All posts tagged auto repair

Car Repairs – Don’t Break the Bank to Fix Your Car

by Carsurfer Admin on 2013/10/08 in Auto Maintenance with Comments Off on Car Repairs – Don’t Break the Bank to Fix Your Car

There is nothing more frustrating than discovering that all of suddenly your car needs repairs. Sometimes car repairs can come at the most unexpected time and can put a huge financial dent in our pockets. Whether it’s needing new brakes, tires or a battery; car parts and repair services can be quite expensive. However, there is no need to worry if you find yourself in this type of situation. There are there a variety of things you can do make sure you don’t go in the red trying to fix your car.

Order parts from the internet

Believe it or not, you can order your own car parts from major internet sites and save close to fity and sixty percent versus buying them from a typical retail auto repair shop. In fact, auto repair shops, dealerships and other independent mechanics order their parts online and will subsequently charge high mark-up prices to unaware consumers. There are a plethora of online auto part stores that are more than willing to recommend to you the most affordable and highest quality auto parts.

Short-term loans

Car repair services can potentially cost hundreds if not thousands of dollars. Sometimes, the income we bring in simply won’t cut it because we have other major expenses to worry about like rent, utilities, mortgage, food, etc. Look into taking out a short-term payday loan to help with getting your car fixed immediately. Experts at Power Finance of Texas suggest  that a short term loan is the best route when you have unavoidable car repairs that need to be taken care of as soon as possible.

Find an independent mechanic

Many big-box retailers and large chain auto repair shops can be quite expensive, charging an upwards of $80 to $100 an hour just for labor. Find a reputable, independent car mechanic through using sites like Craigslist and Angie’s List. Whether you need to install a new battery, get your oil changed or install new tires; independent mechanics can perform these same services out of their own garages and small shops.

Do it yourself

Although not a commonly used option, some people are opting to fix their cars themselves. Again, its very easy to order most car parts from off the internet. Many people have installed their own brakes, changed their own tires or even changed their own oil. However, this option isn’t recommended for those who don’t have experience doing such.

Unexpected car repairs can seem like a financial drain, but they don’t have to be. Just do your research to find the cheapest yet highest quality car parts and work with affordable mechanics who will offer you the best deals.

Five Car Repairs You Can Do On Your Own

by Carsurfer Admin on 2013/06/05 in Auto Repair with Comments Off on Five Car Repairs You Can Do On Your Own

There are plenty of perks to owning a car. Whether you are commuting to work or headed out for a night on the town, a car makes traveling a lot easier. Unfortunately, the expense of mechanical repairs can begin to put a huge dent into your budget. The good news is that there are quite a few car repairs that you can do yourself. Here are five car repairs that you can do on your own.

Air Filter Replacement

Shockingly, some automotive repair shops charge $75 dollars or more just to replace the engine’s air filter. Believe it or not, most air filters can easily be replaced in 15 minutes or less. By simply removing a few screws, the dirty air filter can be swapped out for a new one. The only tool that is required is a basic Phillips or flathead screwdriver.

Replace Coolant Hose

Over time, coolant hoses are susceptible to becoming brittle. In some instances, the hose may suddenly burst due to the tremendous amount of pressure. Instead of paying hundreds of dollars to a mechanic, you can do it yourself. Most hoses are attached with uncomplicated clamps, so very little mechanical skills are needed. The most important aspect is selecting the correct size hose.

Check Engine Light Diagnosis

Some drivers cringe in fear of an illuminated check engine light. Although a check engine light certainly warrants some concern, it could be something as simple as a loose gas cap. Every car owner should purchase a code reader for their vehicle. By hooking the code reader up to the diagnostic port under the dashboard, you will be able to determine the cause of the CEL.

Rotate the Tires

In less than an hour, you can rotate your tires. Although the process is relatively simple, you must remember to take all of the necessary safety precautions. The equipment needed for the job includes a hydraulic jack, jack stands, and a lug wrench. Although some people use the spare jack that comes with the vehicle, a hydraulic floor jack is far safer. A reliable tire finder will help you to locate new tires if needed.

Changing Spark Plugs

Changing the spark plugs may seem quite challenging, but it is actually fairly easy. With the assistance of a spark plug gap tool and a spark plug wrench, you will be able to complete the task. The most important thing to remember is to only change one spark plug at a time.

Fixer Upper: 5 Must-Knows for Fixing Your Car on Your Own

by Carsurfer Admin on 2013/01/02 in Auto Repair with Comments Off on Fixer Upper: 5 Must-Knows for Fixing Your Car on Your Own

Fixing your car on your own can come with its rewards. You will save money by fixing your own car, and you will more than likely get the job done in a fraction of the time it would take a mechanic to do it. Before you pop the hood, make sure you adhere to each of these five must-knows for fixing your own car. They could save you time, money, and your safety.

Go with Quality Parts

Don’t try to cut corners financially by simply going with the least expensive part available for the repair. Sure, you’ll save money in the moment, but who’s to say that part won’t bite the dust a month down the line? At that point, you will be out whatever you paid for the part, and your car will also be broken down again. Pay a little extra and go with either the genuine manufacturer part or an equivalent.

Don’t Smoke While Repairing Your Vehicle

It might look cool in the movies when the main character works on their car with a cigarette hanging out of their mouth, but in reality, this is extremely dangerous. Always extinguish your cigarette before going anywhere near your vehicle to perform repair work.

Keep Extra Screws and Bolts on Hand

When it comes to repairing a car, you can truly never have too many lag bolts or lag screws on hand for emergency cases. Instead of buying expensive hardware from home depot stores, buy the screws and bolts from specialty companies such as WholesaleBolts.com. It never hurts to keep this type of hardware on hand and in bulk, so be sure that you’re stocked up at all times.

Never Crawl Under a Poorly Elevated Vehicle

Simply enough, if your car is only being supported by one jack, do not attempt to crawl underneath it to repair parts under the body. Instead, make sure you use a jack paired with support stands to strengthen the hold.

Take Caution with Electrical Work

Lastly, be extra cautious when performing electrical work. Before starting, disconnect one of the cables from the battery terminal. This will prevent an electric current from shorting out an electrical component in your car, or worse, starting a fire.

Overall, work smart when you’re repairing your vehicle. If you aren’t familiar with a repair and don’t have the slightest clue as to what you’re doing, stop and let a certified mechanic take a look at it.

Did You Know Most Automakers Have a Secret After Warranty Assistance Program?

by Carsurfer Admin on 2012/03/07 in Auto Warranty with Comments Off on Did You Know Most Automakers Have a Secret After Warranty Assistance Program?

One of the most frustrating matters for car owners is when something goes wrong with a vehicle that is no longer under warranty. A water pump fails, an O-ring breaks or an air-conditioner compressor dies. Unless you purchased an extended warranty, you’ll be paying for repairs that will cost you hundreds perhaps thousands of dollars to complete. It is no wonder consumers think ill of their vehicles and switch to a competing brand the moment that their cars are paid off and when their finances allow them to move on.

Dissatisfied Customers

Fully aware that a dissatisfied customer is one that can be lost for life, car manufacturers have been quietly managing these problems for years by offering secret repair assistance after the warranty has expired. Instead of saddling car owners with expensive repairs, manufacturers work with dealers to greatly reduce or forgive costly repair bills that are no longer covered under warranty.

These “secret” warranty plans have bailed out thousands of consumers every year from a wide variety of manufacturers including Ford, Volkswagen and Kia. Yes, even top-rated manufacturers such as Toyota and Honda may occasionally step in, handling certain repair costs in a bid to keep consumers happy.

After Warranty Assistance

Such “after warranty assistance” plans are well-known by car dealers, but have largely been missed by consumers. That’s because car manufacturers prefer to work with dealers directly on a case by case basis. If everyone knew about these AWA plans, then the program would be overwhelmed by requests. You have the good fortune to read this article and learn how your car’s repairs might be covered.

The following are some guidelines to follow the next time you face a major repair for a part that is no longer under warranty:

Be the original owner — If you bought the car new, then you are considered the original owner. Your chances of receiving special consideration are stronger if you’re the sole owner. Purchase the car used, even if it was only a year old, and you probably won’t be covered. You may need to submit a copy of your bill of sale and registration to the dealer to show proof of ongoing ownership.

Work with the manufacturer’s dealer — Although it isn’t impossible to get special help if you take your car to a private garage, your chances of receiving AWA consideration are much better if you work with your dealer. That’s because your dealer has a direct line up the manufacturer chain and can submit your request to the right person for review. Dealers typically do not have the final decision in AWA cases as they get reimbursed from manufacturers for reduced or for forgiven repair bills. Without that approval, the dealer would be forced to “eat” the cost of your repairs.

Ask for help — Dealer repair departments are busy places with everyone working diligently to see that repairs are done properly and in a timely manner. Your strategy here requires much patience and kindness on your part. Likely, you are frustrated that a part failed early and that frustration can come out as you interact with the repair department. Much composure is needed here! Politely ask if the repairs qualify for AWA in part or in totality. If the dealer representative believes that you have a strong case, he or she will push your case up the chain, with the service department manager or the dealer’s general manager alerted next. A decision may take some time, but your patience can pay off.

Important Considerations

Should these steps fail or if you’re not the original owner, all is not lost. You may be able to work out a trade-in deal and come away with a new car that includes a better warranty. Or, you could take your car to an independent garage, effectively reducing your final bill by as much as 50 percent. A refurbished part can reduce your costs too, easing some of the burden of repairing an expensive part.

Author Information

Cedric Sheldon writes for a Toyota parts online website that offers discount OEM parts including radiators, brake components and seat covers.

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