• By: Kyle Adams
• Published: 2/26/2021
• Category: Car Tips

Today's cars are getting smarter, faster and increasing in expense at a never before seen rate! But, there are still opportunities to keep your car looking and driving great. This simple, DIY opportunity to keep your car running great, can be done in the convenience of your driveway.

Inspect your battery

Your vehicle will not perform or function at all if the battery has not been maintained. To inspect your battery is easy and convenient. Each spring you should check your battery terminals for any signs of the dry white acid on the terminals. If you notice any acid, remove the negative cable first to allow you to clean the battery terminals.

Once the battery terminals are exposed, use a wire brush and corrosion removal fluid to scrub and wash the terminal.

Once the terminals have been thoroughly cleaned, rinse off the terminals with water and dry it off with a paper towel. Let the battery continue to air dry before you reconnect the battery cables. Follow the same steps you did to disconnect the cable and make sure to attach the positive cable first. Finally, make sure you have tightened the cables to the terminals firmly. Congratulations, you have now successfully inspected and cleaned your battery and battery terminals!

• By: Kyle Adams
• Published: 1/25/2018
• Category: Car Tips

During the winter months in Orem, it is common on your drive to school and work to see cars idling to warm the car from the cold morning. With car thefts at their peak in the middle of the winter and summer months, we have a few tips on how to keep your car where it should be, in your driveway.

1) Don't ever leave your keys in the ignition of your car.
2) Park in lighted areas.
3) Never leave items of worth out in plain view.
4) Close all windows when parked.
5) Always lock your car doors.
6) Never leave a spare set of keys anywhere inside the vehicle.

• By: Kyle Adams
• Published: 8/30/2017
• Category: Car Tips

When looking to replace a car windshield, many car owners look for the cheapest option they can find. Why does it matter who replaces your windshield? Installing windshields with superior products and methods may just save your life by choosing a shop with the right experience and product.

Are you aware that by having your windshield installed inaccurately, the windshield could come out of alignment and cause additional damage and harm to you and your passengers in the event of a car crash? It is very important to have your windshield properly installed and correctly sealed in place. This can mean the difference between life and death.

What should you look for in a shop that will make sure you and your passengers in your car are safe?

1) Is the shop certified?
2) Do they use original equipment glass?
3) Do they wear gloves when installing the glass? Grease from their hands prevents the adhesive from bonding correctly.
4) How long does the car need to sit before you are able to drive? The car should sit at least one hour and up to 12 hours depending on the situation.

A damaged windshield can be very inconvenient based off the time to repair and the cost involved. It is worth your time, money and future safety to make sure you use a shop that will not only use the right product but also has the certification and knowledge to correctly install your car’s windshield.

• By: Kyle Adams
• Published: 4/4/2016
• Category: Car Tips

Follow this process to fix a flat tire and avoid the frustration of being stranded away from home:

1. Look ahead and locate a safe place to pull off the road away from traffic. The last thing you need once you have a flat tire is to put yourself into harms way by being too close to traffic. Pull as far as you can off the shoulder of the road and as flat of as a surface as possible. You don't want to be at an angle once you have to begin jacking up your vehicle.

2. Turn on your hazard lights. Typically you will find your spare tire, jack and wrench located in the trunk of your car. Place these items on the side of your car opposite of traffic.

3. Loosen the lug nuts with your wrench counter-clockwise. You are going to need to put your weight into it. Don't be shy. Don't take them completely off just yet.

4. Locate the flattest surface possible under the vehicle to place the jack. Be sure to review in your owner's manual how to correctly use your jack. Once you have followed your owner's manual steps to lift your vehicle, be sure to have the tires around 6 inches above the ground.

5. Remove the lug nuts off the vehicle and remove your damaged tire. Be sure to pull the tire off as evenly as possible avoiding any scraping of the wheel.

6. Check the tire pressure on your spare. Be sure to check your owner's manual on your recommended spare tire air pressure and warnings. Place your spare tire on your lug nut posts all the way flush with your wheel-base.

7. Put on all the lug nuts. Hand-tighten the lug nuts on to the posts.

8. Lower the car based off the owner's manual recommendations. Once the vehicle is all the way lowered, begin to tighten the lug nuts. You will tighten one lug nut to about halfway and then go to the opposite lug nut on the wheel and do the same process. Continue this process until all of the lug nuts are half tightened. Once this is completed now do the same process until the lug nut is completely tight. Identify the lug nut opposite and continue to completely tighten going back and forth until all lug nuts are completely tight.

9. Place your tools in your trunk and drive cautiously on your spare. Be sure to follow the recommended warnings regarding your spare tire from your vehicles owner's manual.