What's That Smell? (Car Fluid Properties)

1. RADIATOR FLUID - Smells sweet & steams rather then smokes
2. TRANSMISSION FLUID - Acidic smell, red in color
3. BRAKE FLUID - Similar smell to transmission fluid, darker in color
4. OIL - Smokey burnt smell, dense smoke when over heated
5. BELTS & HOSES - Burning rubber smell
6. GASOLINE - Obvious smell, very flamable

TIPS:
1. All of the smells listed above are signs that your car is having a mechanical problem. We recommend visiting an auto repair shop before you drive anywhere. Some of these leaks can leave you stranded on the side of the road and other smells like brake fluid and gasoline can be very dangerous.
2. If you want to try to see where a leak may be coming from wait for your engine to cool before poking around under the hood. However we recommend having a professional mechanic perform the repairs associated with any fluid leaks.

HALLOWEEN SAFETY TIPS

This Saturday is Halloween and soon your neighborhood will be overflowing with children. As the kids are running from house to house filling their bags with candy we have to remember it's our job to make sure they all get home safely. Most kids are more concerned with their costumes and candy then looking both ways before crossing the street and this raises some big safety concerns. A study conducted by the Center for Disease Control from 1975 to 1996 found that the number of deaths among young pedestrians (ages 5-14) is four times higher on Halloween evening then any other evening of the year. Make sure you and your kids understand how important safety is.

Here are a few tips for the adults and kids:
1. Know when your neighborhood is holding Halloween activities.
2. Don't use a cell phone while driving through neighborhoods. Pay extra attention to the side of the road while driving.
3. Stay well below the posted speed limit during trick-or-treating hours.
4. Do not pass other vehicles that have stopped in the roadway. Other vehicles could be dropping off childeren.
5. Be alert when driving through intersections. Children could be crossing the street and not paying attention.
6. Never assume a pedestrian approaching the roadway will yield to your vehicle. Children may not see your vehicle approaching or may not be familiar with crossing roadways.
7. Make sure other drivers can see you. If you're driving a group of children, but you're staying in the running vehicle at the curb, be sure to put on your hazard lights to alert other motorists.
8. Make sure other drivers can see the children. Give the children flashlights and glow sticks or use reflective tape on their costumes.
9. Be sure your children know how to cross a street. Instruct children to look both ways before crossing the street and to cross only at corners or crosswalks.
10. Have a Happy Halloween!!!

How Do I Know When It's Time To Change My Brakes?

Is it time for brakes? If you're not sure then ask yourself a few simple questions. Has it been a long time since I last had them checked out? Do I drive my car a lot? Am I an aggressive driver? Do I slam on my brakes often? Do I hear any strange squeaking noises when I use my brakes? If the answer to any of these questions is yes then I recommend to have them looked at as soon as possible by a professional mechanic.

How long should my brakes last? Most people asking this question expect an answer that tells them how many miles they can drive before it's time to change them. Unfortunately it's not that simple. Brakes are a big safety issue and if they don't feel right or they are noisy don't put off having a mechanic check them out because you think you didn't get a certain amount of miles out of them. Consider these questions when making a decision on having your brakes checked or replaced.

• How much do I use my car? Is it my daily driver? If yes, how far do I drive everyday? How far do I drive to and from work? Is it a hobby car? Do I only drive it on weekends?
• Did I add any performance enhancing parts to my car? If you did it's a smart idea to make sure that the brakes are all at an equal caliber. When adding these parts it's a good idea to replace the brakes to complement the increased power.
• When was the last time I had my brake pads and rotors replaced? How about the brake fluid? When was the last time I had the brake lines checked? Brake fluid and brake lines are part of the brake system and should also be checked.

A lot of different things factor into the wearing of your brakes. If you are just not sure if it's time to replace them then bring it to an auto repair shop to have a professional mechanic look at them.

Eurasian Service Center
8501-2B Tyco Road
Vienna, VA 22182
703-893-3045
www.eurasianservicecenter.com

WINTER WEATHER CAR TIPS FROM EURASIAN SERVICE CENTER

EURASIAN SERVICE CENTER says winter weather is right around the corner and it's time to make sure your car is ready. Around this time of year we always recommend having your car checked over in order to significantly reduce the chances of being stranded on the side of the road or stuck at home because your car will not start. Here are a few things you should have looked at by a professional mechanic.

1. Battery - The colder the weather the harder your battery has to work to start the car. Have your battery and charging system checked by a mechanic before the winter arrives. The average life of a battery is between 3-5 years. It should also be cleaned periodically because corrosion often builds up on the battery posts and cable connectors.

2. Fluids - The antifreeze should be flushed out every 2 years or 30,000 miles on most cars. This is about how long it takes for the chemicals in it to break down causing leaks and overheating. You should also have the brake fluid, oil and windshield washer fluid checked.

3. Tires - Worn tires can be dangerous and doing your own visual inspection isn't always the best idea. Have a mechanic put the car up on a lift. This way they can also check for inner tire wear and they will be able to get a good look at the round of the tire as well. With the car sitting on the ground these areas are harder to see. Also make sure they look at the spare tire and check the tire pressure in all five tires.

4. Belts and Hoses - These items should be inspected every time your car is in the shop, but it is especially important to have them checked just before winter. As they get older rubber parts become frail and the winter weather will cause them to fail a lot faster. Once again I do not advise doing your own visual inspection because often hoses wear on the inside and do not show any signs on the outside.

5. Wiper Blades - Replace your wiper blades if they are cracked or torn. This item does get checked at your annual VA State Inspection, but don't assume they are fine now. A hot summer or a rainy fall can leave them worn faster then you think. Most importantly you do not want to be driving in bad winter weather with poor wiper blades.

6. Check All Lights - Not all cars will alert you on the dashboard when a bulb has gone out. Have a mechanic check them all when the car is in the shop. They will check the lights that you can't see like your brake and reverse lights. They will even check the easy ones to forget about like your fog lights.

Visit www.eurasianservicecenter.com for more info and the location of a shop that will do a winter weather check for you.