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What to keep in your trunk A major part of the human condition is living with the uncertainty of events. However, with a little bit or preparation we, as drivers, can boldly face most of the unexpected situations life throws at us. Part of that preparation is making sure that your vehicle is well maintained, but vehicle breakdowns can strike any of us at any time. With this in mind, it is wise to take certain precautions such as keeping your trunk stocked with items that can make a world of difference should the worst happen and you find yourself stranded at the side of the road. We have put together a list of the 15 essential things to keep in your trunk. Jumper cables. Dead vehicle batteries are almost an unavoidable fact of driving life, a lot of us will experience this at some point. It could be caused by an aging battery or forgetting to switch off your headlights but however, your battery dies you will be glad to have jumper cables in your trunk. Even if you never need

How to wash and wax your car properly Have you ever just been driving along, minding your own business when all of a sudden your eyes are assaulted by the sight of a scratched up car with dull paintwork and no shine? The answer is probably yes, we have all seen that guy. Well if you don’t want to be that guy, good news! We decided to put this easy to follow guide together to help you keep your vehicle looking its best. What you will need: A car wash product; A good number of microfiber cloths (about a dozen or so should be more than enough); A bucket; A hose (if you have one); Car wax; A cool, shady area. Before we begin, make sure that your vehicle is parked in a cool, shady area. This will help to prevent water stains; Using a hose, or buckets, soak the entire exterior of your vehicle to loosen the dirt covering it; Fill a bucket with water and add in the recommended amount of car wash product, check the label for exact measurements. Always try to use a special

How to check and top up your engine oil In this addition of our how-to series, we will guide you through the process of checking the level of, and topping up your cars engine oil . Engine oil is essential to ensuring that your vehicle runs smoothly. It is responsible for lubricating the various parts of the engine, protecting it from to of the biggest saboteurs your engine will face: heat and friction. Without oil your engine would quickly overheat and seize up, this can result in some rather expensive repairs. To help avoid, we recommend that you check the oil level at least once per month and top it up as needed. Follow the steps below to cleanly and quickly check and top up your engine oil. Things you will need: Rubber gloves; Kitchen towels or an old, clean rag; Engine oil; A funnel. Parking. Before popping the hood and checking the oil level, it is important that you park on a level surface. If you are parked on an incline, or otherwise uneven ground, you will n

How to jump-start a car If your car won’t start there is a good chance that your battery has died. The good news is, if it is simply a dead battery, that this is a relatively simple issue to fix. All you need are jumper cables and another vehicle. It doesn’t matter who’s vehicle it is, it can be a friend, family member, kindly stranger, or even the neighbor you don’t like. If you are only vaguely aware of how to use jumper cables, or if you are among the growing number of people that don’t know how to use them at all, you are in the right place! This edition of our how-to series looks at how to jump-start your vehicle. What you will need: Jumper cables; Another vehicle. To start, make sure that both vehicles are switched off and in ‘Park’ or ‘Neutral’; Open the hood of your vehicle, there is usually a lever near the driver's seat; Locate your battery; Attach one end of the RED cable to the positive terminal on your battery, look for a plus symbol or the letters

How to travel with your pet dog We share a special bond with our four legged friends, it is not surprising considering that our dogs illicit the same chemical reaction in our brains as our own children. So when we are going for a drive or a road-trip we want them to come and enjoy the ride with us, obviously. With that being said, it is not as simple as just loading them in the car and setting off, there are certain preparations to make in order to ensure our furry friends’ safety. In this article we will explain how to make the journey as safe and enjoyable as possible for both you and your beloved pooch. Restraints Before anything, you need to think about how you are going to restrain your dog. It is incredibly dangerous for you and the dog if your canine buddy is left free to roam about the car. Not only could your buddy distract you by trying to get up close and personal for some loving attention, but you or the dog could be seriously injured if you have to brake suddenly.

Driving games for long car trips Driving for a long period of time can be soul-crushingly boring, we’ve all been there. Thankfully the human imagination and thirst for entertainment is limitless, as such there are a lot of games to play to pass the time. In this article, we will provide you with 5 games you can try the next time you and your adult passengers are faced with the prospect of a long, boring journey. Six degrees of separation The first game on our list is based on the theory that everyone in the world is separated by six relationships. To start, one person names two film or television stars (it can also just be two celebrities) that have some tenuous link. Everyone else has to find the link between the two in six steps or less. For example Kevin Bacon and Bruce Willis, they are linked by: Bruce Willis was in Charlie’s Angels: Full Throttle with Luke Wilson; Luke Wilson was in My Dog Skip with Kevin Bacon. This example also leads us onto a more advanced version of

Monthly Vehicle Checklist Whether you are a young, first-time car owner or an older, more experienced car owner it can be overwhelming and frustrating when something goes wrong with your car out of the blue, but it doesn’t have to be this way. Following a short monthly checklist will help to familiarize yourself with your vehicle and its engine as well as reducing the chances of being caught off guard by car troubles. Taking a few minutes to inspect your vehicle each month can also help to save you money by noticing small issues before they develop into large problems requiring extensive repairs. Besides benefiting your vehicle and wallet, if you want to make changes to your life but are struggling, completing the monthly checklist can also help to enforce positive habits in your life. Following a vehicle checklist each month may seem inconsequential but by completing this simple task every month you will be slowly introducing structure into your life, this can be expanded into

The joy of imported cars Here at Diablo Auto Specialists we love foreign made and imported cars, it is our foundation and we are proud to offer the best service of foreign made and imported cars in the Walnut Creek, CA area. Until recently, owning a foreign car in the US was met with derision. However, in recent years foreign made cars have steadily climbed the rankings to stake their claim to the upper echelons of the American automotive market. Through better design, higher safety standards, greater fuel efficiency, and a desire for more affordable cars, manufacturers like Toyota and Subaru (among others) have become some of the country’s best selling vehicle brands. That is not to say that there is anything wrong with domestic cars, they have their own strong points and are still incredibly popular for good reason. One of the largest changes to have affected the American automotive market is the increased focus on fuel efficiency. Both the Obama and Trump administrations h