March 24th, 2009 admin
What To Do When Your Car Needs Repairs
When your vehicle breaks down or begins running roughly, it’s probably time to take a closer look under the hood. You can either do it yourself, or take it to a repair shop. If you choose the latter, you’ll need to decide whether to take your car to the dealership or to a local mechanic. Each has inherent advantages and drawbacks. Plus, there’s a lot of misinformation which confuses and misleads drivers into making the wrong decision.
In this article, we’ll discuss auto parts and repairs in the context of cost and training. We’ll look at the differences between dealership service shops and independent mechanics. I’ll also explain why some types of work may be better-suited for the dealer while others should be done in a local auto shop.
Cost Factors
It won’t come as a surprise that auto maintenance and service work is typically less expensive in an independent garage than at the dealership. Independent shops have less overhead. They don’t need to pay top salaries to their mechanics. Nor are they under as much corporate pressure to generate sales and revenue. With a loyal base of repeat customers, an independent repair garage can thrive. By contrast, dealer service shops have enormous overhead and staff costs. Their facilities are larger and they often pay their auto technicians more. These costs are reflected in the prices their customers pay for auto maintenance work.
Are Dealership Mechanics Better Trained?
There’s a common fallacy in the automotive world: auto technicians who work at the dealership are better trained than local mechanics. To their credit, the dealer’s technicians receive professional training about their specific models. However, it’s important to note that most of the mechanics who work in independent garages have a wide breadth of knowledge about all popular vehicles. While a technician who works at a Toyota dealership may have received specialized training about Corollas, the local mechanic probably knows just as much from experience.
Also, a lot of auto technicians who work at dealer service shops leave their jobs in order to work in independent garages. They take their training with them.
Repairs, Maintenance, And Warranties
When you buy a new car, the warranty will often require that certain types of repairs are performed at the dealership. For example, if your transmission needs to be overhauled, you’ll probably need to have the work done at the dealer. Taking your car to a local garage may cause your warranty to become void.
Ask your dealer to clarify which type of work needs to be done at their shop and what can be performed elsewhere. Oil changes, air and fuel filter replacements, and minor maintenance work will be less costly if you have a local repair garage handle it. And chances are, the quality will be just as high.
Find your used auto parts and used engines from the leader in parts, http://www.everdrive.com
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March 17th, 2009 admin
Several Small Things You Can Do To Clean Up Your Vehicle
When it comes to your car, appearances matter. The rule of thumb is that a driver who spends time to make his (or her) vehicle look good is more likely to keep it well maintained over time. Rarely will an owner with a clean, attractive car neglect to provide the proper maintenance. Air filters are replaced, motor oil is changed, and other parts are kept in good running condition.
Fortunately, keeping your vehicle looking great and running well is easy. In this article, I’ll describe 4 things you can do clean up your car.
#1 – Fix The Scratches And Dents
Door dings, dents, and other blemishes are unavoidable, but can often be fixed easily. For example, small scratches on the body can usually be buffed out or covered with touch-up paint. Most auto parts retailers offer a number of products that you can use to repair the flaws.
#2 – Repair The Windshield
Even if you only drive on surface streets, the occasional rock or piece of debris can hit your vehicle’s windshield and leave a mark. If you travel often on the freeways, it can happen much more frequently. If a piece of debris creates a minor chip in the glass, it may not cause a serious problem. However, if a crack develops, it can travel and grow larger. Eventually, it may even become a safety issue. Contact a windshield repair specialist and have the damage fixed.
#3 – Spruce Up The Floor Mats
Your car’s floor mats are probably filthy, even if you can barely tell. Getting in and out of your vehicle after walking through dirt, mud, or moisture on the pavement can allow grime and debris to collect in them. The problem is that floor mats are often hard to clean. If your mats are looking especially worn, consider buying replacements.
#4 – Clean Under The Hood
First, visit an auto parts store and buy a wire brush. Then, disconnect the terminals from your car battery and scrub off the grime and corrosion that has accumulated on the poles. Look at the interior of the terminals and clean them is they’re dirty. Cleaning the battery improves the connection and reduces the chances of losing a charge. Once they’re poles and terminals are clean, reconnect them.
If you’re thinking of selling your car, consider having the engine steam cleaned. It’s purely for aesthetics, but can influence the price you get when selling it to a private party.
Looking Good And Well-Maintained
Keeping your vehicle in good running condition means following the maintenance schedule in your owner’s manual. But, don’t neglect to take care of the exterior and interior, too. Repair dents and scratches on the outside, fix any damage you notice on the windshield, and replace the floor mats if they’re worn. Finally, lift your vehicle’s hood and get rid of some of the grime. Remember, in the eyes of other motorists, if your car is looking good, it’s probably well-maintained.
When looking for used Toyota parts and used Dodge parts consider parts from http://www.everdrive.com
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March 11th, 2009 admin
Safety Measures When You’re Repairing Your Car
When your vehicle is experiencing problems, taking it to a mechanic is often inconvenient and costly. Plus, there’s always a nagging feeling that an auto technician will suggest more work than is truly necessary. In a spurt of inspiration, you might be motivated to lift the hood of your car and fix the problem yourself.
If you have experience working under the hood, you’re probably (hopefully) taking the proper safety measures. However, many of you may have little to no experience performing auto repairs. As a result, you could be neglecting safety precautions that are meant to protect you from injury. Whether you’re replacing your vehicle’s fuel filter, rotating the tires, or pulling out the cylinder head, you need to take the proper steps in order to remain safe.
In this article, I’ll provide an overview of safety precautions that will protect you from harm. Observing them can make the difference between an easy, safe auto repair job and a potential nightmare.
Wear Protective Eye Goggles
Depending on the type of work you’re performing, your eyes can be extremely vulnerable to damage. For example, if you’re grinding something, the tools you’re using can throw debris into the air. Or, if you’re working underneath your vehicle, debris can easily fall directly into your eyes. Air conditioning refrigerant, battery acid, and other items can cause severe harm. Wear goggles to protect your eyes.
Disconnect Your Car’s Battery
If you’re doing any work on any of the parts that make up your vehicle’s electrical system, disconnect the battery. Even a task as simple as replacing the alternator can be dangerous if a charge is sent unexpectedly through the system. Whether you’re fixing your car’s starter, replacing the switch, or repairing wires, unhook one of the terminals from the posts on your battery. That way, there’s no chance of accidentally starting a fire in the electrical system.
Relieve Pressure From The Fuel Injection System
When your vehicle is running, pressure builds within the fuel injection system. If you open a fuel line while it’s running, you can cause significant injury to yourself from the spray. Even if your car’s engine has been turned off for a few hours, some of the pressure can still remain. If you’re planning to open a line, use a thick towel or rag and snugly wrap it around before you loosen it. Then, take it off slowly to relieve some of the residual pressure.
Being Safe Under The Hood
There are a lot of things that can go wrong when you’re working on your vehicle. Even minor repair work can result in a fire or injury. Your first priority is to protect yourself and anyone around you. If you don’t have experience repairing cars, either work with an experienced friend or take it to a trained mechanic. Protecting your safety is worth the investment.
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