Pickup Trucks

Many people look to used cars in order to save some money on their next purchase. When looking for a used car you obviously want to find one that is in good condition, drives well and one that you feel comfortable in. What many used car buyers don’t often do is carry out a data check first.

These data checks search the history of the car. They can indicate any finance that the previous owners have taken out on the car, whether the car has been involved in an accident or written-off in the past and whether the car is at risk of theft or fraud. Other details that a data check will tell you are the number of previous owners, registration details and the vehicle identification number.

Data checks are very important when buying a used car as some sellers may not be completely honest when trying to sell you their car or they may just not know about it if the car has had more than one previous owner. Some statistics from the AA’s website show how important car checks are; around 1 in 3 cars have some form of hidden history with a quarter of cars having some sort of finance agreement against them.

If a car was found to have existing finance secured against it in the name of a previous owner, you may become liable for the debt as the new owner. This means that a deal that you thought was easily within your budget, suddenly becomes over your budget. If you found you couldn’t manage the car’s repayments, this could have a negative effect on your credit history or the loss of the vehicle.

Around 160,000 cars are stolen and 600,000 cars written-off each year, so you can see how easy it would be to buy a used car that has a bad history. Another trick some dodgy used car sellers try is to adjust the mileage on the car so it appears to have done fewer miles. As many as 1 in 14 cars have mileage discrepancies and a simple data check would highlight any discrepancies.

There is no doubt that the popularity of used car finance is increasing as people look for a more affordable ways to upgrade their cars. As long as you carry out a data check on the car before you buy then you should be ok. Always check for any dents and scratches that the previous owner may have tried to cover up as you can use this when you negotiate on the price.

If you are looking for a quality used car then speak to a reputable car dealer about the range of car finance available, Most established car dealers will carry out vehicle checks as standard, saving you the trouble.

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Technorati Tags: car finance, Car Tips, driving tips, motoring

Millions of people are fooled into accepting the myths by commercial advertisement and untrustworthy mechanics. For example, the idea that your vehicle must have regular oil changes every 3,000 miles is an absolute falsehood. Similarly, your technician’s advice to have your radiator flushed once a year is more for his bottom line than for preserving your cooling system. Despite this, a lot of drivers spend unnecessary time and money following such advice.

Today, I’m going to describe 2 more common fallacies about car maintenance. These are myths that are perpetuated not only by your local mechanic, but by your dealership’s service technicians. Learn them and save your money.

#1 - Frequent Tune-Ups

Unless you’re driving a vehicle that was built when disco was still the rage, your car’s engine probably doesn’t need a tune-up. The service was performed in order to adjust the engine and moving car parts during a time when carburetors were installed in every model. The newer cars only need spark plug replacements rather then the old time traditional “tune-up”. And those just need to be replaced every 50,000 miles. Everything else - the ignition, fuel injection, and idling of the car engine - is controlled by computers.

Unfortunately, dealerships continue to tell their customers that they need to bring their vehicles in for a tune-up after 60,000 miles. It is not surprising. The bottom line is, it increases their profits.

#2 - New Air Filters

Think back to the last time you took your vehicle in for an oil change. Did the mechanic suggest a new air filter? Did he subtly imply that your car might sustain damage if you neglected to replace it? This is a common mistake. First, the air filter catches debris before it can enter the engine. Over time, the filter can accumulate so much dust and dirt that very little air can flow through. At that point, it’s a good idea to replace it. But, it takes a long time for the air filter to reach that stage.

Of course, that doesn’t stop auto technicians from recommending the replacement every time you visit. From their perspective, you come to their shop ready to spend $20 on an oil change and end up spending $40. It takes money out of your pocket and puts it in theirs?

Auto Maintenance Education Saves Money

Your vehicle requires ongoing preventative maintenance. That’s what helps ensure that it will last. But, it’s too easy to waste valuable time and money following bad advice from mechanics and dealership technicians. Remember, their goal is to increase their sales; many of them are willing to do it at your expense.

Chances are, your vehicle doesn’t need regular tune-ups. Nor do you need to replace the air filter as often as your mechanic might suggest. As always, follow your owners manual. It’s the best way to keep your car in great condition.

Popularity: 9% [?]

Technorati Tags: Automobles, car maintenance, Car Tips, cars, vehicles

Every minute you’re driving, your vehicle’s engine goes through its combustion process thousands of times. As it does, it produces intense heat. Nearly half of that heat leaves through the tailpipe and dissipates in the air. The other half must be absorbed by the auto parts that comprise your engine. That includes the pistons, the cylinder heads and other car part components.

On their own, these parts cannot withstand the high temperatures generated by combustion; they would start to malfunction and eventually fail completely. Luckily, your car has a cooling system. It is specifically designed to help these components soak up the excess heat without their being destroyed in the process.

Below, I’ll give you a brief overview of the three main car parts that make up your vehicle’s cooling system. I’ll explain the job they do and how they help ensure your engine doesn’t overheat.

#1 - Water Pump

The “secret” behind your cooling system’s effectiveness is the coolant. It circulates throughout the engine and surrounding components, absorbing much of the excess heat along the way. Then, it travels into the radiator which is cooled by constant airflow.

In order to circulate, the coolant must be pumped along its path. This is the job of the water pump. It’s powered by your car’s timing belt, though older models might have a flat belt that powers the pump. If the timing belt breaks, it cannot operate the water pump, which will ultimately prevent the coolant from circulating and absorbing the heat.

#2 - Plumbing

The reference is referring toward the components in which the coolant moves. That includes a network of hoses, valves, and the radiator. It also includes the heater core, but that’s less important for this discussion. We’re mainly concerned with the hoses. Because the hot coolant travels through them continuously, they deteriorate quickly. It is recommended that you replace your hoses at least every 3 years. However, you should check them for cracks and fissures every four months. The hoses are relatively inexpensive, so if you notice crack - even small ones - replace them.

#3 - Sensors And Thermostat

Your car’s cooling system is equipped with sensors, fans, and a thermostat to monitor and control the temperature around the engine. They work in congruent of each other to assure that temperatures stay with in a predetermined limit. If any of these parts fail, the temperature can rise higher than normal. When this occurs, your car’s performance will suffer and emissions will increase.

It is impossible to overstate the importance of your vehicle’s cooling system. When all the car parts are working in sync and perfectly, the engine will perform the combustions process without any problems. However, if the water pump, hoses or valves, or sensors or thermostat malfunction, your vehicle can overheat. And that can easily lead to expensive car engine damage.

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Technorati Tags: automobiles, Car Cooling System, car maintenance, Car Tips, cars, vehicle

When looking to purchase a new car, most people are only concerned with the sticker price or up front costs. They judge the deal based only on the amount of money they pay before driving their new car off the dealership lot. Studies have indicated that the initial investment can be often times misleading. Over the course of several years, a seemingly inexpensive automobile can end up costing far more than a higher-priced model.

We will explain four areas that effect the overall long term cost of vehicle ownership. When you eventually decide to purchase a new model, keep these factors in mind.

Tip 1 - Fuel Efficiency

A lot of drivers would be surprised by the variance in gas expenses for different models over five years. You can save literally thousands of dollars by driving a 4 cylinder car rather than a fuel guzzling SUV. To determine how much you’ll be spending on gas, assume that you’ll be driving 12,000 miles each year. You’ll also need to make an assumption regarding where you think fuel prices will be during the next five years.

Tip 2 - Insurance Premiums

Many motorists believe that their insurance premiums are based solely upon their driving record. In truth, most insurance providers also take into account the type of car you’re driving. As an example, the premiums that your would pay on a convertible sports car are significantly higher than you would pay for a 4 door family car. Call your insurance agent prior to purchasing a new vehicle. He should be able to tell you which models will cost more to insure.

Tip 3 - Regular Maintenance And Repairs

This is one of the hidden expenses of owning an automobile. When buying a new car from a dealer, the last thing on the prospective car owners mind is the expense of future car repairs. Maintaining and repairing your car is inevitable. The older it gets, the higher the likelihood that car parts and systems will fail. The important thing to realize is that certain models are more expensive to repair than others. And while your warranty will cover the first few years, it won’t last forever. Take into account that you can save money on car repairs by utilizing used auto parts which are not only cheaper, but help save the environment

Tip 4 - Depreciation

Finally, we come to the largest expense of all: depreciation. Most people understand that automobiles depreciate. However, many people are taken a back when they learn, how much, how fast and the difference between car makes and models.

It is estimated that vehicles lose more than half their value during their first five years. Some models lose their value more quickly than others based on available inventories, popularity, and even the cash incentives offered by automakers and dealerships.

When you decide to purchase a new car, consider the initial price in the context of how much it will actually cost to own the vehicle. In other words, don’t be swayed simple because of a low sticker price. To be happy with your purchase for years to come, make sure you consider the tips and facts listed above.

Popularity: 8% [?]

Technorati Tags: automobiles, car buying, Car Costs, Car Tips, cars, vehicles

Being Savvy With Car Maintenance 

Some auto maintenance tasks are critical to ensure your vehicle runs smoothly and lasts a long time. For example, getting oil changes every 5,000 miles, keeping the right amount of pressure in your tires, and changing your air filter occasionally are important. That said, there are plenty of car maintenance items that are a waste of your time and money.

The problem is that dealership service centers and local repair garages often give advice that is suspect. Much of what they say is to increase their sales rather than making sure your vehicle operates properly.

Because ongoing car maintenance is so important to the life of your vehicle, I’ll describe the tasks you should be doing as well as those which you can do without.

Mind Your Tires

Despite the myriad of parts under the hood, your tires on the only parts that actually contact the ground (hopefully). Check the pressure every few weeks. Tires will leak air over time; Tires should be filled with air to there standard settings. If they’re underinflated, the treads will wear down and you’ll end up replacing them far sooner than normal. Also, rotate them occasionally. The tires in the rear have more longevity than those in the front. Rotating them keeps the tread wear even.

Tune-Ups: Are They Necessary

If you’re driving a vehicle that is less than 10 years old, you probably don’t need a tune-up. The point of a tune-up is to adjust and recalibrate mechanical parts. These days, most of the parts (i.e. oxygen sensor, ignition switch, fuel injection system, etc.) are calculated by a simple computer. As a result, there is very little to “tune up.”

Regular Oil Changes

Years ago, when engines were less sophisticated and motor oil was less advanced, a trip to the oil change shop every 3,000 miles was a good idea. However, that’s no longer the case. Today’s cars only need to have the oil changed every 5,000 miles.

Maintain Your Brakes

Every time you press down on your brake pedal, your brakes experience a little wear and tear. If you neglect them long enough, you’ll eventually hear a painful grinding sound as exposed metal rubs against other metal. Visit a repair shop as soon as you notice any problems. If you catch it early enough, you may only need to have the pads replaced. If you wait to hear gringing, it's too late, the rotor may be damaged and needs replacement.

Change Your Air Filter

Your air filter has an important job: it needs to catch dirt and debris before it enters your car’s engine. Every time you are on the road, it performs it's job dilegently. The problem is that it gets clogged with debris over time. When that happens, air flow becomes restricted which can affect your engine’s performance.

Check the air filter each time you change the oil. Driving on dirty roads will increase the amount of debris you car sustains. They’re inexpensive, so they can be replaced without breaking the bank.

Your vehicle may handle perfectly, but all auto parts eventually are subject to break down due to wear and tear. Invest time on the auto maintenance tasks above to make sure your vehicle lasts as long as possible.

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Technorati Tags: auto maintenance, autos, car maintenance, Car Tips, cars, vehicles

Some auto repair jobs come with prices that seem appropriate given the size of the part, time required to fix or replace it, and the value of having a particular problem resolved. Others can mysteriously cost an arm and a leg, even if the issue is unimportant and fixing it carries negligible value.

The fact is, there are a lot of parts, service jobs, and repairs that can take a significant bite out of your checking account despite seeming small or easy. In this article, we’ll take a quick tour through a few car repairs that can be surprisingly expensive.

More Than A Cosmetic Scratch

Imagine that your vehicle has a low front-end and you drive over a speed bump at a poor angle. You get out of the car and notice some minor damage on the bottom of the front bumper. Thinking the biggest expense will be the inconvenience of having to wait while the damage is repaired, you take your vehicle into a local garage. Prepare yourself; the cost to fix it might run into the thousands of dollars.

The bumper can actually hide structural damage in the front-end. In fact, the bumper might look relatively unscathed, but the front-end may need to be completely replaced.

Foreign Performance Models

You could fill a small book with the types of repairs that can cost an exorbitant amount of money when done on a performance vehicle. For example, consider an exhaust valve that needs to be replaced. Under normal circumstances, the valve would cost under $30 and a mechanic might charge another $30 for the labor.

On a high-end car designed for muscle, the price tag can skyrocket. It’s not uncommon for a small job like this to turn into an expensive nightmare. For example, the mechanic may need to practically remove the entire engine in order to get to the valve. And chances are, he won’t do that for $30.

A Little White Smoke

White smoke coming from a car’s tailpipe looks innocent enough. In fact, it can be the first sign that expensive repairs are right around the corner. When you’re driving, your engine goes through a combustion process. Coolant keeps the surrounding temperature under control. If the coolant gets into the combustion chamber, it will burn and produce white smoke.

There are a couple of ways this can happen. Sometimes, the gasket can break and need to be replaced. Unfortunately, narrowing down a failing gasket as the root cause usually means taking out the intake manifold. And that’s the least expensive path. If you remove the intake manifold and discover that the gasket is fine, your mechanic will need to start dismantling the engine. That will cost a few dollars.

Unfortunately, many auto repairs that turn out to be enormously expensive cannot be avoided. However, the next time you visit your mechanic for a “minor” job, you’ll at least be prepared for possible bad news.

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Technorati Tags: auto, automobiles, Automotive, car repair, Car Tips, cars, vehicles