Are Those Leaves On Your Car?

When the weather starts to drop, so do leaves from trees. Those stunning leaves in beuatiful shades of orange, red, yellow, and brown are damaging your vehicle’s paint. Leaves contain acid-based materials, such as tree sap, that can damage your car's paint. The bottom layer of leaves is often wet, which can act like glue and stick to your car's paint.As leaves decompose, they release sap, tannic acids, and other natural compounds that can damage your car's paint To protect your car's paint from leaves, you can: Remove leaves quickly by hand to avoid scratching your car's paint. You can also use a leaf blower with light air pressure or a vacuum Remove tree sap by using rubbing alcohol on a cloth or a tree sap remover to remove tree sap. Wash your car After cleaning off your car, why not give it a rinse or take it through a car wash.

Is There A Rattle In Your Engine?

Engine rattling noise, (clicking sound in an engine) can happen for a number of reasone. Whether it's engine knocking when accelerating or some kind of spark knock or just a general engine noise, some are more serious than others. One thing that’s true is that it's never good to leave it alone. There are a bunch of reasons you might be hearing your car engine making noise. Engine Rattling When Accelerating may be Belt Tensioner Engine Rattling At Idle could be Spark Plug Knock or Collapsed Lifters Engine Noise When Cold could be Rod Knock Sound or Piston Slap Engine Rattling When It’s Hot could be Low Oil Pressure or a Heat Shield Hopefully this gave you a better idea of where to start your search and ultimately helped you find your rattling noise.

Life Of A Pothole

What is a Pothole?? They are pot-shaped depressions in a road surface.The most common cause of these are traffic and water. Potholes can be dangerous and expensive to fix if they damage your vehicle. There are four main areas of the car that are most likely to be damaged: the suspension, steering, wheels, and tires. Suspension misalignment can cause your car to mishandle and potentially put the occupants at risk of a crash. Other suspension problems include broken ball joints and damaged struts or shocks. Potholes can dent or bend aluminum or steel wheels. Remember to drive on tires that are properly inflated and in good condition. Be alert to what’s ahead, and make sure you keep enough distance between you and the vehicle in front of you so you can avoid issues. Recognize that though you might miss the first pothole, there can be another waiting. If can’t avoid a pothole, SLOW DOWN and hold your steering wheel tightly. Don’t brake. This will allow you to maintain the most control during the impact.

What Turn Signals?

Turn signals are your way of informing the other drivers the direction you're going to move your vehicle. If you don't use your signals, the other vehicles won't know what you're planning to do, and you could get into an accident. Be sure to signal properly as you travel around the roads. Turn signals are amber or yellow lights on your vehicle that flash. All modern vehicles come equipped with turn indicator lights today, but some have more lights than others. They indicate that you’re about to move your vehicle by turning, changing lanes, parking, or merging. The law requires you to use your turn signals to let other drivers and road users know your intentions and are important for your vehicle's safe operation. Not everyone uses their turn signals as regularly as they should. Their usage dramatically reduces the number of accidents and driver errors. Remember, turn signals are not only a legal requirement but also a crucial safety feature that helps prevent accidents on the road.

Ready For Fall Driving?

The arrival of autumn brings with it a unique set of challenges for drivers. Falling leaves can gather in a pile and create a road hazard. Wet leaves can be as slippery as ice. Fallen leaves can also hide road markings and obscure hazards like potholes and bumps as well as obscure traffic lines and other pavement markings. Other fall hazards for motorists can be fog and sun glare and morning frost. Here are a few fall driving tips: Increase your following distance in severe weather, at dusk and dawn and when in an area with wet leaves. If you are being tailgated, let the other driver pass. Check your vehicle's headlights, taillights and turn signals to ensure they are working properly since darkness will be a part of many driver's morning and/or evening commutes. Make sure you turn on your headlights as the sunlight fades. Have your vehicle's heating and wiper systems checked to ensure they are working properly. Be sure you have tires with sufficient tread depth in case of an early season snow.

It's Getting Cooler.. Are You Ready?

It's happening, the weather is gettting cooler and the leaves are starting to change colors. It’s time to get ready for a change of seasons at home and your vehicle. Fall car maintenance is important to keep your auto in shape for the colder weather. Wondering what to do to make sure your vehicle is ready for autumn? Here are a few car care tips for fall: Getting Your Car Ready for Fall: A Complete Car Maintenance Checklist AC/Heating System Check. ... Change or Top off the Fluids. ... Tire Pressure Matters. ... Brighten up the Headlights. ... Change the Wipers. ... Car Maintenance Checklist for the Battery. ... Detailing and Sanitization. It may seem like a lot to keep track of, but if you follow this a car care checklist, you’ll be more than prepared for when the snow starts to fall.

Are You Ready To Say Good-bye Summer?

We've already seen the return of yellow school buses and all things pumpkin spice. Are you plannning end of summer festivities over Labor Day? By now we hope you have made your travel plans for the popular three-day weekend. Congestion is expected on most major routes. You should also be alert of wildfire activity and road closures affecting travel plans.Most construction will be paused over the holiday weekend to help limit congestion. Remeber to go early or late and give yourlves plenty of extra time. Crashes or emergency road repairs also can add to travel time. Car-Lotta Car Sales will be closed on Monday September 2nd and will re open on Wednesday, September 3rd. Have a Happy and Safe Labor Day holiday!