Become Your Own AAA – 3 Easy Car Fixes for Beginners (Don’t Worry Mungenast St. Louis Honda Will do the Rest!)

Most of us have been driving a car since we were in our teens and having a car has become a necessity in life. Unfortunately, like everything in life our cars can fail us from time to time. Yes, even your Honda. I think we all can relate to having your car break down when you need it the most. Especially with the holidays right around the corner. People travel from near and far to visit family and who is right along side them? Their Honda. We understand that life happens, and Mungenast St. Louis Honda is here for you with 3 easy fixes’ so that you can be your own AAA.

How To Jump Start a Vehicle

There’s nothing worse than a dead battery. Jumpstarting your car is an essential skill that everyone should have. Better yet, it’s easy as 1,2,3!You will need: a pair of jumper cables and a friend with a car.

1. Select a thick pair of jumper cables with adequate insulation and clean metal clamps. Turn your vehicle off and make sure you have enough room to walk between the two vehicles.
2. Open the hood of your vehicle (on the left side under the dash in your Honda). Locate your battery (on either side of the frame and is shaped like a rectangle with two cables that are attached to it in your Honda).
3. Clamp the positive (red) jumper cable to the positive battery terminal of the dead vehicle. Then clamp the other end of the positive battery terminal in the booster car.
4. Connect the negative cable end (black) to the negative battery terminal in the booster car. Then connect the other end to an unpainted metal surface on the engine of the dead car. This will usually be labeled in your Honda.
5. Make sure that the clamps are secure and start the engine of the booster car. Then start the car with the dead battery.
6. Once you’ve jump-started the car with the dead battery, carefully remove the jumper cables in the reverse order they were placed on.
7. Shut off the booster car. Keep the engine running on the restarted vehicle for at least 10-15 minutes to ensure the battery is fully recharged.
8. Bring your vehicle in to Mungenast St. Louis Honda to evaluate your battery

How to Change Your Wiper Blades

Having a clear windshield is a non-negotiable when it comes to driving. If you can’t see you won’t get very far! A good tip is to listen for any squeaks or if see any streaks on your windshield. These are both good indicators that you need some new blades.

Pre-step 1 – Keep an eye (and ear) on your current blades. If your blades are making any slapping, squeaking, or chattering noises this is a good indicator that you need new wiper blades.

Pre-step 2 – Not all wipers are created equal. When replacing your blades, you’ll need to get blades that are correct for your vehicle. This information can be found in the owner’s manual that came in your Honda. If you go into any auto part’s store you can ask the person working or they may have a “wiper size finder” as well.

1. It is helpful familiarize yourself with the key components of your wipers.
   a. First, there’s the blade. This is the frame containing the long, rubber strip that touches your windshield.
   b. Each frame is connected to an arm, this swings the blade over the glass.
2. Hop in your Honda and give the wipers a little spritz of fluid to get them lubricated. Once the blades reach their apex stop your wipers and turn your car off.
3.  Next, grab the arms and gently pull them forward until they’re standing upright at a 90-degree angle to the windshield. The arms are designed to lock into place (listen for a “snap” to know when this happens).
4. Turn each blade so that is horizontal. There will be a pinch clip (or peg clip) on your Honda at the spot where the wiper blades attach to the arm. Disconnect the blade by pressing inward from both sides to loosen the blade. Slide the blade downward out of its holder and remove.
5. Add your new blade. Position the new blade so that the hooked end is pointing towards the wiper attachment. Slide it upward onto the arm until you feel/hear a click. Repeat the removal and replacement process on the passenger side.

How to Change a Tire

Arguably your tires are the most important part of your vehicle…you won’t get very far without them! Though they can go flat on you occasionally, – run over something sharp, leaks, it happens. Knowing how to change a tire can be a lifesaving skill. Luckily Mungenast St. Louis Honda is here to teach you! First make sure you have a jack, lug wrench, spare or new tire(s). These will come in a kit under the floor of your trunk.

1. Safety first!
   a. Make sure you’re in a safe place (driveway, shoulder of the road), turn on your hazard lights, and apply parking brake.
2.  Remove the Wheel
   a. Remove the hubcap from the tire and using your lug wrench and loosen the lug nuts – do not remove yet.
   b. Feel around the bottom of your car near the rear or front tire to place the jack and raise your vehicle.
   c. Remove the lug nuts.
   d. Remove the current tire.
3. Put on the Spare/New Tire
   a. Mount the new/spare tire onto the lug nuts.
   b. Put the lug nuts back in place and tighten them by hand.
   c. Lower your vehicle so that the new/spare tire is touching the ground and remove the jack.
   d. Tighten the lug nuts the rest of the way using your lug wrench.
   e. Lower your vehicle the rest of the way.
   f. Remove the jack.
   g. Replace the hub cap.
4. Take your Honda in for vehicle care!
   a. Give Mungenast Honda a call to schedule your service today!
   b. You don’t want to drive around on a spare tire for a long time. It needs to be replaced after a certain number of miles.