Safe Towing

Safe Towing
At some point in time most of us will have to tow something in our lives. Whether it be a trailer load of soil, a caravan or even a boat for those of us who are lucky enough. The fact is that towing some form of trailer at some point in time is going to be hard to avoid. Although it might seem easy to some, to the first timer it can be very intimidating and sometimes even the experienced can benefit from knowing the proper safety precautions. The following tips have been compiled to define the proper towing practices and safety precautions that should be taken by all.
Below are some basic terms that all drivers should be familiar with when talking about towing:
Receiver - Hitching platform fitted to the towing vehicle.Ball Mount - Removable component which fits into the receiver and is attached to the hitch ball. These are available from Supercheap Auto in many variations. Hitch Ball - Is the ball like connection which mates the hitch to the trailer. Coupler - The ball socket on the front of a trailer that fits over the ball mount. Hitch weight - The amount of weight carried by the hitch when the trailer is connected.
Attaching a trailer
Before attaching your coupler you should slightly grease the tow ball so the hitch can rotate smoothly. Safety chains should be long enough for tight turns but short enough not to drag on the ground. Ensure that your safety chains and electric plug are firmly secured. The tow ball should be at the height so that the trailer sits level when connected. Your tow vehicle should also be able to accept the weight without major change to its level. Try to follow the same procedure each time you hook up your trailer so you remember all points.
Before you head off on each towing trip no matter how long it is the following checks should be made:
The pin which secures the ball mount to the receiver on your vehicle should be intact.
The hitch coupler is fastened and secured.
The safety chain is properly attached to the vehicle.
The electrical plug is properly installed.
Before setting off you should also be aware of the towing capacity of your vehicle and ensure it is capable of safely towing what you are attempting to tow. Towing capacities can be found in the owners manual provide be the manufacturer of your vehicle. One of the final checks that is essential to safe towing is to check the tow vehicles brake lights, indicators, reversing lights and driving lights are working correctly.
Towing Techniques
All inexperienced towers or even drivers with new vehicles should start with short towing trips. These trips will allow drivers to get used the extra weight and strain of the tow vehicle and understand the adjustments required when braking and accelerating.
Cornering
When towing it is important to take into account the extra length of the trailer. When turning the corner approach the corner further from the side of the road/object than you usually would. You should also continue straight for a bit longer before turning to allow room for the trailer to turn without getting too close to the edge.
Reversing
Reversing a trailer or caravan can take a lot more space than most people think. Allowing extra space will let you make the necessary corrections so you don't end up stuck. Ensure that you begin reversing with your vehicle and the trailer as straight as possible. It's also a good idea if possible to have someone outside the car directing you. What you have to remember when reversing with a trailer is that everything turns opposite to how it would if you were just reversing a car.
If you want to make the trailer turn to your right instead of turning the wheel to the right like you would ordinarily you need to turn it to the left. What this does is push the back of your car to the left which in turn pushes the trailer right. It is also important to remember that a minor turns of the steering wheel when reversing a trailer can move the angle of your trailer dramatically.
Another technique is to place your hand at the bottom of your steering wheel. Whichever way you move your hand is the direction that the trailer will go.
As mentioned the main thing to remember for beginners is to not turn the wheel the way that feels right but do the opposite as the dynamics of reversing a trailer are inversed.
Braking
Greater braking distance should always be applied when you are towing. If you are approaching a stopping point (eg. red light) you should reduce power slightly so it takes you longer to get there. It is also recommended that you use all your gears when braking with a trailer as to take as much pressure as possible off the brakes.
When towing anything behind your car you should always apply caution and be prepared. Be aware of the extra length of your vehicle and its towing capabilities and don't get yourself into towing situations such as reversing that you not comfortable with without some practice first.

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Brake Dust

WHY YOU SHOULD CLEAN BRAKE DUST OFF YOUR WHEELS EVERY TIME YOU WASH YOUR CAR - AND HOW TO DO-IT-YOURSELF!
Brake dust deposits not only look bad, but they're also harmful to the wheel itself. If left on, the corrosive nature of the brake dust will corrode the clear coat over time and actually eat into the aluminium alloy wheel surface leaving large pits for which there is no practical fix.

HOW TO GET RID OF BRAKE DUST, DO-IT-YOURSELF& SAVE!
Make sure the wheels are cool. Wheels absorb heat from the braking process. Allow the wheels to cool off and do your cleaning in the shade.
Rinse the entire rim to remove any grit that may scratch your wheels during the scrubbing process.
Spray the entire rim with wheel cleaner that's safe to use on your wheels and allow to soak for 60 seconds. Be sure to spray into all of the nooks and crannies where brake dust accumulates.
After the cleaner soaks for the allotted time, take a soft bristle brush and lightly scrub the surface. Select a brush that fits into all of the recessed areas.
Rinse off the wheel cleaner immediately after you have brushed the brake dust loose. These cleaners are extremely strong and may affect the wheel's finish if left on too long.
Dry the wheel immediately to prevent water spots. Minerals in some types of water will etch into a wheel as easily as corrosive brake dust.
Applying a coat of paste wax every six months provides excellent protection against brake dust pitting your wheels. It also makes them easier to clean.
Don't forget the inside surface of your wheels. They get the bulk of the brake dust build-up and can be easily seen with open spoke style wheels.
What you will need:
Wheel cleaner
Clean towels
Bucket and sponge
Hose and nozzle
Shady area
Liquid wax
Soft bristle brush

source: supercheapauto

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Choosing the right car stereo

To choose the right car stereo equipment, there are seven key questions:
1. Determine how much money you have to invest in your system.

2. Decide whether you are seeking "audiophile quality" or the modern equivalent of the AM radio.

3. Are you an "audio enthusiast" who wants all the bells and whistles, or is an FM Stereo all that you require?

4. What types of music do you usually listen to? Are you strictly jazz or do you like heavy metal?

5. How long do you think you'll own your car or the equipment you purchase?

6. Lastly, what special things do you have to watch out for with your car stereo? Does it have odd-shaped openings for speakers or the "head-unit?"

7. Is your car or truck designed to accommodate after-market systems?
Once you've answered these questions, you'll be on your way to making an informed buying decision.
Audio equipment comes in a wide range of prices, quality, and performance, from the least expensive mass-produced CD players, tuner/amplifiers and all-in-one systems with navigation and even TV screens, to precision-crafted "reference" components costing several hundred dollars. The key is to obtain the best possible sound quality at the most reasonable price.

If you enjoy bringing your music from our home into your car then you need a good sound system. This is why most people turn to after-market products to enhance their listening experience. Having a good quality sound system can be quite costly and this is why you should consider your purchase carefully.

One thing to consider is your car itself. Is it a 2 door, 4 door, hatch or sedan. This is important as it can greatly influence the type of sound system you purchase. Smaller cars don't need as much power as larger cars, simply because there is not as much space for the sound to travel within.
Smaller cars generally have 4 speakers. Simply upgrading these speakers will not be enough to greatly increase the sound quality. Upgrading the stereo to one that puts out 50watts per channel will give a greater increase in sound quality.

For larger cars it gets a little more complicated. In some large cars there are up to 6 speakers. It's not necessary to replace all 6; replacing 4 should be sufficient. One thing to consider in larger cars is getting a sub-woofer. Sub-woofers usually sit in the boot of the car and can put out a good amount of bass depending on the sub-woofer. To run the sub-woofer and amplifier is also necessary.

Finally go and visit your local Supercheap Auto store where our friendly team members will be able to help you in choosing the stereo that's right for you.

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Servicing Your Cooling System

With summer motoring now here, it's even more important to ensure that your car cooling system is running at its best to cope with our harsh summer.
What You'll Need
HOSESLeaking or split hoses will significantly reduce the efficiency of your cooling system and can lead to severe engine damage. Always check the condition of the heater and radiator hoses when you check over your engine. Super Cheap Auto have a vast range of all types of hoses to match your car.
THERMOSTATThe thermostat is a temperature sensitive valve that regulates the coolant flow in your engine. Proper operation is vital to correct cooling. They are usually found in a housing that sits at the top end of the engine and connects to the top hose of the radiator. You'll need to remove this housing to get to the thermostat.
COOLANTThere are many types and grades of coolant fluid available. They all do different jobs and some are better at it than others. A Super Cheap Auto team member will be happy to steer you to the right one for your car's age and running conditions. Just ask! NOTE:- If you use a quality coolant at appropriate service intervals the system should stay clean.
RADIATOR FLUSHAlways flush out your cooling system and radiator whenever you change the coolant. It gets rid of harmful sludgy deposits and rust scale which can damage your system over time.
FANBELTFanbelts can stretch and fray in time and can also get contaminated with oil which makes them slip. Perfect operation of the fan is vital to any cooling system. Also, don't forget that the fanbelt drives the water pump which keeps everything flowing.
RAGSGrab a rag bag. No matter how careful you are there will always be a little mess and it's usually on you.

What to do
1. DRAIN THE COOLING SYSTEM
First allow the system to cool down. If there are taps fitted to your radiator and engine block, open these and remove the radiator cap to relieve the pressure in the system. Alternatively remove the bottom hose to the radiator and allow the system to drain. Catch the old fluid in a suitable pan or container. Dispose of the fluid carefully and remember: it's poisonous!
2. FLUSH THE SYSTEM
Refit any hoses and close the taps. Pour the contents of a can of radiator/cooling system flush into the radiator and top up with clean water. Run the engine until warm and then allow to cool before draining the system again. You may see quite a bit of rough deposit and sludge come out with the water. Preferably, run a hose through the system with the taps open to make sure the system is really flushed clean.
3. CHECK AND REPLACE WORN HOSES
Undo any hose clips and attachments, joining the hoses to the engine and radiator and pull off the hoses. Throw away any that are split or looking tired and replace with new ones. Use new hose clips where possible (we have lots of those).

4. FIT A NEW THERMOSTAT
Locate and remove the thermostat housing (usually two or three simple bolts). Lift out the old thermostat and drop in a new one. We have the exact match for your car. Refit the housing with a new gasket.

5. REFILL THE SYSTEMMake sure all the hoses are replaced and the clips are tightened properly. Close any taps and fill up with new coolant to the correct quantity for your car.

AND THAT'S IT!

source: supercheapauto

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Rust repair

As many Supercheap Auto customers would know rust is a common problem particularly in older vehicles. Repairing rust is a job that is often put off, however following a few simple steps and using products that can be found at Supercheap Auto it can be easily fixed.

The Five simple steps of rust repair are as follows:

1. Remove Paint & RustThe first step is to remove all paint and loose rust from around the affected area. This can be done by either using a 24 – 36 grit grinding disc or sandpaper of the same grade. Ensure the surface is brought back to bare metal and left in a rough state.

2. Treat the Rusted AreaOnce the area has been sanded back to bare metal and flaky rust is removed it is ready to be treated. This is done by applying Septone Rust Converter by brush to the affected sections and left to dry. It is important to adhere to safety instructions on the bottle when using rust converters.

3. Apply Fibreglass or Metal Tech FillerUse a panel hammer to tap the affected area to ensure a level finish after filling. Then use a filler such as Septone Metal Tech by mixing it with the supplied hardener to a ratio of 50:1. Once the mixture is constant it should be firmly applied to the rusted area and forced into all cracks and holes.

4. Rough Sand Filler.The Metal Tech filler will take approximately 20 minutes to cure and be ready for sanding, once cured rough sand with dry 36 – 40 grit sandpaper. At this stage the application of a Septone Rust Proofing product will prevent further rusting.

5. Mix and Apply Body FillerThe final step is to seal the surface using a Septone Car Filler product. Mix car filler on a clean mixing board made of plastic or metal to the ratio 50 parts car filler, one part hardener using a plastic applicator pad. Once a uniform colour is achieved it is ready to apply directly over the Metal Tech filled area. The final step to return the panel to its original condition is to sand and re-paint the surface.

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Installing a new aerial

A car radio aerial can be replaced in as little as 30 minutes and is a car repair that you can complete in only 9 easy steps!
1) Take notice of how the old wiring/cable is routed through the body panels. This is the first step in ensuring the job is a quick one. If you start pulling at wiring without knowing how it runs through the car, your job could turn from 30 mins to a couple of hours.
2) Unplug the old cable from the radio jack located at the back of the cd/cassette/radio head unit.
3) Mark the cable by taping a length of string to the cable plug. This enables you to compare the length of the old cable to the new, so when you go to install the new cable it will be long enough to be routed through the car and reach the radio jack.
4) Free the cable from any clips or brackets.
5) Remove the nut at the aerial and slide other parts off (see illustration).
6) With a screwdriver, push through the hole down one side of the clamp and pull the aerial and old cable out. Carefully pull the cable & string through, tugging them gently as they clear through any tight spots.
7) Tape the new aerial cable to the string and simply pull it through.
8) Plus the new cable into the radio jack.
9) Attach the new aerial

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Car Care made easy

WHAT YOU’LL NEED
A HOSE AND FITTINGS.CAR WASH BRUSHES, SPONGES

Get yourself a good long hose and a really effective spray or jet head fitting to blast away any mud and grime adhering to the bodywork, especially under the wheel arches and underbody areas. We have a great selection of quality hoses in different lengths, fittings, special car wash fittings and brushes to go with them. Just ask. Pick out a good sized brush that’s not too harsh. We sell ones that will fit on the hose end to make life easier! A rinsing bucket is also a great idea.

CAR WASHThere’s a terrific range of carwash available these days and many have built-in polish and anti-streak additives. Don’t pinch the budget on this time, it really does make a difference to the finish.

POLISHMuch like the wash, don’t penny pinch on your choice of polish. There are several excellent polishes available that are not expensive yet give you a much better shine and protection for your buck. Many come with important paint protective additives and lasting glazes for a brilliant showroom shine.

CUTTING COMPOUNDSIf the paint finish on your car is a little dull or faded, you can restore the finish with a cutting paste. Available in several grades to suit the amount of restoration you have to do, these are invaluable aids to restoring that show shine to older vehicles.

CHAMOIS AND POLISHING MITTSBuy yourself a good quality chamois leather to dry off the paintwork before polishing. Also get a polishing mitt or pad from our range of sheep skin and synthetic models. A really good polishing product will make the difference between an OK job and a pro finish.

INTERIOR PROTECTANTS ETC.We carry a large range of polishes and specialty cleaning products for the interior of your car. You’ll find a solution for any cleaning task inside your car.
TACKLE THE INTERIOR BEFORE YOU WASH! More

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