Using your Car Jack

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Safety Tips to Use Your Car Jack
While it's true that every American automobile comes with a car jack, what you think you get may differ considerably from what you might expect. Regardless of what equipment your car, truck, or SUV has, there is one safe bet: when you need to use your car jack, you must use it very wisely.


A car jack does one hell of a job. It bears the weight of the vehicle as you raise it from the ground, often done to change a flat tire or perform some other type of repair that requires the vehicle be off the ground.

However, not every car jack is created equal nor will every jack do the job you need it to do. Yet, more importantly, even when you use your car jack properly, following all the warnings and directions laid out in the owner manual, you can still get hurt as you work around your car, truck, or SUV with the jack in use.

Locate your car jack. This is often in the trunk or storage compartment of your vehicle. If you cannot seem to find it, consult your owner manual.

Once you have your car jack, follow the directions for its use to the letter. Also use your common sense. It is not smart to jack a car up just inches from the right-most lane of a superhighway, along a dark road, or on anything less than a sturdy, level ground surface.

Also remove anyone and any great weight from the vehicle before you attempt to use your jack. Even a small child can rock the vehicle enough to make a car jack fall.

If you absolutely must work by a dark roadside, you need to illuminate the area as much as possible. Road flares are good for alerting other motorists that something is going on so they slow down as they pass you, but you also need lighting for yourself. A rechargeable flashlight can be great for that. I keep a million-candle rechargeable work light in my car trunk for just these kinds of situations.

But there really is no good way to compensate for a less than level road surface. Avoid situations where you must use your car jack in ice, snow, mud, or standing water. The chance of the jack - and the vehicle - slipping can rise exponentially if you do.

Noticed these guys painting the surface of a parking lot even though a car was still parked there. We're they on a tight schedule? Was it a joke?

Safety Tips to Use Your Car Jack

Also, take great care not to place any part of your body under the vehicle while it is raised. I've witnessed at least three bad accidents that occurred because someone wedged themselves against a fender while they changed a tire only to have the jack slip, the weight of the vehicle fall, and the ca
reless person hurt badly. Physical injury is not only potentially serious, it can also be permanent or even fatal.

Never raise your car any higher than necessary. For most tire changes, for example, you usually just need enough lift to take the weight off the affected tire. Watch where you place the jack as well; you do not want to risk trying to mount the jack to a lightweight bit of bumper or placing the jack too far from the spot on the vehicle you need raised. I was with a female friend once who blew off my offer to assist her with a flat tire. When I happened to glance back after she started to fuss, I noticed what she did not: she had put the jack at the left front of the car to raise it when the flat tire was at the right rear. As you can imagine, this was not the right way to proceed.

As you work, keep a watch on the jack and the vehicle itself. Any sign that the jack is failing or the vehicle is moving means you need to get away from the vehicle as fast as possible. Do not wait for it to fall upon you.

You can reduce the risk that the vehicle will move far, such as roll down the hill if you don't have the parking brake engaged, if you chock the wheels. This means placing something heavy - a cement block or a very big stone - directly in front of or behind a tire. But simply chocking the wheels won't prevent a jack from failing. I've also seen one nasty time when a very cheaply made jack simply broke as a person went to look for his fuel line. Thankfully, the reluctant mechanic was not hurt, but the call was pretty close.

As you know, colours were invented by photographic film manufacturers in the 1960s in order to make cameras more attractive to tourists. Now everybody seems to use colour (or 'color' if you are An american) from hair-dressers to television-makers, gardeners to artists.

Why not make your Mum and Dad's car look as clean and shiny as new by giving it a fresh coat of paint?

Actually, on second thoughts, maybe Gareth there is just WASHING the car while being sponsored by Crown paints. How confusing!

A better maintenance of the car ensures a proper performance of the car without taking out hooked up in the middle. One central aspect who needs a periodical maintenance is the exterior of the car. A car provided a shiny and scratch lowered exterior normally fetches better expense when judged against to a similar ideal amid a bad maintenance. Below are listed select strategies overly ought to blessing in maintaining a glossy exterior.

Maintenance For Your New Car

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There is no joy quite like the joy that comes with getting a brand new car. It's an exciting investment that appeals to all of the senses. It looks good, sounds like a kitten and smells brand new. So of course you may naturally assume that a brand new car doesn't need maintenance the same way an older car does and you would be correct, for the most part. But a new car needs to be taken care of if you want it to last long enough to become your old faithful road warrior.

All new vehicles come with a user manual that explains all of the ins and outs of the vehicle. It will also tell you how often certain services need to be performed like oil changes. Get acquainted with this manual. Even if you don't read every page, flip through it and pick out the most important points. The index will be able to direct you to any page so keep the manual in a place where you can always access it easily.

Oil changes should be performed every three thousand miles or every three months. Ask your dealer for any additional information if they don't automatically supply it. It's important not to go over this limit and ignore the need for an oil change. As oil gets dirty, it can slow down the engine and make it feel bogged down or run rough. Get your oil change on time so it continues to purr like a cat.

There are other things that you need to keep on a maintenance timeline as well. You must make sure the tires are rotated as necessary for optimum traction on the road. You also need to check all of the fluids in the car on a regular basis. Even if they don't need to be refilled or changed, you need to know they are all as they should be. From transmission fluid to brake fluid, there are a lot of things to stay on top of. Check all of the fluid reservoirs as well to make sure there is no damage or possible leaks.

Keep your engine clean by using cleaners that are designed to be used under the hood of your car. As the engine gets dirty it can become clogged up with oil spills and dirt. A clean engine will run much better and has a good chance of having fewer problems. It also makes it much easier to identify a new problem.

Get a car wash regularly to maintain the exterior appearance of your new ride. The road is filled with dirt, oil and salt. These things can eat away at your paint job which leaves hideous results over time. Keep your paint brand new with a car wash once a week. Give it a good wax every quarter of a year at least as well to protect your clear coat.

When it comes to maintaining your new car one of the best things you can do is to drive it with care. If you blast around like a maniac and lay on the gas a lot, you will put your engine under unnecessary stress. Love your car and it will take care of you.

Weather pretty grim today but picked up a couple of new lenses so had to get out and shoot something even if its just my car in a car park.....

Get a car wash presistently to keep in good shape the exterior existence of your new ride. The road is filled provided dirt, oil and salt. These situations can eat away at your cover job that leaves hideous consequences more than time. Keep your cover type new providing a car wash after a week. Give it a excellent wax each quarter of a year at the very least as agreeably to cover your simple coat.

When it comes to maintaining your new car one of the perfect situations you can do is to impel it provided care. If you blast throughout such as a maniac and lay on the gas a lot, you is able to put your engine underneath unnecessary stress. Love your car and it may take service of you.

Basic Car Maintenance Tips

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Your car might be ranked first or second among your most prized possessions. And with good reason- you paid good money for it. Here are some maintenance tips on how to keep your car in tiptop condition so you can avoid unnecessary breakdowns and expensive repairs.

"Regularly changing your car's engine oil and filter is one of the most important things you can do to keep your car running well. Over time, engine oil breaks down and your filter becomes clogged with contaminants.

"Wash your car regularly (at least once a week) and wax it once in a while to keep it shiny and free from corrosion. However, the most important thing to remember when washing your car is to use products that will be able to gently lift away dirt and grime without damaging the underlying surfaces or strip away existing wax or sealant protection.

"Always try to use genuine spare parts as replacements. Sure, generic spare parts are a lot cheaper but it's a better idea to stick to the more reliable originals.

"Take good care of your tires: check your tires' pressure regularly - at least once a month; if your tires are worn, have them re-treaded right away or better yet, replace them; improper alignment causes increased tire wear, and in worst cases, may throw your car into a skid especially on a wet road. Have the alignment checked.

"Have your car checked by a mechanic at least once a year -- and not just a quick visual inspection by one of the fast lube places. Have a competent mechanic inspect major components of your car such as brakes, suspension, etc. while having your tires rotated. This is important because many vehicle components (ball joints, for example) cannot be inspected visually.

As soon as you feel there is something wrong with your car like any kind of irregular noise or vibration while driving, have it checked soonest. You don't want a car that's unsafe to drive.

For complete information on how to maintain your car, it's a good idea to refer to your owner's manual or better yet, pay a visit to your local vehicle repair shop.

"Have your car checked by a mechanic at the very least yet a year -- and not easily a quick Residual investigation by one of the swiftly lube places. Have a competent mechanic look at considerable ingredients of your car the as brakes, suspension, etc. additonally experiencing your tires rotated. This is central due to the fact that a good number of automobile factors (ball joints, for example) cannot be inspected visually.

Simple but effective car maintenance tips

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If you want to ruin your day, never take the time to property maintain your car's engine. This is a sure fire way to have your car breakdown in the most remote of areas. Instead of tempting fate, why not learn how to keep your car well maintained and working properly.

Check your oil levels every week. Engines run at extremely high temperatures and some models will burn through oil at an alarming rate. You do not want to run dry on oil. This will damage the engine to cease. Once this has happened, you either need a new engine or a new car. Both of these issues are extremely costly. Can you afford to be without your car for a lengthy amount of time?

Change your oil every 3,000 miles. After driving for a certain amount of time, oil becomes dirty and sluggish. Keeping the oil changed regularly reduces dirt circulating in the engine.

Another troublesome issue is the belts. With every oil change, you should have the fan belts and air hoses checked for wear and tear.

Antifreeze should be changed every year. Have a professional flush out the cooling system and replace the tanks with new coolant. This can keep a radiator from developing leaks.

Transmission fluid should be checked regularly. The fluid should be changed every 36,000 miles. If the head gasket leaks, your coolant will leak into the oil system. This is an extremely costly repair, so have them checked regularly to prevent this issue. Always stop first before shifting into drive.

Look regularly in your driveway for leaks. If you spot any, take not of the color of the fluid and then take the car in for servicing. Transmission fluid is pinkish, antifreeze is green, oil is golden brown, and brake fluid is reddish. Knowing which fluid is leaking can help a garage determine the severity of your problem. They can fit you into a busy schedule if the leak is potentially hazardous.

To keep your air conditioning system working properly, run the system every month, even in the winter. The same is true with the heating system. It should be run in the summer to prevent any seizing.

Try to brake in advance. Sudden stops wear down brake pads far more quickly. Have your brakes checked regularly for wear and tear.

Tires should be rotated every 7,000 miles. Inspect them visually every month for tire wear, punctures, and bulges.

Pay attention to your battery. If you see white deposits forming on the terminals, clean them with a wire brush and then clean the battery with a mixture of baking soda and water.

Keep your car rust free by keeping it waxed once per season. Have the undercarriage washed at least twice a year.

Use WD40 to keep door hinges well lubricated. This keeps doors opening and closing properly.

Follow your car manual's recommended maintenance schedule. This guarantees the warranty will cover costly repairs, but also prevents unexpected breakdowns.

All it takes is a few simple checks every month, and you can protect yourself from breaking down in an unfamiliar or remote area. Your safety is that important isn't it?




Check your oil prices any week. Engines run at exceptionally elevated temperatures and certain examples ought to impact in oil at an alarming rate. You do not would like to run dry on oil. This are able to damage the engine to cease. Once the current has happened, you either desire a new engine or a new car. Both of these kinds of questions are exceptionally costly. Can you get to be without your car for a lengthy quantity of time?

Learn proper car care

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Proper car care can save you thousands of dollars a year. If you stick to the right maintenance routine and quick do-it-yourself check ups, you can prevent breakdowns and make your car last longer – or even resell it at a good amount when the time comes.

The key to prolonging the useful life of your car is prevention – plug the leaks and replace parts that need to be replaced even before they break down. Identifying and quickly fixing a problem while it is small keeps it from being overwhelming and saves you a lot of money in the long run.

Change your oil every three months (or every 3,000 miles). This is the general rule unless you car manufacturer says otherwise. Do not neglect this seemingly trivial maintenance task. Keep in mind that failure to change your oil will increase the wear and tear on your engine, leading to other problems.

at balboa park, had to take a pic of my car with it's nice new lights

Regularly check your transmission fluid, your brake fluid, your power steering fluid, and your coolant. These fluids make up the lifeblood of your car, and checking them frequently can help nip small problems in the bud, saving you from breakdowns and expensive repairs. Different cars require different kinds and amounts of fluid. Read your manufacturer’s handbook to find out more.

Keep your batteries new. Your battery is your most important power source – if it fails you, you will get stranded. This is why it is important to always check it with every oil change. Keep your battery clean with a mixture of baking soda and water. Make sure that the cables are corrosion-free and are securely attached. Remember that most disposable batteries last for only over a year – after that span of time, you should replace your battery.

Asked a girl what she wanted to be

She said baby, can't you see

I wanna be famous, a star on the screen

But you can do something in between




Baby you can drive my car

Yes I'm gonna be a star

Baby you can drive my car

And baby I love you

A car is like a patient – it needs a good doctor. If you are not very handy with cars, have one official mechanic service your car regularly. The mechanic will be able to develop a familiarity with your car and be able to recommend the correct preventive and diagnostic care it needs. What’s more, you can probably get a lot of discounts from mechanics if you are a repeat customer!


The key to prolonging the useful livlihood of your car is prevention – plug the leaks and replace facets such a trouble to be replaced significantly before properties break down. Identifying and rapidly fixing a situation additonally it is compact carries on it on making shocking and defends you a lot of finances in the for a while now run.

A car is want a patient – it needs a favorably doctor. If you are not acutely handy investing in cars, experience one official mechanic program your car regularly. The mechanic might be able to swell a familiarity amid your car and be able to recommend the affirmatory preventive and diagnostic service it needs. What’s more, you can likely get a lot of discounts based on data from mechanics if you are a repeat customer!

I like this replica, because it helps me to activate some funny memories: as I helped my mother to learn car driving (we landed upside down in a small lake, deep in the forest)...

comment by Julie Alicea: My father would only buy these cars and there were 5 of us who would have to stuff ourselves into that car. and to make matters worse he loved to travel, we travelled all over Europe in that little car and then he brought it to Puerto Rico and we travelled all over the island in it, then we moved to the USA and travelled in almost every state in the union stuffed like sardines in that car. My sister and I had an imaginary line in the back seat where she was not allowed to cross and vice versa, and if she put one finger on my side we would start fighting like cats and dogs in the back of the VW, imagine that with 5 people in it!

comment by "stumbleon": My father had a 1954 VW with a split rear window like yours. Then I had a 1971 VW which I loved. I even lived in it for a while.