Whether you’re planning a long road trip this Thanksgiving or you’ve decided to stick around at home, it’s important to look out for the many auto issues that occur during the cold months. Be sure to avoid these common winter car problems in order to have a safe holiday season!

Low Tire Pressure

When the temperature dips, tire pressure also tends to go down. On the flipside, when the temperature rises, as does tire pressure. If you’re about to hit the road and you notice a low tire, the best thing you can do is fill it up with air before you begin your trip. This will save you the hassle of finding out you have a flat on the highway later on.

Frozen Engine

Particularly if you plan on venturing out to a cooler area, it’s a good idea to make sure your engine has plenty of antifreeze before you set off. Without this vital fluid, your engine could freeze, resulting in damage and hours added to your travel time. Make sure you use the correct type of antifreeze for your particular car and engine. When in doubt, call a professional.

Dead Car Battery

One of the most common winter car problems is a dead car battery. Although you may expect for your battery to stop working if you leave your headlights on all night, you may not expect it to go out due to cold weather. However, your car demands more energy from your battery in order to run normally when it’s cold. Thus, it’s important to make sure your battery has a good charge before embarking on a long drive this Thanksgiving.

If you need any maintenance or repairs in order to prevent these common winter car problems, don’t hesitate to call us at (404) 289-9997! We are the best source in Marietta, GA for high-quality auto services.

How to Prepare Your Car for Winter

It may feel like this Georgia summer will last forever, but the fact is cold weather is on its way! Halloween and even Christmas decorations are overflowing in store aisles, which means it’s time to make sure your car is ready for winter before you’re swept up in busy fall and winter activities.

Prepare your car for winter before the holiday season hits!

Why do I need to winterize my car?

At the moment, making sure your car is ready for winter might not be at the top of your list, but it’s important to maintain you car for colder weather. If last year’s ice and snow are any indication of the weather that may come around the Marietta, GA area this winter, you’ll want to take precautions.

What should I do to get my car ready before winter?

1. Pack an “emergency winter supply” bag. The last thing anyone wants to do is get stuck in an ice or snow storm while traveling. Although it is only September, it’s better to prepare now than to trust yourself to remember during the busy holiday season ahead. Pack a bag or a box with bottled water, snacks and food like peanut butter and crackers, a blanket or sleeping bag, a first-aid kit and road flares. You’ll be glad you prepared before the cold set in if you find yourself in the unfortunate situation of getting stranded in your car during a storm.
2. Make sure your tires have good tread and air pressure. When you’re driving in the cold, the last thing you want is a tire blowout or a flat tire. Maintain and stay aware of the pressure and tread of your tires now and make sure your spare is in good shape to keep from experiencing any trouble on the road once it’s cold.
3. Get an oil change and make sure antifreeze and windshield wiper fluid levels are good. You’ll want your car in good working condition if there’s a snowstorm on the horizon in the coming months. The experts at American Engine Installations can help with these services and much more. Call us at (404) 289-9997 now to beat the rush on preparing your car for winter!

Simple Summertime Car Care Tips

      We’re well into summer, which means higher temperatures and brutal driving conditions for you vehicle.  What some drivers may ignore is making sure that your vehicle is ready for the heat that summer brings.  Here are some simple tips to keep you in that comfy air-conditioning and not on the side of the road sweating.

• Make sure to check your refrigerant levels.  A leaky air conditioning system is not only harmful to the environment, but can leave you with a sweaty commute.  Have a certified professional check your refrigerant level and check for any leaks that may have occurred during the winter or spring.
• Check your engine coolant levels and always be on the lookout for radiator leaks.  Like you, your engine needs fluids to stay cool and function at optimum efficiency.  Check your coolant levels under the hood by looking at the reservoir labeled “engine coolant” in your engine bay.  Coolant comes in various bright colors so if there happens to be a leak, it is easy to spot.
• Check hoses and belts for any cracks or excess flexing.  Anything made to flex is affected by temperature variations from expanding and constricting.  These temperature changes can lead to a hose not maintaining the proper PSI to serve a function within your engine due to too much flexing under pressure.  Hoses should be flexible but still firm.  Also make sure to inspect your belts for any cracks.  Many of your engine’s critical systems run off of belts and pulleys, so having a belt snap can lead to a big bill.
• Check tire wear and pressure.  This may seem like an obvious one, however many drivers don’t integrate this into their car maintenance.  Simply maintaining the proper PSI in your tires can help you achieve better gas mileage without spending a dime.  Proper PSI also ensures proper tire wear and maximizing safety.

For more information on how to make sure your car engine are ready for summer and to see what services we provide, stop by Engine Replacement of Atlanta.  We’ll be happy to help!