Preventative Maintenance

We know keeping up with regular maintenance tasks like oil changes can be tiresome. However, delaying getting an oil change can be detrimental to your car’s engine. Regular oil changes are essential in keeping your vehicle is good condition.

Why is Oil Important?

A car engine is made up of many moving parts. Thanks to advances in technology, engines today are much more complicated than those of the past. However, even modern engines need a key ingredient: oil. Due to all those moving parts, engines need to stay lubricated. Oil serves as the grease in an engine that keeps metal from rubbing on metal. Oil also helps keep an engine cool, by preventing heat generating friction.

In general, having fresh oil in your car helps improves gas mileage and keeps your engine working longer and more efficiently. By taking care of regular maintenance tasks like oil changes, you can prolong the lifespan of your car engine.

What Happens Without Regular Oil Changes

Over time, the oil in your car breaks down and becomes full

Car breakdowns can happen at any time or place. While we all hope our vehicle will stay problem-free and healthy, some car problems are unavoidable and having a few basic tools on hand can better help you handle the issue.

Basic Auto Tools

A few basic car maintenance tools your kit should contain include:

• Tire pressure gauge
• Jumper cables
• Tire patch kit
• Extra bulbs and fuses
• Hand air pump (or one that hooks up to your car’s power adapter)

In the event you need to use the tools above, it’s also a good idea to keep a set of mechanic’s gloves and a heavy-duty flashlight with extra batteries on hand as well.

Hand Tools

It’s always a good idea to have a few basic hand tools around. You could need them for simple repairs such as changing out a busted hose or bigger, more serious car repairs. A few simple hand tools you should keep in your trunk’s toolbox include:

• Various sizes of screwdriver, or one with interchangeable bits. Try to

Finding the right car seat for your child and keeping up with regular maintenance on your car are important aspects of keeping you and your child safe. At Custom Complete Automotive, safety is our top priority and we pride ourselves in providing trusted and reliable service for you and your family.

Why are Car Seats Important?

Car seats are crucial as far as keeping children in their seats in the event of an accident, greatly reducing their risk of injury. Regular seat belts are sized for adults, making them unable to offer the same level of protection to children under eight years old. According the American Academy of Pediatrics, using a car seat can reduce a child’s risk of injury or death by up to 70 percent.

Car Seat Regulations

A car seat’s number one job is to keep your child safe and there are several regulations that help consumers ensure that they are using safe, quality car seats. Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard 213 describes several safety

If you’ve ever had to wait on the side of the highway for a tow truck, you know how frustrating, not to mention potentially dangerous, that can be. With the use of new car technology, you can help prevent your car from breaking down on the freeway. New technology detects cars around you, and potential threats that could cause accidents. That means you’re less likely to be stranded on the side of the road after a wreck. Now, new technology can alert you to mechanical problems with your car before it breaks down, so you won’t be stranded thanks to mechanical failure either.

1. Fixd

Fixd is a standalone software. Almost anyone can get it, regardless of car make and model. Plug the sensor into your car, and it will feed the information it picks up to an app on your smartphone. It picks up everything, from potential problems to maintenance reminders. You can easily share this information with your mechanic for quicker fixes.

Car batteries die unexpectedly, making a dead battery a memorable, if not dangerous, event. If you are fortunate, the low battery indicator in your car will flick on before your car’s battery dies, giving you time to drive to a repair shop and have the problem taken care of. While you cannot totally prevent battery failures, there are steps you can take to help avoid the sudden inconvenience of a dead battery and prolong your car’s battery life.

Investing in a good battery is good insurance. Your car dealership can recommend the best battery for your car and driving habits. Consumer Reports is also an excellent resource. They test, evaluate, and compare the latest car batteries and are not beholden to a particular manufacturer so their assessments are objective.

How Long Should My Battery Last?

Ideally, a car battery will last about six years, but the average life span of a battery in the U.S. is between two and five years. Climate, vehicle type, driving practices, and vehicle