In its’ annual Auto Issue, Consumer Reports’ tackles what many of the posts I’ve written here at Cars for Girls have been about – dead batteries, flat tires, belts that go bad and lock outs – just to name a few.  Since these situations can and do happen, it bears repeating that your best course when it comes to prevention is to be proactive; schedule routine tune-ups, check fluids regularly and when in doubt, ask a professional or your neighborhood service technician.

Just like Cars for Girls, Consumer Reports’ offers up the following tips and advice on these most unwelcome surprises:

1. How to Prevent a Dead Battery:  Batteries can and do fail at any time.  Be sure to have the battery and alternator tested as part of an annual inspection.  If you’re not sure how to buy a battery for your vehicle, you’ll get a charge out of our helpful article, How to Buy a New Car Battery, while Troubleshooting No-Start Situations may help you solve your very own automotive mystery.

2. How to Prevent a Flat Tire or Blowout:  Many tire problems result from under-inflated tires that overheat, due to low tire pressure. Keep all tires, including the spare, properly inflated to the automaker’s recommended pressure by checking them monthly. Also, inspect the tire sidewalls for bulges or cracks.  Not sure how to do this?  Read our article, When Should I Change My Tires?, and check out How To Check Air Pressure In Tires and When and How to Shop for New Tires for more tire tips.

3. How to Prevent Fluid Leaks: Check the car’s fluid levels regularly, using your owner’s manual as a guide. Look for leaks on the pavement where you park. Black drips are oil; green, orange, or yellow are coolant; and brown or reddish oily drips can be transmission or brake fluid. Any of those can spell trouble and warrant a trip to the mechanic to inspect your car. For more info on fluid leaks, How To Know If Your Vehicle Has Sprung a Leak should help to answer some of those dripping questions. 

4. How to Prevent Worn Out Wipers/No Fluid: Consumer Reports’ found that wipers usually degrade in their first six months, so it’s a good idea to replace them twice a year. It’s also a good idea to store spare wiper blades and a gallon of nonfreezing washer fluid in the trunk.  Not sure how to replace wiper blades?  Two of our articles, How to Replace Wiper Blades and How to Add Windshield Wiper Fluid will help clear things up. 

5. How to Prevent Blown Fuses: Unfortunately, you usually can’t prevent an electrical problem, but a blown fuse should be the first thing you check if one happens. Consumer Reports recommends carrying a selection of spare fuses and a fuse puller in the car.  Be sure to check your owner’s manual to make sure the fuses you buy are the correct amp rating and size. If the same fuse blows repeatedly, have a mechanic inspect the system.  Check out our post, All About Fuses, for a little more electrifying information.

6. How to Prevent a Broken Drive Belt: Consumer Reports’ advises periodic checks under the hood. If a belt has cracks or the rubber is fraying or feels brittle, it should be replaced. If there’s a lot of slack in the belt, the underside is shiny, or you hear squealing while driving, it should be adjusted or repaired.  Most drive belts should be replaced after about 60,000 miles.  For the skinny on belts, check out Now is the Time to Check Engine Belts and Hoses, while What is a Serpentine Belt? will help to keep things moving right along. 

7. How to Prevent Lock-Outs:  Some car makers provide a valet key or a plastic key for emergency use.  If your spare key won’t fit in your purse or wallet, consider a magnetic box for $5 to $10, which you can hide beneath the car or behind the license plate. Often a dealer can cut a door key for much less than a locksmith would charge. OnStar can also unlock a car remotely.  To learn more about lock-outs and how to save yourself, check out our article, Locked Out: 7 Ways to Retrieve Your Car Keys.

Consumer Reports’ annual Auto Issue hits the streets on March 2. 

For more valuable transportation tips, automobile recommendations and reviews, visit consumerreports.org, or just cruise more articles here at Cars for Girls.

Tags: Advice, Automobile Safety, General, Maintenance and Repair // 1 Comment »