A few car tips for #BackToSchool

When I was in college, my roommate and I made a road trip to Atlanta one weekend.  It was with my parents, little brother and his friend.  The point of telling you that?  We got here and my car was acting funny... We had to go drop it off to get new brakes. Yes, I drove to Atlanta and my breaks were going out on me!!!!  WHAT THE WHAT???? Having had that happen, I wanted to share two sets of tips from Repair Pal that might be beneficial to you and/or a loved one.  This might be perfect for you, or to share with your child that has left headed out on their own to college! Perfect timing for back to school!  

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Here are a few tips to keep your car ready to go, thanks to RepairPal:
(Number 1 is one that made has always told me, since the day I turned 16!)

1. ALWAYS KEEP FUEL LEVEL ABOVE A QUARTER TANK

When the gas gauge goes below a quarter tank, it shortens the life of the fuel pump, and that means costly repairs down the road. 

 

2. PROPERLY INFLATE TIRES TO IMPROVE GAS MILEAGE BY UP TO 3%

When tires are not properly inflated, fuel efficiency drops. Plain and simple: more money wasted on gas means less money for study dates and late-night pizza.

 

3. ROTATE TIRES EVERY 5,000 TO 10,000 MILES TO SAVE THE SUSPENSION

Forgetting to rotate your car's tires regularly causes them to wear out faster, and can damage the suspension, steering, and traction. This semester, switch up your tires so that you can cruise smoothly.

 

4. FIND A RELIABLE MECHANIC NEAR SCHOOL

Walking into the first shop that you find on Google is like rolling the dice. Do your homework with RepairPal's Certified Shop Search and Fair Price Estimator. RepairPal independently certifies auto repair shops nationwide for superior training, quality tools, fair pricing and a minimum 12-month/12,000-mile warranty.

Back to me needing new brakes: 

*** RepairPal's Four Safety Tips for Brake Safety ***

 

1) Scraping sounds likely mean it's time for new disc brake pads.

This sound comes from metal grinding against metal—which can affect the speed at which your car stops. It's wise to get this fixed as soon as possible.

 

2) If your brake pedal sinks to the floor, beware.

This may be a sign that the master cylinder—which holds your brake fluid—is not properly holding pressure, a potentially dangerous condition that can cause brakes to stop functioning the way they are supposed to. Get this checked out as soon as possible.

 

3) Don't consistently ride the brakes while going downhill.

By resting your foot on the pedal unnecessarily, it can wear out the brake pads much more rapidly than would happen normally.

 

4) Get your brakes checked at least once a year.

This is the best way to prevent extra costs. Going to an auto shop approved by RepairPal —a nationwide network of 1,700 certified, pre-screened repair shops on a mission to help you find quality auto repair at a fair price—is the best way to be certain that your car is safe.

 

Do you have any tips for those out on the open road?