Hanlees Auto Group

Hanlees Automotive Group has been a family owned and operated business for over 20 years in Northern California. We strive to bring the highest quality of service to our customers. We have locations in Davis, Napa, Richmond, and Fremont. Visit us today!

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How to Clean Your Headlights

Headlights play an essential role in the operation of your car, especially during these dark winter months where the days are shorter and the skies grow cloudy. Clean and clear headlights might make the difference in spotting oncoming hazards.. Just like any part of your car, headlights can lose their luster and performance with age. Here are some ways to return your dim and dirty headlights to the brightness needed for safe winter driving.

Tip: It is important to note that headlights dim through a natural oxidization of the lenses, not just avoidable dirt and grime.

Homemade Remedy: While this solution is a bit more inexpensive, the effectiveness in cleaning your headlights varies from car to car. In order to remove this headlight 'rust' you'll need a gritty solution for polishing.

1 box of baking soda

1 tube of toothpaste

1 towel

¼ cup of dishwashing detergent

Use dishwashing detergent to wash away the residual dirt from the headlights. Then wipe dry with a towel.

Mix baking soda and toothpaste, knead solution thoroughly.

Apply paste to headlights with a towel. Rub in circular movements. Apply pressure to grind away oxidized particles.

Rinse with water and baking soda.

Store Bought Remedy: There are many products available at auto shops that claim they can brighten headlights and polish lenses. While they vary in price, their effectiveness varies as well. It is a good idea to read product reviews or talk to a service professional before purchasing these products. They provide a solution that you apply to your headlights similar to the homemade method.

Certified Headlight Cleaning: Contact your local dealership to insure that your headlights are completely clean and returned to a nearly new working condition. Service professionals at Hanlees guarantee a pristine headlight renewal and cleaning, using the best product to match your car's specific make and materials.

Good luck and be safe on the road this winter season!

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5 More Tips to Keep Your Car in Great Shape

In addition to the 5 tips from our previous post, here are five more tips you can follow to keep your car in tip-top shape as long as possible:

1. Keep an auto log:

Use your car's odometer to check the mileage of your car at the time of your fill up (e.g. 10,000 miles). Next, fill your car up (completely full). Then, at your next fill-up, check your car mileage again (e.g. 10,300 miles). Finally, , note how much gas you use to fill your car back up (10 gallons). The difference between the two mileages (300 miles) divided by the number of gallons you fill up gives you the miles per gallon of your car (e.g. 300miles / 10gallons = 30 mpg). Additionally, , being more conscientious about your gas consumption can help you conserve more gas and thus more money.. Keeping an auto log to record your gas fill-ups and mileage can help you detect early signs of problems; if you notice worsening gas mileage, contact a service adviser to address the problem.

2. Park in the shade:

Although a garage would be the ideal place to park your car,, parking in the shade is advisable to minimize interior damage caused by UV sunlight. If parking under trees leads to bird droppings, using an interior collapsible car shade can minimize the sun's damage. As a result, you will have a car that is cooler on hot sunny days, requires less AC usage, and lasts longer.

3. Clean the inside too:

At first glance, the exterior cleanliness of our vehicle may be the most noticeable thing. However, the exterior appearance is quickly forgotten as we step inside our vehicle. The inside of our vehicle is where we spend all our time, and yet it can easily be the most neglected aspect of a clean car.. Try to vacuum and sponge your interior every time you wash your car.. Spilled liquids, dirt, and oils can be corrosive to your car's interior, and you should vacuum your interior thoroughly with a powerful vacuum, using attachments to reach difficult places. You can wpe down plastic and vinyl surfaces with cleaning solutions that you can pick up at your local dealership.

4. Let floor mats take winters beating:

You can use floor mats to help maintain the cleanliness of your interior as well. Rubber mats can take the best beatings and are ideal for easy mud and dirt clean up. Carpet mats work as well, but may require a little more maintenance and scrubbing to keep clean. When mats begin to wear through or are beyond keeping clean, they can easily be replaced.

5. Wash mats:

Now that your are remembering to clean the interior of your vehicle as well, let's discuss how to clean your floor mats. The easiest way to clean them is with a de-greaser and a pressure washer to blast all the dirt and build-up off. If a pressure washer is not available, you can vacuum the mats and follow up with some scrubbing and rinsing from a hose. Be advised: while using soap on mats can help remove stains, the soap may not be so easy to remove. As a result, you may want to try a stain remover and follow the given directions. Lastly, , be sure to let the mats air out thoroughly before putting them back in.

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For many people, a car is more than just a mode of transportation; it's a temporary home away from home. Over time, the interior of your car can be filled with important things and junk alike - from bank statements to leftover McDonald's. Setting aside an hour or to to tackle a cluttered car can easily make more room for passengers and cargo. And just like an organized home, an organized car makes you feel better and saves you time.

1) Clean out your car

Take everything out of your car, including car seats and miscallaneous items stored in the glovebox, door pockets, and trunk. If it's not attached, it comes out. Collect and throw away all trash/garbage, and set anything you think you'll need to the side, outside the car. This is a great time to wash and vacuum the interior of your ar as well.

2) Analyze and sort

There are three main categories – items you use all the time, items you use occasionally, and items you'll need in an emergency – and anything that doesn't fall into those categories should be stored elsewhere. Then, prioritize the items in each group: which items do you need at hand, and which can be delegated to the back rows? Keep in mind that seasonal items (such as ice scrapers and tire chains) can be packed away for the summer.

3) Store it away

Your glove compartment should contain your car manual, small pocket flashlight, your registration and insurance information, and perhaps a small notebook containing important phone numbers (such as emergency contacts and car repairs). Small items such as batteries can be put in resealable bags and stored in the glove compartment as well.

Place your CDs in a plastic container (such as Ziploc's 9.5 cup rectangular storage container) or a CD container, and keep it in an area that is accessible, but out of the way. Try to limit the number of CDs to a realistic amount; most people don't listen to all the CD they keep in their cars.

Maps and guide books (if necessary) can be put in the side pockets of the passenger's side door.

If you have kids who carry toys and games in the car, you may want a pocket organization that can fit over the back of your front seats. That way, the items won't be rolling around on the floor.

Use separate bins or crates for each category of items you typically keep in the trunk. These might include roadside emergency equipment/supplies, sporting/gym equipment, and groceries.

4) Maintain

Clean your car out every one or two weeks by gathering any items that don't permanently belong. For those items remaining in the car, make sure they are in their appropriate locations. A good time to do this would be when you stop for gas and your tank is still filling up, especially since most gas stations have garbage cans next to each gas pump.

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How to Spray Paint Your Car

There are several reasons you might want to spray paint your car yourself, such as to save money or to achieve a personalized look. This article will provide some things you should know – both in preparation and in application – before you are ready to simply grab a can and go for it. The task will take some time, money, and devotion, but if you are prepared with the correct guidelines, your car can achieve the same perfect professional look, even if you do it yourself.

What you will need:

Newspaper

Large-grain sandpaper or sander

Painters tape

Car spray paint (using spray gun or aerosol paint)

Primer

Car wax

Safety goggles, dusk mask, disposable gloves, old clothing or overalls

What to do:

Preparation. Warm and dry weather conditions are ideal; if this is not possible, a well-ventilated garage can suffice. Using newspapers and tape, sure the surrounding area is well-covered from any possible overspray (such as the floor).

Sand the car. Use the sandpaper or sander to rub over the surface of the car, since paint won't stick to a slick, shiny surface. Finer sandpaper can be used to remove scratches or corrosion. If there are any holes, you will have to use some putty to repair the damage. Apply a rust treatment product if needed; rusted areas should be sanded down to bare metal to prevent it from spreading. Ensure that the car is fully dried and free of dust, dirt, and debris (completely wash the car if needed); any trace of water will mess up the paint later on.

Primer. Apply the primer to help the paint adhere well and make sure you get an even coat. Spray in thin coats and allow some time for drying in between (about 15-minute intervals). Pay special attention to areas with  bare metal and areas near the door and door handles.

Cover your car. Using painters tape and newspaper, tape off any part of your car that you do not want painted. This may include windows, chrome, bumpers, license plate, mirrors, trim, and tires. 

Paint your car. Put on your safety goggles and gloves. Stand with your spray gun about 10 inches away from the car, and spray using a consistent, even motion from side to side, allowing the paint to slowly build up. Multiple light coats are better than one or two thick ones, which can look uneven, and wait about 20 minutes between each application. You should spray different parts of the car at a time – for example, finish the hood first, then the fender, then a door, et cetera.

Finishing touches. You should finish off the painting with one or two clear coats not only for a glossy, finished look, but also for protection from the sun and natural elements (make sure the car is completely dry between coats). As a final touch, you may want to apply a layer of car wax.

Final tips: Take your time and do not rush or take shortcuts during any part of the process, or you may make a mess. When it comes to spray painting, it is wise to practice on a piece of cardboard or sheet metal first. Remember to use good-quality equipment and products, as well as proper safety equipment.

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How to Drive Safely at Night

Plenty of us hate driving at night - we're tired, we want to get home, it's dark, and, frankly, we just want to get home. However, statistics from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration show that while only 25% of driving is done at night, more than 50% of all driving fatalities occur then. Fortunately, as always, knowledge is power: understand the precautions you can take to heighten your driving safety... at all hours.

Reasons for higher risks after 6:00PM:

Vision is severely limited. The darkness decreases depth perception and peripheral vision, as well as color recognition. Pupils dilate in low light, often blurring vision. Glare of headlights from other vehicles can temporarily blind you, causing temporary blindness, dizziness, and confusion

Most people are weary and tired, causes a lack of focus or irritation

Roaming wildlife and intoxicated drivers are more prevalent at night

What you can do:

Same precautions as during the day: put on your seatbelt, adjust your seat and mirrors, put away your personal electronics, go the speed limit, and always be alert

Turn on your headlights. Make sure they are properly aligned (not uneven or pointed lower than necessary); if they are not, they will diminish road coverage and blind oncoming traffic. Clean road grime from your headlights often, especially if they are old, yellowed, and faded. You can buy a headlights polish kit to remove the haze. Only use your high-beam lights when you are traveling in rural areas. Make sure they are off if you approach traffic or a hill, since they can blind other drivers.

Dim your instrument panel and dashboard lights. If they are too bright, you may compromise your forward vision.

Flip your rearview mirror. Some mirrors have night settings that can be turned on by flipping a small lever at the bottom. Lights in the glass will appear dimmer and thus less bothersome.

Maintain a greater distance between you and the car in front of you. Distances are more difficult to gauge at night.

Avoid looking directly at oncoming headlights. Bright lights will disrupt your concentration at night. Instead, look down at to the right, gazing at the white line on the side of the road or where the pavement meets the shoulder. Use that to track your lane instead of the left side; you can still see other vehicles with your peripheral vision, but wont' be bothered by the glare.

Look for retinas. You can often see light reflecting off an animal's eyes long before you see the animal itself. When it comes to large animals such as deer, slow down as quickly as you can. If you try to steer around them, they may follow your lights and move in front of you.

Take frequent breaks if you are driving at night for a long period of time. It will reduce fatigue and give your eyes recovery time.

Schedule periodic vision checks. ALmost 90% of driver reactions depend on vision. Be sure to wear prescription glasses (especially if they have anti-reflective coating) or contacts as needed.

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How to Prevent Rust Damage

Not only is rust unsightly, unsafe, and undesirable, but it also drastically depreciates your car's resale value. Once it begins to form, it continues to spread and is difficult to remove and repair. Therefore, it is important to know how to prevent it from happening, as well as identify the problem and repair your car when it does.

Rust is iron oxide, the product of corrosion, and consists of natural elements such as salt, water, and heat. Rust usually begins through the chips and nicks that tend to appear in unnoticeable locations on your car from daily driving. Salt (usually from the road during winter months) absorbs water and carries it through these small cracks and abrasions into the metal. With sufficient amount of heat, oxidation causes water to react with metal, producing rust and forming rust holes that eats through metal. The parts of your car that are most susceptible are the wheel wells, fenders, engine, exhaust, and trunk.

The best way to maintain a rust-free car is, of course, stopping rust before it can start. Here are some tips to prevent rust on your car:

Cover your car with a plastic covering when not in use, and try to drive further away from other cars to avoid the pebbles that kick up.

Wash your car approximately every two to three weeks, or once a week if there is a lot of salt on the roads or if you live near the ocean. Pay special attention to the wheel wells and the underside of your car.

Wax your car every four months

Keep the interior (especially the rug and upholstery) clean from spills that can start rust from the inside.

If you chip the paint of your car and bare metal is exposed, clean promptly and apply touch-up paint.

Always protect and keep the metal surface dry if possible.

If you are spraying your car with a flammable substance, make sure your engine is cold and give the car some time to dry before turning it on again.

If your car is seriously at risk for rust (i.e. very old or regularly exposed to salt), you may consider cleaning and spraying with an appropriate rust-preventing lubricant or repainting.

Examine your car frequently for rust. It will show directly on metal surfaces, and will show a small bubble or blister on the painted areas.

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How to Prepare Your Car for Storage

People have many reasons for putting a car into long-term storage: preventing winter damage, long-term vacations, overseas jobs, military deployment, emotional attachment, et cetera. No matter what the reason, you want the car to when you are ready to use it, and you want it in good shape. Here are some tips as to how to achieve that.

Location and coverage

In order to discourage rust, corrosion, and sun damage, you want to choose an indoors location that is dark and dry, with a stable temperature; the ideal place is in a garage or indoor public storage facility. If you do have to store it outside, be sure to find a durable, weatherproof car cover to maintain the paint and limit exposure to the elements; choose wisely, since a defective cover can trap moisture and grit. Be sure to cover any large gaps where critters (particularly rats) can enter, such as the exhaust pipe or air intake.

Cleaning

Wash and wax the exterior of the car to clean and protect the paint; any leftover dirt or contaminants (such as water stains, bird droppings, mud, grease, or tar) will corrode and rust. Clean and vacuum the interior as well, since, again, dirt and debris can cause damage through mold and mildew if left alone for an extended period of time.

Maintain Tires

Make sure your tires are inflated to the recommended pressure to prevent flat spots. You can use plastic sheeting to prevent moisture from degrading the tires. You may consider taking off the wheels entirely and placing the car on jack stands at all four corners.

Top Off Fluids

You should have fresh fluids for your fuel systems. Oil and filter, anti-freeze, gas, power-steering fluid, tranny fluid, and brake fluids should all be chnaged right before storage. Old fluids, particularly oil and antifreeze, can become acidic acidic and eat away at the insides of your car, potentially causing mild corrosion. Full fluid reservoirs allow no room for condensation to occur. You should purchase a fuel stabilizer as well to prevent ethanol buildup and protect the engine from gum, varnish, and rust.

Keep the Battery Charged

Most newer vehicles are equipped with advanced computer systems that require constant power, and an unattended battery will eventually lose its charge. The low-tech solution is to disconnect the negative battery cable, which might cause you to lose your settinngs such as stereo presets and time. Otherwise, you can purchase a battery tender (a.k.a. trickle charger) that hooks up your car battery to a wall outlet, delivering just enough electrical power to prevent discharging.

Disengage the Brake

Do not use your parking brake when keeping your car in storage, since the brake pads might fuse with the rotors if in contact too long. Instead, you can use a chock (a.k.a. tire stopper) to keep your vehicle in place. Leave the gear in neutral for manual transmissions.

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Buying New vs. Used Cars

After reading the article "Am I Ready for a New Car" and finally coming to the decision to replace your current car, often the next question to ask yourself is this: should I buy a new car... or a used car?

Unfortunately, there is no one-size-fits-all answer; everything is subjective. However, here are several advantages of each that can help you with the decision-making process.

New cars:

Peace of mind. New cars are less likely to break down and remain mechanically sound for many years after purchase. The new vehicle likely won't need new tires, a battery, exhaust system or brakes during the first few years of ownership or longer. Competitive warranties can help cover repair costs, and can range from 3-5 years or cover a certain number of kilometers. In addition to a comprehensive warranty, virtually all mainstream new cars come with free roadside assistance while the vehicle remains under warranty. Furthermore, if you encounter significant problems, state lemon laws allow you to replace your new car or get your money back, if you can prove that your car is a "lemon" (a defect). 

Features. New cars often come with the latest, coolest features. For example, they are more likely have better safety features, be more fuel efficient, and emit fewer and less harmful chemicals into the environment. They can also be made to order and customized according to your individual needs. 

Financing. Loans for new vehicles are easier to secure and come with cheaper rates, since its current value is absolute and its eventual value is easier to gauge (which means less guesswork involved for lenders). If you have good credit (720+), you may have fewer problems buying a new car with little or no down payment, and many manufacturers offer rebates, cash incentives, and discounted financing. 

Used cars:

Increased choice. There are thousands of used cars available for purchase, ranging from newer models to collectable cars to well-maintained and serviced older cars. The key is in the research, most of which can be accomplished online. 

Better prices. There are multiple reasons why used cars are cheaper than new ones. First of all is depreciation, since most cars lose up to 20% of its value the first time it is driven out of the dealer's parking lot, and up to 40% of its value within its first three years. Dealers also need to make a profit and pay for overheads such as premises and staff; used cars are often bought privately, which allows you to bypass the dealer mark-up. Furthermore, insurance rates are often lower for used cars. However, be sure to take ongoing motor costs into account when comparing prices, since replacement parts and maintenance can be costly.

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5 Reasons Your Car is Vibrating

Own a car long enough, and you will eventually begin to see wear and tear. One wear-and-tear issue that can be particularly annoying are whines and vibrations. Furthermore, these most bothersome problems tend to creep up on us, starting out slowly and quietly, until they become so loud we begin to ask ourselves “How did it come to this?”

Catching a shake or vibration in it's early stages can sometimes be a hassle and take a little finesse, but that remember a little extra work can save you a large repair bill in the future.

1. Damaged Tires

Tires are one of the most common culprits of moving car vibrations. There are many problems or reasons tires may cause vibrations, but here are a few common ones. If vibrations occur at certain speeds, a simple tire rotation may solve the problem. Vibrations of this nature can be caused by uneven tire wear. Rotating the tires helps ensure equal wear on all tires, resulting in a smother ride in the long run. Your ride might also get bumpy if the tires have separated tread, which will require tire replacement. Finally, out-of-round tires may cause a bumpy ride but can also be solved by a tire replacement.

2. Out-of-Balance Wheels

Wheels prove to be a common culprit when tracking down car vibrations. These types of vibrations can usually be felt through the steering wheel, and are caused by bad wheel bearings, non-circular wheels, worn-out tie-rod ends or ball joints, or too much play in the wheel. Professionals use precise instruments to measure these components, so troubleshooting these problems may require professional assistance.

3. Brake Trouble

If you notice shutters and vibrations intensifying when you apply the brakes, you may have a brake problem. This problem is generally indicative of warped or damaged brake rotors. A worn brake rotor may have raised or lowered surfaces that will cause the car to vibrate when the brake pads squeeze the rotor to stop. If you notice a vibrations when you brake, you may need to see a brake specialist who can inspect the condition of your rotors.

4. Engine Problems

Vibrations often come from the engine compartment due to a lack of necessary oxygen, fuel, or spark the engine requires to run smoothly. Look for engine shudders or jerks during acceleration, rumbles within a specific speed range, or if your car starts and drives fine for a while, but later begins to shake.

This problems can be solved by replacing dirty air filters, replacing clogged fuel filters, inspecting and replacing bad spark plugs, or, if the spark plugs are not the problem, it may be the spark plug wires need to be checked or replaced. All of these solutions should be checked or changed at the manufacturers recommended check up intervals.

5. Axle Problems

With the hundreds of turning and rotation parts in our cars, it is not unreasonable to believe that, after some time, these finely tuned parts will need some care. If an axle gets bent, it can easily create a rough ride. This problem can usually be identified if the shaking intensity increases the faster you drive. Likewise, the drive shaft may also need to be inspected; if it is bent or damaged, it may also result in vibrations.

While these are the most common reasons, there may be other culprits to your car's vibration problems. If you have any doubts about the cause of your car problems, it is always a good idea to see a service professional.

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How to Set Your Rear View Mirrors

You may have set your rear view mirrors years ago and have since forgotten all about their position. Additionally, there are several different preferences on how to set you mirrors in correct positions. Here is our suggestion on where and how to set them to help improve visibility of your car's blind spots.

Step 1: Set your interior rear-view mirror as you usually would with the center of the road in the center of your mirror.

Step 2: Learn your head to the left so it is touching/nearly touching the drivers side window. From this position adjust your drivers-side side mirror so you can just see the back quarter panel of your vehicle. When you return your head to its normal driving position you should see very little to none of the side of your car in the mirror.

Step 3: Lean the same distance to the right (until your head is nearly in the center of the front seats) and adjust the right side mirrors in the same manner. And that's it!

If you are not accustomed to your mirrors being in this position, it may feel odd at first. However, once you learn to rely on your rear-view mirror and what your side-view mirrors are showing, you will find that they provide you with a whole lot more useful information about the space around your vehicle. Ultimately, your car's blind spots should be eliminated and provide you with a safer ride. In addition remember to check over your shoulder and signal before you change lanes as well. As always, drive safely and obey all traffic laws.

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How to Wash Your Car

There is nothing like a shiny clean car! However, we have all neglected washing our car at some point.

If you have a darker car, you have probably noticed these swirls or spiderweb-like scratches on the surface of your paint. These are micro scratches. They are usually caused by improper washing and drying techniques. We all get lazy and skip washing our cars and if we get really desperate, we will go to the surprisingly damaging automatic car wash. Never again! Lets clean our cars and do it the right way!

While it is important to wash your car often, you must also be careful that the dirt and grim on your car doesn't damage the paint when you are washing it off.

Here are some tips to remember:

Wash your car regularly: do try to wash your car once or twice a month.

Try to wash your car in the shade and away from the wind. This prevents the shampoo from drying on the car and dust particles from sticking to your paint and scratching it up.

Wash it carefully: use gentle materials. Start with a thorough rinse of the surface before you start washing. A sea sponge is a great tool for gently removing dirt and grime from your car. Look for wash mitts or sponges that have a high absorbency and are soft.

Wash your car from top to bottom to prevent contamination. The bottom of your car tends to be the dirtiest. Save it for last to prevent spreading it to other parts of your car.

Avoid using dish soap. Use soap that is designed for cars to minimize damage to your paint.

Use 2 buckets to wash your car. One to remove dirt from your sponge and one for soapy water. After you use your sponge to suds up your car, dip it in a bucket of water to remove the dirt before dipping it into the soapy water. This prevents the dirt from scratching up your paint. Keep your sponge as clean as possible throughout the washing process.

When you wash your wheels or particularly grimy areas, use a different set of materials to avoid cross contamination of your cleaning materials for future use.

Dry it carefully: Using a regular dish towel can scratch up your paint. Try using a waffle towel or a microfiber towel wick away the water.

Overall, most of us don't have time to be that person detailing their car daily. Nor should we. Keeping basic maintenance is easy to do. This diligence will ensure that our cars last us as long as possible. Don't be that person with the “Wash Me” sign written in dirt. Protect your paint and your car with regular washing.

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Gas is expensive. Yes, there are ups and downs, but the only real way to save money with gas is to use it efficiently. Not all of us can afford a brand new super fuel efficient hybrid, so we will have to make do!

Drive more efficiently: Avoid rapid acceleration and deceleration. Your car is going to burn more fuel when accelerating so be as gentle as possible. Each car with reach its maximum fuel economy at a different speed or range or speeds. However, mileage can decrease rapidly at speeds greater than 55 mph. Remove unnecessary items from your car to reduce weight. Avoid idling your car. If you are parked, turn off your engine.

Keep your car in shape: Follow the maintenance guidelines for your car. Keep your tires properly inflated.  They are safer and last longer that way!

Plan and combining trips: Combine your errands. Commute and carpool. When traveling, avoid heavy unnecessary items and avoid roof racks which can create drag and decrease fuel economy.

Don't top off your tank and make sure your gas cap is tight.

Choose a more efficient vehicle. While most of us can't just run out and buy a new car, we can keep these things in mind when we go to purchase our next vehicle. Choosing a car that is more fuel efficient can save you hundreds of dollars a year. There are many affordable options for fuel efficient cars!

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How to Jump Start Your Car

Whether it's because you left the car lights on, the radio running, the keys in the ignition, or simply because it is old, almost all car owners will face the problem of a dead car battery at some point or another. However, this is an easy problem to solve through jump starting your car, and this article will walk you through how to do just that.

What you'll need:

Jump leads/cables

Another functional car with the same voltage as your own

Safety glasses

The steps:

Park the two cars close enough so that the jumper cable can reach both batteries, and turn both cars off (especially the electrical equipment such as lights and radios).

Make sure your battery isn't corroded, leaking or damaged (do not attempt to jump start if any of these conditions hold true; call a professional). Keep metal objects and flammable items away from the battery, and remove all loose clothing (such as long sleeves or scarves). 

Attach one of the red clips of the jump cable to the positive (+) terminal of the dead battery.

Attach the other red clip to the positive terminal of the good battery.

Attach one of the black clips of the jump cable to the negative (-) terminal of the dead battery.

Attach the other black clip to any unpainted metal surface under the hood of the dead car; this can be as small as a bolt of bracket. Do not attach it to the negative terminal.

Start the working car and let it run for 2-3 minutes to build up the dead battery.

Start the dead car, which should have a working battery now.

Remove the jump cables in the reverse order to the way you connected them. Make sure you do not touch them together or against any metal surfaces.

Voila, you're done! Remember: the hardest part is simply remembering which end of the cable goes where. If your car still doesn't start, you may have a more serious problem than a dead battery and should call your mechanic. 

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How to Use Your Emergency Brakes

When To Use Them Using the emergency brake outside of a complete brake failure is not recommended. Doing so can damage your emergency brake, rendering it useless in times of a true emergency. Likewise, driving your vehicle with the parking brake engaged can also cause numerous damages to the emergency brake cable, service brake, brake shoes, and even rotors.

For most manual transmission drivers, the parking brake is used persistently. Automatic transmission owners, however, are not always as consistent with their usage of the emergency brake. It is recommended to practice using the emergency brake as a parking brake as often as possible. Whether parking on a flat surface or on a hill, the parking brake should be engaged. But why?

Not Using Your E-Break Can Cause Them To Fail As odd as this may sound, it is also simple to understand. Although the emergency brake cable is housed in a protected sleeve, infrequent use can result in a build-up of corrosion. As a result, the cable becomes weak over time. As the cable becomes weaker, it is more prone to breaking when put under the stress of a real emergency situation. Normal use prevents this build-up and keeps the cable in good condition.

How To Use Them If you are ever in the situation where your hydraulic brakes fail and you must use the emergency brake, be sure to use it properly. If the brake is pulled too quickly, it will cause the brakes to lock up quickly and the car will fishtail or skid, thus removing your removing your control over the vehicle. If you do have to use the emergency brake, be sure to pull it up slowly and steadily. This will bring the car to a safe and controlled stop.

Remember to use safe roadside practices in the event of a roadside emergency. Occasional check-ups on your car's emergency brake can help prevent or notify you of any wear and tear it might have.

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What to Keep in Your Glove Compartment

What is in your glove compartment? For most of us, our glove compartments are stuffed to the gills with old receipts, expired insurance and registration as well as a few odds and ends. But what happens when you actually need to locate your CURRENT registration and insurance in that mess? Let's go over some important things to keep in your glove compartment in tip top shape!

What should you keep in your glove compartment?

Pen and paper

Proof of car insurance

Car registration

Warranty paperwork/Roadside assistance numbers

ICE card: In case of emergency card with info like emergency contacts, medications, allergies, etc

Owners manual

Flashlight

Tire pressure gauge

First aid kit

Phone charger

Paper map

Emergency money: $10-20 in small bills

Helpful Tips

Keep it clean: empty it out and wipe it down often. Throw out expired materials and irrelevant papers.

Make it functional: keep a nylon bag for your emergency accessories and a small folder for your insurance, registration, and roadside assistance.

[hanleesauto]

Bumper stickers are a common accessory to our cars. They can be clever, encouraging, negative, or make a statement. However, they are often very difficult to remove from your car. It is important to remember that they are super stickers that have bonded to the paint on your car.

Here are a few techniques to get those pesky bumper stickers off your car.

Boiling Water: pour hot water over the bumper sticker to head up the adhesive and try to peel slowly from the corners.

Chemicals: There are multiple chemical solutions to remove bumper stickers

Vinegar:Take a cloth soaked in vinegar and place over the sticker for 3-5 minutes. Then peel.

Solution: Take some rubbing alcohol and dish soap and soak the sticker for 10 minutes.

WD-40: If you have an corner that you can peel back from the sticker, try to lubricate the area underneath with some WD-40. Continue to apply the lubricant as your peel back the sticker. This should help in breaking the seal of the sticker.

Blow Dryer: Heat the sticker for 30 seconds or more. Avoid high heat, as this will damage your paint.

Avoid:

Very caustic or acidic chemicals: these will damage the paint of your car

Peeling the sticker straight up. Make sure that when you are peeling the sticker off, pull the sticker back on itself and pull at an angle.

Very high heat. While heat is good at loosening the adhesive, it can also cause damage to your paint.

Razor blades. Yes, it is tempting to grab a razor blade to scrape off the sticker and the little bits it leave behind, however, your paint can easily be scratched by the sharp blade.  

Bumper stickers can be a fun way to make a statement with your car. However, the best way to to prevent damage to your car is to avoid bumper stickers altogether. The longer a sticker is left on, the harder it is to remove and the more likely it is to cause permanent damage to your car's paint job.

[hanleesauto]

Driving Safely with your Dog

While we love our dogs and want them with us all the time, or just want to take them out for a cruise, it is important to transport them in a proper manner that is safe not only for the driver and the dog, but also for other drivers on the road. Many drivers simply have their pets sit in the backseat, or even in the back of pickup trucks or in their laps. Here are some pet travel tips that can keep everyone, including your dog, safe and happy:

Safely secure your dog while driving, either with a fitted pet travel harness, pet car seat, seatbelt, or properly secured crate. Never attach a restraining device to the collar. Never let your car near your lap, since s/he can interfere with steering, block the driver's vision, or accidentally manipulate the accelerator, the brakes, and gear shifts. S/he can also become a safety hazard if the driver has to divert attention from the road to deal with the dog's behavior.

Do not allow your dog to ride with its head hanging outside the window.Airborne debris can get into the eyes, ears, and mouth, and obstacles close to the car and potentially strike the head, causing injury or death. Unsecured dogs can be thrown out at high speeds if the car stops abruptly or gets into an accident.

Never leave your pet alone in a parked car. Temperatures in confined spaces can reach over 100 degrees and cause heatstroke or even death during the summer time, and extreme cold temperatures in the winter can be just as threatening.

Have your pet consume small amounts of food and water prior to the ride, but not too much due to digesting and urinary issues that may arise.