Talk About Cars|A Discussion About Cars, Maintenance and Car Buying
Jan
05
Filed Under (Maintenance) by Car Specialist
Hailey Kerr asked:
Regardless of the type of car that you own whether it’s second-hand or brand new it is important that you provide it with the proper maintenance it deserves.
You see even if you own an expensive BMW 328i with high quality BMW 328i parts still the daily use of the car can lead to wear and tear of its parts this is why regular car maintenance should be a priority.
Your car requires different types of maintenance check for different seasons, the car maintenance routines for the summer season are very much different as those required for the winter season and so forth and so on.
Since fall is coming and very soon it would be winter the car maintenance done during the fall season is basically a preparation for the coming winter months. About.com provides very practical tips on what your winter car maintenance checklist should be comprised of:
• Check your antifreeze
Your antifreeze (the juice that goes in your radiator) is an essential part of your car’s winter protection.
Your car contains a 50/50 mix of water and antifreeze. Make sure the level is full and the mixture is close to 50/50. Many service stations and repair centers will check this mixture free, or you can buy a tester for around $5.
• Check your tires
The last line of defense between you and an oak tree are your tires. Winter is not the time to get cheap about your tires, so take the time to check the tread depth. The National Highway Transportation Safety Board says you need at least 2/32″ of depth to be safe. It’s been my experience, especially in winter weather, that anything less than 4/32″ (1/8″) be replaced soon. The old penny test is as reliable as anything to find out whether your treads are ready for winter action. Also, be sure to check your tire pressure. Believe it or not, they lose a little pressure when it gets cold, so pump ‘em up.
• Check your wipers
Wipers? What do your windshield wipers have to do with winter weather? Two things. First, anything falling from the sky is going to end up on your windshield, and unless you have a team of beavers riding on the hood of your car the task of clearing it falls on your wipers. Second, in areas that see snowfall in the winter, you’re also driving through that soupy muck that’s left on the road once the highway department does their thing. This muck includes a lot of sand and salt, both of which end up on your windshield. It takes wipers that are in top shape to keep your windshield clean and safe.
• Check your windshield washer fluid
You’ll be using lots of washer fluid as you try to keep your windshield sparkly. A mile stuck behind an 18-wheeler will have your windshield looking a Desert Storm Humvee if you’re low on washer fluid. *Tip: Don’t fill your washer fluid reservoir with anything except washer fluid, it won’t freeze!
TAYLOR
Regardless of the type of car that you own whether it’s second-hand or brand new it is important that you provide it with the proper maintenance it deserves.
You see even if you own an expensive BMW 328i with high quality BMW 328i parts still the daily use of the car can lead to wear and tear of its parts this is why regular car maintenance should be a priority.
Your car requires different types of maintenance check for different seasons, the car maintenance routines for the summer season are very much different as those required for the winter season and so forth and so on.
Since fall is coming and very soon it would be winter the car maintenance done during the fall season is basically a preparation for the coming winter months. About.com provides very practical tips on what your winter car maintenance checklist should be comprised of:
• Check your antifreeze
Your antifreeze (the juice that goes in your radiator) is an essential part of your car’s winter protection.
Your car contains a 50/50 mix of water and antifreeze. Make sure the level is full and the mixture is close to 50/50. Many service stations and repair centers will check this mixture free, or you can buy a tester for around $5.
• Check your tires
The last line of defense between you and an oak tree are your tires. Winter is not the time to get cheap about your tires, so take the time to check the tread depth. The National Highway Transportation Safety Board says you need at least 2/32″ of depth to be safe. It’s been my experience, especially in winter weather, that anything less than 4/32″ (1/8″) be replaced soon. The old penny test is as reliable as anything to find out whether your treads are ready for winter action. Also, be sure to check your tire pressure. Believe it or not, they lose a little pressure when it gets cold, so pump ‘em up.
• Check your wipers
Wipers? What do your windshield wipers have to do with winter weather? Two things. First, anything falling from the sky is going to end up on your windshield, and unless you have a team of beavers riding on the hood of your car the task of clearing it falls on your wipers. Second, in areas that see snowfall in the winter, you’re also driving through that soupy muck that’s left on the road once the highway department does their thing. This muck includes a lot of sand and salt, both of which end up on your windshield. It takes wipers that are in top shape to keep your windshield clean and safe.
• Check your windshield washer fluid
You’ll be using lots of washer fluid as you try to keep your windshield sparkly. A mile stuck behind an 18-wheeler will have your windshield looking a Desert Storm Humvee if you’re low on washer fluid. *Tip: Don’t fill your washer fluid reservoir with anything except washer fluid, it won’t freeze!
TAYLOR
Comments Off
Dec
31
Filed Under (Maintenance) by Car Specialist
nodrama asked:
I am so frustrated with my car dealers. It seemed that they always billed me for well over 200 dollars for my car maintenance every month! Now that I have been with them for eight years I can practically buy a NEW CAR?
I am so frustrated with my car dealers. It seemed that they always billed me for well over 200 dollars for my car maintenance every month! Now that I have been with them for eight years I can practically buy a NEW CAR?
Please is it possible to do car maintenance by ourselves ? What kind of special courses do I need to take ?
I am just sick of paying for this redicilous bills.
LEN
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Dec
27
Filed Under (Maintenance) by Car Specialist
Theodore Olson asked:
As gas prices continue to rise, the auto industry is out in full force touting the benefits of car maintenance. Many repair shops even have custom “fuel saver” services. While maintaining one’s car is indeed important, does it really save gas? Before we answer this, let’s step back and look at auto maintenance for today’s cars.
The first question we need to ask is – what does my car need (according to the manufacturer) for it to be considered “maintained.” Today’s cars no longer have distributor caps, rotors, points, and a variety of other ignition components – so these don’t need maintenance. Many vehicles now come with extended service parts such as 100,000-mile platinum spark plugs and life-time fuel filters. Oil change intervals have been extended to 5,000 miles or more. The 3,000-mile oil change is ancient history. Coolant flushes and transmission services aren’t needed until 100,000 miles if at all. Yet, even if we performed all the above services, will they increase fuel efficiency? Probably not. Unless your vehicle is misfiring (i.e., not running on all cylinders), you’re gas mileage is likely fine.
So what part of car maintenance adversely effects gas mileage for the average driver of a late model vehicle? Three things: tire pressure, air filters, and excess carbon.
Tire Pressure: Setting your tire pressure is free, and is the best maintenance service you can perform to maintain maximum fuel efficiency. It’s that simple.
Air Filters: Air filters can indeed get plugged after a considerable amount of driving and can then restrict air flow, which will not allow your fuel to burn efficiently. This can also cause excess carbon build-up, which can reduce miles per gallon. The good news: air filters are cheap ($15 to $30), are easy to install, and usually only need replacement every 30,000 miles.
Excess Carbon: There is another auto maintenance service that “can” help gas mileage. It’s called a fuel system cleaning service. Some repair centers call it fuel injector auto maintenance, or a fuel injection service. Simply, chemicals are added to your fuel system through a variety of orifices to clean out excess carbon deposits on your valves, pistons and intake manifold. This naturally forming carbon (in excess) is not good for gas mileage. Excess carbon absorbs gasoline, which would otherwise be used to power your vehicle. However, before you run out and spend the $150 + to have this service performed, there is one important consideration – the service will only work for vehicles that need it. In other words, yes the stuff works, but you’re vehicle may not have any excess carbon build-up. You wouldn’t wash clean clothes – right?
When you see those “fuel saver” services for $100 to $300, they’ll likely include an air filter, tire pressure check, and a fuel system cleaning service. If you’re wondering whether or not your vehicle needs it, ask yourself the following:
Do I use quality gasoline consistently?
Have I replaced my air filter at least every 30,000 miles?
Have I checked my tire pressure recently?
If you can answer these questions affirmatively, you’re probably ok. Buying cheap, no-name gas once-in-awhile is ok. Replacing the air filter and setting your tire pressure is common sense. Also, if you drive like grandma, get out on the highway and press the vertical pedal at your right foot “all the way to the floor” until your vehicle accelerates to speeds at which you’re not all too entirely comfortable. Then repeat a few more times. This will help clean out excess carbon – FREE – less the cost of fuel. Be careful. Watch out for cops.
In summary, follow your manufacturer guidelines for your car’s maintenance – not ones designed by those who stand to benefit most. Use name-brand fuel, set your tire pressure now and again, pop in an air filter, according to your car’s recommended interval, and don’t be afraid to drop the hammer now and again.
LOWELL
As gas prices continue to rise, the auto industry is out in full force touting the benefits of car maintenance. Many repair shops even have custom “fuel saver” services. While maintaining one’s car is indeed important, does it really save gas? Before we answer this, let’s step back and look at auto maintenance for today’s cars.
The first question we need to ask is – what does my car need (according to the manufacturer) for it to be considered “maintained.” Today’s cars no longer have distributor caps, rotors, points, and a variety of other ignition components – so these don’t need maintenance. Many vehicles now come with extended service parts such as 100,000-mile platinum spark plugs and life-time fuel filters. Oil change intervals have been extended to 5,000 miles or more. The 3,000-mile oil change is ancient history. Coolant flushes and transmission services aren’t needed until 100,000 miles if at all. Yet, even if we performed all the above services, will they increase fuel efficiency? Probably not. Unless your vehicle is misfiring (i.e., not running on all cylinders), you’re gas mileage is likely fine.
So what part of car maintenance adversely effects gas mileage for the average driver of a late model vehicle? Three things: tire pressure, air filters, and excess carbon.
Tire Pressure: Setting your tire pressure is free, and is the best maintenance service you can perform to maintain maximum fuel efficiency. It’s that simple.
Air Filters: Air filters can indeed get plugged after a considerable amount of driving and can then restrict air flow, which will not allow your fuel to burn efficiently. This can also cause excess carbon build-up, which can reduce miles per gallon. The good news: air filters are cheap ($15 to $30), are easy to install, and usually only need replacement every 30,000 miles.
Excess Carbon: There is another auto maintenance service that “can” help gas mileage. It’s called a fuel system cleaning service. Some repair centers call it fuel injector auto maintenance, or a fuel injection service. Simply, chemicals are added to your fuel system through a variety of orifices to clean out excess carbon deposits on your valves, pistons and intake manifold. This naturally forming carbon (in excess) is not good for gas mileage. Excess carbon absorbs gasoline, which would otherwise be used to power your vehicle. However, before you run out and spend the $150 + to have this service performed, there is one important consideration – the service will only work for vehicles that need it. In other words, yes the stuff works, but you’re vehicle may not have any excess carbon build-up. You wouldn’t wash clean clothes – right?
When you see those “fuel saver” services for $100 to $300, they’ll likely include an air filter, tire pressure check, and a fuel system cleaning service. If you’re wondering whether or not your vehicle needs it, ask yourself the following:
Do I use quality gasoline consistently?
Have I replaced my air filter at least every 30,000 miles?
Have I checked my tire pressure recently?
If you can answer these questions affirmatively, you’re probably ok. Buying cheap, no-name gas once-in-awhile is ok. Replacing the air filter and setting your tire pressure is common sense. Also, if you drive like grandma, get out on the highway and press the vertical pedal at your right foot “all the way to the floor” until your vehicle accelerates to speeds at which you’re not all too entirely comfortable. Then repeat a few more times. This will help clean out excess carbon – FREE – less the cost of fuel. Be careful. Watch out for cops.
In summary, follow your manufacturer guidelines for your car’s maintenance – not ones designed by those who stand to benefit most. Use name-brand fuel, set your tire pressure now and again, pop in an air filter, according to your car’s recommended interval, and don’t be afraid to drop the hammer now and again.
LOWELL
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Dec
16
Filed Under (Maintenance) by Car Specialist
Theodore Olson asked:
For decades mechanics have been telling us to change our oil every 3,000 miles. Interestingly, no automotive manufacturer agrees with this maintenance schedule - not in the last 20 years any way. So why are we being told to change our oil every 3,000 miles if it’s unnecessary?
First, let’s look at the auto industry’s argument. It makes 5 primary points.
1) Oil breaks down after 3000 miles
2) Oil changes are great preventative maintenance
3) 3,000 miles is an easy number for the car repair customer to remember
4) The 3,000 mile interval is traditionally viewed as best by mechanics
5) It’s necessary due to the elements, driving patterns, and weather conditions.
It’s important to note that those telling us to change our oil every 3,000 miles (the automotive industry) are the same folks who will profit most. This is not to say that oil changes aren’t important - they are. They’re just not as frequently needed as we’re made to believe.
Here are the 5 truths about the 3,000 mile oil change
1) Quality motor oil recommended by your vehicle’s manufacturer does not break down after 3,000 miles
2) Yes, changing your oil is great preventative maintenance, but it needs to be done in accordance with manufacturer service intervals
3) The easy-to-remember 3,000-mile interval actually creates more confusion as to the real maintenance needs of your vehicle. Thus, it is easier to follow factory guidelines, more economical, and more appropriate.
4) The traditional view that 3,000 miles is best for your car is old school, wasteful, and fails to appreciate today’s mechanical and oil technologies
5) Unless you’re in a constant high-speed police change in the dead of winter - your oil will be just fine
How often do you really need to change your oil? While it depends on the year, make, and model of your vehicle, it’s clear that for today’s vehicles it’s not every 3,000 miles. 20 years ago this was true of many vehicles. However, this is virtually obsolete as most vehicle have 5,000, 7500, 10,000, and even 15,000 mile oil service intervals.
So just what is motivating the auto industry to push 3,000 mile oil changes? Let’s look at it in real life. If you change your oil every 3,000 miles, and like most, you average 15,000 miles per year, then you’ll be in the repair shop 5 times in only 12 months. Do you really need to perform maintenance on your car 5 times per year? Seems excessive doesn’t it?
The average oil change price is $30.00. $30.00 X 5 = $150.00. If you changed your oil every 5,000 miles, you’d only need 3 oil changes per year = $90. That’s a $60 savings.
For the most part oil changes are cheap, as it’s a very competitive market. They’re also not very profitable for repair shops (see the article “Why an Oil Change is Never Just an Oil Change @ RepairTrust.com). However, the more times your vehicle is in the shop, the more chances said
shop has the opportunity to sell you something else - an alignment, tires, wiper blades, brakes, shocks, fuel cleaning services, transmission services…etc - these are money-makers. This is not to say that these services aren’t needed, but they should be performed according to manufacturer guidelines only.
A detailed manufacturer’s maintenance schedule (this is separate from your manual) is the best and most accurate guide. You may stumble across one in all the unnecessary paperwork you find in your glove box, but ask your repair shop or dealer for a detailed print out of your entire maintenance schedule. If the service center can’t produce one quickly - you’re in the wrong place for your car’s needs.
Finally, have a little fun: the next time your local mechanic tells you to change your oil every 3,000 miles, ask him what the manufacturer recommends. It’s fun to watch him stumble through the answer or tell you, straight-faced, the wrong answer.
HEATH
For decades mechanics have been telling us to change our oil every 3,000 miles. Interestingly, no automotive manufacturer agrees with this maintenance schedule - not in the last 20 years any way. So why are we being told to change our oil every 3,000 miles if it’s unnecessary?
First, let’s look at the auto industry’s argument. It makes 5 primary points.
1) Oil breaks down after 3000 miles
2) Oil changes are great preventative maintenance
3) 3,000 miles is an easy number for the car repair customer to remember
4) The 3,000 mile interval is traditionally viewed as best by mechanics
5) It’s necessary due to the elements, driving patterns, and weather conditions.
It’s important to note that those telling us to change our oil every 3,000 miles (the automotive industry) are the same folks who will profit most. This is not to say that oil changes aren’t important - they are. They’re just not as frequently needed as we’re made to believe.
Here are the 5 truths about the 3,000 mile oil change
1) Quality motor oil recommended by your vehicle’s manufacturer does not break down after 3,000 miles
2) Yes, changing your oil is great preventative maintenance, but it needs to be done in accordance with manufacturer service intervals
3) The easy-to-remember 3,000-mile interval actually creates more confusion as to the real maintenance needs of your vehicle. Thus, it is easier to follow factory guidelines, more economical, and more appropriate.
4) The traditional view that 3,000 miles is best for your car is old school, wasteful, and fails to appreciate today’s mechanical and oil technologies
5) Unless you’re in a constant high-speed police change in the dead of winter - your oil will be just fine
How often do you really need to change your oil? While it depends on the year, make, and model of your vehicle, it’s clear that for today’s vehicles it’s not every 3,000 miles. 20 years ago this was true of many vehicles. However, this is virtually obsolete as most vehicle have 5,000, 7500, 10,000, and even 15,000 mile oil service intervals.
So just what is motivating the auto industry to push 3,000 mile oil changes? Let’s look at it in real life. If you change your oil every 3,000 miles, and like most, you average 15,000 miles per year, then you’ll be in the repair shop 5 times in only 12 months. Do you really need to perform maintenance on your car 5 times per year? Seems excessive doesn’t it?
The average oil change price is $30.00. $30.00 X 5 = $150.00. If you changed your oil every 5,000 miles, you’d only need 3 oil changes per year = $90. That’s a $60 savings.
For the most part oil changes are cheap, as it’s a very competitive market. They’re also not very profitable for repair shops (see the article “Why an Oil Change is Never Just an Oil Change @ RepairTrust.com). However, the more times your vehicle is in the shop, the more chances said
shop has the opportunity to sell you something else - an alignment, tires, wiper blades, brakes, shocks, fuel cleaning services, transmission services…etc - these are money-makers. This is not to say that these services aren’t needed, but they should be performed according to manufacturer guidelines only.
A detailed manufacturer’s maintenance schedule (this is separate from your manual) is the best and most accurate guide. You may stumble across one in all the unnecessary paperwork you find in your glove box, but ask your repair shop or dealer for a detailed print out of your entire maintenance schedule. If the service center can’t produce one quickly - you’re in the wrong place for your car’s needs.
Finally, have a little fun: the next time your local mechanic tells you to change your oil every 3,000 miles, ask him what the manufacturer recommends. It’s fun to watch him stumble through the answer or tell you, straight-faced, the wrong answer.
HEATH
Comments Off
Dec
16
Filed Under (Maintenance) by Car Specialist
MoonWater asked:
I’m looking for classes in the contra costa county area that can teach me the basics of car maintenance and repair and was wondering if anyone here knew of any or could give me some ideas on where to look or how to find them. My community college doesn’t offer them and I haven’t had much luck searching online so any help would be great, thanks.
ODELL
I’m looking for classes in the contra costa county area that can teach me the basics of car maintenance and repair and was wondering if anyone here knew of any or could give me some ideas on where to look or how to find them. My community college doesn’t offer them and I haven’t had much luck searching online so any help would be great, thanks.
ODELL
Dec
14
Filed Under (Maintenance) by Car Specialist
Everette Jamison asked:
Safety is the most important factor when it comes to winter driving. While safety should be on your mind whenever you drive, during winter it is especially important. If your vehicle is not running well, you could end up abandoned in the cold if it breaks down. Furthermore, the rough winter weather could lead you to get into an accident if your cars tires and brakes are not in proper order. The good news is that you can save yourself a lot of bother and danger if you perform some simple auto maintenance.
In order to find what may need replacing, visit your car maintenance log. If you do not have one of these, now is a great time to start keeping one. It is a good idea to keep track of all the maintenance activities performed on your vehicle so that you will always know when the time comes to perform them again.
The first thing you should do is to check your antifreeze. Your antifreeze/coolant performs an important service of keeping your engine from overheating. You should always have a mixture of 50/50 antifreeze and water in your tank. If you have only or mostly water, you could end up with a cracked engine block.
Next thing to do is check your tires. If your tire treads are worn down you could end up in the ditch if there is a heavy snow fall. It is recommended that your tires have a tread depth of 2/32 inch. In the winter, most people recommend that you have no less than a tread depth of 4/32 inch. It is easy to test your tire tread by simply using a penny. Always make sure that your tire pressure is good too, cold weather has a way of deflating tires.
If you have not replaced your windshield wipers in a while, now would be a good time. Winter weather can really do a job on your wipers, and they are all you have to keep snow, dirt, and wintry mix off of your windshield. Winter weather can really make driving difficult, so be sure that your wipers are in good working order. While you are at it, go ahead and check your windshield washer fluid as well. Make sure that you only use real washer fluid, not water. Water will freeze in cold weather.
Finally, there are a few other maintenance procedures that you should take care of as well while you are at it. These are not specific to winter, but it does not hurt to take care of them now. Clean your battery posts, inspect your spark plug wires, inspect your brakes, and check your engine oil. These are all simple to do and you might as well get them over with now.
If you live in a cold climate, you should be particularly careful to perform these simple maintenance procedures before every winter. The winter is one of the worst times to be in an accident, and simple maintenance procedures can prevent this from happening.
JERRY
Safety is the most important factor when it comes to winter driving. While safety should be on your mind whenever you drive, during winter it is especially important. If your vehicle is not running well, you could end up abandoned in the cold if it breaks down. Furthermore, the rough winter weather could lead you to get into an accident if your cars tires and brakes are not in proper order. The good news is that you can save yourself a lot of bother and danger if you perform some simple auto maintenance.
In order to find what may need replacing, visit your car maintenance log. If you do not have one of these, now is a great time to start keeping one. It is a good idea to keep track of all the maintenance activities performed on your vehicle so that you will always know when the time comes to perform them again.
The first thing you should do is to check your antifreeze. Your antifreeze/coolant performs an important service of keeping your engine from overheating. You should always have a mixture of 50/50 antifreeze and water in your tank. If you have only or mostly water, you could end up with a cracked engine block.
Next thing to do is check your tires. If your tire treads are worn down you could end up in the ditch if there is a heavy snow fall. It is recommended that your tires have a tread depth of 2/32 inch. In the winter, most people recommend that you have no less than a tread depth of 4/32 inch. It is easy to test your tire tread by simply using a penny. Always make sure that your tire pressure is good too, cold weather has a way of deflating tires.
If you have not replaced your windshield wipers in a while, now would be a good time. Winter weather can really do a job on your wipers, and they are all you have to keep snow, dirt, and wintry mix off of your windshield. Winter weather can really make driving difficult, so be sure that your wipers are in good working order. While you are at it, go ahead and check your windshield washer fluid as well. Make sure that you only use real washer fluid, not water. Water will freeze in cold weather.
Finally, there are a few other maintenance procedures that you should take care of as well while you are at it. These are not specific to winter, but it does not hurt to take care of them now. Clean your battery posts, inspect your spark plug wires, inspect your brakes, and check your engine oil. These are all simple to do and you might as well get them over with now.
If you live in a cold climate, you should be particularly careful to perform these simple maintenance procedures before every winter. The winter is one of the worst times to be in an accident, and simple maintenance procedures can prevent this from happening.
JERRY
Comments Off
Dec
09
Filed Under (Maintenance) by Car Specialist
Warren Scott asked:
Do it Yourself Auto Maintenance and Repair
It doesn’t take a genius to figure out that we are living in a time of financial turmoil. Not only that, we the everyday working Americans are completely out of control of what happens on Wall Street, or what effects the price of gas. Unfortunately in times like these our cars still break down, requiring expensive parts and service. Therefore, we need to educate ourselves on ways to prevent these costly repairs or, if need be, how to fix them our self. Let’s take a quick look at some tips that will help keep our car running for a long time without costing a lot of money.
Every car owner should have a basic concept of maintenance. No matter what the economy is doing you can extend the life of your car greatly by doing some preventative maintenance. You can do this through your mechanic or you can do it yourself, either way here are a few things you should do on a regular basis.
1) Change your oil at the frequency and with the product recommended by the manufacturer. Not all oils are created equal and some of your manufacturer warranties may be void if you use a cheap substitute.
2) Have routine tune ups done on your vehicle. This will include things like changing plugs and wires, air filters, and rotating your tires.
All these things will add years to the life of your car and prevent costly repairs. In fact, sometimes a routine checkup will reveal a potentially expensive break down before it happens. Leaks in seals or hoses that will take a few minutes and few dollars to fix can lead to total engine failure.
Don’t worry if you happen to be in a place where routine visit to the mechanic is not in the budget. You can do most maintenance activities yourself for a lot less. You will incur some initial costs to buy the basic tools but even with this cost you will save money in the long run. You can change your own oil and rotate your tires fairly quickly and just as effectively as any mechanic. The main thing you will need is an automotive repair manual for your specific car. This invaluable tool is essential for every car owner because it will give you basic troubleshooting along with step-by-step instructions for repairs and maintenance.
You can also do most if not all the repairs on your vehicle much in the same way as above. For example, let’s say that your car has begun overheating. Get out your handy repair manual and look up the problem in the troubleshooting section. The different symptoms your car has will lead you to the problem and then tell you how to fix it! By the way, the most common causes for overheating are a bad thermostat or a leak in the cooling system. Moreover, even if you are using a mechanic your repair manual can still contain useful information that will keep you from being ripped off by a crooked mechanic.
Now that you have an idea of the parts will you need always check around to find the best price, or you can even purchase used parts. Many times, you can buy used parts at a fraction of the cost of new parts. Again even with the use of a mechanic this can be helpful. Do not let any mechanic tell you that you have to get your parts through them. A good honest mechanic will allow you to choose where you buy your parts and whether to use new or used.
Whatever problem you run into you can find a financially viable way to address it. Go to the internet to find great prices on used parts and accessories online. Not only will you save some money, you will learn invaluable information about the car that you drive. Diagnosing car problems and then knowing where to go to get great prices on parts is smart and will help you monthly budget no matter what the economy is doing. Also, you will gain skills to ensure that a mechanic will never rip you off again.
If you found this article informative and would like to find Auto Parts and accessories within your budget go to www.autoaccessoriessite.com or find your next Used Car at a deal you can’t pass up!
LORA
Do it Yourself Auto Maintenance and Repair
It doesn’t take a genius to figure out that we are living in a time of financial turmoil. Not only that, we the everyday working Americans are completely out of control of what happens on Wall Street, or what effects the price of gas. Unfortunately in times like these our cars still break down, requiring expensive parts and service. Therefore, we need to educate ourselves on ways to prevent these costly repairs or, if need be, how to fix them our self. Let’s take a quick look at some tips that will help keep our car running for a long time without costing a lot of money.
Every car owner should have a basic concept of maintenance. No matter what the economy is doing you can extend the life of your car greatly by doing some preventative maintenance. You can do this through your mechanic or you can do it yourself, either way here are a few things you should do on a regular basis.
1) Change your oil at the frequency and with the product recommended by the manufacturer. Not all oils are created equal and some of your manufacturer warranties may be void if you use a cheap substitute.
2) Have routine tune ups done on your vehicle. This will include things like changing plugs and wires, air filters, and rotating your tires.
All these things will add years to the life of your car and prevent costly repairs. In fact, sometimes a routine checkup will reveal a potentially expensive break down before it happens. Leaks in seals or hoses that will take a few minutes and few dollars to fix can lead to total engine failure.
Don’t worry if you happen to be in a place where routine visit to the mechanic is not in the budget. You can do most maintenance activities yourself for a lot less. You will incur some initial costs to buy the basic tools but even with this cost you will save money in the long run. You can change your own oil and rotate your tires fairly quickly and just as effectively as any mechanic. The main thing you will need is an automotive repair manual for your specific car. This invaluable tool is essential for every car owner because it will give you basic troubleshooting along with step-by-step instructions for repairs and maintenance.
You can also do most if not all the repairs on your vehicle much in the same way as above. For example, let’s say that your car has begun overheating. Get out your handy repair manual and look up the problem in the troubleshooting section. The different symptoms your car has will lead you to the problem and then tell you how to fix it! By the way, the most common causes for overheating are a bad thermostat or a leak in the cooling system. Moreover, even if you are using a mechanic your repair manual can still contain useful information that will keep you from being ripped off by a crooked mechanic.
Now that you have an idea of the parts will you need always check around to find the best price, or you can even purchase used parts. Many times, you can buy used parts at a fraction of the cost of new parts. Again even with the use of a mechanic this can be helpful. Do not let any mechanic tell you that you have to get your parts through them. A good honest mechanic will allow you to choose where you buy your parts and whether to use new or used.
Whatever problem you run into you can find a financially viable way to address it. Go to the internet to find great prices on used parts and accessories online. Not only will you save some money, you will learn invaluable information about the car that you drive. Diagnosing car problems and then knowing where to go to get great prices on parts is smart and will help you monthly budget no matter what the economy is doing. Also, you will gain skills to ensure that a mechanic will never rip you off again.
If you found this article informative and would like to find Auto Parts and accessories within your budget go to www.autoaccessoriessite.com or find your next Used Car at a deal you can’t pass up!
LORA
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Dec
09
Filed Under (Maintenance) by Car Specialist
Ken asked:
I have a 2000 Hyundai Elantra that has about 35,000 miles on it. I’ve never really done any preventative maintenance on the car, mostly out of ignorance of what exactly I should have done.
I have a 2000 Hyundai Elantra that has about 35,000 miles on it. I’ve never really done any preventative maintenance on the car, mostly out of ignorance of what exactly I should have done.
I am starting to use the car more for commuting, and would like to invest some money into it to keep it running safely and smoothly for a few more years. What are some good services I can ask for when I go to the mechanic, and which services are generally bogus?
Thanks!
KELLEY
Dec
09
Filed Under (Maintenance) by Car Specialist
jveryrad asked:
I am looking for a Toyota Dealer for car maintenance. Should I go to the dealer where I bought it? Is there a place I can look up customer evaluations? I live in the south San Francisco bay area.
KRAIG
I am looking for a Toyota Dealer for car maintenance. Should I go to the dealer where I bought it? Is there a place I can look up customer evaluations? I live in the south San Francisco bay area.
KRAIG
Dec
09
Filed Under (Maintenance) by Car Specialist
Sue Jan asked:
Used auto parts are a great way to save money for maintenance and repair of your car. Used auto parts are fairly cheap and may cost anywhere between 20 to 80% of the cost of a new auto part. Used auto parts are environmentally friendly, as not using them would add to the junk in junkyards or consume scarce landfill space. Furthermore, manufacturing new components would also consume too much resource.
Availability
Used auto parts are available online or from local stores. . Most towns and cities have used auto part stores. Used auto parts can be purchased on online auto parts stores by credit cards, and the parts are delivered or shipped within 3 to 6 days. While purchasing online beware that the image shown on the site may not match with the actual part.
Identification
The car part can be easily matched with your car by having your car’s vehicle identification number (VIN). This number provides the seller with lot of useful information, such as the make and year of manufacture, engines, transmission etc. If there is any confusion the used auto stores sales person are in a better position to help you.
Warranty
Ask the seller to provide warranty. It is prudent to read the terms and conditions of the warranty.
Age
It is necessary to find out the mileage on the auto part. Also confirm whether the part is being sold as used, repaired or remanufactured.
Duplicate
Auto parts can be duplicated easily and these are generally not safe and reliable. Usually it is easy to identify a duplicate part by visual inspection. If the part differs in look from a new part, has a mismatched logo, or typo or anything out of the ordinary then it can be assumed with high certainty that it is counterfeit.
Paint
Usually there is a mismatch between the used auto part color and your car body. Consulting your body shop is necessary before purchasing the part.
Maintenance and keeping your car road worthy is becoming costlier by the day. Used auto parts can reduce the maintenance cost to a great extent. However some caution should be exercised before buying used auto parts.
CARRIE
Used auto parts are a great way to save money for maintenance and repair of your car. Used auto parts are fairly cheap and may cost anywhere between 20 to 80% of the cost of a new auto part. Used auto parts are environmentally friendly, as not using them would add to the junk in junkyards or consume scarce landfill space. Furthermore, manufacturing new components would also consume too much resource.
Availability
Used auto parts are available online or from local stores. . Most towns and cities have used auto part stores. Used auto parts can be purchased on online auto parts stores by credit cards, and the parts are delivered or shipped within 3 to 6 days. While purchasing online beware that the image shown on the site may not match with the actual part.
Identification
The car part can be easily matched with your car by having your car’s vehicle identification number (VIN). This number provides the seller with lot of useful information, such as the make and year of manufacture, engines, transmission etc. If there is any confusion the used auto stores sales person are in a better position to help you.
Warranty
Ask the seller to provide warranty. It is prudent to read the terms and conditions of the warranty.
Age
It is necessary to find out the mileage on the auto part. Also confirm whether the part is being sold as used, repaired or remanufactured.
Duplicate
Auto parts can be duplicated easily and these are generally not safe and reliable. Usually it is easy to identify a duplicate part by visual inspection. If the part differs in look from a new part, has a mismatched logo, or typo or anything out of the ordinary then it can be assumed with high certainty that it is counterfeit.
Paint
Usually there is a mismatch between the used auto part color and your car body. Consulting your body shop is necessary before purchasing the part.
Maintenance and keeping your car road worthy is becoming costlier by the day. Used auto parts can reduce the maintenance cost to a great extent. However some caution should be exercised before buying used auto parts.
CARRIE
Comments Off