General Article

Caring For Your Car’s Air Conditioning System

The weather may not be playing along just yet, but it is generally the time of the year that people try to turn their air conditioning on and find that it isn’t working as they would like. Sometimes it just won’t be getting cold, while other times there could be a musty smell coming from it. You may find it just needs a regas, or a more thorough service may be required.

The first air conditioning system for a car was invented back in 1939 by Packard, and was first fitted in the factory in 1940. The refrigerant originally used was highly damaging to the ozone layer, but a safer gas has been used since the 1960s.

It is up to you whether you choose to have your air conditioning serviced yearly to clean out all the dirt and bacteria that has built up as well as recharging the gas as necessary, or leave it until there is a drop in the air conditioning performance. The risk of leaving it until there is a problem is that the problem may result in a bigger repair and a bigger bill. Either way, in between (brief) summers, you do still need to think about your air conditioning system.

Many people are under the mistaken impression that air con is just for hot days. In fact, you need to use it all year round, otherwise it is highly unlikely to be working perfectly on the rare hot days we do have. In the colder months, you can use your air con system to warm the car, and to remove moisture from the air so that windows stay mist-free.

When it is a sunny day and you want the air cooled in your car, you should consider your speed. While many people believe it is more fuel efficient to open your windows than turn on your car’s air conditioning system, this is only true below around 30 mph. Any faster than this and the negative effect on the aerodynamics of the car of having the windows open means lower fuel efficiency than if you shut the windows and ramped up the air con!

If you have climate control it is often tempting on really hot days to turn it as far down as it will go, but unless you are on a really long journey, the chances are the system won’t be able to achieve that temperature, it will just expend a lot of effort in the attempt. Then when you get out of the car, you feel like you’re stepping into a hot, muggy, oven. Not terribly comfortable! You are much better off aiming for a temperature just a couple of degrees lower than the ambient temperature. You will feel comfortable in the car, and it won’t be such a shock to get out of the car. As an added bonus, your car won’t have to work so hard to achieve the target temperature.

Any bad smells coming from your air conditioning system should be checked out by a garage as soon as possible, particularly if you, or any of your family have any respiratory problems such as asthma. It indicates that there is bacteria in the system (often caused by leaves going mouldy over the exterior vents in Autumn, so do remove any that you see there!) and a car air con service will get rid of it.…

Learning about auto repair can seem like a daunting endeavor if you do not know where to start. However, the article below has some quick and simple tips to make auto repair easier for you. Keep reading to discover some auto repairs that you can do yourself to save money.

Invest in high-quality battery chargers and keep them inside your car. Dead batteries are common, and a good battery charger will come in handy more than once. It is important to not only have the battery charger but to know how it works as well in case you are alone.

Make sure you often check the radiator. You should let your car run for a few minutes, shut the engine and open your hood. Do not open the radiator if the car is running. Check the amount of fluid in your radiator with your dipstick and remember to mix the coolant with some water.

You do not have to contact a mechanic every time you have issues with your car. Many things are able to be fixed easily. If you’d like, you could always conduct some research online to see if you can determine the problem. When it’s a simple fix, do it yourself!

You must wash your car to keep the rust away. Cars eventually rust, but you can put off the process by washing off chemicals or salt quickly. Protect your paint with regular waxing.

A record of maintenance and repairs should be in your car. It’s wise to keep them in your glove compartment in case you need to go to a auto repair shop on the fly. Auto service experts may need to refer to them. Good documentation can help diagnose problems a lot faster.

Before making your payment to the mechanic when picking up your car, take it out for a spin first to check that everything is working. People often don’t do this, realizing afterward that the problem still persists.

Remember that getting OEM parts is important. These parts are the same original parts designed by the manufacturer. It’s cheaper to get the generic parts, but the quality may not be the same. What saves you a bit of money in the short term, may end up costing you dearly in the long term.

Verify that a prospective mechanic is familiar with your specific car. While the basic components are all the same, there is going to to be a big difference in the way say a Hummer versus a Smart car utilize the space under the hood. If you aren’t sure, take your car to get serviced at the dealer.

Before you settle on a car repair business, talk to friends and family for recommendations. Their thoughts can make the whole search a lot simpler. You should still do your research however. Check online reviews at the very least.

Learning about the warning signs of impending car problems can save you money. Use what you learned here and you’ll be on your way to great auto repair. Keep these tips in mind the next time your car is acting up.…

Many people dread car shopping. Finding a new car can take some time and requires a lot of work. This article will help reduce your stress levels as you shop. Keep reading to learn how.

The Internet can be scoured for some good deals. An Internet search is able to save you a lot of money. Once you have found the perfect vehicle, you can either drive to the dealership offering the vehicle or go to your dealership and have them purchase the vehicle for you. If you can get to the dealership, make the drive to save the most money.

Always negotiate the price of a vehicle. The sticker price isn’t what the salesperson expects to receive for that car. If you are not good at negotiating bring someone with you that is. You need to know what a good price is for the desired car beforehand so that you can figure out what you’ll be willing to pay.

Allocate plenty of time at whatever dealership you are visiting. You don’t want to rush or feel rushed. This will cause you to regret your decisions. You need at least an entire afternoon. If time is an issue, never hesitate to postpone the process and return another time.

If you aren’t confident you can resist high-pressure sale pitches, do not go car shopping alone. Bring someone else with you for negotiations and to ask questions you may forget to ask. You need to let your partner know about your budget and your needs before you hit a dealership.

If you’re looking for a brand new car, talk to your bank about your loan options prior to going shopping. This will be for the security that you have. In many cases, the dealership can secure an acceptable interest rate than you might find at your bank. Still, it helps to have a clear picture of what you can expect to pay.

Do not lock yourself into purchasing from a dealership. The vehicle you are interested in may be available from a smaller lot, or from a private seller. Check online or in classifieds to find cars for sale near you.

Car shop online. You can find nearly any car you want. Learn about all the makes and models available. An online search can reveal anything you would like to know including MPG, resale value, specifications, rating and size.

Rent a car in order to test it out. If you want to get a real feel for a car, rent one from a local rental car company to give it an extended test drive. Hit the road and really test the car to see if it is right for your needs. This is a great way to get comfortable with a car before making the huge commitment of a purchase.

Now that you are more familiar with car shopping, it’s time for you to get started. Remember the advice in this article, and your car shopping process will involve far less stress. Don’t lose hope; you will soon have the perfect car for your needs.…

Car Repairs – Eight Signs You Need an Expert

Cars have been steadily becoming more and more specialist, and more and more complex in the last decade. With the advent of electric motor technologies, with computer controlled systems and electronic fuel injection, the cars of today are nothing like the FJ Holden your Dad could be found underneath every Saturday morning! The range of vehicles that can safely have minor car repairs performed on them by amateurs is shrinking. Here we look at eight signs that you should take your car to a shop, and save yourself the hassle and possible expense of breaking something extra.

1. Your car is less than ten years old

Cars newer than ten years old usually have quite advanced systems integration. Even car repairs like changing a battery or a fuse, replacing brake pads and doing common car service tasks can actually cause other components of the system to fail if the correct procedures aren’t followed.

2. The car repair you’re considering isn’t in your new car handbook

If the manufacturer isn’t telling you to do it yourself, it is probably safest not to. If you’re in doubt, why not call a mobile mechanic to have a look at the job first? They’ll be able to advise you on safety points to remember, if its likely that you’ll need to make the fix again in the future. You can make sure that you won’t have to spend more having the mechanic fix your work as well as the original problem, and possibly save money in the future.

3. The repair requires something to be lifted out of the car

Block and tackle safety is a serious issue. Any time you lift something heavy out of your car into the air, you’re risking the other parts of your car as well as your own body. We always advise that you have professionals perform this sort of work.

4. The car repair requires tools you don’t have

Contrary to Clint Eastwood’s belief, not every car repair job can be done with a shifter and sticky tape. If you don’t have the tools to do a repair job yourself, the cost in buying them often outweighs the savings you could make on labour.

5. Your car has electronic fuel injection

If your car has electronic fuel injection (and in many cases, this is stamped in big letters right on the head, or along with the model name somewhere on the body), it is not safe to work on it by yourself. Even repairs that aren’t related to the timing could throw the computer out, and then cost you more to fix at the mechanic’s than it would have originally.

6. You aren’t 100% confident of your diagnosis

If you have even the shadow of a doubt about what exactly is causing a specific problem, you shouldn’t work on it. Even experienced mechanics have often found that the complexities of the petrol engine and drive train have tricked them … when they were 100% confident. If as an amateur you aren’t confident, it makes much more sense to take it to someone that can be.

Mobile mechanics will often provide fixed quote prices – so even if they make one of these mistakes, they are still bound to honour the price they gave you before beginning work.

7. You haven’t done the repair yourself before

Online forums and guides are certainly handy, but there is a reason that automotive mechanic apprenticeships last for a long four years! A wealth of hands-on experience in what to do when things go slightly wrong, if a bolt is too tight or another part is blocking your way, and the order in which to complete tasks, belongs to qualified mechanics. There simply isn’t enough space on the net to explain all this is a forum.

8. The time it will take you to perform the repair is more valuable to you spent doing other things

It may take a qualified car repair-person 1 hour to replace your brake pads and check over the braking system. It might take you 3 hours without the proper tools, knowledge of sensors etc. Sure, you didn’t pay for those hours – but unless you truly enjoy working on and learning about cars, you are prepared to deal with any mistakes you might make and are performing only repairs that are non safety-critical on an old car – in most cases they aren’t worth it.…

Some people are great at knowing the value of vehicles. Others tend to feel uninformed with vehicles, particularly their prices. If you are one of the people in the second category, then this is the perfect article for you!

When you go car shopping, you must know what you need before you leave the house. Do you know what you can afford? How big does your car need to be for the amount of people you need to transport? What are the miles per gallon that you desire? Do you want a two-door car or a four-door car? Make sure to jot down all the qualities you want in your car.

Always negotiate down the sticker price. If you don’t do this, then you are literally throwing money out the window. Don’t ever pay sticker price for a vehicle. These prices are high to allow negotiating room for the seller.

Know what you need in your vehicle before you go to the lot. Check online to determine which kind of vehicle is most suitable for you and your finances. This research will also give you an idea of the price that you should expect to pay for the car you’d like to buy.

If you are getting your car from an individual, get your mechanic to see the vehicle before you purchase it. If the owner balks at this, it may not be wise to proceed with the deal. This typically means that there are issues they are trying to cover up. Make sure that you understand this before making a purchase.

Car shopping will take many hours. Do not allow feeling rushed to force you into a deal you aren’t comfortable with. Allowing for an entire afternoon is best. When you run out of time, leave and come again later.

If you’re looking to buy a new vehicle, try and get financing from a bank before starting your search. This is simply for your own peace of mind. Dealerships usually can help you get a rate that’s better than your personal bank, but you should always know beforehand the interest rate that you are willing to work with.

Never discuss down payments, incentives, or trade-ins until you’ve established an actual price on your desired car. These should come off the base price. Your better option is to agree on a price, then focus on the “extras.”

You don’t have to buy from a dealership. Checking local papers, listings and smaller vehicle lots may hold the key to finding the car you want without having to pay a big price. Check online or in classifieds to find cars for sale near you.

You should always test drive your vehicle before buying it. No matter if you are set on a vehicle, test it out before you buy. Being in the car and driving it gives you knowledge you can’t get otherwise. The car may not be what it’s cracked up to be, and this is the only way you can find out.

Leave the feeling of being overwhelmed behind. You’ve gained some knowledge that will help you make a great decision about buying a vehicle. When you pay the right price on a car, you will love it even more. Good luck!…

Everyone will probably have to shop for a car at some point in their life, and it may not always be the most appealing prospect. It is not easy to learn about all that is available in the auto market, information on the best prices and negotiation techniques. Fortunately, you’ll find that this article is packed with insight and ideas to help you make the most of buying a car.

Always negotiate down the sticker price. If you don’t do this, then you are literally throwing money out the window. It isn’t necessary to pay the sticker price for a vehicle. These prices are high to allow negotiating room for the seller.

Prior to setting food on a car lot, figure out your financing. Go to your local credit union or bank. This will often provide you with a lower interest rate, and when you get to the dealership, you will know the amount you can afford to spend.

When negotiating, concentrate on the final price rather than the monthly payments. Dealers can make the monthly price just about anything, but it will just increase the total price you pay. Negotiate the best overall deal for the course of your lease. This will help you determine the best course of action for a monthly payment schedule.

You do not need to pay the full sticker price for your next car. That usually isn’t what the salesmen will expect of you anyway. If you don’t know how to negotiate, bring a good negotiator along. Know in advance what an actual market value is for the car that you want, so that you know if you are getting close to a fair price.

Don’t expect to be in and out of the dealership. You don’t want to rush or feel rushed. This will cause you to regret your decisions. If you can, use the entire afternoon. If time is running short, don’t hesitate to come back when it is more convenient.

Have a firm budget set before you go shopping for a new car. Never exceed the maximum amount of this budget, regardless of what the car dealer says. You are the person who will have to pay for the car in the coming years, not the salesman.

If you aren’t confident you can resist high-pressure sale pitches, do not go car shopping alone. You are more likely to remember to ask all the right questions and negotiate the best price if you have back up. Also, talk to the person you bring about the amount of money you wish to spend.

Don’t feel locked into one dealer or dealership. You may find out that the car you like is available on a small lot, or through a private seller. Check online or in classifieds to find cars for sale near you.

It is not easy to find the car you want at a good price. The more you know about the process and your options, the more likely you are to find everything you want and need in a car. When you go car shopping next time, take this advice with you. You just might be surprised by the deal you are able to negotiate in the showroom.…

Some folks know everything about cars and understand exactly how much each one is worth. There are also many people who don’t feel comfortable when it’s time to make a vehicle decision. If you are one of the people in the second category, then this is the perfect article for you!

If you fail to negotiate a price, you are wasting money. A person should never end up paying the sticker price. Sticker prices are intentionally high as a way to facilitate negotiation.

Research your chosen dealership prior to offering to buy a car. When you know what they typically offer, you can use it to your advantage. Also, learning about their customer reviews can help you avoid getting ripped off.

Prior to purchasing a used car, arrange to have an impartial mechanic check it out. If they say no, leave. A mechanic will be able to give you an impartial opinion and alert you to any warning signs such as evidence of a wreck or being flooded.

You should never pay a car’s sticker price. The sticker price isn’t what the salesperson expects to receive for that car. If negotiation is not something that you personally excel at, bring along someone that does. Know in advance what an actual market value is for the car that you want, so that you know if you are getting close to a fair price.

Bring along a friend. This person can act as another set of ears, and they might be more reasonable about walking away from a deal if it isn’t in your best interest to accept it. This person can be anyone, from a family member to a close friend.

Get recommendations from people you trust. Do they like their cars? Do they regret buying the one they have? What do they know about other cars out on the market? When you would like to purchase a vehicle, this is one method of getting some important information to get you started.

If you feel like you can be talked into things easily, make sure someone goes to the dealerships with you. They will help you get a better price and ask hard questions. Tell them exactly what you’re looking to buy and how much you have to spend before you go.

If you are wanting to buy a new car, you should ask your bank for financing before you go to the dealership. This is vital for your security. Often times a dealership will get you a better offer than your bank, however it’s always good to have a backup plan.

Don’t drive your really expensive car to the dealer when you’re looking to buy another car. This is especially important if you plan to trade in the vehicle. A salesperson may use this as grounds for rejecting any less-than-generous offer.

Stop feeling overwhelmed! You should now be feeling more confident in your ability to make rational, beneficial decisions as you shop for a vehicle. If you have saved some money on your car you will be happier when driving it. Good luck shopping!…