Auto Magazine

5 Things You Can Do To Save Money on Your Auto Repairs

by Carsurfer Admin on 2014/04/01 in Auto Repair with Comments Off

Saving money on auto repairs is a combination of taking a little do-it-yourself initiative as well as being savvy about where your repair money goes. Of course, the very first step to saving money on auto repairs is to be serious and proactive about maintenance. Keeping up on maintenance helps eliminate potentially more expensive repairs. Here are five ways to get started saving money on auto repairs.

1.Get A Code Reader

Auto code readers are now as simple as getting a Bluetooth scan tool paired with a smart phone app. This will enable you to find out what that check engine light is really saying, and whether it’s a big repair or something small like a faulty sensor. However, this method only works with newer cars, usually those newer than 1996.

2.Learn To Shop At Salvage Yards

A good way to find inexpensive parts is to go to an auto salvaging yard. Often these contain cars totaled in wrecks that still have plenty of working parts on them. There is usually a pull fee and then you are on your own to remove the part from the car. Getting parts from places like these usually end up saving you money based on the fact that they’re used and that you’re pulling the part yourself.

3.Do It Yourself

Learning to do simple repairs yourself is one of the best ways to save money. The biggest portion of a repair bill is the labor of the mechanic. If you can change fluids and filters yourself, the supplies cost very little. Even brakes are not terribly difficult to learn and brake parts themselves are not very expensive.

4.Find A Trustworthy Mechanic

For the big jobs or if you do not have the time to be a do-it-yourselfer, finding a trustworthy mechanic is important. There are a few different methods for this. Ask for referrals from people you know, read reviews on sites such as Yelp, or even find out mechanics who do side work apart from their regular jobs.

5.Shop Around

If a big repair bill is looming on your car, the best way to lower the cost is to shop around. Ask different shops for estimates and even mention what another shop will do it for. You might also consider providing your own parts for the job.

There are many different ways to save money on car repairs. Start with good maintenance habits and finish by doing your own research and learning to fix some items yourself. Try to make visiting the mechanic a last resort.

Author Bio: Chaleigh is a freelance writer that lives in NYC. She enjoys writing, cars, and lifestyle photography. In her free time, you might be able to find her at an auto scrap yard looking for parts for her 1971 Chevy Nova, or taking pictures while people watching in the city.

Five Steps You Can Take to Reduce Your Car Insurance

by Carsurfer Admin on 2014/03/31 in Auto Insurance with Comments Off

People will often complain about how much money they are paying for their auto insurance, but these same people will seldom take simple steps that can save them money on a car insurance policy. There are options out there that can help you greatly reduce your insurance costs.

The following are just five steps you can take that will most likely result in a lower cost policy.

Make sure you are not over insured

Too often people are paying for more insurance than they really need. An individual will have a brand new car fully insured, but over time the car depreciates, and there is less need for full coverage. In the case where you are making payments on a new car, the lender will demand that the car be fully insured, but once the car is paid off, you may not need all of the coverage that was mandatory with your car financing.

Add safety features to your car

You should contact your insurance agent first or at least get a quote, but most companies will offer discounts for specific anti-theft devices that are installed on a car. Where you park your car can also affect the premiums you pay. If you park your car in the garage instead of on the street, you may get a discount for this as well. With less chance of vandalism, your insurance rates will be less.

Combine insurance policies with one company

For those who are home owners, there are insurance companies that offer both auto and home owners insurance. They will commonly offer a discount for having both polices with them. This can mean a good discount in premiums for both insurance policies.

Pay for the entire policy instead of making payments

Although this is not always possible for financial reasons, in almost every case you will save money if you were to pay for the entire policy at once instead of three to five payments over a six month period.

Shop around

This would seem to be obvious, but so many people simply do not get several quotes. Even when a policy expires, they simply start paying on a new one with the same insurance company without attempting to get lower prices. If you get several quotes, you may be surprised at how much money can be saved on a car insurance policy.

Before you start looking for the best quotes from agents check to make sure you are following a few of these tips. Not all insurers are the same so agencies may place high reductions on one thing or another. Whether you take these tips to heart or not the most important thing to remember is that you don’t have to settle for the first quote you get.

Author Bio: Annette Hazard is a freelance writer that has suggested Trail Auto Tag Agency in the past. She often writes about business as well as ways to save money.

Ways You Can Customize Your Truck Or Car To Better Fit Your Needs

by Carsurfer Admin on 2014/03/28 in Auto Design with Comments Off

No two vehicles should look alike because there are countless customization options. In most cases, you have to save up for this costly investment. There some simple changes you can make, however, that don’t break the bank but will help customize your vehicle. Whether you are looking for ways to make your vehicle safer, more efficient or just look better, there are many way you can customize your car or truck.

Add New Paint

Over the years, vehicle paint gets dulled to the point where you need reapplications. You can paint over the chipped parts or repaint the entire surface with a different color. The types of paints include acrylic, metallic and matte. Many paints have elements that increase the uniqueness of any vehicle.

Place a Bed Liner in Your Truck

Apply a bed liner to protect the truck bed so that the cargo does not slide off easily. A drop-in liner is the simplest one to apply while a spray-in liner is applied with a special coating. Choose the colors and finishes that you want the most. Every liner and coating wears out over time, so you must maintain this device regularly. You can find a variety of truck bed liners to outfit your truck for your lifestyle needs.

Use a Good Seating Material

You should have many fabric options when you design new car seats. Suede, wool and leather are common materials. Whichever fabric you use, make sure that it is strong, weather resistant and long-lasting. You can choose colors that compliment the rest of the vehicle for the exact look you want.

Install a Stereo System

The bass and sound system is important to many drivers. Some people want systems that sound louder and better than all the others. Look into the types of amplifiers, speakers and subwoofers that can be combined to produce the best sounds.

Install a Car Alarm System

A security system is a sound investment to have wherever you take the car. The alarm keeps away thieves, intruders and people who get too close. Just like paints and stereo systems, security systems come in different varieties for your needs.

Buy Larger Wheels or Custom Rims

Large wheels are good for bigger trucks that move on highways or off road terrains. Strong tires are made to grip the road for safe speeding and turning. The vehicle is less likely to flip over as a result. For people who want style, custom rims are available. Nowadays, make any design you want online. Decide if you want a matte or glossy finish as the final touch.

Customizing a car or truck starts from the ground up or the top down. Your choices are unlimited when it comes to deciding how you want the vehicle to look. Decide which features you want to improve on the most and make sure that your vehicle looks good and still runs efficiently.

Anita is a freelance writer from Denver and often writes about home, auto, family and business. She enjoys traveling with her family when she isn’t writing. Anita suggests finding truck bed liners in Cleveland to outfit your truck for your lifestyle needs.

Adolescent Drivers: How to Prep Kids for the Road

by Carsurfer Admin on 2014/03/27 in On the Road with Comments Off

Teenagers can certainly be naive and careless in life, and especially on the roads when first learning to drive. Before getting behind the wheel, young drivers need to understand some important tips and parents can help them prepare to be responsible, well-trained drivers.

Responding To A Car Accident

Inexperienced drivers need to be prepared to handle a car accident. Parents should start to teach their children about the importance of making specific phone calls immediately after a crash occurs. Calls should be made for help that’s provided by the police and emergency department. While waiting for help, it’s a good idea to gather some information from the other driver and passengers involved in an accident. A driver’s license, and auto insurance card provide enough information that can be later used for filing claims, lawsuits, and other investigations. Calls to an attorney and auto insurance agents should also be made after a car accident. A lawyer can file claims against the insurance companies in order for accident victims to receive a fair compensation for injuries.

Mobile Phones & Driving

Teenagers need to be taught about the dangers of driving and using a mobile phone or any electronic device. As any attorney will tell you, texting and driving is illegal in most states. Similarly, talking on a cell phone while driving is also illegal most parts of the United States. Even if it’s legal, talking on a mobile phone while driving is still dangerous because it creates major distractions. Wireless Bluetooth technology can be used by adolescents to answer phone calls without physically holding a phone. Otherwise, some mobile phones can set to driving mode in order to reject phone calls automatically while a teenager is in the driver’s seat.

Roadside Assistance

Teenagers can get into some serious trouble if their car stalls in the middle of a highway. Most teens probably can’t change a spare tire, or even jump start a car. It’s essential to have some sort of roadside assistance program that’s registered on a car driven by teenagers. The contact information for the roadside assistance service should be listed in the contact book of a mobile phone. Modern vehicles are equipped with digital technology that automatically calls for help. For example, the signature On Star system can be used to call for help anytime and anywhere in the United States. GPS technology automatically sends out roadside assistance to a car that’s in trouble and full of naive teenagers.

Avoiding Hazards on the Road

Parents should stress that it’s never worth it to drive in poor weather conditions. A car can get stuck in several of inches of snow. Additionally, there is a great risk of getting into accidents on snowy and icy roads. Heavy rain can also compromise the traction of a car, and lead to accidents. Teenagers need to develop good habits of judging the weather and road conditions. Rather than try to drive in challenging conditions, it’s better for teens to get picked up by someone.

Inexperienced adolescent drivers need plenty of advice, and practice for good road safety. In case of an accident or emergency, teenagers should know exactly what to do if they’ve had talks with their parents, and been certified by a licensed teacher.

“Brooke Chaplan is a freelance writer and blogger from New Mexico. After graduating from college she moved to Los Lunas where she now writes and researches her articles when she isn’t outside gardening, hiking, running or biking. She used an accident lawyer in Alexandria as a resource for this article. Contact her via Twitter @BrookeChaplan.”

Looking to Save on Fuel? The Top 6 Most Fuel-Efficient Cars You Can Buy

by Carsurfer Admin on 2014/03/26 in Saving Fuel with Comments Off

Because of fluctuating gas prices many people are fed up with pouring their life savings into gas guzzlers and are now on the hunt for more fuel-efficient cars. If you drive a lot, gas prices are not doing your wallet any favors. Investing in a more fuel efficient car will really pay off in the end, whether you drive a lot or not. If you need a little help finding a fuel efficient car that also fits your needs, preferences and lifestyle, the following are the top 6 fuel-efficient cars out there.

Lexus RX 450h

This midsize crossover is for drivers who want performance as well as great gas mileage. It features a combined 30 MPG in combined highway and city driving. The resale value is high at 60 percent in 3 years. At around $45,000, the Lexus RX 450h offers a stylish, dependable car with great gas mileage. The size isn’t to shabby either. If you’re worried that buying a more fuel-efficient car means you’ll have to downsize, think again. There are plenty of options that can hold your family, or the soccer team, or a carseat or two.

Ford C-Max Hybrid

With a combined 43 MPG for both city and highway, the Ford C-Max provides a reasonable amount of passenger space for a car its size. It’s priced from approximately $26,000 to $34,000. The C-Max has been touted for its quiet, comfortable ride, so if you’re the type of driver that prefers a smooth, serene drive to work, this may be the choice for you.

Lincoln MKZ Hybrid

For those who can afford to spend a little bit more on beautiful styling yet still want a vehicle that’s fuel-efficient, the MKZ Hybrid may be the perfect car. It’s estimated at 45 MPG combined city and highway. The car starts at $36,190 and features a panoramic sliding roof and a quiet ride. If you’re trying to maintain luxury while still saving on gas, the MKZ can help you achieve both goals.

Volkswagen Jetta Hybrid

At approximately $30,000 the Jetta delivers 42 MPG in the city and a substantial 48 MPG on the highway. It gets great marks for rear legroom and good performance. While the spacious cabin is a draw for small families, the Jetta also gets good safety ratings which also makes it another attractive buy. For those who need safety, comfort, and lower gas prices, the Jetta offers the whole package.

Honda Civic Hybrid

This sleek looking hybrid averages 44 MPG in the city and 47 MPG on the highway. With a starting price of about $25,000 the Civic offers consumers front and side impact air bags and room for five. The Volkswagen Jetta Hybrid is considered its top competitor. For those deciding between the Jetta and The Civic, initial price may play a role. However, both cars are an excellent choice for those seeking to cut down their gas bill.

Toyota Prius

The Prius has not only a stylish, futuristic design, but provides room for a family of four. It also delivers 50 MPG city and highway combined. Ranging between $25,000 and $31,000, it’s easy to see why the Prius is a favorite for many drivers looking for a fuel-efficient vehicle. With the same average MPG, Toyota also makes the Prius c. The Prius c is a small compact car starting at just under $20,000 for those couples who want a little car to zip around in, but is also a friendly option for small families who are trying to save on fuel.

While there are plenty of choices when it comes to fuel efficiency, you shouldn’t have trouble finding a model that offers you and your family everything you need. Whether you’re looking for luxury, room for your family, or simply a fun ride, there’s a fuel-efficient vehicle available for almost everyone. Remember to compare MPG’s while car shopping, and you’re sure to find the perfect car for your lifestyle, that also fits better into your financial plans.

AUTHOR BIO: This article was written by Dixie Somers, a freelance writer who loves to write about business, finance, women’s interests, and technology. Dixie lives in Arizona with her husband and three beautiful daughters. Information for this article was provided by the auto professionals of Speedy Brake and Apollo Muffler, who provide head gasket repair in Calgary.