Archive for March, 2010

Vehicle Extras and Add-Ons: Are They Worth It?

Monday, March 15th, 2010

1087228_a_real_lemon_51

There are a lot of bells and whistles you can add to your car. Some will just enhance the cosmetic look of the vehicle, while others will improve comfort and overall value. When choosing add-ons and extras for your vehicle, it’s important to keep your budget in mind and not spend on things you don’t absolutely love. When in doubt, start with small changes and then move on to bigger changes when you feel more comfortable with the process.


Some of the extras available for cars include:


Safety Extras: Anti-theft devices, bug deflectors, instrumentation (GPS system), keyless entry devices, radar detectors, remote engine starting systems and special shock absorbers.


Cosmetic: Neon trim lighting, stereo or DVD systems, decals or custom painting jobs, window tinting, customized seat covers and car phones.


Specialized Add-Ons: If you have a favorite sport or activity you practice on a regular bais, you might consider adding related extras. For example, you can add carrier racks if you regularly take your bicycle along in trips. Or look for camper caps, RV and towing accessories, running boards or custom wheels.

Tags: , ,
Posted in Automotive, Car Care, Car Curiosities | 11 Comments »

Finding a Trustworthy Car Shipping Company

Sunday, March 14th, 2010

911375_paper_work

When it comes time to move your vehicle, the major difficulty is probably to find the right company. With so many around, both online and in the real world, how do you go about finding the best one for you? What’s more, how do you go about choosing a trustworthy company that will take care of your vehicle and deliver it safely without charging you a fortune for it?

Look online for options. Simply Googling “car shipping company” will give dozens of results. Visit the different websites and read around. See what the company offers (enclosed vehicle shipping, international car shipping, motorcycle delivery) and what the conditions are. Then Google the company’s name to see if you can find customer reviews or complaints about it.

Narrow it down to a few companies and then ask each one for a copy of their license. Licensed companies are fully insured and have to meet some requirements that will improve their quality of service and customer satisfaction. The older the license (make sure the renovation date is recent), the more years the company has experience in shipping vehicles.

Get quotes from several car shipping companies and compare what you get for the price with each one. If a car transport company is too cheap compared to the others, move with caution and find out why. Are they licensed? Are they new and trying to build up a clientele? Remember shipping a vehicle cost the car transport companies money as well for things such as gas, paying driver and so on. So when the price is to low proceed with caution.

Tags: , , ,
Posted in Car Shipping, Enclosed Car Shipping, International Car Shipping, Motorcycle Shipping | 1 Comment »

How to Avoid Driving Hazards

Sunday, March 14th, 2010

931785_winter_road

There are a number of driving hazards you can encounter when you’re behind the wheel. Some are environmental (weather, bad roads), while others are of your own making (talking on the phone while driving). To keep yourself safe on the road, here are a number of things to watch out for:

Bad Roads. Look out for potholes, puddles (they can hide deep holes), slippery pavements and crossing animals. If you’re driving near the mountains, be aware of falling debris.

Driver Mistakes. Don’t drive when you’re overtired, if you forgot your glasses or if you’re feeling dizzy. Don’t talk on the phone while driving. If you want to drink coffee, make sure you have a holder so you can quickly return the cup to a secure position. If you’re eating, do it from an open container, so you don’t have to maneuver to get things out of a small bag. Make sure your hands at free at all times and pay attention to your surroundings.

Weather. Heavy rain, fog and snow or ice are probably the most dangerous conditions you can drive in. Always check the weather advisory for recommendations on when to stay off the roads. At other times, make safety a priority. Drive slow and take breaks if necessary. If the storm gets too bad, find a place to park or a rest stop where you can wait it out.

Posted in Automotive, Car Care | No Comments »

Do’s and Don’ts of Keeping Your Car Clean

Saturday, March 13th, 2010

299893_kiki_assist_daddy

There’s more to washing your car than a sponge and a bucket of soapy water. In fact, washing your car this way can end up damaging it rather than helping it. Instead, there are a few steps you can follow to preserve your vehicle in top shape.

Clean obvious stains as soon as you notice them, even if you’re not ready to give your car a full wash just yet. This is especially true of bird droppings and other acidic elements, which can eat into the paint if left on it for too long. Use a soft sponge and water to clear the stains completely.

Rinse your vehicle after a heavy snowstorm or a drive near the beach. Both sand and salt (used on icy streets) can damage paint and metal.

Use only cleaners especially designed to wash cars. Home detergents and laundry products can be too harsh on the metal and might dull or damage the paint. The same is true of the type of cloth you use to soap and then dry the car. A regular sponge would work fine or you can use any type of cloth that doesn’t produce lint as it gets wet.

Finally, make sure you rinse the sponge often so there’s no risk of your picking up dust particles or debris that could scratch the car when rubbed against it. If your car is too dirty, use a hose to rinse it off first so you get rid of all loose debris and prevent scratching.

Tags: , ,
Posted in Automotive, Car Care | No Comments »

Getting a Tax Rebate for Your Move

Saturday, March 13th, 2010

369110_taxpapers

If you are reconsidering the idea of moving your car because of the expenses involved, keep in mind that there are circumstances under which the costs qualify as tax deductible. This is not always the case and there are restrictions in place, but it’s a possibility worth exploring.

According to Publication 521, you don’t need to be moving for work in order to qualify for a tax rebate. However, you do need to be starting work as soon as possible after your move or after shipping your car. You also need to be moving at least 50 miles away from your old job. To that 50-mile minimum, you need to add the distance between your old home and your old job to meet the “distance requirement” set by the IRS. So for example, if you lived five miles from your old job, you need to be moving at least 59 miles away to qualify.

Finally, you also need to meet the “time requirement,” which specifies you must work at least 39 weeks within the 12 months following the move. So while you can wait a few weeks to start the new job, you can’t wait more than a couple of months or you won’t be able to meet this requirement.

Tags: ,
Posted in Automotive, Car Shipping, Enclosed Car Shipping, International Car Shipping, Motorcycle Shipping | No Comments »

Protecting Your Car From Rust

Saturday, March 13th, 2010

462069_car_under_the_snow

Rust can be a car’s worst enemy. Not only do rusty areas diminish the price and overall look of your vehicle, but rust can also affect the inner working of the engine, facilitate water sipping in and ruining the upholstery or metal parts and just in general cost you hundreds, if not thousands, of dollars in repairs. To avoid rust (and to prevent it from getting worse once it shows in small amounts), make sure you follow these tips:

  • Fix chips in the paint as quickly as possible. If you don’t, you run the chance of them getting bigger and cracking the area around them. You can do this by using paint to directly touch up the area or using repair paste to cover larger chips before painting them.
  • Use only cleaners and waxes specifically designed to clean cars, as this will protect both the interior and exterior surfaces. Only use a soft sponge or cloth to prevent scratches. Dry your car after washing it so water doesn’t stay in contact too long with metal parts.
  • Don’t let your car in constant contact with the elements. Park in the shade when possible. During snowy winters, make sure you clear the snow from the tires and from under the care as often as possible. The snow itself can lead to rust, but the salt spread on the streets, mixed with the snow and ice, can be highly corrosive.

Tags: , ,
Posted in Automotive, Car Care | No Comments »