Posts Tagged ‘auto’
Improving your car’s fuel economy can be easy, to your surprise – all you need are some common sense tactics that could save you money on gas and maybe even on repairs.
Give your engine a regular tune up. A misfiring spark plug can reduce fuel efficiency as much as 30 percent. So much for saving up. Follow the service schedules listed in your owner’s manual. Change oil and replace your filters as indicated.
It may not always be convenient given today’s hectic lifestyle. But all it takes is a little initiative to get this done. Now if you visit your dealer and they charge you the sun and the moon for a tune-up, you’ll want to ask someone else for their rates. They can do the same service schedule, usually at a greater savings to you.
Not only is giving your car a tune up a way to ensure that it runs well, it can also add much-needed value when the time comes to buy a new car. Two words – added value – and this could mean a lot if you’re planning to sell your old car and get a new one.
Make sure that your tires are properly inflated. Under-inflation actually wastes fuel. It will force your engine to exert more effort to power your vehicle. If your tire’s wear is unbalanced, the same could apply to your wheels, and this too could force your engine to push itself too hard. If your tires have enough air in them, this could save you serious dough at the gas pump.
Drive smoothly. Don’t slam your foot on the accelerator or stop and go like a knuckleball pitch. If you’re driving on the highway, use your cruise control to ensure that you’re traveling at a steady pace.
Don’t leave your car on idle for too long. Shut off your car’s engine if you’re waiting for somebody. Today’s vehicles are designed to “warm up” fast, so there’s no need to warm your car up for half an hour on cold winter mornings. Your air conditioning system also needs to be in the best of shape.
Remove extra items from the vehicle. A lighter car is more fuel efficient. Keeping heavy stuff in your trunk reduces air drag, as compared to using a car topper. These are minute details you need to be aware of.
Plan your daily errands to eliminate unnecessary driving. And to avoid stop-and-go situations, it’s best to travel when you know there isn’t much traffic.
Car pooling can also help. Hitch with someone, or ask him/her to hitch with you so you can both minimize on your travel time and effort.
Remember, how you drive your car, and how its fluids, old parts, and tires are disposed of all affect the environment. To paraphrase Bobby Vee – take good care of your baby! If you follow the tips discussed above, you’re sure to see a significant improvement in your vehicle’s mileage.
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Back in the day, you didn’t have many options for car accessories – oh, maybe a hula girl figure or some racing stripes painted on. These days, there are a million plus one ways to jazz up your car and make it look brand new again. May it be GPS or satellite navigation, a new stereo system, weather controls, or even the old hula girl and racing stripes, it’s all up to you. We shall discuss some of the more affordable ways you can make your old car look brand new again, assuming it’s starting to show some age but still too new to be traded in.
Before your begin adding new accessories to other elements to you car, it’s important to start by thoroughly cleaning it inside and out. You can do the whole thing yourself provided you have enough space in your front yard or in the garage. Many areas have good, professional drive though car washes that do an excellent job for only a few dollars.
The inside of your car needs to be as clean as the outside. You can clean the interior with a few paper towels and multi-purpose spray cleaner that isn’t too strong. Windows can get dirty real quick, so clean them before anything else. After the windows, go to the rear view mirrors.
The next thing to clean would be vinyl surfaces, particularly the dashboard and the cup holder. If you have a habit of bringing coffee or other beverages with you when you drive, you will likely find the residue of old spills in the cup holder. This is not time to be conservative with your spray bottle. The cleaner should be used generously but carefully so as not to affect the paint job. If you paint job gets rusty due to this, that wouldn’t be the makeover you’d like for your car. Also remove old bumper stickers that you may find. This doesn’t just make your car look sloppy, it makes it look tacky as well.
Driving through rough terrain could cause traces of dirt and gravel show up on the floor of your car. You can use a portable vacuum for best results. If you plan to take your car to a professional car wash, they usually have high powered vacuums positioned on the outside of the lot. You may have to pay extra to use them, but you will be amazed at how clean the car looks when you’re done.
Your car is now clean – next thing to do is to start jazzing it up. Pick up a small bottle of touch up paint for the car. If you car is older, it probably has its share of dings. Walk around and look for spots to touch up. Peeling paint can be covered up by using fine sandpaper to remove the rough edges, then applying the touch up paint accordingly. Touch up paint usually comes with a set of brushes, so don’t worry about not having any handy. In the absence of sandpaper, you could use an Emory board.
Replace your floor mats if necessary, which would mean if your old floor mats are riddled with holes. Heels of certain shoes could get caught in those holes, so it’s important to replace these damaged items. You wouldn’t be able to brake with ease or shift properly, leading to more potential danger. If you’re looking for an affordable way to make the inside look flashy, try a steering wheel cover. Your boring old sedan could look like something out of The Fast and the Furious if you decorate it well. There are many other interior accessories that look just as good. But you wouldn’t want to overdo it. Don’t let too many cooks spoil your broth.
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The tires of your vehicle is synthetic rubber that has been molded or shaped into its form. The tires also covers the circumference of the wheel of a vehicle. Since the road has irregularities like potholes that can effect to shocks or forces, these tires lessen these effects. The tires also protect the vehicle’s wheels from immediately wearing out.
Extra care for tires is important for every car owner to consider. Maintaining proper air pressure is one of the most common ways of keeping a tire in good shape. This routine should be done regularly. When you’re about to take long drives, don’t forget to do this routine. The air inside expands when the tires are hot, so make sure you check tire pressure because you may be getting a different reading.
Are you aware of when the right amount of air has already been put inside your tire? Then it may be advisable to check your car owner’s manual. Facts and information can be included in this manual, as well as the recommended tire pressure your vehicle needs. Another option would be for you to check the label in the glove box or in the driver’s side’s door latch. To be on the safe side and make sure your tires will last longer or won’t fail while you drive, make sure that they have the right pressure.
Determine also if your tires are wearing evenly. Because if they don’t, then there may be a problem with wheel alignment or with how you drive. Tires with tread wear warning bars running across it must be immediately replaced. This means that the tire have consumed its lifespan. Bald tires are unsafe so you need to replace them.
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When most people think of maintaining their vehicle they think first of keeping it washed and waxed. Then they think of changing the oil and filter. Changing your own oil is not only easy, it is one of those tasks that is considered to be a very acceptable weekend DIY project. But do you really save money by doing it yourself?
How much does it cost for you to do it yourself?
Changing your own oil and filter does seem to be a pretty cheap with the oil being under two dollars a quart and the filter under five in most cases. However, there are a number of accessories that you will also need to purchase in order to perform this maintenance. You will need a drip pan, funnel and a wrench designed for removing the oil filer. The whole process probably only takes half an hour and then to discard the filter and the old oil is a small cost usually around two dollars. The first change will probably end up being a wash money wise.
Why should you pay to have your oil changed?
The cost of having your oil and filter changed will depend on a number of factors, including the garage you choose and whether you have a coupon. It can be anywhere between twenty and forty dollars. Any good service garage will do more than just change the oil and filter. They will do a quick check on your tires, wash windows, refill the windshield washer tank, and do a check for any potential problems. These additional checks may be worth the price of your oil change if you are not a mechanic yourself. It is always cheaper to fix minor issues before they turn into major problems, and a mechanic may spot these during a routine check.
When should you change your oil and filter?
You will find any number of answers as to how often you should change your oil. Most garages recommend that you have your vehicle’s oil changed every 3,000 miles and will put a sticker on your windshield to remind you of this. However, in the case of some newer model vehicles, manufacturers actually recommend 6,000 miles. The oil filter is not necessarily recommended to be changed with every oil change but with every other change.
In many cases, mechanics will still recommend that you change your filter whenever you change your oil. The reason being by not removing the filter a good full quart of oil will remain in your engine until the next time you change the filter. This old oil is, of course, dirty. Considering that the reason for changing your oil is to enable your vehicle to function more effectively, it is reasonable to assume that leaving a quart of dirty oil in engine is going to negatively affect your vehicle’s performance.
Your oil and filter can actually be changed even more frequently. Regular oil and filter changes keep your car running efficiently and saves you money in two ways. Firstly, you can avoid costly repairs and secondly you will use less gas. When you look at the benefits of having a professional mechanic change your oil and oil filter on a regular basis, is there really any cost benefit in waiting 6,000 miles and then changing your own oil and filter?
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For many drivers, hearing a new noise from the car is something to be concerned about. After rolling down the window for the first time in spring, this may be especially noticeable.
Your car is driven everyday. You know how it should handle. If you notice something amiss, and more than once, get it checked out. In the long run you may be saving yourself a lot of money and inconvenience. You and your mechanic need to be a team when it comes to the maintenance of your car. But you need to be the team’s eyes and ears.
You need to pay attention every so often when you pull your car out of a parking space. Did you notice if there’s any fresh fluid? It’s hard to tell sometimes due to the stains left from other cars. How about your driveway? Do you see any new stains? If you did, what’s the fluid’s color? Oil will be quite obvious, appearing black or dark brown. With its yellow green color, antifreeze would be easy to recognize. Also unmistakable is the odor of antifreeze. Fluid that’s reddish in color is either power steering or transmission fluid.
You also need to notice how your car is handling. Find out if it’s pulling to one side when you stop. It may be time for a front end alignment. Keep a check on your tire pressure. Lower gas mileage can be the cause of under inflated tires. On a regular basis, get your tires rotated in order to prevent wear.
Check if your breaks are squealing. Get to the mechanic as soon as possible, don’t let this problem go on. You may find yourself replacing worn rotors and break pads if you continue to drive. Rotors can be very expensive.
Is you car acting sluggish? It is not accelerating like it used to? What you probably need is a tune up. Are you noticing a hesitation? It could be the gas filter.
Your oil should be changed every 3,000 miles. This is an important rule, regardless if your car is new or old. The first thing the mechanic told me when I bought my new Toyota truck 20 years ago was I’d get at least 200,000 miles out of the engine if I kept the oil changed. Well, fifteen years later I had 189,000 and the engine was still going strong. But the frame was rusting and this is her ultimate demise.
Unlike cars manufactured 20 years ago, cars today are better and listening to what your car is trying to tell would have you worry free with your car for years.
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Drivers are unaware of dangerous encounters almost every time they go for a drive. Cars can endanger the lives of the drivers and the people surrounding them, even if a driver is extremely careful when driving.
Drivers are provided with a list of regulations and tips before getting on the road. Important tips to follow are:
Secure every passenger Seat belts are vital to the safety of drivers and passengers when riding in any vehicle.
Be Careful When Driving
Accidents can decrease if drivers take command of every situation they encounter on the road. Wheels spinning, skidding when cornering, driving too fast, not indicating or disobeying traffic laws are dangerous – to the driver and others.
Be Aware of Everything on the Road Don’t read, talk on the cellphone, shave, apply makeup or do anything that takes attention off the road.
Strap Your Child in a Car Seat
Whether a full car seat or just a booster seat, make sure they are installed properly and children are securely strapped in before starting the car.
Be prepared
There are a few items of importance that should be included in every car’s safety kit: Spare tire and tools for a tire change, reflective gear, knife or seat belt cutter, and jumper cables. A fire extinguisher is good to keep inside the car too. When it is cold outside, it is important to have extra clothing items or blankets to keep you warm in case your car breaks down. Everyone should have a first aid kit in the car trunk too.
Some safety tips are less well known and others are quite obscure – things that very few people consider, but that can save lives. Take the following advice on your next drive:
Flying objects
Unsecured items pose as a deadly threat if a car has to make a necessary impetuous jerk, turn or stop. Loose items are the main cause of many accidents.
Leave window control to the driver
In 2004, eight children in the US choked themselves with power windows. The children most likely accidentally pressed a window button when they leaned out of a window. To reduce accidents, the driver should have ultimate control over window usage. Utilizing driver controls reduces the chance of an accident inside the car.
Never leave kids or keys – or both – in the car
Its common that children lock themselves in the car with the keys or wonder off if you are not around. They can release the handbrake allowing it to roll into walls, trees or other traffic. If the keys are in the ignition, they can start the car, causing it to move forward or backward, bumping other cars or people. It is very possible for a child to be trapped in a trunk if a parent isn’t present. By having keys visible to the public in your car, your car may be stolen.
Keep your car cool People are not cautious about abandoning their kids and pets in cars during hot weather. Cars get hotter than it is outside and can threaten the lives of children or animals left in the car. Hypothermia occurs quickly among those trapped in a cold car.
Every car is made from a lot of metal. Drivers should consider every outcome when driving in addition to driving safely. Little tips and trips can improve driving and make a trip safer.
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By the time a car has been bought, insured, fueled and maintained, it becomes a major investment. Cars that are properly cared for will perform at satisfactory levels for owners; cars that do not receive routine maintenance will turn into a money pit.
Routine maintenance is vital to the health of a car. Manufacturers set certain dates and times cars need to be maintained throughout the year to keep up with safety requirements and to help them run longer. However, there are other ways to maintain and preserve a car that the owner can do themselves.
Smaller items on the car such as replacing fuses, changing windshield wipers and headlight bulbs are well within the capacity of most car owners. Analyze the car for flawed areas to reduce repair costs and reduce the chances of harming others.
Inspecting your tires is an effortless task. First, keep them fully inflated. It decreases fuel consumption and makes it easier to drive on the road. Tire pressure should be checked once a week. Checking the tread helps prevent blow outs and ensures that the car grips the road. Take your car in for tire rotations at roughly every 500 miles. Wheel lugs need to be tightened prior to a long trip or any driving activity.
Routinely examining oil and water levels help with the upkeep for a car. Power steering and brake fluid levels must be properly maintained to prevent dangerous events and keep the car moving smoothly. Brake fluid must be set at required levels to run properly. Adding coolant to the radiator should be part of a regular maintenance check as well.
Monthly light and indicator check-ups are important. Blown out bulbs are shown by a quick flashing light on one side of the car. Changing the bulb is easy, but be sure not to touch the glass. These bulbs are halogen bulbs, and any residue left on the glass could make it heat up more in that area and explode.
Increase full efficiency with a cleaner car. It can be more appealing to the eyes. Using quality detailing supplies helps to maintain the shine, and a good wax is essential to protect the body paint from scratches, weather and road debris. These days wax polishes are not as difficult or time consuming to apply, and the bother is well worth the protection it offers the car. Brake dust should routinely be removed from the wheels. It gathers other debris and can interfere with brakes and other nearby mechanics. Cold water and a sponge is an easy way to get rid of brake dust.
Routine battery maintenance increase battery life and reduces corrosion. Check the water levels regularly, and keep the battery posts clean to ensure a good connection and clean starting.
Weekly check-ups of fluids and car mechanics reduce costs and problems. Automotive safety starts with good maintenance.
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People who believe diesel engines are better than gas engines always play the fuel economy card – and indeed, it is true that a diesel engine would get more out of one gallon of gas because of the increased fuel density. There is a drawback to this, however, and that would be the fact that producing and refining diesel fuel is costlier at the end of the day, and more oil is required to produce diesel than what is required to produce gas.
When comparing gasoline-powered vehicles with their diesel-powered counterparts, the best way to do so would be by reducing the diesel car’s suggested mileage by some 20 percent. Also, a diesel vehicle usually costs more than a gas-powered vehicle, so the gasoline vehicle would be a better deal for you in its first few years.
If you’ve heard some scuttlebutt about diesel fuel in the past, it most likely was true, as diesel in the past wasn’t as refined as gasoline. Diesel vehicles also emit more particulate matter and NOx, both of which are serious health hazards and air pollutants. This meant that diesel engines were more polluting than gas engines per each mile they are driven.
There is a remedy, though, and the name of this remedy is biodiesel. Next time you fill ‘er up, go ask about this ultra-low sulfur form of diesel as it would most likely be available. But before you ask about this, you’ll need to ask yourself whether you’d be really getting the additional money’s worth from a diesel.
When you consider the facts, you have to ask yourself which models you can afford, what is the MPG, will engine be sufficient for you, and the number of passengers the vehicle will accommodate. Once you’re sure everything’s within your budget, everything should follow smoothly.
When shopping for a new car, you wouldn’t run out of choices, may it be a gas-powered vehicle or a diesel powered vehicle. Just ask around, surf the ‘net, do all the research you need to do and your patience will be rewarded with a vehicle that you can be proud that you purchased.
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If you are venturing out on the road and are unable to drive yourself, you may opt to have your car transferred for you. By having your car transported, you can relax and not have to worry about driving the car yourself. But, before you make a decision, you should consider the options that are available.
There are many auto transport companies, as well as some other alternatives, and you have to pick the one that’s right for you. Subsequently, our article will give you some important points to look at when you relocate you vehicle.
Sometimes the best way to find a good vehicle relocation service is simply by way of mouth, due to their vast numbers. Essentially, you need to fend off any ill effects that may stem from a business that is less that favorable. The Better Business Bureau helps you by listing complaints lodged against businesses, on their website. You should be unsettled not only when you see suspicious activity concerning a business, but also when not finding an account at all. Knowing where the business is located and their current phone number, plus reviewing their website for knowledgeable information will aid you in choosing a reputable company. Always remove the things in your car that could create an issue while you prepare for transportation of your vehicle. First of all, you shouldn’t leave any personal belongings in the vehicle, beyond basic maintenance tools like a jack and spare tire. Make sure the alarm is turned off if you have one so it won’t go off while it is being moved. Any stereo system should be taken out of your vehicle prior to the move. In a nutshell, as the vehicle is being transported if there is anything that is valuable or could be easily broken or jostled, remove it prior to the move.
Another option for transporting your car is to hire someone else to drive it to your destination. Of the two basic options, one is more expensive and the other is more risky. The first is to find a reputable service that hires drivers who have been thoroughly checked out and arrange for them to drive your vehicle to your destination. The other option is to place an ad in a local print publication or an online one. Many people are offering to drive your car across the country on Craigslist, for example. This is a cheaper option than a professional service but be sure to verify the person’s identity as clearly as you can and get references.
You shouldn’t have any problems with car relocation if you take time to do the necessary research. You can avoid any surprises by reading all of the terms and conditions before signing any contracts. Surprises could include liability and insurance. Consider these factors and having your car transported can be easy and safe.
If any damage occurs during relocation, take your car to a reliable auto mechanic and make sure the transportation company pays the bill.
Global warming has been quite controversial as of late, and a lot of people are pointing fingers at several vehicles that are wasteful on gas and not very eco-friendly in nature. You may try going eco-friendly by walking or biking, but most of the time, you’d need a car to get where you want to go. The hybrid car is a recent advancement that has been making the news, and the number of car manufacturers making hybrids continues to increase – indeed this may be the car of the future.
Hybrid cars combine electricity, which is the cleanest energy source available, with an internal combustion gasoline engine to run the car. When the car is idling, the gasoline engine shuts off and the car runs on electricity from a battery. Only once you accelerate does the gasoline engine automatically start up again. As a result, harmful emissions are reduced and a lot of gas can be saved. An electric car, on the other hand would only be powered by a rechargeable battery.
Hybrid cars are fine to drive along when going to a nearby store, to work or to school, but the batteries may not last a longer trip. Some hybrid cars recharge the batteries with kinetic energy generated when you are braking. You can recharge batteries for electric cars and hybrids by plugging them on any socket that matches. And the battery life keeps on improving with technology, which is another reason to be quite hopeful for these cars. The batteries are not inexpensive, but as technology advances and more people drive hybrid cars, that will improve too.
The cars of the future will need charging stations just like we have gas stations now, and the speed of recharging is becoming a competitive feature of both hybrid and electric cars. One day, your parking spot at work will have a socket where you can recharge your car before using it again.
The fuel economy of hybrid cars can potentially make up for their expensive price tag. Many governments, including the US government, offer tax breaks for buyers of hybrid or electric vehicles to give people an incentive to buy them. When compared to the average gas guzzling car, the hybrid is largely similar, has the same features and add-ons, but is far more environmentally safe and friendly. But again, the need to recharge batteries is a significant weakness of hybrid and electric cars. The electricity in our homes is not clean energy, and the use of fossil fuels (coal) to make electricity is a leading contributor to global warming. However, there are other car manufacturers testing solar powered cars, and with the solar powered airplane’s success, maybe it won’t be long before we see an increase in solar powered cars.
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