By: Gregory Ashton
Scouting for price-cuts is a smart habit. And buying used cars
is no exception.
No wonder why many people are enticed to buy used cars. In fact,
statistics show that the number of people who buy used cars is
three times more than the number of people who buy new cars.
But then again, not all used cars are maintained equally by
their previous owners. Hence, it is important for those who wish
to purchase used cars to consider the different factors that
might affect the performance and the condition of the car.
Here is a list of some tips that will help buyers in choosing
their used cars.
1. Safety features should not be taken for granted.
Being old is not an excuse to justify the used car's lack of
safety features. Every car, whether old or new should have
safety features in order to prevent some possible accident while
driving.
Every used car should still have its anti-lock brakes working
properly and airbags that are still intact (for cars made after
this requirement).
2. The mileage is important
This is because the amount of mileage reflects the way the car
has been used by the previous owner. Moreover, the mileage will
denote the used car's age.
Normally, an average driver will drive 12, 000 to 15, 000 miles
in a year. In this way, the buyer will be able to estimate how
old the car is.
3. Over-all check up is important
Before buying the car, the buyer should first conduct an
over-all check up on the condition of the car, from its exterior
parts up to the very detail of its interior portion.
Being old does not mean any signs of wear and tear will be an
excused. Hence, people should be aware what they are paying for.
4. Test drive
There is no better way to know the condition of the car until it
has been test-driven. Hence, a buyer should make all the effort
to do a test drive first before he or she jumps into conclusion.
5. If possible, the over all service history of the car should
be checked.
This will provide the buyer solid information regarding the true
condition of the car. Here, the buyer can detect if the car has
so many technical problems before, if it has been into an
accident already, or if the owner was good enough to provide the
proper maintenance for the car.
Knowing these things is extremely important to avoid possible
risks in the future.
Boiled down, inspection is mportant especially if the
transaction concerns money. Cheap is no substitute for being a
smart buyer.
About the author:
Gregory Ashton, your resident automobile enthusiast, bringing to
you over 20 years of vehicular passion, and expertise; presents
for your approval his insider secrets on selecting, buying, and
maintianing the car that is ideal for you.
http://www.best-car-buying-tips.com
Thursday, December 29, 2005
Wednesday, December 28, 2005
How To Save Money By Properly Maintaining Your Car
By: Dr. Drew Henry
Did you know that you can substantially save a lot of money
simply by doing a quick 10-20 minute checkup on your car each
week? In this article, I will give you the information you need
properly maintain your car and saving money that would otherwise
be spent on expensive repairs.
My first advice to you is that you need to read and understand
your Owner's Manual for each car that you own. Next, follow the
tips below and inspect your car on a weekly basis (should take
no more than 10-20 minutes).
- If you can get someone to help you just for minute or two then
get them to watch your lights and turn signals to make sure they
are all working properly.
- Look at your tires and make sure that they look good without
cracks or cuts. You need also to check the air pressure in each
tire with a gauge. The tire will have a psi pressure on it and
it will also be printed in your manual. Tire pressure is very
important to the control of the vehicle.
- Look at your belts and hoses for cracks and tears and replace
as needed. Also check your hoses for any leaks.
- Check the oil in your engine with the vehicle "not running".
Pull out the stick and wipe it off then replace the stick in the
engine and then pull it out again and check the level. Add
proper oil if needed and be sure to change your oil and filter
every 3000 miles.
- Look under your car and look for any fluid leaks. Fluid leaks
are the most common failure of vehicles. The vehicle needs all
of its fluids and when it leaks the leaking part can fail at
great expense.
- Check your battery. Your battery will have two flat covers on
the top. Pull each cover off and check to make sure there is
enough water in each cell. Put distilled water in batteries.
Also check the connections and if they are corroded you will
need to take them off and clean them with a wire brush.
- Check your brakes. The brake master cylinder is normally
mounted on the fire wall just on front of the driver. It has a
flat cap on it and it just pops off. Make sure that your brake
fluid is kept full and if you keep having to add fluid you need
to check for a leak in the brake system. This is very important
as a brake failure can get you killed.
- Check your power steering. The power steering unit will be
located on the front of the engine and it normally has a screw
on cap that has a short stick gauge attached to it. The power
steering unit is a closed system and you want to be very careful
not to over fill the unit. If you have a power steering failure
the vehicle will be hard to steer and control.
- If you vehicle has a transmission stick pull it out and wipe
it off. Replace it in the transmission and then pull it out and
check the level and condition. The fluid should be red in color
and full on the stick. You should have your transmission filter
and fluid changed about every 30,000 miles unless you live in a
very hot or very cold climate. If you live in a harsh climate
you need to change your fluid and filter at least once a year.
Note that you should be careful to keep your hands and any
foreign objects away from the fan and the belts while the engine
is running. It is best to have a professional car technician
help you out if you are doing this for the first time.
By following the above tips and advice, you can quickly and
easily inspect your car each week and save a lot of money by
having a longer-lasting, more durable car!
About the author:
Dr. Drew Henry maintains a network of auto-related sites,
including Auto
Transport Secrets, Car Lease Secrets and
Car Accident
Online. Visit his sites today.
Did you know that you can substantially save a lot of money
simply by doing a quick 10-20 minute checkup on your car each
week? In this article, I will give you the information you need
properly maintain your car and saving money that would otherwise
be spent on expensive repairs.
My first advice to you is that you need to read and understand
your Owner's Manual for each car that you own. Next, follow the
tips below and inspect your car on a weekly basis (should take
no more than 10-20 minutes).
- If you can get someone to help you just for minute or two then
get them to watch your lights and turn signals to make sure they
are all working properly.
- Look at your tires and make sure that they look good without
cracks or cuts. You need also to check the air pressure in each
tire with a gauge. The tire will have a psi pressure on it and
it will also be printed in your manual. Tire pressure is very
important to the control of the vehicle.
- Look at your belts and hoses for cracks and tears and replace
as needed. Also check your hoses for any leaks.
- Check the oil in your engine with the vehicle "not running".
Pull out the stick and wipe it off then replace the stick in the
engine and then pull it out again and check the level. Add
proper oil if needed and be sure to change your oil and filter
every 3000 miles.
- Look under your car and look for any fluid leaks. Fluid leaks
are the most common failure of vehicles. The vehicle needs all
of its fluids and when it leaks the leaking part can fail at
great expense.
- Check your battery. Your battery will have two flat covers on
the top. Pull each cover off and check to make sure there is
enough water in each cell. Put distilled water in batteries.
Also check the connections and if they are corroded you will
need to take them off and clean them with a wire brush.
- Check your brakes. The brake master cylinder is normally
mounted on the fire wall just on front of the driver. It has a
flat cap on it and it just pops off. Make sure that your brake
fluid is kept full and if you keep having to add fluid you need
to check for a leak in the brake system. This is very important
as a brake failure can get you killed.
- Check your power steering. The power steering unit will be
located on the front of the engine and it normally has a screw
on cap that has a short stick gauge attached to it. The power
steering unit is a closed system and you want to be very careful
not to over fill the unit. If you have a power steering failure
the vehicle will be hard to steer and control.
- If you vehicle has a transmission stick pull it out and wipe
it off. Replace it in the transmission and then pull it out and
check the level and condition. The fluid should be red in color
and full on the stick. You should have your transmission filter
and fluid changed about every 30,000 miles unless you live in a
very hot or very cold climate. If you live in a harsh climate
you need to change your fluid and filter at least once a year.
Note that you should be careful to keep your hands and any
foreign objects away from the fan and the belts while the engine
is running. It is best to have a professional car technician
help you out if you are doing this for the first time.
By following the above tips and advice, you can quickly and
easily inspect your car each week and save a lot of money by
having a longer-lasting, more durable car!
About the author:
Dr. Drew Henry maintains a network of auto-related sites,
including Auto
Transport Secrets, Car Lease Secrets and
Car Accident
Online. Visit his sites today.
Tuesday, December 27, 2005
Used Car Buying Pointers
By: Jay Bauder
"Key-Pointers When Buying a Second Hand Car"
Buying a car from an individual or from a local car dealer is
one tedious task if the objective is to purchase a second car
that is still in good running condition. A buyer would never
trade his hard-earned money with just a complete wasted used
car. Whether new or used, when buying a car, it should be
treated with the same importance and value.
There are things to take into consideration before buying the
car and these are:
1. Educate yourself as a consumer 2. Prepare a list of your
needs. Prioritize between the necessities and the wants. 3.
Determine the budget and the kind of car that would best fit. 4.
Make a selection by models and types. Narrowing them will be
helpful. 5. Research both online and offline by dealers. 6. Know
the value of the second hand car in the market. 7. Research the
Vehicle Identification Numbers and history. 8. Take a mechanic
when checking the car whether buying from a friend or a dealer.
9. Never shy away from asking questions. 10. If there's a gut
feeling about it not being good, don't be afraid to walk away.
Bringing a mechanic along is always a good strategy. Make sure
your mechanic inspects the totality of the car, from the history
down to its last screw. It should be parked on a level spot. You
should make certain that it was driven for about an hour. This
should make it a good time to make the inspection. Always make
it on a well lit surrounding and in broad daylight.
How to inspect it thoroughly:
Checking the exterior. Walk around to see if there is damage to
the body. The corners of the car should be shaken and bounced up
and down to see if the shock absorbers are still in good
condition. Make sure that the wheel bearings do not make any
sound when trying to pull the front tires by tugging them. Open
the doors lift the hood and the trunk to see if all the rubber
seals are still in place. This will also tell if there's
anything loose around the hinges. Check for signs of repaint.
There will be difference in the color because shops can never
duplicate the original paint of the car. Ask someone to turn on
all the lights outside of the car and look if all are working.
Cars with only 30,000 miles of travel must still have its
original tires. Beware if you find a car with only a few miles
of travel but has new tires. When the test drive is done, check
the discs of the brakes, this should still be clean and smooth.
Check the windshield for cracks.
Checking the Interior. Though it sounds odd, smell the insides
of the car. Sniff under mats and the carpet. If it smells like
mildew then it's a sign that there is a leak somewhere or that
the car may have undergone flood damage. Switch on the
air-conditioning to make sure that it really turns the whole
inside of the car cold. Next, try the heater. Try out all lights
inside as well and never forget to blow the horn. Also try all
the seat adjustments. The upholstery should still be in good
shape too. There will be a lot more to check and here is where
the mechanic can help the buyer.
Looking inside the trunk. Once more, smell the insides and check
for any signs of leaks. Make sure that some basic car tools are
still present for the new user.
Checking under the hood. Feel the wiring for any cracks or
brittleness. Squeeze the hoses and the fan belt for any cuts and
possible electrical tape patches. Do not take off the cap of the
radiator until its cool enough. The greenish color indicates a
good condition where the coolant is. Beware of stains and
dirty-whitish color on the radiator. Again, let the rest be
checked by the mechanic like the batteries.
Checking under the car. Lie down if you must and use an
emergency light to see the engine underneath. Feel any signs of
residue. Check the pipes and examine any possibility of heavy
rusting.
Do the Test Drive. The owner or dealer should not stop a buyer
from going over about twenty minutes of test drive. This is a
special time to thoroughly look for any problems with the
air-conditioning, heater, steering wheel, brakes, transmission,
and most importantly, the comfort. Feel everything; it's okay to
try it on a hump or a slight bumpy road to really experience the
performance. Listen carefully to check any rattles. Have a pen
and paper, flashlight, gloves, magnet, towel, blanket and even
CD or tape when checking a car out.
About the author:
Jay is the web owner of http://www.new-cars-in.com New Car Loans, a website
that provides information and resources on searching for new
cars, new car pricing, loans, and dealers. You can visit his
website at: http://www.used-cars-in.net Used Car Quotes
"Key-Pointers When Buying a Second Hand Car"
Buying a car from an individual or from a local car dealer is
one tedious task if the objective is to purchase a second car
that is still in good running condition. A buyer would never
trade his hard-earned money with just a complete wasted used
car. Whether new or used, when buying a car, it should be
treated with the same importance and value.
There are things to take into consideration before buying the
car and these are:
1. Educate yourself as a consumer 2. Prepare a list of your
needs. Prioritize between the necessities and the wants. 3.
Determine the budget and the kind of car that would best fit. 4.
Make a selection by models and types. Narrowing them will be
helpful. 5. Research both online and offline by dealers. 6. Know
the value of the second hand car in the market. 7. Research the
Vehicle Identification Numbers and history. 8. Take a mechanic
when checking the car whether buying from a friend or a dealer.
9. Never shy away from asking questions. 10. If there's a gut
feeling about it not being good, don't be afraid to walk away.
Bringing a mechanic along is always a good strategy. Make sure
your mechanic inspects the totality of the car, from the history
down to its last screw. It should be parked on a level spot. You
should make certain that it was driven for about an hour. This
should make it a good time to make the inspection. Always make
it on a well lit surrounding and in broad daylight.
How to inspect it thoroughly:
Checking the exterior. Walk around to see if there is damage to
the body. The corners of the car should be shaken and bounced up
and down to see if the shock absorbers are still in good
condition. Make sure that the wheel bearings do not make any
sound when trying to pull the front tires by tugging them. Open
the doors lift the hood and the trunk to see if all the rubber
seals are still in place. This will also tell if there's
anything loose around the hinges. Check for signs of repaint.
There will be difference in the color because shops can never
duplicate the original paint of the car. Ask someone to turn on
all the lights outside of the car and look if all are working.
Cars with only 30,000 miles of travel must still have its
original tires. Beware if you find a car with only a few miles
of travel but has new tires. When the test drive is done, check
the discs of the brakes, this should still be clean and smooth.
Check the windshield for cracks.
Checking the Interior. Though it sounds odd, smell the insides
of the car. Sniff under mats and the carpet. If it smells like
mildew then it's a sign that there is a leak somewhere or that
the car may have undergone flood damage. Switch on the
air-conditioning to make sure that it really turns the whole
inside of the car cold. Next, try the heater. Try out all lights
inside as well and never forget to blow the horn. Also try all
the seat adjustments. The upholstery should still be in good
shape too. There will be a lot more to check and here is where
the mechanic can help the buyer.
Looking inside the trunk. Once more, smell the insides and check
for any signs of leaks. Make sure that some basic car tools are
still present for the new user.
Checking under the hood. Feel the wiring for any cracks or
brittleness. Squeeze the hoses and the fan belt for any cuts and
possible electrical tape patches. Do not take off the cap of the
radiator until its cool enough. The greenish color indicates a
good condition where the coolant is. Beware of stains and
dirty-whitish color on the radiator. Again, let the rest be
checked by the mechanic like the batteries.
Checking under the car. Lie down if you must and use an
emergency light to see the engine underneath. Feel any signs of
residue. Check the pipes and examine any possibility of heavy
rusting.
Do the Test Drive. The owner or dealer should not stop a buyer
from going over about twenty minutes of test drive. This is a
special time to thoroughly look for any problems with the
air-conditioning, heater, steering wheel, brakes, transmission,
and most importantly, the comfort. Feel everything; it's okay to
try it on a hump or a slight bumpy road to really experience the
performance. Listen carefully to check any rattles. Have a pen
and paper, flashlight, gloves, magnet, towel, blanket and even
CD or tape when checking a car out.
About the author:
Jay is the web owner of http://www.new-cars-in.com New Car Loans, a website
that provides information and resources on searching for new
cars, new car pricing, loans, and dealers. You can visit his
website at: http://www.used-cars-in.net Used Car Quotes
Sunday, December 25, 2005
Honda Wins Big in Motor Trend Awards
By: Ryan Finney
Motor Trend magazine has awarded the Honda Ridgeline the 2006
Truck of the Year. It also named the Honda Civic as the 2006 Car
of the Year. For the first time in history, one manufacturer has
won both of the awards.
Honda is very proud of their achievements with the Ridgeline.
This was their first venture into the truck market in the U.S.
Historically, the American mid-sized truck market was dominated
by American manufacturers. Honda has answered the question on
whether a Japanese manufacturer can create a successful truck
that Americans will buy.
Innovations such as the weather tight cargo space in the bed,
bed lamps to illuminate the bed and a tailgate that opens like a
door or a standard tailgate helped it to win the Motor Trend
award. It seems that Honda is actually listening to the
consumer's needs and responding in a big way. The Ridgeline is
definitely an innovative truck design that was received well. In
the running for the award was the: Dodge Ram 1500, Dodge Ram
Mega Cab, Honda Ridgeline, Isuzu i350, Lincoln Mark LT and
Mitsubishi raider.
In addition to the Honda Ridgeline, the Honda Civic was also
recognized by Motor Trend. The Civic was up agains 27 other
models ranging in price from $14,000 to $75,000. The Civic is
available in the sporty Si, coupe, sedan and hybrid variations.
The broad range of choices and technical innovations in the new
Civic are what helped it win the coveted award.
If you are looking for an online source for discount Honda
parts, visit http
://www.autohausaz.com/Honda-auto-parts/index.html . You can
use the online catalog to find all the parts you will need for
your Honda Civic, Ridgeline or any other Honda model.
Motor Trend magazine has awarded the Honda Ridgeline the 2006
Truck of the Year. It also named the Honda Civic as the 2006 Car
of the Year. For the first time in history, one manufacturer has
won both of the awards.
Honda is very proud of their achievements with the Ridgeline.
This was their first venture into the truck market in the U.S.
Historically, the American mid-sized truck market was dominated
by American manufacturers. Honda has answered the question on
whether a Japanese manufacturer can create a successful truck
that Americans will buy.
Innovations such as the weather tight cargo space in the bed,
bed lamps to illuminate the bed and a tailgate that opens like a
door or a standard tailgate helped it to win the Motor Trend
award. It seems that Honda is actually listening to the
consumer's needs and responding in a big way. The Ridgeline is
definitely an innovative truck design that was received well. In
the running for the award was the: Dodge Ram 1500, Dodge Ram
Mega Cab, Honda Ridgeline, Isuzu i350, Lincoln Mark LT and
Mitsubishi raider.
In addition to the Honda Ridgeline, the Honda Civic was also
recognized by Motor Trend. The Civic was up agains 27 other
models ranging in price from $14,000 to $75,000. The Civic is
available in the sporty Si, coupe, sedan and hybrid variations.
The broad range of choices and technical innovations in the new
Civic are what helped it win the coveted award.
If you are looking for an online source for discount Honda
parts, visit http
://www.autohausaz.com/Honda-auto-parts/index.html . You can
use the online catalog to find all the parts you will need for
your Honda Civic, Ridgeline or any other Honda model.
Saturday, December 24, 2005
Snow and Your Car
By: Matthew C. Keegan
Welcome to Winter! Snow, ice, and cold can be especially
challenging to the body and mind, as well as to important items
in your life, including your car. Is your vehicle ready for
winter? If not, there are some things you can do to help ensure
that your car will start on cold mornings and survive even the
nastiest winter weather.
Check under the hood. Make sure that your battery and all
of its connections are clean and fastened; hoses and belts
securely in place; your oil and oil filter changes up to date;
your air filter clean; the radiator flushed and refilled; and
your engine well tuned. One of the biggest contributors to a car
not starting is the battery. If it is old and needs to be
replaced, do it now before you take that long trip.
Look at the windshield. Besides obvious cracks in your
windshield which you can have replaced, make certain that the
wiper bay is free of debris. Ice and snow can freeze your wipers
in place making them completely ineffective. Never pour hot
water on a windshield to remove ice. You will remove ice all
right...and crack the glass in the process!
Observe the tires. Properly inflated all season tires are
usually all that you need for winter driving. In some areas,
however, chains may be required. Keep a set in your trunk for
emergency purposes.
Carry an emergency kit. It doesn't take much to get
stranded during winter. Even the best maintained vehicle can get
caught in a snow bank or stuck in a ditch. Carrying a fully
charged cell phone for emergency purposes is essential when
driving anywhere uninhabited. The following items should be a
part of an emergency kit you have stored in your vehicle at all
times:
*Flash light with spare batteries *Jumper cables *Tire chains
*Ice scraper/brush *Sand or kitty litter for traction *Auto
tools *Wire coat hanger *Flares *Candles, matches *Distress sign
*Medical kit *Gas line antifreeze; ice lock antifreeze spray
If you frequently travel back roads and find yourself in remote
areas, carrying an extra set of hats, gloves, and coats as well
as several blankets is wise. Some people carry chocolate with
them at all times which can be a great [and delicious!] energy
booster as well as fresh water [don't leave it in the car as it
will get frozen].
If you find yourself stuck in snow, make sure that the exhaust
pipe is free of all snow if you run your car while idled. Keep a
window cracked open to allow for air to circulate; turn the
engine off every ten minutes for a half hour or more to prevent
carbon monoxide build up inside of the car.
You can survive the hazards of winter by taking a little extra
care and caution. Properly equip your car today to ensure that
your next trip is a safe one regardless of the prevailing road
and weather conditions.
About the author:
Copyright 2006 -- Matt Keegan is a contributing writer
for the Auto Parts Warehouse where we encourage drivers to make
sure that their car's grille
free of snow and ice; ensuring that your car
fog lights are working, and your cargo
liner is clean.
Welcome to Winter! Snow, ice, and cold can be especially
challenging to the body and mind, as well as to important items
in your life, including your car. Is your vehicle ready for
winter? If not, there are some things you can do to help ensure
that your car will start on cold mornings and survive even the
nastiest winter weather.
Check under the hood. Make sure that your battery and all
of its connections are clean and fastened; hoses and belts
securely in place; your oil and oil filter changes up to date;
your air filter clean; the radiator flushed and refilled; and
your engine well tuned. One of the biggest contributors to a car
not starting is the battery. If it is old and needs to be
replaced, do it now before you take that long trip.
Look at the windshield. Besides obvious cracks in your
windshield which you can have replaced, make certain that the
wiper bay is free of debris. Ice and snow can freeze your wipers
in place making them completely ineffective. Never pour hot
water on a windshield to remove ice. You will remove ice all
right...and crack the glass in the process!
Observe the tires. Properly inflated all season tires are
usually all that you need for winter driving. In some areas,
however, chains may be required. Keep a set in your trunk for
emergency purposes.
Carry an emergency kit. It doesn't take much to get
stranded during winter. Even the best maintained vehicle can get
caught in a snow bank or stuck in a ditch. Carrying a fully
charged cell phone for emergency purposes is essential when
driving anywhere uninhabited. The following items should be a
part of an emergency kit you have stored in your vehicle at all
times:
*Flash light with spare batteries *Jumper cables *Tire chains
*Ice scraper/brush *Sand or kitty litter for traction *Auto
tools *Wire coat hanger *Flares *Candles, matches *Distress sign
*Medical kit *Gas line antifreeze; ice lock antifreeze spray
If you frequently travel back roads and find yourself in remote
areas, carrying an extra set of hats, gloves, and coats as well
as several blankets is wise. Some people carry chocolate with
them at all times which can be a great [and delicious!] energy
booster as well as fresh water [don't leave it in the car as it
will get frozen].
If you find yourself stuck in snow, make sure that the exhaust
pipe is free of all snow if you run your car while idled. Keep a
window cracked open to allow for air to circulate; turn the
engine off every ten minutes for a half hour or more to prevent
carbon monoxide build up inside of the car.
You can survive the hazards of winter by taking a little extra
care and caution. Properly equip your car today to ensure that
your next trip is a safe one regardless of the prevailing road
and weather conditions.
About the author:
Copyright 2006 -- Matt Keegan is a contributing writer
for the Auto Parts Warehouse where we encourage drivers to make
sure that their car's grille
free of snow and ice; ensuring that your car
fog lights are working, and your cargo
liner is clean.
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