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

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

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

As a parent, you have the responsibility of teaching your child many things, including changing a tire. This is one of the most important things you can teach them about their car. Tires are an essential part of a vehicle, because without them, their car won’t drive. Since tires are exposed to so much wear and tear each day, your child is bound to get a flat at some point. When this happens, knowing how to change a tire is crucial. Teaching your child about changing a tire does not have to be difficult; it is easy-to-teach when you use the following guidelines Changing a Tire 101Preliminary Precautions When changing a tire, there are some things that your child will want to do before they even begin removing their tire. If they are in a safe and convenient location, they may want to slip on a set of clean clothes. This process can be a dirty one, so your child will want to be careful if they are in nice clothes. Next, yo ... read more

Summer is coming to a close and that means all of the college kids will be heading back to school soon. Before you head back to school, make sure you have your textbooks, class schedule, and our car checklist, too! Students, have your vehicle ready for the upcoming school year this fall. A well-working car begins and ends with — you guessed it — good car care! Meyer’s Automotive cares about drivers, so we have created a car care checklist all students need to complete before heading off to school. Car Care Tip #1 – Oil Change You’ve heard it over and over again, oil changes are an important part of car care. Well, it turns out oil changes really are essential. We know you have plenty of textbooks to read already, so we will give you the synopsis. Importance of Oil Changes: Engine will run safely and more efficiently Better friction and temperature control Produce fewer emissions Improved mileage ... read more

Finding your vehicle with a dead battery can be very frustrating and inconvenient. Follow these tips to get the most out of your battery and keep it running. 1. Clean it Wipe your battery’s casing with a damp rag. Use a screwdriver to scrape away dirt and buildup from the terminals to allow the current to pass from the battery to the cables more efficiently. Call Meyer’s if the job looks like too much to handle alone. 2. Secure the battery Vibration and rattling can cause damage to the battery plates and your vehicle. It could also cause the battery to short circuit. 3. Protect it from weather Protect your battery from extremely cold weather, like we have here in the Midwest. Insulation kits are typically already found in new cars, but double check to make sure yours has a plastic or other thermal-resistant covering. 4. Drive your vehicle Leaving your car without starting and drivi ... read more

You’ve hopped out of the pool, dried off and enjoyed a perfectly chilled drink. It’s been a delightful summer day. Now, to drive home. You head to the car and are welcomed by a blazing door handle and a seat that scorches your bare legs. We’ve all been there. The heat is not only uncomfortable, but it is also damaging to your car. On a 90 degree day, the temperature in a car parked outside can reach up to 140 degrees. The windows turn the car into a sort of greenhouse, trapping heat. Temperatures that high are not good for many things, so I know that your car’s interior will not benefit from soaring heat this summer. Preventing prolonged heat exposure will help you keep your car in good condition. You can make some simple changes to keep your car cool and keep you and your family comfortable all summer. Make some shade
The accordion folded, aluminum foil-like sun shades may not be the most convenient devices ever, but they do a great job. Use
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Driving in the city can be stressful. You may be in an unfamiliar area with more cars, more pedestrians and intense traffic. What to do when you find yourself venturing through the city (your own or a new one)? Have a strategy! Be prepared for your city driving excursion, and you’ll make it to your destination with your car in tact and a relaxed attitude. When you’re getting ready to do more city driving, you’ll need some guidelines to make it easier. That’s why we’ve made this list of city driving tips. City Driving TipsPlan your route
Know where you’re going- including the addresses and phone numbers of each location. Instead of just knowing you’re meeting a friend at a sushi place on Marigold Street for dinner, have the details saved somewhere. Write the address on a piece of paper or save it on your phone so you know that you’re heading to “Crazy Sushi” at 124 Marigold Street. The more details, the better. Avoid r
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Are you ready for prom? Last time we started a list about making prom night fun and memorable. It’s so easy to get stressed out when you’re trying to coordinate a group. Where should you take pictures, where will you get dinner, who is driving, and what will you wear?! This year, don’t get freaked out. We’ve already talked about making a schedule for the day and picking a driver for the night. Check out the rest of our tips for a fun prom night! Check out the first three prom night tips.4. Buckle up
We know you don’t want to wrinkle that handsome tux or beautiful dress, but they will hold up fine! Keep your seat belt on no matter who is driving- it’s worth it. 5. Get Your Car Ready
If you do drive, make sure your car is ready. Give it a thorough check. How are the tires, windshield wiper fluid and oil? Have a mechanic give a chec

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