lorries and delivery vans travel just about everywhere and the driver may have to make unanticipated maneuvers since they may not know where they are going. These lorry drivers tend to drive for long hours which makes them tired so you want to be sure that you are not in their blind spot in case they doze off. You might have drivers who are actually from other countries who are not familiar with the road rules so you need to leave plenty of space between them and you.

Along with drivers of several other vehicles, you must also be aware of pedestrians particularly in busy shopping areas and around schools. In this case, the speed at which you drive might make the difference between stopping without risk and a tragedy. If you are aware of what’s going on near you and you are considerate of others on the road, then you will be safe and you will prevent accidents from happening.