Tips to Maintain Your Car's Value

Tips to Maintain Your Car's Value

'Maintain your car well', how many times we would have heard this but do we know how to actually maintain it. Here are some tips which would help you to maintain your car better and will help to enhance the value of your car further.

Have the habit to keep your car clean. Use a coat of wax to prevent your vehicles paint surface from natural element. A frequent clean-up for your car will help to maintain the value of your car over time.

Regular oil changes are most important for keeping your engine clean. Its important to the time when the oil change is required, if the color of the oil is black and opaque then it's high time to change it. If the color is dark brown then there will soon arise a need to change it, the sooner you do it would be better. And if the oil is slightly brown then there is no problem it will do.

It is always a good practice not to eat or drink inside your car by all means. Avoid smoking, spills, cigarette smoke and stains can spoil the appearance of your car and the smell inside your car, this can ultimately detriment the resale value of your car.

For people living in cold climate make sure you wash your vehicle to remove the salt deposits that can eventually turn into rust. Rust is considered as an enemy. If possible just see to it that your car is undercoated to avoid the salt deposits from building up on the frame and underside of the quarter panels and fenders.

For people residing in cold countries it is extremely important that you store your car inside, the cold climate can inflict disorder on your cars internal engine components. And if you reside in hot climate then would be advisable that you do store your car inside because the sun can fade the outer surfaces of the car including the paint, trim and moldings. Thus by storing your car in weather -controlled environment, you can easily avoid costly and unnecessary repairs in the future.

If the coolant level is low it may cause the engine to overheat. Thus causing serious damages to the engine.

The coolant level is supposed to be between LOW and FULL in the coolant overflow tank. If it is low than top it up. If there is no coolant in the tank or you are requiring a frequent top up, then probably need to have a inspection, there is probably a coolant leak.

These are some of the tips which will definitely help you to enhance the value of your car.

Top Tips for Maintaining Fuel Efficiency

Top Tips for Maintaining Fuel Efficiency

Many of us find that we are visiting the fuel station more often than we would like, and with rising fuel costs it is certainly an area to address when trying to save money. These top tips for driving efficiently are key to reducing fuel wastage, which will reduce the cost of fuel and also help the environment.

There are numerous factors affecting a car's MPG (miles per gallon) and although some vehicles may claim to have an excellent MPG rating, it is still down to the driver to ensure they are meeting this figure. By following these tips it is possible to save as much as £400 per year.

Driving Style

Whether you own a small economical car or you are having a week's luxury car hire in a fuel-guzzling convertible, the biggest cause of inefficient driving is down to the driver. Below are a few common mistakes made by drivers, that lead to poor fuel efficiency -

1. Aggressive stop-start driving

Many drivers make the mistake of braking and accelerating too hard. This is often because the driver is in a rush to get to their destination! However, research reveals that in fact heavy acceleration and breaking generally only reduces travel-time by about 4% whereas fuel consumption increases it by a massive 40%. Slow acceleration and gentle breaking is the way to combat this wastage.

2. Selecting the correct gear

By travelling in 3rd gear when it is possible to be in 4th, the engine is actually being forced to work harder and burning more fuel than is necessary. By shifting up to the highest gear at around 2000-2500rpm is a good idea as long as the driver doesn't accelerate harder than normal in order to get there. Of course it is also possible to be in a gear that is too high for the conditions, for example travelling up a hill in a gear that is too high will force the car to struggle. If this is noticed then it is best to shift down.

3. Don't idle

The MPG when the engine is running and the isn't car moving is 0, which means that if the car is stationary for in excess of a minute it is wise to turn the engine off (except in traffic of course). It actually takes a negligible amount of fuel to then switch the engine back on again.

4. Maintain a steady speed

Constantly altering speed is hugely inefficient. In fact driving at 65mph on the motorway as opposed to 75mph will save around 10-15% in fuel. Speeding is not only bad from a safety point of view, it is also an inefficient driving style.

Maintenance & General Tips

A well-maintained car will also aid efficiency. Regularly servicing a vehicle, for example, will improve efficiency. Obviously in certain instances this may not be possible, for example when investing in car hire. However if the driver owns the vehicle then there are other measures that can be utilised to keep the car in tip-top condition -

1. Check the tyre pressure

Tyres actually lose about 1psi/month in normal weather and even more throughout the Winter. Under-inflated tyres will increase the vehicles friction with the surface of the road, which causes the engine to work. This can make a substantial difference to fuel economy, reducing it by as much as 5 or 6%. It is important to refer to the car's manual to find the correct tyre pressure, as most vehicles will differ slightly. Once the correct pressure is identified then the tyres can be pumped up or down at a local garage.

2. Carrying unnecessary weight

Extra weight in a car will be that greater acceleration will be necessary which will increase fuel consumption. Despite this many drivers are guilty of carrying excess weight in their car all the time! Unnecessary weight may include a roof racks or items in the boot of the car.

3. Change the air filters

It is recommended that an air filter is changed on a vehicle every 5000 miles. Simply changing the filter can boost efficiency by as much as 10% so the fuel savings will be worth the minimal expense of the filter, which is usually around £5. Fitting a fuel filter is usually relatively simple, and can be achieved by following an online tutorial.

4. Shut the windows at higher speeds

When travelling faster than 55mph it is important to shut windows, as keeping them open will cause an increased drag.

Following just a few of these tips should increase fuel efficiency substantially.

Tips For Maintaining Your Car

Tips For Maintaining Your Car

Do you take care of your car properly? Besides washing your car every couple of weeks and a detailed washing every six months, you need to check your car to make sure everything is working according to the owner's manual. Here are some tips that will help you keep your car in proper working condition and make it last long:

1. - Maintain your car's cooling system and the proper coolant level to increase your car's functioning and preventing costly repairs down the line. A failure in the cooling system can result in your engine melting down. The lack of proper coolant and maintenance of hoses can lead to serious problems.

2. - Tires, though one of the most important components of your car, are often the most neglected, too. It is extremely important to keep to keep your tires at the right inflation pressure. If the inflation issue is not right, it can lead to serious accidents.

3. - Spend time inspecting your car. Experts suggest you take 5 minutes and do a close check up of your vehicle. Check your tires if they are wearing unevenly. Open the hoods and check the hoses. Check the lights whether they are working properly. It only takes few minutes to check things like these.

4.- While your owner's manual will have a maintenance schedule for you, it's also important you go to the same mechanic for the routine check up as they can take care of things not mentioned in the manual. When you go to different places for servicing, they won't know what you have done the previous time. So, you may end up paying unnecessary repairs. Most services keep electronic records, so they know when the last service was done and what repairs were carried on.

5. - The way your drive also has an impact on the condition of your car and it's longevity. Have good driving habits. It will not only save wear and tear in your car but will also save your fuel. Accelerating all of a sudden and applying brakes rapidly is also bad for your car.

6. - Regularly wash and wax your car to keep it in good condition. Don't neglect the interiors. Clean the interiors, along with vacuuming the carpet on a regular basis. Take spills off immediately as they can be difficult to remove.

7. - Do not store your car just anywhere, exposed to the elements. Keep it in a garage and keep it covered. Keep it out of the sun. Don't park under trees as that exposes them to bird droppings and tree sap. Also avoid dings when parking.

- Regularly change your oil to keep your engine running properly and preventing engine damage. Regularly changing oil will also increase the life of your engine.

8. - If your car is facing any problems that you are not being able to repair, take your car to a repair shop where mechanical repairs are done. It is important to get any problems addressed as soon as they surface to prevent future problems. Visit http://www.envyautomotive.com.au to know more.

Care Tips For A Used Car

Care Tips For A Used Car

Having a car can cost you a steady stream of money. You will have to allot money for fuel, insurance, and for possible traffic violation fines. Whether it is a new or a used car, the expenses will be all the same. But, the real issue with owning a car is maintenance. To keep your car's good appearance and optimum performance, there are some tips that you can follow.

1. Change the oil filter and air filter regularly

The most used part of your car is the oil filter, so it is important to change it on a regular basis - this is a part of regular maintenance that you need to perform. Meanwhile, regularly changing the air filter is like clearing the lungs of your car so that it can breathe easier. Regular and proper maintenance of the said parts in your used car will do well on the engine and help you save on future repairs.

2. Check your car's cooling system

Another important thing to maintain is your car's cooling assembly. Make sure that it is in perfect condition and that the coolant level is always appropriate. The engine of your car will be greatly affected if the coolant system is failing. Neglecting to check this system can cause you a lot of major problems, starting with engine overheating.

3. Check the pressure of the tires

The most neglected parts of a car are usually its tires. Even if you are driving a used car, it is still important to check your tires and maintain their correct pressure. Car experts say that this simple thing can eventually save you a thousand dollars that you will have to spend to buy new tires every now and then. The pressure in the tires of your car must always be on their optimal level to ensure that your ride will perform well and that you will not get into any accident.

4. Go for regular servicing

The best thing to do to make sure that your car is well maintained is to have it regularly checked by a mechanic. In line with this, you have to find a good car service shop and stick to that for the rest of the life of your car. This way, the mechanics from the shop will get to know your car inside and out and, like doctors, know what is best to do when your car has a problem.

Follow these car care tips and make your car last for a long time. Just keep in mind that the longevity of your car does not depend on its model or manufacturer; it's in how you handle and care for it. So, even if you are driving a used car, you can still make it last long by taking good care of it.

Car Repair: Tips for Storing Your Car

Car Repair: Tips for Storing Your Car

Whether you love your car or hate your car, one thing is certain, if you don't maintain your car you will end up paying the price for it with car repair bills that could have been avoided. This has never been truer than now for people who are planning to store their cars for any length of time. Maybe you have a sports car that you don't drive in the winter for safety or practical reasons or you have an older car that you want to preserve from winter roads. For whatever reason you plan to park your car, you need to make sure you prepare it properly so you can continue to drive it when you're ready without spending money on car repair bills to do so.

The most basic step is to make sure you store your car with a full tank of gas. Add an additive such as "Dry Gas" to make sure that water won't be absorbed into the fuel system as it sits. You should also make sure that any additive you add is thoroughly mixed into your entire fuel system for best results. Don't forget the winter anti freeze. A fifty-fifty mixture of water and anti freeze should help protect your coolant system from unexpected freezing cold weather. You should also change the oil so you can eliminate any chance of dirty oil contaminating your engine with rust.

Bleed your brakes and clutch system and make sure your brake and clutch master cylinder systems are full of fresh brake fluid. Old fluid can be contaminated and dirty and cause damage as it sits. Another simple tip to avoid the possibility of engine damage is to go over any areas with metal in your engine with WD-40 or the like to prevent the possibility of rusting.

Finally before you park it for good, make sure your newly added fluids have had the chance to circulate into the system and that any water in the engine and exhaust is burnt out by driving it for thirty miles before you park it. Ideally have someone start the car up and drive it at least once a month or at a minimum start it up monthly and let it idle. This will help ensure rubber rings and components don't get dried out and need replacement later on when your ready to resume riving your vehicle.

And finally if you are planning to cover your car while it is in storage, be sure to use a cloth car cover and not a plastic to avoid trapping moisture in and damaging your car.