How to Change Brake Pads

There are few parts on your vehicle that are as important as you and your passengers...the brakes. Needless to say, without brakes you aren’t stopping or slowing down anytime soon.  Having a healthy and well-kept set of brakes will minimize harm for you and your precious cargo.  Over time, the break pads will become worn out.  This article How to Change Brake Pads will provide some simple do-it-yourself projects that could possibly save you a trip to the repair shop.

•          When to Change Brake Pads – The wear indicator is a small piece of metal and it is attached to the brake pad. Eventually, the indicators will contacts the brake rotor whenever the pad is worn down.  When applying the brake, the indicator will grind against the rotor; it will create a squealing noise.  The noise is a clear signal to have your brakes inspected.
•          Preparing to Change Brake Pads – Best idea is to start by placing a block under the wheel to prevent the chance of the car rolling anywhere while working on it.  Next, loosen (but don’t remove) the wheel’s lug nuts.  Then, use your vehicle’s jack to lift the car and securely place on the jack stands.
•         Tools for Changing Brake Pads – The tools aren’t hard to use or find, they are typically found at any auto part or hardware store.  Some tools needed are: A C-clamp, wrench, lug wrench, gloves, dusting mask and safety gloves, and finally new brake pads.

Take a look all of the steps by clicking the link: http://bit.ly/IuLlXm

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What Your Check Engine Light is Trying to Tell You

A check engine light coming on in your car is never something a driver wants to deal with. The light could mean a vehicle needs expensive repairs, or it could be something as simple as a gas cap not being screwed on tight enough. But not matter what it is, the matter of the fact is you’re going to have to get your engine checked.

In 2010 CarMD published a list of the five most common check engine light codes. Here they are in order or frequency.

·         O2 Sensor (part of the emissions system monitoring and helping adjust the air-fuel mixture)

·         Loose gas cap

·         Catalytic converter

·         Mass air flow sensor (monitoring the amount of air mixed in the fuel injection system)

·         Spark plug wires

 

Read the full article here: http://edmu.in/im4vWF

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What to Keep in Your Glove Box

- If you’re like most people your glove box is probably full of clutter – every manual that came with your car, receipts, key chains, cosmetics, cds, and maybe some gloves. But are all those things really necessary? Don’t let yourself be a glove box litterbug!

There are a number of items you’ll want to have in your car that are easily accessible in case you would get into a jam, like a first aid kit, a flash light, and a tire pressure gauge.  This article (http://blogs.cars.com/kickingtires/2012/12/what-to-keep-in-your-glove-box.html) will give you the complete list of necessary items you should keep in your glove box. That way you can get rid of everything else and keep your car clutter free!

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Some DUIs Are Stranger Than Others: An Infographic

Driving under the influence is one of the biggest dangers drivers can face; it’s no secret that consuming drugs or alcohol prior to driving greatly increases the risk of car accidents, highway injuries, and vehicular deaths. Drivers charged with DUIs often face criminal charges as well as deal with the emotional guilt associated with causing the accident.

Because individual states have different laws about driving under the influence, it’s important for drivers to be aware of the laws that exist in their area. For example, did you know that if you are intoxicated and you let another intoxicated person drive your car, both you and the driver can be charged with a DUI in Virginia?

And don’t think it’s just when you’re behind the wheel of a car that you can be charged, either. Check out this infographic to see some of the stranger circumstances people have been in when charged with a DUI – click the image to view a larger version.

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“But officer...”

 

“But officer...”

The two most universal feelings among drivers are the annoyance and dread we feel when a police officer pulls us over. When we’re stopped it’s common to want to try to make an excuse and not get that ticket the officer’s ready to issue. No one wants to pay a fine or deal with the points that may be slapped onto their record.

Sometimes our excuses may be valid, but most of the time the police could probably say them in sync with us. Can you guess which excuses are most commonly heard (and not accepted) by officers of the law? Write a couple ideas down, then click here to find the answers and see which ones you got right!

And then remember: drive safely. We’d prefer that you not be pulled over in the first place!

 

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