Waterloo Automotive

Becoming independent of help from parents is one goal that many teenagers strive to attain. Whether it’s financially or otherwise, being able to handle things on your own is an important life skill. Learning about the noises your car makes, good and bad, is one way to become more independent from your parent or guardian. Squeak during braking
If you hear a high-pitched or squeaking sound when you break, it could be a result of your new (or wearing!) brake pads or a sign that you have water on the brakes. Sizzle under the hood
If you notice this most immediately after turning off the engine, it means something is leaking. It could be anything from coolant to oil, but get it checked out. Clunk in the front end
A clunking sound towards the front of your car during idling or going over small bumps, it’s probably an issue with the ball joint losing lubrication. Make an appointment to replace it. Whine while turning


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Fourth of July weekend is a time for barbecues, fireworks and family. Many people like to enjoy an alcoholic beverage or two, but this becomes a problem when deciding to get behind the wheel. This holiday weekend has repeatedly been ranked on numerous sources as the deadliest holiday of the year— even more so than New Year’s Day. Sometimes it’s due to alcohol, and sometimes it’s not. Nonetheless, this weekend has repeatedly been considered a very dangerous time to get behind the wheel. You Drink, You Drive, You Lose Saturation Patrols
By now you are probably familiar with the MoDOT slogan “You drink, you drive, you lose.” This is especially true on holiday weekends. If you have had an alcoholic drink, don’t even think about driving. Make plans in advance for a taxi or designated driver if you must get back home. St. Louis area police have announced an increase of sobriety checkpoints and DWI saturation patrols over the holiday weekend starting on July 3r
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Maintaining your car is very important, as it helps in avoiding breakdowns and future problems. With regular maintenance, your car will drive longer and more efficiently. Below are some of the thing you need to know about fluids, filters and tires. Fluids
Fluids like anti-freeze, motor oil, brake fluid, transmission fluid, rear end oil, power steering fluid and fuel are basically the lifeblood for a car and have to be maintained at proper levels. Each has its own function to perform. For instance, motor oil normally keeps all the parts of the engine lubricated and without it, your engine will lock up. If your vehicle is older than 2002, you should probably change it every 3,000 miles. Newer cars typically need an oil change every 3,000 miles. On the other hand, coolant is essential in keeping the engine block and cylinder heads cool. Ensure that you have proper lubrication of suspension parts using grease. Filters
The fluid filter, oil filt

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Each year hundreds of thousands of people are arrested for driving under the influence of alcohol. Be aware of how much is too much according to the law and what kinds of penalties you face if you are caught drinking while driving. How much can I drink? Males
If a man weighs 180 lbs., his BAC will typically be over .08% after four drinks over the course of an hour. Females
Having three drinks in an hour will put a woman weighing 140 lbs. over the legal limit. These are not concrete guidelines. Your BAC level is determined by a variety of things. Your weight, body fat, type of drink, consumption rate and when/what you last ate (among others) are all factors that affect your BAC. Check out a blood alcohol calculator that can give you an idea of what your concentration might be after a period of time or take a look at the tables below provided by the National Highway

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Not only is texting while driving unsafe, but it’s also illegal in Missouri. For drivers aged 21 or younger, it is illegal to use your cell phone to text while driving in our state. Laws do vary, so be aware when you are crossing state lines. MissouriLaw Section 304.820 of Traffic Regulations states that “no person twenty-one years of age or younger operating a motor vehicle upon the highways of this state shall, by means of a hand-held electronic wireless communications device, send read or write a text message or electronic message.” This means that you may neither send texts/instant messages nor surf the web checking websites like Facebook or Twitter. Penalties The Missouri law took effect on August 28, 2010, and permits law enforcement officers to fine novice drivers who are seen texting while driving. A novice driver is considered someone aged 21 or younger. An infraction is deemed a moving violation und ... read more

In honor of National Bike Month, people across the country are riding bikes to work and school and celebrating the benefits of bike riding in our communities. It is also a great time to address the safety issues that arise with bike riding. Do you know the rules of the road? Since the weather is getting nicer and more cyclists are on the road, now is the time to review the rules. Here are some basic guidelines for sharing the road with cyclists. Keep everyone safe by being aware of these tips. Be aware:
Be on the lookout for cyclists. When passing through intersections and when in traffic, scan for any cyclists. Give them room when you spot obstacles such as potholes or debris. Also, never honk your horn when you are close to a cyclist. This may alarm him or her and cause an accident. Pass carefully:
to leave room between your car and the bike. Check over your shoulder before returning to the lane and always be patient

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You’ve hopped out of the pool, dried off and enjoyed a perfectly chilled drink. It’s been a delightful summer day. Now, to drive home. You head to the car and are welcomed by a blazing door handle and a seat that scorches your bare legs. We’ve all been there. The heat is not only uncomfortable, but it is also damaging to your car. On a 90 degree day, the temperature in a car parked outside can reach up to 140 degrees. The windows turn the car into a sort of greenhouse, trapping heat. Temperatures that high are not good for many things, so I know that your car’s interior will not benefit from soaring heat this summer. Preventing prolonged heat exposure will help you keep your car in good condition. You can make some simple changes to keep your car cool and keep you and your family comfortable all summer. Make some shade
The accordion folded, aluminum foil-like sun shades may not be the most convenient devices ever, but they do a great job. Use
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Distracted driving is an issue of national concern. New guidelines released by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) last week recommend changes for auto manufacturers. This national safety administration is tightening up their suggestions, reminding automakers and drivers of the importance of focused driving. The NHTSA completed a study to analyze the visual and manual distractions involved when driving. The study found that when drivers engage in visual-manual tasks connected to handheld cell phones and portable devices, the risk of being involved in a crash is tripled. Some of the most distracting tasks that drivers try to complete while on the road include: making a phone call, browsing the Internet and text messaging. Just one text message can keep a driver distracted for 23.3 seconds. These statistics are alarming. Since distracted driving is so dangerous, the NHTSA made sev ... read more

Driving in the city can be stressful. You may be in an unfamiliar area with more cars, more pedestrians and intense traffic. What to do when you find yourself venturing through the city (your own or a new one)? Have a strategy! Be prepared for your city driving excursion, and you’ll make it to your destination with your car in tact and a relaxed attitude. When you’re getting ready to do more city driving, you’ll need some guidelines to make it easier. That’s why we’ve made this list of city driving tips. City Driving TipsPlan your route
Know where you’re going- including the addresses and phone numbers of each location. Instead of just knowing you’re meeting a friend at a sushi place on Marigold Street for dinner, have the details saved somewhere. Write the address on a piece of paper or save it on your phone so you know that you’re heading to “Crazy Sushi” at 124 Marigold Street. The more details, the better. Avoid r
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Are you ready for prom? Last time we started a list about making prom night fun and memorable. It’s so easy to get stressed out when you’re trying to coordinate a group. Where should you take pictures, where will you get dinner, who is driving, and what will you wear?! This year, don’t get freaked out. We’ve already talked about making a schedule for the day and picking a driver for the night. Check out the rest of our tips for a fun prom night! Check out the first three prom night tips.4. Buckle up
We know you don’t want to wrinkle that handsome tux or beautiful dress, but they will hold up fine! Keep your seat belt on no matter who is driving- it’s worth it. 5. Get Your Car Ready
If you do drive, make sure your car is ready. Give it a thorough check. How are the tires, windshield wiper fluid and oil? Have a mechanic give a chec

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