Routine vehicle maintenance is the best way to avoid being stranded in the bitter cold. These comprehensive checkups include replacement of old belts and hoses, checking tire pressure, tune-ups and inspection among others. Winter tends to make oil thicker and pliable materials stiffer and brittle. Considering this, it is highly recommended that you use light-viscosity synthetic lubricants, which are slightly expensive than conventional oil but work across a wider temperature range.

The battery is the biggest concern in winter driving, and it is important to check your battery especially if it more than three years old. It is also a good idea to fill up your gas tank to help lower and the moisture within the engine and also prevent you from being stranded in the biting cold. Antifreeze is another important liquid to check up on each day especially in inclement weather, and should be maintained at a 60:40 coolant ratio. Not maintaining the proper antifreeze ration can cause the coolant to freeze and consequently crack the engine block.

With regards to liquids, it is important to check your windshield washer fluid regularly and ensure it is topped up. Same goes with the oils and filters and well and dirty oil as these issues can compromise your engine. Windshield wipers are your ultimate ticket to a clear view of the road, and must be in good working order regardless of the weather you’re driving in. Consider replacing your windscreen wipers if they’re more than a year old preferably with winter blades for icy conditions, which are especially designed blades are designed to prevent ice and snow build-up.

Checking your tire pressure is equally important as pressure tends to decrease with the temperature outside. You can find the right tire pressure in your owner’s manual or on the doorjamb, but take note that the tire pressure may differ for front and rear tires. While checking the tire pressure, it is a good habit to inspect them for crack and bulges and analyze the depth of the thread.

If you tend to drives in high snowfall areas, consider fitting snow tires to your vehicle. These specially designed tires provided enhanced traction in deeper snow, and if you witness frequent ice storms, consider installing studded snow tires. Apart from the tips above, you must have a first aid and basic tool kit handy in your vehicle. Winter driving can be a challenging experience so it is important to safeguard your vehicle to prevent things from going awry on the road.

The post Easy Ways to Defrost Your Car This Winter appeared first on Ace Glass.

Get your vehicle serviced – getting your car serviced by a professional is highly recommended, and paying a few pounds will ensure that all aspects of your vehicle are looked at. The right time to book a vehicle service appointment is generally the beginning of October preferably earlier. Comprehensive checks whether done by a professional garage or you include checking the car battery, coolant and tires.

The RAC one of Europe’s major car breakdown and auto insurance companies claims that most calls for roadside assistance is with regards to car batteries so it is important to make sure it is fully charged especially if your vehicle has not been driven over a long period of time. If you’re going to replenish the coolant yourself, ensure you fill between the minimum and maximum markers. Simultaneously, also check if there is sufficient anti-freeze in the coolant, and if you’re not sure what the right strength is, refer to your vehicle handbook or speak to your local garage.

Although anti-freeze is cheap, not having the right strength may cause irreparable damage to your engine. When it comes to tires, analyze them for adequate thread and also for bulges, splits and the level of pressure in each one. If you live or tend to commute in particularly inclement weather, it is a good idea to invest in winter snow socks or tires, which offer better traction and control.

Check your lights, screen wash and wiper blades – dark mornings and evenings can make driving extremely dangerous for you and others. It is therefore important to ensure that all your exterior and even interior lights are in good working order. It is consider the fact that not all screen wash is the same look for the temperature it protects down to, where -10 degrees C will suffice for normal cold weather and -20 degrees C in extreme cold weather. Not using good quality screen wash could result in freezing of your water pump, which may blow your fuse and damage your wipers. Speaking of wipers, check them thoroughly for damage and replace them immediately if needed.

Fill up on gas –fill up on gas as you don’t want to be stranded in the middle of nowhere especially in cold weather. It is also important to check the oil level in your vehicle and top it up if needed.

Along with the tips above, make sure you take extra care on the roads and keep safe distance in foggy and icy conditions.

The post Winter Driving Checklist appeared first on Ace Glass.

Dusting your Car – regardless of the age of your vehicle, it is important to clean the interior with a damp cloth regularly. The dust that accumulates consistently in your vehicle such as flame retardants from the seat cushions (especially seen in older vehicles), dirt, pollen, dead skin, hair that tends to cover your gauges, consoles and dashboard. Regularly wiping these elements of your interior provide relief to asthma sufferers and reduce allergens in your vehicle.

Air it out– If you’ve recently purchased your vehicle, you’re definitely familiar with that new car smell that makes you euphoric. This distinct smell is a combination of VOC (volatile organic materials) that are used to manufacture the vehicle including diazinon, xylene, styrene and formaldehyde. The best way to eliminate this potent odor is to leave your windows down whenever you can including when driving and even when parked (under supervision). Adding to this, avoid parking in direct sunlight unless of course you can roll your windows down as heat increases the rate of chemical discharge from the materials.

Remove the Food and Get Rid of Mold – Food wrappers from your favorite fast food joints are probably common sightings in your vehicle, but eventually these remnants will begin to decompose or grown mold. These have the potential to create mycotoxins, cause allergies and conceive cancer causing aflatoxins. Mold is not afraid of salt and sugar found in left over packets either, and tends to grow in warmer temperatures and even during the spring and summer months.

With regards to mold, no car is airtight or even watertight and given this compromise, rain water and snow can create moisture build up in your vehicle. You might not be able to sense these moisture leaks at first, but the dang, musky smell eventually will make it quite evident. The best way to prevent moisture from getting the best of your vehicle is by repairing leaky spots and cleaning up spills as soon as they occur.

Steer Clear of Fumes – If you’re stuck in congested traffic, trailing behind a large diesel truck or simply waiting your turn at the gas station, it may be hard to avoid the gas fumes discharged in these situations. In any of these situations, the best thing to do is cover your nose when outside or roll up your windows if seated in your vehicle.

Pet Owners – pets tend to bring their own friends along on short and long trips, fleas per se. These parasites are passionate about any and every pet they befriend, and are not just a nuisance but can cause allergic reactions, rashes and even spread diseases. They have a high survival rate without feeding, which means that you are risk even when your pets aren’t present in the vehicle. Regular and thorough cleaning of upholstery, seat and floor covers with help minimize and prevent the occurrence of these types of parasites.

The post Detox Your Car In 5 Easy Steps appeared first on Ace Glass.

Pros of a Sunroof

A car appointed with a sunroof has its fair share of benefits, but above all it increases the visual appeal of a vehicle and sunroofs can be repaired easily. In most cars a sunroof is factory fitted and included in the price depending on the variant of that specific model. With the sunroof open, you eliminate the noise of gushing wind that sometimes may make it hard to even converse with passengers in the vehicle. You can turn the air conditioning on if you have one installed, but this causes an artificial cooling effect. Driving down a clear road such as the countryside or even highway with a backdrop of a sky full of stars creates an unrivaled romantic atmosphere. An open sunroof also has the potential to transform a gloomy day into a bright day and make the drive even more pleasurable. Another notable benefit of having a sunroof is that in some cases it may help fetch you a better resale price owing to the increased appeal of the vehicle.

Cons of a Sunroof

The first and biggest disadvantage of having a sunroof is its cost. Most if not all vehicles do not offer a sunroof in their basic variant, and the ones that do are often priced significantly higher. Not to mention, higher priced models come with a ton of bells and whistles, some that you might never use, but still have to pay for. Another issue with sunroofs is the greater chances of repair in the event it is damaged, which can only be performed at an authorized repair center. Sometimes the rubber seal around the sunroof may fall apart causing costly damage to the interior of your vehicle. Finally, you cannot keep the sunroof open in winter months so it remains unused for a significant part of the year.

Pros of Air-Conditioning

Air conditioning tends to reduce fatigue on hot summer days and also eliminates outdoor nose and window fogging. Opting for air-conditioning in a vehicle compared to a sunroof will fetch you a higher resale value because it is simply more practical for the average or family touring vehicle. Adding to this, air-conditioned air tends to filter pollutants and airborne particles, which results in a cleaner vehicle and also helps those with allergies. Furthermore, it provides an odor free environment in your vehicle at all times, and also helps demist windows in the winter time. Lastly, even the most basic vehicles arrive standard with air-conditioning, and are backed by a healthy manufacturer’s warranty.

Cons of Air-conditioning

The only disadvantage to opting for an air-conditioned vehicle is the cost of repairs when it does breakdown. But this does not happen often especially if it’s a new vehicle.

The best option that will serve all year round is arguably an air-conditioned vehicle. Although sunroofs do have a certain aesthetic appeal, they aren’t enough to justify their value over AC appointed cars. But generally most expensive cars come with both an air-conditioner and sunroof even in their base models so if you want to enjoy the best of both worlds, they are the best options to explore.

The post Sunroofs Vs Air Conditioning appeared first on Ace Glass.

Pros of a Sunroof

A car appointed with a sunroof has its fair share of benefits, but above all it increases the visual appeal of a vehicle. In most cars a sunroof is factory fitted and included in the price depending on the variant of that specific model. With the sunroof open, you eliminate the noise of gushing wind that sometimes may make it hard to even converse with passengers in the vehicle. You can turn the air conditioning on if you have one installed, but this causes an artificial cooling effect. Driving down a clear road such as the countryside or even highway with a backdrop of a sky full of stars creates an unrivalled romantic atmosphere. An open sunroof also has the potential to transform a gloomy day into a bright day and make the drive even more pleasurable. Another notable benefit of having a sunroof is that in some cases it may help fetch you a better resale price owing to the increased appeal of the vehicle.

Cons of a Sunroof

The first and biggest disadvantage of having a sunroof is its cost. Most if not all vehicles do not offer a sunroof in their basic variant, and the ones that do are often priced significantly higher. Not to mention, higher priced models come with a ton of bells and whistles, some that you might never use, but still have to pay for. Another issue with sunroofs is the greater chances of sunroof repair in the event it is damaged, which can only be performed at an authorized repair centre. Sometimes the rubber seal around the sunroof may fall apart causing costly damage to the interior of your vehicle. Finally, you cannot keep the sunroof open in winter months so it remains unused for a significant part of the year.

Pros of Air-conditioning

Air conditioning tends to reduce fatigue on hot summer days and also eliminates outdoor nose and window fogging. Opting for air-conditioning in a vehicle compared to a sunroof will fetch you a higher resale value because it is simply more practical for the average or family touring vehicle. Adding to this, air-conditioned air tends to filter pollutants and airborne particles, which results in a cleaner vehicle and also helps those with allergies. Furthermore, it provides an odour free environment in your vehicle at all times, and also helps demist windows in the winter time. Lastly, even the most basic vehicles arrive standard with air-conditioning, and are backed by a healthy manufacturer’s warranty.

Cons of Air-conditioning

The only disadvantage to opting for an air-conditioned vehicle is the cost of repairs when it does breakdown. But this does not happen often especially if it’s a new vehicle. With some cars it can be quite common for rockchips to hit the compressor as it is located underneath the car which can damage the unit, its not just windows you could need a rock chip repair on.

The best option that will serve all year round is arguably an air-conditioned vehicle. Although sunroofs do have a certain aesthetic appeal, they aren’t enough to justify their value over AC appointed cars. But generally most expensive cars come with both an air-conditioner and sunroof even in their base models so if you want to enjoy the best of both worlds, they are the best options to explore.

The post Sunroof & Air Conditioning for Hot Summers Days appeared first on Ace Glass.

The first thing you need to look at is acquiring the glass from a specialist, depending on the age of your vehicle. You can contact the manufacturer if it is a classic car or an auto windshield specialist such as ourselves here at Ace Glass.

The first step to take is to ensure all the debris and chipped glass is removed from the side window.Disconnect the car’s battery first as if your car has electric windows it is important to ensure that there is no current going through the vehicle as you will need to re-connect the electric window once the glass is installed.

Make sure you have a new rubber seal to go around the new side window glass. Then cut the old rubber seal out and remove any of the old dry glue. Next insert the new window rubber into position, then ease the new glass into place and reattach the power window regulator allowing you to test the new glass window.

The post Side Glass Replacement – Can You Do It Yourself? appeared first on Ace Glass.

It’s not just rock chip repairs we know about here at Ace Glass, we also know about battery life and other general car safety tips! If your battery is old, it is highly recommended that you have it tested to ensure it is in good working order and won’t let you down on the road. But there are also a few things you can do to ensure you’re battery don’t give up on you.

How old is your Battery? – Most vehicle batteries tend to last approximately 5 years, some a bit longer, so if your powerhouse has passed this date, it’s time to get it replaced immediately. This check should be performed when preparing your vehicle for the winter instead of saving this task for the last minute. Even if your battery is newer than five years, but is acting up, it’s time to have it looked at by a professional.

Maintaining the Charge – if you use your vehicle for short commutes or if it remains still for long periods of time, investing in a newer battery conditioner intelligent charge. By using such a device, you extend the battery’s longevity without overcharging it.

Keeping your battery Warm – most car batteries are placed in a fitting spot, but there’s still some room around it. Use this extra space to keep the battery warm with an insulation blanket. This type of plastic is readily available at most car parts retailers and keep the battery warm in the winter and cool in the summer, while simultaneously extended the battery’s lifespan.

Extending the life of your Battery – try not to overload the electrical systems of your vehicle such as running the heater on constantly or even the air-conditioner in the summer. Another thing that will make your battery last longer in the winter and summer is to shut off all electrical systems when you park including headlights, heater, boot light and even audio systems. Also dip the clutch when starting especially if you have an older battery.

Taking Precautions – Even though you may prepare your car and its parts for the worse, you may be faced with unpredictable situations. To safeguard yourself, it is important to by carrying a first aid kit, a small maintenance box with accessories such as a flashlight and even registering with the RAC and AAA.

So before winter comes around, give your vehicle a comprehensive check to avoid any inconveniences on the road.

The post How to Get the Most out of Your Car Battery This Winter appeared first on Ace Glass.

If the tire pressure is too high, your vehicle will tend to bounce of the road owing to the fact that less of the tire reached the road. And when your tires do not get a firm grip of the road, you experience poor traction and comfort. Contrarily, low tire pressure means that more of the tires touch the road, which increases friction between the tires and road resulting in premature wear and tear. Adding to this, it may also lead to overheating and consequently a nasty accident.

You should check your tire pressure regularly even if you feel they are perfect. Reason being that the pressure of your tires tends to change with outdoor temperature. Tire pressure loss is calculated at 1 pound per square inch per 10 degree drop in outdoor temperature. This means that if you last checked your tire pressure in June when it was 80 degrees outside, and check them six months later when it is minus 20 degrees, you may very well be under-inflated by more than 10 pounds, which is extremely dangerous.

What is the right Tire Pressure?

Many individuals replenish tire pressure according to the pressure listed on the tires themselves. This is probably the biggest mistake motorists make as the pressure listed on the tire is the maximum allowable tire pressure and not the manufacturer’s recommended tire pressure. A point to note is that the recommended tire pressure for your vehicle will always be lower than the one engraved in your tires. The correct tire pressure for your vehicle is listed in your owner’s manual and also labels on the doorjamb.

How to Refill Tire Pressure?

There are two ways to replenish tire pressure, one is to buy a portable air compressor form your auto parts store and next is simply to visit a garage or petrol station. Garages and petrol stations may charge a nominal fee to check your tires with their air compressor unit, which is definitely worth every penny. When you do check our tire pressure, ensure that you check all four tires and the spare tire in the trunk.

If you’re tires are running smoothly or newer, make it habit to check them regularly. Most garages will check tire pressure at no additional costs during scheduled maintenance, and they have an accurate gauge so you can rest assured that your tires are safe when you drive out of the garage.

The post How to Monitor & Maintain Proper Air Pressure in Car Tires appeared first on Ace Glass.

Rock Chips:

Rock chips aka stone chips are the most common cause of damage to windshields, and unfortunately at most instances are unavoidable. Often a crack in a windshield due to a rock chips begins as a small crack, which in most cases is repairable, but anything over 6 inches will need new windshield replacement. There are several types of windshield cracks such as bull’s eye, combination break, ding, crack chip, half moon, floater crack, partial bull’s eye and long crack among others. Although not completely preventable, there are a few things you can do to steer clear of rock or stone chips coming at your windshield. This is when a rock chip repair is essential

Mud flaps are often seen on larger vehicles particularly on semi and dump trucks. These larger vehicles not only throw stone and rock chips as they travel, but also tend to throw them further. So if you find yourself near a mud flap appointed vehicle, you best bet is to try and move. But fact is that even simple 2 tire and 4 tire vehicles can kick up rocks and it’s not possible to stay clear of all of them. For this, you simply have to use common sense and implement good driving habits such as tailgating and maintaining extra caution when you notice a vehicle or a truck pull up beside or drive in front of you.

Structural Weaknesses:

There are several windshields that are cracked approximately 3 inches away from the tip of the end mold. This is generally a result of a weak manufacturing process caused by the thermal effect during the manufacturing process. Given the fact that glass is made up of small particles and not liquid, these particles are unable to grip to the edge where no glass exists. Adding to this, the mechanical stress used to craft the glass and bind it with the interior plastic liner may cause imperfections and increase shock and the chances of cracks.

Vandalism:

Unfortunately, car vandalism is unpredictable, but there are a few things you can to prevent it. For starters, always make it a point to park in well lit areas or even an indoor or locked garage. If you don’t have access to any of the above, park your car where it is clearly visible such as in areas that do not block your field of vision. You should have done this already, but in case you overlooked it for whatever reason, it is important to have an industry certified car alarm system installed in your vehicle. This will not only prevent thieves from prying into your vehicle, but also cut costs considerably on car insurance premiums.

Moisture can cause cracks in your windshield to expand at an alarming rate so it important to have damages to your windshield look at as soon as possible before they spiral out of control, making them more expensive to fix.

The post Most Common Causes of Broken Windshields appeared first on Ace Glass.

The underlying of cause of condensation is the level of moisture in the air, and the reason it may occur constantly and in large amounts is because of modern energy efficient home building products and techniques. Modern insulation and construction materials are designed to prevent cold air from seeping through especially with regards to windows and also keep warm air inside. But in the case of older windows, the ones with old rubber seals and weather stripping, moist air would escape.

The reason you didn’t notice as much fog before you replaced your old windows is probably because they were drafty. Good quality windows and insulation form fences for the air exchange in a house, and excess fog occurs when condensation from showers, clothes dryers and even cooking are not vented properly to the outside or the rubber seals are compromised due to gradual wear and tear.

Condensation and the consequent fog in a home can be reduced in several ways, but it is important to understand where this moisture is conceived. During the summer months, your house tends to absorb moisture and this is the same for remodeled or newly constructed homes owing to the tremendous amount of moisture from the materials used in the construction.

Basically, everything that involves water in your home will contribute to humidity, condensation and fogging such as heating/air-conditioning units, mopping, showers and even watering plants. Excessive condensation may also be an issue linked directly with the windows such as chips or cracks in the glass, broken rubber seals, a drafty old window seal, cracked or peeling paint or gaps between glass and window frames resulting in excess airflow.

Condensation also occurs in the winter months particularly around the time when you first start to heat your home. However, this condensation will tend to gradually dry out after a few weeks, and a temporary solution is to open a window slightly to let the cold air in and allow the moist air to escape. Although fogging is not completely preventable, there are several things you can do to prevent the issue.

First ensure that all exterior ventilation units are installed properly, meaning that they are open and flowing. It a good idea to periodically open your windows and doors to air out your home in order to discharge the moist air and welcome dry air. A humidifier is a great machine to help you considerably decrease the level of condensation in your home, provided it is installed properly. Lastly, keep indoor plants watered, but not to a point where they are over saturated, which only add to the moisture in your home.

Finally, it is important to take note that you may see an influx of fog even when you first install new windows, which is simply because the old fittings were cracked and drafty. But your new windows have newer and tighter seals so will adjust to the environments gradually.

The post What Causes Glass to Fog? appeared first on Ace Glass.