For many of the 49.7 million single women in the U.S., car care can be a pain. Owning a car comes with a lot of responsibility and it’s sometimes hard to know what needs a mechanic’s attention. For a gal on a budget, calling an auto repair shop for everything just isn’t an option. Lucky for car owners today, there are simple things anyone can do to help maintain their car.

Did you know it’s recommended that drivers change their wiper blades every six months to help prevent streaking and maintain a clear view through the windshield? Wiper blades are easy and affordable to fix on your own. Simply know your car’s make and model and visit a local auto store to find a match. Some blades even come with easy snap-on connectors.

Perhaps even easier than changing your own wiper blades is replacing your windshield wash fluid. It’s important to keep the container filled, because you never know when you’ll return to a car to find dusty windows. In the summer, it’s a good idea to use a wash that includes a dissolvent to get the extra grime and bugs off, and a rain-off ingredient that puts a “wax” layer over the windshield with each swipe to help repel the rain.

Regardless if it’s inside or outside, keeping windows clean can really be a challenge. With all the washes available on the market, it’s hard to know what will actually work. When cleaning the inside of windows, one trick no matter what wash is used, is to have an excellent rag. Microfiber windshield and glass cloths are lint-free, making it ideal for those hard-to-clean inside windows. Why spend extra effort wiping away streaks when the proper cloth can do it all in a couple quick swipes?

In addition to do-it-yourself car care, there are also less expensive gadgets you can keep in the car to prevent accidents and a call to 911. Every year, thousands of children suffer from injuries caused by back-over related accidents. A back-up camera is a great way to ensure a full view of those hard-to-see spots, prevent harm to others and possibly prevent expensive damages to your vehicle. Some can even be wirelessly connected for easy installation,

Another great way to save money on unnecessary vehicle expenses, such as calling a tow truck for a jump, is to be prepared for an emergency. Gone are the days of keeping bulky jumper cables and emergency kits in the trunk to feel safe. Now, drivers can have the power of a boost right in their glove box with a PEAK Car-to-Car Charger. This small device, which fits in the palm of your hand, can successfully jump a car without even opening the hood. Done by connecting two cars through their cigarette lighters or accessory outlets with a cable for side-by-side, or tandem parked vehicles, an LED indicator light tells the user when the vehicle is charged and ready to start. No matter what your skill level, taking control over your car’s care is possible and affordable. In fact, doing things yourself can actually save you money.

You don't have to buy a new car or truck to get a new look. Through the use of special products and accessories, drivers can transform the appearance of their vehicles quickly, easily and affordably.

According to the Specialty Equipment Market Association (SEMA), there are literally thousands of specialty parts that can give an older vehicle a completely new appearance. Whether the goal is to create a one-of-a-kind masterpiece, or simply to give a vehicle a fresh, new look, a few simple steps is all it may take.

Start with the interior. There are countless products available to update the inside of a vehicle, including aftermarket control knobs and steering wheels, seat covers, wood grain or carbon fiber instrument panels and dash kits. It's easy and inexpensive to get a new cover for a steering wheel, or you can spend a bit more to replace it entirely with a more sporty or luxurious one. Custom steering wheels come in a variety of shapes and styles, and are available in different materials such as wood, leather or high-tech plastics.

Similarly, seat covers are relatively inexpensive, easy to install and are one of the most dramatic ways to impact the interior. Best of all, they come in thousands of colors and fabric combinations. Like floor mats, seat covers can be ordered with emblems or logos on them, giving consumers the ability to show off their team spirit or school pride.

For those who want a new look for the outside of their car or truck, consider a new grille, taillight surround, bumper, hitch, ground effects kit or other exterior product.

Wheels and tires, both of which are among the most popular vehicle accessories, instantly update the look of a car or truck. Prices, styles and finishes vary greatly, so your options really are unlimited.

If your vehicle is a few years old, you may want to consider modernizing with new mobile electronics. Bluetooth integration, navigation systems, video monitors and DVD players can all be installed in just about any car or truck, regardless of its age.

Don't underestimate the impact that a good cleaning can have as well. Wax and car-care science has progressed to the point that there is a restoring program for almost any type of finish. Car-care companies have even designed power polishing tools that attach to any portable drill, so it takes less elbow-grease than ever to get professional results.

If your paint is damaged beyond hope, automotive paint companies offer a color palette far beyond the bland metallic treatments manufacturers usually use. Another option rapidly becoming popular is vinyl wrap, which looks like paint and applies like vinyl. It comes on rolls in a variety of colors and patterns, and when properly applied, does not damage the original surface. If you decide you want a change later on, simply peel it off and lay on a different wrap. It costs less than a custom paint job and the possibilities are endless.

Installing many types of restyling parts is designed to be simple, and can often be handled by anyone who approaches the job with reasonable care. But for best results, more involved makeovers -- such as those that require paint or bodywork, or replacement of components that have safety-related features, such as seat assemblies -- should be done by professionals who have the tools and experience for that kind of work.

To locate products or professional installers in your area, check www.enjoythedrive.com, a consumer site produced by SEMA. The site contains information about specific automotive specialty equipment and the latest products, as well as information about how to connect with qualified expert installers.

 

 

If your car window has been cracked by a rock, you don’t have to replace your entire window. You can just repair it at a fraction of the price that you’d pay if you were to report it to your insurance company or if your insurance agent was to send you to an inexpensive repairman.

The easiest types of cracks to fix are small bulls-eye holes or cracks caused by pebbles or stones. Depending on the size of the crack in your windshield, about $60 is the average amount you will spend on repairing it, compared to about $300 to replace an entire windshield. Or, you can find a car windshield repair kit, which runs around $12.95, through the Internet, a local auto parts store, or a local windshield repair company. Prices may vary at different locations. There are several on the market for under $10 that claim to fix most types of glass damage, from windshields to headlights. It is nearly invisible and uses a professional resin injector system and UV cure epoxy to allow repairs to be done in 20 minutes. Other car windshield repair kits use special vacuum and pressure settings in an individual spring-loaded injector with just one seal to exchange.

If your crack is substantial, searching the yellow pages in the phone book or doing an online search can help you find car windshield repair companies. You can have one of these windshield repair companies fix your vehicle in the parking lot while you’re at work or in your own driveway at home. The mobile car windshield wizards have a process to their magic: starting by drilling tiny holes in the glass, a special glazing technique is used to fill the cracks with a substance that stops cracks from dispersing when it hardens. Like a liquid resin that a dentist would use to repair your teeth, it is hardened with ultraviolet light. The only sign that your windshield has been repaired is a small blur where the crack was, but sometimes even that can’t be seen.

Besides the money you save, there are a number of reasons to consider repairing your cracked windshield by yourself. If you have a rare vehicle with a unique windshield, it could be difficult to find the exact size and shape windshield that you need, and sometimes it is difficult to find someone who will work well with you.

You should consider fixing your cracked windshield if you have even a small spot, because little cracks start to spread and turn into large cracks. A vehicle's windshield is also an important safety factor in that it supports the roof of the vehicle, keeping it from caving in on itself in the case of an accident. Not only that, but if the crack is in the view of the driver, it could obstruct or distract from the other cars and passengers on the road. The bonus side to knowing how to perform your own car windshield repair is that not many people take the time to learn the skill, and many people utilize car windshield repair kits to start a business repairing car windshields for other people.