Think about the runny noses you’ve wiped. The drinks you’ve spilled on your floor mats. The crumbs that lurk in the cracks and crevices. You get the idea. 

Even if you’re good about cleaning your car, there might be some health hazards hidden beneath the surface. Could your car use a checkup? Keep reading to learn about the potential health risks in your car and what you can do to fix them! 

1. Your car is a Petri dish on wheels

You might be hyperaware of disinfecting the high-touch surfaces and objects around your home, like doorknobs, kitchen counters, and bathroom sinks, but how often are you cleaning and disinfecting your car? Car interiors are some of the filthiest places on the planet! 

According to a CarRentals.com study, there are approximately 700 different strains of bacteria living in the average vehicle. The average steering wheel has 629 colony-forming units (CFU) per square centimeter, aka bacteria. That makes the average steering wheel six times dirtier than the average cell phone screen (100 CFU), and four times dirtier than a public toilet seat (172 CFU)! 

How to fix it: For easy clean-ups on the go, keep a pack of disinfecting wipes in your car at all times to use before and after eating, grocery shopping, or pumping gas. (The average gas pump handle is nearly 12,000 times dirtier than a public toilet seat!) 

Make it a point to disinfect the interior of your car every week or couple of weeks with antibacterial wipes or disinfectant spray and a microfiber cloth or rag to get rid of germs and potentially hazardous bacteria. Wipe down all the touchpoints in your car, like your steering wheel, seat belt buckle, gear shift, cup holders, door handles, dashboard, buttons, touchscreens, etc. 

2. Your air filter is filthy

Your air filter prevents debris and contaminants from entering your car’s HVAC system – and your lungs! A dirty air filter can allow contaminants like dust, dirt, and pollen to slip through. If you or your passengers have allergies or breathing problems, your air filter could be making them worse. A sore throat, stuffy nose, or sneezing are signs that your air filter might need to be replaced. 

How to fix it: You should replace your cabin air filter at least once a year, ideally right before the start of allergy season. Otherwise, you’re unnecessarily exposing yourself to contaminants and allergens. No thanks! 

3. Your A/C vents are growing mold

Mold and mildew can form inside your car’s air conditioning vents if they get damp, especially in the summer when humidity is high. Those mold spores can flow into your car’s cabin through the vents when you turn on the A/C or heat. Chances are, those vents are aimed right at your face. Yuck. 

Could you have mold growth in your car? According to the Centers for Disease Control, mold exposure can cause eye and throat irritation, coughing, and sneezing – classic sick car syndrome symptoms. 

Sick car syndrome, also called toxic car syndrome, is a serious thing that can happen if there’s condensation in your car’s A/C system. If you notice you or any of your passengers are feeling these symptoms in your car, you may want a mechanic to check out your vents. 

How to fix it: If you actually smell mold when you turn on your car’s A/C system, it could be a sign that your evaporator core is moldy. Run the heat with the vents closed for about 10 minutes to help dry out the vents and evaporator core. You can also use a long brush that can reach into the vents to clean out mold growth. If you still notice a moldy smell, take your car to a mechanic to have these parts professionally cleaned and treated for mold. 

4. Outside contaminants are coming into your car

Ever catch a whiff of exhaust, cigarette smoke, or other noxious fumes while you’re driving along? Although your air filter is designed to remove odors and toxins from the air before they can enter your cabin, it isn’t 100% effective all of the time – even if it’s a clean filter. These contaminants pass through your air conditioning vents and can cause allergy-like symptoms such as a cough, sore throat, or headache.

How to fix it: Roll up your windows to keep contaminants out and recirculate the air that’s already in your cabin by pressing the button on your A/C controls that looks like a recycling symbol or arrow turning around inside a car.

5. Your seat isn’t properly adjusted

Your driving position could be causing more strain on your body than you realize. If you deal with neck, back, shoulder, or sciatic pain, an improper driving position could be to blame!

How to fix it: Check out our tips on how to maintain a comfortable, safe driving position, and remember to take breaks and stretch your body throughout the day, especially if you’re traveling long distances.

Via: https://blog.directauto.com

• your vehicles will operate more safely
• well-maintained vehicles are more reliable and have a longer life
• you’ll lower your carbon footprint
• get the satisfaction of doing your own car maintenance
• you’ll save money on car repair costs
• your vehicles will look better

Simple car care tips to protect your investments

A lot of car and truck owners pay little attention to the needs of their vehicles until a problem arises.

Yes, we’ll bring them into our auto repair shop once or twice year for a regularly scheduled oil change and other maintenance. There’s more that drivers can do, however, to ensure their vehicles look and run their best.

Performing your own regular automotive check-ups and light maintenance when needed will go a long way towards protecting the sizable investment you’ve made in your vehicles.

The maintenance tasks included in these seven car care tips are easy to do and won’t require much of a time investment.

1. Inspect your battery

Your vehicle isn’t going anywhere if its battery fails, so take the time for a quick visual inspection and some occasional cleaning of this vital car component.

At least once a year, check your battery terminals for any signs of dry white battery acid. If there is any, remove the cables from your battery (do the negative cable first).

Use a wire brush and corrosion removal fluid from an automotive supplies retailer to clean up the corrosive material from the battery’s terminals. A mixture of baking soda and water can also be used.

Rinse off the cleaned area with some water, dry it with a rag, and reconnect the battery cables (attach the positive cable first).

Approximate time needed: 15-20 minutes

2. Change your windshield wiper blades

One of the biggest safety concerns when driving is having a clear windshield to provide the highest level of road visibility.

It should be considered a top priority to replace worn out windshield wiper blades that skip, leave streaks on your windshield, or don’t effectively remove rain and snow. When you hear them making a squeaking noise, that’s another indicator it’s time to replace the wiper blades.

Even if your wiper blades seem to be working well, periodically inspect the rubber strips on the blades for signs of cracking. Give the rubber strips an occasional wipe with a damp rag or paper towel to remove any debris.

Just as with most of the maintenance tasks included in these car care tips, variables such as weather and vehicle usage will affect your timetable for replacing certain car parts.

Generally, it’s recommended to replace your wiper blades every 6-12 months. Next time you buy a new pair, buy an extra set you can store in the trunk and have readily available.

On most vehicles, changing the windshield wiper blades can easily be done yourself. Just follow the instructions in your owner’s manual and on the back of the packaging for the wiper blades.

Approximate time needed: 10-15 minutes

3. Change the engine air filter

Of all the care care tips listed here, changing your own engine air filter is probably the most intimidating. Rest assured, though, it’s quite easy to do.

A dirty air filter will restrict how much air flow your engine takes in, which puts extra strain on the engine. This can affect gas mileage slightly and, more noticeably, acceleration performance on your vehicles.

The frequency with which an engine air filter should be changed will depend on various factors. Driving regularly on unpaved roads and in heavy traffic will cause air filters to become clogged faster.

The maintenance schedules for changing air filters can vary widely between car manufacturers. Some recommend doing it every 15,000 miles (24,000 kilometres), while others advise you to change it every 45,000 miles (72,000 kilometres).

Check your vehicle’s owner’s manual to determine your schedule and to find your engine air filter’s location. For most vehicles, the air filter box isn’t difficult to access and may not even require tools to open.

A quick look at your air filter will let you know whether or not it should be changed. A dirty air filter will appear gray or black.

Approximate time needed: 5-10 minutes

4. Wash your vehicle

One of the easiest car care tips to follow is to simply wash your vehicles on a regular basis. Doing so will protect the exteriors of your vehicles and keep them looking like new.

While this is a simple maintenance task, it doesn’t always get done properly. Some drivers wash their car or truck too little, while others go overboard and wash it too much.

Experts say that how often you wash your car will be dictated by several factors:

• where it’s parked
• how frequently it’s driven
• weather conditions

It’s generally a good idea to wash your vehicles every 2-4 weeks, depending on the above factors. For example, if you live in areas that use road salt in the winter, it’s wise to wash your cars every week or two considering how much salt can deteriorate a vehicle’s finish and underside.

Parking in the garage is always recommended, as your cars and trucks will be less exposed to the elements. That also includes things like acidic bird droppings, tree sap, dead bugs, and airborne elements like dust, dirt, and pollen.

Approximate time needed: 20-30 minutes

5. Wax your vehicle

If you’re washing your vehicles on a regular basis to preserve the looks and integrity of their exteriors, add one more of these car care tips to your maintenance routine – give them a waxing.

Waxing can be done a lot less frequently than washing – two or three times per year is generally recommended. Some more expensive synthetic waxes claim that you’ll only need to use their products once a year.

Along with maintaining the luster of the exteriors of a vehicle, waxing also protects their clear coat and paint from those aforementioned nasty elements.

The easiest way to determine if your car or truck needs a coat of wax is to simply put a little water on the vehicle. A waxing isn’t needed if the water beads up.

There’s one more benefit to making use of these car care tips that focus on vehicle exteriors – they can improve your mileage. Testing (including a test done on TV’s MythBusters) shows that clean cars delivered better fuel efficiency than dirty ones.

Approximate time needed: 50-60 minutes

6. Check your engine fluids

Even with vehicle dashboard indicators that indicate when fluid levels are low, it’s wise to occasionally check your fluid levels between visits to your auto garage.

It doesn’t take much time to do and provides extra assurance that your vehicle’s fluids are properly topped off. Checking your fluid levels is one of the car care tips it’s especially smart to make use of before taking your vehicles on a long road trip.

Be sure to always check your fluid levels while parked on a flat surface. Use a clean rag or paper towel to wipe off your dipsticks.

Let’s start with the engine oil. You’ll get varying opinions on how to get the most accurate readings of your oil level. Some experts say to run the vehicle until it reaches normal operating temperatures, shut it off, and then wait 5-10 minutes before checking your oil dipstick.

Others say you can check the oil dipstick when the vehicle is cold. Consult your vehicle’s owner’s manual and ask your mechanic for their advice to figure out which method works for you.

Not all vehicles have a transmission fluid dipstick. If yours does, check the transmission fluid level with the vehicle running. Conversely, your vehicle should always be turned off when checking the coolant tank’s level.

Your brake fluid can be found in a reservoir tank with easy to view fluid level indicators. Also check the power steering fluid reservoir, which may have a dipstick depending on your vehicle model.

The last fluid level to check is for your windshield washer fluid, which any experienced driver should be quite familiar with.

Approximate time needed: 10 minutes

7. Check your tire pressure

Many modern vehicles come with a tire pressure monitoring system, but it doesn’t hurt to periodically check your tire pressure manually. A good tire pressure gauge should be considered an essential tool for any driver, as is a portable tire inflator/mini air compressor.

Driving on tires that are underinflated can:

• lower your fuel economy
• damage tires and cause them to eventually blow out due to overheating
• limit your car’s ability to handle

Overinflating your tires can cause problems as well. Make sure to fill your tires to the pressure recommended by the vehicle’s manufacturer and not the psi level indicated on the actual tires.

Approximate time needed: 2 minutes

Free up space in your garage for parking

These car care tips involving visual inspections and light hands-on maintenance will keep your vehicles running smoothly.

You can also look after your vehicles simply by parking them in your garage, where they’ll be safer and protected from the weather. Garage Living can transform your garage into a space that’s clutter-free and aesthetically appealing.

And if your car care skills allow you to do more in-depth maintenance on your vehicles, we can also help. Our garage cabinet systems are ideal for a garage workshop. Our car lifts are also useful for vehicle maintenance tasks, in addition to being a great solution for adding extra garage parking space.

Via: https://www.garageliving.com/

No matter your reason, if you’re looking for a gratifying career and are not afraid of getting your hands a little dirty, you’re in the right place. Learn how to become an auto technician and the perks of starting your career in the automotive industry at Firestone Complete Auto Care.

How to Become an Auto Technician at Firestone Complete Auto Care

You may think that you need to know all about cars to work for Firestone Complete Auto Care. However, that’s not always the case! At Firestone Complete Auto Care, we know that all journeys have a starting point, and that applies to the journey of joining our team too!

Accordingly, we provide paid training, pay for ASE certification tests, offer bonuses for certain ASE exams that you pass, and there are many advancement opportunities fo rpassionate individuals across all experience levels, even beyond an automotive technician. In other words, don’t assume that you don’t have enough car knowledge to be considered. Instead, read the steps below to learn how you can become a Firestone Automotive technician yourself.

1. Find job openings near you. 

One of the many perks of working in the car care industry is that auto maintenance and repairs are always in-demand, which means job opportunities in the field are always available! The first step to landing one of these opportunities is to find an opening at a Firestone Complete Auto Care near you. You can call your nearest store to verify if they’re hiring or search online for positions in your area. Alternatively, you can fill out our online form and get opportunities sent directly to your email.

2. Apply to your desired position. 

Take some time to read through the different job openings near you to determine which position is most suitable. If you love cars, have little to no automotive experience, and aren’t an ASE-certified technician yet, consider applying to an entry-level Automotive Maintenance Technician position.

On the flip side, if you already hold multiple certifications and know the ins and outs of a vehicle like the back of your hand, you may be better suited for a Lead Technician position. Alternatively, if you want to work face-to-face with clients, one of our retail or store management jobs may be the perfect fit for you. And if you’d like to diversify your skillset, try your hand at one of our SSS positions where your time will be divided between automotive work and client-facing retail.

No matter where your qualifications lay on the spectrum, we have a position for you! Jump start your automotive career with Firestone, and apply today!

3. Go through the interview process. 

We’ll let you know if and when we’ll begin the interview process once we’ve carefully considered your application. Once you get a call back from us, our recruiting team will provide additional details about our opportunities and if it’s a match, we’ll get you set up for an on-site interview. Typically, this means you’ll get to meet the store manager, the supervisor who will be overseeing the position, and a few of your teammates. Be prepared to answer common interview questions such as, “can you tell us a little bit about yourself and your experience in the industry?” and “why do you want to work at Firestone Complete Auto Care?” 

4. Get ready for onboarding. 

After the interview, we’ll let you know if you’ll be moving forward. In which case we’ll get you started with the onboarding process and on your way to your first day at work! 

During your first day, you’ll learn more about how we operate as a company — from our values and company mission to how we go above and beyond the competition to best serve our customers! We’ll outline a tailored training plan for you. These may include automotive courses to help you perform our core services, leadership training, learning journeys and modules to help prepare you for ASE exams, or sales workshops, depending on your experience and the position you applied for.

5. Drive your career forward. 

After a few training sessions and work shifts, you’ll find yourself getting into the groove of being a Firestone Complete Auto Care teammate. From there on, the possibilities are endless! With plenty of growth opportunities, you can decide how and where you want to take your career, whether that’s working up to an Automotive Lead Technician role or getting the training required to lead one of our tire and care centers yourself. 

We pride ourselves on promoting internally, and starting in the store is just the tip of the iceberg. There are many opportunities beyond our retail stores for passionate and hardworking teammates such as Area Managers, Region Managers, Region Operations Managers, Division Education Partners, and more! 

Benefits of Working at Firestone Complete Auto Care

Now that we covered how you can become an auto technician at Firestone Complete Auto Care, we’ll explain why you should go for it! Below, we summarize a few of our crew’s favorite perks. 

Competitive Pay: Sometimes, it’s hard to find part-time or entry-level jobs that pay well. However, at Firestone Complete Auto Care, we strive to compensate each role competitively, paying you what you deserve and require to advance professionally and personally. 

Formal Training: We understand that not everyone has the opportunity or resources to become an ASE certified auto technician on their own, which is why we provide formal training opportunities for aspiring technicians. We also offer paid training to retail employees, sales managers, and technicians who wish to develop their skills or learn more about other sides of the business. 

Paid Vacation and Holidays: Competitive pay is excellent, but having the time to use that pay to treat yourself and your loved ones is even better. Unlike some other car care shops, Firestone Complete Auto Care gives employees paid vacation and holidays!

Accessible Healthcare Packages: “Care” is in our name, and that’s not limited to just car care! We know that it’s hard to do your best work unless you’re healthy and happy, so we make sure to offer competitive healthcare packages to full- and part-time employees, which begins on Day 1!

Retirement Plan: The difference between a job and a career is that a job is good “for now,” and a career allows you to plan for the future. At Firestone Complete Auto Care, we enable career paths for teammates who want them, complete with a 401K plan that allows you to build towards the future. 

Overhaul Your Career with Firestone Complete Auto Care 

Are you ready for a change? Shift your career into high gear by applying to a job at a Firestone Complete Auto Care near you! We’ll empower you with the training and team to grow in and outside of work. Visit our jobs page for more information on available positions, required qualifications, benefits, and more!

Via: https://www.firestonecompleteautocare.com/

How Do Fully Electric Cars Work?

All-electric vehicles (EVs) come equipped with a high voltage battery pack instead of a gas tank and an electric motor (1 or more) rather than an internal combustion engine, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) explains. About 1.8 million EVs were on U.S. roads in 2020. (International Energy Agency).

How Do Hybrid Vehicles Work? 

There are two main types of hybrid vehicles: regular hybrid and plug-in hybrid. These hybrid vehicle types use gas (typically) and electricity. They come equipped with a high voltage battery, an electric motor, a gas tank, and an internal combustion engine. As of 2019, nearly 5.4 million hybrid vehicles were sold in the U.S. (USA Facts).

How Do Standard Gas Vehicles Work? 

Standard gas vehicles typically use spark-ignited internal combustion engines. Some might be powered solely by diesel fuel or natural gas, rather than gasoline. According to the New York Times, the vast majority of the roughly 250 million passenger vehicles in the U.S. run on fuel.

What is the Difference Between Electric Cars and Hybrid Cars?

The key difference between all-electric and hybrid vehicles is in how they’re powered. All-electric vehicles rely only on electricity, while hybrid vehicles often rely on a combination of electricity and fuel. That’s not the only difference, though. EVs do not generate tailpipe emissions (some exceptions exist), while hybrid vehicles do generate tailpipe emissions when their fuel is being combusted.

Furthermore, the driving range for an EV is typically shorter than the driving range for a hybrid. That’s because an EV’s battery capacity is currently somewhat limited. According to the Department of Energy, a regular hybrid can’t be plugged in to charge the battery. Rather, the battery is charged through regenerative braking and by the internal combustion engine. Meanwhile, a plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (known as a PHEV) additionally allows recharging via a power cord.

Pros and Cons of EVs, Hybrids, and PHEVs

As with any type of car, these different powertrain technologies come with their own set of advantages and potential disadvantages. Learn more about the pros and cons of hybrid vehicles, EVs, and PHEVs below.

Pros and Cons of EVs

Pros:

• Smooth, quiet acceleration
• Electricity costs less per mile than gasoline
• No need to fill up a gas tank (some exceptions exist)

Cons:

• Limited driving range
• More expensive than comparable hybrid or gas vehicles
• Constant searches for charging stations
• Installation of a home charging station might be needed

Pros and Cons of Hybrid Cars

Pros:

• No need for plug-in charging
• Less worry about driving range thanks to the gas-powered motor
• Less pricey than an EV

Cons:

• Less energy-efficient than EV
• Less smooth and quiet than EV
• Oil changes and engine maintenance required

Pros and Cons of PHEVs

Pros:

• Can work like an EV during everyday commutes
• Gas engine enables easier road trips
• Can keep going after electricity runs out

Cons:

• More expensive than a regular hybrid
• Can’t always avoid using gas
• May require plug-in charging as well

Gas vs. Electric and Hybrid Vehicles

When you compare gas, electric, and hybrid vehicles, they also deliver their own pros and cons. These include:

• EVs and hybrids get better gas mileage than standard gas vehicles
• EVs and hybrids produce fewer harmful emissions than gas vehicles
• EVs and hybrids tend to retain their value better than gas vehicles
• Gas vehicles currently cost less than similar EVs and hybrids
• Gas and hybrid vehicles may offer lower maintenance costs than EVs 

Firestone Complete Auto Care goes above and beyond to provide the best service possible for your vehicle — hybrid, EV, or otherwise. Schedule your maintenance appointment online, and see how our expert technicians get the job done right — the first time!

Via: https://www.firestonecompleteautocare.com/

An electrical system of any kind comes with its own quirks, and most are connected electronically in your vehicle. Electronic power steering is much more efficient and runs quieter than the old system, which makes your driving easier and more efficient. And like other electrical systems in your car, they are connected to a light on your dashboard that comes on and lets you know when something needs attention.

In a hydraulic system, your vehicle’s warning light typically indicates that you are low on power steering fluid and that a top-off is needed. You may need to get your system checked for a possible leak if this continues to be an issue after adding more fluid. Your power steering will disable and make driving more difficult, so getting it fixed right away is necessary.

Electrical power steering systems use no fluid, so a top off is not an issue when the warning light comes on. In most cases, a simple technical glitch in the computer system may be the culprit, so a simple reboot is in order. All you need to do is turn off your engine, then restart it so the light can reset. In most cases, it should come back on, and this only indicates that it may have thought it suspected a problem due to a mistake in the computer system. But if the problem continues, an inspection of your power steering system should be done as soon as possible.

Driving without power steering poses a high. In fact, lack of power steering is one of the leading causes of crashes as the driver loses control of the wheel. Getting an inspection before a quote is easy. If you see these signs and need power steering repair, give our shop a call today!

Via: https://www.tcautoservice.com/

Avoid Traffic

Avoiding traffic is easier said than done, especially if you drive during rush hour. Talk with your boss about adjusting your work hours so you are working on a flexible schedule that puts you on the freeway before or after rush hour. Also, purchase a fast pass if you navigate over toll roads so you don’t have to slow down and stop to pay the toll.

Avoid Idling

Did you know that one minute of idling uses up more gas than restarting your automobile? As such, it’s important that you turn the engine off while you are waiting. It takes less gas to restart the engine than it does to sit at an idle, so save gasoline or diesel fuel by shutting off your motor.

Time Traffic Lights

Adjust your speed so you can time the traffic lights properly. What we mean by timing the traffic lights is driving at a pace that allows you to hit each light when it turns green. This prevents you from having to stop at the red light and sit at an idle. Traffic signals are programmed so they can be timed. You just need to figure out at what speed you need to drive.

Avoid Multiple Stops

One of the worst things for your vehicle’s fuel economy is a day filled with errands that require short stops all over town. This uses up excess gasoline. Plan your errands so that you are making fewer stops. If you can, park your car conveniently and walk to your multiple errands so that you aren’t running your automobile.

Cruise Control It

Finally, driving at a steady speed improves your vehicle’s fuel economy. Driving slower also improves your vehicle’s fuel economy. As such, set your cruise control at a reasonable speed to get more miles out of a full tank. Also, keep in mind the slower you drive the less gas you use.

An additional tip is that you should keep your car maintained in order for the engine to run as efficiently as possible. York Tire & Auto Service in Red Lion, PA, can help with that. Set up a service appointment today.

Via: https://yorkautoservice.com/

Air Filter

The air filter is found in the engine and it cleans the air that flows in from the outside. Your vehicle’s combustion chamber needs air in the cylinders for combustion. The purified air is routed to the cylinders after it has run through the air filter. This filter needs to be changed every 12,000 miles. If you are one that does not drive a lot, you can change the filter every year.

Cabin Filter

The cabin filter cleans the air that flows through the vents. When this filter needs to be changed varies greatly. Most cabin filter is last for 30,000 miles before they need to be changed, but some need to be changed sooner. Check your owner’s manual to see the recommended duration. Note that this duration might change depending on the filter type that you buy.

Fuel Filter

Your engine also needs fuel in the cylinders for combustion. The diesel fuel or gasoline that you put in the tank runs through the fuel filter twice before it is routed to the cylinders. This removes contaminants and sediment from the fuel to make sure that it burns without any problems. The fuel filter should be changed every 30,000 miles. Low-mileage drivers can change it every two years.

Oil Filter

The oil filter is changed automatically at every oil change. Therefore, it is changed every 3,000 miles. The oil filter removes the dirt and grime that the oil picks up when it circulates through the engine. This makes certain that you have clean motor oil circulating through your engine again. A dirty oil filter can damage your engine because dirty motor oil does not lubricate and protect the engine as it should.

Transmission Filter

Finally, if your vehicle is equipped with a transmission filter, this is changed when you have the transmission fluid changed. The general recommendation for a transmission flush and refill is every 30,000 miles. It is at this time that the transmission filter is changed.

Again, York Tire & Auto Service in Red Lion, PA, would be happy to maintain your automobile’s filters for you. Call us today to set up an appointment.

Via: https://yorkautoservice.com/