Archive for the ‘Car Care’ Category

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Choosing the Right Car

Thursday, September 17th, 2009

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When trying to decide what car to buy, there are a series of things to keep in mind. Aside from personal preferences for models, sizes and design, other things to consider include:

  1. Do you want a gas or diesel car? This is mostly a financial and environmental issue. Always consider environmental impact and economy concerns before making a choice.
  2. Do you want manual or automatic? Many luxury cars are manual but you would be doing yourself a disservice if you can’t drive manual and are choosing one just because they look cool.
  3. The reliability and safety ratings of the car, especially if you have kids, drive long distances or use the car for specific purposes, such as backcountry driving, where a good car will keep you out of trouble.
  4. Insurance costs should also be considered. Some luxury models and large cars have high insurance rates, which can end up being a burden if your finances. Always check in advance.

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Posted in Automotive, Car Care | 1 Comment »

How to Find A Car’s Background

Thursday, September 17th, 2009

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Checking a car’s history is one of the basic steps to ensure you’re getting what you’re paying for. Even when a car seems to be in excellent condition at first view, you may still run into issues if your car has underlying issues that the seller is not reporting and that are not obvious at first view. The best way to verify a car’s history is to obtain its VIN (Vehicle Identification Number) and then run a report. Companies such as Carfax allow you to enter a VIN number online and check if the car has ever been totaled in an accident, suffered flood damage, has any lien on it, had an odometer rollback, what it has been used for (was it always a private vehicle or was it ever rented out or used as a taxi?) as well as the repair history of the car.

Carfax and similar companies charge you a fee for the report, but this is well-worth it if you’re buying on your own and you want to make sure you’re getting a good deal.

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Posted in Automotive, Car Care, Car Curiosities | No Comments »

Where to Find a Good Used Car

Thursday, September 17th, 2009

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Once you’re ready to buy your new car, don’t think you are limited to visiting a dealership. Used-car dealers are a good option if you want to avoid the hassles of looking on your own, but you can be missing out on a bargain if you refuse to look elsewhere as well. Two less explored options for used cars are:

New-Car Dealerships: While their main business is selling new cars, they also have lease returns in stock. You won’t be getting a huge bargain, but you will get a car that has been well-maintained, under warranty until just recently and rarely more than a couple of years old. Always resist the temptation of accepting a pitch for a new car before you ask for a used one.

Private Sellers: Don’t be afraid to buy from owners. You are more likely to get you a good price and be able to bargain if you’re dealing with a private individual instead of a professional. To avoid being ripped-off, bring a mechanic along to check the car before you sign any papers, and make sure there are no liens or legal obligations against the car that will make it impossible for you to legally own the vehicle. Private sellers usually advertise in newspapers or through bulletin boards. Ebay is also a good place to look for vehicles but you should beware of great deals that require advance payment without you seeing the vehicle first. Also, never sign a “as is” contract if you can’t inspect the vehicle first.

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Posted in Automotive, Car Care | No Comments »

Preparing Your Car for a Long Trip

Thursday, September 17th, 2009

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Long road trips require a major overhaul of both the car and the packing process in order to ensure a safe move. Whether this is a vacation ride or you’re trying to ship your car to the other side of the country, there are major things you need to keep in mind.

  • Check the motor and make sure transmission fluid, engine oil, coolant and battery are all operating properly
  • Verify that the tires are properly inflated and are appropriate for the type of weather you’re likely to encounter on the way (for example, winter tires for an area with lots of snow)
  • Have the steering and suspension checked
  • Make sure you have a spare tire, a jack and a small set of tools in your trunk
  • Consider getting a GPS if you’re bad at keeping your way or need help getting to your destination
  • Make a list of the things you should be taking along, such as a basic emergency kit (don’t forget antifreeze, electrical tape and an emergency stop sign )
  • Bring a first-aid kit

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Posted in Automotive, Car Care | 9 Comments »

How to Keep the Engine in Top Shape

Wednesday, September 16th, 2009

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Protecting your car’s engine is an ongoing process. Rather than worrying about it once you run into a problem, you can do a few little things on an everyday basis to prevent problems from becoming serious.

Among the things you need to do are:

  • Change the oil every 3,000 miles
  • Change coolant fluid when you reach 100,000 miles
  • Replace anything that appears broken, worn or cracking, including belts, distributor cap and fans
  • Keep the air filter clean and replace if it becomes clogged
  • Make sure the fuel injector and the spark plugs are in good condition. This may be a good thing to ask your mechanic to look up, as it may be difficult to figure out on your own unless you have mechanical experience
  • Take your car in for a tune up every 35,000 miles or once a year

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Things You Shouldn’t Be Without

Wednesday, September 16th, 2009

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When it comes to items to carry in your car, most people know that spare tires are a must and many will bring a first-aid kit along even without being reminded of it. But is there anything else you should be carrying along with you? Especially if you live in a rural area, where you can be stranded in the middle of nowhere for hours, or if you’re driving during harsh winter conditions, there are some items that you should not forget:

Jumper cables

Some basic tools, such as a wrench and pliers

Thick gloves in case you need to handle a hot engine

Blankets (this is a must in case your car breaks down in winter and you have no running heat)

High-energy snacks, such as a couple of protein or cereal bars or a bag of nuts

A few bottles of water

Kitty litter, which can be used to provide traction on ice and snow

A list of emergency phone numbers (keep it in your glove compartment at all times)

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Posted in Automotive, Car Care | 3 Comments »

Choosing a Mechanic You Can Trust

Wednesday, September 16th, 2009

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Let’s face it: mechanics don’t have the best reputation. We’ve all heard stories about being ripped off, being charged for unnecessary repairs or receiving substandard care. If you’re worried about being taken for a ride, there are some things you can do to ensure you get the most for your money.

Research your options. The worst mistake is to commit to the first shop you walk into. Unless you have an emergency repair to take care of, visit a few places and compare equipment, prices and overall impression of the place and the people working there.

Credentials are important, but should not be the first thing on your mind. A mechanic who is a member of the Automotive Service Association (ASA) or has a certification from the National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence (ASE) has complied with some basic educational requirements and knows what he’s doing. Don’t discount hands-on experience though, as many mechanics learn through apprenticeships or by working their way up.

Get a recommendation from friends or family members. If somebody else found a place that seems to work, try it yourself.

Finally, look at the place itself. Pay attention to the quality and state of the equipment are they clean and neat, are they well kept? Does the equipment seem up-to-date or are the mechanics working with broken down equipment? If you don’t have an emergency and the place seems acceptable, take your car in for something small, make sure you get a written estimate in advance and see what the results are. You can always move on to somebody else if you’re not satisfied.

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Posted in Automotive, Car Care | No Comments »

Preparing Your Car for Long-Term Storage

Thursday, September 3rd, 2009

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Both before and after shipping, chances are your car will be stored for a period of time before you have access to it again. This is especially true if you’re shipping your car overseas, where it will have to wait for you in customs. If you foresee your car being stored for more than two weeks, do the following:

  • Wax the car so the finish is better protected against debris.
  • Disengage the parking brake. This will prevent corrosion and ensure the brakes will work properly when you start your car again.
  • Find out if the shipping company requires the gas tank to be empty or full. For storage, empty tanks are better (they prevent condensation). However, the shipping company may require you to leave enough gas for the car to be driven up and into the truck, as well as out.

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Posted in Car Care, Car Shipping, International Car Shipping | 7 Comments »

How to Get Rid of Offensive Car Odors

Friday, August 28th, 2009

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Keeping your car smelling good shouldn’t be a problem if you regularly vacuum and wash it. If you find yourself with an offensive car odor, however, the key is to attack it as soon as you discover, to prevent the smell from penetrating into the upholstery and carpet.

If you can’t identify the source of the smell, your best bet is to clean everything using carpet and upholstery cleaners. If the odor persists even after the cleaning, it may have penetrated into the fiber, so you may have to replace the carpet underpad and treat other areas, like the metal underseat, with disinfectant.

If the odor is inside the upholstery itself, you may need something to block the smell while cleaning the material. Products like Febreze and Atmos-Klear prevent the release of odors into the air and are a good alternative to use when you need something to spray after cleaning.

When cleaning your car, always do it with the windows down and in the open air. This will not only allow air to circulate and remove the odors, but it will also avoid you headaches from the chemical fumes.

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Posted in Automotive, Car Care | 1 Comment »

Protecting Your Car’s Cooling System

Monday, August 24th, 2009

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Your car’s cooling system has a series of components that need to be kept in perfect condition for your car to work. If the balance is altered or if some of the components are not in running condition, your car may become sluggish and the engine can end up suffering in the long run.

Coolant. Check its level regularly and refill with a mix of 50 percent water and 50 percent antifreeze as needed.

Radiator. Check for corrosion and leaks. Coolant leaks in particular are dangerous, as they can cause the car to overheat to the point of breaking down. If the radiator is cracker, replace it to prevent leaks. Debris that blocks the front of the radiator can damage the fins as well as prevent hot air from escaping.

Hoses. Cracked or leaking hoses should be replaced as soon as possible to prevent leaks. If the hose seems too dry, cracking is probably imminent.

Fans and Belts. Electric fans can stop working at any time and lead to engine overheating. Belts =, including those around the fan, should be replaced once they stretch or look worn, as this can lead to them slipping and causing serious issues with the steering pump or even the alternators.

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Posted in Automotive, Car Care | 11 Comments »

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