Auto Magazine

Machine Maintenance: 8 Ways to Prep Your Car This Fall: What to Know

by Carsurfer Admin on 2016/10/03 in Auto Maintenance with Comments Off

If fall is coming and you think that the summer was hard on your vehicle, you’ll want to take it in and have it serviced for the fall and to prepare for the winter. Here are some of the things that you want done to the vehicle.

Fluid Check and Replacement

A tune-up to check all fluids is crucial throughout the year, but you want to have the coolant refilled or replaced after the summer when the air conditioner was used. Have all fluids checked, topped off, or replaced if any are dirty.

Air Filter Replacement

If the air filter in your vehicle hasn’t been replaced and is clogged, it’s going to affect how your engine runs. This will also cause issues with your fuel economy, so have the filter checked at oil changes and replaced when needed.

Tire Balance and Rotation

Check the pressure in your tires regularly, and have the tires balanced and rotated to prevent uneven wearing. Uneven wearing can affect how the vehicle feels when you drive, how it handles, the life of your tires, and it can affect the fuel use.

Exterior Detail and Waxing

Have the vehicle detailed to clean off the dirt and sand it could have been exposed to over the summer. After you have the car cleaned and the scratches buffed out, have wax put on the exterior. This prevents damage from the falling leaves and other debris during fall.

Interior Cleaning and Deodorizing

If the summer brought in grass, dirt, sand, and other debris to the inside of your car, have the interior carpeting and upholstery cleaned professionally. Remove soils and staining, and have a deodorizing cleansing agent used to keep the car smelling new.

Transmission Flush

If it’s been at least 50,000 miles since you’ve last had the transmission on the vehicle flushed, you’ll want to have a mechanic perform the service. This keeps the transmission lean, helps the car run more smoothly, and preserves the transmission for the time you own the car.

Brake Pad Replacement

Replace the brake pads to ensure you can stop when you want, and help preserve the tires on your vehicle. You should also have the rotors checked out when the pads are replaced. You want this done before the cold weather, ice and snow hit. Brake fluid should be replaced when all other fluids are checked in the tune-up.

Battery Check

As temperatures start to drop it can cause the battery to drain, and it can be difficult for a battery in poor condition to stay charged. Have the battery tested to see if it needs to be replaced before the fall hits.

Create a maintenance schedule with the things you want to do to your vehicle annually, quarterly and more. This can help you maintain your vehicle to hold its value. The experts at Jack Burford Chevrolet recommend a maintenance schedule based on the year and model of your car.

Autumn Auto: 5 Essential Car Care Tips for Fall

by Carsurfer Admin on 2016/09/30 in Auto Maintenance with Comments Off

The arrival of fall means it’s time for us to begin winter preparations. While many of us focus our efforts on our home in order to lock out the cold and increase energy efficiency, there are car care necessities that should not be ignored. This fall, follow this list to ensure your car is ready for the winter months ahead.

Tires

Winter often means snow and ice, depending on where you live, and your tires can be one of your best defenses against treacherous road conditions. Check your tires first for tread and replace tires when needed. Also check tire pressure. A decrease in tire pressure can signal that a tire needs replaced, and when it’s cold, the cold air in the tires causes a decrease in pressure.

Battery

The long, cold winter months can be particularly hard on the battery in your vehicle. We demand more of our batteries in the winter and can rely on them in cases of emergency. Be certain that your battery will power your car even in the coldest weather by having the battery tested. Many parts suppliers will test your battery free of charge.

HVAC and Wipers

Each fall, it is important to check your car’s heating, ventilation, and air conditioning system. Frosty winter months can leave windows covered in ice and/or snow, and a properly working heating system can keep your car in safe operation. Along with the visibility secured by a properly functioning defroster, windshield wipers are crucial to seeing through storms. Replace any dull wiper blades early to ensure visibility in snow and rain. According to the experts at Evans Tire and Service Center, wiper blades see the most use in the fall and winter months, so replacing them at the beginning of the season is a wise choice.

Fluids

The fall season is the perfect time to check all fluids in the vehicle to ensure proper functionality of all systems. Check brake fluid, transmission fluid, windshield washing fluid, and power steering fluid. Checking these fluids can help detect any leaks within the vehicle as well as help each part of the car perform. Taking the time to check the antifreeze/coolant in the vehicle can also save you from costly repairs down the road.

Brakes

Winter driving hazards come in a wide variety, and properly working brakes can help ensure maximum safety on the road. Check the brake pads and rotors frequently for optimum safety. For the best result, check each oil change.

Proper car care can help give you piece of mind on the road and also keep your safe. October is Car Care Month, and a properly functioning vehicle is the best defense for winter driving.

4 Features that Every New Car Should Have

by Carsurfer Admin on 2016/09/28 in Auto Buying Tips with Comments Off

In today’s world, it’s important that all aspects of our lives take advantage of the new and exciting technology that is unveiled on what seems to be a daily basis. This does not exclude our automobiles. Here are four features that should be standard across all new cars.

Lane Detection

Lane detection, or the ability for a car to detect when you are drifting out of your lane, is an important safety feature that all new cars should have. An alarm that sounds when you unintentionally move from your lane would help keep drivers alert, and would help to prevent car crashes caused by drivers drifting out of their lane and hitting another car. Even seemingly small safety features like this can help to save many lives.

Scanning Tools

Scanning or diagnostics tools should also be built into every new car. These tools provide a user interface that lets you view the current status of your car’s onboard computer. Some companies, like AA Automotive Diagnostic Solutions LLC, know that these scanning tools can provide information about your engine, brakes, and other subsystems of your car. With a scanning tool installed, you’ll be able to know exactly what is wrong if a part of your car was to malfunction. Additionally, more sophisticated systems will even give you step-by-step instructions to repair the issue yourself. By having a scanning tool installed in your car, you’ll be more informed about your car’s health, and will be able to provide the proper maintenance and care without any guesswork.

Backup Assist

Another seemingly simple safety feature, backup assist tools will help prevent accidents that occur when a driver is operating the vehicle in reverse. These backup assist tools can feature cameras that show the scene behind the vehicle, or alarms that sound when the vehicle is too close to something behind it, making it much easier to back up.

Seat Belt Enforcement

Most cars these days play an alarm if you drive off without buckling your seat belt. However, new cars should not even allow you to depart without buckling up. By forcing all drivers to fasten their seat belts before leaving, the number of injuries and fatalities from car crashes could be drastically reduced. For example, in 2014, seat belts were instrumental in saving 12,802 lives.

If all of these features were added to all new cars, there would be more educated drivers, and these drivers would be operating their vehicles much more safely.

4 Major Issues People Always Forget When Buying a New Car

by Carsurfer Admin on 2016/09/26 in Auto Buying Tips with Comments Off

Whether it’s your first time buying a new car or a seasoned pro, it is an exciting time for most people. However, nearly every car buyer, even the experienced ones, make mistakes. Let’s take a look at four the biggest mistakes being made.

Ignoring Finance Terms

People will haggle for hours with car salesmen in order to get a few hundred dollars knocked off the price of the car that they are wanting. Then, when they feel they have won the battle, will finance that car with no money down. Depending on your credit score, whatever you negotiated off of the car will be paid back to the bank, plus more. The best way to buy a new car is with cash, but for many that may not be a possibility. However, if you save, the more you can pay down the better off you will be in the long run. If you wait to buy a car until you can afford it, you’ll end up saving money in the long run.

Underestimating Ownership Cost

You take home the car of your dreams thinking the hard part is over. However, you soon start to realize that the money you thought you would be saving on gas was way overestimated. Add in maintenance cost, taxes and insurance, simply owning a car can be costly. Compare models before you buy to see what cost you could be facing down the road. Read reviews from people who have owned the same model of car you’re interested in to see if there are maintenance or reliability issues you should be concerned about.

You won’t save any money if you buy the car for cheap, but end up getting caught up in maintenance and repair costs. If you’re buying a used car, be sure to check the VIN to see the car’s history. There are a number of online tools and apps, like Instavin, that will report the car’s history for a small fee that could save you from getting a lemon.

Too Much Focus on Price

The price of a car is but only one factor when car shopping. Other factors have to be considered as well, such as gas mileage, reported maintenance issues and dependability, insurance cost and how much you will have to pay in taxes every year. Giving only the sticker price too much focus could result in you overlooking these other important factors.

Setting Your Expectations Too High

People tend to have unrealistic expectations when they are shopping for a new car. Your next car is more than likely not going to be the best car in automotive history. Additionally, the stress of car buying will often leave us feeling like we were ripped off in some manner when everything is all said and done. Avoid this by doing your homework before you begin the buying process. Being armed with information will help to ensure you are less likely to be ripped off.

There you have it. Keeping these tips in mind will help you to avoid some potentially costly mistakes when you buy

Like New: 4 Sneaky Ways To Save Money When Restoring Your Car

by Carsurfer Admin on 2016/09/23 in Auto Restoration with Comments Off

Restoring your car to its former glory does’t have to break the bank. Create and stick to a plan of action, and determine when you can repair a part rather than replacing it. Knowing where to look for parts that can be salvaged, and learning to do repairs yourself can make the process easier and more affordable.

Have a Plan

Save money on your next car restoration by creating a plan to guide your project. Include a detailed list of parts you may need to restore now or in the future as well as reliable suppliers for each part. Rank these restorations from vital to less important and cross off each repair you make to keep track of your progress.

Repair Instead of Replace

Closely examine cosmetic details to determine if the part in question could simply be repaired rather than replaced. For example, it is far less expensive to polish and buff a windshield with minor scratches than it is to install an entirely new one. If the repair seems fixable, learn to repair it yourself or get several quotes from other mechanics and go for the most financially sound option.

Salvage Parts

When repairs are necessary, find a salvage center in your area to see if they have a car that is similar to yours that you can use for spare parts. It may also be beneficial to check the classified section of newspapers or look online for people who may be selling car parts at reasonable prices. Consider doing some research and finding specialty shops like Reggie’s Garage that carry the supplies you need. If you can purchase these parts at a low enough cost, you will save money in the long run by being able to salvage whatever you need to restore your current vehicle.

Do It Yourself

The absolute best way to save money on car restoration is learning to do repairs yourself. In order to make this a viable option, you will need to have a place where you can work on your car, preferably a garage to keep both you and your vehicle out of the elements while you work. Make sure you have the tools necessary to complete the repair before starting.

Don’t let a tight budget keep your car from running and looking its best. By following these simple steps, you can greatly reduce the cost of restoring your vehicle. When in doubt, get a second opinion from a car expert in order to save time and money in the long run.