Lee Myles TRANSMISSIONS & AutoCare Home Page

Free RSS Reader Software

August 30, 2008

18 Tips for Saving Money on Gasoline

Filed under: Car Care — Blogman @ 10:00 pm

Gas prices are on the rise again! Here are some tips to help you conserve gas and save money as we approach summer gas prices.

1. Keep your car tuned up. Cars in poor running condition use more gasoline.

2. Plan trips well to avoid unnecessary driving.

3. When you run your air conditioner you get much worse gas mileage. Use your air conditioner sparingly. If you have a lower setting, use it. Turn it on until the car gets cool, then turn it off and let the fan circulate the cool air. Never run your air conditioner with your windows open!

4. Keep your windows closed when traveling at high speeds. Open windows cause additional drag and lower your gas mileage. At high speeds, an open window can use more gas than many air conditioners (especially if they are on a low setting).

5. Check your tire pressure. Over-inflated tires can actually reduce your fuel efficiency, so don’t overfill.

6. If at all possible, change your work start time to avoid gridlock. Stop and go traffic hurts your gas mileage.

7. Take unneeded items out of the car. You don’t need to carry snow chains around with you in the summertime. Just make sure to put them back in when winter comes around.

8. Try not to idle your engine for long periods of time. If you are stuck in traffic and you don’t think you are going to go anywhere in the next five minutes, you may want to turn your car off.

9. You no longer need to warm your car up for long periods of time, especially new cars. New cars are made to run when cold.

10. Don’t travel at fast speeds in low gears unless you need the compression to slow down.

11. Try to drive the speed limit.

12. Try to accelerate slowly when leaving the stop light. It’s not a competition with the driver in the lane next to you. The fastest person through the intersection just gets to spend more on gas.

13. No need to buy the highest priced gasoline. Most cars are built to run on regular unleaded. Check you owners manual or consult a mechanic. I have had many tell me that the more expensive gas is a waste of money.

14. Revving the engine needlessly wastes gas. There is no need to rev before you turn your vehicle off.

15. If at all possible, try to arrange car pools with co-workers to share the cost of commuting to work.

16. Walk, bike or run to your intended location whenever possible.

17. When the price is sky high, don’t fill up. Wait for the price to go down before you fill up your tank. Filling up your tank when the price is peaking lets gas companies know that you are willing to pay ridiculous prices for gasoline.

18. And last, the biggest and most important step towards saving money on gas is always try to purchase vehicles that get good gas mileage. The difference between 20 miles-per-gallon and 40 miles-per-gallon is huge.

You can publish this article in your publications as long as the footer at the end of the article is included and links are made active where possible. Please send a courtesy copy to fisher@thriftyfun.com

Fisher Swanson is a regular contributer to The ThriftyFun.com News. ThriftyFun publishes information about thrifty living. Send an email to thriftyfunnews-on@thriftyfun.com to subscribe to The ThriftyFun.com News.

http://www.thriftyfun.com

Tags: , , , , , , , , , , ,



Quickly bookmark 18 Tips for Saving Money on Gasoline at:

August 26, 2008

Bad Credit Auto Loan - How Can You Get a Better Rate?

Filed under: Car Care — Blogman @ 10:00 pm

Bad Credit Auto Loans

You can improve your credit by availing bad credit auto loans. The Internet offers various bad credit auto loans for those with bad credit, yet on the lookout for loans to rebuild their credit history.

Auto loans for people with bad credit

You can receive bad credit auto loans even if your credit position is good. However, rules governing such credit are very different. You need to pay more down payment and higher interest rates too. Rather, you may have to pay almost half of total cost of the vehicle as down payment. Repayment period of loan could range between two to five years.

How can such loans help my credit position?

Normally, creditors increase cost of vehicles under bad credit auto loans intentionally. This of course does not provide much help to your financial position. You can overcome this situation by checking actual value of car. Thereafter, you can accept an increase of $200 to $500 on total cost of vehicle. If your creditors quote similar value for your vehicle, you can accept such auto loans to improve your credits.

If your credit situation is grim, it is difficult receiving any form of credit. Your bad credit auto loans can affect your interest rates ion credit cards, mortgages, etc. These improve your overall credit position and help you come out of bad credit slowly.

Where to look for such loans

The Internet is the main source for obtaining such bad credit auto loans. There are various websites of car dealers on the Internet. You can answer few questions on their website and send your application for purchasing cars to concerned dealer. Dealers dealing in such loans do not charge fees and after careful consideration of all factors, they decide whether to issue you loan or not. You can only take loan offered to you, as you cannot check about company.

Sometimes, you can obtain bad credit auto loans by applying directly for auto loan. Although most auto companies do not favor people with bad credit, yet few are ready to take risk. You can therefore receive loans through them.

About the author:

Great rates on Bad Credit Auto Loan learn tips and secrets to get a better rate on your Auto Loans

Tags: , , , , , , , , , , ,



Quickly bookmark Bad Credit Auto Loan - How Can You Get a Better Rate? at:

August 22, 2008

Best Buy Used Car Tips: When It Pays To Be Meticulous

Filed under: Car Care — Blogman @ 10:00 pm

Nowadays, more and more people are enticed to buy used cars. With so many financial choices available and cars “living longer,” many people just opt to buy used cars.

In fact, many smart consumers contend that buying used cars is just the same as buying new ones if the buyer knows how to buy used cars.

So, to help those who wish to buy a car but cannot afford a new one, here are some of the best tips that can be implemented when buying a used car.

1. Research

It is extremely important for an individual to conduct some research when buying used cars. In this way, the buyer will be able to know the ideal make and model to buy, the kind of performance to seeks, and the prices of used cars in the market.

Moreover, the risk of buying used cars is lessened if the buyer knows the important details to consider when buying used cars.

2. Check the cars history

The car’s history will definitely provide the buyer some solid information regarding the performances, repairs, and problems of the car. So if you CAN discover some history it would be to your advantage. In this way, the buyer will be able to compare and differentiate one car from the other. There are instances wherein used cars are being sold because of some past accidents or negative experiences. Buyers might consider more if the car he or she is about to buy has a history like this one.

3. Check the safety features

What more can you expect with a used car but it does not necessarily mean that the buyer will neglect the availability of safety features in the car.

By all means, an ideal car must possess safety features, whether it is old or new. According to some reports, almost 80% of the accidents are heightened because safety features are not available in the car.

4. Buyers should be wary about the documents that are included when buying used cars.

Buyers should be sure that the car is not stolen, there are no liens on the vehicle, and that the one who signed on the “Bill of Sale” is the true vendor and the possessor of the property.

5. Before buying a used car, it is best to meticulously inspect the overall condition of the car first. Buyers should be wary of any rust or damage; the tires should be checked, etc.

Indeed, buying a used car can be very tedious. Nevertheless, it will give the buyer some satisfaction and assurance that what he or she has bought is a good buy.

About the author:

Gregory Ashton, your resident automobile enthusiast, bringing to you over 20 years of vehicular passion, and expertise; presents for your approval his insider secrets on selecting, buying, and maintianing the car that is ideal for you. , , , , , , , , , , ,



Quickly bookmark Best Buy Used Car Tips: When It Pays To Be Meticulous at:

August 18, 2008

Car Inspection Tips - Don’t Settle For a Mediocre Used Car!

Filed under: Car Care — Blogman @ 10:00 pm

Buying a used car doesn’t have to be intimidating or difficult. Sure, there are inherent risks associated with buying a used car that don’t necessarily apply to new ones. However, with the right information at your fingertips, buying a used car can be an empowering experience. Knowing how to inspect a used car will allow you to make the best the decision possible.

Here are some things you should take into consideration when inspecting any used car:

Exterior Inspection

The first thing to take into consideration when inspecting the exterior of a used car is the condition of the paint. The paint should be even over the entire body of the car. Any areas that show visibly newer paint might be an indication of repair work from an accident, which could mean trouble. There also shouldn’t be any rust visible on the exterior of the car.

You should also make certain that the car is level during the exterior inspection. If the car appears to sag to one side, this could be an indication of frame or spring damage. Also check to see that the tires are in good condition and well inflated.

Next, you should check that all the lights are in working order and have no damage. Don’t forget to check the blinkers and tail lights as well.

Finally, don’t neglect to inspect the condition of other exterior parts, such as the disc brakes, mirrors, glass, wheel rims, etc.

Interior Inspection

When you start your inspection of the interior of the car, first take notice of any odors in the car. As unpleasant odors can be difficult to remove, make sure the smell of the car is something you can live with.

Next, take into consideration how well the interior of the car has been kept up. If the previous owner took pride in keeping a clean car, chances are they kept up with any mechanical problems the car may have had. Take notice of any tears or stains in the upholstery, leather, or carpet. Don’t forget to check the condition of the pedal rubber as well.

Finally, you should check all mechanical controls as part of your interior inspection. Make sure that all the seat, window, mirror, radio, windshield wiper, and seatbelt controls are in working order. Don’t forget to turn on the air conditioner and heat to make sure they are working as well.

Inspecting The Trunk The trunk is usually the most neglected part of any car. Therefore, it is very important that you inspect the condition of the trunk of any used car you are considering for purchase. There should be no signs of rust or water accumulation due to holes or cracks.

Checking Under The Hood

Even if you have no idea how the wiring, fluids, belts, hoses, battery, or radiator of a car works, you should still be able to check for any signs of damage, rust, or dents. If you have any reservations, you can always have a mechanic give you a thorough mechanical inspection.

If everything looks good, you should then take the car for a test drive. This is the most important inspection you will make of the used car. Pay close attention to how the car handles the road and how it sounds. You should feel safe and comfortable in the car. If the car is making any unusual noises that have you concerned, go with your instinct and start looking for another used car. There are thousands of options out there, be persistent and you will find the one that is right for you and your budget.

About the author:

How Much Could You Save With Auto Auctions? Begin Your Local Auto Auction Search Today! AutoAuctionFinder.com



My Free Car Buyer’s Guide Could Save You Thousands. Get Yours Today! http://www.autoauctionfi nder.com

Tags: , , , , , , , , , , ,



Quickly bookmark Car Inspection Tips - Don’t Settle For a Mediocre Used Car! at:

August 14, 2008

Are You Thinking Of Buying A Used Car?

Filed under: Car Care — Blogman @ 10:00 pm

Buying a used car can either be a wise or a foolish move. Someone with no background or knowledge whatsoever on finding a good buy might just be duped into a bad deal and end up with somebody else’s garbage. But for the knowledgeable buyer, a significant amount of money might be saved by settling with a secondhand car.

Here are some tips to set you on the right track.

1. CONSIDER THE KIND OF CAR YOU NEED.

It’s okay to stick to a price range or budget. But first consider the kind of car you be need. Prices vary according to the brand and make of a car. For instance, a small sedan is cheaper, but if you’d pack that car with lots of people or packages, that would cause tearing or breakdown. This would necessitate lots of repair jobs which would mean more expenses for you.

2. DO YOUR HOMEWORK.

Check out the classifieds for the regular market price ranges on the type of used car that you are going to buy.

3. CHEAP IS NOT ALWAYS THE BEST.

Don’t be fooled by the price. Consider the amount of money you will still need to shell out to recondition the used car once you buy it.

4. WHERE TO SCOUT

Private sellers usually sell at a cheaper price. The advantage though of buying from a dealer is that it usually comes with good warranty.

Be bold enough to scout from private sellers if you are confident that you can assess the condition of the used car fairly well. If not, maybe you could bring a mechanic to check out the vehicle.

When opting to buy from used car dealers, be careful not to be taken in by persuasive talk. Don’t take their word for it, check the car yourself.

5. TEST DRIVE BASICS

Be sure to watch out for these:

a. Does the car swerve on either direction? (Also, see if the tires have uneven wear.) If so, it would need a wheel alignment.

b. Is the air cool enough? If not, check if it’s simply a lack of freeon or worse.

c. Are the brakes in good condition?

d. Do you hear unusual sounds? If so, the engine might have problems.

6. INTERIOR CHECKLIST

The condition of the interior gives clue to how much the car has been used and taken cared of. Also, a very low mileage reading on a badly looking interior is a sign of meter tampering.

7. CHECK THE EXTERIOR FOR RUST AND PAINTOVERS.

It might have been in an accident before.

8. CHECK THE GROUND UNDER THE CAR FOR SIGNS OF LEAKAGE.

9. CHECK THE OIL.

Oil should be clear. BLACK colored oil is not a good sign.

10. CHECK THE MUFFLER FOR LEAKS.

A WHITE or BLUE colored emission would be the sign.

Happy used car hunting!

About the author:

Gregory Ashton, your resident automobile enthusiast, bringing to you over 20 years of vehicular passion, and expertise; presents for your approval his insider secrets on selecting, buying, and maintianing the car that is ideal for you. , , , , , , , , , , ,



Quickly bookmark Are You Thinking Of Buying A Used Car? at:
Next Page »