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High Water Headaches
According to the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), floods are one
of the most common and widespread of all disasters. Most communities in the
United States have experienced some level of flooding from high water due to
spring rains, heavy thunderstorms or winter snow thaws. While your vehicle may
not have been flooded or completely covered in water, that doesn't necessarily
mean that you should not be concerned about water damage. If you drove through
high water, there's a chance that you may have damaged your vehicle. It all
comes down to how much water the vehicle took in and where it reached. Follow
these guidelines to check for damage due to water intrusion or contamination.
- Check interior carpets, upholstery and door and trim panels for dampness.
If they are wet then the vehicle will need professional attention. If all
you do is let the carpet dry, you will quickly be rewarded by mildew and
nasty odors. Seat brackets, motors and modules should also be checked for
rust and proper operation.
- Pull the engine oil and transmission fluid dipsticks and differential
plug. If the fluid appears milky, diluted, is no longer its original color
or is beige in color, then it is likely the pans contain water. The vehicle
should be towed to your ASE certified mechanic or repair shop. Driving the
vehicle with water present may damage the internal parts and require
extensive overhaul or repairs. (NOTE: Some new synthetic differential fluids
may appear to be milky but are not water contaminated, when in doubt let a
professional make the evaluation.)
- Check the air filter for water. If it is wet, replace the air filter and
change the oil.
- Check the undercarriage, bumpers, radiator area and frame for mud, grass,
dirt, debris and rust. If any of these are present have the vehicle washed
and cleaned as soon as possible.
- Have the brake system checked by a professional.
- Check the exterior lights for moisture and water. Replace headlights and
bulbs that contain water.
- Listen for abnormal noises while the engine is running. Make a note of
where the noise is coming from and take the vehicle to a mechanic as soon as
possible. Pay particular attention to the alternator, serpentine belt,
starter, power steering unit, air conditioner and wheel bearings.
- Inspect the suspension joints and lubricate as necessary. Many newer
vehicles are lubricated at the factory for life; however, these joints
should be checked for rust.
By being car care aware and following these simple guidelines, you can help
minimize the potential for damage to your vehicle.
Take Control of Rising Gas Prices: Don't Let Your
Money Evaporate
Fight skyrocketing gas prices by taking control of your vehicle's unnecessary
fuel consumption, advises the Car Care Council. Consumers can add miles to every
gallon they pump by following a few easy and inexpensive maintenance steps with
their car, SUV, minivan or pickup truck.
"Most motorists don't realize that it's the little things that don't
take a lot of time or cost much that can really make a difference when it comes
to saving money at the pump," said Rich White, executive director of the
Car Care Council. "Loose or missing gas caps, underinflated tires, worn
spark plugs and dirty air filters all contribute to poor fuel economy."
The Car Care Council offers gas saving maintenance and driving tips that
really work:
- Vehicle gas caps - About 17 percent of the vehicles on the roads have gas
caps that are either damaged, loose or are missing altogether, causing 147
million gallons of gas to vaporize every year.
- Underinflated tires - When tires aren't inflated properly it's like
driving with the parking brake on and can cost a mile or two per gallon.
- Worn spark plugs - A vehicle can have either four, six or eight spark
plugs, which fire as many as 3 million times every 1,000 miles, resulting in
a lot of heat and electrical and chemical erosion. A dirty spark plus causes
misfiring, which wastes fuel. Spark plugs need to be replaced regularly.
- Dirty air filters - An air filter that is clogged with dirt, dust and bugs
chokes off the air and creates a "rich" mixture - too much gas
being burned for the amount of air, which wastes gas and causes the engine
to lose power. Replacing a clogged air filter can improve gas mileage by as
much as 10 percent, saving about 15 cents a gallon.
Fuel-saving driving tips include:
- Don't be an aggressive driver - Aggressive driving can lower gas mileage
by as much as 33 percent on the highway and 5 percent on city streets, which
results in 7 to 49 cents per gallon.
- Avoid excessive idling - Sitting idle gets zero miles per gallon. Letting
the vehicle warm up for one to two minutes is sufficient.
- Observe the speed limitGas mileage decreases rapidly at speeds above 60
mph. Each mpg driven over 60 will result in an additional 10 cents per
gallon. To maintain a constant speed on the highway, cruise control is
recommended.
- Combining errands into one trip saves gas and time. Several short trips
taken from a cold start can use twice as much fuel as a longer multi-purpose
trip covering the same distance.
- Avoid carrying unneeded heavy items in the truck. An extra 100 pounds can
cut fuel efficiency by a percent or two.
Maintaining Present Vehicle May Make Financial
Sense
Although you may want to get rid of your present vehicle in favor of a new
car, taking better care of your current set of wheels may make much more sense
in the long run-helping you achieve a goal of financial freedom.
"We advise our clients that if they want a 10 percent increase on their
investments every year, they need to cut down on their expenses," said
Terry Mulcahy, vice president of investments for R.W. Baird.
"A new automobile is, for most people, their second biggest investment
next to a home, so a great way to save money and increase financial assets is to
hang onto their current vehicle rather than buy a new one every few years.
Budgeting for and doing preventative maintenance on your car is one of the best
ways to cut your costs and keep your car."
The Car Care Council estimates that more than $60 billion in vehicle
maintenance and repair is not performed every year, evidence that there is
considerably more that consumers should be doing to protect their automotive
investments.
"Whether it's an oil change, replacing brakes or new belts and hoses,
that periodic repair bill is a drop in the bucket compared to monthly payments
on a new car," said Rich White, executive director of the Car Care Council.
"The bottom line is that a properly maintained vehicle is safe, more
dependable, more fuel efficient, less polluting and more valuable. The smartest
way to get a solid return on investment is to keep your car through what we call
the 'Cinderella Era.' It's that period of time after the payoff when your car is
still in great shape and needs only modest repairs."
Figures from Runzheimer International, a management consulting firm that
measures travel and living costs, confirms the Council's claims. Recent figures
from a Runzheimer study show that trading a vehicle every eight years instead of
every four can save more than $2,481.75 a year after the payoff. That includes
repairs and maintenance, license, registration, taxes and insurance.
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