Tag Archives: Car Safety

Seat Belts for Safety

car safety seat beltsCar safety is important. Motor vehicle deaths are the major cause of death in the first three decades of an American’s life. By wearing seat belts and buckling children into age and size appropriate car seats and booster seats, people can reduce the risk of serious injury and death by half. Most drivers do follow the safety measures but there are still millions who don’t. This is a primary enforcement for seat belt violations, which means that a driver can be pulled over and sited just for not wearing a seat belt.

Certain strategies have been put in place to TRY to increase seat belt use.

  • Laws have allowed officers to stop and ticket someone for not buckling up. Some states only allow officers to give tickets when they have pulled the driver over for something else.
  • Increased penalties can be given resulting in higher fines or points on a driver’s license.
  • High-visibility enforcement – Combining law enforcement and media coverage is effective for reaching people who don’t use seat belts regularly such as men, teens, and young adults.
  • Programs are conducted at night to target people when seat belt use is the lowest and crashes are the highest.

Certain strategies can increase car seat and booster seat use

  • Child restraint laws require children riding in a car to use approved devices appropriate for their age.
  • Effective programs can help advertise car seat and seat belt use.
  • Distribution of car seats through giveaways or low cost rentals.
  • Incentive programs with coupons or prizes reward parents for correctly using car seats.

Some facts:

  • Among drivers and front-seat passengers, seat beltsreduce the risk of death by 45%, and cut the risk of serious injury by 50%.
  • Seat belts prevent drivers and passengers from being ejected during a crash.
  • People not wearingseat belt are 30 times more likely to be ejected from a vehicle during a crash.

Seat belts protect people from needless death and injury. People are in a hurry, distracted, and simply forget. Many people don’t wear their seat belts, and thousands die as a result. BE SAFE AND BUCKLE UP!

For car safety and windshield repair, please call 7 Star Auto Glass in San Diego.

Car Glass San Diego

Maintaining your car glass San Diego is something you should do regularly. This way, you can ensure your car is in tiptop shape, runs smoothly, and is safe. Therefore, for a flawless car, you should follow these five vital car care tips:

Cleaning Your Windshield Inside and Out

A clean windshield helps accomplish a couple of great things.

  • You can prevent sun glares
  • You can prevent scratches
  • And you can have a clearer driving visibility

Thus, it is a wise idea to wash your windshield inside and out as often as you can. Be sure to rely on a windshield cleaner and a microfiber cloth for the job. You will have an immaculate, clear windshield and stay safe on the road with this fantastic car care tip.

Refill on Windshield Washer Fluid

Frequently filling up on windshield washer fluid can help you maintain your windshield’s cleanliness. Plus, the less dirty your windshield is, the less sun glares you will have. This way, you can stay safe on the road. Additionally, this car care tip is great for preserving your car’s value.

Do Not Wash Your Car Under the Heat

A lot of drivers do not know that washing their cars under the heat can leave behind watermarks and stains. Not only is this an unappealing sight, but it is also terrible for your car’s health. Stains can create glares on your windshield as well as leave behind scratches. Similarly, stains can cause your car paint to dull in color. Thus, it is best to wash your car when the sun is not sharp.

Swap Sponges with Microfiber Cloths When Washing Your Car

A lot of drivers wash their cars with a sponge and dry them with a towel. It should be noted that that is a terrible thing to do. Sponges and towels can scratch the paint and glass over there. As a result, it is not a good idea to use them. Instead, swap them with microfiber cloths. They are gentle and safe on auto glass and car paint.

Clean Your Headlights with Baking Soda and Vinegar

This last car care tip is amazing! Clean your car’s headlights with a baking soda and vinegar mixture. This mixture eats away at the hazy dirt blocking the lights. In a few minutes, you will have shiny headlights as if you had just purchased your car.

Maintaining your car is crucial for its safety. With these five amazing car care tips, you will keep your car in tiptop shape and have total comfort.

Auto Protection Against Thieves


At this time of year, we may have packages in our car’s back seat for all your family and friends but it’s also for all the world to see. Thieves often do not consider the morals of their actions. If they want to break into your car to either steal something from inside or to drive off with the vehicle, they will not hesitate. However, that does not mean that there is nothing you can do to have auto protection against thieves.

In fact, there are five important tips to follow if you want to be less likely targeted by thieves. Here are those five tips: Continue reading

Car Care Tips

windshield replacement San DiegoTaking a good care of your car not only keeps your car looking nice but also protects you on the road. The better you preserve your car, the better it works. So, if you want to stay safe on the road, be sure to keep your car in the best shape. A couple of ways to do that is by following these amazing car care tips:

Cleaning Your Windshield Inside and Out

A clean windshield helps accomplish a couple of great things.

  • One, you can prevent sun glares.
  • Two, you can prevent scratches.
  • Three, you can have a clearer driving visibility.

Therefore, it is a wise idea to regularly wash your windshield inside and out. Be sure to rely on a windshield cleaner and a microfiber cloth for the job. You will have a flawless, clear windshield and stay safe on the road with this fantastic car care San Diego tip.

Do Not Wash Your Car Under Heat

A lot of drivers do not know that washing their cars under the heat can leave behind watermarks and stains. Not only is this an unappealing sight, but it is also terrible for your car’s health. Stains can create glares on your windshield as well as leave behind scratches. Similarly, stains can cause your car paint to dull in color. Thus, it is best to wash your car when the sun is not sharp.

Refill on Windshield Washer Fluid

Regularly refilling on windshield washer fluid can help you maintain your windshield’s cleanliness. Plus, the less dirty your windshield is, the less glares you will have. This way, you can stay safe on the road. This car care San Diego tip is a great way to also preserve your car’s value!

Substitute Sponges for Microfiber Cloths When Washing Your Car

A lot of drivers wash their cars with a sponge and dry them with a towel. It should be noted that that is a terrible thing to do. Sponges and towels can scratch the paint and glass over there. As a result, it is not a good idea to use them. Instead, switch over to microfiber cloths. They are gentle and safe on auto glass and car paint.

Clean Your Headlights with Baking Soda and Vinegar

The last but not least car care San Diego tip is to clean your car’s headlights with a baking soda and vinegar mixture. This mixture eats away at the hazy dirt blocking the lights. In a few minutes, you will have shiny headlights like they had been when you first purchased your car. Hooray!

These five car care San Diego tips will not only preserve your car’s value and appearance, they will also keep you safe on the road.

tire pressure

Check Your Tire Pressure

Proper car maintenance of your car can be important for its long life and safe operation. Your tires are one of the most important parts of your car and checking the tire pressure is important. Regular care and maintenance are crucial to the safe and reliable performance of your vehicle.

When to check the tire pressure

Tire pressure should be checked once a month when tires are cold. Tire pressure can vary 1-2 pounds per square inch (psi) for every 10-degree difference in ambient temperature. Also you should consider checking your tire pressure more frequently in the following instances:

  • If you run over a sharp object
  • If you strike a curb
  • If the weather suddenly changes from warm to cold

How to check the amount of pressure in your tires

  • Remove the cap from the air valve of the tire by unscrewing it counterclockwise.
  • Press the tire gauge against the open valve stem. You will hear a hiss of air (perfectly normal).
  • Read the air pressure gauge. The number will appear on the dial or digital screen of the tire gauge.
  • Compare this number with the recommended tire pressure, found on the driver’s side door jamb.
  • Add air or let some out based on the recommendation.
  • Replace the tire’s air valve cap by screwing it back on clockwise.

How to inflate the car tires

Follow these steps to successfully inflate the tires to the correct pressure:

  • When you pull up to the air compressor, be sure the hose can reach all four tires.
  • Remove the stem caps by unscrewing them counterclockwise and set them to the side or put them in your pocket.
  • Check your tire’s psi using your own gauge or the gauge on the hose.
  • Press the hose nozzle down on the valve stem. Air may flow automatically or you may need to press the lever. You should feel the air flowing or hear the tire inflating.
  • Check the tire pressure by removing the hose fitting or releasing the inflation lever. Check the gauge on the hose or with your own gauge.
  • Adjust the pressure in all 4 tires the same way.
  • Once each tire is properly inflated, replace the valve caps by screwing them on clockwise.
Car care San Diego

New Year’s Resolution for Car Care

The tradition of making New Year’s resolutions started over 4,000 years with the Babylonians. They wanted to find favor with the gods and start the year off right. While we don’t have that kind of goal, it is still a good practice to review and remind ourselves of what’s important and what we want to improve. Every area of your life can be improved – your fitness, your finances, etc. Did you ever include car care on that list? Your car is a very important component of your life to keep you and your family safe. Maybe you should as proper car care can help to keep you safe.

Here’s few items to check for your car care resolution:

Tire Pressure – as the temperature drops, so does your tire pressure. Driving with under inflated tires can be dangerous but on the bright side, it can improve fuel efficiency to have your tires with the proper psi.

Battery – Keep your battery erosion-free. Batteries don’t give warning lights.

Brakes – Have your brakes checked. You don’t have to be reminded on how important it is to have proper brakes.

Oil – Change your oil at regular intervals. Oil is the life blood of your car.

Wiper Blades – Change in temperature can make the rubber on your wiper blades hard and brittle. Torn or cracked blades won’t properly clean your windshield.

Gas tank – Try to have your gas tank at least half full at all times, especially if you live in a colder winter climate. This decreases the chance of moisture forming in the gas lines and possibly freezing.

Headlights – Replace before burnout when possible. The problem is – most drivers don’t know their headlight is out. Driving with a burned out headlight on a dark road poses a risk to both the driver and others.

Spare Tire – Be sure you have your spare tire on your vehicle and not laying in the garage.

Emergency Kit – Try to carry an emergency kit which includes jumper cables, flash light, basic tools, first aid kit, and water supplies – all things to help you survive until help comes to get you back on the road.

Mobile phone – Be sure you have your mobile phone fully charged or carry a back-up battery.

Car Wash – Have your car washed or wash it yourself at least once a month.

Once you follow this list, you will be happier and your car will, too.

Auto Glass Future

The world is constantly changing with advanced technology. Auto glass future may be changing also.

There are two types of glass in your automobile – laminated glass (mostly used for windshields) and tempered glass (mostly used for side glass).

Laminated Glass vs. Tempered Glass

Laminated glass is basically a glass sandwich. It is made of two or more plies of glass with a vinyl interlayer between (sandwiched, if you will, as in a car’s windshield). The glass will tend to stay together and case one in is broken – thus qualifying as a safety glazing material.

Tempered glass is made by heating and cooling a piece of standard glass in a tempering furnace. The glass, which must be pre-cut and edged before being put into the tempering furnace, is heated to approximately 1200°F and then cooled rapidly.

Now some companies are working to develop a chemically tempered glass much stronger than conventional automotive glass, known as soda lime glass. This glass could offer a lighter weight to windshields but with a great deal of strength.

When it comes to windshields, being stronger means being safer. The lighter weight can also help cars be more fuel efficient. Gorilla Glass was first used for smartphone screens in 2007. The Ford GT was the first to used Gorilla Glass for its windshield. Some new vehicle designs are using larger windshield, even full glass canopies. This means the glass needs to be more efficient for safety.

For now, laminated glass is the best option for windshields. It keeps passengers safer and has a sound-proofing benefit to it. Tempered glass is still a good choice for other auto glass applications. It can be broken more easily if breaking the window for exiting is needed.

As technology makes changes to auto glass, it’s important to you find an auto glass shop that keeps up with the latest for windshield repair and replacement

auto glass replacement

Prevent Auto Glass Replacement

If you have a damaged windshield, going back in time is not possible. However, if your car is in a perfectly good condition, you can prevent damages from occurring. In fact, to prevent a windshield replacement San Diego, the best place to start is before any damage occurs. After all, a big factor that leads drivers to getting a replacement is neglecting their car. Lack of maintenance can cause your windshield to get scratched or cracked. The below three blogs will help you prevent auto glass replacement: Continue reading

car care San Diego

Windshield Wipers can scratch your windshield

Windshield wipers are a life saver when they are in good condition. They make your view clear. When your windshield wipers get old, they can create hazardous driving conditions, like driving in the rain or at night. If the wipers cause streaks, it can block your view and make it difficult to see road signs or oncoming traffic.

How do windshield wipers scratch your windshield?

The rubber edge gets worn out or damaged leaving the metal exposed. Then the metal comes in contact with the glass. The windshield wiper blades are designed to press firmly against the glass and the movement of the blades can cause the metal to dig into the surface resulting in small indentations. The scratches and streaks will only worsen unless resolved.

What can you expect from damaged windshield wipers?

  • Scratches can reflect sunlight and headlights from oncoming cars
  • Blades will not wipe all the water off the blades causing limited vision
  • Water streaks can cause a distraction

Can windshield scratches be removed?

Depending on the depth of the scratches, many can be polished out, however, deep scratches on the windshield may require a full windshield replacement.

Regularly checking and replacing your windshield wipers is a good practice to avoid a full windshield replacement. Replacing your wipers takes very little time.

If you do need a windshield replacement, let 7 Star Auto Glass do the job. Our certified technicians can install a new windshield on any domestic or foreign vehicle.

 

 

 

Car care San Diego

Maintaining Your Car to Prevent a Car Glass Repair

Maintaining your car regularly is not just something to do to keep your car looking nice and clean. It is something that will keep it in its original condition. That means that your car will be less likely to malfunction, and that applies to the windshield too. When you are driving, you do not want your windshield to break. Thus, with these car maintenance tips, you will prevent a car glass repair: Continue reading