It may not have felt like it lately, but it’s inevitable—winter is coming. Yes, even here in Georgia! Are you ready for it? 

If you haven’t prepared your car for winter driving yet, it’s time. Learn how to winterize your car with these tips from U Wrench It, and visit us online or in person to find the best affordable auto parts in Atlanta.

How to Winterize a Car

Winterizing a vehicle means different things in different areas of the country, but here in Georgia, these are the main winterizing tasks you need to focus on. 

Replace windshield wiper blades and refill wiper fluid.

Rain, snow, sleet, road salt, dirt and grime can obscure your vision, and old, worn out wipers may not be able to effectively clear your windshield. By starting the season with fresh windshield wipers and a full tank of wiper fluid, you’ll be able to keep your windshield clean and maintain visibility on potentially treacherous, icy roads. 

Keep your battery charged.

Have you ever noticed that your car battery is more likely to die on really cold days? That’s because the chemical reactions that create the power in a car battery are slowed way down by cold temperatures. It also takes more energy to start an engine in cold temperatures, so between those two things, you’ve got the perfect conditions for a car that won’t start. 

Fortunately there are things you can do to avoid this.

• Drive the vehicle regularly. The longer a car sits without being used, the more likely the battery is to lose charge.
• Clean any corrosion on battery terminals. 
• If you can park out of the elements, do so. Even if you can’t park in a garage, a carport, next to trees, etc. will help protect your car from the elements.

Make sure your tires are properly inflated. 

One of the worst things you can do for your tires, your car, your gas mileage, and your safety is to drive around with underinflated tires. It’s important to check the air in your tires regularly and fill them back up if needed, especially in the winter. Remember that when air is cold, it becomes denser (think of the molecules as huddling for warmth), which can cause tire pressure to drop, so it’s even more important to keep your tires inflated. When inflated properly, your tires will have better traction and your car will get better gas mileage. 

Change your oil (and consider choosing a thinner variety).

It’s never a good idea to put off an oil change, especially during the winter. Cold temperatures can make your oil too thick and viscous, preventing it from making its way through the engine and lubricating it. This can result in your car not starting, or even damage to the engine. Changing to a thinner oil is a simple fix that will protect your car’s engine—and make you less likely to end up shivering in the cold when you’re trying to get to work!

At U Wrench It, we love helping savvy car owners save money and keep their rides on the road with affordable used auto parts. DIY car repair is a great way to save money, but it’s important to know what you’re looking for when sourcing used car parts. That’s especially true when it comes to a part of your vehicle that is more complicated—and essential—than some of the other areas you might try to repair. If you’re planning to replace a car engine, check out our checklist to see what you need to know when buying a used engine.     

Used Engine Checklist

• Avoid buying unassembled engine parts unless you’re only trying to replace one part. If your goal is a whole new engine, hold out for one that is still intact. Look for these things:
• • Intact engine harness
  • Complete set of sensors
  • Intact charge pipes, fuel rail, and injectors
• Check that all of the main engine components are present: 
  • Starter
  • Alternator
  • Power steering pump
  • AC compressor
• One thing that should not deter you from buying a used engine is noticing cracked or worn rubber components. No, that doesn’t mean you should ignore them; just plan to go ahead and replace all of the rubber parts so you can start life with this engine on a clean slate. 
• Check the spark plugs. If you notice melted or missing electrodes, the engine is a no-go. Same for missing, damaged, or discolored (dark and sooty) insulators.
• Check the oil quality to see if the engine has been properly maintained. If you test the oil and the dipstick comes out black or dark brown, the engine is past due for an oil change. If you notice white or cream streaks in the oil or under the oil cap, run away. The white you’re seeing is probably coolant that has escaped from a leaky head gasket and mingled with the oil. 
• Invest in an inspection camera. This is one of those tools that you won’t use that often, but it can potentially save you many times the cost of the tool itself if it saves you from buying a faulty engine! You can usually buy a boroscope from your local value hardware store for under $100. This genius little tool allows you to see the inside of engine components without dismantling an engine, allowing you to do your due diligence before sinking a load of money into a lemon. 

It’s crucial to get the engine right when fixing your car, so check out some more tips for buying a used engine here. Got questions about our used auto parts or what to expect at our auto salvage yard? We’d love to hear from you, so give us a call at 770-448-6485. 

Do you have fond memories of your first car? Do you find it hard to get rid of a car even if it’s obviously on its last leg? Do you name your vehicles? (It’s OK, this is a judgement-free zone!) If the answer to any of these is yes, you understand that a car is so much more than a hunk of metal. While we humans have a tendency to anthropomorphize anything—seeing faces in electrical outlets, houses, and yes, even the headlights of cars—our automobiles hold a special place in our hearts.  

Why is it hard to let go of a car? 

There are many reasons you might feel attached to your car, but these are some of the most common ones. 

It’s a home away from home.

Especially here in Atlanta, we spend a lot of time in our cars. In fact, we have some of the worst traffic in the country, with an average driving commute time of 35 minutes one way. We listen to music and podcasts and audiobooks in our cars, we eat in our cars, we have conversations with friends and relatives and significant others in our cars. In short, we treat our cars like mobile rooms of our homes. 

You think of your car as a friend.

Researchers in one study found that it’s fairly common for people to feel personally attached to their cars, with over 70% of respondents saying they felt “very attached” or “somewhat attached” to their cars, and 36% of respondents describing their vehicles as “an old friend.” Unsurprisingly, people who named their vehicles were more attached to them, as the act of naming in itself anthropomorphizes the object. 

In addition to spending a substantial amount of time in our cars, as mentioned above, we also experience memorable and important life events in them. Dates, roadtrips, moves, bringing a baby home from the hospital—all of these memories are tied to driving your car. 

You think getting rid of it will be a hassle. 

Maybe you don’t think of your car as a reliable old friend or a home away from home, or you do, but you realize that you’re spending more than it’s worth to keep it running due to an emotional attachment. In that case, you may think that getting rid of your car will be too much of a hassle. It’s easy to stick with what’s familiar. 

If this is the case for you, you need U Wrench It! We make it easy to sell your car, and we pay the most for junk cars in Atlanta. Give us a call at 404-805-0900 for a quote, or fill out our contact form. 

Just not ready to let your buddy go? That’s OK too—we can help you keep your trusty companion on the road with used auto parts for affordable DIY car maintenance.  

Wondering if it’s really all that important to change your transmission fluid? Well, spoiler alert: It is! Keeping track of your car’s fluids is one of the most important parts of DIY auto repair, and getting it wrong can spell disaster for your ride. Read on to learn the basics of transmission fluid from the used auto part experts at U Wrench It. 

What Exactly Is Transmission Fluid?

Transmission fluid is the lubricating liquid for the moving parts in your transmission. If you have an automatic transmission, the transmission fluid also serves a couple of other purposes as a coolant and hydraulic medium. Transmission fluid is usually colored red or green so you can tell it apart from the other engine fluids (motor oil, wiper fluid, brake fluid, etc.).

Automatic cars are not the only vehicles that require transmission fluid, although automatic and manual vehicles do require different types of transmission fluid. If you choose to maintain your car’s fluids yourself, be sure you’re using the proper fluid for your car. Using the wrong kind can be harmful to your transmission and damage your gearbox. 

Car owners with a CVT will also want to pay special attention to the needs of their vehicle. Unlike a traditional automatic that has a set number of gears, a CVT often relies on a belt or pulley system to operate an infinite number of gear ratios. Make sure you use a CVT-specific fluid or you’ll risk big headaches (and repair bills) down the road.

When Should You Change Transmission Fluid?

Unfortunately the answer to this question isn’t that simple. It depends on the make and model of the car, but also on the way you use it. For instance, if you do a lot of stop-and-go city driving (and you probably do, if you live in Atlanta!) your transmission fluid will degrade much faster. 

Step one in determining when to change your transmission fluid is to find out the manufacturer’s recommended service intervals for your vehicle. This can range from 30,000 miles to over 100,000 miles! 

Transmission fluid does not burn off as engine oil does, and you should definitely not be seeing it under your car. If you notice a red or green puddle under your car, you may have a transmission fluid leak that needs to be addressed as soon as possible. 

What Happens If You Don’t Change Your Transmission Fluid?

As you put wear and tear on your car, the transmission fluid will deteriorate, turning a darker color and sometimes developing a burning smell. The fluid can become clouded by particulates and debris, causing shifting problems, gear slipping, and even grinding sounds. (Always a sign that something needs your attention!) Sometimes, a transmission can even shut down as a sort of self-protection feature. 

Proper maintenance will help you keep your car in good condition, but of course we never know what life—or the road—will throw at us! Whether you need to source used auto parts in Atlanta or sell a junk car, U Wrench It is here to help. Give us a call at 404-805-0900 or get in touch using our online contact form. 

“SCREEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!” No, that’s not meant to be the sound of a fire alarm or an extremely annoyed owl. That, friends, is the sound of brakes that need to be replaced. While it’s easy to forget about them, the brakes are one of the most important parts of your vehicle, and keeping them maintained is vital to your safety on the road! 

Fortunately, you don’t have to wait until your brakes are totally worn down before you know there’s a problem. (In fact, please don’t do that!) We’re teaching you how to know when to replace your brakes by paying attention to these 3 telltale signs. 

The Sad Song of the Worn Out Brakes

As mentioned above, if you hear a loud, high pitched shriek when you pump the brakes, you may have a problem (but don’t panic). Your wheels are designed with an indicator that will make a loud noise when your brakes are starting to go. The sound is caused by the indicator (a small metal shim) coming into contact with the rotors, and the purpose is to alert you that you need to examine your brakes. Of course, sometimes there are other clues that your brakes may be on their last legs. 

Watch Out for Changes in Handling

Your car may also be warning you of fading brakes if you notice changes in the way it handles on the road. For instance, if your brakes are suddenly less responsive than normal, or if you feel like the pedal is sinking to the floor, you need to do some investigating. You could have a brake fluid leak or an air leak in the brake hose. 

You should also be wary of “pulling” – when you feel like your car wants to pull to one side or the other. This can be caused by a number of factors, including contaminants in the brake fluid or unevenly worn-down brake pads. 

Not-So-Good Vibrations

Another common sign that you need to replace your brakes is when you feel a vibration coming from the brake pedal. This is generally caused by warped rotors or when your car is out of alignment. The vibration you feel is the brake pads not being able to adequately grab the surface of the rotor. Often a result of driving down steep inclines or towing heavy loads, if you do feel these vibrations when the anti-lock brakes are not engaged, you may need to make regular stops to allow the brakes to cool off from the excessive friction and heat. Not doing so will further warp your rotors. 

If you do need to replace your brakes, don’t worry. We have the used auto parts you need to keep your car running smoothly without breaking the bank! Contact us if you have any questions; our friendly team is here to help you with all of your DIY car repair needs.