If you drive a car that’s European, auto repair is a bit different for you than for someone who owns an American vehicle. Some of the most popular cars driven in the U.S. are of European origin. Many of these foreign brands are well-made, elegant and sporty. Some examples are the BMW, Volkswagen, Audi, Volvo and Mercedes. Some popular American manufacturers are Ford, Chevrolet and Dodge. Japanese manufacturers also produce quality vehicles such as Nissan, Toyota and Honda. There is a variety of different factors that go into the decision of what kind of car to purchase.
Some of the features sought by consumers around the globe include gas mileage, reliability, performance, safety and resale value. It is also important to learn which makes and models break down more often and what it costs to repair them.
Gas mileage: With the planet’s dwindling resources and rising costs of gasoline, many consumers are intent on driving a vehicle that gets as many miles per gallon as possible. Hybrids and smart cars have been developed for just this reason. Many of the large gas hogs of yesteryear are being traded in for greener models that go further on less. Some European cars, such as Volvo, have much stricter emissions standards than those made in the US.
Reliability: Everyone wants a vehicle that is reliable on the road. A car that is low-maintenance and durable enough to bump along dirt roads or travel uphill in the snow. It’s also desirable to have a vehicle that starts up with minimal fuss and takes off down the street on a dime.
Performance: A vehicle with high performance capabilities is a must have. No one wants to drive an old bomb that barely makes it up inclines. High performance is a good thing, but it can come at the cost of increased gas consumption and emissions.
Safety: All cars have safety features built in, no matter how tiny and vulnerable they may appear externally. Sturdy externals that will hold up in a crash, air bags, strong metallic surfaces, tough bumpers and shatter proof windshields are all important safety features. Be sure to check out the specific features of the car you are considering, as these requirements vary by country.
Resale value: Some cars depreciate in value faster than others. That’s because they will likely need to be repaired more often or wear out more quickly. An online perusal of used car prices on a site such as Kelly Blue Book will give a person the stats they are looking for in terms of resale value. Owning a car that holds its value is like saving money in the bank, even if the initial cost outlay is a little higher.
Repair costs: The pricier the vehicle, the more it will probably cost to repair it. That’s because the parts needed for replacement are more expensive, just like the car, and many foreign parts are difficult to obtain in the US. Before purchasing a European, Japanese, or American car, it’s a wise idea to check out repair costs, records and probabilities.
If a person is looking for a mechanic to restore, replace or perform maintenance on their automobile, it is important to shop around. Word-of-mouth referrals are one way to find someone competent and skilled. If a person owns a foreign car, he or she may want to take it to a shop that specializes in the make and model of their vehicle. Some shops only work on imports or American cars, while others cover the spectrum. Find out by asking around, looking on the Internet and calling the shops directly. A bit of research will turn up the appropriate American, Japanese, or European car repair shop and get you back on your way in style.…
There’s a stigma about repairs to your vehicle being difficult. This belief especially holds firm in the more cosmetic areas of auto repair, often dissuading people who are otherwise completely capable of performing the tasks themselves. But don’t let the tiny parts fool you; most of your auto’s components are pretty tough and you’re not going to break them if you simply have a little knowledge about what you’re doing and the right tools to do it.
Removing a side view mirror is a good starter procedure for a novice do it yourself enthusiast, as it will introduce you to a small, but detailed, part of your auto. There are many reasons why you would have to remove your side view, but we won’t get into why exactly you need to take yours off. Let’s get down to taking the sucker off.
To correctly perform this task, you’ll need the following:
A 4-in-1 screwdriver
A panel remover lever
A hooked pick
All of these items can be found at any typical auto part store for a low-cost. So, once you have these things lined up next to you, let’s get inside your car.
Open your car door and locate the side view mirror trim cover panel. This is a triangular plastic cover on the inside of the door where the mirror is mounted. Insert the tip of the panel lever remover under the panel and apply adequate pressure to pry it off. Now, don’t “rip” it off. Just apply enough pressure to have it pop off. Don’t force something that doesn’t come loose easily. You may damage it and incur costly repairs or replacements.
Once the panel is removed, you should see the fasteners that were hidden by the panel. They may be behind decorative caps and are to be found in the hidden recesses of the door. Take off the vanity caps and remove the screws underneath. Set the screws aside but take care not to lose them.
Feel around the edge of the trim panel for the fasteners that secure the panel to the door. When you find them, gently pull back the panel and insert your hooked pick to pop the fastener form its hole. Make a quick check to see that none of them were damaged before you move on. Remember, don’t force things.
Now lower your window and grip the sides of the trim panel. Pull it up and away from the door to remove it. Carefully set it aside. Find the cable running from the door to the mirror and remove it from the side view mirrors electrical connector. This should be fairly simple and you can repeat the process on the power source in the door. Using the screwdriver, disconnect the screws that mount the side view to the inside of the door.…
The Ford Motor Company is responsible and the culprit behind the success and prestige that the Mazda Tribute has at present. Despite the fact that 2006 would be the last year that this vehicle would be manufactured, sales of this vehicle has not been greatly affected. The life story of the Mazda Tribute had started back in the year 2001. It had taken the spot and niche that the Mazda Navajo left vacant when its production was entirely halted. However, this time around, when the Mazda Tribute is not manufactured anymore, its spot would be taken by the upcoming Mazda CX 7.
The Mazda Tribute has been built and mounted on the FF CD2 platform of the Ford Motor Company. This same platform has been used by the previous front wheel drive Mazda 626 vehicle. It has been designed as a compact crossover sport utility vehicle and this vehicle holds four doors. It is related to the Ford Escape and the Mercury Mariner. It has been said that its competition in the automobile market include the Jeep Liberty, the Toyota RAV4, the Hyundai Tucson, and the Honda CR-V.
During its introduction, the Mazda Tribute was unveiled to have been equipped with either a 2.0 L Mazda engine with four cylinders or the Ford Duratec 3.0 L V6 engine. However, if you do travel to Europe, you would find out that the Mazda Tribute is currently being sold as the Ford Maverick. And this vehicle was equipped with the 2.0 L Ford Zetec engine and had a manual transmission system as part of it. However, another choice for the engine was a 3.0 L Duratec engine with an automatic transmission system.
Mazda claims that the Mazda Tribute is the right vehicle not only for on road driving but also for off road traversing. Whatever the kind of terrain that there could be, the Mazda Tribute could definitely handle them. The engine is guaranteed to be lightweight yet provides enough and good power. Aside from power, the Mazda Tribute actually has been made available with various choices. As per the interior, interested parties could choose between cloth and leather material for the seats and the color choices for these materials are Dark Flint and Medium Pebble. The exterior color choices, on the other hand, comprise of Blazing Copper, Stormfront Gray, Classic White, Dark Titanium, Mystic Black, Pebble Ash, Platinum, Redfire, and Lapis Blue.
Interested parties, Mazda aficionados, and Mazda owners can come across super durable replacement parts on Mazda Parts and Mazda Auto Parts. Mazda Parts and Mazda Auto Parts is one of the largest dealers of Mazda parts and accessories including Mazda Tribute parts. These parts have been crafted from quality materials so as to guarantee durability and to assist in maintaining the performance and delivery of Mazda vehicles. These Mazda parts from Mazda Parts and Mazda Auto Parts are also guaranteed to fit. The online collection of Mazda parts and accessories include in its list a/c condensers, alternators, radiator fans, spoilers, starters, trunk lids, and wheels among many others.…
The need for the services of automobile repair is everywhere, even on the internet. Yes, many mechanics are offering their services online so as to keep with the trends in technology. Most people nowadays are on the virtual environment doing exactly the same things they do offline – shopping, making friends, and working, to name a few, and finding an auto mechanic online is not at all a strange idea. In fact, it is a concept that is already become acceptable and bound to be more appreciated by a greater number of car owners.
You could say that an auto mechanic is your car’s best buddy. He can help you with many things; if you have difficulty starting your car for instance, or if you are on the road and your car keeps on stalling, or that your car overheated or you need help with your engine or cooling system, you can find help immediately by simply turning on your mobile device with internet and connecting with an auto mechanic online. Of course, these are not the only car problems the technician can help you with, but remember, auto mechanics have different areas of specialty. Before engaging the services of the automotive tech, you may want to make sure that he is fully knowledgeable of the job you want him to undertake. You could ask for certifications and licenses to ensure that you are dealing with a professional mechanic, one who has gone to school to learn the theories and techniques and then perfected the craft. This might take time, for sure, that is why it should work to your advantage to do your research of auto mechanics online before trouble sets in; otherwise, you could be left with a choice that is not necessarily the best choice at all.
If you’re lucky, you could stumble on a few websites where you could find a pool of skilled and professional mechanic. By subscribing to these websites, you’ll be able to post a question which an auto mechanic who is an expert on the topic of your concern will then attend to.
Needless to say, when dealing with a professional mechanic, you need to be very specific and detailed of what your car’s problem is, more so if you are communicating via the World Wide Web wherein the mechanic cannot have an actual look at your car. Think of the mechanic as your doctor, and so you must describe the symptoms as clearly as possible. From these, the mechanic will diagnose what the problem is and then suggest possible solutions.
The world that surrounds auto mechanics is one that is interesting, fun, and profitable. If you want to benefit from the opportunities, go get a degree in auto tech and become a professional auto mechanic yourself, than you can start reaping all the rewards, financial and otherwise, too. On the other hand, if you’d rather get the services of an auto mechanic, take advantage of internet innovations to help you find one with ease.…
One of the biggest fears of someone just wetting their toes in the shallow end of auto repair is that the minute they take something apart, they’ll never be able to put it back together again. This is a legitimate fear. It is closely related to the reason many PC owners don’t know much about their own computers. Once you get past the Start menu, things get scary for the uneducated. Same with cars. Programming the clock is one thing; doing something underneath the hood is quite another. Here is the key to taking something apart and putting it back together again, a useful skill to have when working on your car.
Lay Down a Rag
This is an important step. Ideally, the rag will be white and clean. Each time you remove a part from your car, you’re going to lay it on this rag. There will be no exceptions. Keep it in a place where it isn’t going to get a bunch of dirt and oil on it. At the same time, it should be within easy reach. Once you’ve begun to put parts on it, try not to move it again. It is a rule of auto repair that states if something can be lost, it probably will be. Don’t take that chance.
Make Notes
These don’t have to be actual written notes, though they certainly can be if you’re concerned about your ability to remember. But mental notes will suffice otherwise. The important thing is to be in the moment, and this is the mistake many amateur auto repair beginners make. They take something apart without thinking about what they’re doing. Stay with the task. Make a note about each part you set aside. What does it do? Where does it go? How does it do what it does? You may not be fully aware of all the answers, but even getting close can help you tremendously when it comes to putting it all back together.
Start a System
Putting down a rag isn’t enough. You’ll want to lay the parts aside systematically. The easiest way to do this is in a clockwise fashion. What’s the reasoning? Because when you begin putting it back together, you can simply start from the bottom and work your way back up. Go counter-clockwise, and you won’t have to worry about getting what you thought was the end and still having a piece left over. If you go one at a time, you’ll never have to worry about your auto repair turning into a hair-pulling nightmare of frustration. Well, not from this aspect, anyway.…
We all know that accidents happen, it is a fact of life. However, this point does not make having one any less scary. Even after you have checked to make sure your body parts are all still attached there is still a ton to think about. What should I do about insurance, should I call the police, how do I ask for his or her insurance information and so on. These are all questions that will address as well as many others. However, we will start at the start.
At the scene
The immediate reaction most people have to being in an accident is “oh crap I was just in an accident!” When you recover some level of sense and are able to look around, make sure that you and your passengers are ok. If anyone is injured call the authorities and let them handle it, do not ever try to remove someone from the car unless there is danger of a fire or some more pressing and immediate danger.
Provided that you and your passengers are OK (a few bumps and bruises are fine), take a deep breath and try to remain calm. Always keep a pen and paper around to quickly jot down the other car’s license plate number. Shut your car off and step out if it is safe to do so. Take a look at the damage and do your best to keep your cool, this is not the time to blow up. A common misconception is that the police do not need to be called in every instance. The police should always be called as it is in the best interest of everyone involved to have a police report. You do not need to get insurance involved if that is your choice, but having a police report will always help, especially if the other person decides to pull the ol’ switcharoo on you and demand payment.
Interacting with the other driver
This is a scary part, you have to interact with someone whom you do not know. You do not know how this person will react or what they will try to do. The key here is to stay calm and try to think rationally (we know that can be hard after something jarring like an accident). If you have a calm demeanor it will relax the other party. Be courteous but firm, try not to start an argument as the police/insurance companies can settle any dispute better than you.
Make sure you exchange insurance information regardless of whether you plan to get insurance involved or not. It is always good to have just in case. If it appears that the other driver has lost his cool it is even more important that you remain calm. If the police are coming then you have nothing to worry about, the anger will only make him or her seem more at fault. Try not to get into a shouting match as you do not want to antagonize the other driver.
Finally, when the police arrive, make sure you give them a detailed report as to what happened from your view. Do not embellish, exaggerate or lie as the police are very good at sniffing that out. Even if you suspect the other driver will do so, make sure your story is as you remember it. The police will assume that everyone is trying to cover his or her own ass and will catch the exaggerations of the other party. Also, any witnesses will confirm your story if you told the truth.
After the accident
There are a few things to do after an accident. If you chose to do so, file an insurance claim. The police report will come in handy here. Follow the process of your insurance company and see if they will cover your accident. Make sure you stay in some form of contact with the other party (provided they were as courteous as you were) so that you both know what is going on.
Finally there is the issue of getting your car repaired. Usually a good first step is to search on Google for collision specialists in your area. Find a few and get estimates for how much it would cost to fix. Make sure you like both the pricing and the specialist’s personality before going in to get it fixed. Many people believe they can do the repairs themselves. Generally speaking, working on your own car can be fun and rewarding, however when it comes to collisions it is good to find a specialist. Each accident is unique and there is no guide on how to fix any one. Each requires a custom job, including frame and body work, that is extremely difficult for someone without the proper tools and training. Also, …
To protect yourself from loss in the event of an accident you must purchase insurance. In the automotive realm this is an easy thing to do but there are a lot of options that you need to consider first so that you can get the most for your money.
You are bombarded everyday with advertisements from insurance companies on television, radio, magazines, and newspapers, not to mention the unasked for envelopes in your mailbox from insurance companies who know nothing about you offering to save you up to $497 dollars per year on your auto insurance.
Let’s look at some interesting insurance history first. In an ancient treasure called the Code of Hammurabi we find that in Babylon around 1780 B.C. that if a merchant ships cargo was lost, traders were protected from financial responsibility in exchange for 20 percent of the cargo’s value.
The first car insurance policy was written in England around 1895. The first car insurance policy in the United States was written in 1898. In the year 1927, Massachusetts became the first state to require mandatory automobile insurance. All fifty states now require automobile insurance but it is up to each state to determine the minimum amounts of required coverage.
Coverage- Certain coverage may be costing you more money than you need to pay. An example would be carrying physical damage coverage on a vehicle with a low value. Another example would be having double coverage when a health insurance policy is in force. Find a knowledgeable insurance agent to guide you in making these decisions. Always get more than one quote. Get a second and maybe even a third estimate.
The vehicle that you drive is generally the second most expensive investment that you have purchased and it should be protected by an insurance policy just as you have protected your home against damage. Did you know that it is a good idea to get an insurance quote prior to purchasing a vehicle as some fall into a higher risk category.
Adding additional vehicles on the same policy can help to reduce your rates with a multi car discount. The amount of miles that you put on a vehicle in a year has a direct impact on how much your insurance premium will be. MileMeter Insurance Company, based in Dallas Texas, sells insurance per mile and has over 100 pending patent claims.
There are some insurance discounts available to good drivers that year after year do not turn in any claims. These discounts are issued as a result of having a good driving record with a certain minimum amount of driving experience. A good student discount can help younger drivers with a discounted premium. Some things that cannot be controlled, such as age and sex, can impact prices also. Discounts for seniors can be attained by taking and graduating defensive driving classes.…
One of the most common symptoms of vehicular malfunction requiring auto repair is the recent onset of different types of noises. If you can hear a vehicle noise over the hum of the engine, it probably is pretty significant and should be evaluated and repaired by a professional. Some noises may come and go depending on the weather and how hot the engine is running or how long it has been running. Chirping is a common noise that may indicate a number of different problems and should be promptly evaluated by an auto repair specialist.
If the chirping noise only occurs while you are driving and you do not notice it while the engine is idling, then it may be difficult to figure out exactly where the sound is coming from. It may be helpful to ride along with a passenger that can help you determine at what point in the engine cycle it occurs or what you are doing to make it louder or softer.
Some of the most common causes of a chirping sound include brake pad wear and tear, cam angle sensor, serpentine belt, accessory bearings axle bearing, drive shaft u joint, or even the clutch.
There are a few simple things you can do to narrow down the problem and evaluate the fix that is needed. Brake pad wear is perhaps one of the most simple things to see and the quickest to diagnose. If the noise happens while the brakes are being applied, there is a very good chance that the problem is the braking system and that the pads need to be replaced. Serpentine and accessory bearings are a little less straightforward to work on, but if replacing the parts eliminates the noise, then you have your solution and have already done the fix.
As with all types of moderate to intensive auto repair, be sure to trust the experts and bring your vehicle in for a full diagnostic work up if you are unsure about the problem. Investing in a proficient and professional team of technicians is a good way to get more miles out of your vehicle and get more miles out of your fuel tank. Keep your car on the road longer even after you notice a chirping noise with the right auto repair professional team of technicians to take care of the problem and fix it properly the first time.…