Windshield Wipers

Can't see very well when it's raining and your wipers just don't seem to be doing the job? Replace them before you can't see.

 

Before you go to buy them, make sure you know the exact model of your car.

 

Materials Needed:

• New Windshield Wipers

Step 1:

• Pull the entire wiper assembly up to where they are vertical.
• Then turn the blade perpendicular to the arm so that you can see the hinge.
• You'll notice a small tab on one side of the hinge. Pull that tab out.
• Pull the wiper down towards the car.
• Now that the blade and arm are separated, remove the blade through one of the holes on the blade. (Don't leave the arm up if you turn away to get your new wipers it could cause damage to your windshield.)

Step 2:

• Take the new wiper, and insert the arm through the appropriate hole, so that it pushes the actual wiper up. To determine which hole it goes through adjust the hinge to be perpendicular to the wiper and line it up so that the arm's hook will go over the hinge.
• Once the arm is inside the hole, line the hook over the hinge and push them together.
• You'll hear and feel a click when it's snapped in.
• Lower the arm, rinse and repeat.

Your windshield wipers should work as if you just replaced them!

Car Battery

Car won't start? It could be your battery. You can go to a place like Advanced Auto Parts and get it checked. Be very careful when handling batteries. They contain battery acid which can be very harmful.

 

Materials Needed:

• Screwdriver
• New Battery
• Wire Brush
• Combination Wrench
• Socket And Ratchet

1. Find the battery. (Turn off engine.)
2. Detach the negative (black) battery cable from the battery. Loosen the nut with the combination wrench.
3. Twist and pull up on the end of the cable with your hand. If it does not come off easily you may want to purchase a battery terminal puller from your local auto parts store. (It is not recommended to use a screwdriver.)
4. Detach the positive (red) battery cable from the battery using the same method.
5. Using a combination wrench or a socket and ratchet, remove the battery hold-down clamp.
6. Take the battery out of the battery tray. Grab from the bottom using both hands or the handle.
7. Clean the battery cable connectors with a wire brush.
8. Place the new battery in the battery hold-down tray and secure the battery with the hold-down clamp.
9. Attach and tighten the positive battery cable. Attach and tighten the negative battery cable.

Check that all cable connectors are tight. You shouldn't be able to move them.
The used battery can go to the auto-parts store where you bought the new one.

PSI Continued..

In this video it demonstrates how to use the air supply at the gas station. It sums up the earlier post I wrote about the tire PSI. This is a great for the visual learners out there.

Tire PSI

Not all tires go flat. Is your tire bulging at the bottom? If so, you might want to check the pressure of your tires. If you don't own the proper materials at home to add more air to your tires it is best that you find a gas station near you that has a machine to apply air to your tires. Most of these machines also have air pressure gauges but it's usually best to have your own.


Materials Needed:

• Air Pressure Gauge

If you need to drive to get air, try to drive less than a mile. To get a PSI reading on your tire, place the air pressure gauge onto the tire's valve stem, the pencil-width air nozzle on the side of the tire. Place the gauge evenly onto the valve stem. Firmly press the gauge down on the valve stem, it will give your gauge a reading, either by blowing out the metered stick with a traditional gauge, or a reading with a digital model gauge.

• To find out what PSI is right for your tires, consult your owner's manual or the sticker on the driver's side door.
• You should never inflate the tires five PSI more or less than what is recommended.
• Under-inflating wears out the sides of the tire, and is actually a driving hazard.
• Over-inflated tires will wear more quickly, and are also dangerous because there are better chances for a blowout.
• Smaller vehicles usually have PSI levels between 30 and 40 PSI.
• Larger vehicles usually have higher pressure, around 45 PSI because they have bigger tires.
• Tires should all be inflated to the same PSI for safety, proper vehicle function, comfort, and fuel efficiency.
• Also, check your vehicle's tire pressure when the tires are cold. This means the tires should not have been driven on for at least three hours.
• To release air (If there is too much) all you have to do is adjust the air hose or gauge and it will release it.

It is important to have your gauge as you fill the tire. Take the hose off every so often to check the pressure.

Photo by: Maria Avila

Antifreeze?

All cars use it, the radiator in your car cools your engine and needs water and antifreeze/coolant to work. You can find antifreeze at any local auto parts store and even Walmart. Some of these antifreeze/coolants are already 50/50, meaning that they are half antifreeze and half water. If you buy one that is just antifreeze/coolant you can mix it with water at home. It doesn't make a difference.

                                                                Photo by: Maria Avila

When checking the levels of your antifreeze/coolant you can refer to the owner's manual to pin point where it is at under the hood of your car. Do not open the reservoir while your car is hot.

To determine whether you have too much or too little antifreeze/coolant you can look on the side of the reservoir where it contains two marks one for the minimum amount and one for the maximum amount.

Coolant is usually red, green, blue, or yellow. If it looks colorless, looks rusty, or has things floating around in it, flush your cooling system (I will post on how to flush your cooling system) and add new coolant.

If you don't have the money to buy antifreeze/coolant you can put just plain water in place of the antifreeze/coolant, though it isn't recommended it will do the job. However, if you live in an area where the temperature outdoors gets below freezing, do not add only water. It must contain the antifreeze/coolant or the water will freeze in your radiator and ruin it.

Upper Radiator Hose

Is your car overheating? You may be losing coolant and hopefully it is just your upper radiator hose causing the problem because we can fix that right up with no problem.

Photo by: Maria Avila

Materials Needed:

• Radiator Hose
• Hose Clamps
• Screwdriver
• Knife or Scissors
• Needle Nose Pliers

1. Inspect the upper radiator hose.
2. Remove the upper radiator hose clamps. (You may need the pliers for this.)
3. Remove upper radiator hose.
4. Install hose clamps on new upper radiator hose. (Make sure the radiator hose fits properly before applying it, some hoses are longer than needed. If it is too long cut off any extra, but not too much.)
5. Install the new radiator hose and place the clamps over the hose ends. Tighten the hose clamps.
6. Top off radiator and overflow tank with coolant (anti-freeze / water mixture at 50/50).
7. Run engine until warm and check for any leaks.

It doesn't seem bright enough...

Do you check your headlights every time you drive at night? I know I don't. It's not something we think too much about because you don't have to change them as regularly as you put gas in your car.


Materials Needed:

• The correct bulb for your vehicle's make, model and year.
• Service manual for your vehicle's make, model and year.
• Any tools required, as indicated in the service manual.

When it comes to changing the headlight bulbs of vehicles there are different ways to do it. One way is for older cars and the other is for the newer cars.

Older Cars:

1. Remove the screws that connect the headlight frame to the bracket holding the headlight.
2. Disconnect the electrical connector in the back of the light by pulling the socket away from the headlight with your hand.
3. Remove the headlight bulb from the bracelet area and discard it.
4. Replace with the new headlight bulb, make sure that it is right side up.
5. Plug the wire socket into the new headlight bulb.
6. Replace the headlight into the frame.
7. Reattach the screws to hold the frame and bracket in place.
8. Do not adjust the setting screws for the direction the headlight shines.

Newer Cars:

 

Follow the directions in the service manual for the correct way to replace the bulb due to newer cars being more complex each car as its own specifications.

Photo by: Maria Avila