Sterling Kia of Lafayette

Having a car break down can be stressful enough, but if it happens at night, in the cold, or in a remote area, a difficult situation can turn into a dangerous one. Having a well-stocked emergency kit can make a big difference in your ability to cope with a car that can't get you to safety.

There are a few items that can get you out of a bad spot. Having jumper cables can not only get your battery started if you've accidentally left the lights on overnight but could also let you help another stranded motorist. A…

Having a car break down can be stressful enough, but if it happens at night, in the cold, or in a remote area, a difficult situation can turn into a dangerous one. Having a well-stocked emergency kit can make a big difference in your ability to cope with a car that can't get you to safety.

There are a few items that can get you out of a bad spot. Having jumper cables can not only get your battery started if you've accidentally left the lights on overnight but could also let you help another stranded motorist. A…

One myth that has to do with motor oil is that you should always have your motor oil changed out before going on a long trip. This is false for the following reason. If an oil change is not due for a long time, then you can wait until after the road trip to get your oil changed. You should, however, get an oil change beforehand if you will be going over the mileage limit for your next oil change during the trip.

Another myth regarding motor oil involves the use of synthetic oil. The myth is that if you…

One myth that has to do with motor oil is that you should always have your motor oil changed out before going on a long trip. This is false for the following reason. If an oil change is not due for a long time, then you can wait until after the road trip to get your oil changed. You should, however, get an oil change beforehand if you will be going over the mileage limit for your next oil change during the trip.

Another myth regarding motor oil involves the use of synthetic oil. The myth is that if you…

It is important you go through a towing safety checklist now to avoid any potential trouble when you are on the road.

• Make certain the trailer hitch you are using is going to be able to handle the load. Get familiar with the towing and payload capacity of your vehicle first before assuming it can pull the weight.

It is important you go through a towing safety checklist now to avoid any potential trouble when you are on the road.

• Make certain the trailer hitch you are using is going to be able to handle the load. Get familiar with the towing and payload capacity of your vehicle first before assuming it can pull the weight.

Being able to get the windshield wiper blades serviced like the rest of your vehicle will help make driving in inclement weather a lot safer.

One of the ways that you can determine if the windshield wiper blades need to be replaced is to simply feel them. The rubber should be soft and flexible; however, the sun can oxidize the rubber so it becomes very hard and will not be able to bend properly to reach every inch of the windshield.

When the cooling system is experiencing issues, you will be able to spot very clear warning signs. Here are warning signs parts of the cooling system might be close to failing.

The hoses on your car's engine have to be in top condition to allow coolant to flow throughout the many parts of the cooling system. If the hoses are failing, you will feel brittle patches or soft spots. Look for bulges or cracks on the hoses as warning signs of serious trouble.

Have you noticed that your car is overheating? Is there white smoke coming out of your exhaust? You could have an issue with the head gasket on your engine. The gasket seals in the engine block's combustion chamber, allowing air to be compressed. When there is too much air being compressed, it could force a new hole or crack in the gasket. This can lead to a blown gasket, which causes problems for your engine to run properly.

It is a beautiful day, the water is looking great and you are eager to take your new jet skis out and have some fun. Before the fun can begin, it is important to follow a couple safety tips below to ensure that you arrive safely.

• Do - Before setting out on your trip, make sure you inspect your trailer for any problems. It is important to check the trailer lights, make sure they are in sync with your vehicle and come on when you step on the brake, and check to make sure the turn signal lights are in proper…