Category: Automotive

Things you should know before replacing your engine

The bad news (that you already got) is that you need to replace your engine. The good news is that replacing your engine doesn’t need to break the bank. Quality used engines are an excellent cost saving alternative to often cost prohibitive new and remanufactured choices.  You can save even more if an engine changeover is something you can do yourself. If you’re a DIY about to replace your engine, check out these 8 tips for a smooth, successful job:

• Find and fix the root problem.  Engines fail for a reason.  Did it overheat? Did the timing belt fail?  Was there water in the oil?  If something caused your engine to fail and you don’t solve that problem, your new engine won’t last long. Don’t forget to check and resolve any codes in the computer.
• Inspect your new engine.  Pay attention to sensors, brackets, and all the other bolt on parts. Your new engine was inspected and interchanged and is the right part for your car. All those little parts were not.  Compare them to the parts on your old engine and change over anything that may be different.
• Replace the timing belt, gaskets, and seals.  If your new engine has a timing belt, now is the time to replace it.  Check and replace the gaskets and seals as needed. These are jobs that are quick and easy when the motor is out, and hard and expensive when it’s in. Remember to check the manual on proper timing.
• Don’t forget to flush. Debris left over in the engine oil cooling system can damage your replacement engine. Don’t forget to replace the engine oil cooler and flush those cooler lines.
• Replace belts, hoses, clamps spark plugs and thermostat.  They don’t last forever. Take this opportunity to replace them.
• Be careful not to drop anything inside your new engine.  It sounds stupid I know, but we see a couple returns every year where a bolt or nut found it’s way down an intake.
• Don’t forget the oil change. Your new engine was drained before sale. Remember to change the filter and replace the oil.
• Watch that temperature. An engine replacement is a big job.  Mistakes can happen. Watch your engine closely the first time you run it. Monitor for leaks and watch that temperature gauge.  Remember, overheating isn’t covered by your warranty.

Signs That You Need to Replace Your Engine Oil

Engine oil lubricates the moving parts in your engine to keep your car in good working order. But how do you know when your oil needs changing? The best thing you can do is regularly self-service your car to identify whether you need to replace your engine oil.

Look out for these signs that mean that you need to replace your engine oil ASAP.

Symptoms of Dirty Engine Oil

• Dark or dirty engine oil – the original yellow/amber colour turns dark as the oil becomes contaminated with dirt and debris. Check your engine oil often – monthly is best – to ensure it’s in good condition and replace it when necessary.
• Noisy engine – car oil creates a protective lining between engine parts to reduce friction, heat and damage. Once the oil breaks down, the engine parts begin to audibly knock against each other.
• Oil change dashboard light illuminates – this light indicates that the engine oil level is low and that you need a top up. If the dashboard light illuminates often (as your engine oil level keeps dropping), get your car serviced by a professional as soon as possible. This is a sign of serious engine damage.
• Rough idling – if your car feels shaky while idling, your oil probably isn’t able to effectively lubricate the engine moving parts, making the car vibrate.
• Ticking sound when you start the engine – if the oil viscosity is too thick or thin, the car oil will struggle to circulate. The ticking noise comes from the valves working to move the oil.
• Burning smell – this is a sign of contaminated engine oil or an oil leak.
• Slow acceleration – limited performance is common when engine oil is so old and/or contaminated that it can no longer effectively lubricate the engine parts. You’re especially likely to notice this when driving uphill, towing a trailer or carrying other heavy loads.
• Poor fuel economy – engine oil gets thicker as it ages, becoming increasingly resistant against moving parts. The more resistant the oil, the more fuel is required for oil circulation.

How Often Should I Change the Oil in My Car?

You may have heard that the oil in your car should be changed every three months or 3,000 miles. With better vehicles being produced, that isn’t necessarily true for most cars anymore. While frequent oil changes won’t hurt your car, it will cost you more money and cause more strain onto the environment. So, what is best for you and your vehicle when it comes to how often to change your oil?

Regular Oil vs Synthetic Oil

The type of oil you use can affect how long your vehicle can go. More and more drivers are using synthetic due to lasting much longer and being much cleaner. Many car owners have found that synthetic oil can last up to two times longer than the standard conventional oil.

If you are using synthetic, it is recommended to change your oil every 7,500 to 10,000 miles, although this can vary based on the brand of your vehicle. If you are still on conventional oil, experts recommend changing out after about 5,000 miles. However, if your car is giving you an alert before you reach this number, you should consider changing it out right away. To find the best time to change oil for your specific year and brand of vehicle, read your owner’s manual as that would give the most accurate time.

What Happens If I Don’t Change My Oil Soon Enough?

Eventually, the engine will start to overheat and damage itself if the oil change is put off for too long. If the oil still isn’t changed, the engine will shut down and will have to be replaced.

Thankfully, getting an oil change is one of the cheapest and least time-consuming maintenance tasks you can do for your vehicle. So, the next time you see your alert come on or you think you’re approaching your limit, don’t forget to change your oil. Your car and your wallet will thank you later.

Clever Tricks Car Salesmen Use That You Should Know How to Handle

Buying a car is an involved process. For many of us, it involves months of research and planning. According to Dealer Refresh, 48% of us spend between one and three months shopping before we make a purchasing decision, and 83% of us conduct online research before buying a car. Sure, we come out of the whole deal with a shiny new vehicle (new to us, at least.) But the process of finding the right car can be frustrating. Consumers report that one of their top frustrations when buying a car is dealing with car salespeople

Sales is an art, a science, and some may even describe it as a game. The salesman’s object is to convince you that a product or service will improve your quality of life, make your daily life easier, save you time or money, or provide you with a set of benefits you cannot get elsewhere.

Car salesmen have received somewhat of a bad rep over the years. Some of us have come to imagine a man in a plaid suit, maybe with a mustache and a funny hat, who says to us, “Now see, this is the car for you,” while pointing at the lot’s lemon.

Many car salespeople use clever wording to persuade you into buying a vehicle. Instead of saying the words, “Can I help you today?” or “How can I help you today?” the salesperson may choose to ask, “Are you looking for a sedan or an SUV today?” or “What type of vehicle can I help you find today?” This leaves little room for you to respond with, “I’m just looking around, I don’t need any help right now.”

Around half of people don’t know the make or model they’re going to buy when they arrive at the dealership. While looking around the lot, you may see a model you like and ask the salesperson to tell you a bit more about it. He or she will highlight the car’s best features, painting the car in only the best light. “It had only one previous owner, an elderly couple” he or she may tell you. If that couple hated the car, he or she likely would not mention such information. When you ask about the price, you’re likely going to hear “fifteen, nine, nine, nine,” as opposed to “fifteen thousand nine hundred and ninety nine dollars.” This makes the price sound lower in your head.

Things Car Dealers Don’t Want You To Know

If you are reading this article then you surely must be looking to buy a car. Well, for this purpose you need a good knowledge of two things – financing and costs proposed by other dealers. The aim will be to avoid paying high as much as you can

Bait and switch offers

Here you need to keep your eye open. Do not fall for the flashy deals you will be offered. In fact, go prepared. By this, we mean that most of the time dealers offer a 0% financing option. And one might wonder how do they make money out of it? They depend on the number of cars sold due to this offer. What happens is that not everybody qualifies for the 0% financing, and once the client has decided to buy, he/she is more likely to buy with or without the 0% financing. This how they recover the loss that can occur due to people who get clear for 0%.

Last-minute financing charges

This is the time when the dealers try to make the most money. Because at this time the client is completely exhausted after a day of testing and sale preparations. But this can be a really good time for you to think again and look out for second opinions. If a problem arises in the financing then you can ask the dealer to hold the selling and give you the offer in writing. Get yourself approved form the financial institution for your purchase and make the deal.

There are certain dealers that get rewards or commissions to arranging finance options from certain lenders to the client. The car dealer sends your information and the values of the car to a number of financers. And these financers are competing among themselves, but not to give you the best deal, but to earn the dealer’s loyalty. This they will be able to do by giving good incentives to the dealer. So the deal choices here might not be the best for you. To arrange finance from one of your own institutions.

No need to purchase GAP from dealer

GAP stands for guaranteed asset protection. With this, you will not be able to pay the loan for your car in case it gets totalled or stolen. This will be one of the tactics of the dealer to make some more money as they will try to make you buy this as well from their own financer but you should go with your financing institution. Not with the one that your dealer is asking for you to choose.

Buying a Car at the Dealership

Dealers are offering discounts to entice buyers, and financing options from financial institutions are very competitive. If you’re in the position to purchase a car, here are some things to consider:

Research cars online first: Know what you’re looking for before you go to the dealership. Research quality, safety, features, price and value so you are prepared when you arrive.

Compare protection plans and service options between the dealer and a financial institution: Financial institutions may offer options like warranties and GAP insurance that are significantly less expensive than coverage offered by dealerships.

Shop around between dealerships: Compare cars at different dealerships and determine the “drive off price” of the ones you’re most interested in. Drive off price includes the list prices, processing fees, taxes, registration and more. If you have an existing car that you’re trading in, compare what different dealerships will offer.

Maximize dealership perks: Dealers are trying to entice buyers to purchase right now and may offer the choice between 0% financing or a cash rebate. Compare that to financing offered by your financial institution. If your financial institution can give you a very low loan rate, it may be a better deal to choose the dealer’s rebate and finance with your credit union or bank. ACFCU offers a calculator to help you determine your best option. Some banks and credit unions may “rate match” if another financial institution quotes a lower rate.

Shop around if you’re considering a lease: Some credit unions or banks may offer lease-like products with more flexibility and features than the dealerships. Compare options to seek out the most competitive payment scenario.

What are some things that’s you can do to take advantage of what the car dealership has to offer?

I think the general public has made up their mind in regards to car sellers , and the perception seems to be , that there all out to get your money and will resort to all sorts of dirty tactics!

Bear in mind the dealers and the dealership must be licensed , and are bound by fair trading and ethics , they are the most scrutinised businesses and are audited regularly by IRS , dealer groups and associations , the manufacturer .

If i go to a supermarket , i go with an open mind that the grocer will not con me and their food is fresh , but i’m not there to take advantage of them , or what freebies have they got ! They too must be licensed , adhere to a code of ethics and are scrutinised by , grocery associations , government departments , product manufacturers . And at the end of the day they too are after your money! You could look at the “dirty tactics” supermarkets use eg. The smell of fresh bread or coffee at the entrance , more expensive items at eye level , candy at the checkout , giving more shelf space to a certain producer , for kickbacks .

A car dealer offers an item for sale. A customer chooses to purchase or not to purchase a desired vehicle at the price available from a specific dealer. It is not a game. If the customer doesn’t want to pay the price, the customer walks away. “Haggling” should take no more than 20 minutes.

Killer Article Ideas To Get Your Car Dealership Blog Started

For the purpose of this article, I am going to assume that you have already bought into why you should have a blog for your dealership.  At this point you are just looking for some guidance on what to start writing about.

Don’t worry I’m not going to bore you with a bunch of search engine optimization mumbo jumbo that your website provider is probably ramming down your throat.  I’ve been in your shoes. Starting a blog is the easy part. The problem is a majority of blogs do not make it to see their 1st birthday because of a lack of vision, process, and content ideas.

I often stumble across a dealer’s blog and see the same patterns time and time again. Their blog will have 3-5 posts and most of the time it is a limited time special sale or a current promotion (that is expired ).  Don’t forget the last entry was one years ago. They failed because they weren’t bought into blogging and were not prepared.  I won’t let that happen to you.

Answer your customer’s questions:

It’s simple.  Your future car buyers are going to Google and typing in all the questions they may have about their next vehicle purchase or service.  Once Google realizes that you are the authority on these topics you are going to make it rain with the search engines!!

Article Ideas for your Car Dealerships Blog

I know it seems like a real pain in the ass to come up with new articles but c’mon you are a car dealership, there are so many things to talk about.  Hopefully this list will give you some inspiration and get the wheels in motion.   Oh ya.. I haven’t worked in a car dealership since 2008 and I came up with these in about 20 minutes.

Top Tips for Choosing the Best Car Dealer

When looking the car dealer to do business with, you should check the types of cars that they stock. First of all, you should identify a car dealer that sells and buy both old and new cars. This way you will be sure that you are covered. You should also make sure that they deal in a wide range of cars that you can choose from. It is essential to make sure that they are stocking the latest cars especially if you wish to purchase a new one. Here you should look for vehicles such as Kia cars, SUVs, sedan, limousine, minibus among others that you may need

Apart from that, you should also choose a full-services auto dealer. This means that apart from selling cars, they should also be selling their parts, offering repair services as well as maintenance services among others. One good thing about buying a car from these people is that you will not have to be worried about where you will repair your car or get the replacement parts.

The other thing that you should check is the other services that they are offering. For instance, you should check if they are offering towing services or delivery services. You should also confirm if they allow trade-in. This is where you have a used car that you would like them to take plus some cash in exchange for a new car or a different one. Not only that you should also confirm if they offer financing services. One thing that needs to know is that buying a new car is not easy and you may need some loan of which you will pay in installments.

Besides, you should also check if they provide you with a warranty. It is not wise to choose a car dealer who does not have a warranty. Make sure that the potential car dealer provides a written warranty that lasts for many years on their vehicles and parts. This way you will be able to enjoy free or affordable repair, replacement and maintenance services when the warranty is on. It is also true that dealers who offer warranty have the best quality cars and services.

Lastly, you should also check their pricing. In this case, you are required to choose a dealer who will provide you with the best quality cars at competitive rates. Here you will be able to save a lot of money on your next car

How to choose a good car retailer

Before the average person buys a car, they spend 11 hours doing online research to find just the right model. Do they think about where to buy it from, though? Probably not. But they should… In the UK, there are three main types of car dealer – franchised, independent and supermarkets – and, as you can see from our film above, you can have a good experience at any one. You just have to find the one where you feel most comfortable and happy.

Before you start, remember you’re not looking for the impossible. What you want are things all legitimate retailers can show. Our film will give you more details, but we recommend three things to help you find the right retailer: find independent reviews and ratings; look through the company’s website; and, see if they are members of any recognised industry organisations.

Thankfully, the days of dodgy dealers are swiftly becoming a thing of the past, as customers start to buy cars from ‘retailers’, who offer a good-quality car with great customer service. What’s more, the internet has made the whole market much more transparent. Both you and the retailer can check similar cars for sale all over the country, so you can be sure the one you’re interested in is priced fairly.

In other words, you can find the car you want, turn up at the retailer, and feel much more confident you’re buying the right car at the right price. In many cases, you can also turn up with an independent valuation of your part-exchange, so you know the whole deal is fair.

Top Tips To Choose A Car Dealership

It is fact that the consumers looking for cars are not down with the scarcity of car dealers in the market. There are thousands of car dealers to choose from but then it is a fact that your car shopping experience completely depends on the kind of the dealership you go for. People have good experience with some dealerships while they are disappointed by others. Your experience does not come as a luck rather it is the result of the steps you follow to make the choice.

Price: When purchasing a car no one wants to pay more and everybody wants to be sure that they have made the best deal. Its human nature, there is no solution for this!

Service: To keep the car moving, people need people and most of the dealerships gain a good amount from customer service. Right service works to strengthen the root of the relationship between the consumer and dealership. You will be able to find the right solution for your car without having to spend on unnecessary expenses.

Availability: Availability plays a very critical role as you want to have the car of your choice available in the stock. In case the dealership does not have much choice then they will have to get it for your from the manufacturer or you will have to buy from what you find. In both the scenario the shopping experience is affected. So you will need to find a dealer who has enough choice to offer you

It is not possible to hide poor services anymore and you will easily find a review about a dealership on the internet. It becomes important for the dealership to follow transparency and it will help the consumers to evaluate the dealership

How to Choose the Right Pre-owned Car Dealer

Cars are an essential part of our lives. They not only complete our transportation needs, but also become our companion for long journeys. Buying a new car is not an easy task. Whether you buy a budget hatchback or a premium SUV, choosing the right car is not everyone’s cup of tea. After all, it involves a lot of your hard-earned money. That is why the best decision to make is to consider buying a pre-owned vehicle. But to bring home the best pre-owned car, you need a trusted and transparent dealership.

Since the pre-owned vehicle market is now an immensely diverse niche, a lot of new players and business entities are trying out their luck in the field. But with so many sellers and dealership, it is hard to make out which one’s genuine. A lot of innocent buyers often find themselves trapped in a fraudulent or scam transaction. However, to protect yourself from getting scammed, here are a few things you must look out for in a pre-owned car dealer

A diverse inventory

One of the most defining features for any pre-owned dealership is it’s inventory of cars. Whenever you go out to look for your next pre-owned vehicle, make sure to transact with a dealer that offers a diverse inventory. This way you can be assured of finding the perfect car that matches your budget and other key preferences. Ask your dealer to show you cars based upon your budget, type, colour or any other preference. This way you will know that the dealer is genuine and does not deal in cars that could potentially be stolen or acquired without a good title

Non-Accidental Cars with a Good Title

Another thing you must make sure while transacting with a pre-owned car dealer is that each car you inspect must have a non-accidental history and a good title. To make sure you are safe from any kind of fraud/scam ask your dealer to show you original copies of documents like Registration Certificate and Insurance History. Transacting with a dealer that provides you with original/authentic copies of title papers and insurance history, can prevent you from getting scammed

Fair and Competitive Pricing

Since buying a new car involves a substantial amount of your savings, make sure you transact with a dealer that offers competitive pricing. A good and fair dealership often removes middlemen to offer you a huge price advantage. While comparing prices offered by the various dealerships, make sure you keep in mind factors such as current and past market trends, demand and availability of the model you prefer, condition of the car and its interiors and future resale value. This way you tone down dealership options to ultimately chose a dealer that offers fair and competitive pricing.

things you need to know before buying a car

Buying a new or used car can be an intimidating experience.

Many car salespeople may pressure you to leave the lot with a purchased vehicle, so it’s crucial you’re armed with information about the cars you are interested in, the budget you can afford, and the value of your trade-in — if you have one. With these details, you have all the tools you need to negotiate properly.

Think about financing

Prior to visiting any dealership, have a sense of what kind of deposit you can put down and what monthly payment you can afford. It also helps to do some research on available auto loans to get a sense of what you qualify for. Or try a service like AutoGravity, which allows you to select rates and terms that fit your budget and then obtain offers from lenders.

Check your credit score

Knowing your credit score can be helpful as well. Justin Lavelle, chief communications officer for BeenVerified, says, “Having a good idea of your credit report and credit score and the interest rates available can help you negotiate a good deal and save hundreds, if not thousands, of dollars.”

Shop around

Research the cars you might be interested in before you head to a dealership, rather than going in unprepared. To determine what kind of car you want, use resources like US News Best Cars, where you can search anything from “best cars for families” to “best used cars under 10k.” Another resource is Autotrader, which can be used to search new and used cars in your area by make, model, price, body style, and more.

Compare prices

Lavelle also stresses getting detailed pricing info in advance: “Price the car at different dealerships and use online services to get invoice and deal pricing.” A reliable tool is Kelley Blue Book. Use the site’s car value tool to find out the MSRP and the dealer invoice of a car as well as a range of prices you can expect to see at dealerships. TrueCar is also helpful to use. You can search for and request pricing on any make, model, or year of car. You may get a slew of phone calls, emails, and texts from dealers immediately after, but having information from different dealerships can help you negotiate prices. You should also visit dealer sites to look for rebate offers.