During the winter, our cars have to struggle through the snow, slush and snow. They deserve to be cleaned every now and then. You could take your car to a professional car wash but if you have some free time and like to care for your car on your own, then you can do so by following the tips below:

– Start with the interior and a good airing out. After removing the floor mats, vacuum the seats and floors to remove sand and salt. Check the carpeting for wetness and keep the floor mats out until they are dry.
– Clean all the plastic and vinyl surfaces. Finish up with cleaning the interior windows.
– When washing the exterior of the car, spray out the salt and dirt accumulation from under the wheel wells and rocker panels.
– Under the hood, start by checking all fluid levels.
– Inspect the belts for wear that may show up as cracking or frayed edges. Belts should be tight and should not give more than a half to three-quarters of an inch.
– The radiator and heat hoses should be firm. Hoses that are spongy, cracked, and overly hard or have bulges should be replaced.
– The battery should be checked for proper levels and charge and any accumulated corrosion should be cleaned from the terminals.
– Finally, inspect the tires and check that they are inflated to the recommended pressure.

Ambitious Drivers driving courses give equal importance to theoretical and practical training. Contact Ambitious Drivers today to schedule your driving classes. (416) 293-6500

Unless you hear the tire burst, the first sign of a blowout will be that your car suddenly pulls hard to one side. Your instinct will be to slam on the brakes, but don’t. Sudden braking is the single worst thing that you can do if a tire blows out. Breaking will only exacerbate the problem, and it could cause a total loss of control. Repeat this thought to yourself over and over so that you are programmed to act if the worst happens.

Instead, slowly lift your foot from the gas while steering with both hands to stay in your lane. Keep looking ahead and turn your steering wheel to keep in a straight line. Maintain momentum by accelerating and then ease of the gas to slow down – accelerating is not done to speed the car up, simply to maintain momentum and minimize the risk of and effect of a side slide. Then try and maneuver one lane at a time towards the shoulder. You’re better off continuing to drive, at below 30 miles an hour, with the blown tire flapping away than stopping before you’re clear of the traffic. (Don’t worry about damaging the tire-it’s ruined.)

Burst tyres can never be salvaged. You can drive on the tire very slowly to a safe place but do not attempt to go any further than absolutely necessary. Repairable punctures can turn into irreparable tires if you drive on them.

Here are some tire checks you should constantly follow:

– Check your tire pressures weekly
– Check tires for damage weekly with a quick visual check every day before you enter the car.
– Check your tires before you embark on long journeys.
– Check your vehicle handbook for correct tire pressures for different vehicle loads.
– Check your tire pressure more often during heat waves.

Ambitious Drivers driving courses give equal importance to theoretical and practical training. Contact Ambitious Drivers today to schedule your driving classes. (416) 293-6500