A Checklist For Your Auto Maintenance

Auto maintenance is the most important duty that a vehicle owner has. Any proud car owner can tell you that. If you want your car to live a long life and perform well, then you want to ensuring regular maintenance checks are key. Other than ensuring a lasting life for your vehicle there are also many other reasons to do timely car maintenance. Keep reading to understand why auto maintenance is important. You can also find below a list of the things that go on your checklist to make better keep tabs on this process.

The first and most important reason is safety. Any fault in the car such as worn out tires, faulty brakes or engine issues may not be obvious to the owner until it is too late. Regular maintenance helps get this out of the way and ensures your safety. A well-maintained vehicle also gives better performance and reliability. With regular check-ins at the auto shop, your visit for repairs will reduce. This makes things easier and more cost-effective. Especially because of preventive maintenance costs lesser than actual repairs.

As the old saying goes, "An once of prevention, is worth a pound of cure." In other words, take care of your vehicle and it will cost you much less to own in the long run. Also, it is much easier to plan and budget for maintenance than it is for when a breakdown happens at the worst time and causing you to be greatly inconvenienced. Not to mention the expense that was not planned and usually at a much higher expense.

Regular maintenance also keeps the car looking fresh and stainless. Dents, scratches, faded paint are also things that can be taken care of during a regular maintenance routine. A well-maintained car is eventually much easier to sell. If you would like the option of being able to sell your car at a good price to be open, then auto maintenance will do that for you.

And finally, all of us are aware that vehicles can emit harmful gasses. A car that has its engines, automotive fluids, and emissions checked regularly causes lesser harm to the environment. Of course, there is always the option of purchasing hybrid automobiles that are environmentally friendly. Few automobile companies such as Tesla, Ford, and Toyota offer this.

Below is a basic checklist for your auto or car maintenance. The table below may not be an exhaustive list. The list can be printed out and used to check with at the auto maintenance workshop before picking up your vehicle. Remember, a well-maintained vehicle means a happier and safer driver behind its wheels.

Items on your checklist

Mark as done/not done

Engine lights

Lights

Tire pressure and condition

Windshield washer fluid

Air filter

Transmission fluid

Battery and cables

Belts

Exhaust

Fuel filter

Hoses

Oil filter

Power steering fluid

Chassis lubrication

Wiper blades

Polish

Antifreeze

Spark plugs

Steering and Suspension

Auto Repair: Know When to Repair a Windshield

When thinking of different things that keep us safe during a drive, we rarely even think about the windshield. But the truth is - the windshield of your vehicle is more important than you think. Anyone who has been driving for a long time would have come across this situation: a dented or cracked windshield. Early drivers tend to ignore this because it does appear to be something that could cause any major damages to the vehicle or the driver. And you would postpone the repair until there is time and money to do this. But that time will never come. Getting your windshield fixed is an easy part of an auto repair. It is important and can be done even from home.

Cracked Windshield

The windshield is a two-layered laminated glass. This laminate is made of vinyl plastic which is very strong. The windshield accounts for nearly 20% of the strength of the car. It plays a major role in keeping you safe. With the advancement in technology, the process of placing the windshield has become a computer controlled process. It has been designed to work with the other safety devices in the car. For instance, the airbags need a strongly bonded windshield in order to work correctly. Thus, it is important to get even a tiny crack on the windshield repaired. Ignoring it may put the life of the driver in danger.

AUTO REPAIR:

The costs for replacing the entire windshield costs $300 and repairing a crack or a chip in the windshield could cost around $100 or lesser. There are also many kits available for you to repair the windshield yourself. These kits can be purchased from Amazon and in large stores that sell auto parts such as Wal-Mart, Kmart, Sears, and AutoZone. The kit will consist of the adhesive seal, windscreen repair resin, curing film, pedestal and a safety razor. Once you have the kit, park your car in your garage or somewhere indoors. Use a pain to clear out any broken glass from the windshield and leave it to dry. The instructions on how to use the kit will be available with the package. If the directions are unclear, the best option is to take the car to an auto repair workshop.

Another consideration is your car insurance. If you carry comprehensive coverage, then windshield repair can be included in your coverage. Be sure to check your deductibles as this will be required to be paid first. In some states, there is no deductible for windshield damage, as it is considered a safety related repair.

At the end of the day, the important thing is that any windshield repairs are fixed immediately and you are no longer vulnerable to any potential accidents.

Tips for Your UTE Maintenance

A modern vehicle is an expensive investment that for those of us is not a luxury item, but a necessity. To get the best from your Ute it is important to look after and maintain it in the best condition possible. This not only helps to ensure your safety but helps to maintain its value. Today's modern vehicles are very sophisticated and many aspects of a complete service are best left to a professional mechanic, but there are a number of maintenance steps you can take yourself to ensure your driving safety and pleasure, avoid unnecessary break downs accidents and help maintain your Utes value.

These simple stress free maintenance steps should be done regularly between full workshop services and before any long trip you take. But the first thing you should do when you get a vehicle is to familiarise yourself with the owner's handbook where you will find diagrams and instructions for your particular model of Ute.

Checking your Engine Oil, Transmission Fluid, Power Steering Fluid and Brake Fluid levels

The first thing is to locate your dipstick, in a manual vehicle there is only one, but an auto will also have one for the transmission fluid so be sure the verify which one it is engine oil before filling. (It should say on the top). It is usually colored plastic knob that is formed into a loop or has a rounded top that your finger can fit through to make it easier to pull out.

Use a clean cloth or paper towel to wipe the end clean so you can inspect it and tell where the fill and empty lines.

Insert the dipstick back into the engine, then pull it out again. The dipstick will go down into the engine sump and tells you how much oil is there.

You can then read how much oil is there. The ideal oil level is at the full mark. If the oil is above the halfway mark it is safe to leave it as there will be enough oil, but take note of this and check the level again after a few 100km.

If it is below the halfway mark, then add the recommended oil for your engine. (Diesel engine oil has special cleaners added to deal with any carbon build up. Petrol engines have different additives) It is best to add only 200ml at a time and then recheck and add a bit more if needed to ensure you do not overfill the engine (A very slight overfill is generally OK)

If you have your vehicle serviced at the manufactures recommended times and check the oil regularly and suddenly it has fallen it may be because you have gone past the service life of the oil and it is advisable to have it serviced and checked at a mechanic shop

Check the transmission oil in the same way and use the recommended transmission fluid.

The brake reservoir is on top of, or very near, the brake master cylinder, a clear white plastic screw top container with a viewing area so you can check the fluid level and top up if needed.

Cooling System

Check the coolant in the radiator (do not use plain water as an adequate anticorrosive is needed to stop electrolysis.

Check the visual condition of the rubber hoses around the cooling system and squeeze them to ensure the hoses are firm and have not gone soft.

Electrical System

With the assistance of another person who is outside the Ute to monitor the lights check their operation.

Check the indicators, park and brake lights as well as reversing and number plate light. It is also important to ensure your Headlights are working, both full beam and dipped as well as spotlights.

Check that all the instrument lights are working on the dashboard usually these will all light up when you turn on the ignition to the 2nd stage just before it activated the starter motor.

Check the horn and that all power windows operate correctly, it is important they work without the motor running in emergency conditions.

Engine Belts

Check the condition of the drive belts between the engine and Alternator, some vehicles have several belts, driving the air-con, pump the power brake pump, water pump. If your Ute is fitted with a back tray, not a molded body, it may have a hydraulic lift pump connected to the engine or a separate electric hydraulic pump, the fluids and any belts of these need to be checked as well.

Filters; Fuel, Oil and Air

It is important to have a clean air cleaner, especially if you travel in dusty areas. Remove the cleaner and blow compressed air through it to remove any dust. If it is really soiled there are companies that clean them or you can purchase a new one. Many vehicles are now fitted with pollen and dust filters on the air-conditioning system so these also need to be checked and cleaned where necessary

The fuel filter needs to be changed regularly as it can become clogged from contaminants in the fuel and any moisture in your tank, see the manufacturer's instructions.

The oil filter is best left up to your service center unless you have adequate facilities to collect and deal with the waste oil (this can be very messy).

Windscreen Washer and Wipers

Check the liquid level in the windscreen washer reservoir and top it up if necessary with a good quality windscreen washer solution. Over long dry periods the hot sun, the wiper blades can become brittle, so need to be checked and replaced as needed as well.

Tyres

Your vehicle tyres are very important and maintaining the correct tyre pressure will increase your fuel economy and your Ute will handle and brake better.

Checking the wear of your tyres is a good way to gauge the condition of your Utes suspension. It the tyres are wearing unevenly if probably means you need to have this checked.

Tyre rotation is where you change the tyres by placing the left front tyre on the right rear and the left rear on the right front about every 10,000k will help to extend the life of your tyres.

For safety's sake it is a very bad policy to use 2ndhand tyres because the modern tyre is synthetic unlike the tyres of 30 years ago that were mainly rubber. These modern tyres start to break down and only have a safe life of 3 to 5 years even if not being used. Pure rubber tyres such as nylon tryes (not steel belted) are the opposite and get stronger with age, but they are more inclined to get punctured and usually reserved for offroad conditions think Lugg tyres.

Auto Finance - How to Finance a Vehicle

Auto manufacturers go to great lengths through their website and through the individual dealerships to stress the benefits of leasing a vehicle, and in particular trying to make individuals aware that leasing a vehicle is of benefit to private individuals, and is not simply some type of corporate expense or add-on.

It might be helpful to consider the idea of leasing any vehicle as similar to that of renting one, or hiring one. Most people are familiar with car hire and car rental processes, and in some ways leasing a vehicle is quite similar except it is on a long-term basis.

The costs involved can be fairly similar to that of purchasing a vehicle outright, the real benefit being that the individual is effectively buying a new car in a way that would be impossible if they were to purchase it outright.

When leasing a car, the main decision at the end of the day is simply a numbers one, as to whether it makes more sense financially than to buy one on finance or credit. To understand this it is worth examining in detail the costs involved when deciding to lease a vehicle.

Firstly check out the main manufacturers website for the country where you live. Companies periodically offers special deals on specific cars, and often offers specific deals on leasing specific cars that may be relevant for where you live.

Once that is done then it is important to understand the principles involved in the costs of leasing a vehicle. There will be a down payment required for the car, and a fixed monthly payment for the specified period of time of the lease, this is likely to be between 24 and 60 months.

In addition to a down payment, there are likely to be what are known as dealers fees which can cover a number of costs payable at the outset of the lease.

These can be quite considerable, and should be clarified and specified by the dealer at the outset of the process. There should be considerable room for negotiation with a number of these dealers fees, as they supposedly relate to costs the dealer has incurred, the majority of which can sometimes be quite inflated.

The lease should also specify what happens at the end of the lease. There will be a number of costs involved in terms of making sure that the vehicle is in a reasonable condition and does not need any major work either structurally or mechanically. There should be an allowance for wear and tear provision over the period of the lease and this should be specified in its terms and conditions.

There should also be provision for what happens when the lease ends, either by way of trading the vehicle in or agreeing an extension of the lease or agreeing a new lease on another vehicle. Whilst all these will be determined at the end of the lease, specifically in terms of costs, the dealership should be able to give you an idea of what sort of sums are likely to be involved given their experience and history on offering vehicle leases to other customers.

Once the individual has a real idea of the costs involved, they should be in a realistic position to assess the value and benefit of leasing a vehicle as against buying one outright or buying a used one at a lower cost.

Auto Finance - Benefits of Leasing

Auto manufacturers go to great lengths through their website and through the individual dealerships to stress the benefits of leasing a vehicle, and in particular trying to make individuals aware that leasing a vehicle is of benefit to private individuals, and is not simply some type of corporate expense or add-on.

It might be helpful to consider the idea of leasing any vehicle as similar to that of renting one, or hiring one. Most people are familiar with car hire and car rental processes, and in some ways leasing a vehicle is quite similar except it is on a long-term basis.

The costs involved can be fairly similar to that of purchasing a vehicle outright, the real benefit being that the individual is effectively buying a new car in a way that would be impossible if they were to purchase it outright.

When leasing a car, the main decision at the end of the day is simply a numbers one, as to whether it makes more sense financially than to buy one on finance or credit. To understand this it is worth examining in detail the costs involved when deciding to lease a vehicle.

Firstly check out the main manufacturers website for the country where you live. Companies periodically offers special deals on specific cars, and often offers specific deals on leasing specific cars that may be relevant for where you live.

Once that is done then it is important to understand the principles involved in the costs of leasing a vehicle. There will be a down payment required for the car, and a fixed monthly payment for the specified period of time of the lease, this is likely to be between 24 and 60 months.

In addition to a down payment, there are likely to be what are known as dealers fees which can cover a number of costs payable at the outset of the lease.

These can be quite considerable, and should be clarified and specified by the dealer at the outset of the process. There should be considerable room for negotiation with a number of these dealers fees, as they supposedly relate to costs the dealer has incurred, the majority of which can sometimes be quite inflated.

The lease should also specify what happens at the end of the lease. There will be a number of costs involved in terms of making sure that the vehicle is in a reasonable condition and does not need any major work either structurally or mechanically. There should be an allowance for wear and tear provision over the period of the lease and this should be specified in its terms and conditions.

There should also be provision for what happens when the lease ends, either by way of trading the vehicle in or agreeing an extension of the lease or agreeing a new lease on another vehicle. Whilst all these will be determined at the end of the lease, specifically in terms of costs, the dealership should be able to give you an idea of what sort of sums are likely to be involved given their experience and history on offering vehicle leases to other customers.

Once the individual has a real idea of the costs involved, they should be in a realistic position to assess the value and benefit of leasing a vehicle as against buying one outright or buying a used one at a lower cost.

New Innovations in Traffic Safety

Traffic safety has improved by leaps and bounds just in the last few years. Here are some of the newest innovations you may be seeing on a road near you quite soon:

Traffic Circles

While traffic circles have long been a staple of European cities, they haven't been as prevalent in the United States. Now, traffic circles are popping up in many cities and towns where intersections have become too busy and traffic too difficult to manage. Traffic circles are proven to reduce the amount of crashes when compared to traditional intersections. The use of traffic circles completely eliminates many common crashes, including head-on crashes and t-bone crashes, as well as crashes from behind. This is because the traffic flows in a circle, so the only possible crash is due to sideswiping. They are also good for keeping traffic flowing instead of stopping and starting. Look for traffic circles to become more ubiquitous in years to come.

LED Flashers

LED's have been used in many applications for traffic safety purposes. There are new applications which are becoming more common though. With the issue of wrong way drivers, flashing LED signs have proven to be far more effective than just a simple wrong way sign which contains no lights or flashing. By incorporating flashing lights with or around the sign, this dramatically increases the number of wrong way drivers who will notice the sign and be able to turn around before entering the highway. Studies have shown that lights help greatly, but flashing lights take the visibility to another level, saving lives in the process.

Glowing Deer Antlers

For states where deer collisions are a common issue, some animal organizations have begun painting the antlers of deer with a glow in the dark paint. The glowing nature of the paint makes the deer far more visible at night and easier to avoid without causing an accident.

Super-sized Road Flares

Another new innovation in traffic safety is the super sized road flare which features LED technology. These flares feature several different flashing light patterns and are smoke and flame-free. They are also self charging and can last up to 10 hours on one charge. In addition, they are crush-proof, corrosion resistant and waterproof.

Mobile Alert System

There are now sound alarm systems available which can be used with cones, barricades and barrels. The system blasts a 125dB sound when vehicle impact is detected, which allows both drivers and road workers to move away from the area.

3 Reasons You Can Trust Used Car Dealers

When you are in the market for a pre-owned vehicle, you may not know who to turn to. Private sellers may not be selling you a reliable auto, and you have no warranty to protect you if your ride breaks down. The best way to buy a new-to-you vehicle is to trust used car dealers. Find out three reasons you totally can.

Reputation

Nobody will go to a sleazy dealership known for selling lemons, and used car dealers understand this. This is why they are super dedicated to only having the best pre-owned rides on their lots. They want to have a stellar reputation so they can maintain a great customer status in their area. With many companies competing for customers in this market, you can be sure that most of these companies are going to work hard to sell only quality vehicles that have a clear owner history. This is not something that you can be sure about when purchasing an auto from a private seller.

Great Selection

Not only can these types of companies be trusted with a great reputation, used car dealers can be relied upon to have a large selection of affordable pre-owned vehicles for you to choose from. Whether you have a limited amount of cash on hand or a budget in mind for making monthly auto payments, friendly associates can be trusted to work with your preferences and financial allowances to help you get a ride that you can enjoy for years to come. Not only do these companies have a great selection of automobiles to select from, many of these autos come with warranties, so if your purchase doesn't operate the way it should, you can have peace of mind knowing that repairs can be made quickly without any issues.

Financing and Legalities

The best thing that you can trust used car dealers with is your money. When you purchase a vehicle from this kind of establishment, there are many legal forms you have to sign that protect you, as the buyer, and them, as they seller, as well. You will get a payment plan (if applicable) and an interest rate, as well as a date that your final payment is due. You will receive the title to the vehicle as soon as it is paid off. When you purchase a vehicle from a private seller, you don't know if the title is clean and clear, and have less protection when it comes to making payments.

When you think about buying an automobile that has been owned by someone else, consider how used car dealers can be trusted to help you get a ride you can love. From a great selection of many quality automobiles to helping you with payments and financing, these companies can be relied on to help you from the beginning of your purchase to the end. As you undergo your shopping experience, keep these kinds of companies in mind, so you can have a comfortable buying experience.