Auto Magazine

Travel Kits Are a Smart Idea: 6 Things You’ll Need

by Carsurfer Admin on 2014/01/17 in On the Road with Comments Off

When on the go, it can be difficult to travel without having the basic necessities on hand. It can undoubtedly be expensive to purchase certain items when on the road, making it important to plan ahead of time by preparing a travel kit, which will ensure you’re comfortable and prepared for the unexpected.

Neck Pillow

Neck pillows are a great way to have proper support when sleeping on a plane or when traveling in the car for several hours at a time. When traditional pillows are too bulky to travel with and difficult to use when sitting up, neck pillows offer a practical solution and are compact enough to pack. It makes it easy to nap and stay rested without waking up with strained neck muscles.

MP3 Player

An MP3 player will offer entertainment when on the road or when having to wait to board a plane. It’s a great way to stay busy and occupied, making it easy to listen to playlists or even audiobooks. Having the compact device on hand will make the time go by faster and will prevent having to pack a number of CDs or books.

Mouthwash

Staying refreshed is crucial when traveling to stay comfortable and maintain proper hygiene. It can be difficult to keep your teeth brushed throughout the day, but mouthwash can be used to keep your breath fresh and to kill germs. Pack a compact travel size of mouthwash for an easy product to take on the go.

Travel Bottle

It can be easy to become dehydrated when traveling, making it important to have enough water packed to maintain energy levels. Although it can be difficult to take along several liters of water, a travel bottle is easy to pack and can be refilled at the airport or at a restaurant.

Hand Sanitizer

One of the most common ailments of traveling is catching a cold when in contact with hundreds of people at an airport or when spending time in public places. Although you may not always be able to wash your hands and keep germs at bay, hand sanitizer will work effectively and prevent illness.

Eye Drops

Eyes naturally become dry when at higher altitudes or without proper sleep. Pack eye drops to restore moisture and prevent infection or unnecessary strain on the pupils.

Travel kits are not only easy to prepare and bring along when on the go, but will also ensure a more comfortable and efficient trip that promotes your overall health and well-being. They kit can make it easier to enjoy a trip without suffering from jet lag, boredom, or even fatigue. Click here to find more items to pack when traveling.

Five Ways to Know When Your Car Needs to Be Serviced

by Carsurfer Admin on 2014/01/16 in Auto Maintenance with Comments Off

Owning a car can be a great luxury, but being a vehicle owner also comes with a lot of financial responsibility. Not only must you handle expenses such as making a car payment, paying for car insurance, and keeping your gas tank full, but you must also deal with the cost of maintenance and repairs. It is important that you be familiar with some common signs that your car needs to be serviced. This way, you can have the issues resolved before they worsen and turn into an even larger and more expensive repair.

Vibrating Steering Wheel

If you notice a vibration in your steering wheel, especially upon accelerating to a certain speed, then you may have a problem with your vehicle’s alignment or wheels. This can be caused by hitting a pothole and throwing your car out of alignment or even bending a rim on one of your wheels. A diagnostic test can be run by a repair shop to determine whether either of these are the case.

Pulsating Upon Braking

When you depress your brake pedal, do you ever feel a pulsating sensation in your steering wheel or in the front end of your car? If so, then this may be a sign that you need new brake pads, rotors, or a new set of brakes entirely. Over time, rotors and brakes become unevenly worn and need to be replaced or repaired. Consider visiting a brake shop to have your car’s braking system inspected by a professional.

White Smoke Coming from Exhaust

While it is normal to see a small amount of smoke coming from your muffler, be on the lookout for large amounts of billowing white smoke. This could be a sign that your car has blown a head gasket. This is a problem that is best diagnosed by a repair shop specializing in head gasket repair in Calgary, such as Speedy Brake and Apollo Muffler.

Smell of Burning Rubber

Except in obvious situations, such as when you screech your tires by accelerating too quickly, you should never notice any strange odors coming from your car. If you smell any odors, such as that of burning rubber, you may have a worn belt in your engine such as a timing or serpentine belt. It is important to have these replaced as soon as signs of wear and tear arise, as failure to do so can result in more expensive repairs down the road.

Flickering Interior or Exterior Lights

If you notice the lights in or outside of your car dimming at seemingly random intervals, this may be a sign that your battery is on the verge of dying. Have it checked for a charge and replace it immediately if needed. The last thing you want is to be stranded somewhere with a car that will not start.

These are just a few common signs to watch out for. By doing so and by seeing a mechanic promptly upon noticing any of these signs, you can have your car repaired in no time and enjoy the peace of mind in having a reliable, safe vehicle.

Savannah Coulsen is a freelance writer. She lives in Long Beach. Savannah loves to read and write and she hopes to write a novel someday. Savannah also loves learning and is a self-proclaimed health guru. She always uses Speedy Brake and Apollo Muffler when she needs her car serviced.

5 Tips that Will Keep Your Car in Great Condition and Looking Like New for Years to Come

by Carsurfer Admin on 2014/01/15 in Auto Maintenance with Comments Off

It is less expensive to properly maintain your car than to repair it, but many people simply forgo maintaining their car because of the small expense or inconvenience. Simple regular maintenance items not only prevent unnecessary breakdowns and repairs, but extend your car’s life and level of performance. A well-maintained car also retains more resale value. Thus, here is a quick look at 5 maintenance tasks that will keep your car in great condition for years to come.

Perform Regular Oil and Filter Changes

This is the most important maintenance you can do for your car. Nothing destroys an engine quicker than neglecting oil levels or forgetting to perform regular oil changes. Check your owner’s manual or ask your mechanic for the proper oil change interval for your make and model. You should also ask your mechanic for the proper type of oil that you should be using in your vehicle. Providing proof of regular oil changes can add hundreds of dollars to a resale price.

Do a Yearly Cooling System Flush

Corrosion and deposits can build in the inside of your cooling system and cause huge problems. Flushing the cooling system and changing the coolant yearly helps prevent buildup of harmful deposits in your system. Mix coolant in equal parts with distilled water to keep your cooling system in great shape.

Change Transmission and Differential Fluids on Schedule

This is not a frequent service, but it is vitally important. Check your recommended service intervals and write it on the calendar, or have your mechanic remind you. If you do it yourself, be sure you use the gear oil and transmission fluid that is the proper viscosity and type for your system.

Keep Your Car Clean

Carports and garages only protect your car when it is inside. You still must wash and wax your car regularly to protect and maintain its finish. The outside obviously needs cleaning, but cleaning the undercarriage is just as important, especially in areas where the roads are salted in the winter. Everything you run over can stick under your car and cause corrosion. The inside needs regular maintenance too. A yearly detailing and steam cleaning of the inside can keep your car looking brand new for years to come.

Keep All Moving Parts Lubricated

When you change your oil, it’s also a good time to check your lubrication. Joints and moving parts all need regular grease and lube to ensure proper performance and prevent unnecessary wear and tear. Proper maintenance of joints and moving parts can potentially save you thousands of dollars in repairs.

Just like your body, your car needs regular care. Take care of it, and it will take care of you by not stranding you on the side of the road. A little TLC adds up to real money at resale.

Five Ways to Bring New Business into Your Local Garage

by Carsurfer Admin on 2014/01/13 in Auto Maintenance with Comments Off

If you are struggling to make ends meet at your garage, you may need to rethink your marketing approach. Good word of mouth can be effective, but oftentimes it is not enough to allow a garage to survive. This is especially true during these tough economic times. Here is a look at five ways you can get more business into your garage.

1. Use a Newspaper Ad

Newspaper ads are a great way to get new business into your garage. Although readership is down, you can feel confident that those reading the newspaper will see your ad. Many people skim the paper just to look at the ads. In addition, you can take advantage of the newspaper’s website to advertise to their online readers as well.

2. Use Social Media

Any local business that is not harnessing the power of social media is shooting itself in the foot. You need to create social media accounts on all the popular sites. Make sure to use Facebook and Twitter at a minimum. You should update your garage’s social media accounts daily, sending out information and promotions.

3. Promotional Materials

Giving out promotion materials to customers is one of the best ways to boost your business. Every time someone stops in the garage, make sure that they leave with a promotional item like a pen, T-shirt or Frisbee. You can find a nice selection of promotional items you can use for your garage.

4. Radio Ads

Radio ads are another good way to get new customers into your garage. It is hard for radio listeners to avoid the ads. They cannot fast forward through the commercials like they can with television ads. They also are much less likely to change the channel when the commercials come on thus making it more likely they will hear your ad.

5. Support a Local Charity

If you want to get a great boost in business, then you should consider supporting a local charity. When customers see that you are doing good in the community, they will think of you the next time they need some work done on their cars.

If you use these five tips, you will get a great increase in business in no time. There is no need to struggle to get by. Follow these tips to get new customers coming into your garage every day. As long as you put forth the effort to drum up business, there is no reason you can’t grow.

Fair Trade – 5 Things to Know if You Plan to Trade Your Car In

by Carsurfer Admin on 2014/01/11 in Auto Buying Tips with Comments Off

So you’re ready to trade your car in, and hoping to get a great deal? Well, if you don’t know a lot about cars (and even if you do) there are a few things you need to make sure you’re aware of before you walk into the dealership. If you’re not prepared from the beginning, you could get swindled and end up in a worse position than if you had just kept your old car. Preparation is the best tool when it comes to trading your car in, so consider these five tips before you go to the dealership.

Find out the Bluebook Value

Before you start negotiating, find the value of your vehicle. A Kelly bluebook bases the value of your car on the same make, model and year car in the marketplace and it’s the price you can expect to get from a dealer. This way, you will know if the dealer is being straightforward with you about the price when you go to trade it in. Unfortunately, many dealers know that the customer doesn’t really have a good idea of the price of their car, which allows them to swindle you out of a deal quickly. If they mention a price that is different than the price you got from Kelly Bluebook, make sure you ask where they are getting their information from and what that price is based on.

There are Many Types of Cars

What kind of vehicle do you want to buy? Look carefully at your lifestyle, work life and the types of vehicles available. A well-researched decision is one you can live with longer than a poorly researched decision. There are many types of vehicles manufactured: SUVs, sedans, wagons, minivans, hybrids, convertibles, luxury cars, crossovers, hatchbacks and more. Trading your car in could be a great time to make a change in type of car, especially if you are expecting a change in your lifestyle. Many expecting parents will come and trade their cars in for another car with better safety features. Evaluate how satisfied you have been with your car type and consider making a change—if the new car will fit your lifestyle and needs.

Find an Invoice Price

Find out the price you should pay for a particular year, make or model when it comes to the new car. Google the make and model car and add “invoice price” and the year. At places like Edmonds.com or True Car, you’ll get an invoice price, the price everybody else is paying and the MSRP, the Manufacturer’s suggested retail price. According to the auto professionals at a Dallas used cars dealership, you should get the invoice from multiple sites to really get a good idea of the price. Chances are you will find different prices on different sites, but by gathering several invoices you can find an average price depending on the make, model, and year of the car. So, make sure you check out more than one site.

Build a Car Online

Build a car online before ever discussing things with a dealer. It is a bad idea to go online and trade your car in, but doing everything else online except makes sense. This isn’t so much about researching online as it is about the following warning: The test drive is so important, you simply cannot order a car online. You must test-drive it. You could be in for a surprise if you don’t test drive a car before purchase.

Find a Good Dealer

Check out customer reviews. Our advice to you is that a good car dealer offers more than a car. They offer warranties, financing and a variety of vehicles. Some things a dealer offers are not worth the money, like extended warranties. They also add fees to the price after you have worked it out, so get a final price and a guaranty of no added fees.

The most important thing to remember when you are getting ready to trade your car in is that you don’t want to be naive. Unfortunately, at many dealerships, you can’t just take the dealer’s word for it, and some dealers will keep you from getting a deal if you aren’t careful and educated. Do the proper research before you go into the dealer and you will be able to get a fair trade.