shortiep25 asked:


What are some good questions to ask when buying a used car that is for sale by the owner?

What are some good bargaining points so that I could lower the price?

All I know right now is that it is a GMC truck. .that’s red. haha.

TANYA

Bruce Haapman asked:


Maintenance is an essential part of owning a used car. Usually, once you take ownership of a car from a reputable used car dealer, you will be continuing a routine of good maintenance already set in place by the dealer to maximize the car’s value. Now the purpose of maintenance will shift from keeping the car in a condition to sell to keeping the car running and safe for you to drive.

Used cars naturally require more frequent maintenance than new cars and, even with little experience under the hood, most used car owners are able to regularly complete the tasks outlined in this article.

Checking the tires regularly helps ensure the best handling and fuel consumption. You should check the pressure of your tires a few times a month with a tester that can either be purchased from most automotive accessory stores or found at some gas stations. It is recommended to purchase your own tire tester for use at home as, once you have driven to the gas station, the air in your tires will have warmed up, leading to an inaccurate reading.

The ideal tire pressure for your car can be found either in the owner’s manual or printed inside the car.

An often overlooked maintenance task, particularly in areas with infrequent rainfall, is checking the windshield wipers. Windshield wipers that are cracked or have become bowed in a way that limits their contact with the glass should be replaced straight away.

Vacuuming the inside of your car is a quick way to get most dirt out before you take to the interior with a damp cloth.

Remove all the mats and seat covers that can be easily removed and vacuum them outside the car. The floors will be easier to vacuum without the mats in your way.

With the vacuuming complete, use a cloth damp with water to wipe the dashboard, door panels and any other areas that require cleaning.

To stay safe, and to avoid run-ins with the law, be sure to check your lights are working regularly. You should check your head lights, brake lights, tail lights and signal lights before you begin driving. If you do not have access to a second person to stand outside the car and tell you if your brake lights are working, just move your car close to your garage door or other moderately reflective surface and watch for the reflection of your lights.

While you can do many tasks yourself, a regular maintenance check-up and tune-up should be sought from a professional mechanic. In most tune-ups, mechanics will ensure the proper operation of your brakes, battery, air filter, fan belts, wheel bearings and shock absorbers. Spark plugs may also be replaced and your tires may be rotated and aligned.

A professional check-up is recommended every 20,000 miles to ensure the safe and reliable running of your used car.



SHON

everyonesdoingit asked:


The vehicles are primarily a year old and have lots of miles on them.

HAYWOOD

TRACKANDNICKJONAS asked:


I have a 2009 Honda Accord. Its total price was 21,508 and how much would it cost for car maintenance a month/yearly? How would I figure this price out?

KEVEN

lazyjbob asked:


I’m talking about buying a car with probably around 100,000 miles on it. What models are most likely to still last a while without major problems or breakdowns? I’m looking for a car, so no truck or minivan suggestions please.

ISIAH

Palmetto48 asked:


I’m looking for a site that I can research part numbers, air pressures and general information about keeping my car running smooth. Any help would be appreciated. Thanks.

STEPHEN

Juble.com asked:


This is the third installment of our automotive maintenance “How to” series, and again we will be learning about fluids. Performing monthly routine checks on the fluids in your car will save you money, time, and stress when it is time to take your car in for its regular tune-ups. Keeping your vehicle in good condition will also help you avoid situations such as breakdowns and accidents.

Most of the fluids that your car needs to function well, do not get used up, they run continuously through the engine from the reservoir and back again. Therefore, if you do find that any of your fluid levels are significantly low, there is a leak somewhere. Leaks are a hazard to the engine, and to your safety, and should be fixed as soon as possible. If you are unable to find and repair the leak yourself, take the car to a mechanic or technician to be checked before your scheduled tune-up.

Power Steering Fluid

Checking the power steering fluid is important because if the level gets too low, damage to all of the steering components could ensue, and repairing the steering system is a costly endeavor. The following steps will teach you easily how to go about the process.

1.    In most vehicles today, that are equipped with power steering, the fluid container is usually labeled. If not, then you should look for the power steering pump and belt. On top of the pump, you will find, either a round metal or clear plastic reservoir.

2.    If your power steering fluid container is metal, then there will be a dipstick attached to the cap. Marked on the dipstick with be two level lines, one for hot and one for cold. You will fill the reservoir to the proper level depending on whether you are checking while the engine is hot, or cold.

3.    If your reservoir is clear plastic, then you only need to look at it to determine if the fluid level is below the fill line.

4.    Make sure that you are adding the type of power steering fluid that is recommended for your make and model of vehicle.

If your fluid level was extremely low, and you hear a loud, high-pitched squeal when you turn the steering wheel, you need to check the power steering belt. Damage caused from lack of fluid could have worn out the belt, or caused the belt to slip. If the damage has gone too far, or been left neglected for too long, you may need to have the entire power steering pump replaced. To find out if this indeed the problem that is causing the noise, you should have a qualified and reliable person take a look. Waiting until your tune-up is only going to make the problem worse. It is possible to perform these types of basic repairs on your own, but not a good idea if you are new to the inner workings of your vehicle.

 

http://www.juble.com/articles/a305-power-steering-fluid-monthly-automotive-maintenance-part-3.html

 



KATE