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When your car battery fails you, jump-starting it often solves the problem. While it might be a fairly straightforward process, jumping the can be dangerous if you do not take the necessary precautions.

The best advice, however, is that if you do not have experience jump-starting a car or are unsure about your skills, it is best to let a professional do it to avoid damaging either or both vehicles.

Nevertheless, we will let you in on all you need to know about how to jump start a car as it might be a situation where you will have do to it yourself.

• A pair of jumper cables with rust-free clamps
• Rubber work-gloves
• A pair of auto repair-rated splash-proof safety goggles
• Wire brush
• Another vehicle with a battery that has the same voltage as yours and is fully charged.

There are only a few things that can bring more frustration than your car failing you in the morning. Cold weather can cause your car’s battery to malfunction, and some drivers may not understand why. However, by educating yourself on the facts, you will be able to avoid dealing with dead batteries during these frosty months.

In winter months especially, the sub-zero temperatures slow down the rate of chemical reactions required to fire up the battery and start the vehicle. Moreover, cold temperatures also make it hard for the engine to start thus making it require more power from the battery.

Additionally, below zero weather can freeze the battery. While a fully-charged battery is unlikely to freeze, one that is not fully-charged is susceptible to freezing. People also tend to use their cars much less during the cold months than in other times of the year. This is often what leads to a battery [...]

The transmission is one of the most important components of any motor vehicle. As the name implies, it controls and transmits power generated by the engine to the wheels. It controls the acceleration and deceleration of a motor vehicle smoothly, helping the engine to run at peak efficiency at all speeds.

Automatic transmissions come in several forms but operate in much the same way. The transmission includes a system of gears connected to the engine with a torque converter. When the driver places the vehicle in drive and pushes the accelerator, a system of bands and clutches is controlled by a hydraulic system to engage the appropriate gears as the vehicle’s speed increases. The process happens in reverse when the driver takes his or her foot off the accelerator and brakes. Some newer vehicles use an electronic control system to control the hydraulic system.

The other three settings on a vehicle with an [...]

Brakes are one of the most important parts of your car. For the safety of yourself and your passengers, it’s important to ensure that your brakes are always working correctly. One of the ways you can do that is to be on the lookout for signs of trouble.

While the brake light is the most straightforward way to be alerted to the need for brake maintenance, there are some other signs you should be on the lookout for.

1. You Are Hearing Strange Noises

If you start to hear grinding, squealing or squeaking noises when you apply the brake pedal, [...]

Your mechanic may bring up recharging your air conditioning with you if they notice your AC isn’t cooling your car properly. Your car may need that AC recharge if it is low on refrigerant, used by air conditioners to maintain cooling and pressure. A fresh batch of refrigerant, or Freon if your car needs it, will help your air conditioning system keep cool.

When you get your AC recharged your auto repairer will fill up your air conditioning system with a fresh batch of refrigerant to go along with any repairs your AC may have needed, and test your system to ensure your AC is cooling thoroughly. Typically your car shouldn’t need an AC recharge unless you’ve had other repairs to your AC system, but your mechanic will suggest a AC recharge to you if they feel your AC could use one.

Read Our Article: Car AC Not Blowing Cold Air: 12 Causes & Solutions

Your AC not blowing cold air on a sweltering day can feel unbearable. Hot air blowing through your vents could signal a minor or major issue. You could have a leak, clogged filter, cooling fan problem or some other issue. By knowing all of the reasons, you can better explain them to a mechanic or even solve them yourself.

AC systems all run the same way, no matter the make and model of your car. Some systems may be more complex than others, but the basics are the same. The three main parts of the AC system are the compressor, condenser, and the evaporator.

\Refrigerant is the high-pressure gas that is compressed into a fluid. Your car’s condenser removes the heat from the fluid using a series of tubes. A dryer or receiver removes excess water to avoid ice forming inside the car. Refrigerants are exposed to the heat [...]

Jeeps are a very popular vehicle in Oregon & Idaho. Due to the famously tough terrain and heavy snowfall, people need a vehicle they can be confident will get them to where they need to be no matter the obstacle. Jeeps are tough, there’s no question about it. However, like any vehicle, they will run into car issues that need to be repaired eventually. While you may not need too many of them, being aware of the most common Jeep repairs will benefit you. It can sometimes be hard to tell when exactly your vehicle needs service.

One thing that often happens with Jeep owners is that they’ll come in for service and be shocked to hear that they need a lot of work done. The [...]

Whether by plane, train, or automobile, Holiday travel has a reputation for being stressful. Traveling by car can be particularly stressful since it means remaining diligent throughout your trip. Heavy traffic, bad weather, and distractions only add to it. This creates the perfect scenario for an auto accident or collision that can lead to needing major car repairs. Play it safe this year and make sure you’re prepared to hit the road by following these tips:

Breakdowns on the highway are inconvenient, dangerous, and cause a traffic snag for everyone else on the road- especially travelling during the holidays when it can be wet and icy on the roads. Make sure your vehicle is ready to hit the road by having the tires inspected and fluids topped off. If there are [...]