Side note: I (for real) used to do this on my own, before I had kids. It was surprisingly satisfying. Now I have kids. So Jiffy Lube has become my best friend.
http://www.wikihow.com/Change-the-Oil-in-Your-Car
Tuesday, June 28, 2011
Wikihow: Oil Changes, Step-by-Step
Ever had a look at how your oil looks after no oil change for 10,000 miles? I gotta tell you: it's pretty disturbing. But an oil change can be a simple and straightforward process. So if you're the type to hang around your own garage, Wikihow has an excellent step-by-step breakdown and explanation of oil changes.
Side note: I (for real) used to do this on my own, before I had kids. It was surprisingly satisfying. Now I have kids. So Jiffy Lube has become my best friend.
http://www.wikihow.com/Change-the-Oil-in-Your-Car
Side note: I (for real) used to do this on my own, before I had kids. It was surprisingly satisfying. Now I have kids. So Jiffy Lube has become my best friend.
http://www.wikihow.com/Change-the-Oil-in-Your-Car
Thursday, June 23, 2011
From Jiffylubeutah.com: Summer Travel Season!
Tips for Trips — What You Should do Before Hitting the Road This Summer
Follow these tips to prepare your vehicle for what lies on the road ahead.
Check the levels of all the car's vital fluids — including motor oil, radiator fluid, transmission fluid, and windshield wiper fluid — and top-off or change them as needed. Pay special attention to the oil since it keeps the moving parts in your engine from grinding against each other. Make sure to change it regularly. Check your vehicle owner's manual for the appropriate interval for your vehicle.
Keep a gallon of distilled water in the trunk of your vehicle. If your vehicle starts to overheat, pour the water into the radiator to temporarily cool it down until you can get to a service station. But don't open the radiator cap until the vehicle has cooled down. Hot fluid could spill out and cause serious burns.
Prepare an emergency kit and keep it in the trunk. The kit should include: first aid supplies, jumper cables, a flashlight, fresh batteries, flares, basic tools, duct tape, gloves, flares, bottled water, granola bars and a mobile phone.
Over time, dirt, bugs, leaves, and other debris can collect in front of your vehicle's radiator and interfere with the cooling system. Spray the radiator grill with a hose when you wash your vehicle to remove debris and allow air to flow freely through to your air conditioner.
Check the pressure and wear on your tires, including the spare. Over or under-inflation can weaken your tires, cause uneven tread wear, and impact your gas mileage. Many people think the proper tire pressure can be found on your actual tire, however that’s incorrect. Refer to your vehicle owner’s manual or to a decal often found in the doorjamb or glove compartment, for the proper tire pressure. Check the pressure when the tire is cold / at air temperature. Do not check the pressure after an extended drive on the highway or after driving for more than five minutes.
Rotate and balance your tires before your trip so they wear evenly. The penny test will show you if it's time for a tire to be replaced. Just place a penny in between 2 of the treads - if you can see all of Abe Lincoln's head, the tire should be changed.
Match the load rate of your vehicle (found in the owner's manual or inside the driver's side door) with the estimated weight of your family and the luggage you'll be packing for the trip. Excess weight makes the engine work harder and consume more gasoline.
Make sure your headlights, taillights, turn signals, parking lights, and license plate lights are all working. Replace any that may have burned out. Make sure wiper blades are in good condition in case you run into any unexpected storms. Visually inspect your vehicle's belts, tubes, and hoses. Replace any that are cracked or leaking. Http://www.jiffylube.com
AUTOBLISS:
Now that you've read Jiffy Lube's useful tips, I just have to throw this out there. The images I've included are of a carbon copy of the black VW Cabriolet I drove when I got my first writing job. What an absolute dream of a car--small enough for the smaller female frame to fit snugly into, fun enough to feel like you can fly with the radio on during a summer day (or, better yet, balmy night), and cute enough to definitely be a girl's car. In fact, I heard someone use the term "chick-basket" once to describe this model. In reference, I believe, to the roll bar making the car look like a basket. Adorable!! I've actually owned 2 Volkswagen's--both a late-1980's white Cabriolet, and the aforementioned late 90's black Cabrio. Both were incredible cars; no mechanical issues whatsoever for the duration of my ownership. However, both vehicles acted up with electricals. My horn would honk randomly (although admittedly rarely) on the white Cabriolet. But far more expensive was the breakdown of the automatic top opener on my newer black model. When that went out, it cost me over $1,000 to fix it. Still, I'd own another VW convertible in a heartbeat. They just have so much appeal.
Follow these tips to prepare your vehicle for what lies on the road ahead.
Check the levels of all the car's vital fluids — including motor oil, radiator fluid, transmission fluid, and windshield wiper fluid — and top-off or change them as needed. Pay special attention to the oil since it keeps the moving parts in your engine from grinding against each other. Make sure to change it regularly. Check your vehicle owner's manual for the appropriate interval for your vehicle.
Keep a gallon of distilled water in the trunk of your vehicle. If your vehicle starts to overheat, pour the water into the radiator to temporarily cool it down until you can get to a service station. But don't open the radiator cap until the vehicle has cooled down. Hot fluid could spill out and cause serious burns.
Prepare an emergency kit and keep it in the trunk. The kit should include: first aid supplies, jumper cables, a flashlight, fresh batteries, flares, basic tools, duct tape, gloves, flares, bottled water, granola bars and a mobile phone.
Over time, dirt, bugs, leaves, and other debris can collect in front of your vehicle's radiator and interfere with the cooling system. Spray the radiator grill with a hose when you wash your vehicle to remove debris and allow air to flow freely through to your air conditioner.
Check the pressure and wear on your tires, including the spare. Over or under-inflation can weaken your tires, cause uneven tread wear, and impact your gas mileage. Many people think the proper tire pressure can be found on your actual tire, however that’s incorrect. Refer to your vehicle owner’s manual or to a decal often found in the doorjamb or glove compartment, for the proper tire pressure. Check the pressure when the tire is cold / at air temperature. Do not check the pressure after an extended drive on the highway or after driving for more than five minutes.
Rotate and balance your tires before your trip so they wear evenly. The penny test will show you if it's time for a tire to be replaced. Just place a penny in between 2 of the treads - if you can see all of Abe Lincoln's head, the tire should be changed.
Match the load rate of your vehicle (found in the owner's manual or inside the driver's side door) with the estimated weight of your family and the luggage you'll be packing for the trip. Excess weight makes the engine work harder and consume more gasoline.
Make sure your headlights, taillights, turn signals, parking lights, and license plate lights are all working. Replace any that may have burned out. Make sure wiper blades are in good condition in case you run into any unexpected storms. Visually inspect your vehicle's belts, tubes, and hoses. Replace any that are cracked or leaking. Http://www.jiffylube.com
AUTOBLISS:
Now that you've read Jiffy Lube's useful tips, I just have to throw this out there. The images I've included are of a carbon copy of the black VW Cabriolet I drove when I got my first writing job. What an absolute dream of a car--small enough for the smaller female frame to fit snugly into, fun enough to feel like you can fly with the radio on during a summer day (or, better yet, balmy night), and cute enough to definitely be a girl's car. In fact, I heard someone use the term "chick-basket" once to describe this model. In reference, I believe, to the roll bar making the car look like a basket. Adorable!! I've actually owned 2 Volkswagen's--both a late-1980's white Cabriolet, and the aforementioned late 90's black Cabrio. Both were incredible cars; no mechanical issues whatsoever for the duration of my ownership. However, both vehicles acted up with electricals. My horn would honk randomly (although admittedly rarely) on the white Cabriolet. But far more expensive was the breakdown of the automatic top opener on my newer black model. When that went out, it cost me over $1,000 to fix it. Still, I'd own another VW convertible in a heartbeat. They just have so much appeal.
Tuesday, June 21, 2011
First Look
What's better, on an idle Tuesday, than a first look at a slick new BMW? It may not fit six kids in the back, but in my opinion, it's worth it to leave them with a sitter just to drive around in peace and quiet for an hour in this baby. ;)
http://www.thedetroitbureau.com/2011/06/first-look-2012-bmw-m5/
Thursday, June 16, 2011
Glam up Your Car
I'm not a huge user of Butterfly-on-my-car stickers. And as a matter of principle, it irritates the hell out of me when women put the "Angel skank vs. Devil skank" stickers on their (usually) gigantic trucks. BUT, we've stumbled upon a really fun website: http://www.cardecor.com/
It has, literally, everything a girl could want for her car. Dash glow-lights in shapes like flowers, angels, and stars. Swarovski crystal-studded license plate frames. A variety of antenna ball toppers. Glass window markers, magnets, autovases (for the mood-lifting fresh daisy you should put in your car every morning), and car charms. So whether you're interesting in going cute, glamorous, diva-style, sporty, or even Jersey-Shore tacky, you should be able to find exactly what you want to customize your car. We don't have business partners at Autobliss, but if we could choose one--this would probably be it.
It has, literally, everything a girl could want for her car. Dash glow-lights in shapes like flowers, angels, and stars. Swarovski crystal-studded license plate frames. A variety of antenna ball toppers. Glass window markers, magnets, autovases (for the mood-lifting fresh daisy you should put in your car every morning), and car charms. So whether you're interesting in going cute, glamorous, diva-style, sporty, or even Jersey-Shore tacky, you should be able to find exactly what you want to customize your car. We don't have business partners at Autobliss, but if we could choose one--this would probably be it.
Tuesday, June 14, 2011
I made this for YOU!
If any of you are fans of Youtube sensation Julian Smith, you get what I'm referring to here--this guy is funny. But this particular video of an entirely Jeep-generated song is ingenious. I don't care who you are, this is impressive. And if I could, I'd make music with my car too. The world would be a happier place if we all did. :)
http://www.juliansmith.tv/2009/12/techno-jeep/
http://www.juliansmith.tv/2009/12/techno-jeep/
Tuesday, June 7, 2011
Friendly Reminder: Father's Day 2011
Sunday, January 19th!!! Check out the link in the post below for my personal favorite on automotive-accessory gifts. And don't forget that because you are ordering online, you're going to want to get those shipped ASAP so they're here for Dad's special day :)
Thursday, June 2, 2011
Fathers Day Freakout!!
Yes, it's that time of year again. Don't buy a tie. Seriously, don't. There are so many more interesting things to get for your man and his vehicle, and many of them can be found and ordered here:
http://www.autoanything.com/CampaignLandingPage.aspx?LP=FD2011
What I love about this site is that it has every gift broken down into sections, so you can choose what you want based on his activities, interests, and personalities. My favorite sections are for the "Tech Geek", "The Pet Lover," and the "Man Who Has Everything" (consists mostly of toys and gadgets).
http://www.autoanything.com/CampaignLandingPage.aspx?LP=FD2011
What I love about this site is that it has every gift broken down into sections, so you can choose what you want based on his activities, interests, and personalities. My favorite sections are for the "Tech Geek", "The Pet Lover," and the "Man Who Has Everything" (consists mostly of toys and gadgets).
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