Author: benchung
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Get plenty of fluids
“Drink plenty of liquids.” It’s an old bit of advice uttered often during cold-and-flu season. But as the weather begins to heat up, how on-the-mark are your vehicle’s fluids? Determining whether they’re on target isn’t difficult and keeping tabs on the “big-5” fluids—oil, brake fluid, coolant, power-steering fluid and transmission fluid —will help keep your… Read more
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Guard against the guzzle: Gas-saving guidelines
Gas ain’t cheap. Talk about stating the obvious, right? Chicago’s gas prices started the New Year at around $3.55 for a gallon of regular, hit $3.73 mid-January, and then finished the month at $3.60. And within the past week, the price jumped 32 cents a gallon, up to $3.92 in the Chicago area. The national… Read more
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8 great tips for greener driving
“Green” doesn’t just mean “go.” It’s also a way of life. When you keep your vehicle in tip-top shape, you protect the environment by avoiding excessive fuel use, reducing scrap material and curbing hazardous emissions. Remember, a vehicle’s running condition, your driving style and the way in which fluids, old parts and tires are disposed… Read more
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Slick advice: How to check your oil
To say engine oil is to a vehicle what blood is to the human body wouldn’t be an overstatement. Without oil keeping an engine at proper temperature and well-lubricated, the moving parts would grind against one another, causing the engine to freeze up and stop working and, literally, have a meltdown. Dirty oil contributes to… Read more
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Engine warm-ups: A waste of gas and time
You wouldn’t stand inside your front hallway on a frigid day, bundled head-to-toe while running in place for 10 minutes, trying to build up warmth before heading out into the cold. So why do it with your car? While it’s true that Grandpa’s 1959 Rambler would require a lengthy warm-up before leaving the garage, today’s… Read more
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The ABCs of ABS: Getting acquainted with anti-lock brakes
Despite our unseasonably warm temps so far, Chicago winters typically mean epidemic levels of snow, sleet and ice. Are your brakes up to the task once this warm-weather streak gives way to reality? More specifically, can you say your anti-lock brakes are up to snuff, and are you comfortable using them properly? It’s a good… Read more
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‘Air’ time: How and why to check your tire pressure
If you discovered a simple tool that could save life, limb and money, would you learn how to use it? Meet the tire pressure gauge. This little device—designed to help maintain proper tire inflation—can drastically improve gas mileage, increase tire lifespan, and keep you and loved ones safer on streets and highways. In fact, properly… Read more
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The "s" word means it's time to winterize!
If you’ve watched the news lately, the weathermen already have begun uttering the “s” word. That’s that nasty four-letter word that Chicagoans have a love-hate relationship. The word “snow” conjures up more dread than the Bears losing to the Green Bay Packers or a month without a mouth-watering pizza from your favorite pizzeria. Okay, maybe… Read more
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Vehicle seller's checklist: The dollars and sense of a great first impression
“You never get a second chance to make a first impression.” —Author Unknown First impressions make lasting impressions. Whether selling your vehicle to a private owner or trading it in to the dealer, the vehicle’s outward appearance can make or break the sale and can mean the difference between a good price and a great… Read more
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10 car games to make holiday travels fun
“Over the river and through the woods, to Grandmother’s house we go. The horse knows the way …” Cue sound of screeching tires. Enough already! Do you really think endless renditions of this seasonal chestnut are going to keep today’s kids occupied on a lengthy holiday car journey to visit the relatives? All righty then.… Read more
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Do tires expire? What you need to know about the test of time
Every once in awhile you read or hear a story that makes you skeptical. The events sound too unlikely to be true—more like scare tactics or urban legend than anything. (The frequency of email scare scams have probably made us even more suspicious than before.) We recently heard a story through a tire wholesaler that,… Read more
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Bright idea: Clean up those hazy, yellowed headlights
Fighting to see the road at night? Maybe it’s not a new eyeglass prescription you need. The right Rx might be a headlight restoration. If it seems every other vehicle out there is blasting the pavement with loads of lumens, you’re a candidate for this rejuvenating procedure. Or, simply take a look at your headlights… Read more