Author: Sarah
Now that you have plunked down some cash for your new car, it is but important to learn how protect your precious investment. Here are some easy and affordable ways on how you can protect your car’s interior and preserve its top condition.Window shades, or solar shades, are one of the most inexpensive accessories you can buy to protect your car’s interior.
Window shades provide shade for your dashboard and steering wheel thus preventing them from cracking due to extreme exposure to the sun. Also, window shades help keep your car’s interior a bit cooler when you leave it parked in an open lot.
These collapsing and folding window shades come in different sizes, forms and colors. You will definitely not have a hard time finding one that matches your interior. These also do not require special keeping as you can only leave them at the back of your car and take them anytime you want to use them.
Floor mats are another inexpensive accessories you can get to protect your car’s interior. Floor mats help keep the carpeting of your car clean and free from all the mud, stains, oil stains, dirt tracked in on the shoes of your passengers.
Just like window shades, floor mats come in different designs and colors. They are also made of various materials like carpet, rubber or vinyl. Finding the right floor mats that will fit your car’s theme will not be hard. If you wish to be a little more creative, you can also find in the market floor mats with logos or cartoon characters printed on them.
Lastly, it is important to invest on affordable seat covers to protect your new car’s seats. Using seat covers keeps your new car seats’ upholstery from stains, rips or scratches. Nice seat covers also add to the beauty of your car. If your car is a bit older, seat covers will also help cover the car seats’ defects.
If you taxi around kids or pets a set of seat covers will give you peace of mind. If anyone has an accident or spills food or drinks on your seats you can either wash them or quickly and easily get a new pair.
Car seat covers come in different colors, designs and prints. You can find seat covers from zebra and leopard patterns to solids and Hawaiian prints. So no matter what the model or color of your car, you will surely not have a hard time finding the right seat cover for your car.
These are just some of the basic and affordable ways to consider in protecting your car’s interior. Still, there are many available accessories out there that you can buy for your car. Depending on your budget, you will surely have a collection of accessories that will not only add to the beauty of your car, but also will add longevity of its interior. The bottom line is, you must be wise in protecting your investment.
2008/07/30
Do it yourself Truck Interior Cleaning
Author: Gertrude
Listed below are do it yourself cleaning steps for your truck’s interior to save the cost of a professional detailer.
The first thing to do is to remove all those items accumulated on/in the dashboard, in compartments and pockets.Then, remove the truck floor mats and shake them thoroughly to remove dust and debris. When finished, give the mats a final shake to remove any remaining debris. After vacuuming the floor mat, you can know return them to the car. Make sure it is well cleaned Floor mats can easily accumulate dirt that can cause allergies.
Vacuum will give the biggest help in cleaning the interior of your truck. Using the hose attachment, vacuum the floor, including the area beneath the seats. Check beneath seats for coins and trash before vacuuming. Be sure to vacuum the bottom and back of the seats. Spread some baking soda on the carpet when you vacuum your car. Let it sit for an hour or so, and then vacuum it. Vacuum the seats first, then the floorboards. Then proceed with the seat cushions, the crevices where cushions meet, the bottom and back of the seats.
To remove stains from fabric seat cushions or carpets, use a damp towel. A small amount of carpet shampoo will take care of stubborn stains. Work the carpet shampoo into a light lather. Sponge away the shampoo with a damp sponge and allow to air dry. Don't use carpet shampoo on leather.
Clean all the windows using a window cleaner. A newspaper and a paper towel can also be a cleaner. But for tinted windows, a newspaper and a paper towel are not helpful since they might destroy the tint.
With the use of vacuum again, remove debris from the dashboard and doors. Wiping them using a clean cloth can also help. Gently do this, making sure the paint will not be destroyed.
Spray a small amount of non abrasive cleaner on a towel or rag and gently wipe the dashboard, door handles and all vinyl parts. Allow to air dry.
It is also important to remember the following:
Don't use a glossy finish item on the dashboard of your car. It will cause a glare on the windshield and make it hard to see in bright sunlight.
Car interior and vinyl protectants are made to protect against sun damage and cracking. Read carefully the instructions before use.
Listed below are do it yourself cleaning steps for your truck’s interior to save the cost of a professional detailer.
The first thing to do is to remove all those items accumulated on/in the dashboard, in compartments and pockets.Then, remove the truck floor mats and shake them thoroughly to remove dust and debris. When finished, give the mats a final shake to remove any remaining debris. After vacuuming the floor mat, you can know return them to the car. Make sure it is well cleaned Floor mats can easily accumulate dirt that can cause allergies.
Vacuum will give the biggest help in cleaning the interior of your truck. Using the hose attachment, vacuum the floor, including the area beneath the seats. Check beneath seats for coins and trash before vacuuming. Be sure to vacuum the bottom and back of the seats. Spread some baking soda on the carpet when you vacuum your car. Let it sit for an hour or so, and then vacuum it. Vacuum the seats first, then the floorboards. Then proceed with the seat cushions, the crevices where cushions meet, the bottom and back of the seats.
To remove stains from fabric seat cushions or carpets, use a damp towel. A small amount of carpet shampoo will take care of stubborn stains. Work the carpet shampoo into a light lather. Sponge away the shampoo with a damp sponge and allow to air dry. Don't use carpet shampoo on leather.
Clean all the windows using a window cleaner. A newspaper and a paper towel can also be a cleaner. But for tinted windows, a newspaper and a paper towel are not helpful since they might destroy the tint.
With the use of vacuum again, remove debris from the dashboard and doors. Wiping them using a clean cloth can also help. Gently do this, making sure the paint will not be destroyed.
Spray a small amount of non abrasive cleaner on a towel or rag and gently wipe the dashboard, door handles and all vinyl parts. Allow to air dry.
It is also important to remember the following:
Don't use a glossy finish item on the dashboard of your car. It will cause a glare on the windshield and make it hard to see in bright sunlight.
Car interior and vinyl protectants are made to protect against sun damage and cracking. Read carefully the instructions before use.
Volvo, Battling Over Emission Hazards for Safer Interior Air Quality
Author: Glady Reign
Earlier, the Ecology Center in Detroit conducted a survey regarding car emissions. In the said survey, it was found out that Volvo cars emit lower levels of toxic substances than other car makes.
The study titled Toxic at Any Speed: Chemicals in Cars & the Need for Safe Alternatives, delved into measuring toxic chemicals in building car interiors. The study includes flame retardant PBDE and phthalates, which are commonly used to soften plastics and textiles at high temperatures. These substances are treated as health hazards. They are dangerous to the respiratory system. As a fact, prolonged exposure to these substances could promote genetic mutations.
The Ecology Center’s study revealed that the concentrations of PBDE in dust and on the windscreen are up to 5 times higher than in the homes of most people. Since many people today spend a lot of time in their cars, car interiors thus have a considerable effect on human health. The study subjected 11 different makes of cars built between 2000 and 2005 to meticulous scrutiny. It has found out that the interiors of Volvo cars have the lowest emissions of phthalates. In addition, the incidence of flame retardant PBDE is much lower. This fact, as attested by the research institute, made Volvo a world leader in the area of interior air quality.
“In an age when many people suffer from asthma and allergies, it is only natural for Volvo Cars to offer its customers a good environment even inside the car,” said Anders K?rrberg, Environmental Director at Volvo Cars. To maintain Volvo’s high interior air quality standards, the automaker uses the right materials. This is done to ensure that the air entering the car through the climate system is properly filtered. The exceptional Volvo fuel filter used by the automaker is especially formulated to promote clean interior climate. This climate is preferred by individuals suffering from allergies and asthma as well as those who are particularly sensitive.
“The textiles and leather used in our cars meet stringent Oeko-Tex standard 100, which ensures that fabrics and hides have been thoroughly tested to check for certain allergy-inducing substances. We also work with contact allergies and are phasing out toxic substances such as certain phthalates. Volvo’s IAQS air quality system has also been developed to clean the air and reduce the risk of allergic reactions inside the car,” added K?rrberg.
Volvo is famed for its dedication in producing environment-friendly vehicles. Lately, it has expanded its range to include FlexiFuel cars. These cars are powered by renewable bioethanol fuel. “Interest in ethanol as a vehicle fuel is growing in Europe,” said Gerry Keaney, Senior Vice President Market, Sales and Customer Service at Volvo Cars. “We are therefore expanding our range with additional models on a total of 9 markets. First to get Volvo’s FlexiFuel cars outside Sweden will be Britain, Ireland, France, Spain, the Netherlands, Belgium, Switzerland and Norway.”
Keaney continued, “It’s very encouraging that the market is expanding and that political initiatives are being taken.” France has announced its intention to build 500 fuel stations for E85 this year. E85 is type of fuel with a blend of 85 per cent renewable ethanol and 15 per cent petrol. So far, there are 23 plants producing ethanol in Europe. The number is expected to multiply three-folds in 2008.
Ethanol is a promising fuel which can be produced from just about any biomass source like corn, wheat, sugar-beet and cellulose. “A renewable fuel will not on its own be able to replace today’s fossil fuels, and the range of alternative fuels will probably be far wider in the future. Many different fuels and technologies will therefore be developed in parallel. Ethanol reduces dependency on fossil fuels and Volvo’s FlexiFuel programme thus makes a vital contribution to our strategy of environmental sustainability,” noted Keaney.
The Volvo C30, S40 and V50 are now available in an environmentally optimized FlexiFuel alternative. They are all powered a four-cylinder naturally aspirated engine producing 125 horsepower. Petrol and bioethanol are both filled in the same 55 liter tank. To complement the green potentials of the cars, the automaker modified fuel hoses, gaskets and valves. Also, the injection valves have been reinforced.
“Our commitment to safe mobility needs to be enlarged from the protection of occupants and other road users in collisions to include personal health for all road users and to offer them sustainable mobility solutions”, said Hans-Olov Olsson.
Earlier, the Ecology Center in Detroit conducted a survey regarding car emissions. In the said survey, it was found out that Volvo cars emit lower levels of toxic substances than other car makes.
The study titled Toxic at Any Speed: Chemicals in Cars & the Need for Safe Alternatives, delved into measuring toxic chemicals in building car interiors. The study includes flame retardant PBDE and phthalates, which are commonly used to soften plastics and textiles at high temperatures. These substances are treated as health hazards. They are dangerous to the respiratory system. As a fact, prolonged exposure to these substances could promote genetic mutations.
The Ecology Center’s study revealed that the concentrations of PBDE in dust and on the windscreen are up to 5 times higher than in the homes of most people. Since many people today spend a lot of time in their cars, car interiors thus have a considerable effect on human health. The study subjected 11 different makes of cars built between 2000 and 2005 to meticulous scrutiny. It has found out that the interiors of Volvo cars have the lowest emissions of phthalates. In addition, the incidence of flame retardant PBDE is much lower. This fact, as attested by the research institute, made Volvo a world leader in the area of interior air quality.
“In an age when many people suffer from asthma and allergies, it is only natural for Volvo Cars to offer its customers a good environment even inside the car,” said Anders K?rrberg, Environmental Director at Volvo Cars. To maintain Volvo’s high interior air quality standards, the automaker uses the right materials. This is done to ensure that the air entering the car through the climate system is properly filtered. The exceptional Volvo fuel filter used by the automaker is especially formulated to promote clean interior climate. This climate is preferred by individuals suffering from allergies and asthma as well as those who are particularly sensitive.
“The textiles and leather used in our cars meet stringent Oeko-Tex standard 100, which ensures that fabrics and hides have been thoroughly tested to check for certain allergy-inducing substances. We also work with contact allergies and are phasing out toxic substances such as certain phthalates. Volvo’s IAQS air quality system has also been developed to clean the air and reduce the risk of allergic reactions inside the car,” added K?rrberg.
Volvo is famed for its dedication in producing environment-friendly vehicles. Lately, it has expanded its range to include FlexiFuel cars. These cars are powered by renewable bioethanol fuel. “Interest in ethanol as a vehicle fuel is growing in Europe,” said Gerry Keaney, Senior Vice President Market, Sales and Customer Service at Volvo Cars. “We are therefore expanding our range with additional models on a total of 9 markets. First to get Volvo’s FlexiFuel cars outside Sweden will be Britain, Ireland, France, Spain, the Netherlands, Belgium, Switzerland and Norway.”
Keaney continued, “It’s very encouraging that the market is expanding and that political initiatives are being taken.” France has announced its intention to build 500 fuel stations for E85 this year. E85 is type of fuel with a blend of 85 per cent renewable ethanol and 15 per cent petrol. So far, there are 23 plants producing ethanol in Europe. The number is expected to multiply three-folds in 2008.
Ethanol is a promising fuel which can be produced from just about any biomass source like corn, wheat, sugar-beet and cellulose. “A renewable fuel will not on its own be able to replace today’s fossil fuels, and the range of alternative fuels will probably be far wider in the future. Many different fuels and technologies will therefore be developed in parallel. Ethanol reduces dependency on fossil fuels and Volvo’s FlexiFuel programme thus makes a vital contribution to our strategy of environmental sustainability,” noted Keaney.
The Volvo C30, S40 and V50 are now available in an environmentally optimized FlexiFuel alternative. They are all powered a four-cylinder naturally aspirated engine producing 125 horsepower. Petrol and bioethanol are both filled in the same 55 liter tank. To complement the green potentials of the cars, the automaker modified fuel hoses, gaskets and valves. Also, the injection valves have been reinforced.
“Our commitment to safe mobility needs to be enlarged from the protection of occupants and other road users in collisions to include personal health for all road users and to offer them sustainable mobility solutions”, said Hans-Olov Olsson.
Why Clean your Car's Interior?
Author: Evander Klum
After getting your brand new Acura car from the dealer, you of course were very excited to flaunt and drive it the way and wherever you wanted. Then, weeks and months after, you notice you feel like experiencing diminishing satisfaction on the car. The excitement you once had when the car was new long gone, you get bored upon entering. Worse, the interior is very messed up -- pieces of French fries were even lying on the Acura floor mats and in the spaces between the seats.
Why do you need a clean car interior, when in fact what is seen by the people is only its exterior?
Driving occurs inside the car. The driver, in anyway, must always concentrate his thoughts on the road to avoid accidents. But with messed up interior, half of his concentration will be on the interior and only half on the road. Most drivers still experience accidents though full concentration is given on the road, what more if concentration is both set on the road and in the interior?
Proper car care will make you a responsible car owner and your driving experience more enjoyable.
Much as you take car of your Acura cars exterior, you also need to regularly clean the interior.
Maintaining the cleanliness of the inside of your Acura car makes driving even more pleasurable and helps prevent accidents while your eyes are on the road.
Vacuum cleaner and attachments, small brush for cracks and tight places, paper towels for windows cleaning, lint-free cloths for dusting, cleaning and window polishing are essential tools usually used in cleaning the inside of your car.
Remove those things that cannot be absorbed by the vacuum like plastic bags, your childs small toys, office papers, pens, bottles, cans, etc. Then, proceed with the use of the vacuum.
After removing the seat covers, vacuum the seats, the dash board, the floor mats and the carpets. It is also advisable to wash seat covers. Let them dry, and then return them to the car. Changing the seat cover is also great for a more refreshing look.
Adding some car fragrance can also help in accessorizing and maintaining good odor in your car.
To maintain cleanliness inside your car, practice to immediately remove any unnecessary things or return the accessories in their proper places after using them. With this, you can be assured of a neat, pleasurable, and a worry and hustle free driving experience.
It is important to take note, however, that your car exteriors cleanliness must also be tantamount to the cleanliness of the interior, for a more desirable appearance
After getting your brand new Acura car from the dealer, you of course were very excited to flaunt and drive it the way and wherever you wanted. Then, weeks and months after, you notice you feel like experiencing diminishing satisfaction on the car. The excitement you once had when the car was new long gone, you get bored upon entering. Worse, the interior is very messed up -- pieces of French fries were even lying on the Acura floor mats and in the spaces between the seats.
Why do you need a clean car interior, when in fact what is seen by the people is only its exterior?
Driving occurs inside the car. The driver, in anyway, must always concentrate his thoughts on the road to avoid accidents. But with messed up interior, half of his concentration will be on the interior and only half on the road. Most drivers still experience accidents though full concentration is given on the road, what more if concentration is both set on the road and in the interior?
Proper car care will make you a responsible car owner and your driving experience more enjoyable.
Much as you take car of your Acura cars exterior, you also need to regularly clean the interior.
Maintaining the cleanliness of the inside of your Acura car makes driving even more pleasurable and helps prevent accidents while your eyes are on the road.
Vacuum cleaner and attachments, small brush for cracks and tight places, paper towels for windows cleaning, lint-free cloths for dusting, cleaning and window polishing are essential tools usually used in cleaning the inside of your car.
Remove those things that cannot be absorbed by the vacuum like plastic bags, your childs small toys, office papers, pens, bottles, cans, etc. Then, proceed with the use of the vacuum.
After removing the seat covers, vacuum the seats, the dash board, the floor mats and the carpets. It is also advisable to wash seat covers. Let them dry, and then return them to the car. Changing the seat cover is also great for a more refreshing look.
Adding some car fragrance can also help in accessorizing and maintaining good odor in your car.
To maintain cleanliness inside your car, practice to immediately remove any unnecessary things or return the accessories in their proper places after using them. With this, you can be assured of a neat, pleasurable, and a worry and hustle free driving experience.
It is important to take note, however, that your car exteriors cleanliness must also be tantamount to the cleanliness of the interior, for a more desirable appearance
Interior and Exterior Review of the Honda Civic Hybrid
Author: Thomas Jones
It's a norm for Honda to compliment their vehicles with sleek exterior designs, and this designative technique recurs in the Honda Civic Hybrid. The very functional hybrid car implements power-side mirrors with built-in turn indicators and spoilers fitted onto the rear deck lid. By this and with just the naked eye one could instantly recognize the stylish high-tech physicality. The angles of the windshield are heightened and neatly integrated into the hood, providing higher modernistic appearance. Aiding all of this the exterior look also intensifies a sporty and sassy appeal.
This fuel-saving vehicle's outer designs feature a more unique touch compared with that of the contemporary Civic sedan. Equipped with exquisite allow wheels and an air dam integrated to the car's frontal, body panels are located below the surface of the car's exterior that are aerodynamically designed to assist in alleviating expected air-drag toward the vehicle.
Evidently by its design the Honda Civic Hybrid along with its future successors eludes more than just subtlety. The rear bumper, headlights and the grille show-off some sheer design quality. The appearance of the headlights seem lowered in the Honda Civic Hybrid, similar to that on the Honda Accord and the front bumper contains various intake shafts along with sporty circular-edged corner spoilers providing it with a sleek-looking chassis.
The vehicle looks vigorous, however other competing hybrids have less weight compared to their original platform counterparts, and opposed to the standard all-fuel Civic the Honda Civic Hybrid is heavier which renders this vehicle slightly slower.
Interior Review
With the sheer quality design the Honda Civic Hybrid's exterior utilizes more than just eye-candy as this car' interior compliments the entire vehicle. The standard features of the car's interior are a complete jaw-dropper and especially owing to the fact that it maintains the functional feel of a sedan. This provides complete comfort and a feeling of security and not to mention its main features which add up to its sleekness.
Robust materials of a synthetic nature create the simple and functional interior and even though this may be, anyone would agree that the Honda Civic Hybrid eludes style and a futuristic nature even on the inside.
When it comes to spaciousness the Honda Civic Hybrid succeeds in creating generous amounts of capacity needed by basic drivers, given that it is suitable for five persons and a driver to be simultaneously accommodated. There is ample foot-space at the back due to a flat floor and there's much room for luggage as well. Complimenting the entire inner surface is the dashboard, integrated very well into the rest of the interior and this provides an elegant impression with a futuristic brilliance.
Sitting in the driver's seat your attention will surely be captured by the gauges which are stunningly back lit in blue. The instrument cluster accommodates the gauges which include the speedometer, technometer and the gear selection indicators.
It's a norm for Honda to compliment their vehicles with sleek exterior designs, and this designative technique recurs in the Honda Civic Hybrid. The very functional hybrid car implements power-side mirrors with built-in turn indicators and spoilers fitted onto the rear deck lid. By this and with just the naked eye one could instantly recognize the stylish high-tech physicality. The angles of the windshield are heightened and neatly integrated into the hood, providing higher modernistic appearance. Aiding all of this the exterior look also intensifies a sporty and sassy appeal.
This fuel-saving vehicle's outer designs feature a more unique touch compared with that of the contemporary Civic sedan. Equipped with exquisite allow wheels and an air dam integrated to the car's frontal, body panels are located below the surface of the car's exterior that are aerodynamically designed to assist in alleviating expected air-drag toward the vehicle.
Evidently by its design the Honda Civic Hybrid along with its future successors eludes more than just subtlety. The rear bumper, headlights and the grille show-off some sheer design quality. The appearance of the headlights seem lowered in the Honda Civic Hybrid, similar to that on the Honda Accord and the front bumper contains various intake shafts along with sporty circular-edged corner spoilers providing it with a sleek-looking chassis.
The vehicle looks vigorous, however other competing hybrids have less weight compared to their original platform counterparts, and opposed to the standard all-fuel Civic the Honda Civic Hybrid is heavier which renders this vehicle slightly slower.
Interior Review
With the sheer quality design the Honda Civic Hybrid's exterior utilizes more than just eye-candy as this car' interior compliments the entire vehicle. The standard features of the car's interior are a complete jaw-dropper and especially owing to the fact that it maintains the functional feel of a sedan. This provides complete comfort and a feeling of security and not to mention its main features which add up to its sleekness.
Robust materials of a synthetic nature create the simple and functional interior and even though this may be, anyone would agree that the Honda Civic Hybrid eludes style and a futuristic nature even on the inside.
When it comes to spaciousness the Honda Civic Hybrid succeeds in creating generous amounts of capacity needed by basic drivers, given that it is suitable for five persons and a driver to be simultaneously accommodated. There is ample foot-space at the back due to a flat floor and there's much room for luggage as well. Complimenting the entire inner surface is the dashboard, integrated very well into the rest of the interior and this provides an elegant impression with a futuristic brilliance.
Sitting in the driver's seat your attention will surely be captured by the gauges which are stunningly back lit in blue. The instrument cluster accommodates the gauges which include the speedometer, technometer and the gear selection indicators.
2008/07/26
Car Mats: for Sparkling Interiors
Author: Garry Kelkar
On a rainy day, recollect the scenes you witness. Untidy shoes of passengers muddle the car interiors. Accumulation of mud, dirt, garbage and moisture inside your car gives rise to filthy interiors. The mucky interiors will leave a foul smell within the car. You can avoid this problem with the use of mats. It is among the essential car accessories to keep the car interiors in spanking new condition. Car mats spread across the floor of the car and shields it against dirt.
The car mats come in attractive colours, you can match them to your interiors and make the inside of your car look good. Those who wish to keep it simple, go for decent mats. Overall, the durable material counts the most, which is washable and does not allow dirt penetration. Car mats can be wash-dried for repeated use. Even if it is not a rainy day, dirt and moisture is likely to accumulate any way.
Include mats as an essential among other car accessories of your choice. Remember, it is a solution to keep the interiors clean without spoiling the show. Watch out for the websites offering car accessories and choose among the variety of car mats. Be it a beefy SUV or a Small Mini car, appending right accessories is an easy way to enhance the overall user experience.
Using car mats is a measure to accentuate the cleanliness inside the car. Do not neglect the harmful effects of dirty interiors. The snacks carried and consumed by passengers of the car, often spill or drop inside the car. In this context, all this stuff accumulates in the mats. Further, it becomes easy to pick the mats out and dust them. In addition to it, you can wash or vacuum clean them for best results. Using car mats will give your car continued spotlessness against dirt.
On a rainy day, recollect the scenes you witness. Untidy shoes of passengers muddle the car interiors. Accumulation of mud, dirt, garbage and moisture inside your car gives rise to filthy interiors. The mucky interiors will leave a foul smell within the car. You can avoid this problem with the use of mats. It is among the essential car accessories to keep the car interiors in spanking new condition. Car mats spread across the floor of the car and shields it against dirt.
The car mats come in attractive colours, you can match them to your interiors and make the inside of your car look good. Those who wish to keep it simple, go for decent mats. Overall, the durable material counts the most, which is washable and does not allow dirt penetration. Car mats can be wash-dried for repeated use. Even if it is not a rainy day, dirt and moisture is likely to accumulate any way.
Include mats as an essential among other car accessories of your choice. Remember, it is a solution to keep the interiors clean without spoiling the show. Watch out for the websites offering car accessories and choose among the variety of car mats. Be it a beefy SUV or a Small Mini car, appending right accessories is an easy way to enhance the overall user experience.
Using car mats is a measure to accentuate the cleanliness inside the car. Do not neglect the harmful effects of dirty interiors. The snacks carried and consumed by passengers of the car, often spill or drop inside the car. In this context, all this stuff accumulates in the mats. Further, it becomes easy to pick the mats out and dust them. In addition to it, you can wash or vacuum clean them for best results. Using car mats will give your car continued spotlessness against dirt.
How To Choose Window Tint That Will Protect Your Car Interior And Your Wallet
Author: Gregg Hall
If you live in a hot climate like the Southwest or in Florida, where I live, it is almost unheard of to own a vehicle without window tint. Actually, window tint is one of the best investments you can add to your vehicle to protect sun damage as well as keep out the heat and make you more comfortable.
The window films that are offered today have come a long way from when they were first introduced. The old films would easily bubble and peel, creating an unsightly mess. Today, you cannot even tell that it is a film, the window tint looks like a part of the glass.
The whole reason that window tint was invented in the first place was to protect interiors from sun damage and heat. It is easy to see how quickly the sun can damage and discolor things. If you have a room in your home that gets a lot of sun, just remove a picture or painting from the wall and you will see the difference in the color that has resulted from sun exposure. Having protective window tint in your car works the same way, protecting your car's interior from fading and breaking down.
Adding the film to the windows of your vehicle will also cause the air conditioner not to have to work as hard and the vehicle will cool faster after being left out in the sun than it would if you didn't have the tint.
Automobiles are expensive these days with the average new car now over $20,000, it makes sense to protect your investment and make it last as long as possible. Tinting your windows will keep your dashboard from cracking, protect your console, and make it much cooler on hot summer days.
Window tint also has another added feature in safety. Adding the film to your windows makes them shatter resistant in case of an accident or from something hitting your window. For the same reason it is made almost impossible for a thief to pull a robbery of your vehicle by smashing the glass because there will be no hole for him to be able to access.
This can also help during hurricanes where you may not have a place to get your vehicle out of the weather. The addition of the film makes the windows stronger and in the event that they are struck by something they will be held together by the film.
If you live in a hot climate like the Southwest or in Florida, where I live, it is almost unheard of to own a vehicle without window tint. Actually, window tint is one of the best investments you can add to your vehicle to protect sun damage as well as keep out the heat and make you more comfortable.
The window films that are offered today have come a long way from when they were first introduced. The old films would easily bubble and peel, creating an unsightly mess. Today, you cannot even tell that it is a film, the window tint looks like a part of the glass.
The whole reason that window tint was invented in the first place was to protect interiors from sun damage and heat. It is easy to see how quickly the sun can damage and discolor things. If you have a room in your home that gets a lot of sun, just remove a picture or painting from the wall and you will see the difference in the color that has resulted from sun exposure. Having protective window tint in your car works the same way, protecting your car's interior from fading and breaking down.
Adding the film to the windows of your vehicle will also cause the air conditioner not to have to work as hard and the vehicle will cool faster after being left out in the sun than it would if you didn't have the tint.
Automobiles are expensive these days with the average new car now over $20,000, it makes sense to protect your investment and make it last as long as possible. Tinting your windows will keep your dashboard from cracking, protect your console, and make it much cooler on hot summer days.
Window tint also has another added feature in safety. Adding the film to your windows makes them shatter resistant in case of an accident or from something hitting your window. For the same reason it is made almost impossible for a thief to pull a robbery of your vehicle by smashing the glass because there will be no hole for him to be able to access.
This can also help during hurricanes where you may not have a place to get your vehicle out of the weather. The addition of the film makes the windows stronger and in the event that they are struck by something they will be held together by the film.
Designer Car Interiors - Car Seats & Covers
Author: Vicki Churchill
Why choose to use a seat cover? Designer seat covers are available from various suppliers, they all have significant modifications in fit, construction, style and price
Caring for your car seats by using a cover is probably the most overlooked aspect of maintaining your cars appearance, not to mention the value.
Most of us will simply run the hoover over the interior once a month if that, and before long the wear and tear will undoubtedly begin to show. This will rapidly devalue the vehicles worth.
Applying seat covers will keep your seats in mint condition, saving them from unnecessary accidental damage and long term wear.
Many companies offer designer car interiors which incorporate bespoke seat covers.You can choose from a huge range of materials including denim, sheep skin & silk. The ideal seat cover will fit so well to the vehicles original seats it will be mistaken for the original upholstery.
Not only is the seat cover used as protection, but it can be modified for comfort and style. Furthermore there are companies that will offer designer embroidery enabling you to promote your business, dedicate to your loved one, or create your own wacky art design!
If you are an intrepid outdoorsman you can purchase heavy duty waterproof seat covers and boot liners to protect your upholstery so those fishing and camping trips wont end with you spending the whole of the next day scrubbing your seats clean. Simply pull the covers off and throw them into the washing machine.
Many seat covers are stain resistance, machine washable and waterproof and also make allowances for arm rests and recliner wheels, what ever your requirement or style is you will be able to find a car seat cover for your needs.
Making the right choice when buying a child seat
The first thing to consider when buying a baby car seat is safety! The seat must be appropriate for your baby's size and weight. It must also fit correctly into your car. Most retailers are more than happy to give a demonstration and test the seat in your car before you buy.
Even children up to the age of eleven who are not five feet tall must use a child seat of some sort.
Once you have decided on a particular car seat make sure you follow the manufacturer's instructions to the letter. Always allow enough time as fitting a child seat can be very frustrating. Also when it comes to strapping your child in the straps are tight enough to stop the child wriggling free but not too tight to cause the child injury or discomfort. Always give the straps a tug to make sure the seatbelt has locked.
Child Seat Age and Weight Guide
Baby SeatsBabies weighing up to 13kgs and from birth up to one year should be fitted with a baby seat. Baby seats must face backwards and can be installed in either the front or back seats providing the front is not fitted with an airbag.
Child Car SeatsChild car seats are for children aged 9 months to four years. The child must be able to support their own head and weigh between 9 and 18kgs. They face forward and are normally fitted in the back seat of the car.
Booster Seats and CushionsThese types of seats are for children weighing 15 to 36kgs aged approximately 4 to 11 years old. They are primarily designed to elevate the child in order they can safely use an adult seat belt.
Finally and one of the most important aspects to remember is not to get distracted by your child whilst driving. Many accidents are caused from the parent turning round to deal with a child whilst continuing to drive. In the event the child needs attention pull over to a safe location before dealing with the situation.
Why choose to use a seat cover? Designer seat covers are available from various suppliers, they all have significant modifications in fit, construction, style and price
Caring for your car seats by using a cover is probably the most overlooked aspect of maintaining your cars appearance, not to mention the value.
Most of us will simply run the hoover over the interior once a month if that, and before long the wear and tear will undoubtedly begin to show. This will rapidly devalue the vehicles worth.
Applying seat covers will keep your seats in mint condition, saving them from unnecessary accidental damage and long term wear.
Many companies offer designer car interiors which incorporate bespoke seat covers.You can choose from a huge range of materials including denim, sheep skin & silk. The ideal seat cover will fit so well to the vehicles original seats it will be mistaken for the original upholstery.
Not only is the seat cover used as protection, but it can be modified for comfort and style. Furthermore there are companies that will offer designer embroidery enabling you to promote your business, dedicate to your loved one, or create your own wacky art design!
If you are an intrepid outdoorsman you can purchase heavy duty waterproof seat covers and boot liners to protect your upholstery so those fishing and camping trips wont end with you spending the whole of the next day scrubbing your seats clean. Simply pull the covers off and throw them into the washing machine.
Many seat covers are stain resistance, machine washable and waterproof and also make allowances for arm rests and recliner wheels, what ever your requirement or style is you will be able to find a car seat cover for your needs.
Making the right choice when buying a child seat
The first thing to consider when buying a baby car seat is safety! The seat must be appropriate for your baby's size and weight. It must also fit correctly into your car. Most retailers are more than happy to give a demonstration and test the seat in your car before you buy.
Even children up to the age of eleven who are not five feet tall must use a child seat of some sort.
Once you have decided on a particular car seat make sure you follow the manufacturer's instructions to the letter. Always allow enough time as fitting a child seat can be very frustrating. Also when it comes to strapping your child in the straps are tight enough to stop the child wriggling free but not too tight to cause the child injury or discomfort. Always give the straps a tug to make sure the seatbelt has locked.
Child Seat Age and Weight Guide
Baby SeatsBabies weighing up to 13kgs and from birth up to one year should be fitted with a baby seat. Baby seats must face backwards and can be installed in either the front or back seats providing the front is not fitted with an airbag.
Child Car SeatsChild car seats are for children aged 9 months to four years. The child must be able to support their own head and weigh between 9 and 18kgs. They face forward and are normally fitted in the back seat of the car.
Booster Seats and CushionsThese types of seats are for children weighing 15 to 36kgs aged approximately 4 to 11 years old. They are primarily designed to elevate the child in order they can safely use an adult seat belt.
Finally and one of the most important aspects to remember is not to get distracted by your child whilst driving. Many accidents are caused from the parent turning round to deal with a child whilst continuing to drive. In the event the child needs attention pull over to a safe location before dealing with the situation.
What Any Novice Should Know About Car Interior Accessories
Author: Eddie Lamb
When you buy a car for the first time, you will be thrilled with the experience. It is a wonderful feeling when you drive away from the showroom in your new car. This is one moment in your life that you are likely to remember forever. In the happiness of the moment, you will be likely to miss out on checking whether your vehicle has come with all the mandatory car interior accessories.
Some Useful Car Interior Accessories
Very few first-timers will really even look for the mandatory car interior accessories before taking possession of the vehicle. The following car interior accessories are a must in a new car. In case, by any chance, your showroom does not provide these, check out with the manufacturer - and if the answer still is a negative, then buy it yourself. Some of the handy car interior accessories are as follows:
1. Floor mats - surprisingly enough, there are a good deal of cars which roll out of showrooms without floor mats. This is one car interior accessory that absolutely has to be there. Hence, in case your showroom really does not have floor mats inclusive in the deal, make sure this is the first priority on your accessory list.
2. Cup holders - they may seem standard on most cars, but in reality you may have to add a few depending on the number of sippy-cup toting kids you have in your minivan. You can find separate cup holders in department stores like Target as well as auto stores like Auto Zone. They come in a myriad of colors to suit any car interior and are well worth their money. This is especially true if you do not have leather seats. Spilled juice, coffee or worse still, soda can leave stains on the upholstery which can be an eye sore in the short run and get you less money for your vehicle in the long term.
3. Hands-free Cell Phone Holder - if you are on the road a lot and do not have the new blue-tooth enabled technology, a hands-free device can save your life and is required by law in some cities too. Some people even have a sticky-note dispenser or other kind of note pad mounted on the dash to quickly jot down a phone or reference number - while parked of course.
Other miscellaneous handy accessories can be a back seat organizer, a trunk organizer, a CD pocket for your visor, air fresheners and the list goes on. Evaluate what car interior accessory is important for you and make it something that adds value to your vehicle and your quality of life.
When you buy a car for the first time, you will be thrilled with the experience. It is a wonderful feeling when you drive away from the showroom in your new car. This is one moment in your life that you are likely to remember forever. In the happiness of the moment, you will be likely to miss out on checking whether your vehicle has come with all the mandatory car interior accessories.
Some Useful Car Interior Accessories
Very few first-timers will really even look for the mandatory car interior accessories before taking possession of the vehicle. The following car interior accessories are a must in a new car. In case, by any chance, your showroom does not provide these, check out with the manufacturer - and if the answer still is a negative, then buy it yourself. Some of the handy car interior accessories are as follows:
1. Floor mats - surprisingly enough, there are a good deal of cars which roll out of showrooms without floor mats. This is one car interior accessory that absolutely has to be there. Hence, in case your showroom really does not have floor mats inclusive in the deal, make sure this is the first priority on your accessory list.
2. Cup holders - they may seem standard on most cars, but in reality you may have to add a few depending on the number of sippy-cup toting kids you have in your minivan. You can find separate cup holders in department stores like Target as well as auto stores like Auto Zone. They come in a myriad of colors to suit any car interior and are well worth their money. This is especially true if you do not have leather seats. Spilled juice, coffee or worse still, soda can leave stains on the upholstery which can be an eye sore in the short run and get you less money for your vehicle in the long term.
3. Hands-free Cell Phone Holder - if you are on the road a lot and do not have the new blue-tooth enabled technology, a hands-free device can save your life and is required by law in some cities too. Some people even have a sticky-note dispenser or other kind of note pad mounted on the dash to quickly jot down a phone or reference number - while parked of course.
Other miscellaneous handy accessories can be a back seat organizer, a trunk organizer, a CD pocket for your visor, air fresheners and the list goes on. Evaluate what car interior accessory is important for you and make it something that adds value to your vehicle and your quality of life.
How To Properly Care For The Interior Of Your Vehicle
Author: Gregg Hall
One of the biggest detriments to the interior of an automobile is human body oil. Research proves that body oils on interior surfaces can cause significant life-shortening damage to your car via body oil emission. Someone who jumps into their vehicle during the warmer weather wearing very little can cause serious damage to the interior surfaces of their car, truck or van. The pH in perspiration is highly acidic and can damage a vehicle's interior surface coatings, including leather steering wheel covers, shift knobs, door panels and arm rests.
For vinyl cleaning and detailing a heat-weld method of vinyl interior work will yield the best results. This is a unique vinyl fusion process that re-grains or re-textures the repaired area. This process is so effective that it produces practically invisible results.
In order to achieve the desired heat-weld method in interior work, you must first master the technique of color matching. You can learn of this process using color matching guides and training videos. As far as detailing goes, this skill is a valuable one to have!
Removing stains is a big part of car detailing. Almost every car owner will deal with stains at some point whether it is from kids dropping stuff on the carpet, pet stains, or just simple carelessness of your own.
Common and troublesome stains on the interior, carpet and seats, include oil, grease, butter, vegetable oil, margarine, cosmetics, and blood.
Always use a neutral soap or neutral products with a pH of 7. You will avoid a chemical reaction with this soap. Your best choice in cleaning solutions for these types of stains are solvent based and so should be used with great care.
Begin to clean the stains by scraping all excess and then reduce the stain to as small an area as possible. Try a plastic razor blade for this purpose. They work well. Next, gently dab your solvent cleaner onto the stain without ripping and it should start to come up. If there is no form of discoloration from this process then you can now wipe away gently.
Too complete, use foam type upholstery cleaner and wipe. Finish with warm water on a rag and your stain will be cleaned. Afterwards use a dry vac or a hand held dryer to dry the area if it is carpet or upholstery otherwise just let it go overnight and it will be just fine.
One of the biggest detriments to the interior of an automobile is human body oil. Research proves that body oils on interior surfaces can cause significant life-shortening damage to your car via body oil emission. Someone who jumps into their vehicle during the warmer weather wearing very little can cause serious damage to the interior surfaces of their car, truck or van. The pH in perspiration is highly acidic and can damage a vehicle's interior surface coatings, including leather steering wheel covers, shift knobs, door panels and arm rests.
For vinyl cleaning and detailing a heat-weld method of vinyl interior work will yield the best results. This is a unique vinyl fusion process that re-grains or re-textures the repaired area. This process is so effective that it produces practically invisible results.
In order to achieve the desired heat-weld method in interior work, you must first master the technique of color matching. You can learn of this process using color matching guides and training videos. As far as detailing goes, this skill is a valuable one to have!
Removing stains is a big part of car detailing. Almost every car owner will deal with stains at some point whether it is from kids dropping stuff on the carpet, pet stains, or just simple carelessness of your own.
Common and troublesome stains on the interior, carpet and seats, include oil, grease, butter, vegetable oil, margarine, cosmetics, and blood.
Always use a neutral soap or neutral products with a pH of 7. You will avoid a chemical reaction with this soap. Your best choice in cleaning solutions for these types of stains are solvent based and so should be used with great care.
Begin to clean the stains by scraping all excess and then reduce the stain to as small an area as possible. Try a plastic razor blade for this purpose. They work well. Next, gently dab your solvent cleaner onto the stain without ripping and it should start to come up. If there is no form of discoloration from this process then you can now wipe away gently.
Too complete, use foam type upholstery cleaner and wipe. Finish with warm water on a rag and your stain will be cleaned. Afterwards use a dry vac or a hand held dryer to dry the area if it is carpet or upholstery otherwise just let it go overnight and it will be just fine.
2008/07/24
Satellite Car Radio Is Cutting Edge
Author: Andrew Green
Satellite car radio is a growing industry in today's market place. Most common car audio manufacturers have adapted their products to include satellite car radio services. This allows drivers a wider range of music for their listening pleasure making the travel place a much more entertaining place to be.
When it comes to the dreariness and monotony of the daily commute for those employed individuals, satellite car radio can offer a fresh breath of air with their wide variety of entertainment with the convenience of being mobile. Many morning show personalities have opted to take the satellite radio route as opposed to limiting themselves to syndication by normal radio station broadcasters. Satellite car radio has given the on-air personalities a wider range of listeners during the daily commute.
Because of the nature of today's workplace and the face-paced world around us, the need to be able to have variety while on the go has caused a boom in the satellite car radio industry spawning service providers such as Sirius and XM radio along with many not so well known providers of satellite radio service. This has put a drive (no pun intended) into car audio manufacturers to make their products more of satellite car radio instead of the normal car audio systems that limit buyers to local analog radio transmissions, compact disc, and cassette capabilities.
With technologies today growing and expanding at the rate they are, the industry has grown leaps and bounds not only in the forms of media car audio equipment will accept but integrating things from our every day lives such as Mp3 capabilities, and Satellite capabilities. There are very few manufactures now that do not offer some form of satellite car radio. Your typical car stereos and the radio capabilities have been far exceeded and become a profitable market for satellite providers.
These days when you are shopping for car audio systems, you can find satellite car radio units for near as close of cost as you can your typical car audio systems with standard analog capabilities. Why wouldn't you go for a satellite car radio instead of your plain run of the mill car stereo? When for only a few pennies on the dollar more you can in with the times and become a listener of a satellite car radio, giving you more choice when you want it, with the technologies of today's leading industry of satellite technologies.
With all of the options you have in today's car audio industry I see no reason to go with your standard car radio options and not give in to the growing demand of satellite car radio. Not only is it and advantage cost-wise but it also targets every genre of music, news, and talk radio you could think of. If you are looking to get out of the boredom of your daily commute, or just looking to appease the family when going on vacation I would strongly recommend that you look into satellite car radio as a great alternative for your listening needs
Satellite car radio is a growing industry in today's market place. Most common car audio manufacturers have adapted their products to include satellite car radio services. This allows drivers a wider range of music for their listening pleasure making the travel place a much more entertaining place to be.
When it comes to the dreariness and monotony of the daily commute for those employed individuals, satellite car radio can offer a fresh breath of air with their wide variety of entertainment with the convenience of being mobile. Many morning show personalities have opted to take the satellite radio route as opposed to limiting themselves to syndication by normal radio station broadcasters. Satellite car radio has given the on-air personalities a wider range of listeners during the daily commute.
Because of the nature of today's workplace and the face-paced world around us, the need to be able to have variety while on the go has caused a boom in the satellite car radio industry spawning service providers such as Sirius and XM radio along with many not so well known providers of satellite radio service. This has put a drive (no pun intended) into car audio manufacturers to make their products more of satellite car radio instead of the normal car audio systems that limit buyers to local analog radio transmissions, compact disc, and cassette capabilities.
With technologies today growing and expanding at the rate they are, the industry has grown leaps and bounds not only in the forms of media car audio equipment will accept but integrating things from our every day lives such as Mp3 capabilities, and Satellite capabilities. There are very few manufactures now that do not offer some form of satellite car radio. Your typical car stereos and the radio capabilities have been far exceeded and become a profitable market for satellite providers.
These days when you are shopping for car audio systems, you can find satellite car radio units for near as close of cost as you can your typical car audio systems with standard analog capabilities. Why wouldn't you go for a satellite car radio instead of your plain run of the mill car stereo? When for only a few pennies on the dollar more you can in with the times and become a listener of a satellite car radio, giving you more choice when you want it, with the technologies of today's leading industry of satellite technologies.
With all of the options you have in today's car audio industry I see no reason to go with your standard car radio options and not give in to the growing demand of satellite car radio. Not only is it and advantage cost-wise but it also targets every genre of music, news, and talk radio you could think of. If you are looking to get out of the boredom of your daily commute, or just looking to appease the family when going on vacation I would strongly recommend that you look into satellite car radio as a great alternative for your listening needs
How to Keep Your Car Battery Like New
Author: Jimmy Cox
You'll not get caught with your charge down if you give your car battery reasonable care.
You slide under the wheel of the car one frosty winter morning, turn the key in the lock, and start to push down the accelerator to race the engine a little. Only the engine doesn't race; in fact it doesn't even walk.
"Oh, no, stuck with a dead battery!" you groan.
This won't happen to you if you consider the car's electrical system merely an extension of the house's power system, and give it the same type of attention and preventive maintenance.
Why does a car battery hold up perfectly well during the summer and poop out in the winter, just when you need it most? This can happen for two different reasons.
1) the oil in the crank case is stiffer in cold weather than in warm, and the starting motor has a harder job ploughing through it.
2) The output or effectiveness of a storage battery falls off markedly as the temperature drops. In other words, when the engine needs the most starting energy, the battery is least capable of providing it!
There is a simple solution to this nuisance: check the battery frequently with the arrival of cold weather, and give it an overnight charge with a charger occasionally to keep it to full strength. The more frequently you stop and start the engine, and the less you use the car in the winter, the less chance does the battery have to accumulate a good charge from the charging generator, which works only when the engine runs.
A test on a storage battery with a voltmeter doesn't mean very much. A three-cell battery can read pretty close to its maximum of 6.6 volts, and a six-cell battery to 13.2 volts, and still make very little impression on a current-hungry starting motor. Did you know that a three-cell battery has to deliver between 200 and 300 amperes to kick over a modern high-compression engine?
The only reliable test is made with a hydrometer. This is a syringe-like glass gadget with a squeeze bulb at one end; inside the glass is a shot-weighted float. To use it, you merely unscrew each cap of the battery in turn and suck up about half a syringeful of acid. The weight of the acid compared to that of water (its "specific gravity") is a direct indication of the state of charge.
The float is calibrated to show this specific gravity. Theoretical full charge is 1.3, or "1300," although with anything but a brand new battery a reading between 1200 and 1250 or 1275 is very good. When the reading falls below 1200 the battery needs a little shot in the arm.
A battery charger is a source of low-voltage direct current. It consists usually of a step-down transformer that reduces the 115-volt AC line to about 7 or 15 volts (for three- and six-cell batteries, respectively) after passing it through a rectifier that changes the AC to DC. Dual-voltage chargers are now common, to accommodate both types of batteries.
To do an overnight boosting job, a charger for three-cell automobile batteries should produce not less than about 5 amperes, although 10 is even better; for six-cell batteries, ratings of about 3 to 6 amperes are adequate. Always disconnect a charger before starting the engine.
Car vibration can loosen battery leads and sometimes make them jump off; inspect, clean, tighten. Several times a year, remove the connector lugs from battery and clean terminals with sandpaper.
Wipe battery often with cloth dampened with water; check center caps of the battery for fit. To minimize corrosion around terminals, caused by sulphuric acid vapor from cells, coat with Vaseline.
With these few simple techniques, you need never put up with a dead battery again
You'll not get caught with your charge down if you give your car battery reasonable care.
You slide under the wheel of the car one frosty winter morning, turn the key in the lock, and start to push down the accelerator to race the engine a little. Only the engine doesn't race; in fact it doesn't even walk.
"Oh, no, stuck with a dead battery!" you groan.
This won't happen to you if you consider the car's electrical system merely an extension of the house's power system, and give it the same type of attention and preventive maintenance.
Why does a car battery hold up perfectly well during the summer and poop out in the winter, just when you need it most? This can happen for two different reasons.
1) the oil in the crank case is stiffer in cold weather than in warm, and the starting motor has a harder job ploughing through it.
2) The output or effectiveness of a storage battery falls off markedly as the temperature drops. In other words, when the engine needs the most starting energy, the battery is least capable of providing it!
There is a simple solution to this nuisance: check the battery frequently with the arrival of cold weather, and give it an overnight charge with a charger occasionally to keep it to full strength. The more frequently you stop and start the engine, and the less you use the car in the winter, the less chance does the battery have to accumulate a good charge from the charging generator, which works only when the engine runs.
A test on a storage battery with a voltmeter doesn't mean very much. A three-cell battery can read pretty close to its maximum of 6.6 volts, and a six-cell battery to 13.2 volts, and still make very little impression on a current-hungry starting motor. Did you know that a three-cell battery has to deliver between 200 and 300 amperes to kick over a modern high-compression engine?
The only reliable test is made with a hydrometer. This is a syringe-like glass gadget with a squeeze bulb at one end; inside the glass is a shot-weighted float. To use it, you merely unscrew each cap of the battery in turn and suck up about half a syringeful of acid. The weight of the acid compared to that of water (its "specific gravity") is a direct indication of the state of charge.
The float is calibrated to show this specific gravity. Theoretical full charge is 1.3, or "1300," although with anything but a brand new battery a reading between 1200 and 1250 or 1275 is very good. When the reading falls below 1200 the battery needs a little shot in the arm.
A battery charger is a source of low-voltage direct current. It consists usually of a step-down transformer that reduces the 115-volt AC line to about 7 or 15 volts (for three- and six-cell batteries, respectively) after passing it through a rectifier that changes the AC to DC. Dual-voltage chargers are now common, to accommodate both types of batteries.
To do an overnight boosting job, a charger for three-cell automobile batteries should produce not less than about 5 amperes, although 10 is even better; for six-cell batteries, ratings of about 3 to 6 amperes are adequate. Always disconnect a charger before starting the engine.
Car vibration can loosen battery leads and sometimes make them jump off; inspect, clean, tighten. Several times a year, remove the connector lugs from battery and clean terminals with sandpaper.
Wipe battery often with cloth dampened with water; check center caps of the battery for fit. To minimize corrosion around terminals, caused by sulphuric acid vapor from cells, coat with Vaseline.
With these few simple techniques, you need never put up with a dead battery again
Leather Lovers Can Get Help From Leather Shops
Author: Stuart Triston
Leather is classy; leather is cool. Leather makes you appear sophisticated, suave and successful. The shine of leather reflects your confidence, and you look mature and sexy too. And this is the reason why people around the world love leather and buy leather products or visit leather shops. Not just great looking shoes, leather has touched each of our lives in a plethora of ways. For instance, the very wallet or purse you carry, your belt, the seats of your car and the settee in your home - leather has touched our lives through these products in different ways.
But what happens when your leather objects get damaged? Even a small scratch on your leather purse - and the damage can be really small - pinches you in a big way. And if a tiny scratch turns you off, imagine what big stains, a burn or scuffs would do to you. As a result, all you can do is bid a tearful goodbye to your beloved little piece of leather work.
But no longer do you have to put such a tragic end to your love for leather. If any of your leather products have suffered any damage - you can now get them repaired and make them as good as new. And if you are worried about the level of shine on the affected area, that is after it gets repaired, then forget those worries. Now you can get a shine on repaired parts which would be as good as the shine in the rest of the areas.
But how is that possible? For repairing your leather works and to make them as good as new, you have to call the experts from leather shops. There are professionals from leather shops who can help you in the repairing work, and they can do it right in your home. The time taken for such projects is anything between half an hour to two hours. And the result will be a shine as good as new on the leather products, and the shine of happiness on your face.
Leather is classy; leather is cool. Leather makes you appear sophisticated, suave and successful. The shine of leather reflects your confidence, and you look mature and sexy too. And this is the reason why people around the world love leather and buy leather products or visit leather shops. Not just great looking shoes, leather has touched each of our lives in a plethora of ways. For instance, the very wallet or purse you carry, your belt, the seats of your car and the settee in your home - leather has touched our lives through these products in different ways.
But what happens when your leather objects get damaged? Even a small scratch on your leather purse - and the damage can be really small - pinches you in a big way. And if a tiny scratch turns you off, imagine what big stains, a burn or scuffs would do to you. As a result, all you can do is bid a tearful goodbye to your beloved little piece of leather work.
But no longer do you have to put such a tragic end to your love for leather. If any of your leather products have suffered any damage - you can now get them repaired and make them as good as new. And if you are worried about the level of shine on the affected area, that is after it gets repaired, then forget those worries. Now you can get a shine on repaired parts which would be as good as the shine in the rest of the areas.
But how is that possible? For repairing your leather works and to make them as good as new, you have to call the experts from leather shops. There are professionals from leather shops who can help you in the repairing work, and they can do it right in your home. The time taken for such projects is anything between half an hour to two hours. And the result will be a shine as good as new on the leather products, and the shine of happiness on your face.
How To Do Leather Detailing And Color Matching Properly For Your Vehicle
Author: Gregg Hall
Leather is very durable and lasts a long time but it also shows wear. Cars with leather interiors need detailing on a regular basis to look half-decent.
American leather comes with a durable vinyl coating and refinishes and re-colors well. Seats that look like a detailed road map do well to be restored and this increases the resale value of a car by several hundreds of dollars.
To properly detail your leather seats, first thoroughly clean all leather panels to be restored. Use a water based and alcohol cleaner for best results. Sand out all cracks using 320 or 400 grit sandpaper, as far down as to bare leather if necessary. Once you have achieved your level of surface smoothness, seal all of the cracks and sanded areas using a water-based leather sealer or primer. Be diligent in this process, as if the leather is not sealed adequately it will absorb moistness and then stiffen. You can re-color or re-coat water based leather using vinyl paint. The result is highly flexible. This process is not to be mistaken for dyeing. Your last step is the clincher and seals the deal! Finish with a clear coat. The gloss can be adjusted with a duller or gloss reducer additive.
The next thing will look at is color matching, since the top color in automobiles today is gray let's take a look at that. Begin with the lightest color of the pigment structure which is White, then yellow (90% of time it is yellow,) then black.
It is common to select a small amount of red or orange between the yellow and black. This helps to dirty up the mix a little bit. The eye matches best! For practical reasons it is a good idea to work on both colors and repairs. Do some good damage to your practice piece and then work to repair and re-color it. When you feel you are comfortable with this process they can move next to doing work on your actual vehicle.
If you don't feel comfortable doing leather detailing or color matching yourself you can always find a detail shop to do it for you. The best and most qualified car detailing shops can go to great expense in providing superior franchised equipment, however, unless they can also provide the best and experienced detailers to operate the equipment, using the proper technique, they can very well find themselves without any customers.
Leather is very durable and lasts a long time but it also shows wear. Cars with leather interiors need detailing on a regular basis to look half-decent.
American leather comes with a durable vinyl coating and refinishes and re-colors well. Seats that look like a detailed road map do well to be restored and this increases the resale value of a car by several hundreds of dollars.
To properly detail your leather seats, first thoroughly clean all leather panels to be restored. Use a water based and alcohol cleaner for best results. Sand out all cracks using 320 or 400 grit sandpaper, as far down as to bare leather if necessary. Once you have achieved your level of surface smoothness, seal all of the cracks and sanded areas using a water-based leather sealer or primer. Be diligent in this process, as if the leather is not sealed adequately it will absorb moistness and then stiffen. You can re-color or re-coat water based leather using vinyl paint. The result is highly flexible. This process is not to be mistaken for dyeing. Your last step is the clincher and seals the deal! Finish with a clear coat. The gloss can be adjusted with a duller or gloss reducer additive.
The next thing will look at is color matching, since the top color in automobiles today is gray let's take a look at that. Begin with the lightest color of the pigment structure which is White, then yellow (90% of time it is yellow,) then black.
It is common to select a small amount of red or orange between the yellow and black. This helps to dirty up the mix a little bit. The eye matches best! For practical reasons it is a good idea to work on both colors and repairs. Do some good damage to your practice piece and then work to repair and re-color it. When you feel you are comfortable with this process they can move next to doing work on your actual vehicle.
If you don't feel comfortable doing leather detailing or color matching yourself you can always find a detail shop to do it for you. The best and most qualified car detailing shops can go to great expense in providing superior franchised equipment, however, unless they can also provide the best and experienced detailers to operate the equipment, using the proper technique, they can very well find themselves without any customers.
Are Looking Into Buying a Good and Functional Leather Repair Kits
Author: Muna wa Wanjiru
While we appreciate the beauty that is inherent in leather you will find that sometimes the items that are covered by the leather can get damaged. When this happens you will need to look for a leather repair kit. These kits will have all of the items that you will need to make your leather item look as good as new.
The only thing that you need to keep in mind is that when you are looking to buy one of these leather repair kits is that you buy one that will work. Since you can find many different versions of this item you may wish to look at reviews for these leather care kits. In this way you can avoid buying leather repair kits that will fail to do the job for you.
When your leather furniture, car seats or even bags get damaged you will find that repairing the leather is a bit of a tricky business. The best that can usually be done is that you will place some material over the torn or damaged section and hope for the best.
There is luckily another means of repairing your leather goods. This is having a leather repair kit on hand. These kits will provide you with all of the items that you need to repair your leather goods.
There is also another product that has been advertised as being suitable for repairing leather. This leather repair product is called liquid leather repair. With both of these different products you can find the repairing of any leather item to be an easy task. With the help of the instructions that are provided you will not have too much trouble with fixing your leather.
The main item that you need to keep remembering when you are buying these products is that you look for a leather repair kit that has a proven track record. The imitations that you will see can cause more damage to your leather goods than the original tears.
For those of you who are not inclined to take a chance with getting your leather damaged even more you have the opportunity of taking the leather covering or item to professionals. As these people are constantly working with leather they will have the knowledge and the know how to fix and problems that are present in your leather goods.
While there are various products that you can use to see about getting your leather repaired sometimes it is worth the money for you to get this leather repair done by the experts in the trade.
While we appreciate the beauty that is inherent in leather you will find that sometimes the items that are covered by the leather can get damaged. When this happens you will need to look for a leather repair kit. These kits will have all of the items that you will need to make your leather item look as good as new.
The only thing that you need to keep in mind is that when you are looking to buy one of these leather repair kits is that you buy one that will work. Since you can find many different versions of this item you may wish to look at reviews for these leather care kits. In this way you can avoid buying leather repair kits that will fail to do the job for you.
When your leather furniture, car seats or even bags get damaged you will find that repairing the leather is a bit of a tricky business. The best that can usually be done is that you will place some material over the torn or damaged section and hope for the best.
There is luckily another means of repairing your leather goods. This is having a leather repair kit on hand. These kits will provide you with all of the items that you need to repair your leather goods.
There is also another product that has been advertised as being suitable for repairing leather. This leather repair product is called liquid leather repair. With both of these different products you can find the repairing of any leather item to be an easy task. With the help of the instructions that are provided you will not have too much trouble with fixing your leather.
The main item that you need to keep remembering when you are buying these products is that you look for a leather repair kit that has a proven track record. The imitations that you will see can cause more damage to your leather goods than the original tears.
For those of you who are not inclined to take a chance with getting your leather damaged even more you have the opportunity of taking the leather covering or item to professionals. As these people are constantly working with leather they will have the knowledge and the know how to fix and problems that are present in your leather goods.
While there are various products that you can use to see about getting your leather repaired sometimes it is worth the money for you to get this leather repair done by the experts in the trade.
2008/07/23
Car Care for the Car Care Unaware
Author: Grace Abbasi
Car Care for the Car Care Unaware
As a woman, who is mechanically incompetent and has been responsible for the maintenance of my own car for the past several years, I need help. Beyond the everyday tools - hammers, saws, screwdrivers I am lost when someone asks me to get the channel lock for them. My brain just does not retain that type of knowledge. So doing basic auto repair or maintenance is out of the question. Off to the auto repair shop for me.
Since I met my future husband, I discovered that I have contributed more than my share of hard earned money to the auto repair industry. After reviewing old work orders from my past auto repairs I was amazed how much they charged for jobs that takes literally just minutes to do and I could have done myself, had I known how to do it. Many things are very simple, however could be potentially messy. But my thinking is I would rather have to wash my hands than give the auto repair shop my hard earned money for doing a simple job that I could do myself. Besides I could use that money to go shopping or do something I enjoy.
After working in the auto repair industry for 46 years, seeing people not getting an honest deal, being sold parts and services they didn’t need and paying for things they didn’t get; he has a desire to help the general public, to provide general knowledge and know what to look for when dealing with a auto repair shops or auto mechanics.
We created a website, www.carcare4theunaware.com which is for all of us that need to be aware of the terms, abbreviations and/or phrases used in the auto repair industry. The website explains the terms used on work orders, what to look for when you ask to see the parts removed during the repair and will answer your questions concerning auto repair and maintenance.
If only I would have been aware of the meaning of the terms used in the work orders and how to check to make sure the service was performed, I would have saved money. I didn’t know I had a right to see the old parts that were replaced. I remember feeling intimidated and confused at the auto repair shop. I would just end up saying “Ok, do the repair.” - I didn’t know what they were talking about anyway.
The website does not try to make you an auto mechanic; it does teach what to look for in the work orders and services provided, terms used and provides tips and suggestions.
The point being - if people would take the time to learn what is under the hood of their car, they could do some of the basic auto repair or maintenance themselves. It is not that complicated and could save money and prevent potential future problems. For instance, oil changes, knowing if the fluid levels are sufficient in the car and know how to refill them and periodically checking the belts and hoses. Knowing how to check the tire pressure, the condition of the windshield wipers, knowing what the dash indicator lights mean are also simple things that can save money and avoid future potential problems.
When talking to people about this auto repair/maintenance, we have found that there are other people out there that tend to be confused or intimidated by the auto repair industry. The website is user friendly and provides additional auto repair and maintenance resources for our visitors’ consideration. Parts, terms, tips and suggestions are in simple everyday terms with an opportunity for visitors to send us questions or share some of their auto repair and maintenance experiences with us and future visitors.
Car Care for the Car Care Unaware
As a woman, who is mechanically incompetent and has been responsible for the maintenance of my own car for the past several years, I need help. Beyond the everyday tools - hammers, saws, screwdrivers I am lost when someone asks me to get the channel lock for them. My brain just does not retain that type of knowledge. So doing basic auto repair or maintenance is out of the question. Off to the auto repair shop for me.
Since I met my future husband, I discovered that I have contributed more than my share of hard earned money to the auto repair industry. After reviewing old work orders from my past auto repairs I was amazed how much they charged for jobs that takes literally just minutes to do and I could have done myself, had I known how to do it. Many things are very simple, however could be potentially messy. But my thinking is I would rather have to wash my hands than give the auto repair shop my hard earned money for doing a simple job that I could do myself. Besides I could use that money to go shopping or do something I enjoy.
After working in the auto repair industry for 46 years, seeing people not getting an honest deal, being sold parts and services they didn’t need and paying for things they didn’t get; he has a desire to help the general public, to provide general knowledge and know what to look for when dealing with a auto repair shops or auto mechanics.
We created a website, www.carcare4theunaware.com which is for all of us that need to be aware of the terms, abbreviations and/or phrases used in the auto repair industry. The website explains the terms used on work orders, what to look for when you ask to see the parts removed during the repair and will answer your questions concerning auto repair and maintenance.
If only I would have been aware of the meaning of the terms used in the work orders and how to check to make sure the service was performed, I would have saved money. I didn’t know I had a right to see the old parts that were replaced. I remember feeling intimidated and confused at the auto repair shop. I would just end up saying “Ok, do the repair.” - I didn’t know what they were talking about anyway.
The website does not try to make you an auto mechanic; it does teach what to look for in the work orders and services provided, terms used and provides tips and suggestions.
The point being - if people would take the time to learn what is under the hood of their car, they could do some of the basic auto repair or maintenance themselves. It is not that complicated and could save money and prevent potential future problems. For instance, oil changes, knowing if the fluid levels are sufficient in the car and know how to refill them and periodically checking the belts and hoses. Knowing how to check the tire pressure, the condition of the windshield wipers, knowing what the dash indicator lights mean are also simple things that can save money and avoid future potential problems.
When talking to people about this auto repair/maintenance, we have found that there are other people out there that tend to be confused or intimidated by the auto repair industry. The website is user friendly and provides additional auto repair and maintenance resources for our visitors’ consideration. Parts, terms, tips and suggestions are in simple everyday terms with an opportunity for visitors to send us questions or share some of their auto repair and maintenance experiences with us and future visitors.
Car Routine Maintenance for Neophytes
Author: Evander Klum
Your car is a very important investment that you would never want it to experience a breakdown especially if it is new and you are also new as a driver.
Aside from your parents’ pieces of advice on road safety, it is also better to read some tips on the magazines or on the internet perhaps. Your parents may be experts on raising kids but they may not be when it comes to vehicular concerns. There are several write ups on car safety, repair and maintenance that you as a neophyte on the road should always keep in mind.
Examples of these tips are as follows:
Read your owner’s manual first. Written there is everything about your car that you need to know and remember always. From the auto parts to the proper repair and maintenance, all are written there. It is also important to obey the manufacturer’s recommended service schedule as written there.
To ensure excellent engine performance, at a good repair shop, have your engine drivability problems corrected. These problems include hard starts, rough idling, stalling, diminished power, etc. It is also much better to replace dirty air, fuel and PCV fuels to ensure a real quality engine performance.
In order to keep moisture from freezing in the fuel line, place a bottle of fuel de-icer in your fuel tank once a month. Remember that moisture formation is prevented in a gas tank that is always filled.
The oil and filter concerns are also specified in your owner’s manual. Change them according to the stated schedule. Most often, they are changed at least every 3,000 miles. This is so if driving is mostly stop-and-go or consists of regular short trips.
Flush and refill the cooling system as recommended in the manual. Needed to be inspected periodically are the level, condition, and the concentration of the coolant. The usually recommended concentration is a 50/50 mix of anti-freeze and water. If you are checking this part by yourself, do not remove the radiator cap until the engine has thoroughly cooled. Let the tightness and condition of drive belts, clamps, and hoses be checked by a reliable auto technician.
To achieve further comfort, the heater and defroster should be in good working condition.
Old windshield blades must be replaced. Buying rubber-clad or winter blades so that ice will not build up is a must in a winter season.
The brakes should be regularly checked. Consult the manual if you can replace the original ones with other brands such as EBC brakes.
Inspect the battery through professional equipment. This is the only appropriate way to detect a weak one. Remove the corrosion from posts and cable connections. Clean the entire surface. Make sure all connections are tightened. These should be your routine. Also check the level of fluid monthly if battery caps are removable.
Removal of cables might damage or loose data or codes on some newer vehicles. For further guidance, it is always safe to check your manual. Contact to acids is dangerous. Avoid contact with corrosive deposits and battery acid by wearing an eye protection and rubber gloves.
Before going out with the car, check all lights and bulb. Burned out bulbs must be replaced immediately. All lenses should be free from road grime. For simple lights cleaning, a dry rag can be used.
Examine the exhaust system for leaks through putting your vehicle on a lift. See to it that the exhaust trunk and floorboards do not have small holes. And take note of this: any sweat in the exhaust is deadly. To avoid this, regularly check the system.
Worn tires are also dangerous. Regularly check them to avoid short tread life, uneven wearing, and cupping. The sidewall should also be checked. Tire pressure should be checked once a month, but be sure tires are in cool condition before checking them. The manufacturer’s recommended rotation must be followed. And remember to always bring with you your spare that is in good condition. The jack, which should also be always present in your tools area, should also be in good condition.
And lastly, in case of emergency, you need to have some equipment to back you up. Always bring with you gloves, boots, blankets, flares, a small shovel, sand or kitty litter, tire chains, a flashlight, and a cell phone. This will further ensure your safety especially that you are a neophyte on the road.
Reading some materials on automotive can further add to your knowledge on cars.
Your car is a very important investment that you would never want it to experience a breakdown especially if it is new and you are also new as a driver.
Aside from your parents’ pieces of advice on road safety, it is also better to read some tips on the magazines or on the internet perhaps. Your parents may be experts on raising kids but they may not be when it comes to vehicular concerns. There are several write ups on car safety, repair and maintenance that you as a neophyte on the road should always keep in mind.
Examples of these tips are as follows:
Read your owner’s manual first. Written there is everything about your car that you need to know and remember always. From the auto parts to the proper repair and maintenance, all are written there. It is also important to obey the manufacturer’s recommended service schedule as written there.
To ensure excellent engine performance, at a good repair shop, have your engine drivability problems corrected. These problems include hard starts, rough idling, stalling, diminished power, etc. It is also much better to replace dirty air, fuel and PCV fuels to ensure a real quality engine performance.
In order to keep moisture from freezing in the fuel line, place a bottle of fuel de-icer in your fuel tank once a month. Remember that moisture formation is prevented in a gas tank that is always filled.
The oil and filter concerns are also specified in your owner’s manual. Change them according to the stated schedule. Most often, they are changed at least every 3,000 miles. This is so if driving is mostly stop-and-go or consists of regular short trips.
Flush and refill the cooling system as recommended in the manual. Needed to be inspected periodically are the level, condition, and the concentration of the coolant. The usually recommended concentration is a 50/50 mix of anti-freeze and water. If you are checking this part by yourself, do not remove the radiator cap until the engine has thoroughly cooled. Let the tightness and condition of drive belts, clamps, and hoses be checked by a reliable auto technician.
To achieve further comfort, the heater and defroster should be in good working condition.
Old windshield blades must be replaced. Buying rubber-clad or winter blades so that ice will not build up is a must in a winter season.
The brakes should be regularly checked. Consult the manual if you can replace the original ones with other brands such as EBC brakes.
Inspect the battery through professional equipment. This is the only appropriate way to detect a weak one. Remove the corrosion from posts and cable connections. Clean the entire surface. Make sure all connections are tightened. These should be your routine. Also check the level of fluid monthly if battery caps are removable.
Removal of cables might damage or loose data or codes on some newer vehicles. For further guidance, it is always safe to check your manual. Contact to acids is dangerous. Avoid contact with corrosive deposits and battery acid by wearing an eye protection and rubber gloves.
Before going out with the car, check all lights and bulb. Burned out bulbs must be replaced immediately. All lenses should be free from road grime. For simple lights cleaning, a dry rag can be used.
Examine the exhaust system for leaks through putting your vehicle on a lift. See to it that the exhaust trunk and floorboards do not have small holes. And take note of this: any sweat in the exhaust is deadly. To avoid this, regularly check the system.
Worn tires are also dangerous. Regularly check them to avoid short tread life, uneven wearing, and cupping. The sidewall should also be checked. Tire pressure should be checked once a month, but be sure tires are in cool condition before checking them. The manufacturer’s recommended rotation must be followed. And remember to always bring with you your spare that is in good condition. The jack, which should also be always present in your tools area, should also be in good condition.
And lastly, in case of emergency, you need to have some equipment to back you up. Always bring with you gloves, boots, blankets, flares, a small shovel, sand or kitty litter, tire chains, a flashlight, and a cell phone. This will further ensure your safety especially that you are a neophyte on the road.
Reading some materials on automotive can further add to your knowledge on cars.
Ten Commandments for Preventive Car Tire Maintenance
Author: Barney Garcia
Preventive your car tire with ten commandments, its easy
1.Tire Pressure Check: Tire pressures should be routinely checked on cold tires, including spares and caravan (or trailer) tires. It's a bad practice to let out air or 'bleed' air from the tires when they are hot (Just after a drive or so!) . Recommended pressures have been calculated by taking cold tires into account and hence tire pressures show a higher value when hot.
2.If any or most part of the tread is worn out, it is time to replace the tire. Sometimes it might be prudent to change and then for a tire rotation cycle. It helps if you can check with your local automotive technician and then do as he recommends. The check must always extend to all the tires, including spares and auxiliary ones.
3.Check for wheel balancing and alignment regularly since irregular wheel alignment can cause considerable damage to the tires and also hamper driving efficiency by altering handling characteristics of the car.
4.The insides of the tires must be scrutinized thoroughly in case of impacts due to pot holes or other obtrusions or in the case of punctures.
5.While parking the car, avoid parking on patches of oil, gasoline, diesel, lubricants and other such solvents as they are bound to damage the tires.
6.Tires tend to last longer when proper speeds are maintained and are loaded appropriately. Unduly loading the vehicle and driving at higher speeds than recommended can be dangerous and might damage the tires beyond repair.
7.Follow the tire rotation cycles as close to those recommended as possible. This affects tire life.
8.Tire life also depends on road surfaces, driving habits and style and speeds. So it might help if you can make sure that the surface you drive on are commutable and that you drive at optimal speeds and go easy on the handling part.
9.Use recommended tools to load and unload tires on axle end shafts or rims. Check for damaged or bent rims while loading tires and use proper tools while doing the same. Non compliant tools can only mar and damage the tyres and are sometimes even dangerous to work with.
10.General tire condition has to be checked regularly by rated experts for increased life and safety of the car tires. Unsafe car tyres would only mean suicide and there is no reason to be living on edge with something as negligent as not checking for the safety of your vehicle's tyres.
Preventive your car tire with ten commandments, its easy
1.Tire Pressure Check: Tire pressures should be routinely checked on cold tires, including spares and caravan (or trailer) tires. It's a bad practice to let out air or 'bleed' air from the tires when they are hot (Just after a drive or so!) . Recommended pressures have been calculated by taking cold tires into account and hence tire pressures show a higher value when hot.
2.If any or most part of the tread is worn out, it is time to replace the tire. Sometimes it might be prudent to change and then for a tire rotation cycle. It helps if you can check with your local automotive technician and then do as he recommends. The check must always extend to all the tires, including spares and auxiliary ones.
3.Check for wheel balancing and alignment regularly since irregular wheel alignment can cause considerable damage to the tires and also hamper driving efficiency by altering handling characteristics of the car.
4.The insides of the tires must be scrutinized thoroughly in case of impacts due to pot holes or other obtrusions or in the case of punctures.
5.While parking the car, avoid parking on patches of oil, gasoline, diesel, lubricants and other such solvents as they are bound to damage the tires.
6.Tires tend to last longer when proper speeds are maintained and are loaded appropriately. Unduly loading the vehicle and driving at higher speeds than recommended can be dangerous and might damage the tires beyond repair.
7.Follow the tire rotation cycles as close to those recommended as possible. This affects tire life.
8.Tire life also depends on road surfaces, driving habits and style and speeds. So it might help if you can make sure that the surface you drive on are commutable and that you drive at optimal speeds and go easy on the handling part.
9.Use recommended tools to load and unload tires on axle end shafts or rims. Check for damaged or bent rims while loading tires and use proper tools while doing the same. Non compliant tools can only mar and damage the tyres and are sometimes even dangerous to work with.
10.General tire condition has to be checked regularly by rated experts for increased life and safety of the car tires. Unsafe car tyres would only mean suicide and there is no reason to be living on edge with something as negligent as not checking for the safety of your vehicle's tyres.
Do It Yourself Car Repair
Author: Craig Rad
If you are experiencing problems with your car, it is highly recommended to take it to a specialist. This article speaks about some basic information about car parts. If somehow you think you are good at fixing cars, just take a look and write down the parts you need to replace or simply repair. For those who don't know too many things about what's inside the car's engine, here is some basic information.
The spark plug wires have very important tasks inside the whole car system as these wires are carrying about 50.000 volts a second under a high temperature. This car part plays a crucial role because it harnesses thousands of volts and brings this juice to the spark plugs. Choosing for a high quality spark plug wire is very important because this way you are not wasting energy. The spark plug wire has to be replaced from time to time, otherwise it gets poor and can cause engine misfiring.
It is also recommended that you check the brakes regularly. Many specialists agree that heat treated brakes are very efficient as they resist better to fade and warping. Industry analysts are advising car owners to equip their vehicles with anti lock brakes. These breaks are considered to be lifesavers because they keep the car under control even under rough driving conditions. In order to maintain the brakes' highest performance you have to pay great attention to a proper periodic maintenance.
Belt and hose replacement are also needed to perform every once in a while. Those are rubber parts and contact with oil and high degrees temperature is imminent. In order to prevent premature damages it is recommended to treat the hose with spray silicone or any other rubber protector. You will also need to do a slippery treatment of the belt, which will prevent the gripping of the pulleys. Even with a periodic maintenance these car parts will fail because of the high temperature exposure. Specialists indicate a periodically inspection of these car parts in order to avoid the damage of the engine itself.
Proper fuel systems and air intake are also very important car parts that help the car gaining horsepower and torque. High quality fuel injectors and pumps are best for your car and if replaced from time to time will improve the ignition control performance and the horsepower as well. Your car will get an excellent throttle response making it easier to drive and to control.
A periodically battery inspection is also welcomed because if the battery is corroded you will encounter difficulties in starting the car or while driving in cold weather. It is recommended to keep the battery's surface clean in order to prevent a quickly discharging of the battery. For a best maintenance it is recommended that you cover the metal parts with grease to prevent corrosion. In order to recharge the battery, connect and disconnect the leads to the battery. It is forbidden to smoke or cause sparks during battery charging.
If you are experiencing problems with your car, it is highly recommended to take it to a specialist. This article speaks about some basic information about car parts. If somehow you think you are good at fixing cars, just take a look and write down the parts you need to replace or simply repair. For those who don't know too many things about what's inside the car's engine, here is some basic information.
The spark plug wires have very important tasks inside the whole car system as these wires are carrying about 50.000 volts a second under a high temperature. This car part plays a crucial role because it harnesses thousands of volts and brings this juice to the spark plugs. Choosing for a high quality spark plug wire is very important because this way you are not wasting energy. The spark plug wire has to be replaced from time to time, otherwise it gets poor and can cause engine misfiring.
It is also recommended that you check the brakes regularly. Many specialists agree that heat treated brakes are very efficient as they resist better to fade and warping. Industry analysts are advising car owners to equip their vehicles with anti lock brakes. These breaks are considered to be lifesavers because they keep the car under control even under rough driving conditions. In order to maintain the brakes' highest performance you have to pay great attention to a proper periodic maintenance.
Belt and hose replacement are also needed to perform every once in a while. Those are rubber parts and contact with oil and high degrees temperature is imminent. In order to prevent premature damages it is recommended to treat the hose with spray silicone or any other rubber protector. You will also need to do a slippery treatment of the belt, which will prevent the gripping of the pulleys. Even with a periodic maintenance these car parts will fail because of the high temperature exposure. Specialists indicate a periodically inspection of these car parts in order to avoid the damage of the engine itself.
Proper fuel systems and air intake are also very important car parts that help the car gaining horsepower and torque. High quality fuel injectors and pumps are best for your car and if replaced from time to time will improve the ignition control performance and the horsepower as well. Your car will get an excellent throttle response making it easier to drive and to control.
A periodically battery inspection is also welcomed because if the battery is corroded you will encounter difficulties in starting the car or while driving in cold weather. It is recommended to keep the battery's surface clean in order to prevent a quickly discharging of the battery. For a best maintenance it is recommended that you cover the metal parts with grease to prevent corrosion. In order to recharge the battery, connect and disconnect the leads to the battery. It is forbidden to smoke or cause sparks during battery charging.
Car Repair Tips To Avoid Trouble
Author: Phoenix Delray
The more you notice about your vehicle, the more likely you will be able to head off repair problems. Is there a little stain or a drop of fluid under your vehicle? It may mean absolutely nothing. But you do want to check the wet spots immediately, just to make sure.
What color is the fluid under your car? Yellowish green, pretty blue or neon orange colors indicate an overheated engine or an antifreeze leak caused by a bad hose, water pump or leaking radiator. A dark brown or black oily fluid means the engine is leaking oil. A bad seal or gasket could cause the leak. This is how many cars meet their demise.
A red oily looking spot indicates a transmission or power steering fluid leak.A puddle of clear water usually is not a cause for concern. It may be normal condensation from your vehicles air conditioner. Do you smell burned toast? This odor often signals an electrical short and burning insulation. Have someone come look at your car. Dont drive it anywhere until the problem is diagnosed.How about the smell of rotten eggs? This usually indicates a problem in the catalytic converter. Get to a repair shop!
A thick sharp odor usually means burning oil. Look for the sign of a leak. This problem needs to be addressed immediately if having transportation is important to you. You may also notice a bluish smoke coming from your vehicle.
The smell of gas after a failed start may mean the engine is flooded. Wait a few minutes and try again. If the odor continues, there may be a leak in the fuel system a potentially dangerous problem that needs immediate attention.
A chemical odor may mean overheated brakes or clutch. Check the parking brake. Stop and let the brakes cool after repeated hard braking. Light smoke coming from a wheel indicates a stuck brake. Call a tow truck.
Do you notice a sweet odor? This may indicate a coolant leak. Watch your temperature gauge and warning light and drive to a repair shop. Now, if you see steam from under the hood, stop and pull over. If you keep driving an overheated vehicle, your engine will be seriously damaged. Call a tow truck.
The basic rule of smell is that if you do notice an unusual odor, get to a mechanic or get one to come to you. A little extra attention to what is coming out of your car or truck could save you the cost of a new vehicle payment! Keep those eyes and that nose on the job!
The more you notice about your vehicle, the more likely you will be able to head off repair problems. Is there a little stain or a drop of fluid under your vehicle? It may mean absolutely nothing. But you do want to check the wet spots immediately, just to make sure.
What color is the fluid under your car? Yellowish green, pretty blue or neon orange colors indicate an overheated engine or an antifreeze leak caused by a bad hose, water pump or leaking radiator. A dark brown or black oily fluid means the engine is leaking oil. A bad seal or gasket could cause the leak. This is how many cars meet their demise.
A red oily looking spot indicates a transmission or power steering fluid leak.A puddle of clear water usually is not a cause for concern. It may be normal condensation from your vehicles air conditioner. Do you smell burned toast? This odor often signals an electrical short and burning insulation. Have someone come look at your car. Dont drive it anywhere until the problem is diagnosed.How about the smell of rotten eggs? This usually indicates a problem in the catalytic converter. Get to a repair shop!
A thick sharp odor usually means burning oil. Look for the sign of a leak. This problem needs to be addressed immediately if having transportation is important to you. You may also notice a bluish smoke coming from your vehicle.
The smell of gas after a failed start may mean the engine is flooded. Wait a few minutes and try again. If the odor continues, there may be a leak in the fuel system a potentially dangerous problem that needs immediate attention.
A chemical odor may mean overheated brakes or clutch. Check the parking brake. Stop and let the brakes cool after repeated hard braking. Light smoke coming from a wheel indicates a stuck brake. Call a tow truck.
Do you notice a sweet odor? This may indicate a coolant leak. Watch your temperature gauge and warning light and drive to a repair shop. Now, if you see steam from under the hood, stop and pull over. If you keep driving an overheated vehicle, your engine will be seriously damaged. Call a tow truck.
The basic rule of smell is that if you do notice an unusual odor, get to a mechanic or get one to come to you. A little extra attention to what is coming out of your car or truck could save you the cost of a new vehicle payment! Keep those eyes and that nose on the job!
2008/07/22
Car Repair Prices: Why Your Oil Change Is Never "Just An Oil Change"
Author: Theodore Olson For a repair shop, there is little profit in the $29.95 oil change. By the time a shop pays its technician, pays for the oil, the filter, and the hazardous waste disposal fees, there's no money left.
This low profit margin is worsened by the extremely competitive "Quick Lube" business, which forces local repair shops to refrain from raising prices, despite rising costs.
This all begs the question: If oil change specials, which range from $15.95 to $29.95, clearly produce very low profits, then why do so many service facilities advertise oil change specials?
The answer is actually very simple: It gets you in the door. Service centers know that once they have your vehicle, they can sell you additional work.
Suggesting additional work is called upselling, and it's a primary profit tactic of every service facility.
Here's a typical example. You drop your vehicle off for "just an oil change." Upon completion your service representative smiles and proudly states, "We noticed that your air filter was dirty; so we popped in a new one." You may think "Great; what wonderful service!"
What really occurred is that you were casually upsold an air filter. It probably wasn't needed; it certainly wasn't replaced according to any factory recommendation, and you were definitely overcharged for what was most likely a poorly-fitting, aftermarket, inferior air filter.
Here's a real-life example that occurred recently. This particular vehicle had 54,000 miles on it, and was dropped off at a local shop for "just an oil change." Upon paying the bill, the customer was handed an estimate for $199 to replace his air filter and top radiator hose.
Shocked at the price, he called me.
After review, I found that the air filter suggestion was premature. It didn't need replacement until the manufacturer's recommended 60,000-mile service interval. The top hose was also premature. In fact, it did not need replacement at all, despite a very minor problem easily addressed during the factory maintenance schedule—at no extra cost.
Check out the aftermarket part prices quoted below (including the unnecessary radiator hose). Compare these to the manufacturer's suggested retail price (MSRP) for the factory OEM parts (Original Equipment Manufacturer).
Local Shop Aftermarket Air Filter: $32 Manufacturer OEM Filter, MSRP: $17
Local Shop Aftermarket Top Hose: $36 Manufacturer OEM Top Hose, MSRP: $19
Notice that this local shop was doubling the price of the OEM parts with its inferior aftermarket parts.
Now, let's look at the labor time quoted.
Local Shop Labor Time: 2.0 $60 per hour = $120
Manufacturer Labor Time: 0.9 $60 per hour = $81
Notice that the shop labor time estimate for the repairs was 2 hours. This is more than "twice" the manufacturer's recommendations (even after calculating manufacturer times against the industry standard multiplier).
Had the local shop abided by the vehicle's particular maintenance intervals instead of trying to make a quick buck, it should have recommended a 60,000-mile service at the next visit. This would have better served the client, saved him $199, and maintained the vehicle properly.
Instead, the service center lost a customer, forever!
What needs to be made crystal clear is that this type of price-gouging occurs every day in every type of service facility in one form or another across the automotive service industry.
This type of price-gouging is considered normal!
This low profit margin is worsened by the extremely competitive "Quick Lube" business, which forces local repair shops to refrain from raising prices, despite rising costs.
This all begs the question: If oil change specials, which range from $15.95 to $29.95, clearly produce very low profits, then why do so many service facilities advertise oil change specials?
The answer is actually very simple: It gets you in the door. Service centers know that once they have your vehicle, they can sell you additional work.
Suggesting additional work is called upselling, and it's a primary profit tactic of every service facility.
Here's a typical example. You drop your vehicle off for "just an oil change." Upon completion your service representative smiles and proudly states, "We noticed that your air filter was dirty; so we popped in a new one." You may think "Great; what wonderful service!"
What really occurred is that you were casually upsold an air filter. It probably wasn't needed; it certainly wasn't replaced according to any factory recommendation, and you were definitely overcharged for what was most likely a poorly-fitting, aftermarket, inferior air filter.
Here's a real-life example that occurred recently. This particular vehicle had 54,000 miles on it, and was dropped off at a local shop for "just an oil change." Upon paying the bill, the customer was handed an estimate for $199 to replace his air filter and top radiator hose.
Shocked at the price, he called me.
After review, I found that the air filter suggestion was premature. It didn't need replacement until the manufacturer's recommended 60,000-mile service interval. The top hose was also premature. In fact, it did not need replacement at all, despite a very minor problem easily addressed during the factory maintenance schedule—at no extra cost.
Check out the aftermarket part prices quoted below (including the unnecessary radiator hose). Compare these to the manufacturer's suggested retail price (MSRP) for the factory OEM parts (Original Equipment Manufacturer).
Local Shop Aftermarket Air Filter: $32 Manufacturer OEM Filter, MSRP: $17
Local Shop Aftermarket Top Hose: $36 Manufacturer OEM Top Hose, MSRP: $19
Notice that this local shop was doubling the price of the OEM parts with its inferior aftermarket parts.
Now, let's look at the labor time quoted.
Local Shop Labor Time: 2.0 $60 per hour = $120
Manufacturer Labor Time: 0.9 $60 per hour = $81
Notice that the shop labor time estimate for the repairs was 2 hours. This is more than "twice" the manufacturer's recommendations (even after calculating manufacturer times against the industry standard multiplier).
Had the local shop abided by the vehicle's particular maintenance intervals instead of trying to make a quick buck, it should have recommended a 60,000-mile service at the next visit. This would have better served the client, saved him $199, and maintained the vehicle properly.
Instead, the service center lost a customer, forever!
What needs to be made crystal clear is that this type of price-gouging occurs every day in every type of service facility in one form or another across the automotive service industry.
This type of price-gouging is considered normal!
Car Repair Prices: Fuel Injection Services, Are They Worth It?
Author: Theodore Olson
Fuel injection services are growing in popularity for the following reasons in the order of motive.
1) Increases service center's profit 2) It's an easy sell with today's gas prices 3) Offsets manufacturers' maintenance reductions 4) Poor gas quality 5) Poor adherence to vehicle maintenance
Notice that "It's required" did not make the list. That's because fuel injection services are not required the majority of the time.
However, injector services are at times beneficial, even necessary. See the following frequently asked question and answers...
What do they do? Depending on the product, injection services clean naturally forming carbon deposits from the fuel injectors and fuel rails—some will even clean the fuel tank, and valve carbon deposits.
Do they work? In short, yes. Provided it's a premium product (such as BG), and the service is performed correctly. Fuel injection services can do amazing things. They can improve fuel efficiency, increase horse power, and repair some performance concerns, although these benefits are rare.
Whether or not fuel injection services will do all the above "every time" for your car is another story.
I have even seen fuel injection services quiet horrendous carbon knocks—a knocking noise from the engine due to excessive carbon build-up coming in contact with internal engine components.
Are they worth it? Maybe. It really depends on the condition of the vehicle. If the service achieves any of the advertised claims, it may be worth it. In truth, most cars don't need it. The consistent use of quality fuel, and proper vehicle maintenance should be all that is necessary to keep a car running properly.
However, consistent use of cheap gas and poor adherence to an auto maintenance schedule, as well as certain driving styles can significantly increase the accumulation of carbon deposits. Thus the possibility of poor fuel efficiency, decreased horsepower, and performance issues increases—all of which could be helped by injector maintenance.
The other factor to consider is the expense. How much fuel savings justifies the cost of the fuel injection service, and how long is the pay off. BG claims that their product will pay for itself in a year's time. However, remember that the condition of the vehicle is a big variable! If the car doesn't need it, there's no benefit.
How often should it be done? It depends on the product, but generally between 15,000 to 30,000-miles.
Are they necessary? It depends: See the discussion under Are they worth it?
Can a fuel injection service do any damage to my engine or car? Not if done correctly. Done incorrectly, anything goes. A technician could conceivably hydro-lock your engine, or blow a hole in the piston—although both scenarios are rare.
If anything does go wrong, there is usually an underlying problem, which gets exacerbated by the fuel injector auto maintenance.
Why doesn't my manufacturer recommend fuel injector cleaning auto maintenance? No manufacturer recommends fuel injector cleaning auto maintenance under normal operating conditions. From a manufacturer's viewpoint: take care of your car right (i.e., as the manufacturer dictates) and you'll be fine.
However, depending on the problem, some manufacturers will recommend fuel injector cleaning auto maintenance as the cure—especially carbon knock. With the wide variety of fuel qualities available, manufacturers are reconsidering fuel injector cleaning auto maintenance.
How much does fuel injector cleaning auto maintenance cost? Prices vary depending on the service center and the actual procedure performed, and product used. The procedure you want should clean the entire fuel system including the tank and should not cost more than $150.
Also, make sure the service is actually performed as fuel injector maintenance is a common scam across the industry.
Lastly, fuel injection maintenance is often presented in such a way as if it is the magical cure for all your car's quirks—it not!
When in doubt, don't do it.
Fuel injection services are growing in popularity for the following reasons in the order of motive.
1) Increases service center's profit 2) It's an easy sell with today's gas prices 3) Offsets manufacturers' maintenance reductions 4) Poor gas quality 5) Poor adherence to vehicle maintenance
Notice that "It's required" did not make the list. That's because fuel injection services are not required the majority of the time.
However, injector services are at times beneficial, even necessary. See the following frequently asked question and answers...
What do they do? Depending on the product, injection services clean naturally forming carbon deposits from the fuel injectors and fuel rails—some will even clean the fuel tank, and valve carbon deposits.
Do they work? In short, yes. Provided it's a premium product (such as BG), and the service is performed correctly. Fuel injection services can do amazing things. They can improve fuel efficiency, increase horse power, and repair some performance concerns, although these benefits are rare.
Whether or not fuel injection services will do all the above "every time" for your car is another story.
I have even seen fuel injection services quiet horrendous carbon knocks—a knocking noise from the engine due to excessive carbon build-up coming in contact with internal engine components.
Are they worth it? Maybe. It really depends on the condition of the vehicle. If the service achieves any of the advertised claims, it may be worth it. In truth, most cars don't need it. The consistent use of quality fuel, and proper vehicle maintenance should be all that is necessary to keep a car running properly.
However, consistent use of cheap gas and poor adherence to an auto maintenance schedule, as well as certain driving styles can significantly increase the accumulation of carbon deposits. Thus the possibility of poor fuel efficiency, decreased horsepower, and performance issues increases—all of which could be helped by injector maintenance.
The other factor to consider is the expense. How much fuel savings justifies the cost of the fuel injection service, and how long is the pay off. BG claims that their product will pay for itself in a year's time. However, remember that the condition of the vehicle is a big variable! If the car doesn't need it, there's no benefit.
How often should it be done? It depends on the product, but generally between 15,000 to 30,000-miles.
Are they necessary? It depends: See the discussion under Are they worth it?
Can a fuel injection service do any damage to my engine or car? Not if done correctly. Done incorrectly, anything goes. A technician could conceivably hydro-lock your engine, or blow a hole in the piston—although both scenarios are rare.
If anything does go wrong, there is usually an underlying problem, which gets exacerbated by the fuel injector auto maintenance.
Why doesn't my manufacturer recommend fuel injector cleaning auto maintenance? No manufacturer recommends fuel injector cleaning auto maintenance under normal operating conditions. From a manufacturer's viewpoint: take care of your car right (i.e., as the manufacturer dictates) and you'll be fine.
However, depending on the problem, some manufacturers will recommend fuel injector cleaning auto maintenance as the cure—especially carbon knock. With the wide variety of fuel qualities available, manufacturers are reconsidering fuel injector cleaning auto maintenance.
How much does fuel injector cleaning auto maintenance cost? Prices vary depending on the service center and the actual procedure performed, and product used. The procedure you want should clean the entire fuel system including the tank and should not cost more than $150.
Also, make sure the service is actually performed as fuel injector maintenance is a common scam across the industry.
Lastly, fuel injection maintenance is often presented in such a way as if it is the magical cure for all your car's quirks—it not!
When in doubt, don't do it.
Car Repair Prices: The Dim Underworld Of Automotive Service
Author: Theodore Olson
Most know the most glaring auto repair pricing abuses: Service centers overcharging $100's even $1000's for repairs, or charging for repairs that were never done at all.
To be sure, this still happens every day. However, there are many other techniques which involve flying just low enough to avoid detection.
The savvy service centers increase the price so as not to set off any alarms. It has become so common that it's not just an accepted industry practice, but even service customers have accepted paying higher prices.
Knowing how ingrained price-gouging is within the automotive service industry, it's shocking (although understandable) that even service customers have succumbed to excessive car repair prices. I frequently hear service customers' state:
"Yeah, I know I was ripped off, but my car's fixed now." Or, "I know they charge too much, but they're convenient."
This is insane! To accept auto repair price-gouging is to allow its continuation. The difficult part, of course, is how to stop it. Given that the automotive service industry is so big and powerful (and so frightfully necessary) how does one battle such a force?
Perhaps the first thing to understand is the degree to which this type of stealth-like price-gouging occurs. A two-decade undercover investigation has revealed that 98% of all repair shops (dealerships, local shops, and franchises) are price-gouging their customers in one form or another.
The following exchange, between a service manager and service advisor, provides an idea of the "scope of scamming" below the radar.
A service advisor asked his manager how to bill more hours per month, which is another way of asking how the advisor can make more money. The service manager casually stated:
"Simply add an additional two tenths to every ticket you write."
In other words, every customer this service advisor "helps," he was instructed by a superior to add a "little" extra. So if the labor rate is $100 per hour two tenths would equal $20. Rather than pay $100 per hour, the service customer would actually pay $120.
$20 doesn't sound like much compared to the gross injustices we all know. However, whether it's an overcharge of two cents or $20, it's too much.
If you visit a shop practicing this strategy alone (there are hundreds of strategies, many applied simultaneously), you may end up paying over a $100 or more by year's end.
What's really shocking is that being ripped off $100 over a year's time is actually minor!
Most know the most glaring auto repair pricing abuses: Service centers overcharging $100's even $1000's for repairs, or charging for repairs that were never done at all.
To be sure, this still happens every day. However, there are many other techniques which involve flying just low enough to avoid detection.
The savvy service centers increase the price so as not to set off any alarms. It has become so common that it's not just an accepted industry practice, but even service customers have accepted paying higher prices.
Knowing how ingrained price-gouging is within the automotive service industry, it's shocking (although understandable) that even service customers have succumbed to excessive car repair prices. I frequently hear service customers' state:
"Yeah, I know I was ripped off, but my car's fixed now." Or, "I know they charge too much, but they're convenient."
This is insane! To accept auto repair price-gouging is to allow its continuation. The difficult part, of course, is how to stop it. Given that the automotive service industry is so big and powerful (and so frightfully necessary) how does one battle such a force?
Perhaps the first thing to understand is the degree to which this type of stealth-like price-gouging occurs. A two-decade undercover investigation has revealed that 98% of all repair shops (dealerships, local shops, and franchises) are price-gouging their customers in one form or another.
The following exchange, between a service manager and service advisor, provides an idea of the "scope of scamming" below the radar.
A service advisor asked his manager how to bill more hours per month, which is another way of asking how the advisor can make more money. The service manager casually stated:
"Simply add an additional two tenths to every ticket you write."
In other words, every customer this service advisor "helps," he was instructed by a superior to add a "little" extra. So if the labor rate is $100 per hour two tenths would equal $20. Rather than pay $100 per hour, the service customer would actually pay $120.
$20 doesn't sound like much compared to the gross injustices we all know. However, whether it's an overcharge of two cents or $20, it's too much.
If you visit a shop practicing this strategy alone (there are hundreds of strategies, many applied simultaneously), you may end up paying over a $100 or more by year's end.
What's really shocking is that being ripped off $100 over a year's time is actually minor!
6 Simple Steps To Avoiding Expensive Car Repairs
Author: Cristi
Quite often, a visit to the car repair shop can be even more painful than a visit to your dentist. Perhaps physical pain it's involved, but some car repairs can leave your wallet feeling pretty empty and you with a bad taste in your mouth. The best way to avoid costly repairs is to take preventative steps that will keep your car in the best condition possible.
The first thing to do is to follow the maintenance schedule as outlined in your owner's manual. The best one is always that recommended by the manufacturer and if you fail to follow those guidelines, your warranty may be voided for future repairs. Always be sure to change fluids, filters and spark plugs as the car's manufacturer recommends.
Upgrade your motor oil to a high performance synthetic oil, which can help to prevent certain problems and can also improve your car's performance.
Always be sure that your tires are properly inflated. This is especially important because tires with too little air, or too much, can result in excessive wear and may cause a blow out. It is often recommended that tire pressure be checked during every visit to the gas pump. While this may seem like a lot, you won't be sorry that you have kept your tires in the best shape possible. For reasons of both safety and the expense of new tires, this exercise is well worth it.
If you notice unusual noises on your car, check with your owner's manual for information. Quite often, noises are perfectly normal and there is no need for concern. Your owner's manual will let you know whether or not a visit to the car repair shop is necessary.
If you do have to take your car in for repairs, be sure that you are dealing with a reputable company. Check with the local Better Business Bureau and ask your family or friends for recommendations.
When it comes time to begin the repairs, get an estimate in writing. A quality repair shop will be able to provide this information and should also be able to assure you that the repairs will not exceed 10% of a specific dollar amount as outlined in the estimate.
The aforementioned steps will help to keep your car running smoothly and may also keep some extra bucks in your wallet. With the cost of gasoline prices these days, a few extra dollars can go along way.
Quite often, a visit to the car repair shop can be even more painful than a visit to your dentist. Perhaps physical pain it's involved, but some car repairs can leave your wallet feeling pretty empty and you with a bad taste in your mouth. The best way to avoid costly repairs is to take preventative steps that will keep your car in the best condition possible.
The first thing to do is to follow the maintenance schedule as outlined in your owner's manual. The best one is always that recommended by the manufacturer and if you fail to follow those guidelines, your warranty may be voided for future repairs. Always be sure to change fluids, filters and spark plugs as the car's manufacturer recommends.
Upgrade your motor oil to a high performance synthetic oil, which can help to prevent certain problems and can also improve your car's performance.
Always be sure that your tires are properly inflated. This is especially important because tires with too little air, or too much, can result in excessive wear and may cause a blow out. It is often recommended that tire pressure be checked during every visit to the gas pump. While this may seem like a lot, you won't be sorry that you have kept your tires in the best shape possible. For reasons of both safety and the expense of new tires, this exercise is well worth it.
If you notice unusual noises on your car, check with your owner's manual for information. Quite often, noises are perfectly normal and there is no need for concern. Your owner's manual will let you know whether or not a visit to the car repair shop is necessary.
If you do have to take your car in for repairs, be sure that you are dealing with a reputable company. Check with the local Better Business Bureau and ask your family or friends for recommendations.
When it comes time to begin the repairs, get an estimate in writing. A quality repair shop will be able to provide this information and should also be able to assure you that the repairs will not exceed 10% of a specific dollar amount as outlined in the estimate.
The aforementioned steps will help to keep your car running smoothly and may also keep some extra bucks in your wallet. With the cost of gasoline prices these days, a few extra dollars can go along way.
Car Repair Prices: There Are No Honest Mechanics!
Author: Theodore Olson
I enjoy reading the tips and suggestions on finding an honest or good mechanic. These can be found on various government and consumer websites, and in a variety of auto repair articles. I think the same guy wrote all the suggestions, and for all 50 states!
You'll be advised to check around by word of mouth (WOM), and make sure that you see ASE or AAA posted somewhere. Check out the facility—make sure it's clean. Check with the Better Business Bureau (BBB). You'll be acronymed and common-sense-suggested to death. Unfortunately, none of it will really help either for quality or price.
I know AAA certified shops that can barely change oil. I have worked with ASE certified technicians that frightened me with their diagnostic theories. I know shops that are considered great that have serious BBB scars.
And WOM is the worst method. I have heard clients rave about how wonderful a particular shop is when "I KNOW it's run by a thief!"
The sad fact is that very few people know what goes on with car repair, and even less comprehend repair pricing—even shop managers and purported experts in the field know very little.
Tips and suggestions only scratch at the surface of the automotive underworld. Sure, some tips might help. But what's really needed is experienced insider information.
The consumer needs to know what really goes on with repair "pricing" in order to make sense of auto repair costs. With the right guidance and information, the playing field can be leveled, and the automotive customer can easily take charge of car repair prices.
Traditional tips and suggestions are only a band-aid on an open, gaping wound. Relying on these is like trusting a blind man to lead you across a major interstate. You might make it, but wouldn't you rather follow a traffic cop.
I enjoy reading the tips and suggestions on finding an honest or good mechanic. These can be found on various government and consumer websites, and in a variety of auto repair articles. I think the same guy wrote all the suggestions, and for all 50 states!
You'll be advised to check around by word of mouth (WOM), and make sure that you see ASE or AAA posted somewhere. Check out the facility—make sure it's clean. Check with the Better Business Bureau (BBB). You'll be acronymed and common-sense-suggested to death. Unfortunately, none of it will really help either for quality or price.
I know AAA certified shops that can barely change oil. I have worked with ASE certified technicians that frightened me with their diagnostic theories. I know shops that are considered great that have serious BBB scars.
And WOM is the worst method. I have heard clients rave about how wonderful a particular shop is when "I KNOW it's run by a thief!"
The sad fact is that very few people know what goes on with car repair, and even less comprehend repair pricing—even shop managers and purported experts in the field know very little.
Tips and suggestions only scratch at the surface of the automotive underworld. Sure, some tips might help. But what's really needed is experienced insider information.
The consumer needs to know what really goes on with repair "pricing" in order to make sense of auto repair costs. With the right guidance and information, the playing field can be leveled, and the automotive customer can easily take charge of car repair prices.
Traditional tips and suggestions are only a band-aid on an open, gaping wound. Relying on these is like trusting a blind man to lead you across a major interstate. You might make it, but wouldn't you rather follow a traffic cop.
2008/07/12
Go Online to Find Help With Your Car Repair
Author: Ian Koch
If you really love your car and are an automobile freak, chances are you will be carrying out all car repairs yourself. But if you are crazy about traveling to places in your own car and find your automobile breaking down in a place where you know no one, you might be stranded for a car repair shop. Either way, you might need to look for some car repair help. At such times you feel the need for some car repair help that would be readily available wherever you are.
In this internet age, it is very easy to get a free car help in almost any and every location. All you need is to log in to a computer connected to the internet and use the search engines to find instant help for your car repair. It might at first sound really tough to do so since most people find it easier to ask around for help. But if you know your way around the internet, you can actually do it yourself.
There are several resources available online that not only provide you with extensive and free car repair manuals but also give you step by step guidance with your car repair. Some good websites to look at include in the specific are that you are located.
All of this might sound tough the first time you do it but once you have actually accessed the information online and done it yourself, you will immediately realize it is much simpler. With the correct set of instructions for the car repair pros, you will be able to handle the repair job on your car without any hitches. Best thing is you get all the information free of cost.
In addition to manuals and locations of car repair stations, you can also find a host of instructive and very detailed descriptions pertaining to all aspects of your car - be it the maintenance or luxury additions. There are also articles that help you learn more about your car and guidance relating to the cost of car repairs including cost of spares and accessories. All you need to do is log into this online world once and you will be surprised at the amount of free car repair help you will be able to find online
If you really love your car and are an automobile freak, chances are you will be carrying out all car repairs yourself. But if you are crazy about traveling to places in your own car and find your automobile breaking down in a place where you know no one, you might be stranded for a car repair shop. Either way, you might need to look for some car repair help. At such times you feel the need for some car repair help that would be readily available wherever you are.
In this internet age, it is very easy to get a free car help in almost any and every location. All you need is to log in to a computer connected to the internet and use the search engines to find instant help for your car repair. It might at first sound really tough to do so since most people find it easier to ask around for help. But if you know your way around the internet, you can actually do it yourself.
There are several resources available online that not only provide you with extensive and free car repair manuals but also give you step by step guidance with your car repair. Some good websites to look at include in the specific are that you are located.
All of this might sound tough the first time you do it but once you have actually accessed the information online and done it yourself, you will immediately realize it is much simpler. With the correct set of instructions for the car repair pros, you will be able to handle the repair job on your car without any hitches. Best thing is you get all the information free of cost.
In addition to manuals and locations of car repair stations, you can also find a host of instructive and very detailed descriptions pertaining to all aspects of your car - be it the maintenance or luxury additions. There are also articles that help you learn more about your car and guidance relating to the cost of car repairs including cost of spares and accessories. All you need to do is log into this online world once and you will be surprised at the amount of free car repair help you will be able to find online
Car Repair Scams: Why Traditional Scam Prevention Tips Will Cost You A Fortune
Author: Theodore Olson
The advice is all the same for auto repair scam prevention. You'll be told to find an ASE certified shop. Ask around. Check out several different repair facilities first. Are they clean and neat? Do they provide written estimates? Check with the BBB. Is it AAA certified? Some will even advise to "ask for the parts back."
Traditional tips and suggestions merely put a band-aid over an infected, gaping sore. Strong antibiotics are required to address the root source of the problems in the repair industry. To provide repair customers with the above advice is like sending a soldier into combat dressed in a pink tutu. We have to stop scratching at the surface.
There has not been any "new" advice in decades. More importantly, no one has answered why car repair scams have reached an estimated 40 billion dollars per year. Moreover, why is there still no solution to stop car repair scams?
The first hurdle to conquer is the perception of the frequency of auto repair scams. Many folks just don't believe that car repair fraud is all that bad. Some even argue that the vast majority of repair shops do an honest day's work, and that a few bad apples are making the rest look like crooks.
This is an interesting argument, and raises a number of questions.
1) If it is only a few "bad apples," where are they hiding the 40 billion? 2) If most repair shops are honest, why does every state warn against car repair scams? 3) Why are auto repair shops at the top of consumer complaint lists every single year, in every state?
This is even expanding across the continents. For example, just last week Australia listed car repair scams at number 4 on their top 10 consumer complaint list.
The perception of frequency gets distorted because there are a number of levels to repair scams. There are the blatant rip-offs covered in the news. For a great video visit "Repair Scams Caught on Video" www.repairtrust.com. Then there are the common scams such as exorbitant prices and estimates, and aggressive scare tactics to get service customers to perform services. These occur every day.
The repair scams uncovered by RepairTrust not only found the tactics listed above and more, but a powerful undercurrent of scamming at the foundation of the automotive service industry.
In reality, most car repair scams go unnoticed by the service consumer. Service customers just have no idea that they were ripped-off. This under-the-radar scamming occurs in dealerships, local shops, and franchises. Affiliation with ASE, AAA, BBB, NADA makes no difference.
An ASE patch on a technician's arm, or an AAA or BBB sticker on the door of a service center means absolutely nothing in terms of a scam-free facility. Word of mouth recommendations can be just as devastating, as even shops that "seem" honest aren't.
Check out "Car Repair Prices: There Are No Honest Mechanics" Isnare or RepairTrust for further discussion on this. Also, for NEW and FREE scam prevention tips visit the Car Repair Scam Articles @ RepairTrust.
Traditional tips are ineffective in today's service industry. Service facilities have found new and ingenious ways of ripping people off. In truth, many of the old tips and suggestions have actually become weapons allowing service centers to indulge in car repair scams more than ever.
The car repair playing field must be leveled. Service customers need solid answers, and they need to be equipped with information, understanding, tools, and an insider's view of the who, what, when, where, why, and how of price-gouging.
Navigating the dim underworld of today's service centers with outdated information will cost a fortune.
The advice is all the same for auto repair scam prevention. You'll be told to find an ASE certified shop. Ask around. Check out several different repair facilities first. Are they clean and neat? Do they provide written estimates? Check with the BBB. Is it AAA certified? Some will even advise to "ask for the parts back."
Traditional tips and suggestions merely put a band-aid over an infected, gaping sore. Strong antibiotics are required to address the root source of the problems in the repair industry. To provide repair customers with the above advice is like sending a soldier into combat dressed in a pink tutu. We have to stop scratching at the surface.
There has not been any "new" advice in decades. More importantly, no one has answered why car repair scams have reached an estimated 40 billion dollars per year. Moreover, why is there still no solution to stop car repair scams?
The first hurdle to conquer is the perception of the frequency of auto repair scams. Many folks just don't believe that car repair fraud is all that bad. Some even argue that the vast majority of repair shops do an honest day's work, and that a few bad apples are making the rest look like crooks.
This is an interesting argument, and raises a number of questions.
1) If it is only a few "bad apples," where are they hiding the 40 billion? 2) If most repair shops are honest, why does every state warn against car repair scams? 3) Why are auto repair shops at the top of consumer complaint lists every single year, in every state?
This is even expanding across the continents. For example, just last week Australia listed car repair scams at number 4 on their top 10 consumer complaint list.
The perception of frequency gets distorted because there are a number of levels to repair scams. There are the blatant rip-offs covered in the news. For a great video visit "Repair Scams Caught on Video" www.repairtrust.com. Then there are the common scams such as exorbitant prices and estimates, and aggressive scare tactics to get service customers to perform services. These occur every day.
The repair scams uncovered by RepairTrust not only found the tactics listed above and more, but a powerful undercurrent of scamming at the foundation of the automotive service industry.
In reality, most car repair scams go unnoticed by the service consumer. Service customers just have no idea that they were ripped-off. This under-the-radar scamming occurs in dealerships, local shops, and franchises. Affiliation with ASE, AAA, BBB, NADA makes no difference.
An ASE patch on a technician's arm, or an AAA or BBB sticker on the door of a service center means absolutely nothing in terms of a scam-free facility. Word of mouth recommendations can be just as devastating, as even shops that "seem" honest aren't.
Check out "Car Repair Prices: There Are No Honest Mechanics" Isnare or RepairTrust for further discussion on this. Also, for NEW and FREE scam prevention tips visit the Car Repair Scam Articles @ RepairTrust.
Traditional tips are ineffective in today's service industry. Service facilities have found new and ingenious ways of ripping people off. In truth, many of the old tips and suggestions have actually become weapons allowing service centers to indulge in car repair scams more than ever.
The car repair playing field must be leveled. Service customers need solid answers, and they need to be equipped with information, understanding, tools, and an insider's view of the who, what, when, where, why, and how of price-gouging.
Navigating the dim underworld of today's service centers with outdated information will cost a fortune.
Why Smart Car Repair is the Way to Go ?
Author: Steven Magill
Smart car repairs are changing the way customers have vehicles serviced at auto body shops. The acronym S-M-A-R-T stands for Small, Medium Area Repair Technique.
This revolutionary car repair technique is saving customers' money by repairing only damaged areas of a vehicle. There is no longer a need to repair an entire vehicle surface for a scratch on the bumper or a dent on the door panel. All vehicles experience the need for repairs somewhere down the line.
Dents and scratches can damage more than the exterior of the vehicle. There can be considerable damage done to the monetary value of the vehicle as well. For this reason, it is highly advisable that car repairs be completed as soon as possible to prevent any further damage from occurring.
Smart car repair services aide fleet operators, car hire services, car dealerships and consumers in obtaining inexpensive auto body work. This can be routine maintenance or large repairs caused by big dents or other exterior vehicle damage. Many utilize the services of a smart car repair shop for touch up work for cars, vans and motorcycles.
A variety of car repairs can be completed utilizing this revolutionary technique. A few items on the list include:
Scratches to door panels Scratches to front and back bumpers Scratches to wheel arches Dents to any portion of the vehicle exterior Smart car repairs are not limited to the cosmetic exterior of a vehicle. Interior blemishes can also be repaired. These include rips in the upholstery, small holes in plastic trim, windscreen chips and cigarette burns to seats, dashboard or other interior structures.
Repairs are limited to the damaged areas of the vehicle only. This dramatically cuts down on the cost of auto body work as it creates less time consuming repair projects. Specially designed paints and chemical based paints can be matched virtually identically to existing paint. This eliminates the need to repaint the entire vehicle for a repair job in a tiny portion of the vehicle.
This special paint dries in half the time of stock auto body shop paints. Repairs are done on site and all products needed are in stock. These two components alone significantly contribute to the dramatic cost saving methods of smart car repairs.
Some of the costliest auto body repairs lie in damaged or broken bumpers and spoilers. Smart car repair utilizes plastic welding and finishing techniques on the original vehicle pieces. This process eliminates the need for auto body shops to send out for replacement parts. In return, customers are not stuck paying a bill that includes costs for the down time between ordering replacement parts and having them installed on the vehicle.
Moving inside the vehicle, fabrics and upholstery can be repaired without needing to remove all of the interior fabrics, vinyl and leather. Cigarette burns, stains and spills brought on by everyday vehicle use can easily be repaired at little cost to the customer.
Smart car repairs are changing the way auto body shops do business in the future
Smart car repairs are changing the way customers have vehicles serviced at auto body shops. The acronym S-M-A-R-T stands for Small, Medium Area Repair Technique.
This revolutionary car repair technique is saving customers' money by repairing only damaged areas of a vehicle. There is no longer a need to repair an entire vehicle surface for a scratch on the bumper or a dent on the door panel. All vehicles experience the need for repairs somewhere down the line.
Dents and scratches can damage more than the exterior of the vehicle. There can be considerable damage done to the monetary value of the vehicle as well. For this reason, it is highly advisable that car repairs be completed as soon as possible to prevent any further damage from occurring.
Smart car repair services aide fleet operators, car hire services, car dealerships and consumers in obtaining inexpensive auto body work. This can be routine maintenance or large repairs caused by big dents or other exterior vehicle damage. Many utilize the services of a smart car repair shop for touch up work for cars, vans and motorcycles.
A variety of car repairs can be completed utilizing this revolutionary technique. A few items on the list include:
Scratches to door panels Scratches to front and back bumpers Scratches to wheel arches Dents to any portion of the vehicle exterior Smart car repairs are not limited to the cosmetic exterior of a vehicle. Interior blemishes can also be repaired. These include rips in the upholstery, small holes in plastic trim, windscreen chips and cigarette burns to seats, dashboard or other interior structures.
Repairs are limited to the damaged areas of the vehicle only. This dramatically cuts down on the cost of auto body work as it creates less time consuming repair projects. Specially designed paints and chemical based paints can be matched virtually identically to existing paint. This eliminates the need to repaint the entire vehicle for a repair job in a tiny portion of the vehicle.
This special paint dries in half the time of stock auto body shop paints. Repairs are done on site and all products needed are in stock. These two components alone significantly contribute to the dramatic cost saving methods of smart car repairs.
Some of the costliest auto body repairs lie in damaged or broken bumpers and spoilers. Smart car repair utilizes plastic welding and finishing techniques on the original vehicle pieces. This process eliminates the need for auto body shops to send out for replacement parts. In return, customers are not stuck paying a bill that includes costs for the down time between ordering replacement parts and having them installed on the vehicle.
Moving inside the vehicle, fabrics and upholstery can be repaired without needing to remove all of the interior fabrics, vinyl and leather. Cigarette burns, stains and spills brought on by everyday vehicle use can easily be repaired at little cost to the customer.
Smart car repairs are changing the way auto body shops do business in the future
Car Repair Coupons: 4 Types of Repairs to Save On
Author: Andy West
Car repair coupons are essentially like free money. Every car needs a certain amount of regular maintenance and repairs: oil changes and tune ups to keep it running its best, and replacement parts such as tires, brakes, batteries, and alternators as the old parts wear out. Since you already have to pay for these repairs anyway, these should be used to knock the cost of regular maintenance down a little.
Car repair coupons can be found in a lot of different places. Local auto repair shops often place advertisements and coupons in local newspapers, magazines, and other publications. Online coupon sites, such as Valpak are also a great resource for coupon clippers. Finally, many shops send out their own mailings or post their current specials right on their website. Here are the four types you are most likely to find.
1: Oil changes are the most frequent type of maintenance cars need. By about three thousand miles, the oil and oil filter in your engine start to wear out. Replacing the oil and filter regularly keeps your engine running smoothly, prevents harmful buildup inside your engine, and even helps to maintain optimal gas mileage. Dirty oil, on the other hand, creates buildup that can damage the engine, leads to dried-out and leaky seals and gaskets, and creates more resistance on the engine as it thickens -- causing your fuel bill to increase too.
Since oil changes are needed so frequently, there are tons of auto repair shops and quick lube places ready to compete for your business. Because of this, shops almost always include a coupon for a discounted oil change.
2: Tune Ups. After oil changes, tune ups are the next most common repair that car owners have to do: Tune ups typically should be done once a year, or every twenty or thirty thousand miles, depending on the manufacturer's recommendations. A tune up typically includes replacing the air filter, the spark plugs, PCV valve, and the distributor cap and rotor; some parts only need to be replaced every two or three years, such as the oxygen sensor and the spark plug wires. The mechanic will also visually inspect the car's various systems to make sure everything is functioning correctly.
All of the potential replacements can make tune ups very expensive, particularly if the mechanic finds something wrong. Auto shops will give you a discount on at least the basic tune up, so that if something else turns out to be wrong, at least the bill won't hit you quite as hard.
3: Wheel alignment is another one of those things that you should have checked regularly. Most auto repair shops offer an inexpensive wheel alignment check that will tell you if you need your wheel alignment done. Proper wheel alignment produces the least amount of rolling resistance on your car, ensuring that you get the optimum gas mileage; it also causes the entire tread of the tires to make contact with the road as you drive, which spreads the wear out along the entire tread and helps your tires to last longer.
With the expensive but very precise equipment most repair shops use these days, wheel alignments can be pretty expensive. To compete with one another for your business, many repair shops will issue alignment coupons periodically, often offering a significant discount off the normal price.
4: New Tires. With the length of the average commute these days, most people end up needing to buy new tires every couple of years. Since tires can be pretty expensive, many tire shops and service centers send out mailings and print them in local papers. If you know you will need tires soon, be on the lookout for these coupons.
There are many other types of car repair coupons than the four listed above. These are just the most common. You'll notice as you hunt for coupons that you also find some for replacement windshields, bodywork, and even general repairs. In fact, it's not uncommon to find a coupon from an auto repair shop that simply states dollars off for any repair work made over a certain amount spent. You'll find that looking for discounts is like an Easter egg hunt. The coupons are all right there under your nose; you just have to look for them.
Car repair coupons are essentially like free money. Every car needs a certain amount of regular maintenance and repairs: oil changes and tune ups to keep it running its best, and replacement parts such as tires, brakes, batteries, and alternators as the old parts wear out. Since you already have to pay for these repairs anyway, these should be used to knock the cost of regular maintenance down a little.
Car repair coupons can be found in a lot of different places. Local auto repair shops often place advertisements and coupons in local newspapers, magazines, and other publications. Online coupon sites, such as Valpak are also a great resource for coupon clippers. Finally, many shops send out their own mailings or post their current specials right on their website. Here are the four types you are most likely to find.
1: Oil changes are the most frequent type of maintenance cars need. By about three thousand miles, the oil and oil filter in your engine start to wear out. Replacing the oil and filter regularly keeps your engine running smoothly, prevents harmful buildup inside your engine, and even helps to maintain optimal gas mileage. Dirty oil, on the other hand, creates buildup that can damage the engine, leads to dried-out and leaky seals and gaskets, and creates more resistance on the engine as it thickens -- causing your fuel bill to increase too.
Since oil changes are needed so frequently, there are tons of auto repair shops and quick lube places ready to compete for your business. Because of this, shops almost always include a coupon for a discounted oil change.
2: Tune Ups. After oil changes, tune ups are the next most common repair that car owners have to do: Tune ups typically should be done once a year, or every twenty or thirty thousand miles, depending on the manufacturer's recommendations. A tune up typically includes replacing the air filter, the spark plugs, PCV valve, and the distributor cap and rotor; some parts only need to be replaced every two or three years, such as the oxygen sensor and the spark plug wires. The mechanic will also visually inspect the car's various systems to make sure everything is functioning correctly.
All of the potential replacements can make tune ups very expensive, particularly if the mechanic finds something wrong. Auto shops will give you a discount on at least the basic tune up, so that if something else turns out to be wrong, at least the bill won't hit you quite as hard.
3: Wheel alignment is another one of those things that you should have checked regularly. Most auto repair shops offer an inexpensive wheel alignment check that will tell you if you need your wheel alignment done. Proper wheel alignment produces the least amount of rolling resistance on your car, ensuring that you get the optimum gas mileage; it also causes the entire tread of the tires to make contact with the road as you drive, which spreads the wear out along the entire tread and helps your tires to last longer.
With the expensive but very precise equipment most repair shops use these days, wheel alignments can be pretty expensive. To compete with one another for your business, many repair shops will issue alignment coupons periodically, often offering a significant discount off the normal price.
4: New Tires. With the length of the average commute these days, most people end up needing to buy new tires every couple of years. Since tires can be pretty expensive, many tire shops and service centers send out mailings and print them in local papers. If you know you will need tires soon, be on the lookout for these coupons.
There are many other types of car repair coupons than the four listed above. These are just the most common. You'll notice as you hunt for coupons that you also find some for replacement windshields, bodywork, and even general repairs. In fact, it's not uncommon to find a coupon from an auto repair shop that simply states dollars off for any repair work made over a certain amount spent. You'll find that looking for discounts is like an Easter egg hunt. The coupons are all right there under your nose; you just have to look for them.
Ask A Mechanic: Wading Through The Mess Of Car Repair Prices And Auto Repair Estimates
Author: Theodore Olson
If you were handed an estimate to replace a water pump on your car, would you know if the price was fair? Could you trust the price? How about for a tie rod end, mass air flow sensor, or an evaporative emissions sensor?
Most of us don't know what these are, never mind the price. Yet it is components such as these that are commonly used to over charge you, the car repair customer.
We no longer live in an age of trust, so how do we ensure that our auto repair costs are legitimate.
How many times have you suspected that you paid too much, but couldn't prove it? How many times did the price seem exorbitant for even simple repairs?
To illustrate just how "At Risk" the everyday auto repair customer is to excessive car repair prices, here's a recent real life example from a "reputable...?" dealer.
A client brought her Audi to an authorized Audi dealership for a standard timing belt maintenance service.
The price for this service averages $1575 at the dealership level, (including pulleys, water pump...etc) and about $1275 at the independent repair shop level.
Yet the woman left the dealer with a bill for $2025.68.
What happened?
According to the repair order, there were no abnormal circumstances, no problems noted by the technician such as rust or any other extenuating circumstances that would have perhaps increased the labor, or added additional parts.
In short, it was a straight forward service, but the bill was $450.68 higher than it should have been. There is simply no legitimate reason to have "that much" discrepancy.
How'd they get away with it?
The answer is very simple, and it's a point that I don't want anyone to miss:
They get away with it because they can!
Think about it. The average person doesn't know how much auto parts cost. And who knows how much labor time a repair should take? To what sources does one turn to find out this information? Who even has the time to investigate!
Upon examination of this woman's repair order, it was found that she was charged a full 4 hours "more" than the standard labor time. At $100 per hour, this added an additional $400. The remaining $50.68 came from the parts, which were billed higher than MSRP.
She was quoted $2,025 for a repair that tops out at $1575. The woman didn't know. She just paid the bill and left.
If you were handed an estimate to replace a water pump on your car, would you know if the price was fair? Could you trust the price? How about for a tie rod end, mass air flow sensor, or an evaporative emissions sensor?
Most of us don't know what these are, never mind the price. Yet it is components such as these that are commonly used to over charge you, the car repair customer.
We no longer live in an age of trust, so how do we ensure that our auto repair costs are legitimate.
How many times have you suspected that you paid too much, but couldn't prove it? How many times did the price seem exorbitant for even simple repairs?
To illustrate just how "At Risk" the everyday auto repair customer is to excessive car repair prices, here's a recent real life example from a "reputable...?" dealer.
A client brought her Audi to an authorized Audi dealership for a standard timing belt maintenance service.
The price for this service averages $1575 at the dealership level, (including pulleys, water pump...etc) and about $1275 at the independent repair shop level.
Yet the woman left the dealer with a bill for $2025.68.
What happened?
According to the repair order, there were no abnormal circumstances, no problems noted by the technician such as rust or any other extenuating circumstances that would have perhaps increased the labor, or added additional parts.
In short, it was a straight forward service, but the bill was $450.68 higher than it should have been. There is simply no legitimate reason to have "that much" discrepancy.
How'd they get away with it?
The answer is very simple, and it's a point that I don't want anyone to miss:
They get away with it because they can!
Think about it. The average person doesn't know how much auto parts cost. And who knows how much labor time a repair should take? To what sources does one turn to find out this information? Who even has the time to investigate!
Upon examination of this woman's repair order, it was found that she was charged a full 4 hours "more" than the standard labor time. At $100 per hour, this added an additional $400. The remaining $50.68 came from the parts, which were billed higher than MSRP.
She was quoted $2,025 for a repair that tops out at $1575. The woman didn't know. She just paid the bill and left.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)