All In A Days Work

Most of us fall in the two categories above – we either play it on the safe side and fill up as soon as we start seeing a half a tank or we see how far we can get when that empty light comes on.  Bust most of us were taught that letting that light come on can cause trouble in the long run – and they are right.

Some say never let the fuel level drop below 1/4 a tank because of the sediment forming in the bottom of gas tanks- the gasoline helps keep the fuel pump in the modern gas tanks cool which doesn’t cause the issues it used to when you get to less than a 1/4 of a tank. BUT the fuel pump is a vital part of your vehicles fuel system and it makes sure the engine gets the fuel it needs to keep running, so here is why you should avoid letting the fuel level get too low:

                                             This post is sponsored by service check

If you do drive often with a low fuel tank, you could encounter part failure, including problems with the fuel pump and fuel filter. Here are a few symptoms to look out for that indicate potential problems with your fuel system.

Bad Fuel Pump. The fuel pump is located in the fuel tank on most modern cars, and problems can occur when the fuel pump either becomes clogged from sediment in the fuel tank or stops working due to wear, usually from working too hard or after long intervals of time. If you are lucky, you should never have to replace it , but sometimes it can wear out. Some signs that show your fuel pump needs replaced are: a vehicle that is hard to start, hesitation while driving on the road, decreased fuel mileage, and overheating, If your car has any of these issues be sure to schedule it for a service check at your local dealership.

Fuel Filter. While a fuel pump has its own filter, sometimes it does not catch all of the particles. The fuel filter, located between the engine and the fuel pump, is another stopgap measure to help catch any of these remaining particles that make it through. Sometimes, though, the fuel filter becomes clogged and needs replacing, Signs of a bad fuel filter are the engine shakes when you are sitting idle, it has a hard time starting, the vehicle seems to have a hard time while you are driving down the road, or the vehicle stalls while driving.

In addition to potentially costly repairs to your car, driving on a low tank can be dangerous. If the car suddenly stops running, you could be stranded in a deserted area, or in the middle of a busy highway. And with many cars, the airbags don’t deploy if the car is turned off, putting you and any passengers in an even more dangerous situation.

I hate the stereotype that girls don’t know anything about cars – I’ve loved cars since I was a kid. I could identify a make and model faster than most of my guy friends; (I guess maybe I wasn’t your typical girl either!) So the idea that women don’t know anything about a car when it comes to purchasing – or maintaining vehicles- doesn’t sit well with me. I think we can be a perfect balance of the girly girl, and the one who knows about ‘car stuff’.

My list of must-have’s for the glove box is more of an essentials for the car – from extra shoes, to jumper cables.

                                    This post is sponsored by Len Stoler Chevrolet. 

Emergency Kit. Like every other list of essentials for the car, an emergency kit is a necessity. I recommend updating it with the seasons – so 4 times a year – you will go in and update the bottles of water, the non-perishable snacks (that eventually do expire, so you don’t want nasty snacks and water because you didn’t update your kit), band-aids, neosporin, switch out the parka and blanket from the winter for a raincoat and flip flops for the summer, etc. Make sure your flash light has fresh batteries, duct tape (remember, you can fix about anything with duct tape) and I always like to throw in an entire extra outfit in there too – you’d be surprised how often that comes in handy! (and yes, extra undies and t-shirts for the kiddos too!)

Mace or a Taser – Your Choice. It’s always good to have protection just in case; especially if you are a woman that travels alone often. Always of course, be aware of your surroundings, but having something to help protect yourself so you can get away in a hurry if you need to gives you peace of mind. I keep mine in the glove box for easy access!

Misc Personal Items. More items I keep in my glove box (and not in an emergency kit) are extra feminine hygiene products, Benadryl (for any type of allergic reaction) pain relievers, tweezers, fingernail clippers, an extra key (has came in handy quite often) wet wipes, napkins (just collect them from your visits to fast food restaurants) a notebook and a few pens, an extra phone charger and portable battery pack.

Important Papers. Make sure you have your registration, insurance cards (Make sure you update them when they come in the mail, so you aren’t driving around with expired ones -even though some states accept electronic ID cards on your smartphone, not all do – and from what I have experienced a lot of the police officers just don’t like them!). Also keep a list of important phone numbers, some emergency cash and quarters, and your vehicles manual in case you need to do some hands on work yourself.

Spare Tire – Lug Wrench – Tire Pressure Gauge. As much as I love to call AAA like the next girl, but sometimes you gotta’ do it yourself. However, you need to have the tools to be able to do it yourself. Make sure your spare tire has air, and that you have a car jack and lug wrench and a tire pressure gauge is always a good idea as well.

Jumper Cables. Jumper cables or one of those battery-operated ones so you can jump your own car (even better) is definitely an essential.