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Car Tips

How To Avoid Getting Ripped-off

Did you know that there's a law out here to protect you as an auto repair consumer? If you don't know about it, it could cost you hundreds!

It's called the R-D-I- law, and it stands for: remove, disassemble and inspect.

When you are quoted a price for disassembly, in order to inspect, and determine what is wrong, the quote must include the cost of putting the vehicle back together, unrepaired. This is not unlike exploratory surgery when they don't remove the tumor.

How To Avoid Getting Ripped-off on Brakes

Many so called cheap brake shops end up selling parts or services that you don't need.

Have brakes inspected and measured

  • Every time you rotate and balance tires (every 6000 miles)
  • By ASE Certified tech
  • Be sure to keep record of dates and measurements

Find a good shop, which will teach you about brakes before you need them, and who will answer your questions.

It is also important to flush your brake system regularly:

How To Avoid Theft of Your Car or Contents

  • Don't leave a running vehicle
  • Park in well lit or occupied areas
  • Don't put stickers on the windows that tell thieves what you have inside (Stereo stickers on the windows, etc.)
  • Use an alarm system and TURN IT ON...most stolen cars with alarms were left turned off
  • Lock your doors, and close your windows and sun roofs
  • Take your keys with you
  • Use THE CLUB or LOW-JACK
  • Install LED or flashing alarm dummy light
  • Turn tires sharply before locking steering wheel

Hydroplaning and Tire Care

What is Hydroplaning? Hydroplaning is the loss of contact between your tires and the road because of water buildup. When your car hydroplanes, it essentially turns into an unsteerable sled, which is especially dangerous if there are people or vehicles in front of you on the road.

Rain means high danger for hydroplaning. Older highways with ruts and non-porous surfaces have a higher occurance of Water puddles...and thus an increased danger of hydroplaning.

How do I avoid Hydroplaning?

Is your car worth repairing?

So, you've been told your car needs expensive repairs. Should you repair it or trade it? Let's examine some issues that need to be considered...

The fact is, some people keep their car too long, and some trade too often.

A JD Power study revealed that a person would save over $450,000 during their lifetime if they kept their cars an average of 10 years.

My battery is dead!

We have ALL experienced a dead battery, whether in the cold weather or not. Cold weather is the time most car batteries fail, but battery failure is not exclusive to the cold!

A battery service and test is the best insurance you can buy to keep you form being stranded next winter!

THE PROBLEM
Extreme temperatures stress your car -- especially the starting system. In the winter, when you have a cold engine, cold oil and a cold battery...well, it's a bad combination.

Weak batteries are caused by

My Car Is On Fire -- What Should I Do?

  • Don't panic.
  • Determine if it's smoke or steam.
  • Pull off the road immediately.
  • Unlock power door locks -- in case electricity quits.
  • Turn the ignition OFF -- to shut off fuel pump and spark plugs.
  • Pull the hood release -- so firefighters can put out fire.
  • Get everyone out of the car.
  • Call the fire department.
  • Leave the sunroof, windows and doors closed.
  • Don't open the hood -- starve the fire of oxygen.

New Car Maintenance - Do you have to take your car back to the dealer for scheduled maintenance?

Any car dealer in the world would love for you to believe that you have to take your car back to them for maintenance. On the contrary, many independent repair shops can take care of the same repair needs that your dealer can. More often than not, you'll actually find more talented technicians at independent shops.

For most new cars, scheduled maintenance should be done at 15k, 30k, 45k, 60k, and 90k miles. Be sure to check the owners manual for your car's specific requirements.

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