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5 AUTO MYTHS BUSTED | TIME FOR A CARWASH

A Driver's Guide to Maintaining a Healthy Car

Give your car a

Maintenance Makeover Undo Your Bad Car Care Habits to Keep Your Ride on the Road for the Long Term

Stretching

(Your interval) in peace Reverse the

Harmful Effectsof E10

vehiclemd.com

Store Copy: Please Do Not Remove From Waiting Area Spring 2012

 ditor

’ s N ote

A Few Simple Steps to a Fresh New Start I have a guilty pleasure—talk shows. I love to find out what’s going on in Hollywood, get a sneak peek of the latest fitness craze or learn how to make a new recipe. But my favorite part of talk shows are the makeover segments. You know, the lady who hasn’t updated her wardrobe since the ’70s or the guy who hasn’t cut his hair in 30 years. It’s simply amazing: after a few highlights, a new outfit and a pair of stilettos the lady turns from “stuck in a time warp” to “looking like a cover model,” and all it took was a few easy steps. It’s because I love makeover talk show segments that I’m so excited about this issue of VehicleMD. We’re showing you how to give your car a maintenance makeover! Just as a stylist can rework hair that hasn’t been touched in years, there are simple maintenance services that can undo miles of bad automotive habits. Are you guilty of filling your fuel tank with E10 (ethanol enriched gasoline) but not drive very often? How about going a couple thousand miles over your oil change interval? Maybe you’re guilty of saving a few bucks and choosing less expensive, lower-grade fuel? Perhaps there is weeks’ worth of dirt and grime on your car? Or are you neglecting your tires? If you answered yes to any of these questions, then it’s time to give your car a maintenance makeover and give it a fresh new start. On another note, do you have a question about your vehicle? If you’ve been wondering about anything—from purchasing a recommended maintenance service to a nagging sound you can’t quite pinpoint—you can ask the VehicleMD “Doctor.” Doc is on call 24/7 to answer all of your automotive questions. Simply send an email to doctor@vehiclemd.com and await a reply. Plus, your question and answer might even get published in an upcoming issue of VehicleMD. Don’t miss this month’s featured questions on page six.

Tammy Neal editor@vehiclemd.com

Missed an Issue? Go Online Did you know back issues of VehicleMD are available to read online? Don't miss an article. First download a QR code reader on your smartphone. Then, scan the QR code to go directly to the issue archive. Other VehicleMD features are available only on our website, VehicleMD.com. There you can learn how to “speak car,” watch a clip of VehicleMD on TV, browse our favorite links or subscribe to the magazine.

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WHAT’S INSIDE: SPRING 2012 10

5 Ask the Doc

The VehicleMD “doctor” addresses a clicking F-150 and fuel stabilizers.

VehicleMD ®

Staff: Staff:

Steve Hurt, Publisher

6 Fantastic Finds

Check out these awesome “prescriptions” for your car.

8 Seeking Stability

If you’re in the habit of filling your gas tank with ethanol-blended fuel, a simple service can help reverse any adverse affects.

10 Stretching in Peace

Synthetic motor oil protects your engine when you stretch your oil change interval a few hundred—or thousand—miles.

11 Don’t Forget the Details

When giving your car a maintenance makeover, it’s important to remember the little things like belts and hoses.

12 A Healthy Clean

It’s tempting to use low-quality fuel, but doing so repeatedly can leave behind some unwanted consequences. Find out how a fuel system cleaning gives your car a clean, fresh start.

14 The Rest of the Story

Find out what the 1976 movie “Carwash” didn’t tell you about keeping your ride looking great.

16 Don’t Neglect the Tires

Seven ways to make sure your car’s tires are taking care of you.

18 Five Car Myths—Busted

4 VehicleMD

Think you can only fill your tires with air? Or that you must have your car serviced at the dealership to keep your warranty? Think again.

Garrett McKinnon, Editor Tammy Neal, Features Editor Eliseo Torres, Sales & Marketing Director Sheila Beam, Advertising Director Chad Montgomery, Advertising Sales Misty Dolan, Production Director Mai Lee, Circulation Manager Kara Bishop, Staff Writer/ Production Assistant Bethany Hurt, Staff Assistant Stacy Eubanks, Office Assistant Published four times a year by SHREC Communications, Inc., 4418 74th St., Ste. 66, Lubbock, TX 79424-2336. Postage Paid at Shepherdsville, KY. Postmaster: Send address changes to VehicleMD, 4418 74th St., Ste. 66, Lubbock, TX 79424-2336. Editorial information: info@vehiclemd.com © Copyright VehicleMD 2012. Reproduction is allowed only with permission of the editor. Views expressed by columnists and guest writers do not imply VehicleMD endorsement. Every attempt is made to provide accurate and reliable information. VehicleMD will not assume liability for any products or services described or offered herein, nor can VehicleMD verify accuracy of advertising claims made herein. The purpose of VehicleMD is to educate automotive service customers about the maintenance services available to them. Additional copies — Interested parties may purchase additional copies of VehicleMD, including bulk quantities. Email Mai Lee for more information: circulation@vehiclemd.com Advertisers — Advertising rates for print and Internet are available upon request. Please contact Eliseo Torres at etorres@vehiclemd. com for display advertising deadlines and other information. All correspondence and inquiries should be directed to our business offices: 4418 74th St., Ste. 66 Lubbock, TX 79424-2336 Phone: 800.331.3713 or 806.762.4824 Fax: 806.762.4023 Email: info@vehiclemd.com

Spring 2012 Volume 4, No. 1 ISSN 1948-4674

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the doc

answer auto experts

your questions ethanol), if any of the following apply then the benefits you stand to gain from use of a fuel stabilizer are much increased:

TO THE DOC u My 2008 F-150 has a constant clicking sound in the engine. Someone told me it is the fuel injectors. Is that likely? Karl u A “clicking” noise under the hood can be caused by THE DOC SAYS

any number of things, but generally it’s one of three items: 1) The fuel injectors 2) A valvetrain (lifter or spring) issue 3) An exhaust leak (though this more often sounds like a “ticking”) Many fuel injectors used today do make a very soft clicking sound as they cycle fuel into the intake manifold. However, if the clicking sound is especially loud or tends to “disappear” as the truck warms up, it could be a valvetrain problem. You can often diagnose this by revving the engine. If the “clicking” gets louder, it could be a sign that there is a problem with the engine valvetrain. Common valvetrain problems include low oil pressure to a valve lifter or other component (possibly caused by sludge buildup) and excessive lash. (Valve lash is a gap between the rocker arm and valve stem that can make a clicking noise as the rocker “taps” on the valve stem instead of pushing it; sometimes, this noise diminishes as the engine warms up and the components expand.) Many vehicles on the road still require periodic valve adjustment to get rid of this valve lash, which may also be caused by worn or damaged components. However, if the clicking sound is faint and constant, our bet would be that you’re simply hearing the fuel injectors doing their job. So long as your truck isn’t experiencing any other symptoms, it doesn’t “sound” like it’s anything to worry about. If your truck is experiencing other symptoms, though, we’d recommend taking it to a mechanic for a full diagnosis. TO THE DOC u Could you please clarify all the things I have heard about putting a stabilizer in your car’s gas tank to offset the harmful effects of ethanol in the gasoline? We do put a stabilizer in our gas trimmer, and our tractor mower, according to our manuals, but have never been able to get a consistent answer regarding adding to car engines. Mark While a fuel stabilizer has its benefits for any vehicle, THE DOC SAYS u including those not specifically built as a flex-fuel vehicle (or one capable of using anything from pure gasoline all the way up to E85, which is 85 percent

• Your car is older (generally built prior to the year 2000) • You do not drive frequently and/or plan to store the car/fuel for an extended period of time (typically 90 days or more) • You live in an extremely humid climate Under those conditions, use of a fuel stabilizer is very much warranted. Older cars were not manufactured with components able to withstand the caustic nature of ethanol. Plus, since ethanol attracts water, it typically doesn’t have a very long “shelf life,” and if you store your car or fuel for extended periods, a fuel stabilizer will help prevent the fuel from undergoing phase separation, where the water in the ethanol/gasoline mixture suddenly drops out of suspension, which can clog filters, fuel lines, injectors, etc. The same goes if you live in very humid climates. u There are a few reasons for adding a stabilizer A SECOND OPINION

to ethanol-blended fuels: 1) ethanol’s ability to absorb moisture 2) ethanol’s corrosiveness 3) lack of lubrication 4) ethanol-blended fuels break down in a short period of time (to form gum and varnish). Stabilizers need to address these concerns to really protect your vehicles fuel system and stabilize fuel. Adding a fuel stabilizer will prevent phase separation of the ethanol, moisture and gasoline. Because ethanol is a dry fuel that has no lubrication and can corrode metal parts and decay rubber in fuel systems, a fuel stabilizer adds lubrication for protection. Ethanol-blended fuel can start to break down into gum and varnish within 30 to 45 days. A fuel stabilizer keeps the fuel liquid and viable, helping prevent it from turning into gum and varnish.  Jim Davis Technical Service Director, Sea Foam Sales Co. ASE Certified Automotive Technician The advice described above is for informational purposes only. It cannot and should not be used in lieu of an actual, physical inspection and diagnosis by a trained mechanic or automotive technician. The opinions and advice offered herein are not intended to diagnose automotive problems or component failures; they are simply intended to provide information on what could be transpiring. VehicleMD accepts no liability resulting from actions taken as a result of this advice.

Have a question for the VehicleMD “doctor”? Email it to: doctor@vehiclemd.com www.vehiclemd.com 5

 antastic

finds

Rock On

Tablet to Go

Ever wish you could have a computer tablet built into your seat headrest— you can, almost. The Universal Tablet Headrest Mount is ideal for mounting your iPad or tablet for passenger use in your vehicle. The mount clasps securely to a front-seat headrest and its low profile offers convenient access to all device buttons and controls. www.bracketron.com

Ride in style with the Rock-n-Ride seat cover collection. The seat covers are made of 100 percent microfiber and include foam backing for extra cushioning. Artists featured include: AC/ DC, KISS, Ozzy Osbourne, Lynyrd Skynyrd, Judas Priest, Run-DMC, The Who, ZZ Top and Lil Wayne. It’s time to start rocking down the highway. www.bellautomotive.com

Get that V10 Sound

If you want to feel like you’re driving a Lamborghini but can’t afford to drop that much cash, then SoundRacer is for you. SoundRacer makes almost any car sound like a super sports car. Just plug into the cigarette lighter socket, select a frequency for the car stereo receiver and turn up the volume. The SoundRacer V10 lets you enjoy the exciting engine sounds from a high-revving Italian V10, recorded from an actual Lambo! www.soundracer.se

Organize It On the Go

An organized vehicle makes any road trip, no matter how short or long, more enjoyable for the entire family. Highland On The Go has a full line of organizers for every area of the vehicle—front seat, back seat and rear cargo space. These organizers have got you covered for technology storage and organization, trash management, general grocery storage, along with unique designs for stuff large and small. www.cequentconsumerproducts.com

6 VehicleMD

Breathe Cleaner

The Philips GoPure Automotive Clean Air System allows you to enjoy healthy air on the go while in the comfort of your vehicle. Its three-stage filtering process quickly removes dust, pollen, bacteria, harmful gases and odors like smoke and new car smell. GoPure features an intelligent sensor for air improvement and, using the boost mode, provides cleaner air in 10 minutes. www.lighting.philips.com

Key Security

Is Your Car a Girly Girl?

With help from Carlashes, you can give her what she wants—fabulous lashes! Dress up your headlights with a touch of fashion and a few sparkles. Carlashes flexible design bends around headlights, and they attach with automotive tape that won’t damage the paint. Choose from solid color lashes, chrome lashes or even splurge for crystal eyeliner. www.carlashes.com

The ila Pebble keyring alarm attaches to your keys with a hidden surprise. The Pebble features a built-in, ear-piercing scream that is activated in nanoseconds at the push of a button. If you feel more secure with your keys in your hand when you’re out alone, this alarm will give you even more protection. www.ilasecurity.com/us

Look Good, Smell Good

From fast food meals to sports equipment, Febreze Car Vent Clips are designed to eliminate the tough odors busy people face and freshen the air in the car for up to 30 days. The vent clips have a clean and modern design that easily attaches onto the air vent in the car, providing odor elimination and freshness while on the road. www.febreze.com

Don’t Drop and Drive

Snack Smart

My Smart Snacker is the musthave car gadget for people on the go. No more spilled drinks, chips coating the floors or sticky messes. This personal travel container that fits inside your existing cup holders, holding beverages up to 24 ounces and a large compartment that comes with a snap-on lid to keep snacks fresh and cool. My Smart Snacker is dishwasher safe and can be used anywhere. www.mysmartsnacker.com

When was the last time you dropped something in that gap between the seat of your car and the center console? Drop Stop is the perfect solution to this problem. Made of a high-grade, black neoprene material, it easily fits between your car seat and the center console, closing up the gap. It moves with your car seat, so you won’t have to worry about it falling or slipping. www.buydropstop.com

Cover It Up

Cover your truck bed in style with the all new Retrax-Pro. This unique cover is constructed of heavy-duty aluminum slats, which are connected by flexible hinges to create a durable and weathertight seal. This cover isn’t bad to look at, either; with its glossy black powder-coated finish, it’s the perfect complement to any pickup truck. www.retrax.com

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treatment

seeking stability by Kara Bishop VehicleMD Staff Writer

solutions for common problems associated with ethanol-blended fuel

illing up our vehicles with fuel is a normal routine for most of us. It’s up there with paying the bills and taking out the trash. We don’t really like doing it, and it may be painful, but alas it must be done. But when you’re out there filling up, do you ever consider what you’re putting in your car? We’ve all heard of ethanol-blended fuel, and it has become a pretty common resource today. Most of us have even become familiar with the little E10 logo that appears on most gas pumps— meaning that we are pumping ethanolblended fuel into our tank. (E10 means the mixture is 10 percent ethanol and 90 percent gasoline; E85 means the mixture is 85 percent ethanol and 15 percent gasoline; and so on and so on.) Well, is that really all that bad? What’s the matter with filling up with ethanol-blended fuel? Since you can’t really avoid it, should you have to worry about it? You may have asked yourself these questions before—and believe me I’m with you. Ethanol-blended fuel in and of itself is not a bad thing so long as you’re not using it in your lawn equipment. Most modern cars can safely tolerate blends up to E10 with few consequences. But ethanol is not gasoline, and as with any mixture certain precautions need to be taken when using an ethanolblended fuel. First off, ethanol is an alcohol, meaning that unlike gasoline it attracts moisture. We know that water in our gas tank is a bad idea, right? Well, with ethanolblended fuel absorbs too much atmospheric moisture and passes its maximum saturation point, a process called “phase separation” occurs. In layman’s terms, the water-

8 VehicleMD

soaked ethanol separates from the gasoline and sinks to the bottom of the fuel tank. “Then, when your vehicle begins to run low on gas, this ethanol-water combination is pumped directly into your engine, possibly causing severe drivability problems and even engine failure,” said Jim Davis, technical service manager for Sea Foam Sales. Another issue you can run into with ethanol is its corrosive properties. While automakers have addressed this issue with most newer cars, older models—especially classic cars—were built with materials that are very susceptible to damage caused by ethanol. Rubber and metal components on your vehicle can corrode and decay to the point where costly repairs must be made. Plus, even though it’s a liquid, ethanol is what engineers call “dry”, meaning it has very little lubricity. Vehicles need lubrication in the upper cylinder portion of the engine, a portion of which is provided by the fuel. Lead added to fuel used to do that job for us, but environmental regulations mandated a different approach. Most “pure” unleaded gasoline has additives that increase lubricity, but ethanol-blended fuels may not posses enough lubricity for all makes and models of cars, especially older vehicles. Finally, there’s another issue to be aware of. “Ethanol breaks down fuel and causes gum and varnish deposits that can plug your fuel filter and injectors,” Davis said. “The fuel needs to be stabilized with an additive in order to keep it liquid and viable.” So, if you use an ethanol-blended fuel—and especially if you only drive your car in spurts, since ethanol tends to have a rather finite shelf life—not only might you need a product that controls moisture, adds lubricity and slows corrosion, but you need a fuel additive that will clean your engine, as well. Fortunately, there are fuel treatment products on the market today that can slow this process down and keep your vehicle in good shape. Called fuel stabilizers, these products work to address the issues caused by using an ethanol-blended fuel, controlling moisture, adding lubricity and helping to keep your engine clean. Ask your automotive service technician about a fuel stabilizer today. It’s just another good way to give your car the maintenance makeover it deserves. 

Protect your engine from Ethanol fuel

100% pure petroleum . No harsh chemicals .

Did you know Ethanol-blended fuels absorb moisture and over time can cause engine damage? Use Sea Foam Motor Treatment to protect engine components from the harmful effects of E-5, E-10, E-15 and E-85 blended fuels Helps prevent corrosion and decay of metal and rubber parts Lubricates upper cylinders and fuel injectors Removes carbon deposits from combustion of Ethanol-blended fuels Stabilizes Ethanol-blended fuels for up to two years Controls moisture and helps prevent phase separation of Ethanol-blended fuels

For more information visit www.seafoamsales.com

Ask y ou Techn r Automot Sea F ician abo ive ut oam p TODA roducts Y!

 ynthetic

motor oil

Stretching in peace: How synthetic motor oil can

Protect Your Engine

When you don’t have the time by Garrett McKinnon VehicleMD Staff Writer

t’s okay to admit it. It may be a bad habit, but just about everyone does it, and you probably do, too. The little sticker on your windshield reminds you to get your oil changed every 3,000 miles, but you drive 4,000 or 5,000 or—gulp!—even 6,000 miles between visits to your local auto service shop because you’re just so darned busy.

Or, the little message on your instrument panel notifies you that your car needs an oil change, but you wait a month or two before taking the car in because you just can’t seem to find the time.

10 VehicleMD

We hear you, and completely understand. But, there’s a reason your car’s manufacturer made that 3,000-mile (or whatever it might be) oil change recommendation. And there’s a reason (and millions of miles of field testing) that your oil change alert comes on at a specified time or mileage. Put simply, your car’s motor oil, awesome elixir of lubrication though it may be, can only take so much. After thousands of miles and several months of punishment, the motor oil in your car’s engine must be replaced if you hope to keep the engine in good working order for the long term. If you’re like a lot of drivers, though, you realize this all too well, but the tyranny of modern living keeps you so busy you can’t meet those demands. Fortunately, there is a type of product on the market that can help. We’ve written many times in these pages about the myriad advantages of synthetic motor oil. It protects better in very hot temperatures. It flows better in very cold temperatures (making your engine easier to crank and also better protecting it in those first few critical seconds while the oil is warming up). Some lighter synthetic motor oils may even provide small gains in fuel mileage (see sidebar for more on that). But what you might know is that synthetic motor oil is proven to protect better—and longer—than conventional motor oil. That’s right. While conventional motor oil might have met its match at whatever limit your car’s manufacturer recommends, synthetic motor oil can keep on protecting your car past those limits. Now, don’t take this the wrong way. We wholeheartedly encourage you to follow your car manufacturer’s recommendations when it comes to service intervals, but if you find yourself falling into the bad habit of extending those intervals, synthetic motor oil can give you the peace of mind that your vehicular “baby” is being given the TLC it needs to keep motoring down the road for years to come. 

Synthetic Motor Oil: The lubricant for the modern car

If you’re in the market for a new car, the chances are very, very good that its manufacturer will recommend a synthetic (or at the very least a synthetic-blend) motor oil. The reasons automakers are increasingly turning to synthetic motor oil in their cars are many, but for most vehicle manufacturers it comes down to one simple fact: fuel mileage. You see, synthetic motor oil—especially very thin grades like 5W-20 or the 0W-20 now recommended in most new Honda and Toyota vehicles—not only protects engines better than conventional motor oil, it can also provide a small but significant boost in fuel economy. So, imagine you’re a car manufacturer tasked to meet ever-tighter fuel economy regulations. Even a small 1-2 percent boost in fuel economy achieved via the use of synthetic motor oil is significant when multiplied by the millions of vehicles you sell. True, synthetic motor oil costs a little more than the stuff you’ve been using during your time behind the wheel, but over the long haul its benefits greatly outweigh its increased cost. 

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patty

Your Maintenance Makeover Don’t Forget the Details By Kaeli Gardner VehicleMD Contributing Writer

When it comes to vehicle maintenance, most of us know the broad strokes: oil changes, tire rotations and the like. Today, though, I want to spend some time on a few pieces you may not think about—but you should. The devil’s in the details, after all. Belts: Your vehicle may have any number of belts under the hood, especially if it’s an older

car. You may remember seeing a tangle of the things in your family car growing up. Most newer cars, however, have simplified the whole mess down to two belts: the serpentine belt, or S-belt, and the timing belt.

The serpentine belt provides power to almost everything in your engine: the air conditioning compressor, power steering pump, cooling fan and air injection pump, to name a few. S-belts can fail as they age, particularly as they approach 50,000 miles, so if you haven’t had yours seen to, there’s no time like the present. The S-belt is about an inch wide, black, and has little ridges running along the side. Your technician will look for little cracks in the belt—those happen naturally as the belt wears, and can weaken it. Replacing it is easy, and a pretty affordable piece of preventive maintenance that could save you a bundle down the road. The timing belt is even more critical. It’s a belt with lots of little plastic notches on it, which allows the crankshaft to turn the camshaft. In other words, it makes your engine “go.” If the timing belt fails, your engine stops dead—which can cause catastrophic damage. That sounds pretty scary and, well, it is, but the good news is that timing belts are pretty resilient little guys. Still, they do wear over time like any other moving part, and should be checked, if not replaced, around the 50,000-mile mark. Hoses: Much like belts, your vision of engine hoses, much like mine, probably involves a tangled mess of black rubber in your family car growing up, and things here haven’t simplified as much as belts. There are still a bunch of hoses, but thankfully you can ask your technician to

check them for damage and weak spots. Your technician will lightly squeeze the hoses and feel for “squishy” spots, especially near the clamps. The hose should be firm, but not completely hardened either. They’ll also visually inspect the hoses for cracks. Replacing a hose before it fails saves inconvenience and potential further damage to your engine. Finish: Yes, that means the outside. Keeping your finish properly maintained means more than just looking good. Your finish is your car body’s one and only defense against the enemy of everything metal—rust. I asked one of our trusted AskPatty.com Certified Female Friendly professionals to spell this one out for you: “Rust will spread through your car like cancer if you don’t protect your finish. It’s critical to have your car washed and waxed regularly to avoid corrosion. Keep your vehicle’s underside as clean and dry as possible, as well. Keep a look out for foreign materials including salts, road oil, tree sap, bird droppings and chemicals, and remove them as soon as possible.” This tip comes from Domenico Nigro of Nigro’s Auto Body in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. He repairs damage caused by rust and takes steps every day to protect against its advance. I hope this article has illuminated a few of the more forgettable areas of vehicle maintenance for you—without scaring you too much. If your vehicle hasn’t had its belts or hoses checked lately, ask your technician to give them a good once-over.  KAELI GARDNER lives in the beautiful Appalachian Mountains of Tennessee where she works as a writer, artist and web marketing manager for Ask Patty, helping to empower women nationwide to take control of their own vehicle repair. Read more of her wisdom and wit at the AskPatty.com blog.

www.vehiclemd.com 11

 uel

system cleaner

Clean

Fuel system cleanings help eliminate harmful deposits by Tammy Neal VehicleMD Staff Writer

n today’s era of ever-rising gas prices it is tempting to purchase the cheapest fuel you can find. But did you know the habit of using lowquality fuel can leave behind some nasty remnants in your engine? Low-quality fuel usually has fewer detergents and less cleaning ability than the higher-priced options, leaving behind carbon deposits in your engine. These deposits cause symptoms like hesitation, diminished vehicle acceleration, increased emissions and reduced fuel economy.

“

After performing a fuel system cleaning and driving the car about 150 to 200 miles after the cleaning—so the chemistry has a chance to work— drivers will typically enjoy restored fuel economy, reduced tailpipe emissions and better drivability with a more responsive throttle. Alan Ferry ITW Professional Automotive Products

”

There is a maintenance service, called fuel system cleaning, that helps eliminate these unwanted deposits. There are two types of fuel system cleaners. The first is added directly to the fuel tank and, just as mouthwash cleans your mouth, a fuel system cleaner offers a feeling of clean to dirty fuel systems. Think of the second type of fuel system cleaning as your yearly trip to

12 VehicleMD

the dentist. Visiting the doc lets him remove the plaque lurking in hardto-reach places—something your toothbrush and floss usually can’t accomplish. Likewise, a multi-part fuel system cleaning for your engine is more in-depth than a fuel-tank treatment and cleans carbon deposits out of hard-to-reach places. Multi-part fuel system cleanings vary depending on the formulation, but nearly all of them do the same job: remove carbon deposits, clean fuel injectors and rid the system of water. As dentists are specially trained to work on teeth, your technician is specially trained to perform a multi-part fuel system cleaning, the type of cleaning best left to the pros. The deposits left behind by low-quality fuel in your engine are like bacteria in your mouth, and a fuel system cleaner helps wash them away. Mouthwash delivers instant gratification, but it may take a wee bit of patience to notice the affects of a fuel system cleaner. “After performing a fuel system cleaning and driving the car about 150 to 200 miles after the cleaning—so the chemistry has a chance to work—drivers will typically enjoy restored fuel economy, reduced tailpipe emissions and better drivability with a more responsive throttle,” said Alan Ferry, director of Research and Development for ITW Professional Automotive Products. Regular fuel system cleanings will help make your vehicle last longer, while reducing vehicle repairs and gas consumption. Just as brushing, flossing and mouthwash are essential to a healthy mouth, fuel system cleaners are essential to keeping your engine clean and your vehicle running properly. 

 arwash

What the 1976 Film “Carwash” Didn’t Tell You ..

y. r o t S e h t f o t s e The R

eople of all ages are familiar with the disco favorite “Carwash,” which debuted at number one in the United States on the Billboard Pop and R&B charts and accompanied the 1976 film “Carwash.”

What the movie forgot to explain was the importance of taking your

car to a full-service wash, which is understandable since that would have

by Kara Bishop VehicleMD Staff Writer

riage will begin to rust and deteriorate if not maintained,” Howard said. Most full-service carwashes offer an undercarriage treatment rinse that will protect the metal from rust and decay. And we can’t forget the interior of your vehicle. In order to make your vehicle last, the interior will need to be taken care of, as well. “The interior is important because what people don’t realize is that

done some serious damage to the plot. Thankfully, though, you have

the interior can harbor germs and bacteria that you don’t want your

VehicleMD in your hand, and we’re more than happy to take on this

children or anybody exposed to,” Howard said. “Not only does your

task that the film left unfinished.

vehicle last longer, but it’s an important sanitary practice.”

“One of the biggest reasons you should have your car washed is to maintain its value,” said Carl Howard, chief operating officer for

So what should regularly washing, waxing and detailing your car mean to you?

Autobell Car Wash, a 63-store chain on the East Coast. “Almost every car manufactured in the past few years has been clear-coated, which is a clear film of paint on top of the color paint. This is a high gloss finish and regularly having your car washed is the best method of protecting and maintaining this finish.” Since more people are trying to stay in the car they’re currently driving for longer, it’s important to maintain the value and condition of the vehicle, which includes not only regular washing, but waxing as well. A common misconception of the general population is that a vehicle with a clear coat finish does not need to be waxed.

Professional carwashes are gentler to auto finishes than the ol’ hose-and-bucket method, and cleaning solutions are specifically formulated for clear coats and other new car finishes.

According to experts, clear coat finishes can still be damaged by acid rain. Even with minimal outdoor exposure, any clear coat finish can begin to deteriorate after two years. Some of the enemies of your car’s

“In general, you want to wash your car at least twice a month. It all

finish are the sun’s ultraviolet rays, rain, snow, salt and normal road

depends on the elements the car is exposed to, however, so you may

wear. The elements are unavoidable when driving, so have your vehicle

need to wash your car more often,” he said.

regularly waxed. You’ll feel better with a shield protecting your pretty paint job from the wicked weather elements. Many drivers understand the importance of protecting the paint but seem to forget the undercarriage of the vehicle, which oftentimes sees the most abuse. “After a snow or freeze, cities usually treat the roads with salt or a brine mixture of salt, sand and gravel. This can be corrosive to the undercarriage, which gets the brunt of exposure. Over time, the undercar14 VehicleMD

Waxing regularly again depends on exposure, but waxing your car at least every three to four months is a good habit, and most full-service carwashes use protectants that are very effective in taking care of your vehicle in the elements. You may be asking yourself, “Why can’t I just wash my car myself. What’s the advantage of having someone do it for me?” First of all, washing a car is work—work that many people with hectic lifestyles just don’t have time for; however, a full-service carwash

can have a customer in and out in much shorter time than if the customer were to try to wash their car themselves—and I’m betting their vehicle looks better, too. Second, professional carwashes are gentler to auto finishes than the ol’ hose-and-bucket method, and cleaning solutions are specifically formulated for clear coats and other new car finishes. Washing your car with your leftover dishwasher detergent just doesn’t do the same job as formulated carwash soap. Third, washing your car in your driveway is not environmentally sound. The water runs into the street and goes into the storm drain, which often flows directly to creeks and streams. The water mixture, which is a combination of water, soap and whatever happened to be on your dirty car, can be harmful to wildlife and can contaminate drinking

Not only do professional carwashes save you a lot of elbow grease and precious time, but they also use specially formulated products that protect your car inside and out.

water. “All commercial carwashes are required to capture the waste water and treat it before releasing it,” Howard said. “Some carwashes have a more complex system that cleans the water before it’s released back into the sanitary system.” An added benefit is that most carwashes use biodegradable cleaning solutions, which adhere to strict environmental regulations that all professional full-service carwash companies must abide by. If your car isn’t quite looking up to snuff, then turn on some Rose Royce and take your car to the carwash today. “Well those cars never seem to stop comin’ Keep those rags and machines hummin’ Hey get your car washed today… Get a wash right away.”  www.vehiclemd.com 15

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Don’t Neglect the Tires:

Ways to Make Sure Your Car

hey’re possibly one of the most neglected systems on your car. We’re talking about your tires. After all, how often do most of us REALLY take a good look at those four round rubber things that keep our car on the road. But here’s something to think about: The average “contact patch”, or the area of a car’s tire that at any one time is in solid contact with the road, is about the size of an adult’s hand. That’s right, the only thing keeping your car securely on the road are four tiny patches of rubber about the same size as four human hands. That’s not a lot, so it’s important for the safety of you and your family that you make sure those contact patches are as effective as possible. With that in mind, we’ve come up with seven things you should do to keep your tires as healthy as possible:

ONE: Grab a Gauge No other aspect of a car’s tire is quite as critical as proper inflation, yet it’s also one of the most commonly overlooked. While three-quarters of

drivers wash their cars monthly, only one in seven correctly checks tire pressure with every flip of the calendar’s pages. Under-inflated tires tend to sag in the middle, meaning the car is actually riding on a small contact patch located on either side of the tire. Over-inflated tires, on the other hand, ride on a small contact patch located in the very center of the tire. Either condition means that the tire’s “handhold” on the road is smaller than it should be, ultimately giving your car less grip on the road. That’s why experts recommend checking your tires’ air pressure at least monthly. (If you don’t like getting your hands dirty, many auto service facilities will do this at no cost, and it usually only takes a minute or so.) The air pressure inside a tire is measured in pounds per square inch (or psi), and it’s not uncommon for tires to lose one psi per month in common use. (Which is why some automakers are now filling tires with pure nitrogen, which tends to maintain pressure longer than compressed air, whose smaller oxygen molecules leak out over time.)

TWO: Check the Wear Patterns Have you ever taken a close look at your tires? And not just the sides while you’re shining them up at the carwash. Examining the tread pattern on your tires can help identify problems long before they become dangerous. For instance, if your tires are wearing more in the middle than at the edges, chances are the tires are over-inflated for the driving and loads you carry. Conversely, if they’re wearing at the edges more so than in the middle, chances are the tires are under-inflated (a much more common problem). Also, you may notice that one edge of a tire is wearing more than the other. This could indicate an alignment problem (although some cars with “sport” suspensions are designed so that their tires ride on their inside edges, which increases cornering ability but also contributes to the tires wearing faster on their inside edges). If you’re not sure you can identify a dangerous wear pattern yourself, ask your auto service technician to help. THREE: Rotate Routinely If you glance through the owners manual of just about any car on the road, you’ll find a factory-recommended interval for tire rotation, generally on the order of every 5,000-8,000 miles—or annually at the very least. Tire rotation involves swapping the front and rear tires, along with crisscrossing the drive tires on most vehicles that do not use directional tires designed to spin in only one direction. This process is important

16 VehicleMD

r’s Tires are Taking Care of You by Garrett McKinnon VehicleMD Staff Writer

because it ensures that the tire tread wears evenly, which maximizes tread life. Yep, if you rotate your tires, they’ll last longer and you won’t have to replace them as often. That makes the investment well worth it.

FOUR: Achieve Balance Ever heard your washing machine start vibrating like crazy? That’s because more clothes have collected on one side than the other, throwing the machine out of balance during the spin cycle. Get the washer out of balance enough, and it’ll literally walk across the floor. Tires are the same way. When new tires are installed on a wheel, the tire/wheel combination is “balanced” using a machine that spins the pair and tells technicians where to install wheel weights (those tiny pieces of metal or plastic clamped to your wheels) to counterbalance any natural imbalance in the tire/wheel pairing. As tires age, however, that careful balance can get thrown out of whack, meaning it’s a good idea to have your tires balanced at regular intervals. While hard-core experts recommend balancing tires every time they’re rotated, the consensus seems to be that tires should be balanced every second, third or fourth tire rotation, or if you begin to feel any unusual vibration or “shimmy” in the steering wheel. FIVE: Keep Everything Aligned Your car comes from the factory with its suspension carefully aligned, meaning all four tires track straight and true in the same direction the car is travelling. (Or at least that’s how it’s supposed to work with new cars!) But stuff happens. You back into a curb. You have a minor fender bender. You hit a pothole you didn’t see. All these things can knock the suspension out of alignment, causing the steering to vibrate and, more importantly, causing the tires to wear unevenly and in many cases excessively. So if your car’s steering doesn’t “feel” right, or if you notice unusual tire wear (like a “scalloped” pattern on the edge of the tires), your car’s suspension could need to be aligned.

SIX: Test the Tread

Ever heard of the “penny test?” It’s a quick and easy

way to determine if your car’s tires have adequate tread life remaining. Simply grab a standard U.S. penny and turn it upside down so the top of Abe Lincoln’s head is toward the tire. Slip the penny between two of the tread blocks on your tires. If any of Abe’s head is covered up, it means you have at least 2/32nds of an inch of tread, which experts deem is the minimum necessary for safe driving. But, if you can see all of Abe’s head, it’s time to have the tires replaced. Why? As tires wear, the tread blocks become shorter and shorter, meaning the channels between them—which are designed to shed water away from the tire in wet conditions—become shallower and shallower. This reduces the amount of water that can be channeled away, potentially increasing the odds that your car could hydroplane on wet roads and skid out of control. Not a pretty picture. If it is time to replace your tires, experts recommend replacing them in pairs (for instance, if the rear tires are more worn than the fronts, you might just replace the rear tires) or in sets of four. Replacing just one tire makes your car ride unevenly, which affects how the car steers and stops.

SEVEN: Don’t Forget the Spare It’s the one item on our cars we often forget until we need it the most—the spare tire. While you won’t have to worry about tread wear issues with the spare, when it comes time to checking the inflation pressure, it’s a good idea to routinely check the spare tire, as well. After all, how frustrating would it be to have to change a flat tire only to find out the spare is flat, too! The four little handprints your tires make on the road can mean the difference between driving securely or losing traction and possibly having an accident. Help your car’s tires live up to their purpose as best they can by following these tips and showing them a little TLC—“tire” loving care!  Editor’s note: For a neat interactive demonstration of the importance of correct tire pressure and maintenance, visit: www.safercar.gov

GRAB A GAUGE

CHECK THE WEAR PATTERNS

ROTATE ROUTINELY

ACHIEVE BALANCE

KEEP EVERYTHING ALIGNED

TEST THE TREAD

DON’T FORGET THE SPARE

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F I V E

CAR MYTHS BUSTED 1

Myth: You can only fill tires with air. Fact: Nitrogen tire inflation replaces the “ordinary air” in your car’s tires with pure nitrogen, helping pressure remain more consistent over time.

Myth: Cars always wear out.

Fact: If maintained properly, cars can last for hundreds of thousands or even millions of miles! Visit VehicleMD.com to learn how to make your car last a million miles.

Myth: There is only one type of wiper blade.

Fact: There are four types of wiper blades on the market today: the traditional frame blade, flat wiper blades, rear wiper blades and uni-blades. Ask your technician which one is right for your car.

Myth: My car must be serviced at a dealership to keep its warranty entact. Fact: The Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act gives owners of cars the freedom to choose where their vehicle is serviced and prohibits manufacturers from voiding a vehicle’s warranty because service was performed by a non-dealer.

Company Name

INDEX OF ADVERTISERS Page No.

Phone No.

Website

AMSOIL, INC.................................................................... 2.................................800.777.8491.......................................www.amsoil.com AOCA................................................................................ 19................................800.331.0329.............................................www.aoca.org Castrol.............................................................................. 20................................888.227.8765................................ www.castrol.com/us ITW Professional Automotive Products.............. 13................................800.378.7891......................................www.qmiitw.com Sea Foam Sales Company......................................... 9.................................800.536.4812.........................www.seafoamsales.com

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Myth: Cars have only one air filter.

Fact: Most cars on the market today have at least two air filters: the engine air filter and a cabin air filter. The cabin air filter is an option on most newer vehicles and filters contaminants from the air coming into the car through the heating and cooling system. Ask your technician if your car has more than one air filter. 

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