(ARA) - A car, truck or SUV is most probably the largest purchase most Americans make besides a home. Keeping their cars in good shape is not only a national hobby for men of leisure, but also a must for busy professionals and families in the country who have little free time, but want to keep the book value of their car up and their insurance premiums down.

Americans spend so much time, money and effort to keep the mysterious innards of automobiles in working order that we often neglect the exterior of our lean machines, whatever their brand, make or model. And with snowy winter salt and sand eating away at the exterior, the scorching sun fading the paint, spring s acid rain peeling away the exterior coatings, combined with bird droppings, parking lot dents and scratches everywhere, it s easy to see why maintaining the showroom condition of our cars isn t easy.

The hot wax most car owners use at coin operated carwashes is a small, short-term measure that really is not an adequate preservative, and the hand washes at manned car washes today cost a great deal and are getting more expensive all the time, says John d Agostino, winner of the 2004 Trendsetter of the Year car designer award at the San Francisco Hot Rod Custom and Motorcycle Show. For the ultimate shine and long lasting wax protection, I use Buffalo Milke not only on my show cars, but on my daily drivers as well. It is simply fast, easy-to-use and produces the best results!

Certainly a major advance in the next generation of spray waxes, the universal usage of one product for all exterior surfaces, including paint, chrome, aluminum, high impact plastic, glass, black rubber trim and wheel rims renders old fashioned, labor-intensive waxes and cleaners obsolete.

Premium-grade Buffalo Milke Instant Spray wax can assist you in keeping your vehicle in tip-top shape: It waxes in minutes, not hours; covers minor spider web scratches and swirl marks; leaves no white powder residue; provides a wet, glossy look to paint finish as well as provides UV protection against sun damage and anti-static protection.

Take the advice of a real pro, Joe Candy Apple Bailon — the man who invented Candy Apple Red paint, It s simple to use, just spray it on and wipe clean for that special wet look in only 20 minutes or less. Candy Apple Joe laments, I wish I had had this new product to use over the past 60 years — my car customizing career would have been far easier.

For more information on the next generation of spray waxes, call (866) 364-2468 or log on to www.bmap.tv.

Courtesy of ARA Content

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Courtesy of ARA Content

Technorati Tags: automotive, autocare, auto care, car care, auto repair

(ARA) - Americans are keeping their vehicles longer and driving farther than ever before. Today, the average age of vehicles on the road is greater than nine years and more than 68 percent of vehicles have more than 75,000 miles.

As a vehicle’s engine ages, its performance decreases and oil starts to break down at a faster rate. Over time, seals begin to deteriorate, gaskets become brittle and oil consumption increases — all leading to a reduction in engine performance.

Treating your high-mileage vehicle with a little TLC and consistently following the 10 rules for high-mileage vehicle maintenance will help ensure it will go the distance. Using premium motor oil specially formulated for higher-mileage cars — such as Castrol GTX High Mileage Formulation –will also help a higher-mileage car feel young again.

Rule #1 — Make sure you change your oil every three months or 3,000 miles — whichever comes first. No exceptions. Think of your engine as the heart of your car and motor oil as the lifeblood of the engine. One can’t function without the other, so stay on top of your oil-change schedule.

Rule #2 — Find a good mechanic. If you don’t do your own maintenance, find a shop staffed by ASE-certified mechanics (that’s the National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence). A good mechanic will listen to your questions and explain procedures clearly.

Rule #3 — Have your tire pressure checked at least once a month. It’s the best way to prevent unexpected flats. A service station attendant can quickly and easily perform the check. Also make sure to rotate your tires and check their alignment as part of a regular tune-up (or with every other oil change).

Rule #4 — Pay attention to warning signs. Of course, not every little thump or ping you hear spells disaster. Cars, like people, have their peculiarities, and you are sure to quickly learn what is normal for yours. With a high-mileage vehicle, however, it’s best to check out any symptom — be it a sound, smell or feeling — that seems the slightest bit abnormal. Remember: an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.

Rule #5 — Pay attention to outward signs. If your car is leaking fluids, it can mean serious trouble. Keep an eye on the conditions of your driveway or regular parking space for stains or spots that can warn you of possible leaks. Castrol’s GTX High Mileage Formulation motor oil contains special conditioners that help protect and maintain seals, thereby helping to reduce leakage — a common problem in older, higher-mileage engines.

Rule #6 — Schedule regular tune-ups. Even if your high-mileage car seems fine, that’s no guarantee it is. Use tune-ups to ensure your car’s major components are running smoothly and that they stay that way. Your oil should be changed, tires checked and rotated if necessary, belts checked and replaced, brake lines inspected, spark plugs and air filter checked and replaced, and fuel injector checked. A good way to top off a tune-up is an overall analysis of your car’s engine, and undercar, safety and computer systems.

Rule #7 — Prepare your car for the seasons. If you live in a sunny climate all year round, you can skip this step. For the rest of us, visit the “Ask the Expert” feature at www.castrolusa.com for a checklist of seasonal maintenance practices for your high-mileage vehicle. Preparing your high-mileage car to defend against the elements will lessen its chances of needing repairs and save you money in the long run.

Rule #8 — Check your fluids regularly. It’s dangerous for your high-mileage car to get dehydrated, so be sure to keep an eye on its vital fluids. Simply lift the hood and perform a quick visual check. Use the dipstick to check the oil level; a quick glance at the coolant reservoir will let you know if you need more cooling fluid.

Rule #9 — Store it properly. Storing your vehicle in a dry, temperate location when it is not in use will prevent disastrous wear and tear on both its interior and exterior. Garage your car whenever possible to protect its looks.

Rule #10 — Stay on top of safety features. Nothing is more important than your car’s ability to protect both you and your passengers. Air bags, antilock breaks and any other additional safety features that you may have added to your car should be carefully checked on a regular basis (when your car has a tune-up) to ensure that in the event of an accident, they will perform their vital, lifesaving functions.

For more high-mileage vehicle maintenance tips, visit www.castrolusa.com.

About The Author

Courtesy of ARA Content, www.ARAcontent.com; e-mail: info@ARAcontent.com

EDITOR’S NOTE: For more information, contact Jeff Conlin of Ogilvy Public Relations Worldwide at (312)397-6060 or jeff.conlin@ogilvypr.com.

Technorati Tags: automotive, autocare, auto care, car care, auto repair

One of the easiest ways to improve the gas mileage for your car is checking the tire pressure in all four tires. Simply doing this routine tire maintenance can save fuel and increase the life of your tires. A government study concluded that by correctly maintaining your tires is like getting 2 “free” tanks of gas a year. With today’s fuel prices that could easily be $140! You will also increase the life of your tires and could save at least one new set of tires during the life of your car. Now that I have you convinced of the value of good tire pressure, let’s discuss the basics. First you will need to purchase an inexpensive tire pressure gauge. These are easy to find and easy to use. Buy a good one (They don’t cost that much) and put it in your glove box. The next big question is “How much air do my tires need?” You will need to find out what the manufacturer’s recommended pressure is for your vehicle. You can find this information in a couple of places. First you can look in your owner’s manual or check the information placard glued on the inside edge of the doors. Remember, the tire pressure on the side of the tire is the maximum pressure for that particular tire. This is different from the manufacturer’s recommended pressure. Now you are ready to check the pressure in your tires. The best time to check your pressure is when your tires are cold. The car should have been sitting for at least three hours or have been driven for less than 2 miles. If your tires are hot, then the air is hot and the pressure will read higher than normal. This is why using the manufacturer’s recommended tire pressure is so important. If you use the maximum tire pressure printed on the tire and then drive out on the road, the pressure will increase because of the heat. This can be potentially unsafe. If they are low, take a quick trip to the neighborhood gas station. There you can add a few pounds of air and recheck the pressure. One tip, don’t trust the gauge on the air compressor at the gas station. These are generally in bad shape and have been treated poorly. Use your new one you just purchased instead. Repeat this process every month. You will save gas and extend the life of your expensive tires.
About the Author

Jason is the webmaster for Red Hill Supply - Online Air Tools

http://www.redhillsupply.com

Technorati Tags: automotive, autocare, auto care, car care, auto repair