Automotive

Winter, or what we in southern California consider winter, is here, and it’s time to make sure that your vehicle is ready for whatever mother nature dishes out this year.  Here are a few tips to ensure your vehicle will get you where you need to go as safely as possible.  Consider too that older or high mileage vehicles should get more attention in preparation for winter driving.  Attention to these things now, when the weather is good, will save you money and frustration later.

Tires are what allow us to move our RV from one place to another.  Tire failure is one thing that can happen to an RV that puts our lives at risk.  There are two things we can do to minimize that risk.

You’ve done your homework and have found pictures of RV graphics that appeal to you.  You’ve narrowed it down to three or four colors you really like.  The next step is finding a paint shop that can make your dream a reality.  And finding one that specializes in painting RVs is going to take a little more homework.

Taking your semi-automatic pistol, revolver or shotgun to a qualified gunsmith on a regular basis for inspection and cleaning is the single most important thing the average gun owner can do to ensure it functions safely and stays in mint condition.
The gunsmith has the proper tools, equipment and cleaning supplies, as well the experience, to inspect and clean your firearm in accordance with the manufacturer’s recommendations.

Vehicle: 1964 Buick Riviera
Owners: Dan and Rachel Gregg, Canyon Country
Color: Tawny Mist
Engine: 425 cid

Last month, I started a series of articles on Looking Good.  We finished the first installment with the promise of looking at what a full body paint job should address.
The definition of a full body paint job usually means that 90 percent of the color on an RV is created with paint.  The balance will usually be vinyl decals describing the RV and/or its accessories.

When you plan ahead for safe senior driving, you can protect the people you love.
No one wants to admit that aging affects their ability to drive safely. But experts agree that, although not all drivers are the same, driving ability generally begins to deteriorate around age 55.

How to Restore Automotive Trim and Hardware (available from www.motorbooks.com ) is a must have book for anyone who’s serious about bringing their classic car back to life. If your car restoration project is anything but a mainstream classic car, such as a Mustang or Chevy where reproduction pieces are readily available, you know that finding replacement trim for your car can be a daunting task. The stuff oftentimes just can’t be found, and when it can, it most likely will need some repair work to bring it up to snuff.

Have you noticed that trailers age more gracefully than motor homes?  It doesn’t make any difference whether you have a 20-foot camping trailer or a 30-foot fifth wheel.  For the most part, all come out of the factory white with some vinyl graphics to add color.  If you wash and wax them regularly, a 1999 looks pretty much the same as a 2009.

Take a good look at the vehicle you are driving. Does it have what you need to keep your family safe and make sure you still have fun driving!

The College of the Canyons Automotive Technology program has achieved National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence (ASE) certification — ensuring that the college’s automotive training programs meet or exceed industry-recognized, uniform standards of excellence.
Specifically, the college’s program received ASE certification in the areas of brakes, electrical/electronic systems, engine performance, and suspension and steering.

According to recent studies, five percent of all motor vehicle fatalities are clearly caused by automobile maintenance neglect.
The following simple and inexpensive preventive checks will greatly extend the life of the vehicle, ensure safer operation and even benefit the environment.

We’re into the summer months, and it’s getting warm out there.  Everybody is making plans and heading out.  What better time to talk about ICE?
No, I’m not talking about the frozen water kind of ICE.  I am referring to the ICE that stands for: In Case of Emergency.

The AARP Driver Safety Program has announced their SCV Senior Center teaching schedule for the second half of 2009. Full-course classes run in “even” months, Fridays from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m. and Saturdays from 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.  This course covers the Rules of the Road as well as safety tips, and completion of this eight-hour class will earn each participant a three-year certificate, which for drivers 55 and over, can earn them an auto insurance credit.

Summer is around the corner and in some parts of the United States it is heating up.  With the change in temperature comes the need for a vehicle checkup.  Remember, your car responds to the weather just as you do and depending on where you live, it could determine how much care your car needs.  Here are some tips to start with:

In today’s economy many people are keeping their vehicles for a longer period of time since they are worth less and also the financing is harder.  The best thing you can do for yourself is to “Protect your Investment.”  There are many ways to protect your investment, most people think of maintenance, which is very important.  By making sure your vehicle is kept up to date with all its scheduled maintenance, the longer it will last and the happier you will be while driving your car.  Usually every 5,000 miles would be a good schedule to service your vehicle.

Last month we started looking at things we could update or replace in an RV to help make the RV experience more enjoyable.  We ended the article with a promise to tackle the kitchen next.
So let’s jump in.  A lot of the things used in an RV kitchen are the same items used in your home and can be found at your local hardware store. 

Our vehicles represent large investments in our life. For this reason, we want to maintain them as well as possible and get the most out of them. So what can you do to get the most out of your car?