Five Great Reasons To Replace Your Air Filter

on May 29 in Maintenance & Repairs tagged air filter by jasonl

The air filter is a very important part of any car or truck. It is what feeds your engine clean oxygen. Without a healthy combination of both oxygen and fuel, your car won’t run. It is a very good idea to make sure your car’s air filter is healthy.

Here are five reasons why it is a very good idea to replace your car’s air filter on a regular basis. Read More

Five Ways To Beat High Gas Prices

on May 04 in Maintenance & Repairs tagged beat gas prices by jasonl

With gas prices pushing well over $4.00 per gallon it’s enough to make anyone wonder if the price increases will ever stop. Many Americans are feeling helpless as they see the cost at the pump go from being expensive to ridiculous. So what can really be done? Since it seems there is no way to lower gas, what can be done to combat these extreme prices?

Here are 5 ways that you can “get back at the man” for hiking up your gasoline budget: Read More

Managing Maintenance Made Easy

on Mar 18 in Maintenance & Repairs tagged scheduled maintenance by jasonl

The idea behind maintenance is to avoid large scale repairs. This means that you need to stay consistent with routine check-ups and evaluate minor problems before they become major hassles. This can be done easily with a maintenance calendar or another system that alerts you about the need to go in for a check-up. It’s important to first look at the benefits of a maintenance in order to stay committed to a plan that works for you. Read More

How To Do Your Car Washing The Eco Friendly Way

on Feb 14 in Maintenance & Repairs tagged car wash, detailing, eco-friendly, green by jasonl

Ask AAA: Camry Power Window Warranty Problems

on Sep 29 in Maintenance & Repairs tagged repairs, Warranties by jasonl

Here’s a question that was recently sent to us:

I lease a 2006 Toyota Camry and recently the driver side window made a really loud noise when I rolled it down, and then I wasn’t able to roll it back up. I paid the dealership $150 for them to look at it and tell me that the whole window needed to be replaced. Apparently, the window clips broke and since the clips come from the manufacturer I would need the whole glass replaced. My warranty expired about 5,000 miles ago, but I consider myself a good customer. The dealership told me it would cost $400 (less the $150) to repair. They also offered me 20% discount. I feel that this repair should be taken care of by the dealer or Toyota – what should I do?

Answer:

First, what the dealer has told you is correct. It’s silly, but once the clips holding the glass to the mechanism break, it’s time to replace the whole apparatus.

Since the dealer isn’t willing to repair the window free of charge, you can try and find an independent repair shop to do the work for less. However, the 20% discount the dealership offered you likely makes them the cheapest place to go.

As far as getting your repair covered completely, there is something called “after warranty assistance.” It’s not really easy to get, but I would definitely try. Just keep in mind that since your warranty is completely past, you will likely have to pay something. The question is, how much? After warranty assistance will usually cover 50-80% of the cost, so that should be your goal.

Our Recommendation: Speaking with the GM is usually productive in this situation, but you want to give the service manager a chance to come through for you. We would suggest you call and ask the service manager for after warranty assistance before you call the general manager.

Exactly How Cars Work Explained REALLY Nicely

on Aug 27 in Maintenance & Repairs tagged repairs, scheduled maintenance by jasonl

Most people in the world have only a vague concept of how the mechanical components in their vehicle actually function. Ask someone to explain how their engine really works, or what happens when the transmission is “shifted,” and you’ll get a blank stare.

Let me say right now that while I believe everyone should have a basic understanding of how everyday devices work (like a car’s engine, for instance), I will be the first to admit I have no idea how a lot of things work (not when it comes to cars of course, but I can’t explain how babies work to save my life…).

I’ll go one step further and say that when it comes to owning a car, you don’t really need to know how everything works in order to get by. You can enjoy a long and fruitful life of auto ownership without knowing anything about the 4-stroke cycle or how transmissions work.

HOWEVER, the facts are these:

• It’s nice to know how things work. It makes us feel smarter and more informed.
• It doesn’t take much effort to learn – two hours of your life *tops* will cover all the bases.
• Most importantly, knowing the basics of how your car works will dramatically reduce the likelihood that someone will try to take advantage of you.

SO, if you want to learn more, check out CarBibles.com. Without over-hyping the site, let me say that it is AWESOME. The explanations are all fantastic (and correct), and they’re delivered in a clear, concise method that had me chuckling.

If you’re interested in learning about your car, visit this site. My advice is to start with the article about your vehicle’s engine and fuel system. An hour or two of your time spent reading and learning will go a long ways towards your next visit to your local service facility.

Just think about the look on your mechanic’s face when you start asking intelligent and informed questions about the repairs he or she is advocating. By proving you have a basic understanding, you’re demonstrating that you’re willing to call their bluff. You’ll notice the number of recommended repairs usually drops quite a bit once you’ve proven just how smart you are.

Crack the books and get started! If you like the info as much as I do, make sure to leave the owner of the site, Chris Longhurst, a small donation.

Catalytic Converter Theft – Info and Prevention

on Aug 19 in Maintenance & Repairs tagged exhaust, theft by jasonl

Your exhaust system might not seem like the most likely target for theft. For one, it’s heavy – a complete system is a mass of stainless steel pipes, mufflers and catalytic converters. For another, it’s underneath your car, which is not exactly the easiest place to get at without jacking or otherwise lifting the car up off the ground. All of these reasons probably make you feel pretty safe when walking away from your parked car. After all, who would want to steal an exhaust system anyway?

It turns out that there are actually quite a few people out there who have their eye on what has turned into a lucrative segment of the car theft market. These would-be thieves aren’t looking to relieve you of your entire exhaust system, or even your muffler. What they are after is the catalytic converter, a part you probably never even think about until it comes time to replace it. The catalytic converter breaks down the exhaust gases produced by your engine into their harmless component gases, such as nitrogen and oxygen. The converter is usually a large, tubular device made of steel, and it can be located anywhere along the exhaust line.

Why would someone go through the effort of removing such a heavy, specific component, at great risk to themselves of getting caught red-handed under someone else’s car? While most car parts are stolen in order to be re-sold to those looking to use them in their own cars, that is not why catalytic converters disappear. Converters contain rare, precious metals that are vital to their operation. The exhaust gases are ‘converted’ by exposure to a very thin coating of platinum, palladium and rhodium that lines the interior of the device. These metals are very expensive. Platinum is sold for around $1200 per ounce, whereas rhodium can cost as much as $6000 per ounce. Thieves generally sell their catalytic converters to scrap yards or other metal buyers for under $250 each. The metals are then extracted and sold for a large profit.

What are the most common methods for a thief to get at these valuable parts? Usually the robbers target poorly monitored storage yards or warehouses so they can score many parts at once. However, some thieves are quite brazen and it is no longer unusual for police to encounter cases where a car’s catalytic converter was stolen while the vehicle was parked in a public parking lot or even the owner’s driveway overnight. The tools of the trade are simple: a pry bar, a rotating saw and a jack.

Obviously, given the cost of these metals, replacement catalytic converters are not cheap. This can be compounded by the fact that many cars have more than one converter installed – usually a maximum of four. Depending on the type of car that has been victimized, it can cost thousands of dollars to replace all of the converters, including the time your car spends in the shop. There is no foolproof way to protect your car from this kind of damage, but there are some precautions you can take.

• If you have a garage, park your car in it overnight instead of leaving it in the driveway.
• When parking outside, make sure that your car is in a heavily lit, well-trafficked area where it will be hard for a thief to conceal his actions or equipment.
• Install a vehicle alarm system with a shock sensor.

Ask AAA: Should I Restore My Older Car?

on Aug 11 in Maintenance & Repairs tagged restoration by jasonl

Question:

I have a 1990 Honda Accord with about 150K miles. I bought it new. It’s in very good condition as far as body (no rust) and runs like a top, but is starting to show its age. About 3 months ago I did have the AC repaired, (it hadn’t worked in over 3 years) and replaced the entire exhaust system to the tune of a little over 900 dollars. I have had the car regularly maintained, i.e. oil changes, belts, hoses, etc. since it was new. I have resigned myself to keeping it forever instead of buying a new one.

Since I’ve had this car since it was new, and since I like it so much, and since I have some cash saved up (about $10k) I’m very interested in having the car totally restored – is this advisable?

Answer:

I have to say I’m intrigued by your question. It’s exciting to think about “pimping out” a 90′ Accord – especially with such a solid budget. However, before you make the leap, I have a question for you: Is this your daily driver? If not, it’s up to you. I wouldn’t do it, but I haven’t seen the car and I don’t have the relationship with it that you do.

If the answer is yes, then I must advise you to save your money. Restoring a car (any car) is expensive, time consuming, and terribly inconvenient. Since you’re not going to do the work yourself, you’ll have to work with a mechanic’s schedule. I can tell you that their typical restoration project runs 4-12 weeks of uninterrupted time. Granted, you could do the restoration one step at a time (and therefore one or two days at a time), but that ads quite a bit of labor to the cost (as I’m sure you know, when you’re restoring something, it makes sense to dismantle most of the car, then fix, replace, or upgrade piece by piece as you re-assemble). Basically you’re going to be without a ride for a month or two (or three) if your restore your car.

Second, your budget for a full restoration is too low. Figure that a quality shop will charge a labor rate of at least $100 an hour for a full restore. While you could get an engine and transmission rebuild, all the major maintenance done, a new interior, a paint job, a stereo, and a set of wheels for $10k, you’re still going to have a car that’s mostly 18 years old. A full restoration will make it “new” again, but it would cost $20k at a minimum (basically, the same as a new Accord).

I like your idea of keeping the car, but my advice would be to send it to the boneyard the next time you have to spend more than a few hundred dollars for a repair. The trouble with these older cars is that they can “nickle and dime” you to death. Think about it this way:

You spent $900 for an A/C and exhaust repair 3 months ago. If you spend another $1000 to fix something else in 6 months (totally possible), that works out to $1,900 spent in 9 months.

$1,900 over 9 months = $212 a month in maintenance.

$212 a month is a car payment my friend.

My recommendation: Keep it until something expensive breaks (more than a couple hundred), then sell it on Craigslist to someone looking for a fixer-upper (you might be able to get a couple thousand for it if it’s in good shape). Then take your $10k and go buy something else.

Fuel Saving Gadgets Do NOT Work

on May 26 in Accessories, Maintenance & Repairs tagged gas mileage by jasonl

With $4.00 a gallon gasoline weighing heavily on everyone’s minds, and major news sources like CNN constantly making reference to the coming energy crunch, fuel economy has taken on a new importance for many drivers. Pickup truck operators in particular feel the pinch more than car owners, as trucks are usually less fuel-efficient than cars. Not only that, but many truck owners use their trucks to tow trailers or haul heavy cargo, and both of these activities take their toll on fuel use.

It’s not surprising that now more than ever, those fuel saving gadgets and additives that used to be exclusively advertised on late night TV have suddenly become mainstream products. With everyone looking for an edge on gas mileage, you might have been tempted to purchase one of these devices and install it on your car or truck. Is it possible that any of these products live up to their promises, or is it all just snake oil in a box?

Sadly, it seems that almost all of these miracle cures for poor fuel mileage don’t add up to much more than marketing hype.

The ‘Turbonator’ is a device which is designed to be fit into the pipe that brings fresh air into the engine. Essentially, the makes of the device claim that by placing a stationary fan blade inside of the pipe, it can create a ‘vortex’ which will more efficiently burn fuel, increasing both mileage and horsepower. The makers of the Turbonator claim mileage increases of as much as 33%. Lofty claims like this one are an easy way to spot fakes and frauds. To begin with, if it were that simple to dramatically improve the fuel mileage of a vehicle, then Turbonators would all come stock on every car sold around the world. Unfortunately, automotive engineering is a lot more complicated than a one-size fits all vortex generator.

Another popular set of ‘fuel savers’ are devices which claim to use the power of magnetism to somehow improve your miles per gallon. These devices usually stick onto the fuel lines heading into the engine bay and make pseudo-scientific claims that the magnets ‘align’ the fuel molecules in order to promote quick burning. Sadly, magnets do not affect non-ferrous materials, negating any effect they might have on your engine’s performance. Even if these magnets were able to somehow re-arrange the molecular structure of fuel they way they claim, there still would not be a noticeable improvement in engine performance, as there is no evidence that this type of effect provides any real benefit.

The list of fuel additives and mileage increasing devices is quite long, but nowhere amongst any of those vaunted products will you find anything that will affect the efficiency of your vehicle more than a program of regular and consistent maintenance. Things like maintaining the proper air pressure in your truck’s tires, regularly changing your oil, spark plugs and air filter, and cleaning the carbon out of your intake manifold will not only increase your fuel mileage, but also lengthen the life of your truck. An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of snake oil any day of the week.

Using Auto Touch Up Paint

on Apr 03 in Maintenance & Repairs tagged car paint, repairs by jasonl

You’ve just exited your local mall and you’re confidently walking towards your car when you notice something isn’t right — the paint is SCRATCHED! You look around, hoping to see the culprit, vainly wishing they were still around so you could vent your rage. Then, you walk up to the scratch hoping it will “rub-off”. Alas, that doesn’t work either. What do you do next — get out the touch-up paint?

For God’s sake NO! The sound of the words “touch-up paint” always make me cringe. Fixing a scratch in your car’s paint with a cheap bottle of touch-up is like fixing a piece of electronics with a hammer. It might work, but it also might ruin how the thing looks.

Unless the scratch is HUGE, the standard touch-up paint in the bottle is a bad idea. It’s hard to apply (unless you’ve got experience) and it’s usually overkill. The good news is that there are some methods that will remove or greatly reduce the appearance of the scratch on your new car, and they’re surprisingly inexpensive.

The best way to fix a light scratch is called “wet sanding”. Essentially, a paint pro will do an EXTREMELY light sanding on the scratch which will reorganize the paint/clear-coat molecules and make the scratch “disappear” — provided of course the scratch isn’t too big or too deep. This will usually cost very little – some scratch repair pros will fix every scratch on your car for $100 or less.

How do you know if a scratch is too big to wet sanded?

• Are we talking about a scratch that you can easily feel with a fingernail? If so, it’s too big.
• Does the scratch run the length of a whole body panel? If it does, you may not be able to wet-sany.
• Can you see any metal in the scratch? Sometimes you can see white or gray in the scratch, but that’s usually primer. We’re looking for actual metal here. If you see metal, you’ve definitely got a deep scratch.

If any of the above is true, you have what is considered a “deep scratch” and the solution is to take your car to your local body shop. If your car has been keyed and/or an entire panel is scratched, you may want to call your insurance company. The cost of repairing deep and or big scratches can range, from less than a hundred dollars to a few thousand. Make sure you get a few quotes if it’s much more than $100 to fix your scratch.
If the scratch is light, your local body shop should be able to fix it up for less than $50. Make sure the shop you’re going to us has a written guarantee and that you understand it. Usually the person repairing your car will tell you what it’s going to look like when they’re done.

Finally, make sure you realize that either one of the above methods will greatly diminish the appearance of the scratch, but that a scratch in a factory paint job can’t truly be “fixed”. It’s never going to look perfect, but if you hire a professional, it will be hard for anyone to see it and no one will know about it but you.

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