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How to do basic car maintenance safely

admin — Fri, 31 Dec 2010 00:23:52 +0000

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How to buy a used car – DIY basic car inspection

admin — Sun, 18 Apr 2010 12:09:26 +0000

www.mindbites.com In the market for a used car? Scared of buying a lemon? Need some basic car maintenance tips? Confused about CARFAX reports? In this 9-minute video, Automotive Technician Mark Feather will guide you through some basic checks for you to carry out when buying a used car (or how not to buy a lemon!) The aim of this video is not to delve too deep into technical detail, but rather to give you some basic practical checks. The video covers the following areas: external checks, effective road-testing and some administrative background checks you can perform to verify the car’s history. A DIY preliminary inspection if you will. We hope this helps you to find your dream car! All proceeds recieved from the purchase of this video will be donated to the Kars4Kids Charity – who aim to provide for the physical, emotional, and spiritual needs of distressed and at risk youth. Please see www.kars4kids.org for more information.

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Car Maintenance and Repair Tips : Basic Brake & Strut Components

admin — Sun, 07 Mar 2010 04:28:05 +0000

Learn what the parts of the brake and strut are called withexpert car tips in this free online automotive repair video clip. Expert: William Myers Contact: www.austinsubaru.com/en_us/ Bio: William Myers has been a Senior Master Technician for Subaru since 1998. He is an ASE Certified Master Technician and L1 Advanced Level Specialist. Filmmaker: EV studios

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A Guide To Basic Car Maintenance

admin — Wed, 24 Feb 2010 17:01:40 +0000

Contrary to popular belief, a good car maintenance routine does not start and end with biweekly visits to the car wash and a trip to Jiffy Lube every 3,000 miles or so. Instead, you should have a more hands on approach to basic car maintenance. You should regularly monitor everything from fluid levels to belts and hoses, basic car maintenance kind of stuff that you can easily do on your own without having to pay a mechanic a lot of money.
Did you know that you should check your oil every single time you fill up your gas tank? Not many people do, and instead opt to only have their mechanic perform this very basic car maintenance every few thousand miles. The reason why it is so crucial to do so frequently is because of how important a proper oil level is to the smooth operation of your vehicle. If the oil is too low or too dirty, the performance of your car will suffer. Basic car maintenance really revolves around oil inspection.
Another part of basic car maintenance is keeping your windshield wipers and fluid in tip top condition. Some windshield washer fluids go a little further than average car maintenance requires, dissipating a chemical that help the wipers work more effectively by dispersing water.
It costs about the same as regular windshield washer fluid, so you should definitely look into getting some the next time you find yourself in need. Also, you want to make sure that you never put plain water in the windshield washer reservoir, as it would be counterproductive to the keeping up the overall car maintenance. Unlike water, the fluid is specially formulated not to freeze and crack the plastic reservoir when it gets cold outside.
Replacing windshield wiper blades are one of the easiest components of basic car maintenance, from start to finish the whole job should take you less than 10 minutes. This should be done at least once a year, as old windshield wiper blades tend to get brittle and cracked, which can then scratch your windshield when in use.
Keeping the proper tire pressure is also a relatively easy, yet very important, part of basic car maintenance. When your tires are properly inflated, you get much better gas mileage, and the likelihood of blowing out a tire while driving is decreased. So, always keep a pressure gauge in your vehicle!

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10 Basic Car Maintenance Tips

admin — Tue, 09 Feb 2010 08:33:19 +0000

When you purchase a new car and drive it off the lot, the last thing you are generally worried about is a need for costly repairs. If you take care of your vehicle and keep up with maintenance, you can avoid many major problems down the road. Fail to take care of routine issues and your new vehicle will not stay that way for long.

So, what do you need to do to keep your new car running right? The following are the top 10 maintenance tips to help you keep your vehicle on the road and out of the shop:

Keep up with your tires – While your tires will not directly impact your engine, they can have a big effect on your wallet. Make sure to keep them properly filled and do inspect the treads on a regular basis. To avoid unbalanced wear, make sure to have them rotated at least every 5,000 miles. Replace as needed.

Inspect belts regularly – The belt system in your car helps such things as your alternator and air conditioning compressor operate correctly. When these break, they can cause costly damage. To avoid this, inspect them regularly for wear. If they are showing signs, go ahead and replace them before they become a problem.

Inspect fluids regularly – Keep up with oil, water, power steering fluid and other important liquids in your car. Check them regularly and have them topped off or replaced as needed.

Use the right gasoline – Pay attention to your manual and only use the recommended gasoline. Using super when the car calls for regular will not give you better performance. You only need to use what the maker suggests for the engine.

Go in for routine maintenance – Make sure to go in for regular oil changes and other routine maintenance as spelled out in your owner manual. Even if your vehicle is operating fine, these appointments can be vital for preventing major problems later.

Protect your electrical system – Any time you plan on performing work on your car that involves the electrical system, protect your investment by disconnecting the battery. For example, if you plan to add an aftermarket radio system, this is a good time to pull the battery.

Protect your paint job – Keep up with basic outside maintenance such as washing and waxing the paint. This can prevent rusting and help keep scratches down to a minimum.

Pay attention to warning lights – Do not ignore dashboard warning lights if they come on. Take your vehicle in to find out the source of the problem.

Inspect exterior lights frequently – Take the time to check signaling, brake lights and head lights on a regular basis. When these lights fail, driving your vehicle can be dangerous. Be sure to inspect these at least once or twice a month if not more frequently.

Change filters when necessary – Keep up with filter changes to avoid system clogs. Filters to watch include fuel and air.

When the right steps are taken on maintenance, your new vehicle can continue to run right for a very long time. Taking evasive maneuvers can also save you money and spare you hassles down the road.

Find the best deal on the auto insurance coverage you need. Visit us today for money-saving tips and receive free quotes from respected insurance companies for the coverage you need.

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Basic Things To Consider When Buying A New Car

admin — Fri, 22 Jan 2010 14:01:14 +0000

Purchasing a new vehicle can be a daunting ordeal for the unprepared consumer. So, prepare yourself for the car buying experience by following these simple tips:Plan Your Budget First and foremost, decide on an honest budget. When purchasing a new car, there are more expenses than the list price to consider, such as dealer delivery costs, stamp duty, insurance, and registration fees. If you intend to borrow money, confirm that the loan conditions and payments are acceptable in advance. By arranging your finances first, you’ll have more leverage to use at the dealership later.Use Your Resources The internet is an invaluable resource for list prices, vehicle specifications, and customer reviews. Use it as an impartial source to learn as much as you can about any car you are considering purchasing. Researching at your leisure will encourage you to make rational decisions without the accompanying stress of a sales environment.Patience Is A Valuable Virtue The best time to purchase a car is towards the end of the following months: March, June, September, and December. Dealers are more lenient during these months because they attempt to meet sales deadlines, set by car manufacturers, at the end of every quarter. Use this to your advantage by visiting multiple car dealers, which will force them to compete against each other to give you the best deal.Inspect The Vehicle Before deciding on any vehicle, be sure to thoroughly inspect both the interior and the exterior for any scratches or imperfections. Familiarise yourself with the available options, and determine which features you want, and which features you want to omit. The best way to finalise your decision is to schedule a test drive and evaluate the car firsthand, since you’ll be spending far more time driving it than admiring it in a showroom.Beware Of The Extended Warranty By law, all new cars come with a minimum 12 month or 20,000 km warranty. Car manufacturers often augment the initial warranty as a way of inspiring confidence in their vehicles. Extended warranties, however, are offered by dealerships and may not be transferrable to other service centres. If you are considering an extended warranty, be sure to thoroughly scrutinise the terms and conditions before you sign the contract.

Remember, a new car is a relatively large purchase which deserves an equal amount of preparation. Be patient, arm yourself with information, book a test drive and you’ll thank yourself on the drive home.

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Car Maintenance Tips : Basic Car Maintenance Checklist

admin — Mon, 04 Jan 2010 16:12:14 +0000

A basic car maintenance checklist should include the air pressure on the tires, the engine oil level, the headlights and the windshield wiper. Check these basic safety items on a car periodically with tips from an auto repair shop manager in this free video on car maintenance. Expert: Brent Ferguson Contact: www,goodneighborautoservice.com Bio: Brent Ferguson is the manager of Good Neighbor Shell and Auto Service in Nashville, Tenn. Filmmaker: Dimitri LaBarge

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Ten Basic Car Maintenance Tips

admin — Fri, 01 Jan 2010 18:16:34 +0000

Car maintenance is especially important if you wish to protect your automotive investment. There are several maintenance related items that need to be dealt with on a regular basis in order to keep your car running smoothly. By dealing with these things before they become a problem, you can prevent future damages and increase the longevity of your car.

1. Change the oil regularly. It is an absolute necessity. Many people do not realize that the oil in the engine can become very dirty if it is not changed. Follow the schedule in your manual. Clean oil is important for making sure that everything runs smoothly.

2. Rotate the tires as needed. The outer edge of the tire can become worn down over time so the tires need to be rotated. This puts the unworn edge on the outside so that you can get more use out of the tires. Rotating tires as needed can substantially increase how much you get out of them.

3. Look over the belts inside your engine. If they look worn or frayed then it is time to replace them. You can often buy replacement belts at any auto parts store. Look up the right ones for your type of automobile.

4. Check your tire pressure often. If it is too low or too high, it could pose a problem. Keep this level maintained so that your tires last as long as they should. You can easily check this with an inexpensive tire gauge.

5. Make sure that your brake fluid is always well above the line that indicates a healthy minimum. Your brakes are the lifeline of your vehicle, something that you do not want to overlook.

6. Always run the right type of gasoline for your car or truck. The user manual indicates which type is ideal for the best performance possible. It is not wise to ignore this as it is there for a reason. Do what is best for your vehicle.

7. Keep your paint job new and clean by washing your vehicle on a regular basis. Use materials that are made for a car so that you know it is safe for the paint.

8. Waxing your car every few months is recommended for optimum paint protection. The wax creates a protective barrier from dirt and debris. Test various waxes until you find one that you like.

9. Keep your battery clean and check it regularly to ensure that it is maintaining a proper charge. Allowing the battery to get filthy can be problematic.

10. Check your signal and brake lights. It does not take much for them to burn out and you could be driving around without knowing it.

Find the best deal on the auto insurance coverage you need. Visit us today for money-saving tips and instant insurance quotes for men, women and young drivers from respected insurance companies.

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Basic Car Maintenance Tips

admin — Mon, 28 Dec 2009 09:28:08 +0000

Your car might be ranked first or second among your most prized possessions. And with good reason— you paid good money for it. Here are some maintenance tips on how to keep your car in tiptop condition so you can avoid unnecessary breakdowns and expensive repairs.

As soon as you feel there is something wrong with your car like any kind of irregular noise or vibration while driving, have it checked soonest. You don’t want a car that’s unsafe to drive. For complete information on how to maintain your car, it’s a good idea to refer to your owner’s manual or better yet, pay a visit to your local vehicle repair shop.

Mark Lorenzana is a fulltime copywriter for IBC Japan. He has written a regular column and articles for various newspapers and moonlights as a copyeditor and freelance writer. IBC Japan specializes in exporting used cars from Japan with regional distribution centers worldwide.

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