Waterloo Automotive

Next time you’re doing your car maintenance, consider how much easier it would have been if you kept a trash bag in the car, instead of letting the debris accumulate on the floor. It’s easy to make a trash receptacle to leave in your car that your family will use every day. Here are some handy trash cans to help you with your car maintenance: www.keepingitsimplecrafts.com Find a cardboard box that fits in the space between the seats of the back seat. Cut off the flaps on the top half of the box to make it easy for car maintenance. Cover it with wrapping paper. Use a trash liner inside to prevent wet items from ruining the box. Use a plastic cereal container (with a flip top). The closed top will help keep up your car maintenance. An oatmeal container is the right size and shape to hold small items. Plus, you can use plastic grocery bags as ... read more

TWhen it comes to cars, everyone wants to keep them looking good for as long as possible. As the cars get older, they can get rust and rust is something no one wants. This is something that needs to be addressed and can be done while doing car maintenance. When doing car maintenance, especially when dealing with rust, there are a few things that can be done. With a small investment in time and some supplies, rust on vehicles can be removed while doing car maintenance. However, this is only temporary and not a permanent fix, so keep this in mind. www.frugalfamilytimes.coms Here are some car maintenance tips when it comes to rust removal: Supplies – Car maintenance requires supplies and so does doing rust removal. The car maintenance materials needed include rubbing compound, water bucket, 3M scrub pads, rust killer/primer, and paint that matches the car col ... read more

The car is one of the most important things that people own so it’s equally important to keep it clean. There are many car cleaning tips out there that can help but not all of them are really useful. This is because what they suggest might not work for everyone. Car cleaning tips are there for those who really want to get the inside of the car clean. The seats are the hardest to clean because they are not flat. Car Cleaning Tips Here are some car cleaning tips that should help make it easier to clean cloth seats. These car cleaning tips are ones that can be used for not just seats but for anything that is cloth that is in the car, so keep that in mind. Warm Water – One of the first car cleaning tips is to use warm water and spray it evenly on the cloth seat. Use a spray bottle to do this as it’s easier. Cleaning Solution – Just like with the warm water, spray the cleaning solution on right after the water. This is one ... read more

When it comes to the vehicle you drive, does it have something to say about your lifestyle? The experts seem to think so. In fact, they type of car you drive can give others clues about the type of life you live. Smart Car For example, smart car owners tend to care about the environment. They’re more apt to recycle and exercise energy saving practices at home and in the office. They like a compact car that can be charged and used without depleting the Earth of its natural resources. Smart car owners are often associated with hipsters because the idea of rechargeable car is novel. Sports Car A sports car is sleek and sophisticated. It grabs people’s attention and gets them wondering who the occupant of the car is. If you roll up to a social event in a sports car, you’re sure to turn some heads. In fact, celebrities and very wealthy business men are typically the first in line to buy sports cars. Pick-up Truck A pick ... read more

When it comes to transportation, 2014 cars are sleeker, more stylish, and even more visually appealing than models of the past. The emergence of old technology combined with new technology has merged together to create sought-after vehicles that everyone can appreciate. Big changes to the Jeep and Malibu and additions to Chrysler, Jeep, Dodge, Ford, and other car makers really make the 2014 cars stand out from previous years. Things to Look For When it comes to 2014 cars, there are many things that car buyers will be faced with. Some things to consider are: Cars That Drive Themselves Yes, this is what people might be thinking but not to the extreme. 2014 cars came out and have sensors that will make it easier to park and avoid accidents. In fact, there are cars right now that will do some driving on their own but not too many. Cars That are Lower Cost Generally the cheaper the car, the more likely it is made by a ca ... read more

In our last post, we explored the first two oil change myths that you may have heard: that dark engine oil is dirty and requires immediate changing, and that the W in 10W-30 engine oil stands for weight. Now for the final three misconceptions about engine oil! Engine Oil Change Myths, Part 2 You Need to Change Your Oil Every 3,000 Miles Somehow, the 3,000 mile myth got started, and it’s still circulating today. According to this oil change myth, after 3,000 miles your St. Louis| Engine Oil Change Myths, Part 2engine would start filling with sludge, decreasing your vehicle’s performance and leaving the engine’s moving parts at a higher risk for damage. Despite the rumor’s persistence, it simply isn’t true any longer. Perhaps this was once the case, but the invention of modern engine oil has rendered the 3,000 rule irrelevant. Engine oil now has better viscosity — this coupled with improvements to automobile engineering overall ensur ... read more

Most car owners know that their vehicles will require an oil change to keep everything running smoothly, lubricate the engine, protect the engine from rust and corrosion, and eliminate sludge. Whether the owner understands how, when, and other details about the oil change depends on how much they know about engine oil. As St. Louis auto service experts, we’ve heard it all over the years. We’re here to set the record straight about the engine oil and oil change myths that our customers often ask about. Here are two oil change myths you might have heard — stay tuned for the final three next week! Common Oil Change Myths Dark Engine Oil is Dirty & Must Be Changed Sludge buildup in an engine is a concern for any driver, as it can dramatically affect your car’s performance. But using the dipstick to check the engine oil color is not the best indicator of sludge buildup, despite the oil change myth that says it is. When your engine oil darkens, it ... read more

During the wintertime, it is especially important that your teen driver employs safe-driving practices that keep both them and other drivers safe on the road safe. Even the most seasoned drivers can experience challenges when it is cold outside and there is snow on the ground. The solution? Arming your teen with the most comprehensive understanding of what it means to be a safe driver during the wintertime is the best defense. “Black ice” is deceptively dangerous, making it crucial for your teen to understand what it is and how it can be safely approached. What is “Black Ice?” In its simplest definition black ice is ice that is black in color. What makes this dangerous? Like other ice, black ice is slippery and can be dangerous if it is not approached with caution. It is extremely perilous because it is black in color, which gives the illusion of blending in with the rest of the street. Knowing how black ice forms can help your teen drive more carefully, th ... read more

During the winter, it is especially important to take care of your vehicle’s exterior. Many people often think, “Why bother? My car is only going to get dirty from the snow and sludge?” However, it is for this very reason that you should not neglect caring for your car’s exterior. Unsure what the best winter car care routine is? At Waterloo Automotive, we are dedicated to helping you keep your vehicle in mint condition. Because of this, we have some helpful guidelines below. Guidelines for Winter Car Care: 1. Wiper Blades When it comes to caring for your car, it is important to start with the basics. In this instance, that means properly looking after your windshield wipers. When there is snow, rain, and ice coming down outside, it is crucial to your safety on the roads that your wipers are properly working. Without well-functioning wipers, your vision can become compromised, making for dangerous driving conditions. The solution? When your car is parked ... read more