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Can You Avoid The Nightmare?

You've waited so long. You finally saved up enough money to buy your dream car. You do your research, take test drives, and find the perfect one. The day finally arrives when you drive off the lot in your new car. You're on top of the world. But then, one day, your car is gone. It's been stolen. Your dream has become a nightmare. No one ever thinks it will happen to them. But every year, thousands of people have their cars stolen. And for many, the loss is more than just material - it's a devastating blow to their sense of security and well-being.

For victims of car theft, the experience can be traumatizing. Not only are they left without a means of transportation, but they also have to deal with the fallout from the crime. This can include everything from filing a police report to dealing with insurance claims.If you've been the victim of car theft, it's important to know that you're not alone. There are resources available to help you through this difficult time. And with a little effort, you can make sure that your car is returned to you safely

Most Stolen Cars Of 2021

According to a recent article from autoblog.com the most stolen cars of 2021 were.

1. Chevrolet pickup (full-size): 48,206 total thefts

2. Ford pickup (full-size): 47,999 total thefts

3. Honda Civic: 31,673 total thefts

4. Honda Accord: 30,274 total thefts

5. Toyota Camry: 17,270 total thefts

6. GMC pickup (full-size): 15,599 total thefts

7. Nissan Altima: 14,108 total thefts

8. Honda CR-V: 13,308 total thefts

9. Jeep Cherokee / Grand Cherokee: 13,210 total thefts

10. Toyota Corolla: 12,927 total thefts

 As you can see from the list above the most stolen cars are full-size pickup trucks followed by Honda Civic and Accord. Although these represent the most stolen vehicles it doesn't mean that these are the only ones being targeted. In fact, any car can be stolen regardless of make or model.

Always Lock Your Doors

This seems like common sense but you'd be surprised how many people don't do it. Always make sure to lock your doors, even if you're just running into the store for a quick errand. And don't leave your keys in the ignition - no matter how tempting it may be on a hot day.

Don't Leave Spare Keys In The Car

Another common mistake is leaving a spare key hidden in the car. This may seem like a good idea at the time, but it's just asking for trouble. If a thief finds your spare key, they now have easy access to your vehicle.

Install A Tracking Device With A Remote Kill Switch

If you're really concerned about your car being stolen, you can install a tracking device with a remote kill switch. This will allow you to track the location of your car if it's stolen, and even disable it if necessary. Typically they come with an app that you can use to track the location of your vehicle. Then remotely disable the car and notify the authorities who will then be able to apprehend the thief and return your vehicle.

Consider A Wheel Lock

A wheel lock is another good idea if you're worried about your car being stolen. This is a device that attaches to your wheel and makes it very difficult for a thief to drive away with your car. They're not 100% effective, but they can be a good deterrent.

Park In Well Lit Areas

Whenever possible, try to park in well lit areas and never leave packages or valuables in plain sight. Thieves often seek out easy targets of opportunity, so the less tempting your car is, the better. Although not full proof, putting valuables in the trunk is also a good i

When to Change the Oil In Your Car?

The #1 rule is to read  your car’s owner’s manual and follow their recommendations. The manufacturer knows your car best and what’s required to keep it running properly. The old rule of thumb was to change your car’s oil every 3,000 miles or every 3 months, whichever came first.

But with today’s advances in motor oil, that’s no longer necessary. Depending on the type of motor oil, your car’s driving conditions, and other factors, you can now go 5,000 to 7,500 miles before an oil change.

What Do The Numbers On The Quart Of Oil Mean?

The numbers on the can refer to the weight or thickness of the oil. The higher the number, the thicker the oil. Thicker oils are better at resisting heat and shearing forces, which is why they're used in high-performance engines.

Viscosity is the oil’s resistance to flow and it’s important because it affects an oil’s ability to lubricate. The thicker the oil, the better it will lubricate, but thick oil doesn’t flow as easily and can cause engine parts to run less efficiently.

How Often Should You Check The Oil Level?

Most cars have oil sensors that will give you a low oil warning when the level gets low. It's still a good habit to check your oil at each fill up to make sure the sensor is working.

What the sensor doesn't tell you is if your oil is dirty and needs to be changed. So, it’s a good idea to check your oil level regularly. Checking your oil only takes a minute and could save your engine.

Which Oil Type Should I Be Using?

Again check your owner’s manual for the type of oil recommended for your car.

If you have an older car, it might require conventional motor oil. Newer cars often require synthetic motor oil, which has special additives that provide better protection against engine wear, extreme temperatures, and sludge buildup.

High mileage oils are designed for vehicles with over 75,000 miles. These oils have special additives that can help prevent leaks and oil consumption in worn engines.

5 Tips To Keep Your Parked Car Cooler

Summertime is approaching fast, and with it, soaring temperatures. The last thing you want to do is climb into a scorching car and wait for it to cool down.

Did you know "When temperatures outside climb range from 80 degrees to 100 degrees, the internal temperature of your car can reach a scorching 130 to 172" (actionnews)

What Can You Do To Lower The Temperature In Your Car?

• Tip 1: Park in the Shade

If you have the option to park in the shade, take it! In many parking lots they will have trees or other natural shade options, Also try to park so that the sun is not shining on the driver's side. Even a few minutes in the shade can make a big difference.

• Tip 2: Use Your Visor And A Sunshade

You can find a sunshade for your windshield at most auto stores. Sunshades are especially useful if you have to park in the direct sun. They will help keep your car cooler and make it more comfortable to get in. Your windshield visor can also help keep the sun from entering your car

You could also fit a visor to your rear window as well as invest in window vent visors to keep individual passenger windows shaded.

• Tip 3: Let Your Car Cool Before Getting In

Does your car have a remote starter? You turn on the air conditioning to full blast, shut all the doors and give your car a few minutes to cool down before driving. The other option is Leave the doors open for a minute to let most of the hot air out before getting in.

• Tip 3: Cover Up Steering Wheel

No one wants to try to dive with a hot steering wheel. Consider placing a light-colored terry cloth towel over the steering wheel before you leave the car. This may reduce how much heat it absorbs

• Tip 4: Cover Your Seats

This will protect your seats from the sun's rays and reduce how much heat they absorb. If you have leather seats, this is especially important as they can get uncomfortably hot in direct sunlight. You can buy special seat covers designed to reflect the sun's rays, or just use a light-colored towel or blanket

• Tip 5: Tint Your Windows

One of the best ways to keep your car cool is to tint your windows. This will reduce the amount of heat that comes into the car, making it more comfortable when you get in.

While you may or may not be able to do all of these things, any combination will help make your car more comfortable in the summer heat. Enjoy your summer and stay cool!

One of the best ways to keep your car on the road longer is to perform regular maintenance. This includes things like oil changes, tire rotations, and engine tune-ups. By keeping up with these simple tasks, you can avoid more serious and expensive problems down the road.

Spark Plugs And Wires

In addition to regular maintenance, changing your spark plugs and wires proactively help extend the life of your car. Over time, these parts can wear out and cause problems with your engine.

Cabin Filter and Air Filter

Change your cabin air filter and engine air filter. One affects the airflow in your car and the other affects the airflow to your engine. Both are important for keeping your car running smoothly.

Fuel Injectors & EGR Valves

Check your fuel injectors.  Although not part of a standard service maintenance schedule, they start to deteriorate. You'll have a check engine light come on. Another major component that a lot of people fail to talk about when they just tune ups is the EGR valve or the exhaust gas recirculation valve. These should be checked and replaced according to your manufacturer's recommendations.

A faulty EGR valve can cause  all sorts of engine performance problems, including a loss of power and fuel economy.

Tires

Most people recognize the importance of having good tires on your car for  traction, safety, and gas mileage. But did you know that the condition of your tires can also have an impact on your electrical components. It's possible to have vibrations from your tires that will loosen battery terminals and other electrical connections. So, not only do you want to have good tread on your tires for safety, but you also want to keep an eye on any loose wires  or terminals.

By following these simple tips, you can keep your car running smoothly for years to come.

Cars and automobiles have evolved drastically. Just like our bodies, cars need a substantial amount of care and maintenance. Continuous working and no proper maintenance can damage them, leading to hefty expenses on repairs.

Following a schedule for car servicing and keeping an eye on the car’s performance can help avert unnecessary costs. Here are five things to be attentive to if you drive a car, which indicate that your car needs servicing.

Flashing Warning Lights

Futuristic and modern cars are good at indicating what’s wrong with them. They do this by illuminating the light on the dashboard, which means “Check Engine.”

Many cars have a service light that will come on when the next service is due. If you see a yellow light flashing upon the meter, then you should take the car for service, as there are a range of locomotion problems this light could indicate.

Degraded Ride Comfortability

Simply put, if you’re not getting the level of comfort you paid for, then it’s time to put some work into your vehicle.

Getting hitches and irregular steering while driving is a common indicator that the car is operating slow. You might notice the tires scraping as well. These symptoms can signal an issue with your Suspension.

This is a sign that your car needs service, and to keep it in top-notch condition, you should follow the service manual and get it checked regularly.

Unusual Vibration and Noises

When you drive a car, the most annoying thing you can experience is unwanted vibrations and shudders; and they should be checked before they develop into a serious error. Different noises mean different issues.

1. The hoods whining sounds are caused by a loose wire belt and can cause various issues from overheating to battery problems.

2. Unusual noises from the exhaust because of a hole or crack in it. It is easy to fix but can result in your exhaust pipe getting destroyed if not tended early.

3. The metal clashing sound could be a broken part of your car, scrubbing on something, causing damage to both the parts.

4. Uneven engine noises could occur if your car is not able to handle the air/ fuel mixture and can be fixed easily by replacing spark plugs.

Exhaust Smoke And Leaks

If fumes come from the car, you are not in any excessive danger. It can be because of overheating or radiator issues. It is suggested to take a look at your car’s temperature, and if it’s maxed, then let the car cool down until it reaches the middle of the gauge. Excessive smokes from the hood can be a result of oil leaks. If you see blue smoke coming from your car, then it is safe to get someone to tow your car to the garage because it can be a costly problem caused by burning oil.

Smokes and leaks can be of many types depending upon a range of issues, such as worn engine oil seals, head gasket failure, worn valve seals, etc.

Some leaks can indicate significant problems, whereas some can turn out to be mere ignition irregularities.

Sensitive Brakes and Gears

The brakes system and gearbox are the most used utilities of a vehicle and experience wear and tear regularly, making them a lot more prone to dysfunctioning. Gear and brake problems are easily noticeable and easy to fix on an early basis.

Some common issues can be transmitted vibrations while changing gears or squealing when you apply the brakes.

This could be because of worn-out discs or pads, a suspension problem, or an issue with your steering. These symptoms generally arise due to tire wear, so make sure your tires have the required 1.6mm tire tread.

What Is the Best Way to Avoid Problems?

Car owners are always up with questions regarding car problems. The best way to avoid any damage is to make sure to follow specific steps such as:

1. Regular service and maintenance according to schedule.

2. Checking the service plan provided to you.

3. Never wait for things to go wrong, and always try to keep things healthy.

It is essential to take notice of these issues, as they might result in a big problem; then, even your warranty or insurance will not cover it.