Tuesday, December 23, 2014

4 Things to Expect at Your Used Truck Dealer Service Appointment

When you purchase a vehicle from a used truck dealer, it is wise to periodically bring it in for service appointments. Not all used car dealers have service departments, but if yours does, be sure to take advantage. There are several things you need to have checked regularly to ensure your car or truck is always in great shape.
Check Brakes and Brake Pads
When you take your vehicle to your used truck dealer for a service appointment, one of the first things they will do is check your brakes and brake pads for any wear and tear. If they're in bad shape, a replacement may be necessary. If you don't drive a lot, or if you are more cautious with how often you use the brakes, you may find that the brakes and pads won't have to be changed very often. However, if you notice that you are having trouble stopping your vehicle, or if you hear noise when you apply pressure to the brake pedal, you need to bring it in right away.
Change Oil
Another common item on the checklist at your appointment is having the oil changed. While it used to be common to change the oil every 3,000 miles, the quality of today's motor oil allows you to go longer between changes, especially if you don't drive erratically. Many service technicians will recommend you have the oil changed every 7,500 miles.
Rotate Tires
Having your tires checked is another thing that will happen at your appointment. Having your tires inspected by a professional is very important. They know what to look for and can often tell you when you are at risk of a blown tire or other problems. When they rotate the tires, they often move the front tires to the back and the back to front. They also move the right tires to the left and vice versa. This allows the tires to have better traction and keeps them from wearing out too fast.
Check Filters
Every six to twelve months, your service technician will check and change out the filters on your vehicle, including the oil and air filters. The old rule use to be that oil filters had to be replaced with every oil change. However, with the recent advancements in quality, oil filters can last up to a year. Air filters are designed to ensure the quality of the air inside your vehicle is fresh and free of impurities.
Visiting a used truck dealer for a service appointment is very important to the health of your vehicle. You may want to make a list of dates of when you had your car serviced to keep in the glove compartment. This can help keep you on track as to how often your car maintenance should be performed.
When looking for a professional used truck dealer, Greenfield, MA residents visit Ford of Greenfield. Learn more about our services at http://fordofgreenfield.com.


Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/8852786

Tips for Auto Sales and Purchases - Dealing With Vehicle Recalls

In recent years, there have been many recalls of cars and trucks, and it may come as no surprise when you receive a letter requesting that you bring in your vehicle for repairs due to a recall. Manufacturer recalls are meant to address safety problems, even minor ones. In 2013 alone, car companies called back more than 20 million vehicles in the U.S. for everything from minor parts issues to airbag issues that resulted in accidents, some of them serious. If your car or truck is recalled, don't panic - just take action. Take these necessary steps to ensure the safety of your family and to prolong the life of your vehicle.
Have the Repairs Performed
This may sound simple, yet thirty percent of owners don't bother to take in a car for the repairs. Letters usually go out to owners telling them to bring their vehicles to a dealer for free repairs. The recall doesn't always affect every single make or model in a line, or even a model year, so study the details carefully.
Be Proactive when Dealing with Recalls
News media outlets are quick to emphasize recalls. However, it can take a month or more following a major news story for manufacturers to communicate the information to the auto owners and to send parts and instructions to auto sales dealers. If your vehicle is already having problems related to the recalled parts, don't wait for the recall letter; have the issues diagnosed by the dealer. Better yet, sign up for email alerts on the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) website when you purchase your car to receive free lists of recalls and service bulletins.
Check for Recalls Before They are Even Announced
Automakers announce recalls after they search state databases to find owners of their vehicles. But if you purchased a used car from a local independent auto sales dealer or you've relocated, they may not be able to find you. You should search the NHTSA database online regularly for recalls. If you should locate a recall on your car, call your auto sales dealer or the manufacturer's customer service line and ask if it was fixed.
Be Aware of Other Repairs, Not Just Those Covered by the Recall
Manufacturers don't always issue a broad recall. Automakers sometimes issue service bulletins to auto sales dealers telling them to perform certain specific repairs on specific cars that come in for maintenance or repairs. Other car dealers and some vehicle enthusiast discussion boards online usually share this kind of information with the auto community and can recommend a reputable source for repairs.
While events such as recalls are inconvenient at best, it's important to ensure that your vehicle is in good working condition. By making a few proactive efforts or taking immediate action following notification of a recall, you can secure peace of mind while prolonging the life of your vehicle.
For residents of Lancaster, auto sales information can be found by visiting http://www.keimpreowned.com/auto-sales.htm.


Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/8852798

Car Dealerships: Our Local Resource

Car dealerships are like members of the family. They've been in the neighborhood for generations and will remain there for many to come. These businesses are local institutions that provide a number of very valuable services to the community. They'll figure out a way to get your dream vehicle, and they'll take that old beat-up model off of your hands when nobody else will. These places are essential to the community. Local businesses are essential not only for the local economy but the national economy as well. We'll explore how these places became a local institution, and we'll take a look at some of the amazing services they can provide.
A Local Product
Almost every single trader of automobiles is an independently owned franchise. When the automobile industry was just starting out, state governments encouraged it to grow by designing laws that curbed corporate ownership. This resulted in the rise of the local franchise. It was a win-win. The manufacturers took very little financial risk and they still got to spread their product across the country at a rapid pace. Manufacturers were not allowed to give only their corporately owned stores advantages and discounts. Local car dealerships were also advantageous to the community because they employed local citizens to work. They also only spend their money locally. This is not the case for corporations. The community's money leaves and doesn't come back, whereas in the previous model a nice healthy flow of money is created. Locals are better at evaluating and addressing the needs of their local peers as well. Nobody will be able to serve the community better than a community member.
Financial Services
Car dealerships generally employ an in-house financial team that can be of assistance when money becomes an issue. The financial professionals will work with you to determine your credit, how much you can afford to make on monthly payments, and which vehicle options are the most realistic for your current financial situation. Their main goal is to get you into the automobile of your dreams. Instead of making you go to a bank and talk to a financial advisor, car dealerships save you the time and hassle. It is a one-stop shop.
Trade-ins
You've been trying to sell that old vehicle of yours for a while, but you have garnered no interest for it. You won't be able to buy the new ride you've been eyeing unless you can get a little bit of money out of your old one. Your local car dealerships will offer you a trade-in value. You'll get rid of that old vehicle, and they'll knock money off the one you are trying to buy.
These are but a few of the services your friendly, local businessmen can offer you. Stop in, and see what they can do for you!
When looking for quality car dealerships, Michigan residents visit Milosch's Palace Chrysler Jeep Dodge. Learn more at http://www.palacecjd.com/.


Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/8852810

Vehicles of Choice in the Restoration Industry

When you are starting any type of contracting or restoration firm it is important to remember that there is a critical piece of equipment that you need first and foremost. That piece of equipment is the vehicle that you need to get to the job site. You are probably thinking that you already might have a vehicle to get to point A to point B, this might be the case but can it carry all of your equipment, can this vehicle work in inclement weather, these are all questions that need to be asked.
Contractors choose their vehicles in a particular manner in order to secure the most efficient cost wise and a vehicle that can handle a wide variety of jobs. The types of vehicles that would be included in this are SUVs, Vans, and Trucks. These types of vehicles can hold a large amount of items from tools to the materials for the job that needs to be brought to the job site. This especially critical for an emergency restoration company, because some of the equipment is bulky and needs to be loaded into the vehicle in a speedy manner.
Restoration firms tend to look more at vans than trucks or vans. The main reasoning behind choosing the vans is for the purposes of water damage equipment it is easier to load on and off the equipment. This equipment would include dehumidifiers, air movers, vacuums, etc. All of this is necessary when handling a water damage claim. Also, another benefit of the vans is that they can hold a large amount of reconstruction materials that are necessary for the rebuilding of the affected areas that are requested by property owners. However, the occasional truck is necessary for some of remediation work.
Trucks are required by a restoration firm for the transport of larger materials that cannot be carried in the vans due to the length and weight of materials. Another reason for the purchase of truck could be necessity that some of equipment you are required to use for a job is too big for a van to pull. Certain large scale dehumidifiers, fire damage machines, and duct work equipment are heavy and trailer bound which is not particularly good for a van that can be used on most jobs.
With over 25 years' experience in the restoration industry, I can attest to the values of having a reliable vehicles to the job sites. This especially critical during emergency mitigation situations where time is of the essence and unless the problem is solved there can be large scale problems in regards to the security of the property and protecting it from further damage.
Jeffrey Cohn
SI Restoration-MD,DC
CRD Restore-NJ,PA,DE
IICRC certified
http://www.crdmoldfirewater.com
1-800-356-0484
1-855-883-8985
410-458-5371 ( cell )


Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/8852510

Important Considerations When Searching For New Cars

Searching new cars and making a final purchase can be an exciting period for the consumer. Oftentimes, a customer has been looking at a certain make or model for a long time while saving up the hard-earned cash to buy it. This is a rewarding moment for an individual, and it's an accomplishment to be proud of.
When looking into buying a vehicle, however, there are several things that the consumer should keep in mind with regards to financing options, service contracts, and finding the best deal. Let's explore these issues more fully and provide the consumer with a good idea about the process they are involving themselves in.
Take Your Time
It's easy to get caught up in all the excitement that is part of the purchasing process, but you should use your head and do critical research so that you don't get pressured into making a speedy and costly decision on the showroom floor. You'll be able to get yourself a better price if you know the vehicle you're looking at through and through. The best places to look for research on new cars are in automobile publications, Kelley's Blue Book, enthusiast websites and blogs, and guides from professionals in the field.
If you know what model you are looking for, shop around at multiple dealerships to see how flexible each is with their prices. If you can't negotiate a price that you like or if you can't find the exact model you are looking for, don't be afraid to order the vehicle you want off the manufacturer's website. It may take longer for you to get your vehicle if you pursue this route, but you'll be able to choose every additional option that you want, meaning that you can save a lot of money by cutting out unnecessary options.
Financing New Cars
Just as you need to shop around for vehicles, you should also shop around for financing deals. Oftentimes, the dealer will contact lenders for you, but that does not mean that the annual percentage rate that they are offering you is the same. You should make contact with a number of lenders and see where you can get your best financing deal. These rates can vary greatly from lender to lender based on the length of the loan and the amount of risk they are willing to take on. Occasionally, dealers will offer really good rates on specific new cars, but they will often be unwilling to negotiate the price, or you may be required to make a big down payment.
Service Contracts
These documents provide for the free repair of certain parts or problems that you may have with your recent purchase. These deals do not always provide coverage past the manufacturer's warranty, so you will want to be aware of the length of that agreement. A warranty is included with your vehicle, but a service contract costs extra money. Just as you did with the price, negotiate with your dealer to get the best possible service contract.
New cars are wonderful investments. Keep in mind the above information and good luck when looking for vehicles.
Looking for new cars? Clinton Township, MI residents can trust the resources at http://www.dorianford.com/Clinton-Township-MI/For-Sale/New/.


Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/8852636

About Car Spoilers

A car spoiler is a wing shaped device that is usually positioned at the rear of the vehicle above the trunk. Initially, the units were used on race cars in order to stabilize the vehicles at high speeds. In modern times they are used in a number of ways.
Functions of car spoilers
Reducing the amount of drag: drag is the resistance generated by air that the vehicle passes through. Since air is very light, it allows objects to pass through it at lower speeds; however, as the speed increases, air generates resistance which usually slows down the vehicle.
A spoiler is designed in a way that it minimizes the resistance which allows you to easily push against air thus attaining maximum speed.
Increasing traction: traction is the stability of the car on the road. It's determined by a number of factors such as: the car's weight, amount of tire that is in contact with the road and the gripping power of the rubber on the tire.
A spoiler can be angled in such a way that it causes air around a fast-moving car to press down on the vehicle thus creating a downward force on the tire thus increasing traction. This in return increases the car's stability.
Some spoilers have brake lights which aid in increasing the safety of the car by making it easy for other drivers to see that you are braking. If you have a heavy truck, you can install the units in order to decrease the drag between the cab and the trailer.
Types of spoilers
There are two main types of spoilers: rear and front spoilers
Rear spoilers: they aid in reducing a car's air resistance. From their name, they are placed at the rear of a vehicle. They are usually flat surfaced units that are held at a right angle in order to reduce the amount of drag. The horizontal angle prevents some of the generated air from following the rear contour thus preventing the creation a suction effect.
Front spoilers: these are common in high performance vehicles that are designed to travel at very high speeds. Front spoilers play a crucial role of creating a downward force on the front tires thus increasing traction.
Conclusion
This is what you need to know about car spoilers. When installing the units, ensure that the work is done by a professional who will not only install the units perfectly, but also advice you on the best units to go for.
We stock different types of car spoilers. For example, we have high quality roof spoiler. We also have carbon fiber spoiler.Visit the given links to see what else we have in stock.


Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/8857070

Tips on Choosing an Alloy Wheel Cleaner

In the past, car owners had very limited selection of alloy wheel cleaners. Various homemade solutions such as freshly squeezed lemon juice were recommended. Now things are different. You can pick from a huge variety of products. You need to ensure that you will make the best choice so that all of the stuck dirt is effectively removed without any particular effort on your part.
The Right Ingredients
The most important thing for the alloy wheel cleaner is to be free from any acid. This is essential since acid can cause serious damage to the coating and expose the rims to a higher risk of rust and corrosion. The product must not contain any abrasive particles either. Generally, the ingredients should provide for good cleaning while being perfectly safe. You can check them specifically to confirm that they will not cause any harm to the coating.
Liquid, Gel or Spray
It is important to note that the cleaning formula is the most important factor for the effectiveness of the product. Still, its texture can also have a considerable impact on how well it works. You should keep in mind that the liquid cleaners are the rarest. This is because liquid flows away from the surface super quickly. The shorter it stays on the surface, the less effective it will be.
The spray products have become increasingly popular in recent years because they are easy and quick to apply and there is no mess. The sprayed substance tends to stay longer compared to liquid that you pour directly on the alloy wheels. Still, the gel is the slowest of all three to drain down. It sticks on the surface for longer and this makes its effect more potent.
Foam or No Foam
You can select from foaming and non-foaming wheel cleaners. In general, the formed bubbles help to absorb the dirt and to remove it more easily and quickly. However, this applies only to fairly small and recent dirt accumulations. Foam alone is not effective for stubborn dirt which has remained on the surface for a long time. Hence, if you clean the rims more frequently, a foaming product may be a good option for you. Otherwise, you should not expect the foam to be of great help.
Finally, when you select an alloy wheel cleaner, it is highly recommended that you go over professional reviews. You can readily find videos with comparison tests and charts with results from such tests. These will be of great help to you.
It is time to give your car the best Mag Wheels which can be found. Have them fitted and serviced by leading professionals.


Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/8856182