Are Tinted Windows Illegal?

Car owners tint the windows of their vehicle for a variety of reasons, including security, privacy, appearance, and so on. When you have made the decision to have tinted windows, here are some of the rules and regulations to keep in mind:

• The intense sun rays can make the fabric of the car seats to fade easily. It can also contribute to the damage of leather seat coverings. The films that are available today are quite effective in blocking the damaging UV rays by up to 99%. Blocking these harmful rays does not only helps prevent you from skin cancer, but is also easy on your pockets.
• Car window tinting has different laws in every state, as each one has established restrictions regarding the Visible Light Transmission percentage through the car windows. There are states that provided limits on how dark a film is allowed, while some others have completely banned people from tinting their two front windows and windshield.
• If you are using a recreational vehicle, it is best to determine what sort of filming you are able to use. In most states, RVs are only permitted to use non-metallic films considering that they are also non-reflective.
• It is advisable that you get the windows of your vehicle tinted by a professional. Even though window tinting is not difficult at all, a shop that specializes in the job will do it correctly, plus the film can last much lasting. Consider asking the shop to present you a compliance certificate just in case you get questioned by the law enforcement.
• If you opt to tint the windows by yourself, you should thoroughly clean the windows before anything else. Then, cut the film exactly the same size as your car window, and install it with an adhesive. Smoothen the surface of the newly tinted windows with a squeegee to remove bubbles. Do not roll down or wash your windows yet until the film has totally bonded.
• The cost of window tinting will primarily depends on the size of the vehicle and the kind of film used. Performance warranty is another factor in the cost, together with how credible the provider is. It the brand and tint type also determine the cost.

So, if you would like to get the windows of your tinted, consult with the authorities with regard to the legal guidelines as per your state before you continue. Basically, it is not just about privacy, and get a classy appearance, because it is also protecting your body from direct sunlight.

How To Fix A Radiator Leak

A leaking radiator can happen in your car over time, and this requires immediate repair. The most noticeable signs of this condition are the overheating and low coolant level of the engine. Should you continue to drive your automobile with a leaking radiator, you will soon smell a burning coolant underneath the hood of your car. Also, you will see a slimy puddle dripping from your vehicle. This is just the anti-freeze coolant that is dripping from the defective radiator. Fixing it is a simple process that you can do all on your own, if you know some basic skills in car mechanics.

Depending on your car model, you will see whether the radiator is made from aluminum or copper. If you know the functionality and location of a radiator, then you have no trouble fixing it immediately. Many people prefer to use duct tape and ground black pepper for temporary repair. You may also opt for a radiator leak sealant that is particularly meant for repairing a leaky radiator. Follow these easy steps to fix it right away:

• The first thing you should do is to find the exact leaky spot. Look for a puddle or a hole in the radiator. A simple solution is to wash the radiator and the hose with water to be able to find the leakage. You may also put the radiator inside a tub filled with water and check for any air bubbles getting out from the car radiator.
• Next, you will need to patch up the leakage. If the leak is found in the hose pipe, a duct tape is a good approach to fix the condition. In case the leakage is within the radiator itself, then work with a radiator leak sealant, according to the instructions given in the kit. If you opt to use pepper powder, pour 1 to 2 teaspoons of it in the radiator. Pepper powder is an effective sealant that instantly lodges in the leakage. The pepper swells up once it comes in contact with water, therefore repairing the leak efficiently.
• After you have used the pepper powder or the radiator sealant, increase coolant to the right level. Next, close the radiator cap and inspect once again for any leaks. If you find any, carry on with the steps that are mentioned above again, until there are no indications of leakage anymore.

However, keep in mind that these are just temporary solutions, and you will want to get in touch with a professional auto mechanic as soon as you possibly can.

Coomon Brake Problems

Brakes are one of the most popular DIY repairs. If your car is having braking problems, whether it’s weak brakes, a mushy pedal, grinding sounds, or a squealing noise, it needs to be diagnosed and repaired as soon as possible. Waiting will only lead to more expensive parts wearing out and requiring replacement.

Here’s a quick review of some of the more common brake problems and troubleshooting tips you may find helpful:

Squeals

Commonly caused by vibrations between the disc pads and caliper, which can be cured by resurfacing or replacing the rotors, installing new pads and pad shims, or applying brake grease or noise compound to the backs of the pads.

Car Pulls to One Side During Braking

This can be caused by a sticking brake caliper or plugged rubber brake hose. Try to determined which brakes are dragging and check for sticking caliper first. You will also notice the pads on one side of the car may be worn more than the other.

Brakes are Slack

You are applying pressure to the brakes and very little is happening. Most likely this is because the cable has not been properly tensioned. It could also be however that the cable is slipping through any fixing bolts on the caliper arm and the bolt will need to be tightened.

Loss of Brake Pedal

This condition is usually a result of brake fluid leakage due to failure of a brake hose or a rusted metal brake line, a worn wheel cylinder or brake caliper, or a worn master cylinder. A simple "once over" of the system will reveal what's going on.

Soft Brake Pedal

When it does, it can leak brake fluid, causing a drop in hydraulic pressure to the brakes. A soft brake pedal is the result of a loss of hydraulic pressure. You should have your vehicle seen by a mechanic immediately if your master cylinder is worn out or leaking.

Why is My Car Making a Squeaking Noise?

Fixing a car is much easier when you know what the problem is. Your car produces a lot of different noises. While some are completely normal, others signify that a bigger problem might be present. Here's a quick guide to the sounds your car might be making and what they mean.

Sputtering
When your car loses power and has discolored white or black smoke, you may have major issues. Anything from ignition control modules to head gaskets can be at fault.

Whining
A constant whine when the car is in motion could indicate worn gears in the driveline, usually in the differential. It could also mean the differential fluid needs to be replaced.

Clunking
Clunking noises when you?re braking is usually a sign that a brake caliper is damaged, missing or not mounted properly.

Creaking
If your car is making a creaking noise when you turn the steering wheel it could just be an issue with your power steering. Pay attention to where the noise is coming from, because if it is coming from under the hood it could also be a problem with your car?s struts.

Hissing
A hissing noise while idle can mean that one of your hoses is cracked or has come loose. You should have your vehicle serviced immediately if you notice this noise accompanied by steam from under your hood.

How Do You Protect Your Car From Hail?

Every year, hail storms pound the country causing millions of dollars in destruction. Even a brief hail storm can cause significant damage to your car. Keeping your car under cover during these times will offer the greatest protection against damage.

Here are other ways to protect your car from hail damage.

Plan ahead. If a storm is forecast, make arrangements to park your vehicle under cover, delay your trip or use an alternative mode of transportation.

If caught in a storm, look for safe shelter. Options include bridges, service station awnings and covered car parks or ramps.

In a severe storm, avoid parking under trees as branches could fall on your vehicle.

If you have to leave your car outside, cover it with a thick blanket or hail car cover to minimize hail’s impact.

If there’s nowhere to go, stop your car. The impact from hail is stronger when a vehicle is in motion.

At home, park your car in a garage or carport. If you don’t have a covered parking spot, consider a specially designed car cover to minimize vehicle damage.

If nothing else, consider duct taping heavy blankets to your vehicle.  Moving pads work well. During the taping process, it is recommended to do so towards the bottom of the vehicle so that the sticky residue doesn’t have an effect on the vehicle’s paint.

How to Pinstripe Your Car

Car pinstriping is one of the best ways to make your vehicle very unique. Pinstriping has been used commercially since the 1800s, and is a definitive style for the decoration of style. Pinstriping can be as plain or as fancy as your patience and level of skill allows.

Pinstriping is, as one may gather from the name, the use of thin “pinstripes” in ornate decorative patterns, commonly used on automobiles and motorcycles. Pinstripes are usually done in two colors: one that compliments the body color, and another, thin line, which contrasts to make the stripe stand out.

Before you start, the vehicle surface must be absolutely clean—no grease, wax or polish. If it's not, you'll have paint adhesion problems with the stripe.

Mechanical Pinstriping

A mechanical auto pinstriping is the best for striping long areas like trucks, vans, or station wagons. The main advantage is that it puts down stripes of consistent width, letting you concentrate more on keeping the contour of the stripe aligned along your work surface. The Buegler pinstriper and accessories are one of the preferred by body shops and pinstripers for their high quality construction and consistent operation.

Striping with Stencil Tape

There are several different stencil tapes that are suitable for almost any auto pinstriping application. Stencil tapes let you lay down stripes of different colors without waiting for the other stripes to dry. Stencil tape striping requires brushes: the pinstriping brush is the most important element for an excellent final result.

Freehand Striping

This method is the most advanced one and requires the most practice to master, but offers unlimited flexibility. The easiest method for the freehand striping novice is to lay down a strip of masking tape about ¼ inch from where you would like the line to be. Use the tape as a visual guide for your stripes. Do not use standard masking tape for edging pinstripes. the pinstriping paint will seep and bleed under the edge of standard masking tape. The pinstriping can be as plain or as fancy as your patience and level of skill allows.

How To Repair A Punctured Tire

A punctured tire happen as a result of several factors; low quality tire, sharp object on the road, rough roads or an inbound tire pressure that causes it to burst. While you do not know where and when the puncture could happen, what you can do is not to get off guard. Be always ready with all the right tools to help you repair a tire puncture no matter where you are. These include:

Tire Spray

This is an essential tool to help you seal punctures temporarily before you go to the mechanic. It can save you from a lot of trouble especially if you have no spare tire with you. This kind of spray seals small punctures quickly so that you can continue with your journey for the time being. It is also useful to people who have no idea how change tires.

Spare Tire

Be it a large or a small puncture, a spare tire is an absolute must have. You cannot tell when a puncture requires a change of tire. This is why you should have a spare tire always in your vehicle. Besides, many punctures cannot be repaired quickly if you are not an auto mechanic. Even if you know how to fix a tire puncture, you may not have enough time to get it done if you are in a big hurry.

Jack and Spanner

Even if you have a spare tire in your car, you cannot do anything if you have no jack and spanner with you. Unless you have a number of strong people to help you lift the vehicle, it is useful to have a jack on hand. A jack is what you use to lift the vehicle to remove the punctured tire from its position and put the spare tire. On the other hand, a spanner is used to unfasten the nuts on the punctured tire and fasten the nuts on the spare tire to ensure that it is held firm on the car.

Ultimately, you should know when it is time to say goodbye. Needless to say, no tire can last forever. Check if the puncture of your tire is bigger than a ¼ inch in diameter, if your car has been driving on a flat tire that is potentially causing a zipper or blowout, or if the puncture is located on the shoulder/belt edge.If you see any of these signs, then it is time to get rid of the tire. Also, check the manufacturer’s policy of your tire for repair limits.

How Do You Know If Your Brake Rotors Are Bad?

With regards to automotive safety, the brake system is on top of the list, so have your brakes checked by an auto service professional at least once a year. Learning the key warning signs that your brakes may need maintenance will go a long way toward keeping you and others safe on the road.

It starts off as a faint sound in the beginning, but eventually it become noisier and more obvious. A smell, feeling, or sound can be the start of a brake issue that is worth investigating sooner rather than later. Waiting on brake repair inevitably can result in something more expensive and more parts wearing out that could have been saved if the repair was done sooner.

Listed below are five of the most tell tale signs that you need a brake inspection.

1. Listen for screeching, grinding or clicking noises when applying the brakes. These noises aren't normal and shouldn't be ignored. Abnormal sounds are often an indication that it's time to replace a part in your brakes.

2. You feel your car pulling every time you push down on the brake pedal. That's a good indication that the brake linings are wearing thin.

3. Look for wear between the wheel's spokes. Look for an outer pad; it should be pressed against a metal rotor. If you see less than 1/4 inch of pad, you may want to have your brake pads inspected or replaced.

4. Sometimes, a vehicle will vibrate when you come to a stop. This is more than just a nuisance; it could mean something's wrong with your brake rotor, among other things. Have your brakes and your tires inspected to identify the exact problem.

5. If your brake warning light is illuminated in your car it is time to schedule a brake test As soon as possible. There could be serious issues going on with your brakes and it is not smart to delay an inspection.

Car Security Devices

Because a car is a valuable investment and fairly easy to resell, this makes it a primary target for criminal and thieves. To help protect the cars and minimize this ever-increasing crime, the majority of cars today are designed with the most advanced security systems. These car alarm systems consist of signals, sirens and sensors that produce a warning alarm in the case of a car theft. Some of these modern alarm systems for cars include:

Door Sensor

It instantly responds whenever a thief attempts to open the door of a car. The sensor is connected either to the interior lights or to the siren of the vehicle. Most security systems use a switching device built inside the automobile. The moment the thief starts to open the door, the door transmits the electricity to the interior lights and thus will probably scares the thief away.

Shock Sensor

This works on a basic principle, by which when a thief moves or hits the vehicle, the sensor transfers a warning sign based on the intensity of the automobile motion. Therefore, once the car experiences a shock and receives an unfamiliar change in its pace, then a full scale signal alarm goes off. Sometimes, the sensor is attached to the fuel engine that stops supplying fuel, once a sudden drastic change is detected in the intensity of its motion.

Window and Pressure Sensors

These kinds of sensors work well in detecting broken car windows. These are attached to a microphone that is found in the computer-controlled system. If a thief tries to break the windows of an automobile, the sensor identifies the air pressure and  sound of the car. The mic inside the car monitors the air variations and air pressure, converting them into electric signals and transmitting them to the system. By doing this, it activates the siren as a way to alarm the criminal.

Motion and Tilt Sensors

These are really useful in the event that a thief attempts to tow the vehicle to another place. The sensor is made up of perimeter scanners that monitor any kind of lifting, tilting and even a slight movement of the vehicle. This way, you can easily keep tabs on all the activities taking place in a predetermined perimeter in the parking area. If the radio transmitter scans a motion, it sends signals to the receiver monitors.

All these car security systems are extremely effective in protecting your car against thieves. Keep in mind, choose an alarm with a loud siren, otherwise it will not be capable of deterring thieves.

Things to Check on a Car Before a Road Trip

If you do not like getting late at an appointment or stuck down the road as a result of automobile breakdown. Here are the things you need to check before driving your vehicle. Do this preferably before you begin your day:

Checking Outside the Vehicle

• Check if the tires are inflated properly. It would be better if you are using a pressure gauge. Regardless, simply examine if the pressure is noticeably low in all the tires. Also, it is better and safer to check them every two weeks and re-inflate them to their ideal pressures, including the spare tire.

• Check underneath your vehicle and even at the top. Stray cats and dogs might even be there. There is actually no need for an explanation for this one.
• If you are one of the people who often park their vehicles in public parking spaces, then you are definitely aware of the unwanted pamphlets and ads that are purposely stuck under the mirror housings, door-handles, wiper blades, just about anywhere. Needless to say, check for them before you get in your car.

Checking Inside the Vehicle

• Examine and adjust the position of the seat as well as the rear view mirrors. Having a comfortable driving position is absolutely necessary while driving.
• See if the car headlights, A/C, along with other electronics are shut off before turning on your engine. Most likely, your vehicle will start without any trouble even if they are on, but they can affect the life of your car battery. And, it could ruin the important electrical wiring in many modern automobiles.
• As you turn on the ignition, wait for every warning light to illuminate in the group of instruments before you start your car. As soon as you start the vehicle, all of the lights should disappear shortly after, except for the handbrake signal light. In the event that any light stays on such as the battery or oil level indicator, have your car examined from an authorized car service center.
• Another important thing to do inside you car is to check that all the indicator bulbs or headlamp are functioning perfectly. And although the use of horn has to be minimal, it is still necessary to make sure that it is working properly.

The ideas mentioned above are some of the basic things you need to check both at the interior and exterior of your car, before you begin driving. It is always a good idea to take a few seconds to examine whether your car is in its best condition to travel. All these will help save you some money and make your journey on the streets much safer.