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The lone motorist broke down at the snowy roadside and needing a jump start is a common image in pop culture. However, intense winter temperatures aren't the only enemy of a car battery. Summer's heatwaves are just as deadly. According to the factory-trained techs in our Earthycars service department, here's why.

Increased Capacity, Shorter Life

Summer brings good news and bad news to your car battery. In summer, your car battery's capacity increases as the weather gets hotter. However, this has two drawbacks. 

 

When driving down the road, you may feel your car suffers from excessive vibrations. Maybe that problem indicates poor wheel alignment and it could be ruining your tires. If the tires end up in bad shape, then replacing them becomes necessary. Drivers should stay on top of their tires' condition because there comes a time when buying new ones is a must.

Driving on tires with low treads can be unsafe. Once the treads become too low, then traction suffers. Use a special tool or perform the old-school "penny test" to measure tread depth. And while doing so, perform a…

Choosing a vehicle that you feel comfortable letting your teen drive is a tough process. There are so many different makes and models available at Earthycars, we know that you're probably overwhelmed with the different options you have. We have some tips that will help you pick the safest automobile for your new driver.

• Stability control is a feature you want to make sure is included. This helps your teen correct their vehicle path if they're losing control on a slippery road.
• Stay away from extra horsepower that could inspire your child to kick up the speed.
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Did you know using your credit card helps build up your credit score? A track record of responsible use creates a positive profile and could help your credit score. And you want to improve that score when interested in financing an auto purchase.

Don't "max out" those credit cards, though. Doing so drives down a credit score because it looks like you aren't in control of your borrowing. If you have high balances, start the process of paying them down. And make sure you pay all 

A used vehicle provides a number of benefits to someone who is shopping for something new. We here at Earthycars understand that you want to make the most of your money. Let's look at some reasons why you should consider a used vehicle.

• A lower sticker price is an upfront savings. You will end up paying less per month and upfront.
• You'll pay less for vehicle insurance and registration.
• You are provided with a complimentary vehicle history report that details what you need to know to make a wise investment.
• Lower finance rates and terms are available for…

There are some drivers who are already well-versed in proper car seat installation. If you're expecting a first child and have yet to put one of these systems in, however, the initial setup can be quite confusing. At Earthycars, we want all parents to know how to complete this essential task correctly. After all, even a first-rate safety seat won't offer adequate protection during an accident if it's been poorly installed.

Some Cars Are Actually Designed To Streamline This Process

You should start by reading the child safety seat manual and all relevant parts of the owner…

The winter is an exceptionally important time of year to pay close attention to vehicle maintenance. With snow and ice wreaking havoc on the body of your vehicle and cold temperatures making your engine work harder, it's incredibly important that you maintain a good winter car care regimen each year.

You can address routine maintenance before the snow flies. Have an oil change performed, top off fluid levels and have a multi-point inspection performed. If our service technicians at Earthycars find anything wrong with your vehicle, have it taken care of right away.

 

In many cases, a problem that occurs when starting a vehicle can be attributed to a weak or dead battery. However, sometimes the problem goes much deeper. The ignition system is one of your vehicle’s key components, and the team at Earthycars wants you to have the information that you need to ensure that your ignition is operating properly.

A grinding or whining noise could point to a problem with the starter’s flywheel or gear system. This type of ignition issue will continue to worsen until the vehicle won’t start at all or until repairs are made…

Here at Earthycars, we want to make sure you know what to do about a damaged windshield. If your windshield is chipped, you might be concerned about the cost of windshield replacement. However, unless the chip is in the driver's critical viewing area, it is usually possible to do a chip repair without a full windshield replacement.

When your windshield has a chip in any other part of it, the most important thing is to make sure that it remains strong so the chip does not spread into a larger crack. This is what an injection of liquid resin…

The folks at Earthycars want you to know as much about your vehicle as possible. Therefore, we'd like to take a moment to help you learn more about what gaskets are and what they do. A gasket is used to create a seal between two surfaces in your vehicle's engine.

Gaskets are typically made from copper or steel, and they are designed to keep their shape regardless of what happens in your engine. A gasket ensures that gases, liquids and other materials stay where they are supposed to. This can prevent key components from becoming clogged or damaged…