AutoSally Team

How can you avoid paying in excess car repair costs? The answer is simple, shop around and have your car repair / maintenance work done by a trusted independent repair shop. Even on regular maintenance, you can save more than 30% on your car repair bill. You just have to spend your times calling different repair shops to get quotes.

Well, talk is easy. Many of you are busy and do not have times to call repair shops for quotes (and wait on hold). Fortunately, AutoSally makes it easy for you to do just this. When you post your car repair / maintenance job at AutoSally, we will call dealerships in your local area and ask for quotes for you. Then, we will email you the quotes from the dealerships, including their address and contact information. In the same time, our local independent repair shops will prepare their quote for your job. You can then decide to have your car repair / maintenance job performed by a dealership or registered independent repair shop you can trust.

With AutoSally, no more time wasted to call different repair shops during your busy workday. Most importantly, you can save on your car repair / maintenance costs. The table below highlights some cost saving opportunities our members got by posting their car repair / maintenance job at AutoSally.

Don’t pay in excess car repair costs, post your car repair / maintenance jobs at AutoSally now!

It’s the classic dilemma that every auto consumer out there: advance by cash or abandoned property and pay monthly settlements instead of faces? Buy or lease a new set of wheels? As is the case with all other common dilemma, there is no slam-dunk answer. Each option has its pros and cons and it depends on a number of personal and financial considerations.First, your finances. Affordability is clearly key, and you have to ask ourselves how stable is your job and how healthy is your general financial situation. The short-term cost of the monthly rent is much lower than the monthly payments on the purchase: they used only for the portion of the cost of the vehicles during the period, to pay to drive.
If you get a lot of money in advance, you can pay the deposit, sales tax – in cash or rolled into a loan – and determined the interest on your credit card company. For buying the property really is in the car and driving, as he is in the transport service.

For example, if you want to get into luxury models but can not pay in advance the money to the car, you’re a good candidate for leasing to buy. Unlike buying, you can not at the table with payment in advance, allowing you to a lower money factor that is generally comparable to the interest rate on a loan to pay. But these benefits come at a price: the termination of the contract before or default on their monthly lease payments, which will result in heavy financial penalties and can ruin your credit.

You must ensure that the monthly rent reduction of the budget for the foreseeable future, at least for the duration of the lease.

Besides the financial aspect, is a purchase or lease decision on your own lifestyle and preferences. Think about what the car means to you:

You are the kind of person who bond with the car or do you feel the excitement of something new? If you have a car for more than a half-Fives, negotiate carefully and buy to drive the vehicle. If on the other hand, the concept of personal responsibility and would rather drive a new car every two or three years, this may be leased.

Next factor your transportation needs: How many miles you drive per year?

How to properly maintain their cars? If the answer is, I drive 40.000 miles a year and really do not care much for my car as I care to meet the repair bills, then you are likely to buy better. Leasing is based on the assumption of a limited mileage, usually no more than 12,000 to 15,000 miles per year, and bear consideration. If you can not stay in the prescribed mileage limits and keep the car in good condition at the end of the lease, you can sharp end of the lease costs.

The full article can be read at ArticleAlley

About the author: George S. is a freelance writer, you can read more of his jobs about Chicco High Chair, High Chairs For Babies and High Chair Booster Seat.

As a car puts on mileage, you’ll slowly come to a point where you aren’t sure if it makes more sense to repair the car or just by another one. While there is no black and white rule regarding the best course of conduct, there are a few indicators you can consider when making the decision.Before we get to the penultimate issue discussed in this article, there is something to be said for taking steps to make your car last. If you do the basic maintenance called out in your owner’s manual, your car will usually last a very long time. Regularly changing belts, fluids and filters as well as keeping tires up to pressure can really extend the life of old Betty. Enough said.

What if repairs seem to be more and more constant? Logically, there comes a point where dealing with and paying for the constant repairs is just too much. While I can’t say repairs worth a particular dollar figure mean anything in this regard, most people do recommend using the 50 percent rule. If a repair costs you more than 50 percent of the value of the car, then it is time to buy a new one.

The 50 percent rule has its weak points. You might find the vehicle needs a lot of repairs although no particular one costs more than 50 percent. This would suggest you don’t need to replace the car, but your slowly draining bank account will suggest a different conclusion. If this seems to be the case, just use your common sense.

It should be noted that the value of your car needs to be measured against the current market in the auto industry. A new car is a pretty sweet ride. The offers being made by automakers are even sweeter. The recession has dropped the bottom out of the car market. This means there are a host of deals to be had. You can get cars for bargain basement prices. Even better, you can get them with zero interest loans being offered by the manufacturers. You need solid credit, but that doesn’t mean it has to be perfect.

Regardless, if you can get a brand new car for next to nothing, the decision regarding whether to pay for repairs on yours or get a new car may become very one-sided. Make sure to take a look at the deals out there before making your decision.

The full article can be read at ArticleAlley

About the author: Dirk Gibson loves to work on cars and put after market accessories to really crank them up. Dirk Gibson is working for DCJAutoParts.com – an online clearing house for low prices on aftermarket car parts and accessories.

The summer is a wonderful time. The heat is simply great…unless it does a number on your car. If your car is overheating, getting the issue figured out is critical. Why? Heat destroys engines and that will eventually destroy your bank account.

The internal combustion engine is a marvelous bit of engineering. Really think about what that name is describing. “Combustion” is the key word and is entirely accurate. The engine produces power to the wheels of your vehicle through small explosions. In most cases, this occurs when gasoline and air are introduced to a spark. This sets off a small explosion that pushes a piston down and that turns a shaft. These explosions happen many times a second and each produces a lot of heat. The level of heat is sufficient to melt parts of the engine if the heat is not removed. This is why any overheating problem needs to be identified and dealt with quickly.

The first step is to check the easiest thing. Wait for your car to cool down and then pop the radiator cap. Do you have sufficient coolant in the system? It sounds simple, but it is often the problem particularly on older cars. If you are low on coolant, do not simply add water. Take the car and get a full coolant change. Cooling systems require a combined water and engineered coolant mixture to function properly. Now is as good a time as any to get yours up to snuff.

The second issue to check is the water pump. A water pump that is going bad will usually let you know by sounding like a punk band playing in a blender. It isn’t pretty. If the pump seems alright, check the belt powering it for any wear issues. A belt that looks fine, can still slip so look for a soft, flat shiny surface. If none of these issues appear to be present, it is time to move to the next issue.

The thermostat is a misunderstood part of the coolant system. It is not there to cool the car. It performs the opposite function. Why would you want to heat up your engine? Well, the engine needs to be running between a certain temperature range. When you first start your car, the engine is too cold. To heat it up, the thermostat cuts down the flow of coolant through the engine. When the engine heats up, the thermostat stops restricting the flow from the radiator. Thermostats go bad occasionally, which can result in the flow of coolant being restricted. In a warmed up engine, this can easily lead to overheating. The only solution is to replace the thermostat.

The final step is to check the pressure cap on the radiator. If it malfunctions, it will let pressurized coolant escape while the car is running. This will mess up the balance of the coolant system and will definitely lead to overheating. You can just run the engine with the hood open and look for any coolant escaping. It will usually make a sound as well as the pressurized material tries to squeeze through the gap in the gasket. Fortunately, a new pressure cap costs under $20 on most cars.

If none of these issues do the trick, you need to go see a mechanic. The coolant system runs through the engine, so there could be a host of problems. Diagnosing the exact problem will require some expensive testing mechanisms, thus the need for the mechanic.

The full article can be read at ArticleAlley

About the author: Dirk Gibson loves to work on cars and put after market accessories to really crank them up. Dirk Gibson is working for DCJAutoParts.com – an online clearing house for low prices on aftermarket car parts and accessories.

Once you begin driving on your own, you will need to know what things you should have in your car at all times. Some essential things to keep in your car at all times are the owner’s manual, proof of insurance, and registration card. However, in addition to these obvious things you should leave in your glove compartment, there are many other useful items you should have in your trunk at all times in case of an emergency.The things you will need certainly include a very detailed map of your state and a road atlas. These are great to have even if you use a GPS navigation system, because maps work even with no power. This brings up another essential item to have and that is a flashlight. You will need to see in the dark at one time or another whether you get stranded or your tire needs changing. You don’t have to have gone to driving school to know a good flashlight with fresh batteries is one of the best tools you can have in your car.

Some other smart items to carry with you at all times include a first aid kit, a can of lubricant, a can of fix-a-flat, a tire gauge, a tire air pump, a tire repair kit, and road flares. If you have ever had to change a tire or fix anything on a car you know how easily you could be cut or injured. If you have a first aid kit on you, you will decrease your chances of infection by cleaning and dressing all your cuts right after they happen. You could have a tire go flat at any time and the tire doesn’t care that you are on the highway nowhere near any stores. If you are already prepared with either fix a flat or a tire repair kit, then you will have nothing to worry about. Road flares can keep people from hitting your car while broken down in the middle of the road, especially if your power is out. It is also a great idea to keep a can of lubricant in your vehicle in case the bolts on your tire get stuck. Spraying a bit of it on them will usually loosen them right up for you and save you hours of frustration.

Other good items to carry include booster or jumper cables, a battery charger, towels (cloth or paper), duct tape, and an extra key. Things like a portable battery charger will also help you because some of the items on the list need batteries to work and they can easily go dead on you. Jumper cables will help you in case you happen to leave your lights on all night and drain your battery dead. Towels are helpful in most any case because you can lay on them, clean your hands with them, or anything else you need. Duct tape can hold many things together temporarily until you make it home. Everyone who has ever locked themselves out knows how an extra key could help you. With a hide-a-key you could stick one anywhere under your car that will hold a magnet and always have it handy.

You might have learned to carry most of these in your driving lessons but even if you didn’t, now you know how important they are to have. All these tools could make an emergency much easier on you and in some cases might even save your life.

The full article can be read at ArticleAlley

Message from our contributor: Learn how to drive step by step with Driving Plus Driving School. For more information on Driving Plus and their instructors visit Driving Schools Sydney.

It is that time of year for a road trip. Whether it is you and your friends or the whole family, there are some things to consider before driving off into the sunset. With a little time and pre-road trip preparation, you can save yourself some potential problems and big bucks.

To start, take your car in for some all-over maintenance. Things to have checked include:

1. Wiper Blades – Inspect the condition of the blade material (it should be soft and pliable) for cracks or separation from the blade retainer.
2. Lights – Check the turn signals, headlights and brake lights, making sure they operate properly. It is a good idea to have the headlights checked for proper alignment in order to have optimum lighting and to prevent the “blinding” of oncoming drivers.
3. Tires – Check tires for excessive or uneven wear and tire pressure. It’s important to check the tire pressure when the tires are cold. The recommended tire pressure provided by the vehicle and tire manufacturers are designed to compensate for the increase in tire pressure caused by the rise in temperature of the tire when it is rolling down the highway.
4. Fluid Levels – Lift the hood and check the engine oil, automatic transmission fluid, brake fluid, power steering fluid, radiator coolant, and windshield washer fluid levels. Top off if necessary.
5. Belts & Hoses – Check hoses for proper fit, leaks, brittleness, loose clamps, and softness in the elbow areas. As for the belts, check for alignment, glazing, adjustment, and tearing and cracking. Replace if necessary.
6. Air Conditioning – Test the A/C system to see that it is working and cooling the vehicle down in a reasonable time. Also, inspect the refrigerant lines for evidence of leaks. Remember, on most late-model vehicles, the defroster system utilizes the air conditioning for more efficient defrosting and defogging.
7. Battery Connections – Check / clean battery posts and cable terminals for corrosive buildup. White fuzz that surrounds the cable terminal ends at the battery posts can easily identify a corrosive condition. Cleaning or removal of the white fuzz requires the removal of the cable terminals after washing them down with a baking soda and water solution. The best cleaning results can then be achieved by using a battery post and cable terminal-cleaning tool. Performing this small maintenance activity will ensure optimum performance from the vehicle’s electrical system.
8. Fluid Leaks – Examine the ground where you park your vehicle for leaks. Any fluid residue found should be examined for the type of fluid (gas, engine or transmission fluid, power steering fluid, brake fluid, radiator coolant, windshield washer fluid), and the leak repaired immediately to avoid any problems.
9. Exhaust Leaks – Listen / look for leaks from the exhaust system, and if something seems marginal, have the system checked by a professional mechanic / muffler shop prior to leaving for your trip. The life you save may be your own, as the gases escaping from the system are very deadly.
10. Brakes – Test-drive the vehicle for brake response and feel. Listen for noises (high-pitched squeal, grinding or clunking). Look for fluid leaks from flexible brake hoses and steel brake lines. If you feel your mechanical expertise is limited in this area, I would recommend you have a professional look at your brakes to advise you on the condition of the brake friction material, drums, rotors, and the hydraulic system. It is important that the vehicle always be prepared to stop regardless of the driving conditions.

Once your car is in top shape, make sure you have a basic emergency kit on board. The kit’s contents could be dependent on where you are going. If you are heading off to the desert in the summer you will want extra water. Going north where there is snow, take blankets and snow chains. But when it comes to the basics, your emergency kit should include:

1. Assortment of Combination Wrenches, Screwdrivers, and Pliers
2. Flashlight / Spare Batteries for Flashlight
3. Roadside Flares / Battery Operated Roadside Marker Lights (If you don’t like playing with fire)
4. First Aid Kit
5. Battery Jumper Cables
6. Blanket, Food, and Something to Drink (In case you’re stuck for awhile)
7. Cell phone charger

Last, once everything is in order, the most important thing to prepare for on your road-trip is the right music. Maybe it won’t keep you safe, but it sure will make everything much more enjoyable.

The full article can be read at ArticleAlley

About the author: Greg Chapman, of Greg Chapman Motors, is a leading provider of used cars, trucks, and SUVs. Chapman motors has offered reliable used cars for sale in Austin and the surrounding area since 1959. For more information please visit www.gregchapmanmotors.com.

Over 90% of the car accidents that occur on public roads are caused in some way by driver error, which means that poor driving standards are the cause of the majority of road traffic collisions. Most people view the ability to drive as a basic right, however it also comes with a great level of responsibility, as it puts you in charge of a powerful machine weighing over a ton that can be capable of speeds over 100 mph.

Young male drivers are particularly at risk of having a car accident, especially in the early stages of their driving career, and the fact that one in five drivers involved in an accident are male and aged under 25 is reflected in the higher insurance premiums that they have to pay.

Young men often feel they have to show off their driving abilities by driving too fast and pushing the levels of grip to the limit and beyond. Whilst there is no doubt that these are excellent skills for a racing driver they play no part in the qualities of a good road car driver.

In fact the qualities of a good driver actually reside in the ability to spot and react to potential hazards, to be able to anticipate and read the road ahead, and the constant desire to improve their skills by being self critical and seeking further driver training. Even highly trained Class 1 Police drivers continually strive to develop their skills further, and keep their current abilities sharp.

When you have been driving for a number of years since passing your driving test it is very easy to pick up some bad habits. Examples of these include following too closely to the vehicle in front, failing to use the indicator car bulbs when manoeuvring, not paying proper attention to the road ahead or failing to check the blind spot when pulling out.

In most cases these bad habits will not result in an accident and so these poor driving standards become second nature, until the fateful day when the van in front slams on it brakes, or you pull out into the path of a passing motorcycle and you join the ranks of accident statistics.

In order to constantly develop your driving skill, keep asking yourself “what if” questions as you drive along. For example, what if that lady steps out into the road or what if there is a broken down vehicle after this bend. These questions will force you into assessing how safely you are driving, but also help prepare you if an unexpected situation does suddenly arise.

Finally, if you do get into to a tricky situation which forces you to slam on the brakes or take aggressive avoiding action use it as a learning opportunity. When it is safe to do so, replay the incident in your mind, be critical of your actions and think how you could change your driving style to prevent the same incident occurring again.

The full article can be read at ArticleAlley

About the author: Jo Alexander writes for a digital marketing agency. This article has been commissioned by a client of said agency. This article is not designed to promote but should be considered professional content.

This article was written by our guest author, Patrick James.

Keeping your car regularly maintained is not only crucial in making that it stays roadworthy and safe to drive, but can also help to reduce the costs of repairs and breakdowns over the longer term, as well as helping to maintain fuel efficiency.
While it is always best to have your car serviced on a regular basis, there are a few checks and maintenance tasks that can be done by yourself to help keep your annual running costs and repair bills down. The best option is to check your car on a regular basis, at least fortnightly or every 500 miles, and also before heading off on any long journeys.

While car maintenance can sometimes seem a bit daunting, some of the visual checks require no real specialist knowledge of car maintenance and as long as you have your car manufacturer’s handbook, you should be able to find everything there when you open up the bonnet. Here are some of the simple car checks that you can perform for yourself :

Check the engine oil level, check the brake fluid levels, check the engine’s coolants, and check the screen wash. There are some other simple visual checks that can be done on the car’s exterior including checking the windscreen for chips and cracks and also checking that that wipers are clean and washer jets are unclogged.

Other checks include checking your tyre treads depth and the tyres’ air pressure. This last check should also include checking the pressure on your spare tyre. Other checks include the lights and the bodywork; inspecting the outside of the car and bumper for any damage.

However if vehicle maintenance is not something you feel you can tackle yourself, then there are a three main car service options available for your car including an oil change service, interim service and full service.

An oil change service should be done once every year or between every five thousand to ten thousand miles driven in your car. Oil is crucial to your car’s engine and lubricates and protects it’s internal parts by reducing friction between the moving components and washing away any dirt and metal particles. The oil is then cleaned as it passes through the engine oil filter.

Over time the oil and filter can become blocked with dirt and other particles which might cause increased wear and tear within the engine. A good car service will include the best grade and quality of engine oil and oil filter required by your car’s manufacturer. A typical oil change schedule will include replacing the engine oil, replacing the oil filter, checking the tyre treads and air pressures, checking the exhaust, checking the brakes, lights, windscreen and wipers.

An interim service is advised for cars that cover a lot of mileage in order to maintain vehicle safety and reliability with a service scheduled every 6 months or around six thousand miles. This is a more comprehensive service than an oil change service and includes replacing the air filter, topping up essential fluids and additional vehicle checks.

A typical interim car service may include replacing engine oil, replacing the oil filter, changing the air filter, checking brake fluids, testing car emissions, checking tyre treads and pressures, checking the windscreen washers. An interim service will also include checking the exhaust, checking the suspension, handbrake and car battery.

By sticking to a regular car servicing schedule you can help to extend the life of your vehicle, and maintain the car’s performance as well as road safety. The benefits of regular car servicing over the long term include improved fuel efficiency, a reduction in the cost of breakdowns and repairs, as well as reducing the time your car might have to spend off the road.

The full article can be read at ArticleAlley

About the author: Patrick James is a writer specialising in the UK motoring industry, covering car servicing and maintenance topics for motorists, drivers and car enthusiasts.