Ottawa Tires

Posts Tagged ‘Automotive’

You’re looking for a new car and you’ve decided to buy used. Smart choice! With the price of gas and the state of the economy, shelling out all that extra cash for a brand new car when a used car can be just as fuel efficient and a much better deal is like tossing your cash into your car’s fuel tank and literally burning that money away.

Craigslist, eBay, car classifieds, and used car search engines like iSeeCars.com make finding used cars for sale so much easier than ever before. But you have to be careful—there’s bound to be a few lemons out there that will leave you with more than just a sour taste in your mouth. Making a major purchase like a car—even if, or perhaps especially if, it’s a cheap used car—requires that you do all of your homework. Remain in control and no one will be able to pull the wool over your eyes!

Here are the top ten questions you should ask a used car seller before you sign on the dotted line:

Thinking about a used car?  Nervous about what’s under the hood?  Used car dealers are feeling your pain all
the way to the bank.  In an ironic twist,
“pre-owned vehicle” dealers have found a way to profit from their bad
reputation. 

 

No, they’re not just selling overpriced used car
extended warranties anymore.  They’re
charging a 10%-25% markup on used cars “certified” (by them) not to
be pieces of junk.  The accompanying
“certified” used car warranties in fact usually carry much less
protection than the best used car warranties, which you can buy yourself
online.  Who needs a used car warranty if
your jalopy is a “certified” machine?

 

But even paying 10%-25% more won’t eliminate
risk.  Thorough extended warranties for
used cars are necessary, “certified” or not.  In some cases, a half-hearted inspection
means the certification may not be worth the paper it’s written on.  Used car problems often only appear months or
years after purchase.  That’s why even
for mint used cars, used car extended warranties are essential.

 

Worse, “certified” used cars don’t
always come with any extended used car warranty coverage.  When a “certified” used car
warranty is included, it usually has much less coverage than a new car
warranty.  Even most standard pre-owned
vehicle extended warranties offer much more protection than most “certified”
used car warranties.

 

You can almost always do better on your
own.  An independent inspection and a
used car extended warranty provide better peace of mind, often at a lower
price.

 

“Certified” Used Car Inspections
Inspected

 

The cornerstone of a “certified” used
car program is the supposedly super-thorough inspection.  There are good reasons to think that the
inspection does not replace an independent inspection or used car extended
warranty coverage.

Are inspections really added value?  Don’t you wonder why dealers aren’t
inspecting all their cars before taking delivery themselves?  Car dealers aren’t idiots, at least not with
cars.  Anyone who’s had to haggle over a
trade-in knows that.  The big question is
whether the dealership will disclose everything it knows.  Trust is still an issue with
“certified” cars.

 

Certified by whom?  Think about it: the same people who are
trying to sell you the car are also “certifying” it.  Yes, you read right: the “certification”
is usually done by the dealership selling the car.  If there’s any manufacturer oversight, it’s
often just an occasional inspection of the dealer’s inspection.

 

Duplicate inspection.  You should have any used car,
“certified” or not, thoroughly inspected by an independent
mechanic.  You’re up against an industry
that demonstrates about as much trustworthiness as, well, used car
dealers.  Do not give up your first line
of defense.

 

Limits of inspections.  No inspection in the world can foresee every
possible problem.  Oftentimes, something
that breaks a few months after purchase really was fine when the car was
sold–or was virtually undetectable. 
When–not if–something gives out, you’d better have a used car extended
warranty.

“Certified” Used Car Warranty
Coverage under the Hood

 

The implied selling point of
“certified” used cars is they won’t break.  That kind of makes used car extended
warranties seem unnecessary.  Naturally,
some buyers may wonder what will be happen if something does break anyway.  In order to ease those inquiring minds,
“certified” used car warranties often come included, or are at least
implied.   Sadly, too few people will
inquire further about what the “certified” used car warranty
covers.

Does certified mean “under
warranty”?  Not necessarily.  The major manufacturers’
“certified” programs usually include some extended warranty
protection.  But oftentimes,
“certified” cars sold outside of manufacturers’ programs do not come
with any extended warranty coverage.  If
it does break, tough luck.

 

How good’s the warranty?  The GM Certified Used Vehicle Warranty is
only for 3 months or 3,000 miles!  Ford
offers longer “certified” warranties.   But they generally aren’t bumper-to-bumper,
covering only the “power train.” 
Forget about the little extras like the roof or the doors.  Right off the internet, you can buy extended
warranty used car coverage that is generally bumper-to-bumper and lasts several
years.

“Certified” Used Cars: Extended
Warranties Still Needed

 

“Certified” used cars offer two
things: an inspection and a used car extended warranty.  Arguably, neither is worth the
price.

Inspection. 
Let’s face reality.  The junky
used car problem doesn’t exist for want of dealer inspections.  Lemons get sold for one of three reasons. a)
The defect did not show up in the dealer’s own inspection. b) The dealer is
trying to sell a car whose defects were already known. Or sometimes c) the
buyer knows about the defects but is guilty of wishful thinking.  In none of these cases will a
“certified” inspection provide the protection of an independent
inspection and extended used car warranty.

 

Warranty. A “certified” used car will
often cost 10%-25% more.  For a $10,000
used car, that’s $1,000-$2,500.  An
extended used car warranty from an independent auto warranty company will often
cost about the same.  But the best used
car warranties will provide a lot more protection than “certified”
used car warranties.  Given that fact,
you may end up getting an independent extended car warranty anyway.

Worst of all, certified used cars come with an
expensive risk.  They tempt you to let
your guard down.  Ford even issued a
press release headlined “Pre-Owned Vehicle Program Reduces Customer Buyer
Beware.”  As if that were a good
thing.

 

Of course, in the end, you may buy a
“certified” used car anyway. 
These days it seems there are fewer and fewer used cars that aren’t
“certified.”  Just make sure to
get an independent inspection and an independent used car extended
warranty.  “Certified” or not,
it’s still a used car.

Thinking about a used car?  Nervous about what’s under the hood?  Used car dealers are feeling your pain all
the way to the bank.  In an ironic twist,
“pre-owned vehicle” dealers have found a way to profit from their bad
reputation. 

 

No, they’re not just selling overpriced used car
extended warranties anymore.  They’re
charging a 10%-25% markup on used cars “certified” (by them) not to
be pieces of junk.  The accompanying
“certified” used car warranties in fact usually carry much less
protection than the best used car warranties, which you can buy yourself
online.  Who needs a used car warranty if
your jalopy is a “certified” machine?

 

But even paying 10%-25% more won’t eliminate
risk.  Thorough extended warranties for
used cars are necessary, “certified” or not.  In some cases, a half-hearted inspection
means the certification may not be worth the paper it’s written on.  Used car problems often only appear months or
years after purchase.  That’s why even
for mint used cars, used car extended warranties are essential.

 

Worse, “certified” used cars don’t
always come with any extended used car warranty coverage.  When a “certified” used car
warranty is included, it usually has much less coverage than a new car
warranty.  Even most standard pre-owned
vehicle extended warranties offer much more protection than most “certified”
used car warranties.

 

You can almost always do better on your
own.  An independent inspection and a
used car extended warranty provide better peace of mind, often at a lower
price.

 

“Certified” Used Car Inspections
Inspected

 

The cornerstone of a “certified” used
car program is the supposedly super-thorough inspection.  There are good reasons to think that the
inspection does not replace an independent inspection or used car extended
warranty coverage.

Are inspections really added value?  Don’t you wonder why dealers aren’t
inspecting all their cars before taking delivery themselves?  Car dealers aren’t idiots, at least not with
cars.  Anyone who’s had to haggle over a
trade-in knows that.  The big question is
whether the dealership will disclose everything it knows.  Trust is still an issue with
“certified” cars.

 

Certified by whom?  Think about it: the same people who are
trying to sell you the car are also “certifying” it.  Yes, you read right: the “certification”
is usually done by the dealership selling the car.  If there’s any manufacturer oversight, it’s
often just an occasional inspection of the dealer’s inspection.

 

Duplicate inspection.  You should have any used car,
“certified” or not, thoroughly inspected by an independent
mechanic.  You’re up against an industry
that demonstrates about as much trustworthiness as, well, used car
dealers.  Do not give up your first line
of defense.

 

Limits of inspections.  No inspection in the world can foresee every
possible problem.  Oftentimes, something
that breaks a few months after purchase really was fine when the car was
sold–or was virtually undetectable. 
When–not if–something gives out, you’d better have a used car extended
warranty.

“Certified” Used Car Warranty
Coverage under the Hood

 

The implied selling point of
“certified” used cars is they won’t break.  That kind of makes used car extended
warranties seem unnecessary.  Naturally,
some buyers may wonder what will be happen if something does break anyway.  In order to ease those inquiring minds,
“certified” used car warranties often come included, or are at least
implied.   Sadly, too few people will
inquire further about what the “certified” used car warranty
covers.

Does certified mean “under
warranty”?  Not necessarily.  The major manufacturers’
“certified” programs usually include some extended warranty
protection.  But oftentimes,
“certified” cars sold outside of manufacturers’ programs do not come
with any extended warranty coverage.  If
it does break, tough luck.

 

How good’s the warranty?  The GM Certified Used Vehicle Warranty is
only for 3 months or 3,000 miles!  Ford
offers longer “certified” warranties.   But they generally aren’t bumper-to-bumper,
covering only the “power train.” 
Forget about the little extras like the roof or the doors.  Right off the internet, you can buy extended
warranty used car coverage that is generally bumper-to-bumper and lasts several
years.

“Certified” Used Cars: Extended
Warranties Still Needed

 

“Certified” used cars offer two
things: an inspection and a used car extended warranty.  Arguably, neither is worth the
price.

Inspection. 
Let’s face reality.  The junky
used car problem doesn’t exist for want of dealer inspections.  Lemons get sold for one of three reasons. a)
The defect did not show up in the dealer’s own inspection. b) The dealer is
trying to sell a car whose defects were already known. Or sometimes c) the
buyer knows about the defects but is guilty of wishful thinking.  In none of these cases will a
“certified” inspection provide the protection of an independent
inspection and extended used car warranty.

 

Warranty. A “certified” used car will
often cost 10%-25% more.  For a $10,000
used car, that’s $1,000-$2,500.  An
extended used car warranty from an independent auto warranty company will often
cost about the same.  But the best used
car warranties will provide a lot more protection than “certified”
used car warranties.  Given that fact,
you may end up getting an independent extended car warranty anyway.

Worst of all, certified used cars come with an
expensive risk.  They tempt you to let
your guard down.  Ford even issued a
press release headlined “Pre-Owned Vehicle Program Reduces Customer Buyer
Beware.”  As if that were a good
thing.

 

Of course, in the end, you may buy a
“certified” used car anyway. 
These days it seems there are fewer and fewer used cars that aren’t
“certified.”  Just make sure to
get an independent inspection and an independent used car extended
warranty.  “Certified” or not,
it’s still a used car.

Thinking about a used car?  Nervous about what’s under the hood?  Used car dealers are feeling your pain all
the way to the bank.  In an ironic twist,
“pre-owned vehicle” dealers have found a way to profit from their bad
reputation. 

 

No, they’re not just selling overpriced used car
extended warranties anymore.  They’re
charging a 10%-25% markup on used cars “certified” (by them) not to
be pieces of junk.  The accompanying
“certified” used car warranties in fact usually carry much less
protection than the best used car warranties, which you can buy yourself
online.  Who needs a used car warranty if
your jalopy is a “certified” machine?

 

But even paying 10%-25% more won’t eliminate
risk.  Thorough extended warranties for
used cars are necessary, “certified” or not.  In some cases, a half-hearted inspection
means the certification may not be worth the paper it’s written on.  Used car problems often only appear months or
years after purchase.  That’s why even
for mint used cars, used car extended warranties are essential.

 

Worse, “certified” used cars don’t
always come with any extended used car warranty coverage.  When a “certified” used car
warranty is included, it usually has much less coverage than a new car
warranty.  Even most standard pre-owned
vehicle extended warranties offer much more protection than most “certified”
used car warranties.

 

You can almost always do better on your
own.  An independent inspection and a
used car extended warranty provide better peace of mind, often at a lower
price.

 

“Certified” Used Car Inspections
Inspected

 

The cornerstone of a “certified” used
car program is the supposedly super-thorough inspection.  There are good reasons to think that the
inspection does not replace an independent inspection or used car extended
warranty coverage.

Are inspections really added value?  Don’t you wonder why dealers aren’t
inspecting all their cars before taking delivery themselves?  Car dealers aren’t idiots, at least not with
cars.  Anyone who’s had to haggle over a
trade-in knows that.  The big question is
whether the dealership will disclose everything it knows.  Trust is still an issue with
“certified” cars.

 

Certified by whom?  Think about it: the same people who are
trying to sell you the car are also “certifying” it.  Yes, you read right: the “certification”
is usually done by the dealership selling the car.  If there’s any manufacturer oversight, it’s
often just an occasional inspection of the dealer’s inspection.

 

Duplicate inspection.  You should have any used car,
“certified” or not, thoroughly inspected by an independent
mechanic.  You’re up against an industry
that demonstrates about as much trustworthiness as, well, used car
dealers.  Do not give up your first line
of defense.

 

Limits of inspections.  No inspection in the world can foresee every
possible problem.  Oftentimes, something
that breaks a few months after purchase really was fine when the car was
sold–or was virtually undetectable. 
When–not if–something gives out, you’d better have a used car extended
warranty.

“Certified” Used Car Warranty
Coverage under the Hood

 

The implied selling point of
“certified” used cars is they won’t break.  That kind of makes used car extended
warranties seem unnecessary.  Naturally,
some buyers may wonder what will be happen if something does break anyway.  In order to ease those inquiring minds,
“certified” used car warranties often come included, or are at least
implied.   Sadly, too few people will
inquire further about what the “certified” used car warranty
covers.

Does certified mean “under
warranty”?  Not necessarily.  The major manufacturers’
“certified” programs usually include some extended warranty
protection.  But oftentimes,
“certified” cars sold outside of manufacturers’ programs do not come
with any extended warranty coverage.  If
it does break, tough luck.

 

How good’s the warranty?  The GM Certified Used Vehicle Warranty is
only for 3 months or 3,000 miles!  Ford
offers longer “certified” warranties.   But they generally aren’t bumper-to-bumper,
covering only the “power train.” 
Forget about the little extras like the roof or the doors.  Right off the internet, you can buy extended
warranty used car coverage that is generally bumper-to-bumper and lasts several
years.

“Certified” Used Cars: Extended
Warranties Still Needed

 

“Certified” used cars offer two
things: an inspection and a used car extended warranty.  Arguably, neither is worth the
price.

Inspection. 
Let’s face reality.  The junky
used car problem doesn’t exist for want of dealer inspections.  Lemons get sold for one of three reasons. a)
The defect did not show up in the dealer’s own inspection. b) The dealer is
trying to sell a car whose defects were already known. Or sometimes c) the
buyer knows about the defects but is guilty of wishful thinking.  In none of these cases will a
“certified” inspection provide the protection of an independent
inspection and extended used car warranty.

 

Warranty. A “certified” used car will
often cost 10%-25% more.  For a $10,000
used car, that’s $1,000-$2,500.  An
extended used car warranty from an independent auto warranty company will often
cost about the same.  But the best used
car warranties will provide a lot more protection than “certified”
used car warranties.  Given that fact,
you may end up getting an independent extended car warranty anyway.

Worst of all, certified used cars come with an
expensive risk.  They tempt you to let
your guard down.  Ford even issued a
press release headlined “Pre-Owned Vehicle Program Reduces Customer Buyer
Beware.”  As if that were a good
thing.

 

Of course, in the end, you may buy a
“certified” used car anyway. 
These days it seems there are fewer and fewer used cars that aren’t
“certified.”  Just make sure to
get an independent inspection and an independent used car extended
warranty.  “Certified” or not,
it’s still a used car.

Thinking about a used car?  Nervous about what’s under the hood?  Used car dealers are feeling your pain all
the way to the bank.  In an ironic twist,
“pre-owned vehicle” dealers have found a way to profit from their bad
reputation. 

 

No, they’re not just selling overpriced used car
extended warranties anymore.  They’re
charging a 10%-25% markup on used cars “certified” (by them) not to
be pieces of junk.  The accompanying
“certified” used car warranties in fact usually carry much less
protection than the best used car warranties, which you can buy yourself
online.  Who needs a used car warranty if
your jalopy is a “certified” machine?

 

But even paying 10%-25% more won’t eliminate
risk.  Thorough extended warranties for
used cars are necessary, “certified” or not.  In some cases, a half-hearted inspection
means the certification may not be worth the paper it’s written on.  Used car problems often only appear months or
years after purchase.  That’s why even
for mint used cars, used car extended warranties are essential.

 

Worse, “certified” used cars don’t
always come with any extended used car warranty coverage.  When a “certified” used car
warranty is included, it usually has much less coverage than a new car
warranty.  Even most standard pre-owned
vehicle extended warranties offer much more protection than most “certified”
used car warranties.

 

You can almost always do better on your
own.  An independent inspection and a
used car extended warranty provide better peace of mind, often at a lower
price.

 

“Certified” Used Car Inspections
Inspected

 

The cornerstone of a “certified” used
car program is the supposedly super-thorough inspection.  There are good reasons to think that the
inspection does not replace an independent inspection or used car extended
warranty coverage.

Are inspections really added value?  Don’t you wonder why dealers aren’t
inspecting all their cars before taking delivery themselves?  Car dealers aren’t idiots, at least not with
cars.  Anyone who’s had to haggle over a
trade-in knows that.  The big question is
whether the dealership will disclose everything it knows.  Trust is still an issue with
“certified” cars.

 

Certified by whom?  Think about it: the same people who are
trying to sell you the car are also “certifying” it.  Yes, you read right: the “certification”
is usually done by the dealership selling the car.  If there’s any manufacturer oversight, it’s
often just an occasional inspection of the dealer’s inspection.

 

Duplicate inspection.  You should have any used car,
“certified” or not, thoroughly inspected by an independent
mechanic.  You’re up against an industry
that demonstrates about as much trustworthiness as, well, used car
dealers.  Do not give up your first line
of defense.

 

Limits of inspections.  No inspection in the world can foresee every
possible problem.  Oftentimes, something
that breaks a few months after purchase really was fine when the car was
sold–or was virtually undetectable. 
When–not if–something gives out, you’d better have a used car extended
warranty.

“Certified” Used Car Warranty
Coverage under the Hood

 

The implied selling point of
“certified” used cars is they won’t break.  That kind of makes used car extended
warranties seem unnecessary.  Naturally,
some buyers may wonder what will be happen if something does break anyway.  In order to ease those inquiring minds,
“certified” used car warranties often come included, or are at least
implied.   Sadly, too few people will
inquire further about what the “certified” used car warranty
covers.

Does certified mean “under
warranty”?  Not necessarily.  The major manufacturers’
“certified” programs usually include some extended warranty
protection.  But oftentimes,
“certified” cars sold outside of manufacturers’ programs do not come
with any extended warranty coverage.  If
it does break, tough luck.

 

How good’s the warranty?  The GM Certified Used Vehicle Warranty is
only for 3 months or 3,000 miles!  Ford
offers longer “certified” warranties.   But they generally aren’t bumper-to-bumper,
covering only the “power train.” 
Forget about the little extras like the roof or the doors.  Right off the internet, you can buy extended
warranty used car coverage that is generally bumper-to-bumper and lasts several
years.

“Certified” Used Cars: Extended
Warranties Still Needed

 

“Certified” used cars offer two
things: an inspection and a used car extended warranty.  Arguably, neither is worth the
price.

Inspection. 
Let’s face reality.  The junky
used car problem doesn’t exist for want of dealer inspections.  Lemons get sold for one of three reasons. a)
The defect did not show up in the dealer’s own inspection. b) The dealer is
trying to sell a car whose defects were already known. Or sometimes c) the
buyer knows about the defects but is guilty of wishful thinking.  In none of these cases will a
“certified” inspection provide the protection of an independent
inspection and extended used car warranty.

 

Warranty. A “certified” used car will
often cost 10%-25% more.  For a $10,000
used car, that’s $1,000-$2,500.  An
extended used car warranty from an independent auto warranty company will often
cost about the same.  But the best used
car warranties will provide a lot more protection than “certified”
used car warranties.  Given that fact,
you may end up getting an independent extended car warranty anyway.

Worst of all, certified used cars come with an
expensive risk.  They tempt you to let
your guard down.  Ford even issued a
press release headlined “Pre-Owned Vehicle Program Reduces Customer Buyer
Beware.”  As if that were a good
thing.

 

Of course, in the end, you may buy a
“certified” used car anyway. 
These days it seems there are fewer and fewer used cars that aren’t
“certified.”  Just make sure to
get an independent inspection and an independent used car extended
warranty.  “Certified” or not,
it’s still a used car.

Nowadays, more and more people are enticed to buy used cars. With so many financial choices available and cars “living longer,” many people just opt to buy used cars. In fact, many smart consumers contend that buying used cars is just the same as buying new ones if the buyer knows how to buy used cars. So, to help those who wish to buy a car but cannot afford a new one, here are some of the best tips that can be implemented when buying a used car. 1. Research It is extremely important for an individual to conduct some research when buying used cars. In this way, the buyer will be able to know the ideal make and model to buy, the kind of performance to seeks, and the prices of used cars in the market. Moreover, the risk of buying used cars is lessened if the buyer knows the important details to consider when buying used cars. 2. Check the cars history The car’s history will definitely provide the buyer some solid information regarding the performances, repairs, and problems of the car. So if you CAN discover some history it would be to your advantage. In this way, the buyer will be able to compare and differentiate one car from the other. There are instances wherein used cars are being sold because of some past accidents or negative experiences. Buyers might consider more if the car he or she is about to buy has a history like this one. 3. Check the safety features What more can you expect with a used car but it does not necessarily mean that the buyer will neglect the availability of safety features in the car. By all means, an ideal car must possess safety features, whether it is old or new. According to some reports, almost 80% of the accidents are heightened because safety features are not available in the car. 4. Buyers should be wary about the documents that are included when buying used cars. Buyers should be sure that the car is not stolen, there are no liens on the vehicle, and that the one who signed on the “Bill of Sale” is the true vendor and the possessor of the property. 5. Before buying a used car, it is best to meticulously inspect the overall condition of the car first. Buyers should be wary of any rust or damage; the tires should be checked, etc. Indeed, buying a used car can be very tedious. Nevertheless, it will give the buyer some satisfaction and assurance that what he or she has bought is a good buy.

Each year, out of all the vehicles bought in the U.S., 41 million are used cars compared to only 16 million new car purchases. Since purchasing a car is the next financial investment made by US citizen other than housing, it is important to determine if buying a used car is worth your money. 1) CONS – Here is a list of the disadvantages of used-car buying: * The options of cars are limited, so the search for the right vehicle could be lengthy. * The buyers have no idea if the car was treated. Used cars usually have worn consumables such as hoses, tires, shocks, filters, fans and clutch. * Although used car dealers provide a warranty, it is only limited to a couple of months unlike purchasing a new car with full warranty. Certain maintenance on your purchased second-hand car could be more expensive. * Purchasing a second-hand vehicle would offer you a lower trade-in value. * The main disadvantage of purchasing old cars is that it has an unknown quantity. Whether the dealer has worked the vehicle to make it attractive for the test drive, the buyers are still unaware of the repair bills, economical issues, and its reliable transportation. * It is difficult to negotiate fair financing terms on an older vehicle. 2) PROS – On the other side, buying a used car could benefit the buyer in several ways: * The original owner of the car received the depreciation hit. The market value of the new car decreases from year to year. An average 30% of its value within three years from the time it was bought, so buying their car would save you a lot of money. * Unlike purchasing a new vehicle with high insurance fees, you will receive a lower cost of insurance if you choose to buy second-hand cars. * Although buying new and used cars both provide loans, lease, or money-saving the majority of dealers who sell used cars often have shorter loan terms. * If your investment is decided based on appearance and gas mileage, choosing a used car would guarantee the value and reliability it has provided over the years. * A used car would provide your dollar more flexibility. Compared from buying a new car that would eat all your finances, buying a second-hand car would allow you to purchase other accessories such as air conditioning that would cost approximately US$200 to $900 extra. Buying your used car could waste your money if you fail to do your research, compare dealerships, and be aware of the car’s market value. Be a wise used-car buyer.

Buying a car from an individual or from a local car dealer is one tedious task if the objective is to purchase a second car that is still in good running condition. A buyer would never trade his hard-earned money with just a complete wasted used car. Whether new or used, when buying a car, it should be treated with the same importance and value.  There are things to take into consideration before buying the car and these are: 1. Educate yourself as a consumer 2. Prepare a list of your needs. Prioritize between the necessities and the wants. 3. Determine the budget and the kind of car that would best fit. 4. Make a selection by models and types. Narrowing them will be helpful. 5. Research both online and offline by dealers. 6. Know the value of the second hand car in the market. 7. Research the Vehicle Identification Numbers and history. 8. Take a mechanic when checking the car whether buying from a friend or a dealer. 9. Never shy away from asking questions.  10. If there’s a gut feeling about it not being good, don’t be afraid to walk away. Bringing a mechanic along is always a good strategy. Make sure your mechanic inspects the totality of the car, from the history down to its last screw. It should be parked on a level spot. You should make certain that it was driven for about an hour. This should make it a good time to make the inspection. Always make it on a well lit surrounding and in broad daylight.  How to inspect it thoroughly: Checking the exterior. Walk around to see if there is damage to the body. The corners of the car should be shaken and bounced up and down to see if the shock absorbers are still in good condition. Make sure that the wheel bearings do not make any sound when trying to pull the front tires by tugging them. Open the doors lift the hood and the trunk to see if all the rubber seals are still in place. This will also tell if there’s anything loose around the hinges. Check for signs of repaint. There will be difference in the color because shops can never duplicate the original paint of the car. Ask someone to turn on all the lights outside of the car and look if all are working. Cars with only 30,000 miles of travel must still have its original tires. Beware if you find a car with only a few miles of travel but has new tires. When the test drive is done, check the discs of the brakes, this should still be clean and smooth. Check the windshield for cracks. Checking the Interior. Though it sounds odd, smell the insides of the car. Sniff under mats and the carpet. If it smells like mildew then it’s a sign that there is a leak somewhere or that the car may have undergone flood damage. Switch on the air-conditioning to make sure that it really turns the whole inside of the car cold. Next, try the heater. Try out all lights inside as well and never forget to blow the horn. Also try all the seat adjustments. The upholstery should still be in good shape too. There will be a lot more to check and here is where the mechanic can help the buyer. Looking inside the trunk. Once more, smell the insides and check for any signs of leaks. Make sure that some basic car tools are still present for the new user. Checking under the hood. Feel the wiring for any cracks or brittleness. Squeeze the hoses and the fan belt for any cuts and possible electrical tape patches. Do not take off the cap of the radiator until its cool enough. The greenish color indicates a good condition where the coolant is. Beware of stains and dirty-whitish color on the radiator. Again, let the rest be checked by the mechanic like the batteries. Checking under the car. Lie down if you must and use an emergency light to see the engine underneath. Feel any signs of residue. Check the pipes and examine any possibility of heavy rusting.  Do the Test Drive. The owner or dealer should not stop a buyer from going over about twenty minutes of test drive.  This is a special time to thoroughly look for any problems with the air-conditioning, heater, steering wheel, brakes, transmission, and most importantly, the comfort. Feel everything; it’s okay to try it on a hump or a slight bumpy road to really experience the performance. Listen carefully to check any rattles. Have a pen and paper, flashlight, gloves, magnet, towel, blanket and even CD or tape when checking a car out.

Having high performance all season tires on your car makes you feel proud of you car but they can also save your life. Having good all performance tires is a must on any motorist car there very durable and they’re nice looking if you keep them well maintained up to service. You should really think about it. The whole point is that your life depends on your car; your car depends on your tires, that’s why you should keep your tires in good repair and service.
If you live in an area where the seasons change quite a bit and where you have a lot of rain as well as snow and ice in the winter then you need a good quality all season tire even more. If you own a sporty car or SUV then you will undoubtedly want to go with a high performance all season tire. Tire choices have really expanded over the years to include a diverse variety of sizes and styles so you need to educate yourself.
When you have all season performance tires there is to more in repairing them and servicing them than just changing the tire when the treads are warn out. It also means that you should rotate all four tires so that they are worn evenly. You also need to avoid the kind of driving that can really damage your tires. These activities can be hitting curbs or peeling out those are just some of the activities that can damage your tires. Taking a turn at a high rate of speed can really wear out your tires.
You will eventually have to change your all season performance tires, that kind of auto maintenance you will need the help of the professionals to do. I know that if you are a car nut, you probably just want to be able to handle everything yourself. Believe me, I have been there. Before I was a mechanic, I loved to work on my car by myself, and I would never take it in to a shop unless it was absolutely necessary. But if you’re going to change your all season performance tires you will need to take it to an auto care shop so it can be done by the professionals. You have to do this so that your tires are well balance and your car isn’t unsafe to drive. Unbalanced tires mean an unsafe car to drive. Nobody wants that, that’s why it is so important to get your tires changed by a professional.

Tires are a very important part of a motorcycle. Without them the motorcycle would not be able to move in the first place. This is why it is very important that every motorcycle owner possesses general knowledge about what they can expect from the tires they plan on using from their vehicle. Choosing the wrong type of tire could adversely affect how the motorcycle drives. It may even cost a motorcycle owner more money, trying to repair flats or replace the tire all together. That’s where this article comes in. From this article motorcycle owners can get a basic overview of what they need to look for when they start investigating which tires are right for their vehicle. All of these guidelines are explained in greater detail below.
Size
To determine the size of a potential set of tires, you need to evaluate their rim width. What does this mean? It means that the tires cannot be any wider or narrower than the initial equipment tires. If they are the handling of your motorcycle could get distorted.
Pressure
The pressure associated with motorcycle tires increases as the temperature rises. This is why motorcycle riders need to regularly check their tires’ pressure, especially during the winter months. They can find specific recommendations on which tire pressures are best for their vehicle by checking out their motorcycle manufacturer’s reference manual. They can also further protect their tires’ pressure by not bleeding air from tires that are hot and/or riding on the tires when they are under-inflated. Doing otherwise wears the tires down prematurely.
Wear Indicator
Motorcycle owners need to periodically check the wear indicator associated with their tire grooves. If the wear indicators are at the same level as the tread’s surface, the tires probably need to be replaced.
Valve Caps
Proper use of valve caps can prevent air from escaping from one’s motorcycle tires. It can also prevent dirt from getting into the valve, improving overall efficiency of the tires.
Warming Up
Start at a moderate speed when you first get on your motorcycle. Doing so helps allow the tires to reach their core operating temperatures in a much smoother manner. When the tires do reach their warm-up, they will offer the best grip for the motorcycle rider.
Breaking In
Don’t accelerate rapidly or use hard cornering techniques once your tires have appropriately warmed up, as this can quickly wear them out. You will want to avoid doing these things for at least 50 kilometers. This is the amount of time/distance it takes for the tread area to be completely worn off.
Getting the Repairs
It is important that you acquire basic knowledge associated with motorcycle repair, so you won’t have to rely on a mechanic should you have problems with your tires or even the vehicle itself. Numerous books and e-books are available to help provide the basics for motorcycle riders who are new to the experience. Some of them are free. Either way, take advantage of the information so you won’t find yourself being stranded if something does go wrong with your motorcycle’s tires.

Father winter is on its way or partially here. Not only that but you can count on it for the weather to get colder and colder as winter progresses. If your car is having difficulty now – what will happen when the cold Manitoba winter sets in? Lots of luck.
Just like almost everything else in life automobile maintenance and preparation are key to an uneventful winter’s motoring.
What can you do to get your car ready for winter? Plenty.
First of all book an appointment to give your car a complete inspection and tune up before the real cold of winter sets in. It is no secret in life that most people live everything for the last minute. In the case of winter time repairs, by leaving things for the last moment will mean delays and lack of vital transpiration to you. You may be spending unnecessarily time waiting for the bus in the dead of winter; up before the crack of dawn just to make it to work on time, so the boss does not give you a telling for arriving late to work.
You can be sure that if you wait for that real cold snap to book the inspection and tune up for your car – then every else in the world – or at least in your town – will be there at the garage or local Canadian tire outlet begging for quickest service in the world.
First you will have to get your frozen, non starting vehicle to the garage. That will involve long waits both on the phone line and then an even longer wait for the tow truck to arrive. Then it’s off to the garage repair shop to wait in a long line and beg for service trying to jump the queue. Problem is everyone else is in the same boat. You all will have to wait the same.
Imagine if you would have only booked the appointment some time earlier – or at least before the worst cold snap of the season, so far arrives. Your car will start. You can drive it to the repair shop. Timing can be done at your leisure. Perhaps the dealer or repair garage facility can even give you a lift to work in their auto transport shuttle. All in all it’s a much more civilized way and manner to have your routine winter tune up and inspection done early and earlier before the rush sets in. A lot easier, perhaps less expensive and certainly less stressful for you and your vehicle as well.
With the routine tune up there are a couple of extra touches which provide for extra attention to your vehicle for the winter ahead – be it car, truck, van or S.U.V.
First make sure that the engine oil and radiator coolant are changed. Have the transmission, power steering, brakes, radiator and battery fluids checked as well. It’s a good practice to change the radiator anti-freeze every year or second year at most. Anti-freeze not only protects your engine , radiator and coolant hoses from freezing – it also feeds the heater and window defroster to keep you warm , snug and safe when driving your car in the wintertime.
All in all the importance of a winter check up and tune up for cold wintertime driving can not be overemphasized. Plan ahead to make your motoring trouble free. Cars need care. Good care will ensure that your vehicle will run efficiently and will last a longer time. Especially if you drive in cold winter areas and in wet or cold climates you not only need to fight rust on your car body but also freezing frigid weather and automotive mechanical breakdowns.

These days cars a lasting much longer than they used to do with so many people cutting back on finances many families are considering buying a used car.

Smart consumers know that buying a used car can be a much better deal than buying a new one if you know what you are doing.

Here are some tips that you can use to make sure you get the most out of your used car purchase.

1. Due Diligence

When you make any major purchase, it’s Important for you to do some research and purchasing a used car is no different. If you do the right research you’ll know the perfect make and model that suits your needs. You’ll also be able to determine the fair market value of this type of car and therefore, you’ll know when you’re getting a good deal at the used car lot.

In addition you’ll be able to research Important details about the car, like recalls her things to look for and used models that may help when evaluating used cars and negotiating deals.

2. Check Out The Car

when you find a car that you like, it is wise to check the car’s history. This will give you Information regarding the repairs as well as any problems with the car. You can do this for a small fee online and it can save you from buying a car that’s been in a flood or other major disaster. You won’t want to buy a car that’s been a major accident that could’ve damaged or bent the frame and it may be impossible to tell by just looking at the car so checking on the history is vital. You can find out the history of any car by going to Carfax.com.

3. Think Safety

In order to keep your family safe in the car, you want to consider the safety features of any used car you going to buy. Obviously, the newer model cars will have more safety features. According to reports, 80% of traffic accidents are made worse because the cars lacked safety features.

4. Check the Documentation

You should check out the documents included with the used car cheerfully. Make sure that the cars are not stolen or that there were no liens on the vehicle and also be sure to check that the signature on the bill of sale is the actual possessor of the car.

5. Car Inspection

Before you make any deals on the used car, you must inspect the entire car. Look for Ross to especially around the wheel wells in the frame and carefully scrutinize it for any damage. Don’t forget to check the tires, and the interior as well. If you don’t know much about cars, you can always asked to take it to your mechanic for inspection. Anybody on the up and up selling a car should not object to this. If any flaws are found, and then you can use this as negotiating leverage and lost the flaws are so major that you no longer want the car.

Buying a used car can take a bit more work than buying a new one as there are many things to check out. However, doing your due diligence will make sure that you get a great used-car at a fraction of the cost you could buy new one for and that will last for years to come.

Your tires literally connect you and your car to the road, so obviously you need to make sure that your tires are performing as they should be. Tire upgrading is at an all time high, and for good reasons. Even if you have the most powerful engine in the world, and the highest quality car performance parts, they won’t do you a bit of good unless you have tires to match. Crappy tires can bring a new and cool car, but great tires can really help an old car.

Once you realize that your car needs new tires, you need to get the best wheel upgrade possible. You’ll need to consider plus sizing, for instance. If your wheels are 15 inches in diameter, you may want to consider upgrading them to 16 or 17 inches. By plus sizing your wheels, you’re improving both the appearance and performance of your car. If you use a wheel with a larger diameter with a low profile tire, you can properly keep the overall diameter of the tire.

Another important factor is alloy wheels. High quality alloy wheels offers great benefits. For instance, you will end up with decreased unsprung weight in comparison to steel wheels. Driving with alloy wheels helps to improve the precision of steering and cornering. This helps with the car’s road holding. Alloy wheels are also made with metals that act as good conductors of heat. This helps improve the brakes’ heat dissipation. In the long run, all the benefits from driving with alloy wheels will play a part in improving fuel economy.

Thankfully, manufacturers are supplying more high quality tires and wheels for us to choose from. The overall quality for car performance is increasing, which makes parts such as tires and wheels more affordable.