All posts tagged auto repairs

Procrastination Station: What Car Repairs to Get Out of the Way First

by Carsurfer Admin on 2015/02/28 in Auto Repair with Comments Off on Procrastination Station: What Car Repairs to Get Out of the Way First

If you are ready to make the required repairs to your vehicle, then there are a few naturally needed first. While some repairs that can wait until a later time, due to financial concerns or lack of time, there are parts that must be replaced quickly to keep a vehicle operating safely.

Serpentine Belt

Modern vehicles have a long serpentine belt that operates several mechanisms such as the power steering components, alternator, and water pump that are necessary to drive. The best time to replace this belt is when it is worn or stretched. A knowledgeable mechanic can inspect this belt to see if it is lose or damaged during a tune-up to replace it before it breaks while on the road.

Front and Back Lights

Your vehicle has a lot of lights that require brightly lit lightbulbs at night, or during severe weather such as fog or rainstorms. Occasionally, inspect the headlights, turn signals, and brake lights to verify the lightbulbs are working optimally. To understand the lightbulb sizes needed, check your vehicle’s manual or find the information at an online site. This is one repair that simply can’t wait too long.

Vehicle Tires

Tires in excellent condition are a vital part of any vehicle to maintain safety while on the road. According to Road-Mart Tire, replacing tires correctly is a professional job for a qualified mechanic. They will know the correct size and type to use on a particular model while installing tires properly. Expert tire installation can increase your vehicle’s gas mileage while making it safer to drive, especially in bad weather.

Engine Hoses

If you lift the engine hood on a vehicle, you will notice several hoses attached to components such as the antifreeze container, water pump, and radiator. Modern vehicle hoses are made to last longer than in the past but still wear out eventually. You can inspect hoses visually by looking for splits and tears that indicate fluids can leak. When the automobile is completely cool, use your hands to feel the hoses to find small holes or degraded material.

Brake Components

The brake components on vehicles get a frequent workout in all types of road conditions. The brake pads wear out the fastest due to short trips that require stopping often for stoplights and stop signs. You will hear a squealing noise as brake pads become worn that signals it is time for a professional wear. Unless you are an expert at vehicle repair, this is definitely a job for a local automobile technician who may find additional problems such as defective calipers, rotors or drums.

It is easy to get busy and delay your vehicle’s repairs, leading to a breakdown on a secluded country road, or busy highway that requires an emergency tow at an inconvenient time. A better alternative is to avoid procrastination by having a regular maintenance schedule with a trusted mechanic or Marianna FL auto repair company for your vehicle.

Auto Advice: What To Do If Your Car Becomes Too Costly To Repair

by Carsurfer Admin on 2014/02/21 in Auto Repair with Comments Off on Auto Advice: What To Do If Your Car Becomes Too Costly To Repair

When your car requires a repair that is worth more than the value of the car itself, it’s becomes time to think about other options. If your car requires some of the most expensive auto repairs, there are many alternatives to fixing it up. Instead of letting it take up space in your garage or driveway, here a few options to consider:

Sell it online

Even if your car is too expensive to repair, there are many people out there who would be interested in fixing it themselves, or selling certain parts of the car. While you may not have the time or knowledge to take the car apart and sell what is still working, someone else does. This is a quick and convenient way to get rid of your car and still get some money for it.

Trade it in at a Dealership

A dealership will take just about anything you bring to them, but they won’t always give you the best price for it. If the car is too expensive to repair, then they will have to sell it for salvage. You might not get the best deal here, but it does guarantee that you will get some return on a car that is no longer of value to you. It’s a convenient way to make some quick cash off of your car.

Sell the Parts that Work

If you know something about cars, you might want to try doing some demolition work yourself. Advertise specific parts on internet listing sites or take them to a salvage yard for some extra help. This is a great way to make a profit off of a car that isn’t worth fixing. Once you have sold the parts that work, you can get rid of everything else.

Sell it to a Salvage Yard

Let’s face it, most of us don’t have the time or skills to salvage a car on our own. Fortunately, there are companies that can handle this for you. Selling your vehicle directly to a salvage yard means that you’ll get to cut out the middleman that comes along with trading in your car at a dealership. A salvage yard is able to tow the vehicle from just about anywhere, and offer you a fair price based on the condition of the working parts and the value of the scrap metal.

No matter what you decide to do, make sure that you keep paperwork. Simply handing over the vehicle without handing over the title means that you could be inviting legal troubles down the road. Keep copies of the papers you sign and transfer along with your vehicle. Getting rid of your car may seem like a last option, but with the extra money you could potentially gain from selling it, look into the best used cars for a good price for your next automobile.

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