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.

It’s the first day of Spring, and even though there is snow on the ground, I am already thinking ahead to warmer weather and the sun shining on my face. Every year I do try to get some Spring Cleaning done, which includes getting my car ready for Spring weather. The harsh cold, and salt on the roads, can reek havoc on your vehicle like corroison, rust problems and more- but here are some simple steps to keep your vehicle in tip top shape for this coming Spring:

                                         This post is sponsored by Len Stoler Lexus.

Wash Your Car!
You should have had a few car washes during the winter anyway, but you want to give it a really good wash to remove road salt, grit and grime – all the stuff that damages your car over the long haul. Go to your local car wash and spend the extra few bucks to clean the undercarriage with a power wash. The road salt can really damage the vehicle by eating away at the undercarriage.

Deep Clean the Interior.
Sweep, clean those floor mats and take out your ice scrapers and all your winter stuff from your trunk – or even better, pay to get your vehicle detailed. It can be some of the best $100-200 you could spent! They will vacuum, shampoo, treat your leather and plastic surfaces and get all that gross gunk from all the places you couldn’t. If that doesn’t get you in the mood for a nice Sunday Spring drive, I don’t know what will!

Check Your Tires. 
Potholes are one of the unfortunate elements of winter driving and they can certainly take their toll on your car. First and foremost check your tire pressure, also have your tire alignment checked  and if you kept your all-season or all-weather tires on over the winter, consider having them rotated as well. (Also, don’t forget to make sure that your spare is good to go in case its needed!)

Change Your Wiper Blades & Fluids. 
Your wipers work hard all winter removing dirt and debris, including salt! Since the life expectancy of a wiper blade is six months to a year, check that the blades to make sure they are still good – if it’s been a harsh winter, most likely they will need replaced. Don’t be caught out in heavy spring rainstorm to find out they aren’t working right!You should also make sure to top off your windshield wiper fluid (and coolant too) and reapply any needed windshield treatments to repel water and rain.

Change Your Oil – and Filters. 
Most manufacturers recommend a heavy weight oil to help your engine run more efficiently in hotter weather. You should also change the oil filter each time you get your oil changed, since the dirty filter obviously won’t keep the new oil clean. Replacing your air filter is very important too – it prevents dust and other impurities from getting into the chamber of the cylinders, which can waste gas and cause weaker engine performance (and we all know we are already using more gas running that AC on full blast!) Replacing that clogged filter can also improve your mileage by nearly 10%.

Update Your Emergency Kit. 
Emergency kit needs obviously change with changes in weather – you probably won’t need your big winter coat and blankets for Spring/Summer. Replace those items with a rain coat, and extra bottled water, along with non-perishable snack items. Check the batteries in your flashlight to see if they need replaced, as well as in your radio, make sure your jack is in good working order, and of course replace/update other items in your kit as well.

Break & Battery Check.
Winter can definitely take a toll on your breaks and that’s not something you want to take lightly. Your safety depends on them working properly, and make sure to have a technician check the pads and rotors. You also want to make sure to check your battery and check for any corrosion or shaky connection. While you are there – check your spark plugs. There’s a lot of heat and wear and tear from electrical and chemical erosion – not to mention, dirty spark plugs cause misfiring – which means you’ll be wasting gas.

By now you and your vehicle are ready to enjoy the Spring weather!