Preparing your car for the winter

With the winter just around the corner this is a good time to prepare your vehicle for the oncoming snows,frosts and what
ever gets thrown at us.

oils and fluids:
Changing fluids on a regular basis is perhaps the most ecinomical way to look after your vehicle,changing the engine oil
every 3-4000 miles,the engine coolant should be diluted 50% with water and the gearbox every couple of years.
A check on a regular basis should also be made of the battery level radiator,steering fluid and the brake levels,
also important with the spray from the salt laden roads is the windshield washer.

Preventing rust:
The best way to prevent rust is to have the vehicle wax oiled from new with the salt from the road attacking any open rust
spot making it a major problem in the future

Tires:
A must is to check on your tires before any bad weather hits , check alignment and tire pressure,not forgetting to rotate them
every 5000 miles or so.Keeping a set of snow chains in the trunk is a good idea,and if it gets to bad many people have snow tires fitted.

Brakes:
Just as important is having reliable brakes,check the brake fluid regularly making sure the brake pads do not wear down scoring the brake drums/discs

Lights:
With bad weather comes dark nights ,so having all the relevant lights working is a must.

Maintain your vehicle regularly to provide years of service with better performance and safety.

Dave Burton
www.bargain-motors.com

Top Tips for Saving Money on Car Parts and Maintainence

Taking care of your car maintenance can be very rewarding if done properly so here's a list of seven top tips that can help you save money on your car parts and service.
1. A well tuned car can have a fuel consumption from 25% to 33% lower than a poorly tuned car making a tune-up cheaper than driving without it, tuning your car for better performance can save you between ${
150 and $300 per year.
2. Regardless of the number of miles the manual recommends a oil change and filter change you should change them every 3,000 miles. This is one of the most important factors in your engine's life since it's going to prolong your engine's life and you're going to save on engine car parts. The potential savings are $500 to $3000.
3. Dirty air filter means more gasoline used and reduces the engine's life so you should check it regularly, maybe monthly. The air filter can be cleaned by blowing it with a hose or can be replaced. You can save about $130 per year..
4. Using steel-belted radial tires can increase the number of miles you make per year by up to 10%, saving this way about $130 per year.
5. Most cars, don't work better on premium gas, so, unless your car is pinging or knocking you shouldn't use higher octane gas. If your car doesn't have a high performance engine, using the gas that best suits your car's engine can save you $200 to $400 per year.
6. Having under inflated tires makes your engine burn about 6% more gas so make sure you check your tire pressure regularly.
7. If your tires are improperly balanced the tread on them will be destroyed. In addition, your suspension and shock absorbers can be damaged leading to more expense on car parts and service. Balancing your tires once a year can add thousands of miles to their life.

Dave Burton
www.bargain-motors.com

Tips On Making Your Car Fuel Efficient

With gas prices increasing most people that drive are interested in ways they can make their car more fuel efficient and save as much money as possible. While there are no fuel saving tips that will keep your car full of gas without filling up, there are some tips that really can help you save money on fuel over the long run. All of these tips focus on making your car more fuel efficient.

1, Drive When You Start Up ;This might seem obvious, but as soon as you crank up your car you should drive off. However, many people crank up and leave the car idling for a while. Instead of this, when you crank up drive off and only keep your car running when it is absolutely necessary.

2, Don't Ride the Brake; Many drivers hit the brake more often than is necessary. Additionally there are quite a few drivers that slow down for a braking car when they could easily switch lanes. Not riding the brake can increase your fuel efficiency by up to 30%, so this is a great tip you should follow.

3, Turn Off Your Car ;If you are going to be stopping for more than 10 minutes you should switch off your car to keep fuel efficiency at its peak and not burn more gas than is necessary.

4, Don't Turn Off Your Car; If you are only stopping for a brief moment or less than 5 minutes then don't turn off your car because the amount of gas used to crank up is more than you would burn in that short period of time.

5, Inflate Tires Properly; Too many drivers never think of their tires, unless one goes flat. However, having tires that are properly inflated can save fuel and make your car more fuel efficient, saving you money. Because of this, you should check your tire pressure on a regular basis. While gas prices don't seem like they will be dipping considerably in the next few months every tip to help you make your car more fuel efficient is helpful. So, follow the above fuel tips and you will see that over time your car really is more fuel efficient.

Dave Burton

http://www.bargain-motors.com/

Freeway Driving

America's freeways, are perfect for getting from one place to another very quickly. Because of the high rates of speed allowed on these routes, it's imperative to follow good freeway driving etiquette so as to avoid impeding the flow of traffic. Here are a few basic steps to follow from the time you enter the freeway until you exit.

Accelerate gradually as you enter the freeway. Traffic is already moving at 55mph to 70mph so this isn't a time for sightseeing. The on-ramp usually gives you enough time and space to catch up with flow of traffic.
Merge left into one of the center lanes. Because the right lane is for slower traffic and those entering or exiting the freeway, you must use the center lanes for travel. Be sure to keep up with the flow of traffic in the center lanes when freeway driving.
Use the left lane for passing only. Once you have completed passing, merge right into one of the center lanes and resume travel. The left lane is not for cruising.
Merge into the right lane to exit the freeway. You will use this lane to gradually decrease your speed and prepare for using the surface roads

If you are cruising in the left lane rather than passing, someone behind you may blow their horn or flash their headlights. Don't get upset. This just means they want to pass and you are probably driving at the same speed as center lane drivers. Simply merge into the center lane and continue driving. This is good freeway driving etiquette and allows other vehicles to use the passing lane for its intended purpose.

Dave Burton
www.bargain-motors.com

Emergency Breakdown Kit

Is this ever happened to you ? your driving along its 10.30 at night and the rain is lashing down,then bang something happenes to your car and it comes to a halt.You get out the car and see the left rear tire is flat and you're already running on your spare.
If you have an account with the Auto Club and your cell phone works,your in luck, help is not far away. BUT if not, you're either faced with having to hail a passing motorist or spend a night in the motor. That is, unless you have a well-stocked emergency roadside kit in the trunk of your car.
When it comes to commuting or traveling any lengthy distance, a roadside emergency kit can mean the difference between getting back on the road or being stuck for a long period of time. A roadside emergency kit is the one item that every vehicle should have; yet most of us never carry any of the basic items to help you get back on the road quickly and safely.

Some of the basic items include:
12-foot jumper cables
Four 15-minute roadside flares
Two quarts of oil
Gallon of antifreeze
First aid kit (including an assortment of bandages, gauze, adhesive tape, antiseptic cream, instant ice and heat compresses, scissors and aspirin)
Blanket
Extra fuses
Flashlight and extra batteries
Flat head screwdrivers
Phillips head screwdrivers
Pliers
Vise Grips
Adjustable wrench
Tire inflator (such as a Fix-A-Flat)
Tire pressure gauge
Rags
Roll of paper towels
Roll of duct tape
Spray bottle with washer fluid
Pocketknife
Ice scraper
Pen and paper
Help sign
Granola or energy bars
Bottled water
and heavy-duty nylon bag to carry it all in.
Granted, all these items practically necessitate a Ford Truck to haul them down the road, but a basic version with two roadside flares, a quart of oil, small first aid kit, extra fuses, flashlight, a Leatherman Tool (or any other multipurpose tool commonly containing pliers, wire cutters, knife, saw, bottle opener, screwdrivers, files and an awl), tire inflator, rags, pocket knife, pen and paper and a help sign will take up a minimal amount of trunk space.
Safe Travelling

Dave Burton
www.bargain-motors.com

Safe Travelling On Vacation

The main thing to do before travelling on vacation is to spend a few minutes checking out your important vehicle systems before hitting the road to prevent your vacation travel from turning into a hassle.
The main concern is arriving safely at your destination.While winter weather, increased traffic, driver fatigue and shortened daylight hours can make driving more hazardous over the holidays, a poorly maintained vehicle shouldn't be added to that list of potential driving hazards.Therefore performing a simple vehicle safety check is neccesary.

Front windshield.
3/4 of all accidents that occur during severe weather are due to impaired visibility,its recommended to get new wiper blades every six months,and switching to high-quality winter blades in areas where snow and ice are expected.
Every vehicle should be equipped with an emergency kit that includes a flashlight, flares or reflective triangles, blanket, food bars, water, cell phone and charger, and a first aid kit.
LIGHTS
Its just as important to see as it is to be seen on the road,its recommended to check all vehicle lights, including headlights, taillights, marker bulbs, fog lights and interior lights.To make sure your turn signals and your brake lights are in working order have someone stand at the back of your car,turn your lights and blinkers on so your assistant can see that they are operating as they should.If the bulbs are not working as they should you can replace any that have burned out or are fading. Check your headlights too, both the low beams and the high beams. You want to make sure other vehicles on the road can see you coming. It is always handy to keep some fuses in your glove compartment. You never know when you may need one.
TIRES:
Check tire tread depth and look for signs of irregular wear. Measure tire pressure when the tires are cold. Inflate the tires to the pressure recommended by the vehicle manufacturer - information that can be found on the driver's side door posthandbook or manual - but never exceed the maximum inflation pressure printed on the tire sidewall. Proper tire pressure ensures maximum traction, fuel economy, handling, and stopping power.If you see your tires are wearing unevenly you can rotate them, which means switching the back tires to the front and the front tires to the back of the car. If you see wear patterns you may also need to get your car aligned,you also want to make sure you have a spare tire, or a donut tire, and the proper jack and equipment you will need to change a tire.

* Clean all mirrors and adjust them to cover as much of the "blind spot" as possible.

* Strap down all cargo. Even in low-speed accidents, gift boxes and travel supplies become projectiles inside the vehicle.

Always make sure your vehicle has working seatbelts for each passenger. Not all state require drivers and passengers to use seat belts. If your driving through different states during your holiday travel you may want to check the laws of the states you will be driving through. Ignorance of a law will not save you from a ticket if you are stopped.Accidents can happen even if you have checked and prepared your car for your holiday road trip. If you are involved in an accident your seat belts and/or car seats will help to reduce the chances of your being seriously injured.Just in case of an accident, put a disposable camera in your glove compartment. If you need to you will be able to take pictures of the accident scene for your insurance company. Be sure to carry your registration and insurance papers in the glove box as well.A pen and some paper can be of help if you need to exchange insurance and license information with someone. You will also be able to write down the details of the accident so you don't forget any details.
To ensure your vacation travel plans run smoothly you need to plan and make a little effort. The last thing you would want to happen is to have your car break down, so give your vehicle a little attention before you leave.You should give your car a complete going over. Give your car an oil change. While your at it check all the fluids including your transmission fluid, brake fluid and your windshield wiper fluid.While your working under the hood of your car check the hoses for signs of wear. If the hoses in your engine look worn, have them replaced. You don't want them to break down during your trip.
Today most of us have cell phones and carry them with us at all times. Remember to charge your cell phone or to bring your charger. For road travel it is a good idea to have a battery charger that can plug into your cigarette lighter. You don't want to get caught breaking down on the road with a dead cell phone.If you don't have a cell phone you can purchase one that has prepaid minutes already on it. You won't have to sign a contract for this type of phone and when the minutes run out, you can dispose of the phone or pay to have more minutes put on it.
Once you've completed the safety check, you can then focus on maximizing fuel economy, even though your vehicle may be loaded down with people and or presents, by having a clean air filter and by adding fuel injector cleaner to the vehicle's gas tank prior to departure is recomended.

If you are going to be one of the thousands of people traveling the roads for the holidays in your own car, rather than a rental vehicle, make sure you have done all you can to prepare your car for the trip. Car maintenance and repair will help to insure your vacation trip is a happy and successful journey.

Dave Burton
www.bargain-motors.com

Which Tires Should i Choose?

Choosing new tires for your car can be a complete minefield if you've never done it before. When you're considering which tires you need to get, you need to consider factors such as performance, price, brand, comfort, appearance and safety. But how do you know which tires are the 'right' ones for your car?

New Cars vs Used Cars
If you bought the car from new, it's a safe bet that you can just replace the old tires with the same type that the car came with. However if the car was used when you bought it, you can't be sure that the previous owner has chosen the correct type of tires on the vehicle you purchased.

If you are buying a used car, it's a good idea to do your research and make sure that the car you are buying has the correct tires fitted. If not, replacing them all with the right type once you own the car would be a good idea.

When looking at new cars, different kinds of vehicle will come with different tyres. 4x4's, trucks, cars and high performance cars will all come with tires specific to the individual vehicle. These tires are great for a variety of conditions, will last for differing lengths of time and will cost varying amounts of money to replace.


What Kind of Tires?
You need to make sure that you know what kind of tires your car will need when it comes to replacement time, and make sure that you do change them as soon as the time comes (or slightly earlier if possible).

You can change the tires on your vehicle to another type, but you really do need to do your research first and make sure that the new type is suitable for the vehicle you wish to fit them to.

Where you live can affect your tire choice. Conditions such as frequent rain, snow, heavy winter weather or extreme heat can all affect the type of tire that you need to use. In the America where the weather varies hugely from state to state, you will find that car manufacturers equip their vehicles with tires that are well-suited to the conditions in that particular area.

Different tire types vary hugely in function as well as price. High performance tires are usually quite expensive and wear out more quickly, so are not necessarily worth the extra cash - it depends on your priorities. There are all season tires, performance all season tires, ultra-high performance tires, winter tires and tires made especially for suv's to name a few. If you drive a high-performance sporty car you might not worry in the slightest about having to buy expensive tyres to keep this car up to scratch. On the other hand, if you need a suv to get through farmland, or sludgy mud-strewn roads to get the kids to school, you should appreciate when you buy the car that the tires are going to be expensive to maintain.


When Should I Replace Them?
How do you know when it's time to replace your tires? In the USA, the legal limit for minimum depth of the tread on your tyres is 2/32", across the central ¾ of the tread going around the complete circumference of the tire.

If your tire treads drop below this level you could face a penalty
Tires are made with tread wear indicators in the grooves along the tread to help drivers see when their tires are nearing the legal limit. Although the legal limit is 2/32", most motor safety organizations suggest that the tIres should be replaced when the tread depth reaches 4/32" as it is recognised across the country that the current legal limit isn't really sufficient to protect drivers caught up in adverse driving conditions.


Should I Get a Professional Opinion?
Of course if you're not confident about your choices, or you're not sure about which tIres to get for your car, speak to a professional. That's what they're there for, and if you go to a reputable company, they will be able to point you in the right direction.

Finally, remember that if you do change your tIres to something more high performance, you may need to inform your insurance company as it can sometimes affect the price of your premium, though whether this is the case should be outlined by your insurance provider in your policy documents.

Dave Burton
www.bargain-motors.com