Summer is here and for many of us that means trips to the park or the beach, anywhere to spend some quality time outdoors.  If you plan to bring your furry friends with you for the ride, please remember some simple safety tips for keeping your animal, and yourself, safe.  It is best to restrain your animal while they are in the car with you, this protects you from the distraction of a pet roaming around your car, and also keeps them safer in case of an accident.  It is recommended that you put smaller animals, like cats or rabbits, in a carrying case in the back seat of your car.  You can also restrain dogs this way, or there are many seat belt restraint options online for your dog, allowing them to still enjoy fresh air from the car window while also keeping them safer during an accident.

If you plan to be traveling or outside with your pet on a warm day, remember to bring plenty of water and some extra food along.  Your pet can easily overheat in the warm weather.  Lastly, remember that cars heat up quickly, even with the windows cracked.  Please do not leave pets unattended in your car in the summer heat.

More Americans are keeping their cars longer, with most consumers now using cars with as much as one to two hundred thousand miles on them.  So, how should you care for your car differently as it ages?  There are a few things to keep in mind to ensure your car safe and running smoothly as the odometer increases:

Do not delay on oil changes and other routine maintenance

As your vehicle ages, routine appointments and oil changes are necessary to keep your car running in top shape. Try adding reminders to your calendar to stay on top of them.

Keep track of your gas mileage

If you notice a change in fuel efficiency beyond a couple miles per gallon between fill-ups, this may be a sign of a leaking tank or other problem that requires the attention of a repair shop.

Monitor the cooling system

You have put the engine of your car to the test over the years, and the cooling system has worked just as hard to regulate the heat it radiates.  If you notice green fluid leaking from the front of your vehicle or if you have never replaced the cooling pumps in your car, you may consider a call to a local shop to get it looked at.  Better to err on the side of caution here, as the engine is the life

If your vehicle is making strange noises, not starting immediately every time, or jerking while in gear these may be signs of a larger issue.  Search Carwise for a shop near you to have it examined by a professional.  As always, we welcome you to add to our list in the comment section below!

Summer will be here before we know it, and the thought of getaways and vacations are abound.  We’ve compiled a list of some of the most popular road trip destinations in the U.S. and some safety tips to review before you hit the road.

Top Road Trip Destinations in the U.S.

• Grand Canyon
• Mount Rushmore
• Yellowstone
• Nashville, TN
• Denver, CO
• California Coast – Highway 1

Before you leave on any trip, make sure to check the “vitals” of your vehicle.  Fill up the tires, top off all liquids, and test the air conditioning and/or heat to make sure they are functioning properly.  Especially if you’ll be driving through barren lands to reach your destination, or plan to make minimal stops, pack bottles of water and plenty of snacks for the road.  Staying hydrated will also help to keep you alert and awake on your journey.  We also recommend that you have a spare tire and a full tire kit in your vehicle for emergencies.  For road trips and beyond, it’s a good idea to take time to learn how to properly replace a tire in case of an emergency.  On road trips especially, you must consider that you may not be near an exit, let alone a repair facility, if you have car trouble.  Remember, you can search for repair shops near your current location right here on Carwise if you find yourself in that situation.  We hope you enjoy your trip, and please comment below with your own tips for a safe road trip!

The holidays are over, but the snowy road conditions will be around for many of us for a couple more months.  Start the New Year with a quick refresher on safe driving in bad road conditions.  We’ve compiled a list here of a few tips to stay calm and safe if you must drive in the worst of conditions.

Drive slowly

This will give you more time to react to icy patches and avoid accidents.  If you are fishtailing or sliding it usually means you are going too fast.

Know your brakes

Understanding how your car, and brakes specifically, react to ice and snow is imperative to your safety.  Find an empty parking lot to test them out.

If you are sliding, calmly turn your car wheels in the opposite direction.

Avoid overcorrecting by not jerking the wheel

Avoid driving in bad conditions if at all possible

Always wear your seatbelt

We hope you find these tips useful and that you stay safe on the roads this winter. Comment below with anything you would add to our list!

Winter brings a whole new set of challenges when it comes to driving safety.  Let’s take a moment to review some extra precautions we should take when driving in the winter season, and some tips for prepping your vehicle to hold its own in the icy, snowy conditions.

There are a few things to look out for while on the road in snowy conditions.  Know what to do when your vehicle encounters ice, as it may vary vehicle to vehicle.  If you see cars swerving in front of you, slow down and consider an alternative route, if possible.  When on the highway in low visibility situations, leave twice as much room as normal between you and the driver ahead of you and make sure to not exceed the speed limit.

To prep your vehicle for the winter ahead, do a scan of the following key areas to make sure you won’t be left in the cold.  Tires loose air pressure in the cold, so double check your levels and check back often to ensure your tires are properly filled.  Double check your wiper blades, if they produce streaks or leave large areas unclean, consider a replacement for winter.  Speaking of visibility, give your defroster a test run.  If it is not working properly take it to a shop for repair, as this is one of the most commonly used features during the cold months to ensure visibility. Lastly, top off all fluids. It is likely you will use quite a bit more windshield washer fluid due to the salt on the roads and snowy weather.

If your vehicle is in need of repair to make it safe to drive in the winter, search on Carwise to find a body shop near you.

Are you thinking about getting a fresh color on your car, or just looking to patch up an area of rust or scratch on your hood?   It’s hard to know what to expect in terms of cost, as this is not something we often do.  Good news is many auto body and collision repair shops offer free estimates on paint jobs.   We recommend getting quotes from a couple shops before making a decision, as costs can vary greatly.

So, you might be wondering, what all is involved in painting a car anyway?  There are a few steps to the process.  First, the car must be prepped for a new coat of paint.  This includes a power wash, a layer of grease remover, and the car is sanded down completely. Then, the car is prepped with plastic covering to protect all areas that should not be painted; including: tires, windows, headlights, etc.  Once complete, the car is ready for paint.  The color paint is applied in even coats, then a clear coat is applied at the end.  The clear coat is what gives cars a shiny finish, the color alone is a matte finish.  Finally, the cars are parked in huge dryers, allowing the paint to set and dry completely.

A fresh paint job might be just what your car needs to make it feel new again either for your personal use or to help you spruce it up to sell.

Sources:

http://www.carsdirect.com/car-maintenance/how-to-properly-spray-paint-a-car-for-a-professional-look

With the hot summer months still ahead of us, it’s a good time to take a few minutes to make sure your car is in proper condition to safely endure the hot temperatures.   The most important mechanism for cooling down your car’s engine is the radiator.  Make sure the fluid levels are sufficient, and check back frequently throughout the hot months, as more fluid is used during this time to keep the engine cool.

Also, check that your air conditioning system is working properly.   The most noticeable sign of an A/C problem is if no cold air blows through the system, implying a low level of refrigerant, or a more serious issue with the system.  If you notice leaking from under the front of the car in addition to the A/C not blowing cold air as expected, this could be a sign that the refrigerant is leaking.

Your vehicle’s tires get a lot more wear in the summer, so make sure they have the correct about of tire pressure to avoid more unnecessary wear.  Tires can lose about 1 psi each month, so be sure to check back regularly to ensure the inflation level is where it should be.  The proper level for your vehicle can usually be found on a sticker on the inner driver-side door.  Don’t forget about your spare tire!  Ensure your spare is safe and ready to use in case of an emergency, this may mean it could use some more air, too.

While we don’t want to think about emergencies, especially during the fun summer months while driving to the pool, it’s always a good idea to have an emergency kit prepared.  For the summer especially, include bottled water, small battery-operated fans, and sunscreen in your kit.

Click here for more tips on safe summer driving.

Today marks an important milestone in Carwise history, we’ve reached 1 million shop reviews!  Since its start in 2012, Carwise has been making it easy to get real-time updates on the repair status of your vehicle.  Since then we’ve expanded to a platform that allows you to also find the right body shop in your area by displaying ratings and reviews from real customers that have had their vehicles repaired recently.  With our growing popularity, we’re on track to reach 2 million reviews before this time next year!

Here at Carwise, we believe in real, honest reviews our customers can count on.  None of which would be possible without the support of our body shop partners and the clients that share their candid thoughts on their experiences.  So for that we say thank you.  We’re looking forward to the next million and more!  Cheers to the journey ahead.

Driving in the city poses many challenges and obstacles that can make the city-driving experience overwhelming. Consider the following safety tips before hitting these streets, especially those accustomed to suburban or rural streets.

Familiarize yourself with directions

Limit the glances at your GPS. Keeping your eyes on the road at all times is very important when driving in the city, where there are many sudden stops and pedestrians.

Be aware of one-way streets

Make sure you read all street signs to ensure you are not only following the law, but enforcing safe driving too. One-way streets are common, and non-city folks can find themselves swerving at the last minute, once they realize they are about to turn down the wrong direction. Be mindful of them at all times.

Do your research

Not all laws are posted on street signs. Look up the driving laws in the state you will be driving in to ensure compliance.  Many city intersections do not allow right turns on a red light, so that’s a good place to start.

Yield to bikers

Cyclists flood city streets, especially in nice weather. Be sure to keep an eye out for them, especially when making turns, changing lanes, and opening your door when parked on the street.

Brush up on your parallel parking skills

This comes in handy for city parking. And if you have an SUV or larger vehicle, it may take a few drives up and down the block to find one that fits your car.

Carry change

You’re likely to encounter a toll booth or need some spare quarters for parking during your time in the city.

It’s worthwhile to point out that native city-drivers and cab drivers tend to be very aggressive and impatient.  It’s important for you to remain calm and take your time to ensure your safety, and the safety of those around you. Don’t let the honks fluster you!

Any tips we missed that you would add to the list?  Let us know in the comments!

Car won’t start? This could be caused by a variety of things, so we’ve compiled a list of some of the most common reasons and tips for troubleshooting the cause. Typically, there are subtle distinctions between the causes, as listed below, and it can save you some time at a repair shop if you know what the issue is upfront.
Here are the most common reasons your car may not start:

The battery is dead

If your car makes a clicking noise but won’t start, it is likely that your battery is dead. This is an easy fix, regardless if you need a new one, or to charge your existing battery.

The alternator is bad

The alternator is responsible for charging your battery while the car engine is running. There are a few signs of a bad alternator; including, dimmed headlights, illuminated dash lights, or a growling sound. If left untreated, you may find yourself with a car that won’t start, because the battery has not been charging properly.

Fuel system issues

If the engine cranks but won’t start it possibly caused by a blocked fuel filter or a fuel pump failure.

The ignition switch is bad

This switch is what sends energy from the battery to spark the starter and begin burning gas. If this switch goes bad, none of this process can start. This issue is typically characterized by flickering dash lights, and difficulty turning the key.

The starter is faulty

A faulty starter causes a high-pitched screeching sound, similar to that of when a car is running and the starter is accidentally hit again.

A repair shop in your area will be able to fully diagnose the issue and provide the solutions to get your vehicle up-and-running again. Be sure to browse reviews written by real customers on Carwise to find a shop that is best for your needs.