Car Insurance

When I sit in the driver’s seat, my goal is to be the first to cross the finish line. You can’t do that without a car that’s in tip-top condition. I make sure before I hit the track that my vehicle won’t let me down. You should do the same before you hit the road. It doesn’t matter if you’re just driving to work or if you’re loading up the family for a cross-country vacation.

So be your own Crew Chief. Follow these basic guidelines so you’ll enjoy the ride:

• Having properly inflated tires is not only safest, but it also increases gas mileage. Use the penny test to see if your tire tread is acceptable. Put a penny, Lincoln head down, in the tread groove. Consider buying new tires if the tread does not go past Lincoln’s forehead. And here’s a special tip: Buy a small air compressor that plugs into your cigarette lighter for a quick fix if you get a flat. They cost about $20 and can be found in most auto parts stores.

• Check to see if your oil needs changing. While you’re at it, have your belts and hoses checked.

• Keep an eye on those gauges monitoring your car’s electrical system, oil pressure and engine temperature. Keep an eye open for illuminated warning or indicator lights. If you see any red lights flashing or shining steadily, you should stop and have your vehicle towed into your local repair facility.

• Inspect your battery and cables for corrosion, cracks and dirt. Replace your battery every four years.

• Always keep your gas tank at least one-quarter full to keep from running out of gas at unexpected times, like highway gridlock.

• Always travel with an emergency kit, just in case. Make sure it includes a flashlight and batteries, flares or reflective triangles, jumper cables and a first-aid kit.

• Never, never leave children or pets alone in a car, even for a minute. A locked car sitting in the summer sun quickly turns into an oven.

• Keep a duplicate car key in your home, in case of a lockout.

Replacing worn windshield wipers can be a smart idea, but surprisingly few people remember to check them.

Out of all the vehicles passing through the 2005 National Car Care Month vehicle check events, close to one-fifth (17 percent) had front windshield wiper failures and 12 percent needed service on their rear wipers and/or washer.

The normal life expectancy of wiper blades is six to 12 months, but blades should be replaced sooner if they begin to streak, jump or become dull, torn or brittle. Intense sun and heat, mixed with seasonal pollen and dust, can cause the rubber on the wiper blades to crack and deteriorate. A smeared or streaked windshield during a storm can hamper visibility and create a potentially dangerous situation.

“Replacing wiper blades is not something most vehicle owners think about until they are caught in the rain,” said Rich White, executive director of the Car Care Council. “It’s a good idea to check the condition of your wiper blades periodically and replace them yourself or have them replaced when they begin to show signs of wear.”

It only takes a few minutes to replace the wiper blades and simple instructions are right on the box. Here are two suggestions:

• You can make the wiper blade more accessible by stopping it in the most convenient location with the ignition key. Don’t use the wiper on-off switch, as it causes the wipers to stop in their parked position.

• Look for replacement rubber squeegees to avoid the cost of buying the entire blade and holder. They’re usually easily installed and can restore wiping action, as long as the rest of the components are working properly.

The Car Care Council also recommends checking and filling the wiper fluid reservoir on a regular basis.

Across America, students are jumping in their cars and driving back to class. What better way to send your students back to school than to arm them with proper car care knowledge and a well-maintained vehicle?

The following tips will help educate drivers about car care and safety basics - an important part of every young driver’s education.

* Check the fluids. Ensure that the vehicle’s main fluids are routinely checked and filled to recommended levels. The main fluids are: antifreeze/coolant, brake fluid, window washer fluid, engine oil, automatic transmission fluid, power steering fluid and gas.

* Pay attention to the tires. Stopping on wet roads can take up to four times longer than on dry surfaces. Plus, if the tire tread is worn, the tires may hydroplane, or skim over the road with little or no traction. Help avoid this situation by checking tires regularly.

Properly inflate all four tires, plus your spare, to the vehicle manufacturer’s recommended levels. Tires can lose up to 1 pound of air pressure per square inch per month. Use an accurate tire gauge to check tire air pressure monthly and only do it when the car is cool - meaning when it has been driven less than 1 mile or has not moved in at least three hours.

To check the tires’ tread, perform this simple test in several areas of the tire: Place a U.S. penny into a tread groove with Lincoln’s head facing down. If you can see the top of Lincoln’s head, the tire should be replaced.

Here’s a hot tip about car batteries: Warm weather is the time for major car-battery problems. Heat, not cold, shortens battery life, says the Car Care Council. The average life of a battery is three and a half years, and even shorter in warmer climates.

Excessive heat and overcharging are the two main reasons for shortened battery life. Heat causes battery fluid to evaporate, which damages the internal structure of the battery. A malfunctioning component in the charging system, usually the voltage regulator, allows too high a charging rate. That can mean a slow death for a battery.

Statistics from the National Car Care Month inspection campaign show battery cables, clamps and terminals needed maintenance in 13 percent of the vehicles and seven percent of the batteries were not properly held down.

To get the most life out of a battery, the Car Care Council suggests the following:

• Be sure the electrical system is charging at the correct rate; overcharging can damage a battery as quickly as undercharging.

• If your battery is the type that needs to be topped off, check it regularly, especially in hot weather. Add distilled water when necessary.

• Always replace a battery with one that’s rated at least as high as the one originally specified.

Keeping your car well maintained helps ensure that it stays out of the shop and on the road for years to come. It also helps keep you safe in the process. Here are some nuts and bolts car care tips from the experts at Henkel to help steer you in the right direction:

• Keep accurate maintenance records. They are good diagnostic tools, proof that you have cared for your vehicle and can enhance its resale value.

• Keep the engine in tune. Fixing a car that is out of tune can boost gas consumption by about 4 percent. Also watch for worn spark plugs. A misfiring spark plug can reduce a car’s fuel efficiency by as much as 30 percent.

• Run your engine for a few minutes before powering up the heater, air conditioner, windshield wipers and other accessories. Accelerating with a cold engine can cause premature engine failure.

• Check for engine leaks. A leaky gasket can cause pressure to escape and reduce the car’s ability to accelerate. Need to replace a gasket? Loctite® Ready Gasket can make a high performance leak proof gasket in about a minute.

• Tighten up that gas cap. Gas will evaporate from your car’s tank if it has an escape. Loose, missing or damaged caps cause up to 147 million gallons of gas to evaporate each year.

• Change the oil on a regular basis to help keep the engine clean. Keeping the inside of your car clean is important as well. Lost that new car smell? Renuzit® Super Odor Neutralizer eliminates tough car odors in the air and fabric to keep your car fresh.

• Look for cracking or loose engine belts. Broken belts are a major reason for roadside breakdowns.

• If your vehicle has fuel injection, keep the gas tank at least one-quarter full. Cornering with a nearly empty tank disrupts the flow to the fuel pump.

• A torn seat doesn’t mean your car’s ready for a trade-in. Repair it with Duck® brand duct tape, which is available in 18 different colors to match your car’s interior and make repairs less noticeable.