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Four Ways to Save Money Working On Your Own Car

Many people find a Haynes or a Chilton manual to be a very helpful resource when doing their own work. Both manuals provide step-by-step instructions on how to do lots of different jobs, from the simplest to the more complicated. Depending on how much you plan on doing yourself, the manual will pay for itself very quickly.
You’ll also need to invest in some quality tools and safety equipment like a jack, jack stands and wheel chocks. It will take a little longer for these to pay for themselves, but it can be well worth it in the long run.
Changing your car’s oil is often inexpensive if you take it to a local shop or quick lube specialist. You can still save a little extra money if you do it yourself, but there’s a tradeoff. For many people the money saved isn’t enough to spend the time doing their own.
Some prefer to do their own service because they want to be sure it’s done properly. The dealer will tell you the best oil to use, and just about every parts store has a guide to help you select the proper filter. Sometimes you can save even more money by using coupons or store specials. Buy the stuff in advance if you need to, in order to take advantage of the deals.
Changing your air filter is another way to save money, and it’s possibly the easiest car care job you’ll do. On some cars you don’t have to use any tools. On others it might just take a screwdriver. Here again, the parts store will have a guide to show you which filter to get for your particular car.
Changing spark plug is a little more involved, and its difficulty varies from one car to another. But it’s usually done at the novice level with a few simple tools. It’s a job that rarely needs to be done, but there’s money to be saved if you’re willing to put some time into it. You’ll need a ratchet set and maybe an extension. You might need a special socket and many people like to use a torque wrench. Spark plug wires are also easy to change as well. Here again, the manual and parts store can be pretty helpful.
Changing your coolant can be more of a hassle, but it’s still another way you can save money. One of the most important things is to make sure you’re using the proper type of coolant. It used to be that all coolant was the same. That’s no longer the case and the wrong choice can result in damage to your engine. A call to the dealer can be pretty helpful, or simply buy the coolant from the dealer to avoid the possibility of trouble.…

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Change A Tire – It’s Starting To Seem Like Rocket Science!

Flat tires can be a stressful and scary situation, especially if one occurs while driving. The article below outlines helpful tips for drivers in regards to tire maintenance, tire changing steps, and post-flat information.
The most important thing a driver can do is know their vehicle and know the most common mileage for tire rotations, tire inflations, and when to get new tires altogether. According to vehicle websites, the recommended mileage for tire rotations is between every 3,000 to 5,000 miles. This can be done with each oil change. However, in the vehicle owner’s handbook, your manufacturer will give you their recommended mileage intervals which the driver should try to follow. Tire pressure directly correlates with the gas mileage you will get and is important to pay close attention to for safety reasons as well. With low tire pressure, the car’s weight may not be spread evenly on the treads, causing extra wear to certain parts of the tire. Performance and safety are affected, as is the overall handling of your vehicle. Tire pressure is so significant to your vehicle’s performance and reaction to dangerous situations that states that soon, the government “is going to require that tire-pressure monitoring systems be standard in all new vehicles, and 30 percent happens to be the maximum amount that it feels is safe to allow for under-inflation.” It is recommended to check your tire pressure at least once a month and also pay attention to uneven wear patterns on your tires.
Tire treads are also important to check frequently before your tires have no traction left. Traction is necessary for winter driving, driving in rainy conditions, off-road situations, and for safe stops and starts. To check your tread depth, you should purchase either an inexpensive gauge or do the infamous “penny test.” To check it with the penny, stick the coin upside-down in the middle and the outside tread grooves. If you can see Lincoln’s entire head, it is time for new tires. Not sure if you are doing these checks correctly? Remember, these are preventative services that your repair shop will do quickly to keep your vehicle and you safe. Likewise, keeping tabs on the condition of your tires and knowing which ones to use for winter driving make a huge difference in how your vehicle will react should you need to make an accident avoidance maneuver. Preventative maintenance is the best way to cure any major car problems. Service your vehicle regularly and be sure your repair shop checks for those minor issues ahead of time. These preventative maintenance checks should be done with each oil change at quite frequent intervals and should include looking at things like your breaks, battery and cables, tire inflation and condition, exhaust, all fluids, and lights.
The most important thing is very simply to get to know your car. How many of us even look at our tires? They are just a part of the car – you walk around and jump in day after day. Many issues with tires may not be noticeable without bending over, spinning the tire, and taking a close look, but some are. Be sure to make an appointment for service if you feel anything odd when driving. Even more than just when driving, be sure to get to know your vehicle by reading the manual. Many people forget about reading this significant tool and it ends up in the glove box with other paperwork, receipts, napkins, and maps. Know what the recommended mileage intervals are, know where important items are located in your vehicle for maintenance or emergencies, and know what the lights mean on your dashboard.
So how does one change a tire? Again, before you get into this situation, know where all of the tools are to change the tire – don’t just assume that it’s all in the trunk because if you have a newer vehicle, truck, or SUV, they probably aren’t in the trunk at all. Be sure you know where the spare tire is and its capabilities, and the jack to go along with it, the lugnut wrench, a flashlights, and lights or flares. First, set aside an hour on a nice day and take out all of the necessary tools and lay them out. Check to ensure that everything is in good shape and is present. Second, put the car in park and set the emergency break. Park on flat ground and block the wheels with a rock or piece of wood no matter what. Verify that you have working flares and prepare to remove the tire. Then, with the lugnut wrench, remove the hubcap from the tire. Simply loosen the lugnuts that are holding the wheel in place. About A� turn clockwise should do the trick. Do not completely remove the lugnuts …

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Secrets Of Buying A Car For Cheap

To buy a car for cheap, you need to learn a few secrets. First, skip the car dealers and the private owner classified ads. You need to find the below the radar way of doing things. As in other areas of life these days, the cheapest way to buy anything is by auction. Now, there are many different kinds of auctions and most of them will save you a few bucks on your new-to-you car. You can participate in on-line auctions or visit your local, small auction house. With both of these options, your selection will be more limited and it may take quite a while to find a car that suits you. There is one place, however, that you can get the very best deal around. You need to check out government repossession auctions. Have you heard that they will give you the opportunity to pick up the vehicle you need practically at a steal?
Before you hit the auctions though, you must learn how to navigate. How easy is it to buy a car at an auction?
Number four: Repossession cars are just that – cars that have been pre-owned and then repossessed. They are usually in good shape and tend to be the newer models. This is great because you may be able to get more car for your budget than you thought. Everybody wants more car, right?
Number three: You need to know what kind of car you wish to buy before you go. When you come to an auction, there won’t be anyone to give you facts and figures or to check the car over. You might want to consider hiring a local mechanic (or a car-savvy friend) to come with you to auctions. At the end of the day, if you bid on a car and win the auction, you must pay for it and take it home. There is no buyer’s remorse or warranty possible here. Do you know one of the best ways to be happy with the car you buy?
Number two: Don’t get too excited about any one car at an auction. If other bidders start to drive the price up, drop out. There will always be another car and another auction. Don’t overpay. The whole idea behind shopping auto auctions is to buy a car for cheap. It’s easy to get carried away, but then you might as well go to a dealer and spend your money there. Get it fixed in your mind that you are there to spend as little as possible! Have at least a few cars that are listed in the auction in mind and set your absolute highest price firmly and don’t go over. And did you know the number one thing to bring to the auction with you?
Number one: Be sure you have your car loan approved ahead of time. Shopping on the internet is the very best way to get the car of your dreams, with the best loan. Do you know where to go to find auto loans?…

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Auto Deal

Immobilizer Systems in VW and Audi

The immobilizer system in VW and Audi prevent the engine from running unless an authorized key is used, and the key is properly matched to various components in the vehicle. Those components are the following: engine controller (ECU, PCM or car computer), the instrument cluster and the ignition keys.
In the USA and Canada, only those cars sold after 2000 are equipped with immobilizer systems, in Europe and other parts of the world immobilizer were used even before 2000.
VW and Audi dealerships can match keys to your car, and also independent auto repair shops such as your neighborhood repair shop can also match keys to the car with specialized VW and Audi equipment. These procedure needs to be done when getting new keys, replacing the instrument cluster or replacing the car computer or ECU.
There are 5 immobilizer generations in VW and Audi:
Immo-1: only found in Europe and some Mexican VWs, and was used in cars made before 2000
Immo-2,3 and 4: found in cars worldwide, SKC needed or way to get SKC code from cluster
(SKC are available from the dealership or can be extracted it from the cluster EPROM)
Immo-5: only found in certain Audi (R8, A6 and A8) starting 2008 and 2009
After getting new keys, keys need to be matched to your car (ecu and cluster), alarm remote control also needs to be match to the car.
Immobilizer system can also be removed altogether by tuning or replacing software in the ecu or car computer.…

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Car Insurance – Tips to Select the Right One

If you are looking for an option to insure your new car, this article will help you to find the perfect one. As the demand of the car insurance policies are becoming more and more insisting, there are many manufactures that started providing great offers on it. You can also find many car insurance companies that are providing online services. However, this article will give you some important tips and information, which you have to consider while you opt for car insurance.
Different Types of Policies:
There are various types of car insurance coverage available in the market. Therefore, you have an option to go for bodily injury, collision, property damage as well as for comprehensive coverage options. There are also few insurance policies, which will not only pay for the repair work of your vehicle, but also provide you financial help for paying the hospital bills, rental and towing expenses etc. However, before you plan to insure your vehicle, it is very important to research on the web and find a perfect coverage for your car.
Tips for Finding the Best Policies:
Even though there are many auto insurance companies, which are providing cheap car insurances, most of them are not able to meet the requirements of their customers. Therefore, it is very important to follow some tips, which will help you to find a cheap insurance coverage without compromising the quality. Some of these tips, which you have to consider while selecting car insurance, are mentioned below:
* Select the right car insurance company
* Take the assistance of an expert to find the best one
* Compare online insurance quotes
* Know about the hidden charges
* Maintain a good driving record
The condition and facilities of your vehicle should be also considered while selecting an insurance policy. There are numerous insurance companies in the market, which will provide great offers for the people who own a car with more than the average safety features.
How Important the Car Insurances is?
There are many people who do not consider car insurances to be of such a great importance. However, this is a crucial aspect, which you have to bear in mind when you are buying a new car. These insurance policies will protect your car from many unexpected hassles like theft, various accidents, injuries etc. So, you can see that Insurance acts like a protection shield not only for your car. Therefore, it is very important to have an insurance policy for your vehicle when you buy it.
Tips To Select The Best Car Insurance Company:
As there are numerous insurance companies available in the market, most of the people will find it difficult to select the right one. If you are facing the same problem, here is the best solution for you.…

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Boost Engine Power

The Acura oil filter keeps the oil quality of the car intact. Oil in the car?s engine offers protection to the engine?s internal parts by providing lubrication that keeps these parts from getting worn out quite too easily. In order to make this happen, the oil must continuously circulate throughout the engine. However, as it circulates throughout the engine, substances such as dust, metallic shavings, and even antifreeze come into it. As the circulation of oil in the engine continues, the accumulation of these impurities in the oil succeed in contaminating the substance. This, in turn, can cause undue damage to the car?s internal parts. Thus, the secret to having an engine that endures is quite simple. Car owners only have to frequently change the oil in the car?s engine.

Also, car owners must see to it that a good filter is in place to keep the oil free from unnecessary impurities. Regularly changing the oil along with the installation of an oil filter allows the car to gain an edge over other cars when it comes to attaining maximum engine performance. The Acura oil filter functions as a device that traps and removes debris as well as other contaminants from the engine?s oil. When the oil filter becomes saturated, the oil no longer undergoes ?filtering.? When this happens, clogging can result. Oil pressure, in turn, tends to suffer once the filter gets clogged. In this way, the risks of engine leaks increase. Following this, the potential for engine failure consequently increases as well.

Oil filters from Acura have a greater capacity to contain contaminants compared to competing filter lines. This accounts for why Acura oil filters have been popular among car enthusiast and professionals. Acura’s great value as well as its ability to effectively boost the car?s engine power is also commendable. As with all things, the Acura oil filter can be expected to give its best when in good form. The rule of thumb when it comes to these things is that car owners have to change oil and oil filters every 3 months or upon traveling of total of 3000 miles to ensure that the oil filters continue to run well and good.…