31st August
2009
We always seem to make sure our cars are ready for the winter, right? But what about during the summer? Believe it or not, the heat takes its toll on your car, too, so it's important to keep your car serviced. Periodic maintenance on your car will save you tremendous hassle in the long run. Your vehicle should last longer and command a higher resale price, too! I made it a point to get my car serviced according to the dealer's schedule, and when I traded it in, I got far more than I expected ...
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Automotive
29th August
2009
Everyone wants to save money on car repairs, right? Make it a point to schedule into your calendar a winter booster check for your car. Keep these tips in mind for your winter travel, and you'll have a safer winter travel season all around! A gas tank which is kept filled helps keep moisture from forming. Make it a habit to go ahead and fill up when your tank is half empty. Change your oil and oil filter every 3,000 miles or so if your driving is mostly stop-and-go or consists of frequent ...
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Automotive
28th August
2009
Cars are like electric lights. We often don't appreciate them until they go on the blink. Regular maintenance checks and simple service can greatly reduce the cost of car ownership and keep you a much happier traveler! Don't let the thought of car maintenance intimidate you. There are actually several car maintenance tips you can do ' even if you're totally mechanically-challenged! For instance, you'll want to keep your windshield washer fluid reservoir full. This involves screwing off the cap ...
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Automotive
26th August
2009
Changing your own oil and filter sounds much harder than it really is. Many people opt to take care of this maintenance feature on their own to avoid the cost of having it done by a professional. You do not need a very advanced knowledge of vehicles either. It is pretty straight forward and once you successfully do it once, you will be able to do it for life. If you are new to this you may want to have someone assist you the first time. If you need some help determining the exact location of ...
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Automotive
25th August
2009
An oil change is part of vehicle maintenance that keeps the car running effectively and smoothly and keeps the engine healthy. If a car's oil is not changed on a regular basis then the engine can develop sludge, which will slow down its power and lead to other mechanical problems within the operation of the vehicle. Oil changes, along with proper tire pressure, not keeping too much extra weight in the trunk and a regular inspection keep a motor vehicle running smoothly and can help the owner ...
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Automotive
24th August
2009
Do you realize over 500 million gallons of motor oil are purchased in the nation each year? Furthermore, about 50 percent of the more than 400 million oil filters sold are recycled. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) estimates that nearly half of the motor oil changed comes from do-it-yourself (DIY) mechanics. What impact does this have upon the earth and our ground water when we need to change motor oil in our vehicles every 3,000 miles? A new technology introduced by SOMS ...
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Automotive
22nd August
2009
Are you sure you need a new car? I'm sure you want the newest safety features and modern styling that a new car offers. Perhaps you need a larger vehicle to fit your growing family. You probably feel that your old car no longer fits your life. But how about cost? From an economic perspective, you're better off keeping your old car. It could save you thousands of dollars. Taking better care of your current car may make much more sense in the long run. You're probably thinking - those repair ...
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Automotive
21st August
2009
Getting a new car thrills and excites. Sometimes it's easy to get carried away in our initial response to a car. No matter how much you like a certain vehicle, take it for a long, serious test drive. You should first plan on spending as long as possible on your test drive. Fifteen minutes isn't enough time. You want to thoroughly examine the car and definitely have a mechanic check it out. Take a look at the vehicle overall. Do the body parts line up? Does the paint match? Will doors open and ...
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Automotive
19th August
2009
The upkeep of your vehicle can be quite an expense - from initial purchase to insurance to maintenance. And sometimes we get the sinking feeling that every time we need a car repair, we're going to get taken for a ride. (pardon the pun!) Actually there are some ways to make sure you don't get a raw deal when dealing with a local body shop. After you get recommendations for honest mechanics, call around to check out the prices for certain jobs. It's always smart to get a second opinion. How ...
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Automotive
18th August
2009
The more you notice about your vehicle, the more likely you'll be able to head off repair problems. Yep- even if you're mechanically challenged. You can detect many common vehicle problems by using your eyes and nose. 'See No Evil' Is there a little stain or a drop of fluid under your vehicle? It may mean absolutely nothing. But you do want to check the wet spots immediately - just to make sure. What color is the fluid under your car? Yellowish green, pretty blue or neon orange colors indicate ...
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Automotive
17th August
2009
Taking care of your car maintenance can be very rewarding if done properly so here's a list of seven tips that can help you save money on your car parts and service. 1. A well tuned car can has 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 $250 per year. 2. Regardless of the number of miles the manual recommends a oil change and filter change you should ...
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Automotive
16th August
2009
Changing your vehicle's oil regularly is the single most important thing you can do for your car. Regular oil changes will extend the life of your vehicle and enhance its performance. Because contaminants are regularly deposited into your car's oil resulting in sludge that decreases your engine's performance (and that will over time cause engine failure) frequent oil changes are a mandatory maintenance procedure. Most people know that they should get an oil change approximately every three ...
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Automotive
15th August
2009
Companies who opt to grow their businesses through franchising are increasing in number every year. Equally growing, is the number of people who want to own their own franchise, revealing that franchising is not only a viable option to owning your own business, but is often times a very lucrative one. Here we'll specifically examine oil franchises and discuss important questions to address during the evaluation process of becoming a franchisee. Oil Change Franchises: What Are They, and Why ...
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Automotive
13th August
2009
Every 2 weeks or 3,000 miles check engine oil, transmission fluid and coolant. Once a month or 1,000 miles check tire pressure - with tire gauge. Check transmission fluid and brake fluid. Wax car to protect finish and a smooth finish will reduce the wind drag increasing your fuel economy. Check belts and hoses for excessive wear. Every 3 months or 3,000 miles Change oil and oil filter or every 6 months or 3,000 miles depending on your driving habits. You will also want to lubricate the ...
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Automotive
12th August
2009
Okay, something's wrong with your car. You know it. It just doesn't 'feel' right. That may sound lame when you're talking to your mechanic, but believe me, it's not something you want to ignore. Maybe you feel like the car is difficult to handle. Maybe the ride just seems less smooth and stable. Perhaps there's a vibration that wasn't there before. These symptoms almost always indicate a problem. Is it harder to steer your vehicle? Do you have difficulty steering in a straight line? This might ...
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Automotive
11th August
2009
So you now have the car of your dreams. You've sunk a huge amount of time and money into restoring it and keeping it in pristine showroom condition and running smoothly. But wait a minute- winter is coming. You want to drive your car in the snow, through road salt, sand and corrosive chemicals? I thought not. You want to store it for the winter s inexpensively as possible? You also want to be able to put it back on the road with little or no hassle and have it ready for spring in the same ...
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Automotive
7th August
2009
We go to great lengths to make sure our vehicles are ready for winter. Who wants to get stuck in sub-zero degree weather with a stalled car? But what about during the summer? Believe it or not, the heat takes its toll on your car, too, so it's important to keep your car serviced. Periodic maintenance on your car will save you tremendous hassle in the long run. Your vehicle should last longer and command a higher resale price, too! I made it a point to get my car serviced according to the ...
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Automotive
5th August
2009
Quick oil change centers provide a convenient service. Just get in the habit of doing a few simple checks after your oil change service has been completed. This will assure that your vehicle will continue to have trouble-free performance. First you should check that all the fluid levels in the engine compartment have been filled to the proper level. Again, the quick lube center may rush to complete the operation and may skip filling vital fluids. A few things you should check are the windshield ...
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Automotive
3rd August
2009
Ideally, you should change your motor oil every three months or after every 3,000 miles. If you often drive around in hot or dusty conditions, you might even want to change oil more often than that. The process is pretty simple, and as easy as one-two-three. Step one is getting ready, step two is draining the oil and changing the oil filter while step three is installing the new oil. (1) Getting Ready When getting ready, it is important to have the right tools and materials on hand, such as ...
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Automotive