The Trouble with Donuts

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When you get a flat tire, you’re probably going to be replacing it with a “donut” spare. This is a functional, no-frills substitute designed to get you out of a tight spot. Your manufacturer equipped you with this spare because it’s simple and efficient, as it takes up a lot less space in your car than a proper tire. Unfortunately, this means that it is not ideal for extended periods of usage. It’s got no tread or reinforcement, so you’re likely to notice a drop in performance vis a vis cornering, handling, and braking.

When you put on a donut, your next stop should be our auto body shop in Seattle. If you’re driving for more than about seventy miles, you could be in trouble.

Removing Cigarette Smoke from Your Car

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Smoking in your car is never a good idea. In addition to the big distraction they represent while driving, the butts can burn your seats, and the smoke can be a big nuisance to your passengers. To make matters worse, the problem doesn’t go away too easily when you stop smoking. Getting the smell out of your vehicle can be a bit of a challenge, for which our Seattle auto body shop gives the following advice.

The first step should always be to vacuum or launder anything that you can. If that does not work, try leaving some citrus fruit peels or a bowl of vinegar in your car overnight. If the odor is embedded in your carpeting, sprinkle some baking soda on the surface and let it sit for a few hours, and then vacuum it up. By the time you remove your cleaning materials, your car should be smoke-free.

Selling a Car? Know Your Milestones!

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When it comes time to sell your car, a big part of its resale value is going to depend on the mileage. Even if your car seems to be in pristine condition, you will likely face buyers using your mileage as a bargaining chip against you in a price negotiation. With this in mind, it pays to know the important milestones. You can generally expect the value of your car to drop at three thresholds:

  • Your first milestone will be at around 30,000 or 40,000. This is when you are first due for a major service visit.
  • The next milestone comes at about 70,000 miles. A more expensive service visit is generally required at this point, which causes the vehicle’s value to drop all the more.
  • When you finally reach 100,000 miles, your car is likely to get far less reliable. Don’t expect to get too much for your trade-in at this point.

Should you need to get your car serviced, or if you want to polish it up to be sold, bring it to our auto body shop in Seattle.

DIY Dent Removal

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Occasionally, you may find a small dent on your car that doesn’t seem worth taking in to an auto body shop. Fortunately, this doesn’t mean you need to drive around with a dented car. There are easy ways to take care of small to moderate dents in your car, some of which can be applied with items you already have around your house.

For many smaller dents, you can probably make do with an everyday household plunger. Simply place it over the dent and give it a sharp tug. If you have trouble forming a secure seal, try using a bit of petroleum jelly. Alternatively, you may consider purchasing a special car dent plunger from your local car supply store, specially designed for just such a purpose.

Of course, some dents are beyond the help of a plunger. When you encounter any body damage that you can’t handle by yourself, bring your car down to Greenwood Collision in Seattle!

Cleaning Your Headlights with Toothpaste

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Over time, your headlight covers are bound to get foggy. Not only is the light of the sun harsh on the plastic, but they’re also getting constantly blasted by tiny particles that will scratch up and dull the finish. There are expensive products available in stores that promise to rectify this problem for you, but you can probably achieve the same results with materials you already have around the house.

All you need for this job is a rag and a bit of toothpaste. Simply apply the toothpaste to the rag and rub it onto your headlight covers, moving in small, circular motions. After a few passes, you should be seeing noticeable improvement in the clarity of your headlights. Once you are satisfied, consider applying wax or a sealant to the surface to protect them from further damage.

If you have any damage that cannot be as easily wiped away, bring your vehicle down to our auto body shop in Seattle.

When Your Heater Breaks Down

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Nobody likes to have their car’s heater break down, particularly if you have to weather the harsh cold months of Seattle. So, what can you do when your car starts to go cold at a bad time? With a little bit of foresight, you should be able to get through the worst of it until such a time as you can bring your vehicle in to our auto body shop in Seattle for repairs.

One good product to look into is a portable car heater. These simple devices plug into your cigarette lighter, and can offer much of the same comfort as a conventional heater for a reasonably low price. If you don’t have access to a portable heater, consider keeping some extra layers or hand warmers in your emergency kit. Even a single candle, safely mounted in your car, can serve well to warm up the confined and insulated space of your car.

Can I Use Water Instead of Engine Coolant?

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If your coolant runs dry, it can be tempting to replace it with tap water. This can be a good short-term solution, but you should get new coolant as soon as it is convenient. After all, coolant is specially designed to be better for your car than normal water. First of all, it takes more heat to boil away engine coolant. Secondly, during the winter, water is more likely to freeze and rupture your radiator. Further, unless you’re using pure water, you’re likely leaving behind deposits of minerals like calcium and magnesium that are clogging up your system.

Should you find that your coolant is leaking out of your engine, bring your car down to our Seattle auto body shop. It is only by maintaining a healthy supply of coolant in your car can you avoid the severe damage that goes along with an overheating engine.

Identifying a Leak

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If you notice a recurring fluid stain under where you park your car, it may be something to bring to the attention of our auto body shop in Seattle. To help you identify your specific problem, consider the appearance and smell of the fluid and refer to the following list:

  • Oil: The most common form of fluid leak, and the easiest to identify. It will generally come in the form of a dark-brown-to-black fluid, though it may be lighter if the oil is cleaner.
  • Coolant: A viscous fluid that is generally either green or pink.
  • Transmission Fluid: May be a very deep red color with a sharp odor.
  • Power Steering Fluid: A slightly yellow, syrupy fluid with a very faint scent.
  • Windshield Washer Fluid: May be blue, green, or orange. Smells like window cleaner.
  • Brake Fluid: Similar to power steering fluid. If you believe you have a brake fluid leak, do not try to drive your vehicle.

A Full Tank Makes For a Healthy Fuel Pump

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Are you in the habit of letting your gas tank run dry? If so, you may want to start fueling up earlier. It’s not just a good way to keep from getting stranded with an empty tank, but it’s actually better for your engine.

The fact is that the fuel in your gas tank is serving to cool off your fuel pump and keep it in good working order. Unfortunately, the less gas in your tank, the less effective it’s going to be as a coolant. Once your fuel gauge drops below a quarter of a tank, your pump is no longer submerged. This can cause the pump to get very hot, which can lead to a failure which can cost you as much as $800 to repair. So, take care to keep your tank properly filled with gas, and bring your vehicle to our auto body shop in Seattle for all your repair needs.

The Importance of the Parking Brake

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We’re all familiar with the parking brake. If you’re like most people, you know enough to use this brake when parking on an incline so as to keep your vehicle from rolling away. However, if this is the only time you are engaging your brake, you are not deriving the full benefit of this handy little device.

Even when your car is on a level surface, it is a good idea to apply your parking brake. Otherwise, the only thing keeping your parked car in place is your transmission. The transmission is ill-equipped to keep your car parked, and depending on it too much puts unnecessary stress on this fragile structure. Make good use of your parking brake, and bring your car to our auto body shop in Seattle for any problems you may experience.