Wednesday, January 29, 2014

Stay Safe When Roads Are Tricky

Winter is far from over, and whether you drive on the job, travel to see friends and family or drive to and from work, safety on the road is trickier on icy or slippery streets.  Avoid becoming another traffic statistic by following these basic winter driving tips:


  • Slow down.  Remember that you need more room to stop when roads are slick or visibility is poor.
  • Check your engine.  Make sure your battery is fully charged so it can start easily in cold weather.  Have us examine your ignition system, spark plugs, wiring, and other components.
  • Get plenty of rest.  Fatigue leads to accidents.  Get a full night's sleep before getting behind the wheel.
  • Watch your exhaust.  Don't warm up your car in a garage or other small, enclosed space.  The carbon monoxide buildup can be dangerous.
  • Limit cruise control.  Don't rely on cruise control when driving on slippery roads.  Be alert and ready to stop or change course in the event of anything unexpected.
  • Clean up.  Make sure your lights and windows are clean and clear so you can see everything on the road, especially at night.  Make sure your windshield wipers are in good condition.
Give us a call if you have any questions or concerns about your vehicle (530) 621-4591 or visit our website for more great information www.theautoanalyst.com.

Thursday, January 23, 2014

WET WEATHER DRIVING TIPS

They say there is a chance for rain next week and I just wanted to remind everyone that since it has been so dry that any rain will be like the first rain of the season meaning that the roads will be slick.  Please click and read some Wet Weather Driving Tips http://www.ncdot.gov/travel/safetytips/.

Let's all continue to Pray for rain!  And most important, when it does come please drive with caution.

Please remember The Auto Analyst is here for all your automotive needs and questions. Please visit our website www.theautoanalyst.com.

Wednesday, January 15, 2014

HEADLIGHTS NOT AS BRIGHT AS THEY USED TO BE?

Way too many accidents happen at night on CA roads. There are a lot of factors, but a big one is simply visibility: if you can’t see something, it’s hard to avoid hitting it.

There are some things Placerville car owners can do to make sure they can see as much as possible when they’re driving in the dark. First of all, keep your windshield clean. Glare from oncoming headlights can obscure obstacles in the road. Clean off that film that builds up on the inside of your windshield. And make sure you have good wiper blades and plenty of washer fluid.

Now it could be that your headlights aren’t as bright as they used to be. It happens – the bulbs just dim over time. If it’s been a couple of years since you replaced your headlamps and they aren’t lighting up the road like they used to, get some new ones. They make upgraded headlamps too that give you a brighter light and a larger field of vision so you can see better and further down the road.

Another very common headlamp problem in the Placerville area is cloudy or yellowed lenses. These days lenses are plastic and they oxidize and discolor over time. Just look at the cars in the parking lot at your Placerville office building – chances are you’ll see several with cloudy lenses. This is a huge problem because some of the light coming from your headlamps gets trapped before it can even get out and shine down the road.

Replacing a set of headlight assemblies can run hundreds or even thousands of dollars. There’s an alternative that can save  car owners big bucks: Headlight restoration. An automotive tech can remove the oxidized layer from your lenses. He’ll then polish the lenses until they’re bright and smooth. When he’s all finished, your lenses will be as good as new.

Any accident on CA roads and interstates is inconvenient and can be costly. And if someone gets hurt, well, that’s something you want to avoid at all costs. If you’re not confident driving at night, ask your service manager which would work better for you; headlamp replacement and/or headlight restoration.

Give us a call today (530) 621-4591 or visit our website www.theautoanalyst.com