Year: 2019

How To Decide If Its Time For A New Car

Even if you love the car you are driving, the desire to buy a new one can creep into your head at any time. Your sister may have purchased a new car or you may see the car of your dreams while sitting in a parking lot. Too often, consumers simply head to the nearest dealership as soon as the desire for a new car strikes them, but that may not be the best option. These tips can help you decide whether it is time for you to replace your car or keep it just a bit longer.

Car Reliability

Even if your car is starting to show signs of age with little things going wrong here and there, it is probably still pretty reliable. Cars built in the last decade are more reliable than they have ever been and most newer cars will run without major issues for more than 200,000 miles as long as you treat them with tender loving care.

New Car Costs

One of the main reasons people decide to replace their car is fuel economy. Maybe you have taken a job with a long commute or are trying to cut back on expenses. It is true that a car with better fuel economy will save money. If your car currently gets around 20 miles per gallon, upgrading to a car that gets 34 miles per gallon can save you as much as $544 per year. In addition, you may be concerned about the repair bills that are probably going to occur in the next few years if you keep your old car. If you are spending more in repairs than it would cost in new car payments, it is time to replace your car. However, if you are only dealing with minor repairs, keeping the car makes more sense financially.

New Car Depreciation

In the first three years, a new car loses about 46 percent of its value. It will lose, on average, 27 percent after the first year. If you purchased your new car for $34,000, that means it will drop in value by almost $10,000 in the first year you own it. After six years, your $34,000 car may only be worth about $12,000. This may make it more beneficial to keep your older car for a few more years rather than purchase something that will be worth half what you paid for it within three years.

Safety Features

If your car is more than ten years old, it probably does not have all the safety features that a new car offers. New cars come with features like backup cameras, curtain airbags, electronic stability control and forward-collision warning, all features that were not available ten years ago. If you transport a family in the car, you want it to be as safe as possible so it may be time to consider upgrading to a vehicle that provides better protection.

Amenities

We live in a digital age where everyone is connected, even in the car. Newer cars offer modern conveniences like USB ports for charging your phone, built-in GPS systems and the ability to connect your phone or other devices through Bluetooth. Many also offer voice commands and the ability to use integrated apps like Spotify or Pandora. Some allow you to use voice to read and respond to texts or phone calls which adds another layer of safety to your vehicle. However, there are after-market products you can purchase that will allow your older car to provide the same benefits. Car chargers that fit into your vehicle’s cigarette lighter, Bluetooth devices that can connect your phone or another device through the car’s radio and more are available at many auto and department stores.

In the end, you must decide for yourself if it is time to replace your car. Before you decide to trade in your car because of mechanical or body issues, let us take a look at it. Schedule an appointment by calling or filling out the easy online form today.

How To Clean Tinted Car Windows

Tinted windows are here to stay and with many new vehicle windows already tinted from the factory and other window tinting choices available through tint shops and do-it-yourself window tinting, there are a lot of car windows out there that require upkeep and simple everyday cleaning. Just how easy is it to clean tinted car windows, and how does a person go about doing it? Here are a few ways to keep those new and older tinted windows clean and fresh looking.

1. Factory Installed Window Tint

If window tint has been factory installed, it is not considered a film, so vehicle windows of this type can be sprayed and cleaned with regular glass cleaners.

2. Non-Factory Installed Window Tint

With window tint that has been applied to windows in a plastic film form, damage can occur to the windows when chemically laced window cleaners are sprayed and wiped over them. More natural cleaning methods are necessary with this kind of tint, which consists of the following methods and steps for windows that are slightly dirty or streaked, or for just everyday window cleaning and maintenance.

Required Materials

Paper towels or soft microfiber cloths
Spray bottle with water

The Process

Lightly spray the car window or spray directly on the cloth and wipe it over the window.
If cleaning the interior side of the window, carefully spray, as window tint products are actually applied from the inside, and they need to be treated with care.
When wiping, go across the window in a vertical motion and cover the whole area of the window.
Now wipe in a horizontal manner until any water or streaks are no longer visible.
Carefully check for any leftover dirt or streaks. Since water is the only cleaner being used, it is important to note that the cloth is what is catching the dirt and the window should be free of debris.
If any streaks remain, complete the process again. Just use the clean side of the cloth to wipe away any remaining residue, or get another clean cloth.
Continue to repeat the process as necessary to clean the window.
Don’t forget to roll down the window a short ways and clean the edge of the window glass that goes into the track of the window. This edge should be cleaned well, so that every time the window is opened there is no line of dirt left to continually dirty a window that is being rolled up or down.
Complete the edge cleaning for all of the windows in the vehicle.

3. Using Glass Cleaner on Tinted Windows

When cleaning tinted car windows with actual glass cleaner, be sure that the glass cleaner is free of ammonia. It can be damaging to tinted windows, particularly if used continually. Any glass cleaner that has a blue color to it should be avoided as that usually means ammonia is present in the list of ingredients.

Required Materials

A non-blue glass cleaner (no ammonia)
Paper towels and a cloth that is free of lint

The Process

Spray an ammonia-free cleaner on the tinted window to be cleaned.
To avoid over spray or spotting with any kind of cleaner, spray the cleaner on the lint-free cloth, rather than directly on the window.
Clean the whole window, including the edges that fit in the window track.
Complete the cleaning as fast as possible as most commercial glass cleaners dry quickly.
When wiping, do it in a up and down pattern first and then switch to a horizontal sequence until the glass is completely dry.
Always check for streaks. If they are there, it is probably because of overly dirty windows or a cloth that may be saturated with dirt.
Continue to clean and repeat the process if the streaks remain. Always use the clean side of the cloth or use another clean one.
Always clean the interior windows as well with the same ammonia-free product.

4. Using Soap and Water on Tinted Windows

When tinted windows get extremely dirty, it’s time to bring out the good old soap and water. An accumulation of dirt could mean that the interior of a car has residue on the glass from cigarette smoke build up, a heater leak or another source that causes cloudy windows that retain dirt and moisture. Any remaining residue on interior windows can require several cleanings, and soap and water does help. If there are remaining streaks, a spray cleaner can be used to clear them.

Required Materials

Warm water and a metal or plastic bucket
Dish detergent (grease removal ingredients)
Microfiber cloth
Scratch-proof/soft sponge

The Process

Combine the dish detergent (approximately one teaspoon) with a gallon of warm water.
Soak the sponge in the water.
Wring out the sponge so there are no drips dribbling down the windows.
Wipe the windows from edge to edge with the sponge.
Repeatedly rinse the sponge and, again, wring it out to resist drips.
Wipe the windows with the microfiber cloth.
Let the windows dry and if there is streaking, repeat the process.

Cleaning tinted car windows doesn’t have to be a labor-intensive process. Following the methods outlined here should result in both exterior and interior windows that are clean as well as streak free. If you have questions concerning caring for and cleaning tinted windows, complete the online contact form, and a window tinting expert will get back to you with the answers you need to take care of your tinted windows in the best way possible.

6 Common Reasons Your Car Vibrates

Most any car owner at one time or another experiences car vibrations or shaking. It can come out of the blue or it can be a long-standing problem that gets worse over time. The shaky feeling might be barely noticeable at first, or it could be an intense and teeth-jarring experience. For any driver, vibrations are a hard nuisance to deal with and should be looked into, whether the vibration seems minor or is more significant. You don’t want to wait as any more involved vibrations can indicate an expensive fix. So, don’t procrastinate about seeking a professional’s opinion. There are reasons as to why a car vibrates and here are 6 common ones as to why it happens.

1. Brakes

Your brakes could be the culprit with vibrations and shaking. The clue is that the vibration occurs and escalates as the brakes are applied. The parts that are likely affected are the brake rotors (disks). Rotors are the heavy metal disks that the brake pads are mounted to, which help to slow down a vehicle. These metal disks receive a great deal of pressure along with a lot of hard wear as well as exposure to heat through friction that occurs through everyday use. The heat and wear on a rotor can cause it to warp and become uneven. The wear and unevenness can be minimal but when it gets to the point that a rotor is uneven and distorted in its consistency, and the brake pads can’t grip properly, it’s possible that brake vibration will be felt.

Other brake related vibrations could occur due to a brake caliper that is immovable or stuck. Calipers are fastening devices and the brake pads are attached to them. The calipers exert a push on the pads to take hold of the rotors once the brake pedal is depressed. Sometimes, one or the other calipers can get stuck. Shaking as well as pulling to the side can occur when this happens. This is one problem that requires attention.

2. Engine

Though a rattling or vibrating engine should be of concern, most of the time it is not as worrisome as vibrations in other areas of a vehicle. A sign that an engine may be causing vibrations can be recognized through an unevenness in the vibration. There can be shaking and jerking when accelerating, or while driving at certain speeds for a certain amount of time. It could also happen once an engine has warmed up.

Engine vibration problems could be caused by bad or damaged spark plugs, or the spark plug wires, both of which could need adjustment or replacement. If the vibration isn’t from the spark plugs or wires, it could be the fuel or air filter. When either one of these becomes blocked or dirty, an engine will be short on fuel and oxygen, which can result in vibration and a rough and uneven ride.

3. Tires

Old, worn, uneven, unbalanced, bald and dry tires are often the cause of vehicle vibrations. Tires aren’t the most enduring parts of a vehicle and if tire air pressure, rotation, wheel alignment and suspension concerns are ignored, tires are going to have a shorter lifespan and are capable of causing shaking and vibrations.

Separated tread is another more serious cause of tire vibration and is often the result of overinflated tires. If tire tread separates, immediate attention is necessary, which usually means replacement.

4. Wheel Alignment

Wheel alignment is not necessarily the direct cause of shaking or vibration, but if the alignment has not been done according to specifications, it can cause related shaking problems. All vehicle wheels need to be aligned correctly and if the alignment is out of sync because of bad driving and minor and major accidents, the alignment is going to be compromised. Tire wear and a shaky steering column are also strong indicators of wheels that may require alignment.

5. Engine/Motor Mounts

Engine or motor mounts are what hold an engine in position. They secure the engine to the vehicle’s frame. Motor mounts are made of metal and rubber that are connected to the frame. The rubber within the motor mount helps to soften the engine vibration while the metal provides the structure. Motor mounts can wear out and the embedded rubber wears more quickly than the metal and loses its cushioning effect. This can eventually cause shaking and vibration. The motor mounts will likely need to be replaced to alleviate the shaking and any structural damage that may have occurred.

6. Axle/CV Joints

A damaged axle can be serious business. Vibration can be caused by a bad or damaged one that can result in suspension vibration. Axle damage can result from a minor or major impact, from accelerating and hitting speed bumps, potholes, and curbs. The damage won’t make itself known right away. Once the shaking starts, it will likely get worse, especially at increased and higher speeds. Any axle issues should be addressed immediately.

Other vibrations can occur through worn CV joints. They are found at the ends of the drive axles and are encased in a rubber boot. They function to retard dirt, grime, and other debris and keep the axle grease in place. If they are torn or the seal of the rubber boot is broken, the damage will occur from loss of the grease and entrance of dirt and other debris into the area. With CV joint damage, suspension vibration can occur. If a CV joint is causing shaking or vibrations, there may be clicking or thumping noises at turning points.

Vehicle vibrations can be extremely annoying as well as of concern, and the 6 common reasons given here should alert most any driver to what to look for and examine on a vehicle when vibrations are disruptive and unmanageable. If your car is experiencing vibrations and shaking and you’re not sure what to do, complete the online contact form and an expert will get back to you with the information you need to help diagnose the problem.

How To Stop Windshield Wipers From Squeaking?

Your windshield wipers are a critical safety component of your vehicle, yet we rarely ever think about them until we need them. Then, it begins to rain and we click on the wipers only to deal with an incessant squeaking that can drive you crazy. The noise is not the only problem, however. Windshield wipers that squeak could be putting additional strain on the mechanisms that make the wipers work and they could stop working altogether. There are many reasons why your windshield wipers could begin to chatter or squeak. If they do, these five steps may help eliminate the problem.

Low Windshield Washer Fluid

If the surface of the windshield is too dry, the wipers will squeak. If this is the issue, adding moisture to the windshield should eliminate the squeaking. Check your windshield washer fluid to be sure it isn’t low and use the liquid to keep the windshield wet.

Hard Wiper Blades

If your wiper blades grow to hard, they could chatter or squeak when you use them. You can soften wiper blades by spraying them with WD-40. You can also use a cloth soaked with rubbing alcohol. Spray or rub the blades until you feel them soften in your hands. If you choose to use WD-40, be sure to clean the blades or they will leave residue on your windshield.

Windshield Wax

There are products designed to keep water from collecting on your windshield. If you apply one of these products, like Rain-X, and find that your wipers began to squeak, clean the windshield wax from the windshield and try the wipers again. If the squeaking stops, you may want to avoid using those products on your windshield.

Wiper Assembly

Weather affect the tension of a wiper assembly. Snow build-up or extreme heat can either loosen or tighten the assembly. Wiggle the wiper arm and see if it moves too much or if it feels excessively tight. If either of these is true, adjust the assembly and this could resolve the squeaking.

Clean the Wipers

When wipers are dirty, they can malfunction. You can clean your wipers using a paper towel and glass cleaner. While you are cleaning the wipers, check the windshield for damage caused by road sand or salt. If your windshield is damaged, it needs to be addressed as soon as possible.

There is the possibility that the squeaking is due to windshield wiper blades that need replacing as well. If you are dealing with squeaking windshield wipers and can’t find the cause, call or fill out the online form today to schedule an appointment.

What Is My Exhaust Color Telling Me?

We’ve all seen the stereotypical tropes in movies and on television, of thick black or white fumes belching from a car’s exhaust. In some cases, it indicates the vehicle’s a clunker, in other cases, indicating the engine running hard. The truth of the matter is, you actually can determine quite a bit from the color and consistency of your exhaust.

When you start your car on a cold morning, no matter what, you’re bound to see a thick, smoke-like plume due to temperature differential, and condensation from the heat. Aside from that, exhaust should be relatively hard to see.

If you’ve got very visible, distinctly-colored exhaust coming out of your vehicle, it could be a sign of serious problems. Fortunately, you can somewhat diagnose the type of problem based on the color and consistency itself. Today, we’re going to take a look at the five common exhaust colors, and what they mean for the condition of your vehicle. This is very important, so take this information to heart – it could save your vehicle, and possibly your life.

Brown Exhaust

The standard color of exhaust is a brownish tint, though thin and generally hard to see from much distance. As we said a moment ago, on a cold morning, it may come out much thicker, and with a hint of white or a deeper brown. This should diminish as the car heats up.

Blue Exhaust

If you’ve got distinctly blue exhaust coming out, then you’re burning oil, and that’s never a good sign. There could be a stem seal or piston ring failure, or a turbocharger lubrication failure. These would allow oil into the combustion chambers.

If you see blue smoke like this coming out of your exhaust, monitor your oil levels – they will deplete much faster if an internal leak is causing oil to burn. If this confirms oil depletion, then you should consult a mechanic right away, as the continuing loss of lubrication can damage moving parts, and can damage the engine as it continues to burn oil.

Black Exhaust

If you have deeply black exhaust, it means that you’re not getting sufficient air flow. Air/fuel ratios are very important, and very precisely balanced in all engines, and when the ratio is wrong, some of this fuel just doesn’t burn, and remains in the chamber, producing noxious black smoke. This could be the result of the air filter being blocked/bad, or the turbocharger failing. In some cases, pressure regulation failure could also be the culprit.
This isn’t as significant a hazard as blue or white smoke, but will severely ruin your fuel economy, and will eventually add to the degradation of your engine over time.

White Smoke

White smoke actually means the presence of water vapor, which means that water is mixing with your fuel. This is often the symptom of a bigger problem, such as a seal being broken, the fuel regulator needing calibrated, or worst case scenario, the engine block being cracked.

Grey Smoke

Grey smoke means that you’re burning oil, and you’ve got water mixing with your fuel, which means that you may have a whole host of the problems mentioned above, and you should consider the vehicle pretty much unsafe to drive until a mechanic has effectively dealt with it.

To learn more about your exhaust, and other signs of failure, fill out our contact form today.

Buying A New Car: Which Fees Should You Pay?

Buying a new car can be quite the ordeal, especially if complicated financing is involved with subsequent monthly payments and other transactions fees that are unfamiliar or unknown to a buyer. There are going to be fees added into a contract for a vehicle, and car buyers need to know which ones they should pay.

There are any number of standard fees that are part of a new car contract, so what are some of those basic fees that every car buyer should know about before purchasing a new vehicle?

Vehicle Registration

Vehicle registration fees are determined by the state in which a new car owner resides. The fees include the registration and license plate costs. A registration is a document that indicates legal ownership of a vehicle. Car dealerships take care of this service, so new car customers are spared a visit to the DMV (Department of Motor Vehicles). The newer and more expensive the vehicle as well as the weight of the vehicle will determine registration costs.

Sales Tax

This figure can produce sticker shock to many new car buyers. Sales tax varies by the state in which a new vehicle is purchased. In addition, many cities and counties tack on an additional tax along with the state tax. So, the total amount of sales tax paid will depend on where the vehicle is purchased within a state.

Incentives

There are incentives with sales tax, particularly with trade-in situations and the purchase of a new car. If a trade-in sales tax credit is given by a state, a new car buyer is only taxed on the difference between the price of the new car and the trade-in value of the old car. Some states do not allow for the trade-in allowance and the full amount of sales tax will have to be paid on the purchase of the new car.

Rebates and other incentives can lower the price of a vehicle, but many states will still charge sales tax on the purchase price of the vehicle before any rebates are applied. So, a buyer still pays tax on the full price of a vehicle in spite of the rebate.

Documentation Fee

This is one aspect of the fee process that can fluctuate. Car dealerships include charges for documentation (doc fee). The charges are to cover preparation and sales contract filing costs and any other extraneous paperwork. Some states have document fees that are not regulated. One car dealership may sell a buyer a vehicle at a decent price but, at the same time, include a high document fee to offset any customer savings, plus that document fee will likely have a sales tax attached to it. Would-be new car buyers should investigate what dealerships charge for document fees. Any fees that are higher than average for a state should be negotiated to offset the fee.

Document fees definitely affect the new-car buying experience and if a car dealership provides genuine and helpful service, perhaps the document fee won’t be such a sting. Also, if the vehicle purchase price is lower and the dealership is giving a true savings to the customer, there may be a gain there, even with a high document fee.

Other Fees

Other fees attached to a new car buying experience can include dealer fees, advertising fees and environmental fees for laws that concern local environmental rulings.

Dealer fees could arise in the form of dealer preparation and shipping and handling type of charges. Investigate these fees and, if necessary, challenge the fees in contract negotiation with the dealership.

Advertising fees could be listed on the vehicle’s invoice, which is an actual charge by the manufacturer of the car to the dealer; however, some dealerships will include an additional advertising fee within the sales contract itself as a way to offset their own advertising endeavors. In any case, negotiate these dealer fees before entering any contract.

Environmental fees are levied by individual states and are nominal, usually around $40 or less.

Online Fee Calculators

There are online calculators available to determine or estimate fees that relate to buying a new car. DMV websites and other online sites provide calculators for guidance through the fee process and can give a new car buyer an idea of what those fees will entail. They are not exacting, but they do give a general idea as to charges in different states.

There is no doubt that buying a new car is going to involve a fee structure that may be hard to follow or is unclear. If you plan on buying a new car make sure you are prepared for the fees you will face.