drive Vol. 3 Issue 11 (06/8/12)

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DRIVE / drive.lubbockonline.com – 3

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4 – DRIVE / drive.lubbockonline.com

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Vol 3 Issue10

8

2 Brink Suzuki

3 Camper Coaches

5 Mears Mazda Volvo

7 Damron Motorcycle Co.

10 Mears Mazda Volvo

13 Pharr RVs

15 Mears Mazda Volvo

16 Pioneer

Cover Design byCody Hutchison

Photography byMisty Setzler

Photo taken inShadow Hills

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12

6

Articles:

Tools for the Home Mechanic 6Tips to Keep YourVehicle Safe and Looking Good ThisSummer 8Texing while driving is Not a Good Idea 12

Download drive on the Avalanche-Journal iPad app

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The right tools can make any job eas-ier. Knowing how to use the tools also helps. Those delving into some do-it-yourself automotive work will soon find that there are certain tools that can make the work go more smooth-ly.

You do not need to have every auto-motive tool available to be success-ful with repairs. Once you know how tools function, which ones are es-sential and which ones are likely un-necessary, it might save you time and money to work on your car yourself.

* Jack stands: Oftentimes working on a car means getting underneath the body of the vehicle. Propping the car up on a jack alone is danger-ous, therefore you should rely on jack stands instead. These are strong steel supports that reduce the chance of the car slipping or moving while elevated. Even better than one jack

stand is two, which will offer more stability.

* Torque wrench: There are a variety of lugs and nuts on a vehicle that will need tightening at some point. Precision is the name of the game with tightening, as something that is too loose can fall off and something tightened too much can break or become stripped. There are electronic torque wrenches that can offer a specific digital readout on the amount of torque being applied.

* Oil filter wrench: This device is used to remove the spin-off canister top of oil filters. For those who plan on sav-ing some money doing their own oil changes, this is an essential tool.

* Small-scale wrench set: Working in-side of a car engine usually means fit-ting into tight spots. Full-sized tools may not be able to maneuver in all those tight crevices. Wrenches that are

half the size of traditional ones may have more maneuverability.

* Socket set: Again, a socket set can prove invaluable with the various nuts and bolts on a car. An ergonomic socket set makes loosening and tightening even easier.

* Spare tire: Invest in a full-sized spare tire in the event you have a blow-out or need to change a tire that has a puncture in it.

* Funnel: A funnel helps direct liquids with minimal spillage when filling up the fluid reservoirs of the car, be it motor oil, windshield washer fluid, etc.* Goggles and gloves: Protecting the eyes and hands while working in the engine or under the body of the car is a prior-ity. Hot engine parts and kicked-up de-bris can make work dangerous. DIYers should always don gloves and goggles to protect themselves.

* Lighting: Flashlights, tool lights and even a high-powered work lamp can illu-minate the caverns of the engine, making the project safer and easier.

Whether you’re a professional or a do-it-yourselfer, having the right tools makes a difference when making automotive repairs.

Tire Tread TestIt used to be that to check tire

tread wear, a driver inserted a penny into the tread gap.

If you couldn't see the top of Lincoln's head, the tire tread was adequate -- or more than 1/16 of an inch. However, today it is rec-ommended that a quarter be used for the test, and Lincoln has been swapped out for Washington. This

is to allow for less time between tire changes and a

safer amount of tire tread. If the top of Washington's head

can be seen, that means there is 1/8 of an inch of tread left and ample

time to get those tires replaced.

A socket, ratchet and screwdriver set are essential tools for do-it-yourself automotive repairs.

A balloon car loan is one in which a car is not paid in full when the length of the loan ex-pires. For the terms of a balloon loan to be completed, borrow-ers must make one final, large balloon payment. Until that balloon payment is made, bor-rowers do not own the vehicle. A balloon car loan does come with monthly payments, but these payments are lower and borrowers’ monthly payments are typically only going toward the loan’s interest. When a bor-rower makes a balloon pay-ment, that payment is typically paying off the loan’s principal. Arranging for a balloon car loan

is good for those who cannot currently afford a high monthly payment but know their situa-tion will change shortly. Still, the risk of a balloon loan scares many borrowers, who might not be so certain they will be able to afford the balloon payment when the loan’s term ends. When agreeing a balloon car loan, borrowers should save monthly in preparation for the balloon payment at the end of the loan. Failure to do so could force borrowers to refinance or it could require the bank to re-possess the vehicle, even after borrowers spent all those years paying interest.

Did you know?

Tools for the

home mechanic

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Do your brakes squeal when you

push on the pedal to stop? Have you

been ignoring that unsightly puddle

of liquid that keeps appearing under

your car?Small inconveniences can become much larger problems if not taken

care of early, and unfortunately, many drivers fail to address

vehicle problem signs until it’s too late. Frequent checks and

proper maintenance can make all the difference between a safe,

attractive vehicle and an unreliable eyesore.

Tips to keep your vehicle safe and looking

great thissummer

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With a few tips, you can get your vehicle into top shape for easy cruising this summer and beyond.

Don’t wait, fix it fastWith the sun shining a little brighter this time of year, those vehicle nicks, scratches and dents suddenly become much more noticeable. And more importantly, they can begin to rust in as little as 30 days. This visible exterior problem can quickly reduce your vehicle’s resale value, not to mention its cosmetic appeal.

Fortunately, you can avoid these ugly and potentially costly problems by using a touch up paint. Available in hundreds of exact-match colors, the paint offers a seamless fix to nearly any vehicle damage. With a roller ball tip for precision, taper brush for full coverage and available clear coat to ensure an exact manufacturer-approved match, touch up paint is extremely easy for anyone to use and costs only a fraction of a professional repair.

Rolling on outTires are one of the most important aspects of vehicle safety, and proper maintenance can prolong tread life and save money on replacements. Rotating tires every 7,000 miles can help keep treads from wearing irregularly. A simple tire rotation not only makes for a dependable vehicle, but also saves money in the long run because your tires will last longer.

Another tire must is to regularly check for uneven wear, bulges or holes. These small issues may not seem like much, but they have a very real possibility of causing larger problems such as a tire blow out or skidding on the road. If a defect is spotted, make sure to have that tire replaced immediately.

Internal workingsDespite the warnings, many people put off changing their vehicle oil far longer than recommended. Whether the excuse is lack of time, money or some other factor, regular oil changes are vital to proper car maintenance. No matter what time of year or how often you drive, you need to check oil every three months or 3,000 miles - whichever occurs first. Changing oil will prevent residue buildup, allowing your vehicle to function more efficiently and safely. Forgoing this routine check could lead to an unexpected engine seize, causing costly and potentially dangerous damage.

Lights outA burnt-out light bulb in your living room can be a nuisance, but a burnt-out light on your car can be extremely dangerous, and may even earn you a traffic ticket. Perform regular inspections of your car lights by turning all lights on - including turn signals - then walking around the car to determine if any need to be replaced. Car lights are typically inexpensive and are usually easy to install. The risks of ignoring a burnt-out car light far outweigh the cost of the bulb, so perform a quick check before your next night drive.

By taking these car care maintenance steps you will have your vehicle running and looking great this summer and beyond.

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7-11 StoreAirportAvalanche-JournalAS Dent ShopBarnes & NobleBig LotsBigham AutomotiveBodyworks FitnessBolton’s GasBolton’s Oil ChangeBreakfast HouseBrown’s Barber ShopBuddy Holly CenterBuddy’sBuffalo Wild WingsBurger KingCaboose LiquorCast Iron SkilletChamber Of CommerceChicken ExpressChilito’s Mex. RestaurantChisum Travel CtrConference CaféCovenant Family MedicalCovenant HospitalCracker Barrel RestaurantCrickets

Dairy QueenDereksonsDiamond ShamrockDickie’s BBQDiscount TireDixie Dog Dollar TreeDouble T BookstoreDrug EmporiumDurango’s East Point MarketEinstein Bros BagelsExtrasEZ MartFast StopFat Tony’sFirehouse Grill & BarFlying JFurr’s Family DiningFuzzy’s TacoGeorge’s #2Giorgios PizzaHastingsHayes Motor CoHoliday Inn Home CaféHome Plate DinerHong Kong Buffet

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People’s BankPete’s Drive-InPost OfficePrecision Body WorksPremier HealthPro CutsPronto MartQuality InnRain CaféRalphs RecordsRanch HouseRed & Black Book StoreRed Roof InnRed Zone CaféRick’s Tire WrhseRip GriffinRise-N-Shine DonutsRiversmithsRosa’s CaféScott’s Car CareSonik MartSouth ZoneSouthwest LaundrymatSPC Reese CenterSPC Byron Martin CtrSpeednet

Spin Way LaundrySportclipsStarbucksStripes SubwaySugar Brown’s CoffeeSunset Station Post OfficeSutherlandsTaylorsTech CaféTiger Drive-InTriple J ChophouseTTU HSCUMC LobbyUnderwood CenterUnitedVA Outpatient ClinicValeroWash-N-Dry LaundrymatWayland BaptistWendy’sWhataburgerWoody’s Store

*Anywhere the 180 A-J Coin Operated Racks are LocatedM

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98th St

114th St

82nd St 82nd St

Slaton Hwy

66th St

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Downtown Lubbock Detailed View

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Lubbock Avalanche-Journal LubbockOnline.comYahoo.com FrenshipToday.com Lubbock Magazine Homes Drive

*Map does not include A-J Coin Operated Rack Locations

Look For Your Copy of Drive in these towns...

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1 5/31/2012 7:43:27 PM

12 – DRIVE / drive.lubbockonline.

It’s a common visual: A driv-er glances to the car that’s pulled up alongside it at a stoplight to find that driver with cell phone in hand typ-ing a message on the keypad. Many drivers do not even wait until coming to a stop before texting -- they simply do so while keeping up with traffic, a danger that’s caus-ing accidents on the coun-try’s roadways.

Texting is distracting driv-ers all across North America and beyond. Thirty states in the U.S. have made texting while driving illegal, but many people still con-tinue to do it.

The U.S. Department of Transportation re-ports that nearly 6,000 people were killed on American roads in 2008 in accidents caused by distracted drivers. Many of these drivers were teenagers, who may have been talking or texting on a phone.

When a person devotes attention to a cell phone -- even for a few seconds -- he or she can travel the distance of a football field without eyes on the road. What’s more, talking or texting diverts a part of the brain that is needed

to focus on driving. While in-dividuals are able to multi-task, they should limit the amount of distractions while driving because there is al-ready an overload of stimuli command- i n g d r i v -

ers’ attention.

Sixty percent of teens ad-mit to texting while driving according to a 2009 survey. Overall, 26 percent of respon-dents admitted to doing it de-spite knowing it was danger-ous. More than 80 percent of people believe DWT, or driv-ing while texting, should be banned.

Studies conducted in virtual driving simulators have

shown DWT to be deadly. People doing it change speeds rapidly for no reason, and they weave in and out of lanes. Addi-

tional research has indicated that using a cell phone in any matter

while driving is on par with

driving drunk.

What these studies boil down to is that when be-

hind the wheel of a car, drivers

should simply stick to driving. Even searching

for music files or eating a snack can reduce con-centration on the road -- something that may end in accidents.

Texting while driving

is not a smart idea

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drive Vol. 3 Issue 11 (06/8/12)

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