5 Ways to Take Better Care of Your Brakes
The brake pads and shoes on your vehicle are designed to last for a very long time. Some brands even offer a specified mileage or guarantee their products for life. But the reality is that at some point they are going to wear out. One thing you can do is pay attention to your driving habits and follow a few easy steps to make sure you get the maximum lifespan out of your brakes.
Watch That Left Foot
You should never use your left foot to use the brake pedal. Instead, always use your right foot. If you look around while you are driving, you might be surprised at how many people are driving at cruising speed with their brake lights on. This means the driver has a foot on the brake pedal. No matter how lightly the driver is applying the brakes, the pads or shoes will wear far more quickly than intended.
Why the Toyota Corolla Endures 50 Years Later
Offering buyers a combination of exceptional gas mileage, great value for money, and one of the largest dealer networks in the world, it is no wonder the Toyota Corolla has become one of the best-selling cars in the world. When you look back over the course of the past 40 years, Corolla sales have averaged one vehicle every 40 seconds.
What might surprise most people is that the Corolla earned this title as early as 1974 and by 2013 had sold over 40 million units. The Corolla has sold more units than the venerable Volkswagen Beetle, the Mini Cooper, and the Ford F150.
Affordability is Only Part of the Picture
While there are many reasons why the Toyota Corolla continues to endure and enjoy such incredible sales, many compare it to the Model T Ford in that it has always been intended as an affordable car. It not only comes with a low initial purchase price, but it also has low operating costs.
Operation costs are gauged on more than one level. They include fuel economy, the cost of maintenance and repairs, and, of course, durability. However, as with any automobile, the initial outlay is typically the first thing most buyers look at, and the Corolla has long been one of the least expensive entry-level vehicles. The first Corollas came off the production lines way back in 1966 when the KE10 Corolla rolled into special dealerships in Japan.
The 5 Best Country Music Attractions in Tennessee
Tennessee is a beautiful state for anyone to visit, but it is especially popular among fans of country music. When you’re ready for your own country music tour of Tennessee, put these five attractions at the top of your list.
Graceland
A visit to Elvis Presley’s famous home in Memphis should also be on the bucket list of any country fan. Although Elvis is better known for rock and roll, his country influence was strong enough to earn him an induction into the Country Music Hall of Fame. The 14-acre estate includes Presley’s mansion, private jet, almost three dozen automobiles, and other personal items and memorabilia.
How to Replace a Broken Tail Light Yourself
A broken tail light may seem like something you should let a professional handle — especially on newer models, whose designs make the screws a bit harder to find. However, replacing a broken tail light is something you can easily do yourself. Here’s how:
Before You Start
First, of course, you will need to purchase the replacement lens. In terms of actual tools, what you need is minimal. Just have a socket wrench, screwdriver, and crowbar on hand. All of these are good things to keep in your car anyway since they will come in handy in a variety of emergency situations.
The ideal location for this repair would be your home garage, but that may not always be possible. If you are changing the tail light during a trip, try to find a covered spot away from moving cars. Otherwise, rain may force you to stop in the middle of the repair — and you don’t want that. Make sure to employ the emergency brake if you park on an incline, and use road flares and reflective cones at night.
Finally, remember to be firm but gentle during the removal and installation process. Force will be required, but too much can lead to broken pieces and ripped wires.
4 Free Things to Do in Kingsport, TN
Sometimes your budget just can’t keep up with your need for fun and exciting things to do, but don’t let money be the reason you stay home. Kingsport offers several free things to do — enough to keep anyone busy all year round. Here are four ideas to get you started.
Enjoy a Weekly Outdoor Wonders Wander (W.O.W.W.)
From March 1 through mid-May, Warriors’ Path State Park will be holding a weekly nature walk for the public. These walks will last about an hour and will be held on Tuesdays at 3 p.m. Each will be led by a park ranger and begin at the Warriors’ Path pool entrance. They could cover park trails, explore a meadow or stream, or focus on specific wildlife. All ages are welcome. If you cannot make one of these walks, Warriors’ Path State Park is still a great place to visit. It boasts ten different hiking trails ranging from easy to moderate difficulty, as well as a biking trail and fishing opportunities.
5 Tips for Surviving a Family Road Trip
With summer break just a few months away, it’s time to start planning your family vacation. For anyone cringing at the thought of hours in the car, here are five tips for surviving a family road trip.
Use Checklists for Packing
Packing for yourself is hard enough; when you add in an entire family, it gets even harder. Make a packing list ahead of time to help you remember everything. Check off items as you pack them — and then hang onto the list. Using it again at the end of your trip will make you less likely to leave anything behind. If you make the list on your computer, you will only need to do it once. After that, you can use the same list with minor tweaks based on the season, destination, and planned activities. Remember to add things like plastic bags (for trash and car sickness), healthy snacks, and pillows for in-car naps to your list. Read the rest of this entry »
The Top 5 Things to Do in Tennessee During Spring
If you’re seeking history and culture, family-friendly adventure, or arts and entertainment, Tennessee has you covered. Here are five of the top activities to do throughout Tennessee when spring blooms.
Memphis Zoo
With more than 3,500 animals on display, visitors get to see giant pandas, including Le Le and Ya Ya, who arrived at the zoo from China in 2003. Some other exhibits at the Memphis Zoo include Cat Country’s array of African lions, cheetahs, and tigers, and the Aquarium with its variety of balloonfish, softshell turtles, and red-bellied piranhas.
Admission to the Memphis Zoo ranges from $10 for children to $15 for adults and it includes $5 parking. Hours are from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. from March 1 to October 16, and 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. from October 17 to February 28.
The 5 Best Music Festivals Coming Soon to Tennessee
Besides Nashville, other cities around Tennessee host music festivals every year throughout the spring and summer. Highlighted below are some of the most popular upcoming music festivals in Tennessee.
Rhythm N’ Blooms
The 2016 Rhythm N’ Blooms music festival returns to Knoxville from April 8-10 to showcase nationally known and local artists. Set near the Great Smoky Mountains, the music festival also focuses on the city’s and East Tennessee’s history. Artists come from genres ranging from rock to country. Featured acts include groups like G. Love & Special Sauce, Robert Randolph and The Family Band, and Mutemath.
General and VIP passes cost from $50 to $150. Good for the entire weekend of the event, the passes give fans access to such perks as artist meet-n-greets, reserved seating, and commemorative items like a Rhythm N’ Blooms t-shirt and poster.
While Toyotas are known for their reliable performance and safety features, it is still important to have a few key items handy in your car at all times in case of an emergency. In the event of a flat tire, accident, or inclement weather, be prepared by keeping these six things in the trunk of your Toyota.
Jumper Cables
A pair of jumper cables is one of the most important items to have in the trunk of your Toyota. A weak or dead battery can leave you stranded along the side of the road or in a parking lot because your vehicle won’t start. With some assistance from a good Samaritan, connecting the jumper cables adds power to your battery and helps you restart your car. Then, you can get back on the road and likely head to an auto repair shop to replace the battery.
If you are driving and suddenly hear strange noises coming from your car, don’t take any chances by ignoring them. Avoid the potential for accidents or future costly repairs by taking your vehicle to a professional mechanic for a diagnosis. Here are some unusual car noises that warrant attention.
Squealing of the Brakes
If you hear unusual squealing when you tap the brakes, the likely culprit is worn brake pads that need to be replaced. A metal shim causes the brake pads to make the squealing sound when they wear thin. Another reason for the squealing may be under the hood, indicating that the drive belt may have slipped and needs replacing. Other problems may be weak brake shoe retaining springs, distorted brake shoes, or brake dust.
Connect with us
