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This video contains a ride and dunk sequence in which Danny Koker participates with fans in an energetic team challenge. In this month’s episode of “Counting Cars,” viewers will see what some pit crews would consider nothing short of unimaginable feats. This time, they go beyond the playing field, to the Olympic-style boxing ring. In this, May’s episode, pit crew manager Danny Koker makes a surprise announcement that the MVP Team “Counting Cars” will be donating 10% of the proceeds from sales of the truck the team will be racing in the Pompano Beach Pirate King’s Race to a charity of Koker’s choice. The organization to which Koker and crew will be donating will be the Free The Runway Project, which attempts to address the problem of under-dressed, unattended, under-supported women looking for employment opportunities. He explains in the video above why he decided to partner with the organization.

When Danny Koker travels, he rides and he drives. From driving motorcycles and scooters to fast- streets cruising to Autobahn cruising to big-city shenanigans, Jerry keeps his car collection ticking. Fortunately, Mr. Koker does everything on a budget and with a methodical, hands-on approach, staying true to his current and long-standing methods of economy and economy. It is this obsessive passion for transportation that has inspired, conditioned and motivated Jerry to become one of the most successful car restorers in Las Vegas. On the premiere episode of the ninth season of History Channel’s iconic series Counting Cars, Danny Koker takes viewers on a whirlwind visit to his well-known shop in Las Vegas, where he restores, restores and displays classic and rare, repairable cars for sale. Growing up without a father in Southern California, Danny’s life journey consisted of immersing himself in new hobbies to keep him busy. When he lost his dad to addiction, Danny got hooked on automobiles and dreamed of owning a workshop like his dad. When at first he couldn’t afford the business of repairs, he earned much-needed money by stripping vintage cars and selling them to friends and family. Over the years, Danny has amassed an immense collection of cars and bikes that give him great satisfaction and interest in automobiles and classic cars. Standing on the History studios lot in Los Angeles, Danny talks about his love for cars and his wide-ranging investment from motorcycles and Bentleys to muscle cars and sports cars. But in his Southern California neighborhood, Jerry Koker isn’t one to complain – he’s in charge. Since he was a boy, Danny has lived a dream and his dream of owning an automotive workshop was granted at an early age. Jerry knows how to keep his shop running all of the time, and he does this with the help of his talented employees.

The holidays are just around the corner, and Americans overwhelmingly agree: it is the perfect time of year to give to charity. In fact, “Three times as many people make donations during the holidays vs. non-holiday months,” according to Business Wire.

If you wish to give back this holiday season, endeavor to do it in the ways that matter most. What charitable donations make the most difference?

Reliable transportation is an essential part of our day-to-day lives. We need a car to get to and from work, to drive our children to school, and to get to medical appointments in a timely manner. This holiday season, consider donating to a charity that meets this fundamental need.

One such charity is Wheels 4 Hope based out of North Carolina. “Wheels4Hope is a non-profit, faith-based car donation program that turns donated cars into local blessings,” according to its official webpage. The charity asks those who are able to donate used motor vehicles. From there, they work with volunteers to fix these cars and then get them to those in need — those who desperately need a car for a stable job, to continue their education, or to take care of their children.

This season, donate used vehicles to Wheels 4 Hope. Donate car parts and helpful car accessories that will help keep much-needed cars on the road. Purchase these accessories for loved ones, or buy a few key accessories to keep your own vehicle running at its best.

Here are the most helpful car accessories to purchase or gift this holiday season.

Cushions

Some of the most helpful car accessories may surprise you. When you are donating, gifting, or purchasing accessories for your own use, consider the needs of the person receiving them.

For example, an engineer is on his or her feet all day. They may spend hours operating machinery and teaching new employees the tricks of the trade, like how to use a burnishing tool. After these long, tiring shifts, it is more than reasonable to assume engineers will want to travel home comfortably. For engineers and other workers who are on their feet all day, cushions make the perfect car accessories.

Seat cushions can also be helpful car accessories for those who suffer from back pain, those who regularly drive long distances, and even those who are overworked, tired, and wish to drive more safely. Seat cushions improve posture, and that, in turn, makes drivers safer and more alert.

Plus, covering a seat with a cushion can help protect carseats that would otherwise be susceptible to wear and tear over time. For example, should you spill your coffee, it much easier to remove a seat cushion and wash it than it is to get a stain directly out of the seat in your car.

Wheel Covers and Car Hangings

If you are on the lookout for helpful car accessories to own, gift, or donate, wheel covers have more benefits than you might think. Wheel covers keep your steering wheel cool to the touch on especially hot days. It makes driving somewhat safer, as many steering wheel covers help improve drivers’ grip, and it enables drivers to make their cars truly their own.

While it may not seem necessary to personalize our cars, that isn’t quite true. These days, “Over the course of the year, Americans collectively spent 70 billion hours behind the wheel — an eight percent increase since 2014,” The American Automobile Association (AAA) reveals. With people across the country spending such significant chunks of their lives behind the wheel, personalizing or customizing our vehicles can do a great deal for our mental health.

For example, those who like to go sailing can purchase custom wheel covers or car hangings that celebrate that interest. Even small accessories, like wheel covers and car hangings, can go a long way to boost our mood and improve our mental health. Before purchasing car hangings to donate, gift, or decorating your own vehicle, take a quick look at state laws. “In the majority of the states, hanging things from the rearview mirror is not illegal when the object is ‘not’ materially obstructing the vision of the driver,” Rear View Mirror Glue writes. However, some states do outlaw car hangings altogether.

Helpful car accessories run the gamut. They may increase safety, improve comfort, or even help lift drivers’ spirits.

Phone Holders

Helpful car accessories may also include car accessories that are critical for drivers’ safety. Without a phone holder, some drivers are blatantly unsafe. Drivers may hold their phones in their hands while getting directions or precariously place their phones in or on top of the middle console, where they may slip and fall. Other drivers may continually look down to look at their directions, and continually looking down means their eyes are not on the road. Even taking your eyes off the road for seconds can be extremely dangerous — or even deadly. “According to analyses of data from the 100 Car Naturalistic Driving Study of adult drivers, eye glances away from the forward roadway two seconds and longer doubled the risk of a crash or near-crash,” according to the National Institutes of Health (NIH).

This is an especially pressing problem for new drivers in high school who are prone to taking their eyes off the road not only to check directions but also to text or to look at social media. For these reasons, gifting a high schooler a phone holder can help prevent car accidents. Even young drivers are much less likely to respond to texts if they must disconnect their phones from phone holders first.

Give the gift of safety this year. Drivers of all ages are markedly safer when their phones are safe, secure, and easily visible as they drive.

Organizational Accessories

Other helpful car accessories include organizational accessories. Improve the interior of your car — or help loved ones do the same — with portable trash cans, wireless charging stations, and bug swatters.

To make the most of our time in our vehicles, it is wise to do what we can to keep them organized, clean, and useful. According to The News Wheel, “One-third of survey responders said that they only clean their vehicles a few times a year or less, and more than two-fifths of the polled vehicle owners give little thought to how filthy the inside of their car is or might be.” That means many vehicles are filled with trash, clutter, and possibly even bugs.

A few accessories can help drivers keep their cars markedly tidier. To start, kill bugs with a bug swatter. Plus, a portable trash can with a lid goes a long way to keep trash in one place and out of the rest of the car. Drivers will also be more liable to remove trash from their cars when the trash can is full. After getting the trash in their cars under control, drivers will see fewer bugs and notice fewer smells.

All drivers can benefit from a mobile charging station as well. Keeping your phone charged can be essential for your safety. Without a charge, you may not be able to get the directions you need or make a phone call or phone calls in the event of an emergency.

Cleaning Supplies

Speaking of portable trash cans and fly swatters, it is also wise for drivers to keep cleaning supplies in their vehicles. Helpful car accessories to keep cars clean may include car wash soaps, car wash mitts, microfiber cloths, dustbusters, and sealants. All of these items go a long way to keep cars clean on a day-to-day basis.

For best results, wash your car every two weeks, vacuum your car once a month, and use appropriate sealants to help prevent dirt, dust, bird droppings, and insects from building up on the exterior of your car.

For a deeper clean, you may need to team up with professionals. If you hear strange noises or identify problems that require deep cleaning, work with the right professionals to get the job done. For example, if your engine is accumulating dust and debris, work with professional engine cleaning services.

“A clean engine runs a little cooler because removing the gunk formed by dirt, oil, and grease allows engines to run cooler,” Cars.com writes.

First Aid Kits

One of the most helpful car accessories a driver can have is a fully stocked first aid kit. According to the National Safety Council (NSC), here are some key items you need to have in a car’s first aid kit: Jumper cables; a flashlight with spare batteries; plenty of drinking water; non-perishable food items, like “unsalted nuts, dried fruits, and hard candy,” according to the NSC; bandages, aspirin, antibiotic ointment, gauze, tape, tweezers, a thermometer, hydrocortisone, and an instant cold press. An extra phone charger and a blanket may come in handy as well.

Also consider having supplies to protect you from the extreme cold, especially if you live in an area with strong, wintery conditions or travel to these areas. These supplies may include a shovel, snow brush, a hat and gloves, and cat litter. Finally, have emergency contact information handy. Keep a list of numbers, including your emergency contacts, the local police station, the local fire station, your insurance company, and the number of a reliable vehicle accident attorney.

One of the most helpful car accessories — and one of the most important — is a first aid kit. Refer to resources from the American Red Cross and NSC to stock your car’s first aid kit with the essentials.

Job-Specific Accessories

If you are gifting or donating helpful car accessories this holiday season, consider purchasing or donating job-specific accessories.

For example, a commercial electrician may stow terminal seals, wiring, and tools in his or her vehicle. Many of these products and tools have sharp edges. Purchasing toolboxes and/or durable car seat liners can help protect ordinary car seats from these sharp edges.

Similarly, if your loved one or friend is a chef, you may want to gift liners and/or sealants that help protect car fabrics from grease that may be on their clothing, aprons, hats, or gloves.

Consider Donating to Low-Income Families During the Holiday Season

Approximately 75% of Americans own a used vehicle. Unfortunately, even owning a used vehicle is expensive. “For vehicles driven 15,000 miles a year, average car ownership costs were $8,469 a year, or about $706 a month,” according to AAA and NerdWallet. It goes without saying that many people cannot fully swing this. Instead, they let their cars fall into disrepair and/or significantly neglect their vehicle’s upkeep.

That is where charitable donations of cars, car parts, and helpful car accessories can go an incredibly long way. These donations can save drivers hundreds of dollars and make it possible to keep their cars running for months — or even years — to come. Help keep someone’s car running for the holidays, and you may very well be safeguarding his or her livelihood.

If donating a car, car parts, or helpful car accessories is not right for you, consider donating other items that can help with essential transportation. For example, donate a bike to help those in need get to and from work — and to do it without the added expense of paying for gas.

National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) reveals that, on average, a car accident occurs once every 60 seconds. Many of these accidents cause injuries and necessitate major repairs. An overwhelming 63% of Americans confess that they cannot afford unexpected repairs on their vehicle. When Americans are struggling to upkeep their vehicles and make ends meet, saving on any expenses is a great help.

In fact, even small, relatively inexpensive items can be among the most helpful car accessories. Make the roads safer for everyone by donating or gifting any of the items you may find in a car’s first aid kit, phone holder, or an extra phone charger or portable charging station.

Gift portable trash cans, bug swatters, cleaning supplies, and customizable steering wheel covers to help keep drivers healthy — emotionally and physically, and don’t forget to give back this holiday season. In addition to purchasing accessories and gifting them to others, make sure to donate essential items, too.

Getting into a car crash is a scary, frustrating, and sometimes confusing experience. That’s why you need as many car accident tips as possible to help you figure out how to deal with the situation.

Below, we’ve organized some car accident tips based on not just your needs but also the needs of your damaged property and potentially injured passengers. Contact your personal injury lawyer and your wrongful death lawyer to guide you throughout every detail of your accident. Use these car accident tips to guide your steps after getting into a car wreck.

Seek Out Immediate Emergency Care

Even if you feel okay after a collision, you’ll definitely want to get medical care right away. Often, drivers and passengers go into shock after a car accident. This leaves them unable to tell if they’ve been hurt. In fact, people sometimes don’t even realize they have serious lacerations, bruising, or broken bones.

You’ll want to go to an urgent care facility or emergency room if an ambulance doesn’t come onsite to your crash. Alternatively, if you’re pretty sure you’re okay, make an appointment with your family physician the next day. You’ll be glad you followed this as one of the most important car accident tips, especially if you discover a physical problem that you didn’t recognize immediately after the incident.

Remember, too, that you’ll want to keep any documentation of visits to medical professionals related to your crash. This is important because if you do suffer any physical injuries that can be linked to the collision, your medicare insurance or the insurance of the at-fault driver will likely cover some, most, or all of your out-of-pocket healthcare expenses. An auto accident attorney can secure all of these documents for you.

Stay Focused on Treating Your Potential Injury

Even if you don’t get any kind of help from insurance to pay for your medical bills after a crash, you deserve to keep up with everything from your pain management treatment to physical therapy sessions. This is one of those car accident tips that may be tough to follow, it’s true. Seeing your credit card bills pile up isn’t fun or easy. And it may require you to ask friends or family members for temporary financial assistance.

Nevertheless, getting the care you need is vital for your long-term health after suffering any kind of medical injury during a collision. For instance, let’s say you require emergency dental service because a few teeth were damaged when you and another vehicle crashed. If you put off your dental service too long, the problem could exacerbate. You could then wind up with even more issues later on, potentially losing your teeth or even causing harm to your jawbone.

To be sure, of all the car accident tips that you’re going to read about, this is the one that many people try to avoid. Even if they know they should be going to a doctor, dentist, or specialist, they turn the other way. Don’t. You deserve to feel like your old self again, or as close to it as possible. The last thing you want is to turn your situation worse just because you’re worried about money and expensive bills.

Figure Out Your Liability

What’s one of the biggest questions everyone asks after a crash? “Who’s responsible?” Sometimes, liability seems easy to figure out, as in the case of someone rear-ending another person. Other times, even seasoned police officers and insurance adjusters have difficulty figuring out who to blame for the incident.

As far as car accident tips go, you’ll want to avoid admitting to any guilt directly after the accident, even if you think you might be at fault. Why? To be honest, you may not know the whole story. For example, let’s say you rear-ended the car in front of you. What you might not know is that the driver of the car in front of you was driving under the influence at the time. In that case, you might not be held responsible.

Actually, it’s not really your job to figure out your liability in any crash. That’s up to the experts, who will often scour through witness evidence, look at the police reports, and look at parking lot surveillance systems from nearby. However, you may want to consider getting legal representation if you think you’re in over your head talking to insurance adjusters, or if you haven’t been found liable but are being offered an unappealing settlement offer.

Your Financial Situation

As mentioned before in previous car accident tips, your financial situation may be affected by mounting medical costs such as pharmaceuticals, appointments, diagnostic tests, and perhaps surgery. This doesn’t even consider how you could be affected if you have to purchase a new car, rent a car temporarily, replace personal items lost during the collision like expensive devices, or lose wages because you couldn’t work post-crash.

To help you manage this aspect of getting into a moderate or serious level wreck, you’ll want to first go over your finances. Look into your credit history and make a list of all your debts, including a home or car loan. Then, sift through the expenses on your plate. Are there any that you can put off until later? Could you perhaps stick with your older garage door rather than contact a garage door services provider to buy a new one? Can you get out of your upcoming one-week vacation without losing too many dollars?

Understanding your own financial situation can help you move forward with more confidence and less stress. Hopefully, if the accident wasn’t your fault, you’ll be able to recover some of the damages. That will assist in making you fiscally whole again. However, it can take a long time to get a check from an insurance carrier, so you probably will need to be patient. You may even need to tighten your belt a little in the meantime. It’s not exciting, but it’s a reality when you’ve been in a car accident.

Explore Your Financial Options

Let’s take these money-related car accident tips a bit further and pretend that you’re not in a good place financially. Maybe you’re a college student struggling to get by with a hot plate and Ramen noodles for dinner every night. Perhaps you’re a senior citizen on a very fixed income. If you don’t have much savings to speak of, you may want to start looking for financial help.

If you’re already collecting social security, you may want to talk with a social security advocate who can help you. Or if you’re owed social security and are trying to collect it, you need to speak with a social security representative. Do you have some kind of investments or a retirement portfolio? If you’re in need of cash, you could probably speak with a certified broker dealer to talk about your options.

Another way to boost your finances is to simply take on another job. Obviously, you may not be able to become a third-party driver for Uber or Lyft, especially if you don’t have a dedicated vehicle to get you from place to place. But there are lots of part-time jobs available for people who are interested in working. No, you won’t make huge amounts of money. Nevertheless, you can definitely help yourself take a bite out of your accident-linked bills.

Looking for yet more solutions to your money woes? You can turn to friends and relatives who could loan you money, or get personal loans from reliable companies. Just take these car accident tips to heart and remind yourself that when you exchange dollars between you and buddies, you need to determine upfront if it’s a gift or loan. Your pal might tell you verbally that money is a gift, only to change her mind later. So get everything in writing and have a contract that outlines a way for you to pay her back, potentially with some kind of interest. Doing so will help protect your friendship and reduce the chances of friction down the road.

Try Avoiding Potential Car Accidents in the Future

As far as car accident tips go, a biggie is making sure that any crash you’re involved in is the last one you need to worry about. Period.

Avoiding car accidents can’t always be done, of course. Sometimes, a wreck isn’t your fault and you couldn’t have foreseen it. However, some crashes are preventable. For example, statistics show that around three-quarters of all cars being driven should really be repaired or at least checked out. Yours might be among them.

To lower your likelihood of getting into a similar collision to the one that left you with all your current woes, be sure to maintain your vehicle properly. Get the fluids replaced and topped off on a regular basis, check your tire pressure, and just take good care of your four-wheeled investment. Additionally, when you’re driving, always pay attention to what you’re doing. Distracted driving causes a lot of crashes and so does speeding. It’s much better to concentrate on what you’re doing and avoid texting while driving as well as driving too quickly.

Get Advice About Your Legal Situation

Did you get hurt because of someone else’s negligent driving behaviors? You might not have considered it, but you could always call an auto accident lawyer. These types of attorneys represent clients who have been hurt in crashes that weren’t their fault. The more serious your injury, the more likely you’ll find a car accident lawyer who’s willing to take on your case for no upfront fee.

How will your attorney get paid, then? Attorneys who work with car accident victims get paid by taking a percentage of the settlement they negotiate with the insurance carrier that handles the auto insurance policy of those involved. If they cannot reach a settlement, the attorney may petition the court to make a judgment.

Most auto accident lawyer firms who work in this field offer free consultations. You’ll just call in and discuss your situation with them. You may even meet on Zoom or in person instead of over the phone. Be very honest and let them know everything about your case. A decent attorney will be transparent about whether or not you should try to get a better settlement than you’re being offered currently.

How do you know what lawyer to try? Ask around. Your colleagues or neighbors may have suggestions. You can also check on the Internet for reputable legal representatives and firms that work in this type of law.

Remember to Consider Your Loved One’s Well-Being

Were you the only one hurt in your car crash or were other people in the vehicle with you at the time of the collision? If you had other people with you, make sure you take care of their needs. This could mean anyone from your children who live in your household to your aging parents who reside in assisted living apartments.

In the case of your kids, you’ll want to get them medically examined after the wreck. You’ll also want to talk with them about what they experienced. Youngsters may not be able to fully piece together what happened. They may also worry that the crash was somehow their fault for doing or not doing something. Encourage them to tell you what they’re feeling. This is another of those car accident tips that will pay off handsomely because your children will feel less anxious and more relieved.

Take Care of Your Own Well-Being

You’ve been through a lot, even if the car crash you were in was nothing more than a fender bender and you walked away with a few scratches. Therefore, take some time for a bit of self-care.

What can you do to take away the sting of the event? You may want to take a few hours to just enjoy yourself by doing something you love, like a fun hobby. Or you could ask a friend to join you at a local diner for a slice of homemade pie. Whatever you decide, make sure you let your hair down. You don’t need to spend a lot of money, either, to feel a little less stressed.

Taking care of yourself is one of those car accident tips that you may not hear anywhere else. However, it’s important that you get through this experience without letting it totally get you down. As long as everyone was okay after the wreck, you can count yourself pretty lucky.

Many car owners are capable of handling minor maintenance and repairs. For example, fluid top-offs, air filter replacements, and tire pressure checks are all within the skill of most drivers.

However, for more complicated problems such as auto heating repair, drivers will need help with car repairs because of the complexity of the vehicle or the repair. Here are some signs that you will need help with car repairs:

Burning Smells

If you smell burning when you drive, you need help with car repairs immediately because:

• Toxic fumes: Many of the fluids used in your car are toxic. Gasoline, brake fluid, and antifreeze can produce vapors that can cause headaches, nausea, vomiting, and even blackouts.
• Fire hazard: Burning smells mean that something is getting heated. Burning fluids, smoking belts, melting wire insulation, and grinding parts can catch fire.
• Loss of fluids: If fluids are leaking and burning when they hit hot engine parts, you could suffer a catastrophic fluid loss and lose your steering, brakes, or transmission.
• Broken belts: If the burning smell is coming from a burning belt, the belt could break. Depending on which belt breaks, your vehicle could be disabled.
• Melting wires: When the plastic insulation on wires is heated, it can produce a burning smell. Heated wires suggest that a short circuit has occurred and too much electric current is passing through the wires. An immediate auto repair might be needed to avoid damaging the electric system or starting an electrical fire.

While car maintenance services like topping off fluids and checking belts can reduce the chances of burning smells, once they start, you need help with car repairs to avoid a catastrophe.

Soft Brakes

If your brakes feel soft when you press on them, or the brake pedal returns very slowly, you need help with car repairs immediately.

Soft or spongy brakes usually means a loss of brake fluid or brake pressure. A loss of fluid or pressure means that when you press on your brake pedal, your brakes might not react, react slowly, or react with insufficient force to stop your vehicle. In essence, you would be driving without brakes if you drive with your vehicle in this condition.

Aside from creating problems for yourself, driving a car that effectively lacks brakes turns you into a danger to other drivers and pedestrians. Critically, driving when you know that your vehicle does not work can expose you to both criminal and civil liability if you cause a crash. Specifically, driving a car with no brakes would be considered negligence that would justify any car accident lawyer to file a lawsuit against you and could even justify charges of reckless driving from a prosecutor.

Rough Shifting

If your transmission shifts roughly or you hear slipping or clunking when your transmission shifts, you might need help with a car repair soon. Transmission service can extend the life of your transmission, but the transmission will eventually wear down.

The transmission transfers power from the engine to the drivetrain. This means that your transmission will endure some of the greatest stresses in your vehicle. Moreover, your driving habits can worsen the strain on your transmission. Some habits can that shorten your transmission’s life include:

• Not coming to a complete stop before shifting. A very common habit is to shift from reverse into drive before coming to a complete stop. Drivers who are in a rush to pull out of a parking space or driveway can damage their transmission this way.
• Rapid starts. Accelerating rapidly can stress the transmission. When a vehicle is stopped, the vehicle requires a lot of power to get moving. All this power flows through the transmission. Smooth acceleration will make sure this power does not damage the transmission.
• Running out of transmission fluid. The transmission fluid keeps gears shifting smoothly and keeps the transmission cool. When the transmission fluid runs low, the transmission can suffer serious damage. Moreover, when a automotive mechanic checks the transmission fluid, the fluid and the drain bolt can be checked for metal shavings that might signify transmission wear.

Rough Ride

Some vehicles ride rougher than others by their nature. For example, SUVs and trucks, particularly used and pre owned SUVs and trucks, have a rougher ride than sedans. However, if you notice your vehicle’s ride has become rougher, you probably need help with car repairs.

Some signs that your suspension needs repairs include:

• Your vehicle pulls to one side.
• Your suspension bottoms out or bounces when going over bumps or gutters.
• The front of your car dives when you brake.
• Your tires show uneven tread wear.

These symptoms can indicate worn or broken shock absorbers, springs, and struts. Not only will broken suspension parts make your ride rougher, but it can also be dangerous. A vehicle with a broken suspension is more difficult to control and stop.

Unusual Sounds

Many sounds produced by your car signify that you need help with car repairs. Some of the sounds you might hear include:

• Groaning, grinding, and straining pumps: In some vehicles, you will be able to hear the water pump, fuel pump, and power steering pump when it begins to break down.
• Squealing, rattling, or grinding brakes: Brake pads are designed to make noise when they are wearing down. If your brakes make noise when you step on the brake pedal, your brake pads might need replacement.
• Ticking or clicking axles: Ticking or clicking that speeds up and slows down as your wheels turn faster and slower is a classic symptom of a torn constant velocity (CV) boot. The clicking happens when dirt has gotten into the CV joint. Without getting too technical about what the CV joint does, a failed CV joint will stop the wheel from turning, likely leading to an accident.
• Knocking engine: While a knocking engine can have an innocent explanation, such as poor quality or low octane fuel, it can also signify low engine oil. When an engine runs low on oil, the engine may knock because parts are not properly lubricated. A loss of engine oil will make the car more prone to overheating, which can permanently damage the engine.
• Hissing: The sound of air escaping can result from loose fittings or broken hoses. However, the most serious hissing sound would come from a vacuum leak. Since the vacuum pump operates the brake booster, a vacuum leak can lead to brake failure
• Rattling: Rattling can have many causes. A loose heat shield, corrosion, or even something dangling from your car hitting the asphalt paving. However, when you hear rattling, you need help with car repairs because the rattling could be caused by a loose or damaged catalytic converter. If left unrepaired, the loose or damaged catalytic converter can be expensive to fix and will allow your car to emit toxic smog.
• Backfiring: When a car backfires, it usually has a problem with the ignition or fuel system. If you do not repair the problem causing the backfiring, the heat and shock from the exploding gases can damage your exhaust system.

Collision

Although getting help after an accident might seem obvious, some minor accidents might lead a car owner to believe that they do not need help with car repairs. However, you should have a mechanic look at a car after every accident, including minor accidents.

A few reasons to seek out help after every collision include:

• Hidden damage: Some forms of damage might not be immediately apparent. One example is frame damage. However, a bent or broken frame might cause a myriad of problems, including uneven tire wear and steering problems.
• Insurance claim: Damage caused by an accident is included in the accident claim that you file with your insurance company or that your car accident injury lawyer files with the other driver’s insurance company. If you delay in finding out whether your car has been damaged, the insurance company might deny your claim by taking the position that causation cannot be proven due to the delay. Find yourself a secure deal from an independent auto agent.
• Danger: Some damage to a vehicle can create a serious risk of injury. For example, damage to the brakes, steering, or fuel system can leave a driver and passengers open to another accident when the vehicle fails.

Parts Falling or Hanging from Vehicle

If you notice anything hanging from your vehicle, or hear parts fall off your car, you probably need help with car repairs. Often, a mechanic might need to be consulted to determine what fell off or is hanging from your vehicle. Even more importantly, a mechanic at an auto repair shop will be needed to determine how to reattach or replace the damaged part.

Occasionally, the broken part will be non-essential and can be removed safely. For example, a heat shield is a piece of metal that protects the car from the heat from the catalytic converter. Although the heat shield is important, the car can function without it. If you want to ensure that the heat from the catalytic converter is contained, you can have a metal fabrication shop make a replacement heat shield.

Other hanging, loose, or falling parts should be repaired as soon as possible. Wires, hoses, and nuts and bolts can work loose with the vibration from the vehicle. If these parts fall from the vehicle, a serious problem could develop, leading to an accident.

For example, a loose or dangling headlight, tail light, or turn light can leave a vehicle invisible to others or leave others unable to anticipate what the vehicle might do. Remounting or replacing the broken light might help the car’s owner avoid a citation and avoid an accident.

Smoke

A vehicle that produces abnormal amounts of smoke can be a danger to other drivers. More importantly, smoke may indicate a serious problem with your vehicle that signifies that you need help with car repairs.

Specifically, smoke can arise from a few places that might suggest a serious problem:

• Tailpipe: Smoke from the tailpipe suggests that something is leaking into the engine cylinders. For example, white smoke indicates coolant is leaking into the cylinders, gray smoke suggests and oil leak, and black smoke might be caused by unburned gasoline.
• Under the hood: Smoke from under the hood means that fluids are spraying onto the hot engine and evaporating or burning. A leak in a radiator or radiator hose might be detected when white smoke appears from under the hood.
• Passenger cabin: Smoke inside the passenger cabin might be caused by burning carpet or melting wires. In either case, having a mechanic identify the source of the smoke might save your life. Occasionally, the burning carpet might be caused by contaminants on the carpet burning and can be cleared up with cleaning and dirt removal.

Broken Windshield

Whether you drive on roads that are undeveloped or roads covered with asphalt paving, your windshield is always at risk of cracks and chips. If you have a damaged windshield, you probably need help with car repairs.

A broken windshield poses a few risks to drivers and passengers:

• A cracked windshield can fail in a collision. Under normal circumstances, the safety glass used to make windshields resists shattering. However, a windshield that is compromised with cracks might fracture, sending glass into the passenger cabin after a collision.
• A damaged windshield can be a distraction or even create blind spots where the driver cannot see pedestrians or traffic lead to about 845,000 accidents every year. Recognition errors include errors due to distractions, blind spots, and improper lookout, all of which can be compounded by a damaged windshield.
• Cracks and chips in the windshield can create glare under some lighting conditions. Driving at night, for example, nearly doubles the risk of a collision. Glare from a damaged windshield can compound these risks.

Warning Lights

Your dashboard and instrument panel has many warning lights. The seatbelt light, engine light, oil pressure light, temperature light, and other warning lights are intended to notify you of potential problems so you can stop and determine whether you need help with car repairs before a breakdown.

According to surveys, nearly 80% of cars need maintenance or repairs. Occasionally, a warning light merely informs you that the prescribed time or mileage since your last service has passed. However, in many other circumstances, ignoring a warning light might lead to a serious problem that requires car roadside assistance services to fix. For example, a warning light might indicate that a sensor has detected a problem or has failed.

The process used by a mechanic when your warning lights illuminate includes:

• Code: A computer is connected to your vehicle’s computer to read the code causing the warning light. The computer needed to read the code can be found at most independent repair shops, auto parts stores, and authorized service centers.
• Inspection: The mechanic inspects the system identified as problematic by the code read from the computer.
• Repair: The technician repairs the faulty system or part. This could range from replacing a faulty part to adjusting the car’s computer.
• Reset: The car’s computer is reset, clearing the code.

Knowing when your car needs repairs can be critical to avoiding damage to your vehicle, reducing the risk of an accident, saving money, and preventing harm to the driver and passengers.

For example, many fire hazards are preceded by signs, such as burning smells and smoke, that tell you that your car needs immediate service. However, if you remain vigilant for the signs of a problem before it happens, you can prevent a minor issue that can be easily repaired from turning into a tragedy.

Is your garage well suited to allow you to do your auto service at your home? It should be. The fact is right now it is estimated that about 77% of the vehicles on the road are in need of vehicle repairs, and maintenance.

What is keeping people from getting their vehicles in top condition? What keeps people from getting the maintenance their vehicles need? There are a few reasons that people are ignoring the need for maintenance that COVID 19 has compounded.

The Cost

The number one reason people fall behind on their vehicle maintenance is the cost. It can get really expensive fast keeping up with all the maintenance that a vehicle needs. If you could do your auto service at home, just think about how quickly the savings would start to add up.

Some auto repair you need to see the experts for but other repairs, and maintenance you can do it at home. There is a litany of things you can do to help keep your vehicle in top running condition at home. Auto service at your home can include projects like:

• Oil changes
• Tune-ups
• Changing belts and hoses

You can put in your own windshield wipers, battery, and other easy to replace parts with a minimal skill set, and some basic tools. Performing your own auto service at your home will save you a ton of money.

Most of the cost associated with taking your vehicle to a mechanic is a labor charge. For example, brake repair is a good study in how much of a markup you are going to pay to a mechanic. You can buy new brake pads for about $120 for all four tires. If you call around and ask your repair shops how much it will cost to do a brake job you will likely get responses from the $300 to $400 range.

You can expect to pay around double whatever the price of the parts are. In some cases, it is worth taking the vehicle into the shop, especially in cases, where you would have to invest a big chunk of change in a specialty tool.

Auto service at your home will help to ensure you never miss out on maintenance and that auto care for your vehicle is something that you can always afford. Of course, you may have to take some steps to prepare yourself and your home to be able to provide auto service at your home.

Get Your Space Ready For Auto Service At Your Home

Ideally, you want to have a dedicated space for auto service at your home. Of course, that ideal location is in a garage. If your garage is in disrepair, for example, the door is not functioning properly, contact garage door experts to help out.

Typically garage door issues stem from minor things like malfunctioning garage door springs, problems with staying on the track, or they are unstable. In other cases, the doors are simply at the end of the lifecycle and you need a complete garage door replacement.

Whether it is garage door spring repair, or your garage has bigger problems if you want to be able to safely use the space your first step is to get those repairs done. If you are handy, you may be able to DIY the repairs. If not then don’t be shy to contact garage door repair services.

It is important if you plan auto service at your home, that you have a space that is out of the elements and that can house all the tools you will need, your garage is the best space. What if you do not have a garage?

Your carport can work as a space to work on your vehicle. While you will not have the four walls to protect you from the element, as long as the roofing is stable on your carport it will protect your vehicle while you work on it.

If you want to invest the money, you can enclose your carport and have garage door installation to make your carport into a garage. It may be a worthwhile investment.

Of course, if you have neither you can easily work on your vehicle in an open air space, but then the weather will play a key role. You do not want to start taking apart your vehicle in the pouring rain, or when the temperatures are too hot or too cold. It is not only bad for your vehicle but it will make the process miserable for you.

Getting your garage in order, or clearing some space in the carport, will give you the room that you need to take care of auto service at your home. Once, you have space together, it is time to start stocking it with the supplies you need to manage auto service at your home.

Some Basic Tools

Anyone that wants to manage their own auto service at home, should have some basic tools on hand. The beauty of managing your auto service at your home is that the money you save initially for services that you would have paid the mechanic for can be invested in the tools that you need to manage the projects.

Initially when you start taking control of your vehicle maintenance and service, you will not realize as many savings, because you will be investing those savings into the tools that you need. However, this is an investment that will come with a tremendous return. Once you purchase the tools, you will always have them, and always be ready for the next maintenance, repair, or service on your vehicle, and will realize tremendous savings moving forward.

You can start out with some basic tools and build your tool arsenal from there. Here are some tools your garage should have:

• A good socket set. A socket set in the garage is a must. It will likely get more use than any of the other tools you purchase. Be sure that you purchase a set that has both standard and metric sockets to ensure you are ready for anything.
• A high-quality torque wrench. You will get a lot of use out of a torque wrench as well. Investing in a quality torque wrench will ensure that you have the power to manage to set things to the proper torque.
• A good set of wrenches. You will always need a good wrench on hand, and you want to make sure you have the right sizes. Investing in a set of good wrenches will ensure that you have the right size to get the job done.
• Complete set of screwdrivers. You will always need screwdrivers no matter what project you are taking on. Invest in a set of high-quality screwdrivers.
• Pliers, wire cutters, and a mallet. To round off the list and get you ready to start managing your auto service at your home, you will need pliers, wire cutters, and a mallet. You also may want to invest in some vice grips.

Make sure you have portable lighting that is bright so you can easily see those dark areas that are tucked away in the back. Safety goggles are also a good idea. Investing in the basics is very affordable, and it will ensure that you have the tools on hand that you need.

Parts and Supplies

Tools are not the only thing you should stock your garage with if you plan on performing auto service at your home. There are some supplies that you will want to keep on hand including:

• Oil and other fluids. To make the job easier of managing your car care at home, you should have a back stock of fluids. Oil, transmission fluid, brake fluid, windshield washer fluid, and any other fluid that you may want to top off occasionally.
• Kitty litter. Yes, kitty litter. Kitty litter is great at absorbing fluid messes in the garage. In case of an accidental spill, just sprinkle on some kitty litter, wait a while, then sweep it all up.
• Car care supplies. Consider stocking up on car wash supplies, wax supplies, interior cleaning supplies. Keep hand wipes handy. Paper towels and old rags for cleanup. It is always a good idea to be prepared in the garage.

When it comes to parts typically you want to buy them when you need them. Of course, if you find a great deal on windshield wipers, go ahead and grab an extra pair. It is usually easy to find most parts even for an older used car, which of course means, you do not have to hoard them, you can buy as you go.

However, in some cases, finding parts for some cars can be difficult. For example, you need Pontiac firebird parts, which can be difficult to come by, stocking up when you do find them can make life easier. In most cases, it is not necessary to stock up, because the parts will be available when you need them.

Buying Parts

Let’s keep in mind that the goal of auto service at your home is to save money. That means you are going to have to find a reliable source for your car parts. The fact is, that can seem a lot easier than it is, especially if you are a novice.

The knee jerk reaction is to shop for car parts at a big box discount type store, where help is limited, but pricing is low. If you shop in this environment as a novice, you will likely have to make a few trips back and forth to the store to get the right part.

A better option for finding the parts that you need can be as simple as looking online. There are tons of options online for car parts, and typically it comes with the added value of being able to get support from people that know their stuff.

Another advantage of shopping online is that you can easily compare costs. In some cases, the same exact part will vary greatly when it comes to pricing. Novice mechanics often make the mistake of overpaying for parts because they believe that they will get better quality. That is not always the case. Sometimes you are overpaying for a part simply because the markup is higher.

Another question a lot of new at-home mechanics have is centered around OEM parts. OEM parts or original equipment manufactured parts are parts that are made to the manufacturer’s specifications for your specific vehicle. You should always purchase OEM when the function of the part is really going to matter. In other cases, like accessories, OEM is not as important.

OEM parts assure that the part will fit your vehicle. It is important that you use a reputable resource for your parts because not everything marked OEM is actually OEM. Typically, if a part just seems completely out of alignment when it comes to pricing, buyer beware.

You have to do your homework when it comes to comparing parts. Don’t make the mistake of overpaying.

Ask for Help

In the beginning you will have a lot of questions. Don’t be afraid to look for help. There are plenty of tutorials out there that give you step by step directions for auto service at your home. You can literally find tutorials for every single service and repair that you want to make to your vehicle.

If you find yourself up against something that you just cannot solve on your own, there is no shame, in taking the vehicle to a trusted mechanic to manage the part of the project that you just cannot manage. A good example is a wheel alignment. You can change the tires, repair the brakes, but when it comes to alignment you will have to get a pro involved.

There will be some things that you will need help with but the basics you should be able to manage yourself. Over time you will build your confidence, your tool arsenal, your skillset, and auto service at your home will just be the way you do things.

If you have not started your journey into managing auto service at your home, now is the time to get started. There is plenty of money to be saved, and there is nothing more satisfying than knowing a job was done right because you did it yourself.