General Article

Do Your Research Before Completing a Used Car Purchase

The gas prices have fluctuated numerous times, during the recent years; causing pure panic for many car users. The question of buying a new car, over a used car, can be frustrating to answer. A new car is suppose to guarantee a certain amount of miles per gallon, in addition to not being expensive to repair (warranty). Conversely, there are tons of used cars that can last for a good long period of time, while establishing a reputation of giving the owner a run with their money.

Used Cars Have Proven Themselves

The gift of owning a used car can be prestigious. A used car comes in many forms: Peugeots, Jaguars, and Corvettes, for example. There are the other great legends, as well: the gas saving Honda Civic and Ford Festiva. As consumers, there is an appreciation for those times of valued prestige. The used car market is attempting to explode.

The Federal Government Gets Involved

There are laws being passed that are issued in order to protect the prospective used car buyer. For instance, the California Senate Bill 990. This bill is designed to assist the buyer by enabling being informed. The Senate Bill 990 represents requiring a used car dealer to supply the consumer with the vehicle history report from the National Motor Vehicle Title Information System (NMVTIS). This report consists of information regarding the previous conditions of that particular vehicle. The report lists if the used car has been salvaged in a junk yard or is a flood victim.

In reference to the National Motor Vehicle Title Information System (NMVTIS); this informative entity is a product of the Federal Anti-Car Theft Act of 1992. However, in 1996, Congress reauthorized this act and issued the responsibility to the U.S. Department of Justice. Ultimately, the National Motor Vehicle Title Information System(NMVTIS) was developed to prevent reintroduction of stolen vehicles into interstate commerce; shield consumers from fraud; and to protect consumers from unsafe vehicles.

The issue with the National Motor Vehicle Title Information System is that the consumer commonly has to request this report. If the consumer requests this report, then the vendor is obligated to allocate this report as soon as possible; before the used car sales transaction may be completed.

The Private Sector Gets Involved

Popular private organizations may furnish the same types of reports for used cars. The Carfax and Experian are two examples of the private utilities that are news worthy. Their reports are accurate and also are based on the used car’s vehicle identification number (VIN #). An elaboration, the used car history report is based on the collection of information from collision repair facilities, auto auctions, and police and fire departments. The information is specifically based on the vehicle title. So, make a note; be sure to investigate the used car’s vehicle history before completing your purchase. It might be worth your while; both saving time and money.…

Tips For Maintaining Your Car Annually

There is a time and a season for everything. Cars need to be properly taken care of. During the winter months, certain maintenance procedures should be completed, and others can be saved until the summer.

The winter brings harsh and dangerous road conditions. That is why it is so imperative that you keep your car in top shape by having it routinely checked by your local Utah auto repair dealer. Winter is no time to slack on repairs and maintenance checkups.

Annual maintenance checks are important to keeping your car working its best. Utah auto repair technicians do a wonderful job checking your car through out the different seasons. However, there are still maintenance checks that need to be done any time of the year. Here are a few suggestions:

1. Regularly check your battery to make sure it is working. Utah auto repair technicians can check your battery for you. You do not wish to be stuck with a car that won’t start, do you?

2. Check the spark plugs. Spark plugs need to be working correctly. They affect your car’s gas mileage and reliability.

3. Have your brakes inspected. Go to a Utah auto repair shop to check your brakes. Everyone benefits from working brakes, including you, your passengers, and everyone on the road.

4. Change your oil. It is important to replace your oil to keep your car in good and working order. This is a well known tip, but it is none-the-less important.

5. Remember to rotate your tires. Keep a log of when you have rotated your tires so you know how much wear and tear your tires are getting. Having a Utah auto repair shop rotate your tires will make your tires last longer, and save you from having to buy brand new tires as soon.…

Learning what you can about auto repair may seem like a lot of work, but it’s generally not too difficult if you put some time into it. Teaching yourself about cars can really be useful in the future. Keep reading to learn how to fix your vehicle yourself instead of always going to the expensive mechanic.

Before allowing them to repair your vehicle, verify that the mechanic has A.S.E. certification. This kind of certification tells you that whoever will be working on your car has a couple years of experience and has passed a test. This is one good way to separate the wheat from the chaff when picking a good mechanic.

Do not be afraid to ask lots of questions whenever you take your vehicle to the auto shop. Be sure the questions involve the problems you are having with your car and what you can do to prevent it from happening again. Preventing automotive issues is a valuable skill to save money during the year.

Before allowing an auto shop to do repairs to your vehicle, ensure you are aware of the total cost. If you don’t understand something, ask questions until you do. Don’t be surprised with extra costs when the car has been fixed.

Make sure to have all your car records on hand. It is a good idea to leave these in the glove compartment because you never know when your car has to go to the shop suddenly. Auto service experts may need to refer to them. These documents can help the mechanic figure out the problem quicker.

Every time you have your car fixed, regardless of the reason, you should take note of it. If you have problems later, these records can come in handy. Not maintaining these records will likely mean you have to spend more money because diagnosing the problem will be harder for the mechanic to do.

Be wary of unscrupulous mechanics who make unnecessary repairs to your vehicle. They should contact you before doing any extra work. Don’t go back to mechanics who made unneeded repairs.

Get OEM components. These parts are original and from the manufacturer. Generic parts may cost less, but they are not as good. What saves you a bit of money in the short term, may end up costing you dearly in the long term.

Look out for obvious “red flags” when dealing with a new auto repair company. If they avoid your questions, you may want to look elsewhere. It is good to feel like you trust your mechanic, so move on if you don’t feel like you can.

Always try to figure out the problem with your car before you bring it in for repairs. You can save lots of money if you diagnose the problem on your own, and you may also be able to prevent yourself from being swindled. It’s an unfortunate fact that there are dishonest mechanics who will tell you your car has issues when it doesn’t.

If you have a bit of basic knowledge, you should see that car repair is not so frightening as it may have once been. You will be able to rely on your skills so that you’re able to save some cash. Use the tips from this article and take the time to do more research on this topic.…

Importance of Servicing Your Cooling System

The cooling system of any vehicle performs an important role in the life of your vehicles engine.

The cooling system consists of multiple components, included in this list are the radiator, the radiator cap, the overflow bottle, the cooling fan, the coolant hoses, the thermostat, the water pump, and the heater matrix also known as the heater core.

The Radiator begins the cycle. In most instances it sits at the front of the engine bay and is made out of steel, aluminium, plastic or any combination of each. All radiators share common characteristics. A normal radiator will have either side or top and bottom reservoirs for holding coolant with a series of thinner fins connecting both tanks. As coolant circulates through the radiator it is forced through these fins. The fins, in turn because of their placement at the front of the engine compartment, have cool air directed over them either from driving or from the cooling system fan that is normally installed on one side of the radiator. This cool air helps cool down the coolant inside the radiator.

The radiator cap is important as it has a pressure activated spring inside of it. Normal pressure of a cap varies but the most common are between 10lb and 16lb of pressure. If the cooling system develops more pressure than the cap is rated for, the spring collapses by design and releases the pressure into the overflow bottle. If this cap malfunctions you run the risk of building too much pressure in the cooling system and damaging other portions of the system which are not built to handle higher pressures than the system is rated for.

The overflow bottle has an important function. When a vehicle heats up and coolant expands it needs somewhere to go rather than just being expelled onto the roadway. The overflow acts as a catch can for the expelled pressure and any fluid that comes out with it. If the system is working as designed, then as the vehicle cools it develops a vacuum inside the system and draws the once expelled coolant back into the radiator until such a time as it needs to release pressure again.

Many cooling fans are electric now, but you can still find some vehicles powered by what is called a viscous fan. A viscous fan works with an internal clutch system and draws air over the radiator fins to aid in cooling the fluid in the radiator. If the internal clutch of the fan deteriorates you may notice the temperature gauge of the vehicle running slightly hotter than it normally did when the fan was operating properly. Electrical fans are powered by electrical sensors that tell the fan when to switch on or off. These sensors are called coolant temperature sensors and if one is faulty it can cause the cooling fan to not come on at all causing the vehicle to run much hotter than it normally would under normal circumstances.

The coolant hoses transport the coolant in the system through a large loop. The hoses are normally made of rubber and do not have an infinite life span. They should be checked regularly at normal service intervals to prevent problems at later dates.

The thermostat is another important part of your cooling system. The way a thermostat works is by an internal heat activated spring. The main goal of the thermostat is to regulate the flow of coolant through the entire system. From cold, as coolant sits in the engine block the thermostat is closed. This effectively stops the flow of coolant through the system and allows it to come up to operating temperature. Once operating temperature is reached in the engine the heat is transferred to the spring in the thermostat allowing it to open. This then allows the warm coolant out of the engine and into the radiator and cycles new cool coolant into the engine itself. This cycle carries on until all of the coolant in the cycle is the same operating temperature.

The water pump does exactly what its name implies. Its only purpose is to pump the available coolant through the entire loop of the system.

The heater matrix or heater core as it is also known is normally located behind the dashboard of the vehicle. It is a smaller version of a radiator with a centrifugal fan blowing over the fins of it. When you adjust your climate control dials or buttons to provide heat in the passenger compartment it opens a series of doors behind the dashboard to direct the airflow to the intended target area.

Those are the major components of a properly operating cooling system. When everything is working as it should your cooling system behaves normally and your engine runs …

Changing a Flat Tire While Wearing a Skirt

You’ve spent all morning getting ready, but now that you’re on your way to your presentation, you start hearing a thumping sound. Is that your tire, or the road? You pull over and sure enough, your tire’s flat.

Where you’re at you can’t get a cell signal. You can’t get a hold of your Utah auto repair company or anyone else. Besides that, you don’t have time to wait for someone to drive all the way out to get to you.

This article will help talk you step by step through what to do in such circumstances. And that’s simple: change your tire, and then take it to your Utah auto repair company to patch it back up. Not to worry; it really isn’t that hard, but it is dirty.

Getting your clothes dirty is probably the second highest fear of changing a tire, next to not knowing how to do it in the first place. I highly recommend that you buy yourself a pair of coveralls, disposable gloves, and some paper towels. Keep these in your vehicle at all times so you don’t have to worry about ruining your clothes.

First of all, move your car to a flat spot off to the side of the road. After zipping up your coveralls, grab your spare tire, jack, and lug nut wrench. Check your owner’s manual for correct placement of your jack.

Lift the jack until it just touches the car. If you have wheel covers, pull those off first. Using a screwdriver to pry them off is the easiest way. Loosen the lug nuts, but do not take them all the way off.

Next, use the jack to lift vehicle until the wheel is off the ground. Now you can finish taking the lug nuts off the wheel. Roll up your sleeves (if you’re not wearing coveralls), and take the tire off.

Grab the donut (the spare) and put it on. Screw the lug nuts in a few turns by hand, then use the wrench; but don’t tighten them all the way until you lower the vehicle. Lower the vehicle and finish screwing on the lug nuts. Double check the lug nuts to make sure they are tight. Now you’re ready to go get your tire repaired at your Utah auto repair.…

What Is Expected of an Auto Mechanic?

If you really want to be effective in the automotive industry then there are without a doubt expertise you will need to accumulate and will be required to use, these are stated in an auto mechanic job description. There are in most cases several special expectations that a service professional must conform to if they hope to stay employed by an automotive service establishment whether private shop or dealership. The first requirement is a no-brainer… You need to have a good drivers license with few to no motor vehicle infringements. In fact, most shops that deal with high end automobiles like Porsche, BMW and Lexus, will not enlist the services of someone with even one moving offense. When looking for a career, before you are accepted, you will normally be asked to take a physical to clarify whether you are in good enough shape to be a mechanic.

This is not a gag and is a legit part of the auto mechanic job description. You are going to be standing on a solid top for at least 75% of your day. If not standing, then bent over under the hood for an elongated period of time or under a vehicle with your body contorted to get your hands where they need to be to make a repair. Also keep in mind that some mechanical parts will be weighty and you will need to be able to hoist these quite heavy parts and sometimes position them in place while you attach them, such as tires. therefore it is crucial that you be in first-rate to decent shape as well as know how to adequately pick up hefty objects *note: always stretch first thing in the morning*

Subsequently, you will be expected to keep a professional appearance as well as a professional temperament. Just because you are buried in a garage all day concealed from customers, there will be certain times when you will need to address customers outside the service area or communicate with work colleagues. You will be required to have on a uniform at all times when at work. This can range from a regular top and work pants to professional-looking embroidered, long sleeve work shirts. Mostly this will rely on where you are employed. Professional demeanor you ask? There will be times when you must talk particularly with the customer whose car you are fixing. You may need to converse with them over the phone or even go for a road test with them if you are not able to duplicate a customer claim.

On top of looking and talking professionally, good judgement is imperative. This may seem like common sense but you would be startled. It is not a wise decision to take a customers vehicle to the coffee and donuts drive through or to the neighborhood shop for a beverage. Also, even if a customer smokes in their motor vehicle, don’t ever smoke cigarettes in a customer’s car. Getting captured doing these will have a propensity to result in termination. Getting let go is not necessarily gratifying, keep your profession, use sensible judgement.

The most critical prerequisite that exists in the auto mechanic job description is being able to competently diagnose and make all the needed repairs in a sensible amount of time and in compliance with dealer and factory practices. In other words, you will be counted upon to repair a vehicle thoroughly the first time, so it does not need to keep returning again for the same exact issue. This will need to be done in a manner that signifies professional workmanship.…

Attorney Discusses Recent Case Involving a Truck Accident

During the winter months, many motor vehicle accidents occur on New York’s roadways because of the accumulation of snow, ice, slush and rain. Drivers are expected to operate their motor vehicles with full consideration of changing weather and road conditions.

Rear end collisions are common during inclimate weather. In New York, such a collision with a stationary vehicle creates the presumption that the driver of the offending vehicle was negligent, unless that driver can offer a non-negligent reason for the rear end collision. This point has been upheld in New York motor vehicle lawsuits, including cases where such collision involved pick-up and other light trucks.

Recently, a decision in a lawsuit involving a collision between a pick-up truck and a stationary vehicle reaffirmed this point. The driver of the pick-up truck argued that he actually saw the second vehicle, stopped ahead of him, before the impact; however, the truck driver was unable to prevent the collision because braking caused his truck to skid on the wet roadway.

The Court hearing the case held that the existence of the wet roadway condition did not provide a non-negligent explanation for the rear end collision. The driver should have been in control of his truck, at all times regardless of weather conditions, and operating at a safe speed with enough space between himself and other vehicles. Like all motor vehicle operators, the truck driver should have been able to avoid collision with a car stopped ahead of him. For these reasons, the Court upheld a verdict in favor of the person injured in the stationary vehicle.

People who are injured in accidents involving rear end collisions with trucks should contact a New York vehicle accident lawyer to fully assess the facts of their case.…