Auto Magazine

6 Ways To Turn Your Old Car Into The Car Of Your Dreams

by Carsurfer Admin on 2016/08/12 in Uncategorized with Comments Off

There is a good chance you will get tired of your old car before it can’t be used anymore. However, it doesn’t necessarily have to be replaced. It can be modernized, and it can have its potential maxed out by improving certain areas. Here are six ways to turn your old car into your dream car.

Clean Absolutely Everything

A quick, surface cleaning on the inside and out will not be enough. The vehicle needs to be detailed. You should physically remove the seats to clean, clean away the grime underneath the car and clean the engine bay. This is crucial because you’ll inspect everything simultaneously to detect any hidden problems.

Revamp the Cockpit

Fixing the cockpit is crucial. Replace the dashboard cover and pad at the very least to make it look new, and add new illumination. Get brand new seats because the foam under the seat covers break up over time. Next, find a good parts store to begin the unavoidable shopping spree to replace knobs and look for other items on the checklist. Companies such as Arnold Motor Supply are reputable, and have websites featuring the inventory and contact information. That is a quick and easy way to find exactly what you are looking for.

Update the Electronics and Sound

It does not take too much time to pass before your factory sound system is considered outdated. Find a radio head with iPod integration, Bluetooth cellphone connection and satellite radio to make it more modern. Thankfully, these things have become affordable, which is why you should have the budget to purchase a modern GPS navigation system.

Paint

You have the option of just touching up the paint job to make your old car look modern and new, or you can go the extra mile with a lot of extra money to have a custom paint job done. An old car will need some kind of paint work, but how much is clearly dependent on what your vision is.

Fix and Update the Breaks and Suspension

Depending on how much is replaced, you can make a 35 year old car handle like a race car. However, when it comes to that kind of job it is a good idea to do some pricing because there is a list of things you will need to check, such as struts, brake rotors and pads, springs, shocks and other normal things. Then, you have the option of going light speed by adding stabilizer bars, racing shocks and urethane bushings. The extent of what you do to the breaks and suspension has a lot of impact on how your dream car drives.

New Wheels and Tires

This is a lot like adding shoes to an outfit for a makeover, except important. Some people’s dream car is perfectly safe machine, while others prefer flashy. There is an achievable balance too. Remember one important thing when deciding on what to get, your car does everything through its tires, and as far as appearance goes, the most impressive way to alter appearance is with brand new, bigger tires.

These six areas are the most important for performance and appearance. You really should try and find a balance between the two. Once you find the balance, it is a lot cheaper to convert intelligently than to buy a brand new, expensive car.

Car Crazy: How to Choose the Best Features for Your Family

by Carsurfer Admin on 2016/08/10 in Auto Buying Tips with Comments Off

Providing for a family is what any parent is supposed to do, but you can only get the best if you know what you’re looking for. This is why it is important to learn as much as you can about products, sales, and budgeting when you buy. This can be applied to everything, including the purchase of your next family car. There are a few other things you should look for while searching for your new car, and the following are some features that you might want to add to the list.

Backup Camera

One of the most important features to have in a modern car is a fully active and all-encompassing backup camera. Sure, this feature is usually sold as a tool to help you park or ensure that you do not backup into another car, but it means more to a growing family. Accidents involving children and a vehicle backing out of a driveway are reported each year. You do not want to become a part of that statistic, which is what makes the backup camera imperative. The reverse-sensing system, or park assist system, should also be installed on your vehicle for easier parking. The reverse-sensing system helps detect objects that are six feet from the vehicle. Both of these systems are there to warn you if a child is behind you. Still, it is always best to just check before you start backing out of the driveway, and always drive slowly.

Shades on the Car Windows

The feature is not always on cars especially if the windows are tinted, but is a very important feature for children. You might not think about it, but the sun can be very damaging when exposed to it for long periods of time, especially for small infants. Check to see if the vehicle you are considering comes with this feature and take precautions like applying sunscreen when planning to take a long drive. Sunlight can lead to sun burns or heat exhaustion, not to mention put your child at risk of skin cancer. Tinted or shaded windows can also protect your children from the eyes of strangers outside the car. You can ask car dealerships in St. George Utah what other features they might recommend for families like kid-safe windows and automatic locks.

Third-Row Seating

Many vehicles come with third-row seating, but the quality and the position does matter. Third-row seating that is stationary doesn’t really give you much flexibility. You want the third row seating to be as flexible as possible to make it easy for your children to get in. This will also allow you to store big items when necessary. Some family-friendly cars come with a second-row seat that slides so the third-row seat is easily accessible and others allow you to tuck away the third-row seating on those days your children are not there and you need to pick up big items.

Look for a Good LATCH System

A LATCH system refers to specially designed seats that come with lower anchors and attachments so that a parent can easily set up the child seat. Remember that the LATCH system is not universal and some cars are designed differently from others. It is a good idea to take your car seat with you to the car dealership to see if you can easily set up the car seat in the vehicle you are considering. Be sure to find out how easy is it to remove the car seat as well. You should not let anyone else set up the seat for you because you will be the one dealing with this.

Of course, you cannot forget to check for other basic family features, like the safety rating or how many airbags are in the car. See if there is an entertainment system installed that could help keep children calm while you drive. Hopefully this guide helps you determine the best features for your family.

4 Ways To Care For Yourself After A Car Accident

by Carsurfer Admin on 2016/08/08 in Auto Accident with Comments Off

In automobile accidents, even the slightest fender-bender can be jarring. A million things go through your mind on the impact, and your body experiences side effects from the unexpected shock. Afterwards, there’s potential court summons, insurance rate hikes and medical bills to deal with. To get a handle back on the steering wheel of life, here’s some tips to care for yourself after an accident.

Medical Attention

Depending on the severity of the crash, you might not be able to make the independent decision of receiving medical attention. Unless you are completely uninjured, consider either going to the hospital or making an appointment with your family physician as soon as possible. Even if you feel fine afterwards, some injuries progressively worsen overtime, like whiplash or concussions.

If you have any of these listed symptoms, medical attention is crucial:

Weakness or lethargy
Lose of bladder and/or bowel control
Fluid or blood from the ears or nose
Issues with swallowing, hearing and seeing
Severe pain in the neck, chest or abdominals
Balance or coordination problems

It is also a good idea to have medical records in lieu of the automobile accident being brought to court.

Go Home and Rest

Don’t be afraid to breathe and relax. This is especially important if you are prone to hyperventilating. After you’ve been in an accident it is a good idea to call off whatever plans you’d made. Medical professionals will tell you that the actions taken within the first 72 hours after a traumatic event can greatly affect your recovery time. Once the adrenaline dissipates, you’ll be surprised by how sore your body is. Because post-accident symptoms are common, immediately doing anything that can aggravate injuries you’re not immediately aware of can lengthen your convalescence.

Tackle Negative Emotions

Anxiety after a car crash is normal. Horrible accidents can even cause post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Flashbacks, nightmares, feelings of guilt and fears involved with driving or being on the road need to be discussed and corrected. Seek out support from family and friends or visit a cognitive-behavioral therapist or psychiatrist. By talking it out and getting the help that you need you should be able to recover rather quickly and get back on your feet.

Legal Representation

Apart from dealing with possible physical and mental wounds, there’s life issues like medical and repair costs and legal sanctions to manage as well. You might not feel entirely capable of handling everything by yourself. That’s where experts like those at the Jaklitsch Law Group come in. When seeking reimbursement for medical or repair costs, you need lawyers with experience in automobile accidents to build your case while you focus on the most important thing—your health. Call for a free consultation to receive advice on presenting your case and getting the justice you deserve.

Overall, accidents happen—especially out on the road. No matter where you are an incident can strike, leaving you injured and vulnerable. The most important thing to remember is to take care of your own well-being first.

What You Don’t Know May Cost You: 5 Things That Increase Your Premiums

by Carsurfer Admin on 2016/08/03 in Auto Insurance with Comments Off

Car insurance is one of those things that varies in price greatly from one company to another. There are a number of factors that can affect your car insurance premium that you might not think of off the top of your head. Keep these in mind when shopping around for your insurance quote to give a bit of an explanation of why your quotes and rates are the price you receive.

Type of vehicle

The make and model of the vehicle you drive has a large impact on what your insurance rate is. Insurance companies use published vehicle safety ratings to evaluate how safe a vehicle is, and they offer discounts to their customers who drive vehicles less likely to be involved in an accident. Insurers may increase rates for vehicles that are susceptible to theft too. Window tint typically doesn’t affect insurance premiums as long as it isn’t illegal in the state and conforms to the manufacturer’s specifications. According to Instant Windscreens, window tint may actually be helpful. It can protect your vehicle’s interior from damaging UV radiation helping it retain more of its value for longer.

How Many Miles You Drive

It makes sense that the more you drive the higher your automobile insurance rate is going to be. Driving more miles and further distances increases your risk of getting into an accident and needing to file a claim. You’re also likely to have a higher premium if you use your personal vehicle for business purposes. If you are using your personal vehicle for business, it may be worth it to look into separate commercial auto insurance. If you have an accountant, ask them about the cost versus the benefit of having commercial auto insurance for your vehicle. If you work for yourself, and you are the company, you’ll have to do the research yourself, but it’s worth your time to look into.

Driving Record

Your driving record has a direct impact on insurance rates. If you have a clean driving record without accidents, claims or tickets you’re considered a safe driver and may receive a discount. If you have moving violation tickets, such as a speeding or following too closely citation, you’ll be in a higher risk pool of drivers for rate purposes. Insurance companies consider people who have citations for risky behaviors to be at more likely to cause or be involved in an accident, which would cut into their profits. Keep vigilant and follow safe defensive driving practices. You can also look into taking a driver safety course to get a rate reduction if your insurance company offers the option.

Demographics

Insurance companies factor in your age, sex and marital status into your rate quote. Young males under 25 have higher rates, especially if they’re single. Insurance rates are almost always calculated in consideration of risk, and young, single male drivers are most likely to be in an automobile accident.

Where You Live

Believe it or not, the zip code where your vehicle is parked every night affects your insurance. If you live in a high-crime area, you’ll have a higher premium than a safer neighborhood. Rates can drastically change from zip codes right next to each other. It is probably not worth it to move simply to save some money on your insurance rates, but when moving to a new area, it may be a factor worth considering.

The factors for determining car insurance premiums take into account numerous criteria, including rating scales approved by the individual states. Keep these in mind when you’re shopping for insurance so that you aren’t surprised the next time you get a quote.

What’s That Noise? 5 Car Troubles You Shouldn’t Ignore

by Carsurfer Admin on 2016/08/01 in Auto Maintenance with Comments Off

Modern cars are often almost silent in their operation. Some manufacturers even pipe artificial engine noise into the passenger compartment – just to keep things interesting.

So, when you notice a hum, squeal, or thunk, it’s bound to perk up your ears. Usually, this is because it sounds like money.

But before you crank the stereo to cover what you fear is a new version of that old blues hit "I Just Gave my Mechanic my Rent Check," try and listen closely. Sometimes, noises indicate simple problems that can get very expensive if left untreated.

Those Squeaking Brakes

If you hear a squeal when you press the pedal, it could mean you’re due for a brake job. Brakes have wear detectors. These metal prongs generate a slight squeal as the friction surface wears down. Consider it your final warning. That sound will plead with you for new pads until the dreaded metal-on-metal contact occurs. Have your squeaking brakes looked at before you find you’ve accidentally created a new drive-thru window at your favorite burger joint.

That Constant Hum

Notice a low-frequency hum at anything over a walking pace? It might be your wheel bearings. Wheel bearings play an important part in keeping the wheels spinning and attached to the car. No fooling: Get those checked quickly before disaster strikes.

Ricky-Ticky Turns

Ticking while making turns at a low speed in a front-wheel or all-wheel drive car might be your constant-velocity joints saying "Service me, please!" Caught early enough, this is an expensive-but-manageable repair.

Doin’ The Bump-Thunk

Modern suspension systems will quietly absorb potholes for thousands of miles. When you hear a bang or a snap while driving over a bump, it’s time for a visit to the garage. Some possible causes: broken stabilizer bar mounts, bad shocks or struts, or worn bushings. All of these things help keep your car on the road and pointed in the right direction.

The Underhood Squeal

Squeals during startup or while turning could mean a slipping belt, a failing pulley, or a dying power steering pump. Any of these can cause other components to fail and snowball into a serious problem. A good mechanic can help squelch that squeal – like the guys at Discount Tire Centers.

If you want maximum service out of your car, nothing beats regular maintenance and taking care of simple, inexpensive problems before they become complex, costly problems. Remember to take care of your car. It’s easy to neglect the little things, especially if mechanics aren’t your thing. But as you take the extra steps to keep your vehicle running smoothly, you’ll avoid costly repairs and inconvenient breakdowns.