All posts in Auto Maintenance

The Six Most Common Signs It’s Time To Upgrade Your Current Vehicle

by Anita Ginsburg on 2014/08/27 in Auto Buying Tips, Auto Maintenance with Comments Off

When your car begins to age and deteriorate, it can be easy to hold onto the vehicle due to attachment or the savings that are involved. Although older cars can still be reliable and make for easy transportation, they can still be a headache to own with the maintenance and repairs that are needed. If you’re considering upgrading to a new car, there are a few signs that it’s time to make the change.

1. Frequent Repairs are Needed

When you’re investing more money into the vehicle than the car may be worth, then it may be time to upgrade to a new model. Older vehicles can easily become a money pit and make it difficult to have an affordable vehicle to drive. Once one thing is fixed, another part breaks, and it seems like a never-ending cycle. At this point, it’s much more expensive to keep fixing the vehicle.

2. It’s a Gas Guzzler

Older models of cars are known to have low fuel efficiency, making it expensive to travel in the car and possibly costing more than the expense of upgrading to a new vehicle. You may notice that your gas mileage has gotten a lot worse, even with higher quality gas. This could also be a sign that the car has other problems.

3. Your Safety is at Risk

If the car is damaged or the seat belts don’t work, then it’s time to sell the vehicle and find something that will offer protection in the event of a collision. It’s important that all seat belts, airbags, breaks, steering and more work properly to protect everyone in the car.

4. It was in a Flood

If your car was submerged in water during a flood, it goes without saying that it’s time to upgrade to a new vehicle. Although the car may run well after the water dries, the damage to the engine and upholstery won’t be worth the cost needed.

5. The Car Failed Emissions Tests

Vehicles that continuously fail emissions tests likely have underlying problems with the vehicle that will easily take most of your paycheck. Avoid using a car that has a negative impact on the environment and has frequent issues that you may not be aware of.

6. It’s Held Together with Duct Tape

If your car is in one piece simply because you’ve secured it with duct tape, then it’s time to move on to a new vehicle. With parts that are falling off or breaking on a consistent basis, it makes for a car that is no longer functional and not worth the energy to repair it.

By trading in an old vehicle and obtaining a new model that has good insurance, it means having peace of mind when on the road. You’ll know you’re safe in an upgraded vehicle and can enjoy the benefits of more luxury and convenience with a car that runs smoothly.

Informational credit to Steers Insurance Limited.

Extend the Life of Your Vehicle: Tips to Keep Your Car in the Best Condition

by Anita Ginsburg on 2014/08/13 in Auto Maintenance with Comments Off

With the high cost of both new and used vehicles, you want your car to last as long as possible. Taking care of your vehicles not only makes them last longer but can also improve their retail and trade-in value. Here are some tips on how to extend the life of your vehicle.

Maintain the Paint Job

You’d be surprised how many people turn their backs on reliable vehicles because they have some rust. Weather can do a lot of damage to your car’s paint job, especially if you don’t keep it in a garage. Keep your vehicle washed and clean during inclement weather, particularly if you live in states with salt on wintry roads. Wax your car when needed to protect the pain and keep your car looking great.

Keep the Interior Clean

Although the interior of your car has little to do with how it operates, it can affect retail or trade-in value significantly. Many people do judge how a car has been maintained under the hood with how it looks inside. In addition, keeping your interior clean can keep the upholstery and carpeting looking better and prevent tears and stains.

Get Regular Maintenance Checkups

Unless you’re a professional mechanic, you’re probably not going to be able to recognize a problem with the same swiftness as a mechanic. Regular checkups and tune-ups not only help repair damaged parts, but act as a preventative measure towards potential problems in the future, say the professionals at Minit-Tune International Corp. When you go to sell your car, having slips designated regular maintenance checks is a good selling point.

Maintain Your Tires

Keeping your tires properly inflated and in good working condition can prevent uneven wear and tear and can also prevent other parts from becoming damaged, which can result in higher repair costs. You’ll also get better mileage and a smoother ride.

Have Professionals Repair Your Vehicle

As much as we all like to repair things ourselves to save money, sometimes it’s just better to leave it to the professionals, especially if you don’t have time. There are several benefits to having professionals repair your vehicle. The main benefit is that they have diagnostic tools to help them determine the problem rather than doing a lot of unnecessary repairs just as a method of “process of elimination”. Also, when you have the repairs done professionally, they’re warranted.

Take Care of Problems in Their Early Stages

Early repairs usually mean smaller bills. In addition, if you fail to fix a problem in its early stages, it can develop into a large problem and a higher repair cost.

Maintaining your vehicle is important for many reasons but mostly to extend the life as long as possible. It’s a lot easier than you might thing if you make it a good habit.

5 Common Car Noises and What They Mean

by Carsurfer Admin on 2014/07/28 in Brakes with Comments Off

If you’ve ever tuned into an episode of “Car Talk,” you know your family car is capable of a wide range of noises, from the boom of a backfire to the squeak of a loose belt. Here are a few common noises and what they mean for your car (and your wallet).

Rattling

Rattling and rumbling noises from under your car may indicate a hole or loose joint somewhere in your exhaust system. Exhaust problems can be minor, and many can go a long time without being repaired, but it’s better to have them looked at early on.

If you ignore the problem for too long, you may lose part of your exhaust system. This may cause you to lose control of the car if it happens while the car is in motion. Leaking exhaust fumes may also enter the cabin of your car, exposing you and your passengers to chemicals that can cause:

drowsiness
slowed response time
brain damage

Simple exhaust repairs, such as replacing a pipe or patching a hole, may cost as little as $100. More complex repairs, like installing a new catalytic converter, may run anywhere from $150 to $1500 depending on the make, model, and year of your car.

Hissing

Hissing noises under your hood while your engine is idling may indicate a cracked or loose hose. Depending on which hoses are affected, this can be a minor problem that does not need to be addressed immediately. However, if the hissing is accompanied by rising engine temperature or steam or smoke coming from under your hood, take your car in to the shop immediately.

Replacing a radiator or coolant hose can run anywhere from $75 to $200 (if you have to replace both at the same time). For some heavy-duty SUVs or off-roading vehicles, pieces of the engine may need to be removed to access the hoses. This will increase the labor costs of the repair.

Squealing

Squealing brakes usually means your brake hardware is worn out. The squealing is caused by your brake pads scraping the discs. Have a service professional take a look. Minor wear may not require replacing your braking components. You can also try using adhesive to hold the pads closer to the pistons.

However, if you want to get rid of the squeal or if your brake pads are worn to the point that they cause excess heat or no longer brake effectively, you will need to have them replaced. You can expect to pay about $150 per axle, but the repair could cost $400 or more per axle if your rotors are warped or need to be resurfaced.

Thumping

A thumping noise from your tires may be telling you that there is flat-spotting on your tire tread. Permanent flat-spotting can be caused by locking your wheels, grinding down the rubber in places. If the noise continues, check your tire pressure and tread. You may either need to live with the thumping or replace your tires with new, steel-belted tires.

However, if the thumping is loudest in the morning and goes away as you drive throughout the day, there’s no need to take your car to the mechanic. Overnight, especially in cold weather, your tires may develop minor flat-spots which will thump when you drive the car. This thumping will go away as the tires warm up.

Speedy Apollo Auto Service Centres, which provide vehicle diagnostic services in Calgary, recommend having any noise that is accompanied with the appearance of any maintenance light checked out as soon as possible. Before you take your car in for maintenance, you can use your owner’s manual to identify why the light turned on—it might be a quick fix you feel comfortable taking care of yourself.

Some noises won’t have a quick solution (or won’t need to be fixed), but you should listen for any changes in the noises your car makes as they may indicate serious problems.

5 Things to Consider When Choosing a Junk Car Scrappage Program

by Carsurfer Admin on 2014/07/23 in Auto Maintenance with Comments Off

So, you’ve finally decided to replace your old gas guzzler with a hybrid, but now you need to choose the right scrappage program to take your clunker off your hands. Here are five factors to consider when choosing a junk car collection program.

Price

If you’re hoping to sell your junk car for cash, you’ll want to make sure you’re getting the best deal possible. Some programs pay you a set cash amount, regardless of your car’s condition. However, many programs base your cash payment on the make, model, year, and condition of your car. Many of these junk car programs provide an estimate tool on their website so you can make sure you’re getting the best offer for your vehicle.

Reputation

Before you contact a company to come pick your clunker up, do your research. Check out their website. Read online reviews and testimonials. Ask friends, neighbors, and family member who have exchanged a car through a voluntary scrappage program about their experience and recommendations. Working with a reputable, reliable company ensures that you will receive the agreed-upon compensation in the timeframe the program gives you.

Convenience

Some scrappage programs require that you bring your car to a junk yard, while others will send a tow truck right to your home. If your junk car can no longer be driven, look for a scrappage program with pickup options that work with your schedule. If you go with a pickup program, make sure they serve your specific area. Many scrappage companies have restrictions on the amount of distance they will go to collect your car. For most programs, you’ll be paid either when your car is picked up or when you drop it off at a scrap yard.

Environmental Impact

Junk car programs were created to get energy-inefficient vehicles off the roads to reduce air pollution, but some programs are eco-friendly in name only. Environmentally-conscious vehicle scrappage programs repair cars that are not considered a “total loss” vehicle and recycle parts from the cars that they scrap. Many scrappage companies recycle tires, vehicle fluids, batteries, and the scrap metal produced from demolishing the vehicle.

Don’t hesitate to ask about the company’s environmental impact. If the response is vague (or if there’s no explanation of the programs recycling process on their website), the company may be disposing of the cars they collect irresponsibly. Look for a program that doesn’t treat their environmental impact lightly. Improper disposal of car materials can create safety hazards and overcrowded landfills. The chemicals in car fluids can pollute groundwater and hurt wildlife, while scrap tires house disease-carrying insects and rodents and may cause dangerous, hard to control tire fires.

Requirements

Some programs have a set of requirements that your vehicle must meet in order for it to be exchanged. These requirements may include:

Record of a previously failed SMOG test
The car has been insured for the last six months
The car can still be driven
The car was made more recently than 1987

Requirements may vary from company to company or by state. If your car doesn’t meet the requirements of one company, keep looking. There are many programs that accept vehicles regardless of condition.

Considering these factors when choosing a car scrappage program can help you get the best deal for your junk car.

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Keeping Your Work Vehicle In Good Condition: Useful Tips Not To Be Overlooked

by Anita Ginsburg on 2014/07/11 in Auto Maintenance with Comments Off

Owning a work vehicle seems simple, but maintaining it is an endeavor that could get complicated. When you drive the vehicle constantly, it becomes harder to drive and more likely to break down. Changing the oil, rotating the tires and washing the exterior are common tasks. However, there are other steps that you could be overlooking. Read a few tips that help you maintain the good condition of your work vehicle.

Mend the Windows

A lot of people ignore the condition of the windows unless the damage is obstructing their view. Even if you see tiny cracks or holes in the glass, have it repaired right away. In the worst situation, a small crack could deepen and spread across the window. Improving the aesthetic value is just as important as improving the safety. Fixing a small rock chip is much cheaper than replacing the entire windshield.

Replace the Coolant

Replacing the fluids is important, but you cannot just focus on the oil. Replace the coolant at least once a year. The coolant prevents the car from overheating and accumulating dirt, which happens much more often in work vehicles. Make sure that the engine is cool before you insert the chemical.

Change Transmission Fluid

Good transmission fluid is needed to add more fluency to your car’s inner workings. The engine and motors are less likely to break down when you replace this fluid often. Review the mileage to know when it is time to make a replacement. There are time limits listed on the dealer’s website or within the car’s owner’s manual.

Hire a Septic Service

If the drain in the car is getting overused, have the wash bay cleaned often. Regardless of the amount of buildup, professionals have the skills and equipment to clear it out, say the experts at Kamloops Septic Service. If necessary, have the professionals come over and inspect the drain often. This way, you find problems before they damage the septic system over time.

Lubricate Used Up Parts

Lubricate those parts that you have used consistently for many months and years. Most parts need grease to operate more smoothly and easily. Otherwise, the parts get dirty and stick together. There are plenty of lubrication products available at department stores and auto shops.

Repaint the Surface

As a driver, you may underestimate the difference made when a car is repainted. Apply new coats to paint over small defects like cracks, hole or chips. Also, you could repaint the entire surface another color or apply unique designs. Even if the interior of the vehicle is not up to par, at least the exterior looks good with new paint, giving it a more professional look.

Your work vehicle lasts long if you take advantage of regular auto maintenance. Start with these tips to keep your work vehicle in good condition so you can continue to use it for years to come.