March 9th, 2009 — Car Maintenance
Cars are like electric lights. We often don’t appreciate them until they go on the blink. Regular maintenance checks and simple service can greatly reduce the cost of car ownership and keep you a much happier traveler!
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.
March 6th, 2009 — Car Racing
Whether racing professionally or simply enjoying the pace of a race, sports car racing is an activity for just about anyone with the drive.
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.
March 4th, 2009 — Buying Car, New Car
For people who have failed their mechanical aptitude test, the difference between a handbrake and the fender would probably be something that needs consulting in the dictionary. Buying a new car is never easy but for some it can even rival the SAT.
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.