Long Island Car Detailers At Their Best!

April 21, 2008

Why Do You Need an Extended Auto Warranty?

Are you planning on getting a new car or maybe you just bought one? Do you have a car that has a warranty that is close to running out? If you said yes to either of these questions that you need to make sure that you take the time to get an extended auto warranty quote. This is will help you to keep better control over any auto repair expenses you may have.

No one can ever predict when you will have auto repairs that need to be done. This is something that usually happens when it is the worst possible time. With auto warranties for new cars, the major car repair expenses will be covered. Once the coverage expires you will be left on your own for any major auto repair expenses. This is when the extended auto warranty will help you because the extended warranty will extend your protection for any major expenses for a longer time.

One thing that you want to remember if you get a new car is that you don’t have to get the extended auto warranty from the dealership when you buy the car. You can always go back later and get it, which is a good idea because this gives you time to do some research and compare auto warranties so that you get the right one at a price you can afford.

You definitely want to spend the money on an extended auto warranty because it will save you money in the future. Just don’t rush into getting one without doing research. It is important that you compare a couple of different auto warranties before you decide. This will allow you to get the best deal for your car and for the money you spend. Look online to see what you can find about warranties. There is a lot of information online.

Extended auto warranty is a definite must if you don’t have the money to fix your car all the time. Just remember that you can get it later if you can’t afford it now. You just want to make sure you get it before your warranty that came with the car runs out. If you take time to do some research, you can even find warranty for used cars. No matter what kind of car you have, you definitely want as much warranty as you can get for as long as you can get it.

April 12, 2008

Regular Maintenance On Your Car Keeps It In Good Running Condition

Filed under: Automotive Repair — Tags: , , , , , — admin @ 12:23 pm

Your car, your beauty, your baby needs check ups regularly to stay in tip top running condition. Most car repairs are needed because of neglect from the vehicles operator or owner. If proper maintenance is performed, cars will usually stay running smoothly for a long time. I know you’ve heard car owners say; “It never needed anything more than an oil change”. Of course he doesn’t mention the fact the hoses and belts were checked once a month or the oil was changed every 3,000 miles. He doesn’t mention all the little routine regular maintenance he performed religiously. Maybe he assumes everyone treats their cars that way or maybe he wants you to ask him about his routine maintenance checks on the vehicle to keep it in such good shape.

Regular car maintenance is important to maintain the running condition of your vehicle and to prevent untimely car repairs and break downs on the side of the road. If you live in places like Minnesota you’ll want to do regular maintenance on your car. Cold weather is hard on the engine of a vehicle so you’ll want to make sure your car is in good running condition. Plus being stuck on the side of the road in freezing cold is tough on the human body too.

Most of the import and domestic automobile manufacturers recommend their vehicles receive a lube, oil & filter change and or inspection every 3,000 miles, such as BMW, Audi, Toyota, just to name a few. At 3,000 miles they also recommend a chassis lube, air filter inspection, have all the vehicles fluids checked, hoses and belts inspected and tire pressures checked.

At 6,000 they’ll recommend another lube, oil and filter change and or inspection, the tires rotated, brakes inspected, have an inspection done on the fuel system, all vehicle fluids checked, belts and hoses inspected, and the tire pressures checked. At 15,000 miles they recommend to have the air filter, lube oil and filter changed, plus a 4-wheel alignment performed. At 18,000 they recommend an engine oil system flush. At 30,000 they recommend air and fuel filter change, injector cleaning and throttle body service, rotate and balance the tires, a power steering flush, automatic transmission flush, radiator system flush, and evaporator system flush.

All quality expert mechanics will recommend that you have a maintenance schedule written down and stick to it religiously. It’s also good to keep this kind of record in case you ever sell the car, you could even get more for it by letting the buyer know exactly the services, which have been performed on the car whether you do the actual work yourself or pay a good mechanic to do it for you. All these inspections are recommended in order to prevent damage to your engine and other parts of your car, which if not done could lead to costly repairs. If you have a quality mechanic you use all the time for the maintenance and repairs of your car, he’ll help you keep up with the scheduled maintenance by reminding you when something is coming up. He’ll even record the service, so you’ll have record of it later. So, keep up the maintenance on your car regularly and you’ll have a car to last you for a very long time.

April 10, 2008

Automotive Repairs and Money Savings

Filed under: Automotive Repair — Tags: , , , — admin @ 11:27 pm

Car repairs are a necessary, but often high-priced expense. However, you can save on your car repair bills and still keep your vehicle well-maintained. In this article we’ll cover 5 tips you can use to keep your car repair bills down and save money at the shop. So, keep reading to learn more.

1. Practice preventive medicine.

One of the best ways to save money at the garage is to limit the number of times you have to take your car there. So, drive carefully, don’t put unnecessary wear on your engine, avoid overheating and stay on top of small maintenance tasks.

For example, replacing your filters is a very easy and inexpensive way to help keep your car running smoothly. A new air filter will cost you a few dollars and will help keep your engine running clean. Changing your own oil and oil filter is a relatively quick (though messy) job that should be done every 3000 miles, or typically 3-4 times per year. And doing it yourself will save you $15-20 each instance.

2. Get referrals from friends.

Do your homework to find a local mechanic who is trustworthy, reliable and sincerely interested in servicing your vehicle with honesty and integrity. Ask around at home or the office to see who your friends are using.

You can also use online customer review sites like Yelp.com or MechanicRatingz.com to see what other consumers in your area are saying about a particular mechanic.

The value of an honest mechanic can hardly be overstated. Even if the person’s labor fees are a bit higher than competitors, your peace of mind and savings on unnecessary work recommendations you might otherwise receive from less scrupulous mechanics is well worth it!

3. Don’t be afraid to negotiate.

If a mechanic or garage comes at you with a higher-than-expected price, don’t be afraid to negotiate or simply ask how you can lower the price.

For example, let’s say your mechanic approaches you with a quote for $780 on recommended work. Simply tell him that’s a lot for you right now, but is it possible to do it for around $650 or $700? Next, ask if there are any jobs within the needed work that you can do yourself to help bring the cost down. By working with, rather than against, your mechanic, you’re more likely to get a better deal.

4. Source your own parts.

If you know what part needs to be replaced, try sourcing it yourself. Rather than paying retail for a head gasket, you may be able to locate and purchase your own and bring it in with you to the mechanic’s shop. Not only will you save money on the garage’s markup on parts, but you’ll also save time.

Be aware that some mechanics or shops will not permit this practice since they want to warranty all parts they install. However if it’s permitted and you have the inclination, go for it.

5. Get it all in writing.

Have your mechanic write down everything he or she will be doing to your car, including the reason why the work is required and the total cost. Don’t let them do any additional work without your permission.

Finally, always get a summary of the work completed once you’ve paid, along with a full listing of all new parts. Not only will this protect you as a consumer should any repairs fail, but it’s good to have repair records for when you sell the vehicle.

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