Posts Tagged ‘car maintenance’

Don’t Get Cheated By Your Mechanic

Monday, November 8th, 2010

No one enjoys having their vehicle serviced or repaired. Repairs can be quite costly and on top of that there are a few mechanics ready to take advantage of consumers. Here are a few steps to avoid getting fleeced.

Use the recommendations of people you know in order to find a mechanic that you can trust. If that’s not an option you can easily find one by browsing online. Sites such as Yelp are excellent tools in helping you gauge the level of service a business provides. Of course these review sites don’t always tell the entire story, but they are a good way to gauge the level of service. Beware of fake reviews posted by the business themselves. Obvious signs include multiple reviews posted on the same date or within close proximity to each other using similar language style.

Be suspicious of any mechanic who tells you to do different than recommended by the maker of your vehicle. Don’t forget to ask if they will be using parts from the original equipment manufacturer or aftermarket parts, since aftermarket products may not provide the same level of quality. Look for shops that are approved by AAA, as these businesses have passed quality control inspections.

You can always get a second opinion on the internet. If you have a Dodge join a Dodge forum and if you have a Toyota, you can find a Toyota car forum. Many of these forums have members that are very knowledgeable about repairs. If you have a digital camera, you can even take a photo of the parts in question and ask other members for their input. Use search engines in order to research any services that you are unfamiliar with.

Don’t commit to the first estimate you receive but take the time to telephone other businesses and see if you can get a better deal. Make sure that no work is performed unless you specifically authorize it. If you feel that the cost for parts are too high, it’s possible for you to obtain those parts yourself if you would like, and then simply pay the mechanic for labor. You can even purchased used parts, either from a wholesaler, Ebay or an online shop. If you don’t feel comfortable with an estimate, never hesitate to hold off on making decision until you can get home and do more research. You should never feel rushed or pressured into anything.

Try to walk in with the expectation to be fleeced; keep a positive attitude and be willing to listen to what the other party has to say. Maintaining and servicing your car on a regular basis will go a long way in extending its longevity and could be a smart way for you to get to know a local shop that you can trust.

Written by Jacqueline Star: Used Cars Corona, Used Cars Norco

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You Don’t Have To Spend A Lot To Take Care Of Your Car

Friday, November 5th, 2010

Hyper-milers drive in a certain manner in order to squeeze out every last drop in their fuel tank. They drive smoothly and don’t accelerate or stop abruptly. They maximize drag by removing things from their car that they really don’t need to be carrying on a daily basis. Less weight is better. Coasting is another way to increase mileage as is anticipating the flow of traffic. Here are a few ways to easily maintain your car without spending anything.

An old proverb states that you can either pay the mechanic now or later. So let’s start there. The first step is to have a mechanic you can trust who can give you accurate repair estimates.

Keep your maintenance schedule on a regular basis. Read your car’s manual so you can be aware of when you need to perform certain checks. Try to maintain that regular schedule. If you don’t have the manual you can probably find a copy of it on the internet.

It is crucial to have your oil changed on a steady basis. Driving your car without enough oil or with dirty oil on a regular basis will destroy your engine. Newer cars have engine oil change intervals of every 5,000 - -7,000 miles. Also remember to check the fluid level between oil changes. Your driving habits and car all play a role in how often you will need to change fluids. I have a short commute and drive slowly in stop and go city traffic, so I check my oil every other time I get a fill up. If you are doing a lot of long commutes and freeway driving you should probably check it more often. Older cars use up more oil than vehicles that have been manufactures more recently.

Checking the level of coolant is the next step. You are under the hood checking the oil so take the few extra minutes and check the coolant level. Never check this when the engine is hot. Wait for the car to cool down first.

Take a look at your battery and make sure you don’t have any worn out wires. If you do find anything out of the ordinary be sure to let your mechanic know. This preventative maintenance is all about making sure a small item doesn’t become a large bill (pay now or pay later - remember?)

Tire pressure is extremely important. Make sure you keep your tires inflated properly. The correct PSI (pound per square inch) pressure is stamped on the tire should be printed on a label on the drivers side door. Also check for worn tires since they can result in spin outs and even possibly fatal accidents.

Make sure your car isn’t leaking any fluids. This is best done on a flat clean driveway or parking lot. Note that you may see some pooling if you have been running your air conditioner. Condensation will drop to the pavement and this should not be cause for concern.

If you are unfamiliar with how to check either your oil, coolant, tire pressure or anything else, why not ask your mechanic to show you how? These may all seem like small things but they are all crucial if you want to prolong the life of your vehicle.

Written by Jacqueline Star: Dallas Ford Dealer Maintaining Your Car’s Finish

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Does Your Vehicle Make A Statement About You?

Wednesday, November 3rd, 2010

It is obvious why a cop would drive a police cruiser or a lawn mower would drive a truck. It is easy to see that the person driving that particular vehicle is in some way engaged in a specific field work.

For many people, their vehicle isn’t just to get them from one point to another. It symbolizes all that they are. It is an expression of who they are. It says something about their lifestyle. It might say something about their wealth and status in life. It can even give you a glimpse of what is important to them as in the example of a driver of a hybrid vehicle. This individual is most likely concerned with fuel economy and the environment.

Mini vans are often chosen by parents because of the roominess and accessibility of getting their kids in and out to school and soccer games and social events. It also has plenty of storage room. They may like the added comfort of a DVD to distract their rugrats during long trips.

Other buyers may choose brands such as Ferrari, Lamborghini, Jaguar or Mercedes Benz. The choice of these vehicles is certainly based on a reputation of quality and luxury but is also influenced by a desire to express status. The desire to show wealth and social status may play a role in the decision.

Shoppers who purchase trucks are known to be quite loyal to the brand of their choice. These purchasers may use their trucks for work and may base their purchase on the same criteria with which they pick the other tools they use. They may have a parent that only drove a Chevy and so they are part of a “Chevy Family”.

Some shoppers may opt for pre-owned cars. This is actually quite a smart decision because brand new vehicles depreciate in value quite rapidly.

Buying a car can be a very emotional experience. Making the decision to take on debt, dealing with and negotiation with salespeople, even deciding what color, all weigh on the purchaser. In my opinion, the car that you drive is rather important because it is the first thing that people see when you are on the road. So why not make a statement with your car? Are you quirky and fun? Perhaps a Volkswagen Bug would suit you. If you are sporty, why not choose a jeep or a SUV? If you enjoy the finer things in life and simply demand the best, nothing short of a show stopping luxury car will do. Life is short, so enjoy the car that you drive!

Written by Jacqueline Star: Used Cars Orange County, Used Car Dealer Riverside

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The CA Lemon Law

Tuesday, May 18th, 2010

The Lemon Law in California is a great help to the consumers in California. The CA Lemon Law is defined as the statement made by the government to protect the customers from defective vehicles, automobiles, and other appliances.

The CA Lemon Law covers quite a number of things - it applies to all automobiles, boats and other kinds of vehicles like SUVs (sports utility vehicles), RVs (recreational vehicles), and so on. Not only that, the Lemon Law in California also applies to consumer goods and other home appliances sold under a specific warranty.

As mentioned under the Lemon Law in California, any piece of automobile covered within a warranty that has manufacturing defects or has been repaired for several times after its purchase is a valid lemon law claim. Items that are found to be defective or items that right away needs a lot of repairs right after purchase are called “lemons.”

The number of complaints and defective automobiles has significantly increased in the past years. And since more and more people value quality over quantity in the things that they buy, the Lemon Law in California has been practiced by more and more people in California today. Not only in California though, the Lemon Law is also present in other states - there is an Indiana Lemon Law, a Pennsylvania Lemon Law, and so on.

The CA Lemon Law is sometimes referred to as the Motor Vehicles Warranty Rights Act, but the provisions remain the same.

Buying a vehicle is one of the most expensive financial investments in America today, which is why a lot of individuals are being careful not to spend their money over something defective and damaged. Thanks to the CA Lemon Law, consumers can now breathe a little easier. If anything goes wrong with a newly bought vehicle or appliances, consumers are protected to some extent.

To further safeguard the consumers and their interest, the Lemon Law suggests that they should file a suit in the court against the manufacturer of the product. This way, as soon as the damages and defects found within the warranty period are proven in the court of law, manufacturers will be punished accordingly.

Under the law, if any vehicle is found to be a “lemon” and the customer was able to back this up with valid proof, he or he will get his or her money back or is entitled to receive a proper compensation - be it a financial settlement or a product replacement, depending on the agreement and other factors. But keep in mind that the complaint should be made formally to the dealer or manufacturer. A written complaint is also necessary, together with the proof that the defective product is still under its warranty period.

Finding an attorney that is proficient in the Lemon Law in California is important to make sure you getthe best representation possible. When it comes to the CA Lemon Law you don’t want to be left with an amateur providing you with the legal counsel you need.

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