But what about during the summer? Believe it or not, the heat takes its toll on your car, too, so it’s important to keep your car serviced.

Periodic maintenance on your car will save you tremendous hassle in the long run. Your vehicle should last longer and command a higher resale price, too! I made it a point to get my car serviced according to the dealer’s schedule, and when I traded it in, I got far more than I expected due to the stellar condition of the engine.

Now I know this isn’t bedtime reading, but the owner’s manual can be your best friend – assuming you read it! At least take a look-through periodically. How about while you’re waiting to get your oil changed?

Follow the manufacturer’s recommended service schedules. This could save you a major breakdown.

Have the air conditioning system looked over by a qualified technician. A check up here can save you a huge bill later.

The greatest cause of summer breakdowns is overheating. Prevent this problem by making sure the cooling system is flushed and refilled as recommended.

Have your car’s belts, clamps, and hoses checked by a technician. This only takes a few minutes and is usually inexpensive.

Change your oil and oil filter every 3,000 miles or four times a year.

Replace air and fuel filters as recommended.

Get plenty of windshield washer solvent – we have a tendency to use a lot of this in the winter, so your fluids may be low.

Tires should be rotated every 5000 miles or so.

Check the spare tire to make sure it’s inflated properly. Also, make sure you have a jack along with it!

Transmission troubles equal money troubles equal emotional troubles! Have your transmission serviced periodically, and prevent big-time repair bills.

If you notice that your brakes are less efficient, get them checked out right away.

Have your battery checked periodically to see how much life it has left!

Inspect all lights and bulbs to make sure they’re working.

Carry a first aid kit, flares, jumper cables, a flashlight, and a cell phone.

There you go – a simple list to keep your car in great running shape. Remember, your car needs to be maintained and checked over even in the summer.

Taking care of your car takes only a few minutes each month, and pays you big dividends for the life of your vehicle!

With the constant increase in oil prices, car owners get more concerned about how they can save gas and money while driving. This article gives you tips on how you can reduce your gas consumption and save money.

Always have your car tuned-up regularly. If you car’s engine is in bad operating condition it will utilize more gasoline. Vehicle maintenance will help your car’s engine run efficiently thus improving your expenditure of money. Clean or change congested air filters to enhance your fuel mileage by as much as 10%.

• Maintain a steady rate when driving you car. Frequent stops when driving add to your gas expenditure by as much as 30%. Avoid sudden stops and abrupt increases in speed. Make use of “cruise control” when you are driving on the highway. This will allow you to maintain a steady speed and avoid additional gas consumption.

Another way to keep a steady rate is by avoiding heavy traffic areas. Also avoid unnecessary use of the clutch.

• Schedule buying your gas during the cool hours. It is ideal to purchase your fuel early in the morning or during the night. You will acquire extra for your cash during these cooler hours.

• Close you car windows when you are driving on the highway. When your windows are closed the aerodynamics are better and it lessens the drag on the vehicle. Gaping windows cause extra friction and reduce your car’s mileage.

• Minimize the use of air conditioners when it is not necessary. Use your car’s vents if possible. If you really need to use your air conditioner, try to set it as low as possible. Do not operate your air conditioner with your car windows open - it uses more gas this way.

• Do not let your engine idle when not driving. Turn off you car’s engine when you need to wait for a time longer than a minute. If your car is idle for more that one minute, it uses the same amount of gas that you would use when you are restarting the engine.

• Lessen your car’s load. The heavier the car, the more gas it will consume.

• Check if tires inflated accordingly. Tires with appropriate pressure save fuel better than when under-filled or over-filled with air.

From an economic perspective, you’re better off keeping your old car. It could save you thousands of dollars. Taking better care of your current car may make much more sense in the long run.

You’re probably thinking - those repair bills are really adding up. But the cost of repairs will never exceed the cost of a new car. Changing your oil, replacing brakes, belts, and hoses are nothing compared to monthly payments on a new car. Even costly repairs like rebuilding an engine makes good financial sense.

If you’ve paid off your car, it is still in great shape and needs only a few modest repairs, there’s no need to throw it away. Enjoy your freedom from car payments. Enjoy lower annual taxes, insurance rates and license fees on your old car. Buying a new vehicle would mean several years more of monthly principle and interest payments on a loan.

You can feel secure knowing that modern vehicles last longer. Not too many years ago, a vehicle’s useful life did not exceed 100,000 miles. Today, many vehicles can breeze right past that 100,000 mile mark with no more than a tune-up, or maybe a new timing chain or fuel pump.

Older cars generally cost more to maintain and are more likely to break down. Repairs can be frustrating and expensive. But on the other hand they’re cheaper to own and operate. They lose most of its value in the first five years of their life. Your used vehicle won’t depreciate as much, saving you thousands.

Unless you’re rolling in cash, I’d say keep your old clunker. Comfort yourself knowing that one day you’ll be able to easily afford that costly new ride.

For those with a disability, scooters are an essential transportation device. One of the best things is that, if you are eligible, Medicare can cover some or all of the cost for a personal scooter. To be eligible, however you should meet the following guidelines: 1.You need a scooter to move around your home. 2.You are unable to operate a manual wheelchair. 3.Your doctor prescribes a scooter for your personal use. Please contact your Doctor and ask if you are eligible to receive government aid for a personal scooter.

There is now a huge diversity of scooters available worldwide. You will first need to decide which type of scooter best fits your needs and your budget. Perhaps the most important factor when deciding to buy a new scooter is to make sure it is comfortable. You will be using it a lot and it is best to make sure you are comfortable in your new little vehicle. Not all scooters are created equal and it is important to find one which suits your body type and sense of style. Scooters come in all shapes, sizes, weights, and colors. Some scooters are even ultra light-weight so conveniently they are able to fold up into small packages meaning they can be carried virtually anywhere. This feature is great for people who have difficulty getting around generally but still have enough mobility to get around on public transport. Most carry-on scooter units are fairly easy to carry and some even weigh under 50 lbs. If you are looking for this type of scooter, make sure you are able to carry it around with you.

Scooters designed specifically for the elderly are now more and more common and they are a great solution for people who have trouble moving around the house. Scooters are a good solution in many circumstances as they are able to be driven around without having to rely on someone else to power them. Think about how inconvenient it is sometimes for people in non motorized wheelchairs to have to rely on a pusher at times. Scooters are convenient and highly personal.

Accessories can also enhance a scooter. Rear view mirrors, extra batteries, extra pouches, and headlights can all be purchased for your scooter. You can almost add anything you need - it just depends on your personal scooter requirements.

In purchasing a used motorcycle, every part of it needs to be checked for durability. All goes well for well-maintained parts. Whether you are and expert or novice, you can easily identify it even by just looking at it. If the parts look grumpy and all worn-out, that won’t pretty serve you much for long. So why invest in buying a cheap one when it entitles you to overspend when it crashes.

In buying motorcycles, it would be better if you know the owner you are buying from. At least you will have an idea on how the motorcycle has been treated if the owner took extra efforts in maintaining the motorcycle’s performance. You can also estimate as to whether the motorcycle you are purchasing will still have a longer life or spend your time keeping it up. Some experts say that purchasing second-hand or used motorcycles are better than new ones because the motorcycle has performed several times. Used motorcycles don’t need warming ups and series of road tests.

There are other options in buying motorcycles. You can buy a motorcycle from an auction in companies and the Internet usually. When motorcycles are being sold, they deal it through auctions with great deals too. But purchasing with this type is first-come first-serve basis.

If you really are in desperate need to purchase a motorcycle very soon, you can easily find one in the newspapers in the ads page. Internet ads and motorcycle sites offer their selling online. They offer product information, listings, pricing and specification.

For assurance and warranties, you can buy your motorcycle from an authorized dealer. You can have great deals and discounts depending upon your contract. They also offer selling their products for easy installment for a given period of time. That sure is painless if you don’t have enough money and have other priorities.

The simplest and most common way to purchase a motorcycle is through your friends. You will usually hear from them talking about selling motorcycles. If you purchase from a friend, prices can get lower and you can talk about the motorcycle’s condition and performance comfortably. You can also ask for advices because they pretty know well and they are used to operating the motorcycles themselves.

No matter how you want to purchase a motorcycle, don’t always be in a hurry to buy one unless you are sure especially if you are a beginner. Of course you won’t want your money to be put waste.

We not only arrange regular events but also host breakfast runs and other get togethers so that all of us who have one thing in common can get together and have a good time. We do everything we can to help promote the group and events, even sending out an SMS to you whenever something is happening, just to keep you up to date.

Check out our CTSR websites for more updates!

http://ctsr.blogspot.com/

http://www.ctsr.co.za/

Don’t let the thought of car maintenance intimidate you. There are actually several car maintenance tips you can do – even if you’re totally mechanically-challenged!

For instance, you’ll want to keep your windshield washer fluid reservoir full. This involves screwing off the cap and pouring windshield wiper fluid in the right spot. You can quickly check the fluid levels when filling up at the gas station.

While you’ve got the windshield washer fluid out, pour some on a rag and clean the bug guts, etc. off the wiper blades.

If you see any colored fluid leaking from your car, get it serviced immediately.

If you smell any peculiar odor coming from your car, take it to the nearest service station. Odors mean something inappropriate is going on under the hood of your car!

Every fall, go ahead and replace your wiper blades. You need new ones once a year – might as well get them before winter sets in and you’re wiping away that ice and sleet!

Be sure all your lights are clean and working, including brake lights, turn signals and emergency flashers. You can perform this quick check while filling up your gas tank.

Check your tires once a month – give a look over for cuts, bulges, or nails or other foreign objects sticking out.

Take your car to your friendly serviceman once a month and have the pressure in your tires checked. This service should cost you less than five bucks, if anything.

Every three months have your oil and oil filter changed. Many times an inspection is done during the oil change. It’s worth it to pay a little extra if you have to and have this done. Ask to have your battery checked, too.

Have your air filter changed when it gets dirty. You can ask the folks who change your oil to check the air filter. They’re happy to change it for you.

No matter how non-car savvy you may have felt in the past, finding that you can do some simple maintenance checks puts you in the driver’s seat. You’re likely to discover in advance if your car has a problem that should be taken care of immediately.

However, as all races are competitive, you’re always on the lookout for ways to improve your time. Here are some tips you can take with you next time you hit the asphalt.

At the start-up
- If you’re a beginner, try not to floor the accelerator at the starting line. You may still not be used to controlling all that power.

- For advanced racers, rev your engines as high as it can go within safe limits. When the signal is given, ease off the clutch, letting the engine go.

On the straight-aways
- You should be close to your maximum speed on straight-aways, but be very mindful of your steering.

- Beginners should use both hands for the steering wheel placing them at the “10” and “2” positions.

- Advanced racers should know how to steer by accelerating and decelerating. Acceleration will bring the car towards the outer track while decelerating pulls it inside. Steering with the wheel is minimal and should only guide the direction of the pull.

Making the turns
- Racers approach turns in two ways: gradual and sharp.
Gradual turns apply towards the outside of the track making for a slightly wide approach. Beginners should get used to this kind of turn first.

Tight turns tuck in towards the inner track, allowing the car to drift around the corner. This is for more advanced racers as it requires a lot of maneuvering with the steering, brake and throttle.

- Approach a turn slowly and pull out fast. When nearing a turn, ease off the accelerator, letting the car slow down to a speed that’s easier to steer. Resume acceleration as you reach the apex of the turn.

Racing attitudes
- Assess your performance every time. Take note of how you performed each time and determine how you can improve on them. Did the lines you take improve your times? Did you accelerate smoothly or did you race in bursts? This will take patience on your part, but will pay off in the long run

- Finally, although it is a race, develop the attitude of working on improving your technique, rather than beating other drivers’ time. Focusing on being faster than the other guy takes away your concentration on what you need to do right. Remember that you’re running at speeds around and over 100 mph. Small mistakes can make for big accidents.

With these racing tips, you can be well on your way to sports car racing with satisfaction and in safety.

With hundreds of articles handing out tips in buying a new car, you should know by now what you should look for, what you should bring and what else you should do, but do you know what you should not do when buying that new car you want?

Never go without knowing what you want.

In buying a new car, it is not uncommon to have one or two choices but please keep it at that. Having more than two choices will spell not only trouble for your pocket but also a waste of your time. Knowing what you want when buying a new car will give you the confidence to talk to car dealers plus it will also enable you to ask questions specific to the car model. This will also allow you to do some research before hitting the stores. Believe this, there is no one dubious car dealers want more than buyers who do not have an idea what they want when buying a new car.

Never negotiate for something that you know nothing of

When haggling with dealers, do not negotiate until you have already canvassed the price. This is a no no in buying a new car. If you have no time to scout for car prices, you can always go to your car dealer’s websites or even ask friends and people you work with. Just tell them you are buying a new car and they will be more than happy to help. That way, you know what the bottomline and you know whether that bottomline can fit your budget.

Never let on that you absolutely need the car

Attitude is the name of the game when buying a new car. Remember that dealers need you more than you need them, so don’t act as if the car is the last of its model on earth (unless it’s vintage). In buying a new car, do it with professional savvy. Never let on that you are desperate for their product or that their price is the lowest you have seen in a hundred miles radius. Be cool when buying a new car and you’ll surely get a cool deal.

Never let one dealer buy you a car from another dealer

While others do this because of the absolute lack of time, it is still not advisable especially if you are buying a new car for the first time. Some dealers may not only try to sell you the car at a higher price, they might even try to scam you. If you absolutely have to do it, do not sign anything or put down a deposit until you have seen the product in the flesh.

Never take on add-on fees until you have reviewed them

Scammers plague people who are buying a new car for the first time. Because they know that you don’t have much experience in buying a new car, dealers will sometimes put on additional somethings to the final cost of the car such as “rustproofing,” “environmental prep,” and a host of others. Beware of this first-time buyer scams.

There are a lot of things you need to do and a lot of things you need to pay attention to at a car auction. First off, before you go to a car auction make sure you have enough money in your bank account. All cars purchased at a car auction must be paid in full. You also need to bring your drivers license and any other form of ID to the car auction. This is needed to buy the vehicle and to do the title work and registration.

When you first get to the car auction you should make notes of the cars you are interested in. Then, if you can, go to kellybluebook.com and check the retail value of the vehicles you would like to purchase. This way you know what to go with when you make your bid. At a car auction, many vehicles have a reserve price. This means that the vehicle has a minimum price t be sold at. If it is too high, do not bid on it. Be sure when you do bid that you do not get into a bidding war. Never bid more than you can afford. If the bidding war begins, just walk away. At a car auction, it is every man for himself.

Before you begin to bid on cars, you need to see if the vehicle is a good buy or not. Many vehicles at a car auction could have been previously damaged. An example of this is in Texas and Louisiana many cars were severely damaged by flooding during a hurricane. These vehicles were sent to a car auction and the buyers more than likely had no idea the vehicles had flood damage. You may also wish to take a mechanic to the car auction. A mechanic is a good idea at a car auction because they can see where someone may have tried to hide repairs and damage that the vehicle might have incurred. Lastly, you can get a free Carfax vehicle history report on the vehicle if you get the vehicles identification number (VIN).

Remember, at a car auction vehicles are sold “as is” and they do not come with a warranty. Keep all of these tips in mind to protect yourself from a bad purchase. You are supposed to go to a car auction to get a great deal on a car and to save money. With the proper frame of mind, this is easily accomplished.