Shovel: A small, or even collapsible shovel can be useful in the event that your car gets stuck in snow or you have to clear a path.

Gloves and other winter clothing: Clearing snow will be much easier if you have gloves on and warm clothes. A few hand warmers can be kept in your car. You can prevent frostbite by always being prepared to bundle up. Warmth is key to helping you clear your car.

Blanket: A blanket is a must in your car. This will be helpful if you become stranded or are in an accident. It can get very cold quickly in these situations, especially if your car is not able to turn on. To keep warm, keep a blanket inside your car as the heater in your car may not be reliable in such circumstances.

Reflectors and emergency flares: No matter what time it is, snowstorms can often make visibility difficult. If you need other cars or emergency vehicles to see your vehicle in the event that you are stopped on a side road, reflectors will be helpful.

Rock Salt, Sand or Kitty Litter: These coarse materials will make your tires traction in snowy conditions. To get out of a slippery situation, you can spread coarse material along the road and near your tires.

First Aid Kit: In the event of minor injuries or accidents, a first aid kit can be useful. It is essential to keep a first aid kit in your vehicle during snowy weather. Basic first aid should be administered to an injured person until help arrives.

Flashlight:Winter is darker. If you are stuck at night or have trouble seeing, a flashlight will be able to help you see what the problem is. A flashlight can also make it easier to see other road users.

Jumper Cables: Cold weather can cause damage to your car’s battery. Your car will not start if it isn’t fully charged. It’s not fun to wait for a jump-start in cold weather. Jumper cables will make it much easier to jump start if you have them.

Sunglasses: Sunglasses can be worn in winter, as the sunlight reflects off the snow. Driving with sunglasses reduces the glare

Mobile Phone Charger: You should also have a car charger. Remember that your phone is vital if you get stuck or in an accident. You will need it to call emergency services.

Water and non-perishable snacks: If you are stranded, you will need to wait to get help. You may also have to wait longer if road conditions are poor. You will need to have water and snacks ready in case of emergency. When you need help, a snack like granola bars or a snack of some kind is a good option. Keep snacks handy for children, as they might become hungry or cranky when you are waiting.

These are essential items to have in your car for winter. Before you hit the roads, make sure that you have enough gas and wiper blades. Winter is a good time to keep half of your car’s gas tank full and make sure that the wiper blades are working properly. You might also consider buying snow tires.

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1. Because of the slower chemical reaction when it’s cold, car batteries produce less electrical current. Warm batteries produce more power than cold batteries, so cold batteries can have starting issues.
2. It’s harder for engine oil to flow around an engine when it’s cold. Therefore, it is harder to pump through the engine block, placing additional strain on the battery. A low battery can result in a nonstart if it is already low on power.
3. Fuel lines can freeze if moisture gets into them, causing a fuel blockage that prevents the engine from starting. The fuel lines are particularly susceptible, as they are thin and easily blocked by ice. In addition, diesel drivers should remember that diesel “gels” in the cold, which means the engine will take longer to start.
4. Those who drive older cars equipped with carburetors are more likely to experience starting problems with the fourth reason. The small nozzles on carburetors, which can become clogged and prevent moisture from evaporating, cause them to be prone to freezing in cold conditions. Modern cars don’t have carburettors, so if yours was built in the last 20 years, you shouldn’t worry about it. However, be aware that a classic car’s carburettor can cause problems.

How to Start the Engine

Turn everything off

You should turn off all your standard electrical accessories such as headlights, heaters, and radios before starting the car in order to give the battery a better chance at starting the engine. Let the engine run for a while before turning any of these accessories back on, otherwise you might kill the battery again.

Check your battery leads are clean and tightened

Under the hood, look closely at your car battery’s cables. If you see signs of corrosion, such as salty, crusty material, then you need to clean the battery so it works well. Put on protective goggles and gloves before you disconnect the battery cables (negative first) and use baking soda and water to clean the cables. Connect the negative cable last when replacing the cables to avoid electric shock.

Whether your cables are corroded or not, it’s still a good idea to check their tightness, as loose cables can interfere with the flow of current. Tighten the clamps before trying the ignition again if they are loose.

Fill up your engine oil

When you try to start your engine, does it seem like it is having a hard time turning over? It might be because your engine oil is low. When your oil is low, your battery has to work harder to start your engine, and if your battery is cold or not in great shape, then you’ll never get started. Make sure there is enough oil in the engine before you try to restart it again. Use a dipstick to check oil levels and, if necessary, top them up.

Jump start

Whenever all other options have been exhausted, this should be the last resort. Unless you know what you’re doing, you shouldn’t use your car’s jump leads if you don’t know what you’re doing and you don’t have jump leads.

It is worth trying if you can find a good Samaritan with a running car to help you if you are experienced at jump-starting.

Both cars should be in neutral with the engines off. Attach the red jump cable to the positive terminal on your car’s battery and the positive terminal on the battery of the other car. Attach the black jump cable to the negative terminal on the battery of the other car and to an unpainted metal surface on your own vehicle. You should then start the other car’s engine and let it run for a few minutes before starting your own.

Sadly, if this doesn’t work, it’s time to contact that car service.

Preventing non-starters in the future

The idea of dealing with this nightmare in the morning when you’re already stressed about getting your kids to school and arriving at work on time is too much to handle. You may be able to keep on the road this winter if you follow these tips.

Replace your battery

If your battery has been acting up lately, you might consider taking it to the garage to get it replaced. While it’s an unwanted strain on your wallet, it’s worth it to prevent potentially more costly breakdown calls each time your weary battery dies on a cold, winter morning. An annual battery health check ensures that terminals are clean and leads are secure.

Keep your gas tank topped up

Unfilled gas tanks mean a stationary car, but did you know that starting a cold car first thing in the morning uses 40% more fuel? If you’re driving home tomorrow evening from work and you notice that your fuel tank is looking a little low, it would be a good idea to fill it up before you park it up for the night, or you might find yourself short of fuel the next morning.

Use the right oil

There are sometimes different engine oils you can use, especially when it’s cold outside. If you’re not using the right oil for cold weather conditions, consult your owner’s manual and buy some new oil.

The post The reasons why your car may not start when it’s cold appeared first on Fairway Collision Center.

What Does Tire Balancing Entail?

During tire balancing, car maintenance professionals usually ensure that the weighted spot that arises during the assembly of the wheels and tires is balanced so that your car does not experience vibration when in motion. The act of tire balancing usually involves the addition of small weights on the wheels. Once the interconnected system of wheels and tires gets balanced, your car will run more smoothly. Tire balancing also has other benefits such as reducing the level of wear and tear on your tires, the drivetrain and chassis.

One of the most common indicators that your car tires are not balanced is a vibration that mostly emanates from the steering wheel, car seats or the floorboard. If it is your front tires that are unbalanced, you are likely to feel some vibration coming from your car steering wheel. If it is your rear wheels that are unbalanced, you are likely to feel some vibration coming from either the floor or the seats. The level and intensity of the vibration can change depending on the speed of your car. It is important that you repair any imbalances in your car wheels since when they left unchecked they tend to cause uneven and quick wearing of tires which usually necessitates regular replacement of tires.

If you buy a new set of tires at Fairway Collision Center, we will ensure that we balance your tires and wheels when fitting your new tires. Remember that over time, your wheel assembly system will end up becoming unbalanced. However, if you choose Fairway Collision Center, this should not stress you. As an added incentive to our customers, we usually offer a lifetime tire re-balancing guarantee.

What Does Tire Alignment Entail?

Tire alignment usually entails adjusting the angles on all your car’s wheels so that they are always pointing in the same direction when you are driving or cutting corners. Your tires can end up getting misaligned over time as you drive especially if you hit a lot of potholes or other obstacles frequently.

If your car wheels are not in sync when you are driving, it usually means that your tires are scuffing the road when your car is in motion. Tire misalignment can cause your car to be off-center or to pull to one side, faster wear of your tires and eventual use of more fuel when you are driving.

One of the most common indicators of tire misalignment is when some of your car tires wear out faster than the rest. Ideally, we recommend that you get your car wheels inspected for misalignment at least twice annually perhaps in the early spring and fall. If you can only manage to get your car inspected once annually, we recommend that you get it done in early spring.

If you notice that your car is pulling towards one side when you are driving on a level road, uneven wear in your tires or a steering wheel that feels off-center, bring your car to Fairway Collision Center so that we can align your wheels and help you drive you safely.

To Keep Your Car Operating Optimally and Drive Safely, Visit Fairway Collision Center & Automotive Tire Balancing and Alignment

At Fairway Collision Center, we will align and balance your car wheels so that your prized ride operates optimally the way the manufacturer designed it. While working on aligning and balancing your car, rest assured that we will thoroughly inspect all other components of your car to ensure that you and your loved ones are always safe when cruising down the highway.

The post The Difference Between Tire Balancing And Tire Alignment appeared first on Fairway Collision Center.

First of all, all vehicles are sold with shocks, structs, or perhaps both. Shock absorbers, or shocks, are meant to absorb the shock generated by bumps and dips in the roadway. This helps the car move in a comfortable and steady manner. Struts do something similar, though they have a different design. Each of these components is mounted to the car’s suspension and represent a key element of handling, steering, and overall control of the vehicle.

Often, when folks contemplate struts and shocks, the think of the better ride and comfort they can provide. However, these components also play a big role in terms of vehicle safety. When these parts begin to show signs of wear, the car’s tires start to bounce more and grip the road less. This impacts steering, braking, and handling in a negative way.

In terms of a replacement schedule for shocks and struts, it is important to always keep tabs on the last time maintenance on yours was done. If you regularly drive on bumpy roadways, you will probably need a more frequent replacement schedule. Vehicle manufacturers usually make replacement recommendations based on mileage intervals, and this information is typically found in a car’s owner’s manual. Always read the manual to ensure that you remain on top of all vehicle maintenance requirements, not just that related to shocks and struts. Whenever your car is in the shop for service, the mechanic needs to take a close look at the shocks, struts, or both and provide suggestions about when replacements are needed. Do not be alarmed when your service professional advises new components, because the fact is that they do require replacement perhaps more than you might think.

Is Replacement Really Required?
When you are told that a shock or strut replacement is called for, chances are that you should agree to the repair. This is because quality shocks and struts that are in good condition also provide protection to other related vehicle components. Overall safety and the comfort level of the car’s ride will be improved as well. If you do have these components replaced, make sure to save all documentation and records of the repairs, because it is good to be able to show prospective buyers down the road that you have taken good care of the car.

If you are wondering how much this type of replacement will cost, use our repair estimator to determine prices for your vehicle in your geographic location.

Fairway Collision Center prides itself on providing thoughtful service suggestions to every customer we serve, something that not every quick-lube location can offer. We consider your budgetary limitations, vehicle use patterns, and other factors to make recommendations that will suit your needs. We make use of a “bounce test” to assess just how critical your replacement needs may be at a given point of time, giving you the peace of mind that comes with knowing that a repair really is required. For friendly, accessible, and personalized service, bring your vehicle to us today.

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What Are The Benefits Of Dealing With Us?

We have been offering repair services to new and repeat clients for over 45 years. Within this period, we have built a reputation of professionalism, honesty and meeting client expectations. Our team of highly skilled mechanics will ensure that your vehicle is back in shape within the agreed time.

We offer a lot of services under one roof. We are a one stop shop that offers guaranteed satisfaction. Some of the services that we offer include:

• Sale, repair and replacement of tires

• Checking and changing of car oil

• Standby mechanic services

• Car diagnostic and repairs if necessary

• Checking of brakes

• General vehicle tuning

Our repair shops are fitted with the latest gadgetry and equipment to help us diagnose and repair the problems that your car has effectively. In our state-of-the-art facilities, we can offer quality repair services to any type of car.
We are also highly available and always welcome both new and old customers with welcome arms. To talk to our car repair professionals, you do not need an appointment. Simply walk into one of our shops and explain your problem to get a free estimate. We give a guarantee to all customers to offer services of the highest quality at the lowest cost.

We also offer car paint services. Prior to painting we match your car with the desired paint using a computer to ensure maximum accuracy. We can also remove dents from your vehicle without affecting the existing paint on your car if you are looking to save costs.

You can gauge the professionalism and industry reputation of a collision repair firm by the number of awards won, endorsements, ratings and reviews left by past clients. At Fairway Collision Center, we have a history of fulfilling the demands and expectations of clients. You can find information on awards we have won as well as testimonials and reviews left by clients on our website.

If you are looking to get first class repair services within a short period of time, we are your best bet. Our team of experienced professionals will work on your vehicle and return it in pristine condition. Further, you can track the progress we are making on repairs. For the best services and guaranteed satisfaction contact us through www.fairwaycollisioncenter.com.

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