Akron Today Magazine

Akron Lifestyle and Entertainment

Autos

Is Your Car Heater Not Working?

There can be several reasons why your car’s heater could be broken or simply just not working. The following reasons may help you to understand why it is not working and why you need to take it directly to a mechanic to have it fixed.

It could be as simple as the engine thermostat, the fan motor, or simply a fuse that is out or simply not working properly. You will need to take the vehicle to a car repair shop right away to have them diagnose the problem and get your heat flowing properly once again. If you decide to fix the problem yourself you may be doing more damage to the vehicle by not knowing the correct diagnosis. Car repair shops can easily diagnose the problem. So take the vehicle to a mechanic and save yourself the headache and money of making it worse off.

Many people think that they may just be low on coolant in the radiator and try to fix it themselves. By doing so you can cause yourself and your car some serious damage. The cap could release and intense amount of steam that has been built up by pressure and burn you very badly.

So the best remedy if your car heater is not working properly is to take it to a car repair shop and let a real mechanic fix it.

When Should You Have Your Brakes Inspected?

We all know reliable brakes are a crucial part of safe driving, but how do you know when you should have a brake inspection?

Your car’s braking system is complicated with many interactive parts that need to be in good working order to bring your car to a stop when you need it to. For the safety of your own passengers and for that of any who should cross your path, brakes that will stop thousands of pounds in gross vehicle weight are the most important safety precaution you should take.

One of the most obvious signs that a vehicle’s brakes need inspected is when you hear that awful squealing, scraping or grinding sound when braking. If your car’s brake warning light stays on is also a sure sign that it’s time for a brake inspection as well. Somewhat less noticeable indications are when the brake pedal feels “soft” or spongy or even when it feels quite hard to depress. And finally, if your car pulls to one side or the other when braking, it may be a sign that your car needs a brake repair job.

Aside from these clear indications that you already have a problem, having a brake inspection regularly is a smart part of good car maintenance and vehicle safety. Regular inspections help prevent braking failure as well as heavier damage that would require a more costly repair.

Car Winterization Tips

The average temperatures in Akron and throughout Northeast Ohio have been incredibly good this year.  The lowest temperature has been around 53 degrees Fahrenheit this November, and on thanksgiving week, the temperatures are supposed to dip a bit, but nothing too bad for this part of the country.   Taking that into consideration, we are having better weather than other years, and that means we have more time to take care of our cars’ “health” before winter truly arrives. Here is list of 5 things you should be checking out to ensure your car is running smoothly and won’t let you stranded.

  1. Battery – If starting your car seems to be getting sluggish, and your car’s battery is older than three years, it is a good time to get it checked and make sure it is still in working condition. If your engine light is on, sometimes the battery is the one responsible for it, and you need to replace it as soon as you can.
  1. Coolant – also known as antifreeze, can help your car’s engine stay at optimal condition in cold weather. Coolant can keep your engine from freezing during those single digit temperatures in the northeast Ohio area, and you can get a gallon of antifreeze for less than $15 dollars
  1. Tires – We usually replace the tires in our car by the pair.  During cold weather, and when there is snow on the ground, having good tires can be the difference between having an accident or not.  Making sure your car has good tires, and that they have the right pressure, is very important for you and the life of your car.
  1. Lighting – By 5:15 p.m. we are experience the sunset in northeast Ohio, sunlight is no longer there when we leave work, and during this time of the year, it is very important the light bulbs in our cars are all in optimal condition. The visibility we have during the winter months is much less, and we need to be prepared for it.
  1. Washer Fluid – during a snow storm, it is very frightening to find yourself with no washer fluid in your car. Visibility is null, and a Walmart is nowhere in sight, what do you do? Make sure the fluids in your car are checked before winter arrives, and not only the washer fluid.

By taking care of your car, you  can prevent accidents, avoid unnecessary expenses like towing services, and maximize the life of your vehicle.

Fall Car Maintenance for Akron Residents

As Summer ends and Fall begins, you want to take a look at several things with your car before the weather gets too cold.  Some of these things are basic and can be done at a local parts store and some of these things you might need a mechanic to check, maybe at your next oil change.

Wipers and Fluid are something to get replaced and filled up before you start getting into sleet and snow.  That is no time to not be able to see well.  And do not add water to your wiper fluid as it could freeze.

Next look closely at your tire treads.  If they are worn too far down it is time to get new tires before the slick roads pose a bigger risk.  Shopping around in local Akron tire stores before you need to rush and find replacement tires will help you get the best price.

Next consider having your battery tested.  Once it gets cold you may find a marginal battery is no longer turning over the car and you are stuck someplace and cannot get the car started.  Last year we had a fairly new car not able to start because one cell of the battery was bad.  This was odd as we knew a newer car should not have a battery issue that early but it was important to figure out the issue and replace it because we got stranded several times.

Heating is also something to take a look at.  Once you start using the heater again, there are a number of things that can go wrong and make the heating less efficient or even overheat the car.  At the very least make sure if you have had your radiator flushed and it has the proper level of coolant if it is time for that.

Check all of your lights as well.  If you are going to replace burned out lights yourself it is a lot more pleasant to do it in 50 degree weather than 30 degree weather.  Might as well do it now.

Lastly, a common issue is brakes.  If your brakes are worn and you have not replaced the brake pads yet, it will only be worse as the road conditions get worse.  It is important that you can stop well and that everything has been checked out.

Important Car Maintenance Before Winter

Winter can be a difficult time for your car engine. Falling temperatures can make your belts contract and cause the moving parts in your engine to dry out more quickly. It is a good idea to visit a professional auto repair service in the early autumn to make sure that all of your car’s systems are ready for the winter.

An engine inspection is even more important when you notice a noise in car. Engine noises can mean that your oil is dangerously low or that something is not properly aligned in the engine. An auto repair service can perform a comprehensive engine inspection to discover anything that might be causing the noise in car before it becomes an expensive problem to fix.

Extremely low temperatures can cause your car’s battery to die if it is too old or weak. It is much more comfortable to have an auto technician check your car battery during a scheduled inspection than to find yourself stranded in a parking lot with a dead battery. An auto repair service will have the right tools to check your battery strength without even removing the battery from the car. The inspection is quick and inexpensive, but can save you quite a lot of trouble during a cold winter. If you do need a new battery, the shop can install one for you on the spot.

Getting Your Car Winter Ready

When was the last time you kept track of your car care schedule? Do you remember when you took your car for a full inspection?

Time is money as the old adage goes, and when it comes to the care of our car, time and money are too precious to waste.  That’s why, taking care of your car and doing preventive maintenance or even regular scheduled oil changes can keep your car running well, prevent costly repairs and keeps your car dependable for many years.

Before Winter arrives, here is a list to check to see if you have a car that is ready to see you through the Winter.

  1. Oil change
  2. Transmission flush and fill
  3. Check tires and wheel alignment
  4. Replace wiper blades
  5. Check  brakes and battery
  6. Check your lights – weekly if you can
  7. The Heating and air conditioning of your car
  8. Check the antifreeze fluid
  9. Belts and hoses
  10. Annual tune-up

There are many places in Columbus where you can have your car serviced.  But, do you know which ones have a good rating? By checking the Better Business Bureau’s website (BBB), you can check to see if the place you are planning to take your car for a checkup has a good rating. Remember that not even the Better Business Bureau guarantees you will have a nice experience, but it is a good place to start. Asking your friends and family for their favorite place to take their own car is the best bet, and you can probably avoid some headaches.

Now that you have taken your car to be serviced, and want to keep your car running smoothly for the foreseeable future, keeping a reminder of their service schedule can be a very practical thing to do.

At carcare.org, you can build a service schedule for your car by entering your car’s make and model.  Then, they send you a schedule service reminder to your email when the time is approaching to have your car serviced. Is it convenient? You bet. It is easy to do and an easy way for you to then call your favorite car care place and schedule an appointment without forgetting.

Best Experience Buying a New Car

There are a lot of people who can sell you a new car.  But in order to have the best experience, there are a number of factors which quickly disqualify many people and also help some people stand out.

This article is written to help you find the person who is the most knowledgeable, and actually capable of giving you the best pro’s and con’s – and help you get the best value on a new car.  No matter whether you are leasing or buying the car.

To begin, it is helpful to know which brand of car or cars you are interested in.  Think about the different factors that are important to you.  For us, we decided on a Honda Accord because it was the best combination of safety, price and feeling like a luxury car.  It has been a great car to take on long drives and combines reliability, good gas mileage and comfort for our family of four.

The good thing was I’d done the research in advance and had narrowed it down to this car and one other.  When we went to the other dealership we stood around for a bit, looked at some cars and when no one talked to us we left.  When we went to Great Lakes Honda near Chapel Hill Mall in Akron, we found it a much more engaging experience.

We were a bit lucky to meet Lynn Snoderly.  She is a top 1% award winner nationally for Honda for sales and service.  She never pressured us, made sure we understood everything and answered all our questions.  Plus, my wife does not like being “sold” stuff so she asked a lot of tough questions.  In the end we bought a Honda Accord from Lynn and had a great experience.  However, that alone would not be much of a story.  Two years later we were in the market for a new car for our daughter.  We’d never leased before but decided on that option so she would have a dependable car in college.

I saw a great deal at another Honda dealership.  I contacted them, and they wanted me to come in right away.  Because it was over an hour drive, I decided to call around a bit.  Lynn took my call right away and told me that was not the best deal out there.  She saved us a lot of money.  It turns out, if you call several dealerships you will get different offers and Lynn knew right away what was the best options based on our family’s needs.  She saves us a long drive as well as money on the exact same car.  Again, someone with a high degree of integrity, knowledge and experience is going to be able to match your needs better than a sales person just trying to close a deal by the end of the month.

So how do you spot a new car sales person who is experienced and able to help you better?

  • Ask them how long they have worked there. Sure, new people need a break, but a very new person may not be aware of all the possibilities for you.
  • If someone tries to rush you or force you to make a fast decision, they are probably not confident they are making the best offer to you.
  • Know what cars you are interested in and why, before you go to the dealership. If they try to steer you away from your preference, ask yourself if they are trying to help you or if they are simply trying to upsell you something you do not need.
  • Look for added fees and surprises in the offer. Make sure they clearly explain what any added expenses are and if expenses seem to be piles on, you may want to look around at another dealer.
  • Don’t trust an advertised sale to be the best offer you can get. Ask what other offers there are and call other dealerships if you do not love the offer they are giving you.
  • If you call first, remember they want you to come in so they can try to close the sale right away. That is their job, but they also should be worried about it being a win for you and a win for them.  When everyone is happy, you are more likely to come back and buy again. (And recommend your friends)

If you are buying a Honda in Northeast Ohio, compare what Lynn Snoderly – (330) 310-7376 – at Great Lakes Honda has to offer to any other offer you get.  If you are buying another type of car, use the general guidelines in this article to find someone with the same high level of caring and experience to help you get the best deal on the best car for you.

Summer Home and Vacation Savings

Vacation Saving Tips (If You Are Driving)

As the time to start planning your summer vacation approaches, gas prices are going up.  It happens every year in anticipation of the travel season. Even if money is not an issue for you, these tips will help you be good to the environment, and help you save for other things you want to do with that money.

1. Shop around – Some of the best apps for your iPhone that are free and can save you money right away are:

  • a) GasBuddy
  • b) AAA Mobile
  • c) Gas Guru

2. Use Apps to help you with traffic and rerouting trips to avoid traffic jams, accidents or

  • a) Waze
  • b) Route4Me
  • c) inRoute

3. Check your vehicle’s tires. Having a well maintained car will help you save on gas.  The efficiency of your vehicle on the road depends on how well maintained you have kept your car all year round.

4. Follow the speed limit signs. Even when you have a long road ahead, driving at the speed limit posted can save you money on gas.  Driving slower and at a consistent speed burns less fuel, and if traveling for a long trip, use your cruise control to keep a consistent and moderate speed.

5. Keep it light – Excessive baggage or a roof box cargo can make gas consumption a bit expensive. Keeping your windows and sunroof close will reduce the drag, making you car more aerodynamic.

Home Saving Tips

Many of the new  homes have excellent windows, new roofs, new air conditioning units, etc.  Everything is new and working properly.  But, if you have an older home and are looking to save energy and money, what are some of the energy saving tips that will also save you money?

  1. Replacing your old air conditioning unit is not something we do frequently, they last a long time and they are expensive. But, if you have an old unit, the efficiency is not longer there. The electric bill is probably not a pretty sight every month, so replacing the unit is probably the only solution that can save you money in the long run.
  2. Replacing old Windows – The draft you feel as you get close to a window or door is heat leaving your home and making your gas or electric bill higher than it should be. Replacing old windows or doors can save you money in heating bills and add value to your home.
  3. Keeping the temperatures in your home at comfortable levels can save you money.  Too cold in the summer months and too warm in the winter can add hundreds of dollars a year.  Try a difference of a couple degrees and see if you feel a difference in your comfort level and notice the difference in your bill.
  4. Turning off the lights in your home and appliances or other electronic devices that nobody is using saves electricity and money.
  5. Remind your children that the water in the home is not heated by the sun. A short shower can save water and electricity and hundreds of dollars a year.

By using some of these tips, you will not only save money but will help the environment as well.