Back From Summer Vacation

Hey everyone, yeah I know I've been away the whole summer but that's what happens when you overbook yourself for just about everything and you can't find a minute to sit down and collect your thoughts.

Anyways, Fall and Winter are coming! I know half of you are saying yay and half are saying nay but we all need to be prepared for the seasons!

So today's tip is get you're car tuned up! In a tune-up your mechanic should replace the spark plug wires, fluids, check brakes, brake lines, and a whole bunch of other stuff to make sure your car is safe and ready for winter. If you live in a really cold region ask your mechanic what kind of  anti freeze you should use in your engine, there are different ones for different temperatures.
This is also the time to start thinking about snow tires for those of you who need them, they are a critical  part of winter driving safety, if you don't have them and you drive in the snow a lot then you NEED them. My brother who is a mechanic recommends looking on tirerack.com to get reviews and prices, then going to your local tire shop and asking for the ones you want, they will also help with any questions you may have.

Does anyone have other suggestions on how to prepare you car for winter?

Drive safe :)

Platinum Fact for the Day

Platinum is one of the most pure precious metals on the planet. It is seen mostly in high end engagement rings and other jewelry. The cost of an ounce of Platinum is Currently $1500 and is only going up.
Now what on earth does this have to do with cars?
Platinum is a vital component of the "Catalytic Converter" in your car. This converter takes the harmful emissions from your engine and makes them less harmful for the environment.

Now while this is all good stuff there is one bad side to having a Catalytic Converter in your car. People steal these parts to your car, it isn't so common anymore mostly because car companies have made it more difficult to get to them and there is too little metal in there to make it worthwhile. However, if you ever notice your car has gotten louder you may want to have it checked out by a professional mechanic just to make sure nothing is missing.

If you want to know more about Catalytic Converters and the metal inside, click on the link in the second paragraph or go to howstuffworks.com.

So as you all know it rained this past weekend here in New England and along with all the frizzy hair and smeared mascara came the one question all us women were asking... Where the hell is that umbrella I swore I left in my car?
Now, I'm sure there were many other questions you were asking yourself this weekend but keeping an umbrella in the car is very important, especially if you're like me and he really curly hair.
My tip for you this Tuesday morning is to buy a compact umbrella.
Amazon has some really cute one's for not a lot of money. The only reason why I say compact is so you can tuck it in any of those really convenient spots in your car that larger umbrellas won't fit into.
I have a Subaru and I keep mine in the pocket on the lower half of the driver side door. You could also hook it around the shifter knob in a car with a center console shifter, keep it in the pocket behind your seat, in the glove compartment, etc.
This way you always have it and its not in your way!

For the fashionistas out there, Burberry and Coach make some wonderful compact umbrellas as well.

Where is your favorite place to keep your umbrella?

I learned something Today Cont.

As we all know summer is here along with all the exciting things summer brings, beaches, parties and oppressively hot cars. Getting into a hot car during an even hotter day can be brutal and relief only comes when the windows are down or the A/C is cranking.

Now you could easily have a remote car starter installed and start your car from a mile away and have it ice cold by the time you get to it (starters cost about $200) or when you are poor like myself you could use some of the following tips to make that initial heat shock much easier to bear.

Tip #1- Park under a tree or in a shady area: most parking lots have a section covered by foliage that you can easily park your car under. This will drastically cool your car off while you are shopping that great sale.

Tip#2- Those silly looking windshield shades actually work: although this is not a good as parking under a tree it is still better than burning your buns on a hot seat. If you place the shade on your dashboard shiny side out the suns hot rays will be reflected away from your car.

Tip#3- Tinted windows aren't just for gangsters: Window tinting for cars is very popular in the lower 48 because it actually keeps your car from spontaneously combusting. Tinting your windows should be done by a professional not because you totally couldn't do it yourself, but because it will look a lot better if you pay that cute grease monkey who's done it a million times.

Any other tips on how to keep a car cool in the summer are totally welcomed.
Happy Driving!

I learned something today

When growing up as young women our foremost concern is usually related to clothing, boys, school, makeup, etc. When I was growing up my main concern was why isn't my car running right? I know that sounds kind of silly but not so when you grow up with a family of mechanics and DIY buffs.

I have been learning as much about cars since I can remember. From matchbox cars in elementary school to my 1984 Montecarlo LS in high school.

Now I offer all you young women the knowledge I have gained through experience, hard-work, and some great advice, so you can tackle all your car problems, questions and concerns with confidence.

(please note that all advice and discussions posted in this blog are no substitute for the opinion of an actual mechanic, please do not try any of this at home).

Welcome to Dresses to Wrenches!