DIY Car Care should be avoided: Here is why

Cars are a very important part of people’s life. Every owner wants to ensure that it is in top condition for the safety of the passengers on board. But, like all machines, various parts of the car get damaged or wear off eventually. Circumstances such as this call for the attention of professionals so that they are fixed. However, many car owners try fixing such issues on their own. If you lack the adequate knowledge for fixing the car, such practices possess a huge threat to it. 

Mentioned below are 3 reasons why you should not rely on DIY car care tips:

1. Impossible to attain perfection

Perfection is the key to ensure the proper functioning of all the parts and your own safety. To attain this perfection, the automotive industry has developed various car care products in India over the years. They are specially designed tools to overcome any complication related to cars and car service professionals use them to treat your cars while repairing. But, on the other hand, most car owners do not own such tools and hence, restoring the car back to its original condition is next to impossible for them.  

2. Inadequate knowledge leads to disasters

The engineers who treat your car are trained individuals who have years of training and experience. Over time, they have perfected the art of repairing cars. They have adequate knowledge about the various parts of the car and no minute damage escapes their meticulous vision. Their experience allows them to perform the task swiftly and efficiently. Contrary to that, most car owners lack such immense knowledge about car parts and take much longer to complete the same task.

3. Security against damages

If you are a novice, the chances of damaging the car while repairing are pretty high. From minor scratches to major failures, anything is a possibility. Moreover, repairing these damages further increases the overall expense. The qualified mechanics at the car repairing shop are trained to avoid any mistake, and if they do, the car service provider takes full responsibility and repairs it. Hence, you do not have to pay for any damage if caused.     

Apart from repairing the damages, the car service providers conduct a full check-up of your car parts to ensure their proper functioning. This helps to evade potential threats. For instance, if the car battery is damaged and you were not aware of it, there is a possibility that you may end up stranded in the middle of a road. However, when you visit a service provider, they will inform you about the situation and suggest you buying a new Exide or Amaron car battery online or offline if required.  

How does Sand Damage the Windshield?

Windshields damaged by sand are hazardous for both personal as well as commercial vehicle operators. You must never take it lightly as there are major risks associated with the same. While a good insurance policy will cover an Alto or Wagon R front glass price but your safety is something of which you yourself must take care.

Although it only requires a repair job to fix a sandblasted windshield, a replacement becomes essential in extreme conditions, especially in case of commercial vehicles.  Here is everything you need to know about sandblasted windshields and how to take care of it.

What exactly is sandblasted windshield?
The presence of dust and sand on roads is inevitable. You might have often noticed tiny particles of sand and dust hitting your windshield while driving on the road. Although the size of these particles is small enough to cause any substantial damage, the condition might worsen over an extended period of time. You will not even realize how fast small chips develop into cracks. Hence, appropriate measures must be taken to restore your car windshield immediately.

What is the reason behind sandblasted windshield?
• Tailgating
If you are in the habit of tailgating, then your car will be prone to a sandblasted windshield. The impact of sand on the windshield increases when you are driving close to a vehicle in front of you. The rear tires throwback particles of sand towards your windshield. Hence, it is always mandatory to maintain considerable gap between the vehicle in front of you.

• The surrounding environment
Where you drive and what type of vehicle you own also plays a great role. It is natural for your windshield to incur more sand damage if you drive around construction sites or farms. Not only is the particle size bigger in such areas, but they hit your windshield at high speeds as well.

The impact of sandblasted windshield 
One thing that gets severely affected is the visibility. When you drive out especially during sunny days, the pits in your windshield can blur your vision. These pits will further deteriorate the condition and eventually warrant a replacement.

Ways to prevent windshield sand damage
While maintenance is the key to keeping your vehicle in good shape and the windshield shouldn’t be ignored either. Here are some of the ways you can follow to ensure the same:
• Frequent cleaning - Regular cleaning is the most important step to take care of the windshield. It is necessary, however, to use the right products. Avoid products containing ammonia as they can cause substantial damage to the rubber, plastic, vinyl and other materials. The fumes released by these cleaners are also dangerous for the passengers.

• Careful parking - Be careful while parking your car and do not do so just anywhere you find space. Always park your car in a garage or covered area so that rain and sun don’t affect the windshield.


• Replacing the windshield wipers - Wipers play an important role in keeping the rain and dirt off your windshield. Hence replacing your wipers every six months is essential to maintain the windshield.

Car Battery: How to Know If You Need A Replacement

For a lot of drivers, cars are the apple of their eyes. They cherish their cars and a new buy often depicts different phases of their lives. But loving the car dearly is not enough—we need to take good care of them and maintain them on a regular basis. Reputed companies offer professional car care services with a quick turnaround when it comes to car detailing or other services, and the best part is that they use world-class products in the process. Hence, when you hand your car to professionals, you can be rest assured that they’re under safe hands. 

However, the car owners need to be aware and on the lookout for any problems that might manifest themselves however minutely before the expected time. For example, dying car battery problems top the list of difficulties a car owner may face at an unexpected time. There are a few warning signs that can help determine if you need a replacement:

1.Slow engine crank

If you notice a sluggish cranking of the engine and if it takes longer to start when you turn the ignition, it may be a sign of a battery problem.

2. Indications inside the car
The check engine light sometimes is illuminated when the battery power nears its end. A part of the car battery casing is translucent so you can always keep an eye on the fluid levels. If the fluid level is below the lead plates, it is time to get the battery checked.

3. Age of the battery

The battery of your car can last well beyond three years, but it is a good idea to get it inspected on a half-yearly basis after it reaches the three-year mark.

4. Dimming headlights

If the headlights are not as strong and bright as they used to be, it is time to get your car’s battery checked. The lights are probably dim because they’re not getting enough power to be as bright as they can and should be.

5. Car won’t start

If you find yourself in a situation where after an overnight stay your car doesn’t start and the only way to make it start is to give throttle—it is probably time to get the batteries replaced. An Exide car battery price spent on a replacement is your best bet for the next 3 years, at least. The car will function properly after you get it started, but you should not have to go those lengths to start it in the first place. It is a possibility that the battery needs a replacement.

Reasons To Get a Pitted Windshield Replaced

Windshield pitting is the result of everyday wear and tear on your auto glass. The damage is usually

caused by the accumulation of sand and dust particles. The consequences are reduced visibility and

glared vision, especially at night. It can highly impact your safety behind the wheel.

Reasons for windshield pitting

Although pitting is a natural process which occurs over time, these are some of the most important

factors leading to windshield pitting:

 Regular drives to dusty or sandy areas

 Sleet and rain

 Exposure to salt

 Changes in pressure and temperature

 Contaminants on the roads

 Driving on highly congested or high traffic roads

Risks associated with windshield pitting

The chances of accidents on road can increase due to reduced visibility. The glare caused by pitting

can blind and blur your vision to the incoming traffic. Windshield replacement is the only solution

under such circumstances which can be quite expensive. It can also reduce the efficiency of your

windshield wipers or even damage them. Distortion is a common phenomenon i.e. it can make it

difficult for you to decide how close an object is to your vehicle. Cracks can also form easily if you

have a pitted windshield.

Cost of replacing a pitted windshield

You cannot afford to ignore a pitted windshield, keeping in mind the risks associated with it.

Replacement from certified technicians that adhere to industry standards is necessary. Not

compromising on quality is the only wise choice when it comes to windshield replacement or

repair. The price must not be your top priority. So, don’t expect a Ford Figo front glass price to be

same as Chevrolet or Maruti Suzuki windshield price. Your windshield is responsible for providing

protection in case of accidents; hence keeping it in good shape becomes mandatory.

How to get rid of windshield pitting

It must be clear by now that repairing is not a solution to get rid of pits. You might come across a

number of articles on how to repair a pitted windshield on Google. Most of these articles suggest

polishing the glass which is not going to make any significant changes in improving the pits or

strength of your windshield. Perhaps, it can make your windshield uneven, hence increasing the

risk even more. While minor cracks can still be taken care of using DIY methods, the scenario is not

the same in case of pitted windshields. Hence, car glass replacement is the best choice.

Car Windshield: What Kind of Damage Can Be Repaired?

Damage to a car’s windscreen is not as frequent as the scratching or denting of the auto body. However, if such an event does come to pass, then it should be considered serious. A windshield is a hugely important part of any automobile, whether you have a Maruti Ertiga or a Honda Jazz. Not only does it provide protection to the driver and passengers of a Honda car, but also bolsters the structural integrity of the car, and houses the Honda Jazz wiper blades as well. Therefore, any crack, scratch or chip to its surface, however minor, must be treated with the utmost scrutiny.

According to various researches, if a crack on a windshield is left untreated, then it becomes highly dangerous within a short period of time. But, the question here is: can windshield cracks or chips be simply repaired, or will you have to get the entire windscreen replaced with a new one? This depends upon not only the size and location of the damage but also its type. Here are the different kinds of windshield damages that can be easily repaired:

Bull’s eye:

This kind of damage has a separated core in the outer layer that causes a dark circle. If its diameter is less than an inch and the head is dirt-free, then it can be repaired.

Half-moon:

Usually called the partial bullseye, this crack also has a separated core in the outer layer of the windshield with a half circle separation around the point of impact. Again, if the diameter is smaller than an inch, you will be saved from paying the car windshield price for a replacement.

Star break:

In this kind of crack, the damage spreads out from a central breakage in the form of stems or legs of varying lengths, thus giving it the shape of a star. If the diameter of the break does not exceed three inches, then such a crack is repairable.

Combination break:

As the name suggests, such a damage consists of multiple types of cracks at one location. The diameter of the main breakage body must not exceed two inches in diameter if such a windshield crack is to be repaired.

Surface pit:

A surface pit is a hollow damage to the windshield that does not penetrate into the plastic interlayer of the laminated windscreen. The diameter of the crack should be less than 1/8 inch.

Thus, you now know that a lot of different types of cracks and chips can actually be repaired. This is useful knowledge for those who must decide between a Honda Jazz windshield replacement cost or a simple repair job. However, do keep in mind that if the damage extends to the outer edge of the windshield, or is directly blocking the view of the driver, it’s recommended to get the windshield replaced.

6 Tips to Maintain Your Car's Bodywork

You are a proud owner of a brand-new car and you wish that it keeps looking brand new forever, don't you? The fact is that it's achievable provided you maintain your car's bodywork through a number of simple routine tasks in cleaning. Even the most obsessive car-owners make some basic mistakes when it comes to cleaning and maintaining their car's bodywork. Here are our tips for maintaining your car's bodywork:

Wash your car on a regular basis at least once a month

This will get rid of all the dust, salt, dirt and other debris from the surface of your car which can cause permanent stains, rusting and corrosion. Wash the areas underneath your car as well, including the insides of your car's wheel arches and underneath the bumper area to remove any dirt or salt hidden from view.

Don't let bird droppings dry and rust your car's surface

Bird droppings contain abrasive and acidic properties that can cause permanent damage to the paint surface and they get even worse under direct sunlight. Wash off bird droppings on your car as soon as possible with lukewarm warm water and soft cloth.

Wax your car at least thrice a year

Waxing provides a protective coating for your car's paintwork. It can check corrosion by blocking water that may seep into the chips and scratches on your car's surface. Buy a good quality 3M Car Care Products like the non-abrasive car wax and apply it to your car's surface in the shade with the help of a soft cloth. Apply the wax to the painted sections only. Then wipe it off with another clean, soft cloth until all the wax has been removed.

Apply a rustproofing agent to your car.

Rustproofing is necessary especially in humid climates. A rustproofing product will give extra protection to your car's bodywork and prevent corrosion. You can purchase a commercial rustproofing agent besides other car care product online and apply it to your car easily by following the directions provided by the product's manufacturer.

Apply paint on the small chips and deep scratches on the car surface

This will prevent the affected areas of your car's bodywork from corroding. Get a touch-up paint in the exact colour of your car from your car's manufacturer or dealer. Apply it slowly to the chipped or scratched area with the help of a toothpick. Refer to the directions of your touch-up paint manufacturer for instructions. Find out how long the paint needs to dry before applying the clear coating.

Polish the areas that contain minor scratches

This will cover and hide any small, shallow scratches on your car's surface. Apply a small amount of polish to the applicator and gently rub the affected area with it. After the scratches have been repaired, wash off the affected areas with mild soap and water to remove the polish. Following this, apply car wax to the areas treated with polish to wipe and shine those areas.

How to get the best out of the Car Battery

The battery can be considered as the heart of an automobile. It gives power to the entire electrical components of the vehicle and ensures their smooth functioning. Unfortunately, even the best car batteries eventually degrade. Here are a few maintenance tips you can follow to ensure that the battery works fine:

Turn off the lights when not required

We often leave our car’s headlights on unnecessarily. This imposes a huge load on the car's battery and reduces its longevity. Save power by using the headlights only when required. Make sure that you never leave the car’s headlight on when parked or not in use.

Test the battery

Keeping a track of the battery’s performance is essential, but the effects won’t show up until the battery is severely damaged. To avoid unforeseen troubles, get it checked by car battery service providers whenever you get the car serviced or invest in a car’s battery tester. Keep a check on the batteries output voltage level with the tester and the condition of the battery.

Drive frequently

Leaving your car parked and using the radio or the air conditioner will put a lot of stress on the car’s battery and decline its efficiency. A car battery drains out if the car is not driven for extended periods. Make sure that the car is driven at least once a week.

Avoid short rides

When a car is driven multiple times for a very brief moment, its battery does not get receive the charge it requires. Drive your car for longer periods of time and do it frequently. The battery will charge properly and will work more efficiently. To avoid getting stranded in the middle of the road, carry a portable car battery charger with you.

Avoid corrosion on the battery frame

With time, damage to the battery is inevitable. It will slowly develop corrosion on the frame, but it can be avoided if proper care is taken. Clean the battery the frequently to avoid such damage. Use a toothbrush dipped in a mixture of baking soda and water to scrub terminals. Then rinse it off with cold water.

Take care of the car

A car battery is assembled together with several components that function together and somehow each part is dependent on the other to function properly. Therefore, take good care of your car to ensure a longer life of the car battery. A wide range of 3M car care products like battery terminal coating is available for the maintenance if the battery which prevents sulfurization.