Jacking Up Your Car

If you've ever had to change a flat tire (and even if you haven't) you know almost obviously that the car must first be jacked up... but what's the best way to do it?


Before you jack up your vehicle, observe the following safety precautions:

Use the jack only to get a vehicle off the ground, never to hold a vehicle in place.

Use jack stands when you work underneath your vehicle. People have been crushed to death when vehicles that were improperly secured fell on them.

Never jack up a vehicle without blocking the wheels to keep it from rolling. Use bricks, wooden wedges, or metal wheel chocks to block the wheels at the end of the car that isn't being raised.

If you're changing a tire and you have nothing to block the wheels with, park near the curb with the wheels turned in. This may not keep you from getting hurt if the car rolls off the jack, but at least innocent motorists and pedestrians won’t have to deal with a runaway driverless vehicle!

Never change a tire on a freeway or highway. Call road service or an automobile association or hang a white rag or a white piece of paper out of the driver’s side window and wait for the highway patrol.

Always park a vehicle on level ground before you jack it up. If you get a flat tire on a hill and can’t coast to the bottom without killing the tire completely, park close to the curb, turn the wheels toward the curb, and block the downside wheels securely to prevent the car from rolling.

Put the car in Park (or in First if you have a manual transmission) and engage the parking brake before you jack up the vehicle.

Read more: http://www.dummies.com/how-to/content/how-to-safely-jack-up-your-vehicle.html

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Pierce Street Harlem Renaissance Festival

The 1st Pierce Street Harlem Renaissance Festival is Saturday, September 22nd from 10AM to 4PM at the Anne Spencer Garden (1301 Pierce St.). Enjoy craft, art, and food vendors while enjoying live music at the home of the acclaimed Harlem Renaissance poet, Anne Spencer. Admission is free and open to the public.

Visit http://www.annespencermuseum.com/events.php for more information

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Cut Your Risk Of An Accident:

Safety is always a concern while driving, especially if you're a "family-hauler". Fortunately Women-Drivers has some tips that can help you avoid a collision, and keep you on the road:


There are an estimated 250 million vehicles on U.S. roads today. This is a recipe for more traffic jams and longer commutes which can lead to shorter tempers. Read the following tips and live by them – they will make a difference to your well-being while in the car, as well as others who are on the road with you.

-Be cognizant: When driving, remain aware of others around you. Do not get sucked into a situation that can lead to unsafe behavior or triggering an emotional dispute with another driver.

-Be generous: When in traffic and someone wants to cut in front of you, let them. You getting to your exit, through the tunnel or to the toll gate one car length behind, will not greatly impact your arrival time at all. It will, however, insure your getting there safely.

Did You Know?
Listening to soft or quiet music, intentional breathing, hands-free driving and leaving on time all make a difference in reducing stress while driving in heavy traffic which allows you to maintain good judgement while on the road.

-Be spacious: Do not tailgate. Leave plenty or room between you and the car ahead of you – even if the driver behind you is tailgating.

-Be consistent: When driving in a highly trafficked area, attempt to maintain the car at a steady speed. Do not drive at inconsistent speeds to pass someone unsafely or to ‘get away’ from another vehicle.

-Be present: Phone calls, incoming texts, makeup or children can all be a distraction to you. All of these can impact your driving. Stay present to your driving responsibility as well as the driving responses of others.

-Be schooled: For many adult drivers, the last time they took a drivers education class was when they got their driver’s license. How many years ago was that? Through local continuing adult refresher classes, enroll yourself in a program to see what is new as well as get a refresher on some things you may have forgotten.


View Tips Page: http://carclique.net/post/monroevillechryslerjeep/embed/safety/40/13

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How To Make Your Car Last Longer

April may be national car care month, but if you want to make your car (no matter how old) stand the test of time these simple tips could help you drag out the miles AND avoid costly maintenance fees down the road!

“Neglected vehicle care almost always means much higher costs down the line in the form of more extensive repairs or lost resale value,” said Rich White, executive director, Car Care Council. “Following a routine maintenance program makes financial sense, extending useful vehicle life and helping avoid costly repairs down the road.”

The Car Care Council recommends 10 basic maintenance procedures to keep your car operating at its best for the long haul:

-Check all fluids, including engine oil, power steering, brake and transmission as well as windshield washer solvent and antifreeze/coolant.

-Check the hoses and belts to make sure they are not cracked, brittle, frayed, loose or showing signs of excessive wear.

-Check the battery and replace if necessary. Make sure the connection is clean, tight and corrosion-free.
Check the brake system annually and have the brake linings, rotors and drums inspected at each oil change.

-Inspect the exhaust system for leaks, damage and broken supports or hangers if there is an unusual noise. Exhaust leaks can be dangerous and must be corrected without delay.

-Schedule a tune-up to help the engine deliver the best balance of power and fuel economy and produce the lowest level of emissions.

-Check the heating, ventilating and air conditioning (HVAC) system as proper heating and cooling performance is critical for interior comfort and for safety reasons such as defrosting.

-Inspect the steering and suspension system annually including shock absorbers, struts and chassis parts such as ball joints, tie rod ends and other related components.

-Check the tires, including tire pressure and tread. Uneven wear indicates a need for wheel alignment. Tires should also be checked for bulges and bald spots.

-Check the wipers and lighting so that you can see and be seen. Check that all interior and exterior lighting is working properly and replace worn wiper blades so you can see clearly when driving during precipitation.

Tips from: http://www.carcare.org/2012/04/car-care-the-key-to-a-long-lasting-vehicle/

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