Car Care & Maintenance · Customized & Improvised · The African Autos
Emergency Auto Repairs That Every Car Owner Should Know
Technology as brought a number of changes which are beneficial but relying on them entirely can be quite disadvantage. Given the convenience of the cellphone and how fast a mechanic can get to where your car has broken down, a lot of people can not handle the simplest of tasks, not even changing a flat tire. The ability to handle some emergency auto repairs will not only save you money, it will also ensure that you are on your way and reach your destination on time as opposed to waiting for the mechanic. The following are some of the emergency auto repairs all car owners should know.
Flat Tire
Everyone has to deal with a flat tire at one time or other. If it is a slow puncture, then you can use an inexpensive tire inflator to get you to the services bay. If the tire is completely blown out, then you will need to take that spare tire out. Things have become much easier with electronic jacks which can be plugged into the cigarette lighter and lifting the car will not be much of a hassle. Remember to loosen the nuts before lifting to make it easy to remove them when the tire is not on the ground.
Dead Battery
You get into your car ready to drive to work or to go home. Maybe your car battery is near the end of its lifespan or you left the headlights on. Regardless of the reason, your car battery is dead – car won’t start. To make it to work or home, you will need to revive the battery and the only way is to jump start the car. The secret here is to carry jumper cables. Be careful when connecting the cables or you might blow your electrical system. For safety purposes, purchase a jumper cable that adjusts the polarity and this means you can connect the cables without a worry.
Blown Fuse
If any part of the electrical system in your car is not working, then this could be a blown fuse. If the radio, headlights, indicators or power windows are not working, you might want to check the fuse box. Well, this is the perfect time to use the owner’s manual. This important booklet will tell you where the fuses are and indicate interchangeable ones that you can change to get you home or to work before you buy the blown fuse.
Some emergencies that are not easy to handle and this is why you should have contacts of your mechanic or rescue companies. You should also be prepared for any incidents and accidents. Have a complete first aid kit, and emergency items such as jumper cables, flares, warning reflectors, fire extinguisher, duct tape, wrench, tire inflator, shovel, a blanket and some snacks. You never know when a problem will strike which is why you need to be prepared to avoid any inconveniences. Some of these things can actually assist you in repairing your vehicle and get you back on the road.