Don’t Top Off Your Tank!

Posted on by Greenwood Collision Auto Body Shop Seattle

Are you in the habit of topping off your gas tank at the pump?

This is a common practice among motorists who are hoping to squeeze as much fuel as possible into their cars. However, our Seattle auto body shop cautions you away from topping-off, as you are ultimately doing more harm than good.

The fact is that your gas station pump automatically shuts off for a good reason. After this point, any further gasoline you pump is going into the gas station’s vapor recovery system. The only think you’re doing for your vehicle is possibly damaging your evaporative emissions system.

It won’t hurt to make a habit of putting in gas when you’re quarter or third full and fill it up to 3/4 or 2/3 full.

Save your money, and trust your fuel pump when it tries to cut you off.

Maintaining Your Car in the Winter

Posted on by Greenwood Collision Auto Body Shop Seattle

The cold months are upon us, and this means that there are many more potential threats to your car. Hash weather and extreme temperatures can take its toll on your vehicle, so you’ll want to take extra precautions to make sure you and your car get through winter in one piece.

To this end, our auto body shop in Seattle offers the following tips:

  • A good broom can be the best way to clear snow off of your car. Try finding a short-handled broom to store in your trunk.
  • If you get stuck in the snow, a hubcap can serve as a shovel to dig yourself out.
  • Try to avoid putting air in your tires when the temperature drops to ten below. The valve may stick and let all of the air out.
  • You can keep frost from building up on the inside of your windows by leaving a window open a crack.
  • If you track road salt on your carpeting, you can clean it out with a solution made from equal parts water and vinegar.
  • Is your washer solvent freezing? Mix your own with one quart of rubbing alcohol, one cup of water, and two tablespoons of liquid detergent. This solvent will serve down to thirty-five degrees below.

Automatic Transmission Fluid

Posted on by Greenwood Collision Auto Body Shop Seattle

Transmissions! Aren’t they a nightmare?

For many people facing potential automotive damage, the phrase “I hope it’s not the transmission” is a common one. Indeed, this is a complex and delicate system that can lead to crippling and expensive repairs, so your Seattle auto body shop advises that you take the time to care for your transmission.

The number one thing to do for your transmission is check its ATF (automatic transmission fluid) levels. You can do this via a dipstick that should be located towards the rear of your engine, probably labeled as “transmission”. Check that the fluid levels are correct, and that the fluid has a good, cherry-red coloration. A bad color means that your fluid is dirty, and should be replaced.

When adding new ATF to your transmission, remember that not just any fluid will do. There are several kinds of ATF, and you will need to check your owner’s manual to be sure that you get the correct one. DO NOT USE ENGINE OIL IN YOUR TRANSMISSION.

If you can manage to change your ATF twice a year, you’re in good shape to keep up the performance of your transmission for a good, long time. Don’t be afraid to stop by our auto body shop in Seattle for some assistance and advice.

Can I Replace My Own Wipers?

Posted on by Greenwood Collision Auto Body Shop Seattle

Suppose your car is in perfect condition, but you develop a little crack in a windshield wiper.  You probably wouldn’t want to take such a small problem to your Seattle body shop, would you?

Fortunately, replacing the wiper by yourself is a surprisingly easy task for even the least gear-headed drivers among us.  Just take a look at your wipers; though different makes have different mechanisms, it should be fairly simple to determine how to remove the wiper from the arm that holds it against your windshield.  Simply pull this arm away from the windshield, detach the old wiper, and replace it with a new one.

The important trick to remember is that you’ll need to be sure to buy the right kind of wiper for your car.  Stores sometimes will have a machine or booklet that lets you know which wipers you need for your car depending on the year, model, maker, etc. Wipers come in different sizes, so you’ll want to identify your wiper’s size or even bring it with you to the store.  Also, the wipers on a single car are often different sizes, so don’t make the mistake of getting a matching pair. If you have trouble, you can always bring it to our Seattle body shop for a little assistance.

Look Out for Rust!

Posted on by Greenwood Collision Auto Body Shop Seattle

Rust is a big problem for your car. Be it in the engine or the body, this is the slow and silent killer for an automobile. Our auto body shop in Seattle can check your vehicle for rust as part of your regular maintenance, but it also pays to periodically inspect your own vehicle for signs of this corrosive blight.

It can be easy enough to spot signs of rust on your car’s exterior. However, the biggest problems tend to occur out of sight, on the underside of the vehicle. This is where problems frequently go unnoticed for long enough such that it effectively destroys the car. Take the time every so often to look under your car, and schedule a visit to Greenwood Collision as soon as possible if you find any signs of rust.