Waterloo Automotive

Did you know there are 57 pages in the Missouri Motor Vehicle Safety Inspection Regulations Manual? That’s right! The state wants to make sure that every car on the road is safe enough to be out there—both for the sake of the drivers and everyone they pass. That’s why whenever you purchase a pre-owned vehicle you must have it inspected by a government-approved location in order to legally take to the streets. State Car Inspections What exactly goes into a vehicle inspection? What kind of requirements does your car have to meet before it is considered safe by the powers that be? Because each state has differing laws, we’ll start by outlining Missouri’s checklist this week and continue with Illinois next time. For each inspection, both the interior and exterior components of the vehicle must be checked along with everything under the hood as well as its performance in certain areas. We give each vehicle a thorough exam both w ... read more

When it comes to teenagers, it may seem like they’re nocturnal—always wanting to stay up later and sleep well into the morning (or afternoon). It’s just part of being a kid, and we’ve all been there at some point. But when it comes to teens, a late bedtime can become a problem when school is in session. Whether they go to bed at 10:00 p.m. or 1:00 a.m., the alarm will still go off at 6:00, and it will be up to them to suffer the consequences. Falling Asleep While Driving Unfortunately, part of those consequences can and do involve auto accidents. Already the No. 1 cause of death among teenagers in America, drowsiness only adds fuel to an already burning fire as teenagers stumble out of bed, get behind the wheel and take a dangerous drive with half-open eyes. According to research from Liberty Mutual Insurance and Students Against Destructive Decisions (SADD), teens who average less than eight hours of sleep a night are twice as lik ... read more

We all like to pretend that a winter driving accident will never happen to us but the truth is these accidents happen every winter to countless people. Rather than doing nothing and hoping for the best, be prepared for the chance that something could happen out on the road. Below you will find a checklist of things you need to prepare for before the bad weather hits. Winter Car Care Checklist Battery & Charging System – Make sure to get your car battery and portable charging system tested by a qualified technician. Have the battery terminals and cables checked to ensure that they are free from any corrosion and that the connection is tight. You want to make sure that your battery is fully charged and ready for the winter months. Car Belts & Hoses – Inspect the drive belts for any signs of cracking or fraying. You also want to have the cooling system inspected to make sure that you don’t have any cracked hoses or loose clamps. Wi ... read more

For parents, thinking about their teen driving during bad weather conditions can be a scary thought. There’s good reason for this and It is something best avoided. However, should you happen to find yourself driving through a storm or heavy snowfall, these teen driving tips will help you out. Bad Weather Driving Tips for TeensDriving in Heavy Rain Here is a good rule to follow. If you need your windshield wipers on in order to see then that means you also need to turn your headlights on. This goes for driving in rain, fog, sleet, or snow. Not only will it help your visibility but it will also help other drivers see you. It’s a good idea to increase the amount of space between you and other drivers when driving on slick roads. You should double or even triple the normal amount of space between you and the car in front of you. If the weather is making it too difficult to see then you should find a place to pu ... read more