Things to Do to Your Car Before a Road Trip

Planning on going on a road trip soon? Before you do so, you should have a look at your car to ensure that it is in good condition and running smooth. This will help you to drive safe and prevent any malfunctions or mechanical issues. Let's look at several of the auto maintenance related problems you could encounter on a road trip and what you might do to prevent them.

Check the brake system. Brakes are probably the most essential component regarding safety of your vehicle. Make sure your brake pads are thick enough, so you don't have malfunction down the road.

Check the tires. If the tires are exhibiting any tread wear, replace the tires. If the tires have uneven tread wear, check the alignment too. Make sure all four tires and the spare are inflated to proper tire pressure.

VinAudit is a startup in the vehicle history marketplace. A first level consumer access provider for the National Motor Vehicle Title Information System, offering reports at a fraction of traditional costs. After launching in 2011, VinAudit.com has been providing VinAudit VIN check reports to consumers, dealers and industry partners.

Check the spare tire. Make sure your spare tire is in good condition. The inevitable flat tire never happens at a good time, and no one wants to be trapped in the middle of nowhere with a spare that's just as bad as your flat. While you're at it, make sure you have a working jack and tire iron.

Check the cooling system. The cooling system check up will reveal leaks and weakened hoses. Replacing worn parts, like the radiator cap or water pump may be indicated. Although cooling system failure is fairly common, it's easy and relatively inexpensive to prevent with proper maintenance.

Check car fluids. This consists of oil, power steering fluid, transmission fluid, antifreeze, windshield washer fluid and brake fluid.

Check that the gas cap is not cracked or damaged. Make sure it is tight so no gas will vaporize.

Check to make sure all lights are working. This includes brakes, turn signals, headlights and taillights. If you are driving a truck with running lights or a motorhome, make sure all running lights are working.

Check air filters. Replacing dirty or clogged air filters on older vehicles can boost gas mileage. It will improve acceleration and performance on all vehicles.

Check the hoses and belts that can become cracked, brittle, frayed, loose or show symptoms of excessive wear. These are necessary to the proper functioning of the electrical system, air conditioning, power steering and the cooling system.

Make sure your car's battery and cables are firmly attached and free of corrosion. Car batteries typically last three to five years.

Check the windshield wiper blades. You don't want to be stuck in a rain storm with wiper blades that are worn and tattered. Replace these before an upcoming road trip, just to be on the safe side.

Do a tune up. If it has been a while since your last maintenance update, do the recommended maintenance for your car. If you have a timing belt and you are within a few thousand miles of the replacement time, have the timing belt replaced.

How Do You Change a Car Battery

When jumper cables no longer work or your car headlights dimming, it may be time to replace your old battery with a new one. Changing a car battery is one thing that most people will be able to do themselves. Keep track of your battery's life and replace it before it leaves you stranded.

When working on your car battery, remember to keep all of your metal tools away from the posts and the battery so as to lower the odds of an electrical discharge. It's also recommended that you wear eye protection in the unlikely event that battery acid is released from the battery.

Steps on How to Change a Car Battery

Shut off your engine. Make sure that your vehicle is in Park, with the engine shut off and the parking brake on.

Remove the cigarette lighter and plug the memory keeper into the socket. If you don't have a memory keeper make sure you have all the PINs for your electronic equipment before you start. Consult your car manual to see which devices may be affected.

Open the hood and put a blanket or pad over the fender. This safeguards your car from corrosive battery acid.

Remove the cables from the battery terminals. Figure out which terminals on the battery are positive and negative. The terminal with a plus sign is positive and the terminal with a minus sign will be negative.

Remove the automotive battery hold-down clamp or retaining system. Place parts and fasteners aside, in a place where they won't get misplaced.

Remove the used battery and place in the fresh battery. Wear your gloves because the battery stuff is corrosive.

Reconnect the positive battery cable first and then the negative battery cable. Tighten the clamps one at a time using a wrench.

Shut the hood securely and start you engine.

Check to see that all the electronic devices are operating as they should.

Always properly discard the used battery.

How to Deal with the Fear of Driving

Fear of driving is a common problem, but it's a problem you can solve. Many people experience anxiety while driving, often in different ways. Being scared of driving can lead some people to quit driving altogether, here are a few tips to help you through it.

Cut down on sugar and caffeine before driving. Increased anxiety levels due to excess caffeine can put you more at risk of having a panic attack while driving. Eating healthy will help keep your emotions in check.

Consider car pooling. Try taking short trips with someone else in the vehicle with you, someone to help keep you relaxed. Avoid driving with someone who makes you nervous.

Don’t add to your anxiety. Drive within the speed limit, check your blind spots and signal before you turn etc. There are many people who feel anxiety because they are driving in a dangerous manner. Make sure you do not do so.

Practice behind the wheel. Feeling comfortable in the car you'll be driving is so important in terms of keeping you calm, relaxed, and at your ease.

Keep driving. Never let more than a week go by without driving, even if it's just a tiny drive round the block. Once you've started, it's important to keep the momentum going. The key is taking small, easy steps. Only stretch yourself a little bit each time you go out.

Use quiet music to keep you calm. This can be soothing sounds, classical music or anything else that may be relaxing for you. If you are listening to relaxing music at a low volume, it will help to keep you relaxed while you are driving.

Drive in slow traffic and safe areas. Avoid busy roads and highways. It would be an ideal state when you are driving in an area where the traffic will not cause problems for your practice.

How To Replace Your Car Windshield Wipers

Windshield wipers are a necessary safety feature to any car. The problem is that they don't last forever - but rather need replacing every few years. Wiper blades are made of rubber, so they naturally wear out after several months of wiping snow, rain and dust from your windshield. Changing your wiper blades is a quick job that yields immediate benefits. Here's how to do it.

Before buying new wipers, know what part of the blade to change. Windshield wipers are made with three basic parts: the lower wiper arm that extends from the base of the windshield, the metal blade attached to the lower arm, and the rubber blade that actually wipes the windshield. When your windshield wiper blades, you're really only changing the rubber blades that get worn down by water and inclement weather.

Pick the right wipers for your car. The first thing to changing your wipers is to make sure that you have the correct size for your vehicle. Windshield wiper blades come in many sizes, even on the same car. Look in your car's owner's manual, measure the blade, or ask at an auto-parts store for the proper fit.

Remove old windshield wipers. Set wiper blades in an upright position on the windshield.Lift the wiper arm away from the windshield and depress the small tab on the underside of the wiper where it meets the wiper arm. It's often easier to remove the blades with the arms up unless the hood or some other obstruction keeps you from pulling the arm away from the windshield. Lift arm away from the windshield and pivot the blade. When the tab is depressed, slide the wiper blade off the arm by pulling the center toward the bottom of the arm.

Replace windshield wipers.Line up the new wiper blade with the arm. Move the hook on the arm over the plastic clip on the new wiper blade. Now pull the wiper and you will hear a click sound. Now lower the wiper arm slowly. Do it for other arm as well. Finally, test the wiper. Make sure it is working properly and not scratching the surface. If everything works fine you have successfully replaced the old wiper.