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October 21, 2008

Simple Car Repair & Maintenance Using Household Items

Filed under: Car Info — Tags: , — admin @ 4:02 pm

Simple Car Repair & Maintenance Using Household Items

You open the hood of your car only to see that what once looked like a car battery is now covered with black and green corrosion. Your first thought may be that you will need a new battery. Well, don’t jump to conclusions. Go to the refrigerator. Find an ordinary can of soda-preferably of the dark variety. Pour it over the battery and voila´….corrosion gone. Now pour some water over that to clean it up and get rid of the stickiness.

When it comes to minor car repair and maintenance, some people don’t realize that the answer to their problem(s) might be very close at hand. Many household items can be used to fix minor maintenance or car repair issues.

A few items that are handy to have on hand are….

1.    Soda (as stated earlier-dark). You may want to think twice about drinking it, but it does eat corrosion. It will also remove the haze that collects on windows.
2.    Water-as simple as that may seem-water has many uses-like cleaning a battery or replenishing your windshield wiper fluid (if you are in at least 40° weather) until you can get to the store. And you could go ahead and wash the car-since you already have the hose on.
3.    A Penny-Yes, Mr. Lincoln will also take care of battery corrosion. If you will place a new penny on your battery, the next time that you open your hood you will see that the penny has attracted all of the corrosion. Take a towel and remove it so as not to get that corrosion all over yourself. Then replace it with a new penny. You may want to clean up the old penny before trying to spend it.
4.    Cooking Spray-any oil-based cooking spray can grease almost anything. Having trouble getting your key to turn? Head for the cooking spray. Just spray a little right into the key hole and it should loosen up the mechanism for easier turning. It will also remove residue and old adhesive from glass and help loosen tight bolts.
5.    Clear Nail Polish-Yes gentlemen, it’s not just for ladies fingertips anymore. You would be surprised at what nail polish is capable of doing. Besides stopping a rip in panty hose, it can be used to seal small rust spots. Just a small dab (you might want to use two coats) will stop rust from spreading. But don’t use nail polish remover to get it off-it will wear off through time, so be sure to either reapply or repair the small damage.
6.    Baby Wipes-They are stronger than the name implies. They may be used to clean up almost anything-your hands (after dealing with the aforementioned minor car repairs), spills, and even oil, dirt and grease that you accidentally got on the hood while closing it.

It needs to be understood that these common household products are only for minor car repairs or maintenance. You might have larger issues that need to be taken care of, but these will buy you some time until you can solve the larger problem.

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Simple Car Repair & Maintenance Using Household Items Part 2

Filed under: Car Info — Tags: , — admin @ 3:10 pm

Simple Car Repair & Maintenance Using Household Items Part 2

With the economy on a down slope, most of us want to save money any way we can. Rather than spending a lot of money on expensive cleaning supplies, try some of the following inexpensive home remedies, using regular household products, to help alleviate the high cost of maintenance and car repair.

1.    Vinegar-This common product has many uses. If used full strength, it will remove rust from car parts and tools. Just soak the car part or tool in undiluted vinegar overnight. If you mix three parts vinegar and one part water and wipe down your car’s windows the night before a frost, they will remain frost free. Placing a small bowl of distilled white vinegar on a vehicle’s floorboard will remove most unwanted odors.
2.    Baking Soda-Make a paste of baking soda and water. This can be used to eliminate corrosion on batteries. It can also clean any chrome on your vehicle. A box can also be used to distinguish a small fire.
3.    Petroleum Jelly-Rub your hands with a small amount of petroleum jelly before performing maintenance or car repairs. After working on the vehicle it will be much easier to clean your hands because it can keep grease and dirt from embedding into your skin. Place petroleum jelly on your car key to loosen up tumblers or unfreeze a lock. Once the key is in the keyhole, jiggle a few times.
4.    Duct Tape-Whether you want to admit it or not, you know that you have some duct tape somewhere in the house. You can easily use duct tape around a leaky or broken hose. Now remember this is a quick fix-you will definitely need to get to your mechanic because this probably falls into the car repair category. But-let the car cool down before you start working under the hood. You aren’t going anywhere for awhile anyway-so just relax and let it cool off.
5.    Dryer Sheets-If you work on vehicles as an ongoing process, place a dryer sheet in each car and it will keep rodents from getting into the vehicles. Dryer sheets will also repel mosquitoes. They will also keep the air in a vehicle fresher. If your vehicle gets splattered with tar, hose it down, and then gently rub tar with dryer sheets-it should remove the tar immediately. They can also be used to remove bugs from a windshield or headlight.
6.    Olive Oil-Not just for cooking anymore. Olive oil will cure a squeaky hinge on a car door or hood. It can also remove paint from skin. Rub the affected area with olive oil and let it soak in for a minute. Now wash with soap and water and the paint should come right off.

Auto parts and car repair can take a big enough bite out of your wallet. By using these simple household products for maintenance and some minor car repair, you will save money buying unnecessary items.

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October 20, 2008

Preparing Your Vehicle for Sale

Filed under: Car Info — Tags: , , , — admin @ 4:43 pm

Preparing Your Vehicle for Sale

Buying a new car is fun and exciting. But unless you are purchasing your very first vehicle, you probably own a vehicle that you will need to sell. The following tips are for those who want to sell their vehicle at the optimum price. You do not want to spend a lot of money on car repair or maintenance; but taking a few of hours and caring for the following can make you more money on the sale.

First repair any minor damages that your vehicle has sustained. If there is anything broken, fix it. Replace cracked or broken headlights and windshields. Some states offer free windshield replacement. A service will even come to your job and replace the windshield. Call your insurance company and check state laws.

If your vehicle has a lot of small dents, you will probably need to have them repaired. This will cost you a little in car repair, but believe it or not, the better your vehicle looks the more money you will make on the sale. Ask a body specialist if they can perform the repairs. They may be persuaded to “give you a deal” if there are several dents. Also, you might want to consider painting any rust spots or chips. Airbrushing can be done for a lot less than a major paint job.

Next, check the tires. Do they all match? Unfortunately, if the tires are in dire need of replacement, you will need to do so. Just remember that you don’t necessarily have to purchase four tires or brand new tires. You want all of your hubcaps or rims and preferably matching.

Whether your vehicle is an older or newer model, your first priority is cleaning it up. As you may know, it is easier to clean a newer model, unless you drive in extreme weather conditions on a regular basis. Older vehicles are dirtier. Not necessarily on the exterior, but on the interior. They have just been through more wear and tear.

You can save money by washing, waxing, cleaning and detailing the vehicle yourself. If you don’t want to spend a lot of money many common household items can be used to clean a vehicle. Baking soda, vinegar, and water can be used to replace expensive cleaners. Cooking spray can be used to lubricate hinges and loosen tumblers. Gather all of your supplies including a hose, water, detergent, window cleaner, upholstery cleaner, sponges, towels, and wax. Now go to work. Treat the car like you are keeping it.

Next gather all of your paperwork and all keys. This includes the owner’s manual, warranty booklet, and maintenance log. You will also need all of the receipts that you have accumulated that indicate all major and minor car repairs, regular mileage check-ups, and oil changes. Not only will these come in handy for the new owner, they also indicate that you have maintained the vehicle appropriately and in proper fashion. The buyer wants to be assured that they are not getting ripped-off. By providing your service records, in a neat way and in chronological order, you will instill some trust.

Now, be honest with yourself and the prospective buyer. Honesty goes a long way. People realize that they are not buying a new vehicle, but still like to know what they are getting. Would you buy this car? Make sure that you have set a realistic price goal. You may think the car is worth more than it actually is because you have had a good experience. Do some research and ask a fair price, but be sure to tell the buyer that you have been happy with the vehicle.

One quick trip to the auto parts dealer and a few hours to do minor maintenance and car repair will be worth it in the long run. A nice touch will be filling the tank, or at least selling the vehicle with a half tank.

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5 Tips When Buying A Certified Pre-Owned Car

Filed under: Car Info — Tags: , , — admin @ 1:03 pm

5 Tips When Buying A Certified Pre-Owned Car

Buying a certified pre-owned car (CPO) can be an attractive alternative to buying a used car. They’re typically in near-perfect condition, have been tested rigorously by trained mechanics, and come with a limited warranty. That said, prospective buyers should still perform their due diligence before purchasing. Below, I’ll provide 5 quick tips to make sure that you get a great deal when buying a CPO.

Tip #1: Read The Warranty

Not all car warranties are equal. And limited warranties deserve a thorough reading. Take the time to understand what the warranty covers and what it doesn’t. It’s possible that the warranty will cover the cost of a part that malfunctions, but not the labor required to install it. For example, the warranty may cover the powertrain, but replacing the transmission will require a mechanic. Also, if there’s a deductible, find out what it is.

Tip #2: Know Who’s Certifying

A CPO will always be advertised as “certified,” but you’ll need to know who is certifying the car. If it is being certified by the dealer, consider looking elsewhere. Ultimately, you want a car that has been certified by the manufacturer. Remember, one of the main advantages of buying a CPO is that it meets the specifications established by the manufacturer.

Tip #3: Haggle

Oddly, a lot of people think that prices for CPOs are set in stone. They’re not. Feel free to negotiate just like you would for a new or used car. To do that, you’ll need to know its value…

Tip #4: Research The Car’s Value

If you’re going to negotiate (and you should), you’ll need to know the approximate value of the car. You can use the Kelly Blue Book or check ConsumerReports.org. Keep in mind that the price charged by the dealer will include the limited warranty. So, it’s likely that those two resources will show values that are slightly less.

Tip #5: Clarify Repair Locations

If your car experiences an electrical or mechanical problem, you’ll need to know where you can take it to have the problem fixed. Check the warranty and ask for clarification. Can you have the work performed by independent shops? Will you be forced to bring your car back to that specific dealer? Ask so that you won’t be surprised later.

Your new certified pre-owned car will likely be a dependable vehicle that won’t let you down. Use the 5 tips above to get a great deal, understand the warranty, and know who is certifying it. If there’s a problem in the future, you’ll be glad you did.

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