When buying a used car, no matter if it's from a dealer or a private party, always have it inspected by professional mechanics before money changes hands. Unless the seller is willing to give you a warranty, it's "buyer beware."
What's that noise? If you hear clicking from under the hood while the car is stopped, it usually means you are low on oil. Do not wait - get the vehicle in to a mechanic as low oil can permanently damage your engine.
Steering that is loose or that has a lot of play in it is a safety issue and needs to be checked at the earliest possible time. It could be caused by any of a number of issues with the steering components.
Do not take any chances with your brakes. If you hear them squealing when you depress the pedal, or they don't feel right, bring your car in to have the brake pads checked and replaced.
"Car designers are just going to have to come up with an automobile that outlasts the payments." - Erma Bombeck
"When I first starting making money, when I first made my first six-digits, I was - my big thing was I went to put super unleaded in my truck for the first time." - Matthew McConaughey
While any given car has about 30,000 parts, almost 80 percent of an automobile or pickup truck is recyclable, including the battery which can be fully recycled.
Have the cabin filter checked and changed regularly. Though its primary purpose is to keep the air inside the car clean, if it is old or clogged it can cause dirt to build up on your engine.
Have your brakes started to squeak or squeal when you depress the brake pedal? That's an early warning sign that the brake pads have worn out and need to be replace. Don't delay having this done as it could lead to brake failure.
If you want to upgrade the suspension components on your four-wheel drive vehicle, it would be best to have it done professionally. This is because a great deal of know-how is needed for such projects so an amateur DIY attempt isn't wise or safe.
Do you own a car with a manual transmission? If you hear chattering when changing gears it's a sign of low or contaminated transmission fluid. We'll take care of the problem.
Neglecting the oil in your car leads to big problems and expensive repair. After a certain point, oil begins to break down from heat and contaminants and, if not changed, will turn into varnish.
If your car is equipped with a tire pressure monitoring system, all of the components need to be replaced whenever you change the tires to make sure it continues to function properly.
Are your car’s headlights dimmer than what they should be? It could be the lenses have oxidized. If this isn’t the case, there may be a problem with the alternator or battery. The best way to find out is to have a diagnostic test performed.
Always have oil and fluid changes, belt and hose replacements, and other milestone maintenance tasks performed at the recommended intervals to get your money’s worth out of your ride.
"I know the automakers are important to the United States. We care about the automobile industry." - Henry Paulson. So do we, because without them, we'd be out of work.
When you wash your car, are you cleaning the undercarriage? This area is just as important as the rest of your car because salts, gunk and grime can build-up and attack the metal causing it to corrode and weaken.
Regular preventive maintenance of your vehicle not only increases its life and performance but also minimizes overall operating costs. So even if your car is running fine, get it inspected regularly to avoid major problems in the future.
If your car has a performance engine, the owner's manual may recommend valve adjustments every 15,000 to 30,000 miles. If this isn't done, it could result in more extensive damage.
Does your car have a timing belt? If so, refer to your owner's manual for information on when to change it. Most belts have a service life of 60,000 miles (give or take), so if yours is nearing this limit, have it checked.
Front-wheel drive vehicles typically rely on electric radiator fans to keep temperatures within specified limits. However, while they’re very effective, wear and tear may ultimately cause them to fail so it’s important to have them inspected periodically and replaced when needed.
Survey: Do you prefer washing your car by hand or at a car wash? If you use a car wash, do you pay for the extra services such as vacuuming, treating the dash with protectant and "new car" scent?