If you’re a DIY car mechanic, changing your own oil is probably one of the first things you learned how to do. It’s not only convenient to be able to change your own oil, but it can also save you a lot of money in the long run! However, even people who have been changing the oil in their cars for years might not know the differences between the various types of motor oil. 

If that sounds like you, just keep reading! Today’s DIY car maintenance guide will teach you about the different types of motor oil and what to use them for. 

Types of Motor Oil

Motor oil is designed to lubricate your engine, but there’s a ton of variety, which can make buying the right motor oil a daunting task. Motor oil these days is pretty high-tech, and can include things like detergents, dispersants, and additives to control viscosity or other factors. 

Synthetic

Synthetic oil is just what it sounds like: Chemically designed in a lab to create a purer, more versatile oil than conventional motor oil. Synthetic oil tends to last longer and performs better in cold temperatures. 

Synthetic Blend

Take synthetic oil, mix in a bit of conventional oil, and you’ve got synthetic blend motor oil. This is one of the most popular types of oil because it has many of the benefits of synthetic, but is more affordably priced. If you opt for a synthetic blend, you might even notice that you’re getting better gas mileage!

Conventional

Conventional motor oil comes in a variety of types and grades, allowing you to choose the viscosity that makes sense for your vehicle and climate.

High Mileage

High mileage motor oil is a more recent arrival to the lineup of motor oils. It was designed specifically for newer-model cars and is formulated to minimize leaks and burn-off. 

What Type of Motor Oil Should You Choose? 

The type of oil you should use really depends on your car, your driving habits, and even the temperature where you live. 

For instance, synthetic oil can deal with extreme temperature changes, so it’s great for drivers in Georgia with our super-hot summers, or in places with harsh winters and long periods of below-freezing temperatures. If you do a lot of short-distance driving, synthetic oil will last longer than conventional. 

You should always check the driver’s manual before deciding what type of oil to put in your car; you never want to put conventional oil in an engine that requires synthetic, as do most new vehicles. However, if you own an older-model car, conventional oil may be the best choice for you.
Good luck choosing the right motor oil for your car! Remember, whenever you’re in the market for used auto parts in Atlanta, we’re here for you. Just browse our inventory online or visit our salvage yard at 4600 Buford Hwy to find the best used car parts in Atlanta!

There’s an old adage, “Hope for the best, prepare for the worst.” When it comes to driving in Atlanta traffic, there’s no telling what you’ll encounter, especially considering the fact that Atlanta has some of the worst drivers in the country. While you can’t control other drivers, you can do your part to be prepared and safe on the road. That includes being prepared for emergencies… Like a jammed accelerator pedal!

What to Do If Your Accelerator Jams

While accelerator pedal jams are rare in newer vehicles, they can still happen. If you drive an older vehicle, it’s even more important to know how to handle a jammed accelerator. 

Stay Calm

First and foremost in any traffic emergency: Stay calm. Remember to breathe, focus on safely managing the situation, and try not to panic. Panicking can lead to poor decisions that hurt the situation more than they help. Put your hazard lights on or flash your lights to alert other drivers. The sooner they see you coming, the more likely they are to be able to get out of your way and avoid a collision. 

As you’re watching the road and the cars around you, scan for a safe “exit.” Can you pull over to the shoulder, emergency lane, or a grassy, empty area? 

Try to Lift the Gas Pedal

Use your right toe to nudge the accelerator upward. If there’s an object lodged underneath the accelerator, try to safely remove it while maintaining control of your vehicle. You will still have your left foot available to hit the brake pedal if need be. 

Use Your Brake Pedal

If you still can’t get the accelerator unstuck, apply steady, even pressure to the brake pedal. Don’t just stomp on the brake; keep pressing down smoothly and be aware that your car may not respond the way you’re used to. If your vehicle pulls to one side or the other, concentrate on steering and navigating away from other cars. 

Shift to Neutral

Most contemporary cars will respond to these strategies, but if your accelerator is still stuck, try shifting gears to neutral. Be careful NOT to put the car in park or reverse, as that would not only severely damage your transmission but could also cause you to lose control. 

Last Resorts

If nothing else has worked and you’re unable to safely steer your car to a stop off the road, your last resorts are to turn off the engine or pull the emergency brake. These should absolutely NEVER be used unless you have no other choice. 

You should only turn your ignition off while driving in a true emergency because this “fix” can be almost as dangerous as whatever situation you’re trying to get out of. Turning off your ignition will cut the gas and decelerate your car, but doing so also shuts off important safety features like power steering. If you’ve ever tried to turn the wheel without power steering, you know that it takes a lot of strength and makes it very difficult to control your direction. 

The only other option to stop a car with a stuck accelerator is to engage the emergency brake. Again, this is a “nothing left to lose” option, as pulling the emergency brake while moving can cause your car to violently lose control. 

  Once you’ve safely brought your vehicle to a stop, it’s important not to drive it until you’ve determined what caused the gas pedal to stick. If you’re looking for used auto parts to help you keep your ride running smoothly and safely, U Wrench It has you covered. We specialize in providing Atlanta mechanics (both DIY and pro) with affordable used auto parts. 

You’re cruising along, enjoying the drive, not a care in the world. You apply the brakes… And are instantly met with a disconcerting vibration. If your car shakes, rumbles, vibrates, or shudders when you brake, it’s important to identify what is causing your car to shake and perform the necessary repairs. Here are the things to look for in order to diagnose why your car is shaking, as well as some tips on repairing your car. 

What causes a car to shake when braking?

There are a few things that can cause your car to shake, one of the most common being worn-out tires. However, if your tires are in good condition and the car is still shaking, the next best guess is your brakes. Car brakes are made up of several parts, so you’ll have to pay attention to what your car is telling you in order to diagnose which parts are causing the shaking.

Your Rotors Are Out of Balance

Next time you’re driving your car, pay attention to where the vibration is coming from. If you notice it primarily in the steering wheel or the brake pedal, your rotors may be out of balance. (The rotors are the disc-like iron parts of your wheel that connect to the hub. When you hit the brakes, the brake pads and rotor are pressed together, creativing friction and slowing your speed.)

Your Brake Calipers Are Sticking

A shaking car can also be caused by brake calipers sticking. The calipers are what slow down your wheels when you brake. Think of them as a clamp opening and closing around the disc of your rotor. Insufficient fluid can cause a lapse in hydraulic pressure, which means the calipers can’t do their job of pressing on the brake pads. 

Your Brake Pads are Worn Out

The last common explanation for a car shaking when it brakes is worn-out brake pads. Brake pads are designed to wear out over time, so you can expect to replace them every 40,000 or 50,000 miles. They will eventually wear down until only a quarter of the pad is left, and at that point many of them are designed to squeal or shriek to alert you to the fact that it’s time to replace them. 

When you’re tackling DIY car repairs, you’ll likely need a source for used auto parts in Atlanta. That’s where we come in! U Wrench It is your destination when you need to pull a part for your car. Our huge auto salvage yard almost certainly has what you’re looking for, and at a great price! Explore our inventory of used auto parts online, or come visit us on Buford Highway.

Your tires don’t just keep you rolling; they also help you stay in control of your vehicle. Properly cared-for tires are better able to grip the road when it’s raining, cushion the weight of your vehicle, and safely stop when you have to slam on the brakes. Keeping them inflated is important, but don’t forget about the other DIY car maintenance you need to do regularly: Tire rotation! Keeping up with your tire rotations can help you extend the life of your tires and even reduce wear and tear on your car itself. Check out our tips to learn how to rotate your tires, and contact us at U Wrench It for any used auto parts you need for your next project or repair. 

How (And Why) to Rotate Your Tires

Reasons to Rotate

Your tires wear down over time, and as they lose traction, they can become unsafe. However, they don’t wear down evenly, which is why tire rotation is so important! For instance, front tires tend to wear down faster than rear tires, and the tires on the left side of the vehicle tend to wear down faster because drivers take left turns faster than right turns (at least here in the U.S.).

If you don’t even out the wear and tear on your tires with occasional tire rotation (typically needed around the same frequency as oil changes), you may drastically shorten the life of your tires, make your vehicle less safe, or even damage the drivetrain of your all-wheel-drive vehicle. 

How to Rotate Tires Yourself

• Make sure the car is in park with the emergency brake engaged. 
• Loosen and remove the lug nuts on each wheel. (Don’t lose them!)
• Use your car jack and jack stands to raise your car so you can remove the wheels safely. It’s important to use jack stands (or sturdy wood blocks) to keep your car lifted and in place while you work.. 
• Remove each tire and swap it accordingly. The correct way to rotate your tires depends on the type of tires in question. 
  • Directional tires are made to go on one side of the car. You should rotate directional tires from left-front to left-rear and right-front to right-rear. 
  • Non-directional tires should be rotated in a crossed pattern: Left-front to right-rear, right-front to left-rear, and rear tires rotated forward on the same side of the vehicle (left-rear to left-front, right-rear to right-front).
    If you’re more of a visual learner, check out these graphics to find your correct tire rotation pattern. 
• Replace and tighten the lug nuts on each wheel.
• Lower your car from the jack. You’re ready to hit the road!

Keep up with your car maintenance and drive safe! We’ll be here whenever you need used auto parts in Atlanta.

The transmission is one of the vital components of your vehicle, literally converting the combustion of the engine to the momentum that is transmitted to your wheels. Usually, your car will give you warning signs of transmission trouble before failing, but what happens if your transmission goes out while driving? 

Transmission Failure: What to Do, and How to Predict It

What should I do if my transmission goes out while driving?

If the transmission in your car fails while you’re driving it, you will not be able to accelerate. This might not be as dangerous if you’re driving 25 mph in your neighborhood, but if you’re going 70 on the highway, or even 45 on a busy road, it can be pretty scary! Here’s what to do if that happens: 

• Turn on your hazard lights (aka emergency lights or four-ways).
• Get to the right and pull over as soon as it is safe to do so.
• Call for roadside assistance or call us to sell your junk car. We pay the most for junk cars in Atlanta! 

Of course, it’s definitely better to deal with a faulty transmission before you get stranded on the side of the road. Keep an eye out for these symptoms of a failing transmission.

What are the warning signs that your transmission will go out?

• If you hear a clunking, whining, or any other unusual sound coming from the engine, you need to check on your transmission.
• Sometimes the check engine light will come on if your transmission is in trouble.
• If you notice that the transmission fluid is low when you check your car’s fluids, it may be due to a leak. Transmission fluid doesn’t burn off like oil, so if it’s low, something’s wrong. A transmission fluid leak (or transmission fluid that has not been changed in too long) can cause serious damage to your transmission and the rest of your engine. 
• Shuddering or shaking while shifting gears is also a bad sign. If you’re feeling vibrations every time you change gears, you need to have your transmission looked at.
• Trouble shifting gears—or not going into gear at all—is another symptom of a failing transmission.
• If your transmission fluid is low due to a leak, or if it is dirty or degraded, your engine can run too hot and you may smell something burning. (A burning smell is never a good sign, so definitely investigate no matter what! Even if your transmission is fine, there may be another issue like leaking antifreeze or a damaged heater core.)

Stay safe on the road and keep your ride running smoothly with used auto parts from U Wrench It… Or if your car is not worth fixing, give us a call at 404-805-0900 to sell your junker for a great price!