Think GREEN: Let’s Keep Our Environment Healthy With Our Vehicles!

"Unless someone like you cares a whole awful lot, nothing is going to get better. It's not"

- Dr. Seuss, "The Lorax"

What have you done to contribute to the betterment of the environment? Let's think of the things we do every day. Does it benefit our surroundings? Does it make us a better person? As we go on our daily lives, we unconsciously make decisions that leave an imprint on Mother Nature. Particularly, our car.

Car pollution remains one of the major causes of global warming. Cars and trucks produce carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases. It is estimated that about seventy-five percent of carbon monoxide emissions come from cars. In urban areas, it contributes to about 50 to 90 percent of air pollution. That's really A LOT to think of. So what can we do to curb the air pollution statistic and live on a better planet?

Make Your Research

When buying a new vehicle, make your research first. Get the know more about the car you're planning to buy. Do not just settle for the good looks but look more than that, look for the things that meet beyond your eyes like its "green" features.

Become a Smart Buyer!

After making your research, apart from considering the style, size, and cost of your new vehicle, consider also its gas mileage and other green features to avoid high greenhouse gasses emission. Trust us, it will even save you a hell lot of money!

Observe Proper Driving Etiquette

Now you have a new car, the next thing you should do is to observe your driving etiquette. Why? Your driving behavior contributes to your GHG or greenhouses gasses emissions. Belligerent driving increases fuel consumption by 40 percent and speeding increases gas up to 23 percent. Can you just imagine how much you'll save if you just tone down your temper a little bit? And ... it's safer! 

Know the Right Kind of Oil

We know how tempting it is to opt for the cheapest kind of oil when getting an oil change, but little do we know, the kind of oil you put inside your car greatly affects its performance and efficiency.

Switch to Renewable Fuels

Since we are now going green, why not give renewable fuels such as E85 and biodiesel a try? E85 contains 85 percent of ethanol and only 15 percent of gasoline, it is advisable for some vehicles. While for the Diesel vehicles, getting biodiesel is suitable for your vehicle. Biodiesel blends B5 which contains about 5 percent for biodiesel.

Practice Shifting Gears

Shifting gears also impacts your fuel consumption. As much as possible, try to keep your shifting smooth all the time.

Maintenance is Always-Always the Key!

Reduce your carbon dioxide footprint by regularly maintaining your vehicle's condition! Keeping your tires properly inflated alone already saves 4 percent of your fuel and fixing vital mechanical issues saves up to 40 percent! Now, that's a lot of saving!

Reuse: Save Money, Conserve the Earth!

When buying new parts for your vehicle, go for the remanufactured ones. Does it sound ironic? Well, remanufactured parts work perfectly just like the new ones. These parts are even less expensive and use less energy and raw materials are required to produce them.

Lastly, Make Your Car Recyclable

Don't just ditch out your car when it no longer works properly! Make money out of it by recycling its parts! Its spare parts can be sold to other car owners. Your old bumpers can be a new one for others. Backsplashes are ideal or kitchen and bathrooms while steel beams can be used in a new construction project. Turn your trash to a win-win situation!

"It's not about what it is. It's about what it can become" - The Lorax. In our small little ways applied in our daily lives, we can make a big difference. Conserve our planet! Think GREEN!

10 Steps To Fix Your Car's Fuel Pump

If your starter motor cranks but the engine won’t fire up, you could be looking into a couple of different car problems that are causing this issue. You don’t have to take your vehicle to a car repair shop right away. You can figure out what the problem is and even possibly fix it with the help of these step-by-step tips!

1. Check Your Fuel

Before you freak out and assume the worst, relax and check your fuel first. A lot of the time, the problem is the wrong fuel in your tank which is a mistake that happens every now and then at the gasoline station. If that’s not the case, you should check if your fuel gauge is functioning or if you still have fuel inside the tank too.

2. Make Sure You Have Spark

Find the fuel system fuse and take it out of its socket. It should be in a fuse box together with the fuel pump relay. Pull out a spark plug wire, and jam a screwdriver with an insulated grip where the spark plug attaches. Hold the other end of the screwdriver close to but not touching a grounded metal surface. Have an assistant or a companion crank the starter. An electrical spark will jump in the air gap between the ground and the screwdriver attached to the plug wire. If there is none, check the whole ignition system from the plugs, plug wires, ignition coil, and cam position sensor. If the vehicle is equipped with neutral safety and/or anti-theft systems, make sure they are deactivated.

3. Inspect Your Starter Motor

A broken starter is another common reason your car won’t start. A starter is an electrical motor that is connected to the battery. Its role is to set the engine in motion when you turn the ignition switch on. Once the engine starts and is in motion, the starter's job is complete. If the starter goes bad, the engine will not crank properly or may not crank at all when you turn the ignition key on. If you hear a clicking noise when you try to start your vehicle, a broken or weakened starter could be the reason why your car isn't starting.

4. Scan For Diagnostic Fault Codes

If what you’re dealing with here is anything related to fuel pump errors, ECU faults, cam/crank position sensor, or fuel pressure problems, your check engine light is probably glowing. That’s when you whip out your OBD scanner, as it’s a very accurate tool that can diagnose those problems for you.

OBD scanners that are high quality will provide you enough information that you need. It can give you live data from the ECU, fuel pressure readings, voltage supplied to the pump, coil-on-plug individual voltages and more that you’ll find valuable. What’s even great is that these data can be viewed from your laptop or smartphone screen which is very convenient.

5. Check For Compression

Not everyone has a scanner on hand, but you can still make certain inspections without that. If your ignition system is still working, open the valve cover and check the timing belt or chain. If it’s intact and everything looks okay, the crank should be turning and timing cylinder compressions as it should. You can then conclude here that the lack of fuel is the problem.

6. Check Your Fuel System

Do you always experience your car losing power when you try to accelerate? Or you’re having trouble starting your car altogether? Sounds like your fuel system is malfunctioning which is keeping your engine from drawing more fuel to accelerate. Fuel system may malfunction because of a clogged injector, leaking fuel line, or gummed-up filter or kaput fuel pump.

You should be able to hear the fuel pump in the tank humming and the fuel pump relay clicking when you turn the ignition. If you’re not hearing any of those, check the fuel system fuse which you removed earlier when checking for spark. You’ll know you’re looking at a fuel pump problem if you see an intact fuse and a clicking relay. Usually the pump and the tank can be accessed from under the car or under the rear passenger seats. So go under there and see if there are any corrosion in the electrical connectors. While you’re at it, might as well check for continuity and voltage supply to the pump using a multimeter.

7. Confirm If You Have Fuel Pressure

Make sure to wear safety goggles and gloves since you’ll be handling fuel at this point onward. It’s also best to collect spilled fuel in a sealed container. Tap a pressure gauge into the fuel supply hose close to the injectors before you turn the ignition and crank the starter. If the pressure rises to about 20-30 pounds per square inch (psi) then it’s all good. But if it doesn’t then it’s an indication of clogged fuel filter. You should then take it out and replace it with a new one.

8. Pull Out The Pump

If you want to bench test your fuel pump even further or probably thinking of replacing it, you can pull it out from the tank. After that, connect the electrical connectors to a power source to confirm pump operation. Just make sure you do this carefully because you can cause a spark and ignite gasoline fumes while doing this. Avoid that by working in a well-ventilated area and moving cautiously.

9. Replace The Pump

Since it’s relatively cheap to replace fuel pumps and it has no serviceable parts, it’s best if you just replace it. Just ensure that you’re purchasing an original equipment (OE) manufactured pump or you can also upgrade to an aftermarket one so long that the replacements you’re getting is compatible with your car. If you’re unsure of the fuel quality or if you find significant loose rust, drain out all the gasoline and clean the tank.

10. Reset Fault Codes

After reassembly, refill the tank with fresh fuel and start the car. With the scanner, you can erase the stored error codes to turn off the check engine light.

When Leasing Is A Better Choice Than Buying A Car

We think that the right financial decision when it comes to a car is obvious—purchase it. While that’s true most of the time, there are instances though that it’s better to just lease. What are those instances? Read more and find out!

Unstable Monthly Cash Flow

If you don’t have a fixed monthly income, it’d be difficult to finance a car because monthly payment is often higher when you purchase it. With leasing you’re basically just paying for the depreciation of the car during that year rather than the entire cost of the vehicle that’s why it’s cheaper.

Inadequate Savings, But Can Afford Monthly Payment

Sometimes, people have a fixed monthly income so they can afford monthly payment. However, you don’t have a lot of savings which will make it difficult to pay for the down payment and other initial fees. If you're concerned about the monthly costs, a lease eases the burden a bit. Generally, the monthly payment is considerably less than it would be for a car loan. Some people even opt for a more luxurious car than they otherwise could afford.

You Don’t Drive That Much

There are people who don’t drive every day because of reasons like their work is just walking distance, commuting is a faster route, or you and your friends prefer carpooling.  In this case where you just use a car occasionally, leasing is a better option than buying because what’s the point if you won’t be able to use it that much but you’ll pay for the entire cost anyway?

You’re Very Meticulous With Car Care

Those who always get their car bumped, scratched, or dented, just buy it because the wear and tear fees will cost way more. But if you treat a vehicle like a fragile glass, this won’t be an issue for you if you just lease.

You Only Drive For Business

For those whose job requires them to drive around a lot, leasing can be great. When you lease, a portion of the car’s depreciation and financing costs can be deducted on your taxes. Interest on loans to buy a car, however, isn’t deductible. That’s because the IRS allows you to deduct both the depreciation and the financing costs that are part of each monthly payment. If you’re leasing a luxury automobile, the amount you can write off may be limited.

You’re Only On A Vacation

Let’s say you’d be staying abroad or a remote location for just a couple of months, it won’t really be ideal to buy a car during your stay there, would it? So leasing it is. Even if you have the cash to instantly buy a car, it doesn’t mean you have to buy one right away. There are other costs like car registration, fuel, and monthly amortization that should be considered first, as well as other priorities that could enter while you’re in a long term commitment of owning a car. Buying a car impulsively can lead to regrets, especially when you’re not even going to be staying in that place for a long time to begin with.

You Hate Dealing With Car Repair

Yes, everyone knows that car repair is a part of owning a car. But that doesn’t mean everyone is really good at handling that part of vehicle ownership. It seems taking your ride to car servicing for maintenance or repair is simple because you’d just have to take it there and someone else would have to deal with it. However, the stress, money, and time that one has to spend on that are not always worth it for everyone. In this case, leasing is your new best friend because several dealerships offer the coverage on the maintenance which can be a huge deal for many. Many new cars offer a warranty that lasts at least three years. So when you take out a three-year lease, most of the repairs should be covered. Leasing arrangements largely eliminate the hazards of a significant unforeseen expense.

No Resale Worries

Are you the type of person who hates to haggle? If so, you probably hate the idea of selling your used car to a dealership or a private buyer. With a lease, you simply return the car. The only thing you have to worry about is paying any end-of-lease fees, including those for abnormal wear or additional mileage on the vehicle.

Buying a car is hardly a decision you can make on a whim, even when it’s not your first time buying it. So make sure to canvass from different dealers to see different price ranges and different cars available if you do. This way you can compare which dealer offers the best deal for you.

If ever you’re considering to opt for a used vehicle, don’t forget to get the full history of the car. Don’t fall for a pre-owned car just because “it still looks good and yet so cheap”. I tell you what; cars in good condition don’t come cheap even for a pre-owned one. Test everything! Ask the seller if the car crashed before, if there are any current liens, if it has been customized. Rule of thumb: If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is. Or better yet, you may want to consider leasing for the time being until your situation becomes more secure enough to make a big purchase.

Fix Radiator Leak With These Simple Steps

As your car’s cooling system, radiators prevent engines from overheating and engine blocks from cracking with heat. So if you start noticing signs indicated below, make sure you take your vehicle to the car servicing shop right away to prevent the damage from getting worse and car repair costs starts pilling up.

There are different signs that will tell you if your radiator is starting to fail. One would be overheating. When dirt, bugs, or road grime gets stuck and accumulate in your radiator, it becomes harder for the air to flow through it. As a result, it’s harder to cool the engine especially when the vehicle is stopped and the radiator have to rely on just the fan to keep it cool which is why it overheats even when idle.

Another sign is sludge in the radiator. The coolant in your vehicle should be yellow or green or red normally. As the radiator goes bad, contaminants discolor the fluid making it a rusty or oil color. This turns into sludge and the fluid will not be able to cool the engine efficiently because it will not drain properly and remain in the radiator. This can be from a failing radiator for vehicles that contain a transmission cooler inside the radiator. The barrier between the coolant and transmission fluid fails and the fluids mix. If you or a mechanic notice sludge in your radiator, it will need to be replaced as it can cause extensive damage to the engine and transmission.

It could also be the frequent low level of coolant. If the level is below the minimum line, top it up to the maximum line and monitor on a daily basis. If you have to top up the coolant reservoir each time it is checked, this could indicate a leak. If it seems that you vehicle is always low on coolant then it’s reasonable to suspect that your radiator have gone bad or at least failing.

Now speaking of leak, the coolant, as the name suggests, helps the radiator to cool down.  However, when there’s a leak or crack in the radiator, you’ll see coolant leak on the floor underneath your car, since the coolant flows through the radiator. If the leak is more of the issue that you’ve been encountering lately, you can actually fix this problem easily. If you’ll use any stop-leak products, follow the instructions carefully and it could delay a permanent fix for a later time. 

Step 1: Drain The Old Coolant

Usually, not replacing the water coolant mixture is the reason you’re having leakage issue in your radiator. So the first thing that you must do if you’re trying to fix it is to drain the old coolant.

Step 2: Flush The Cooling System

Once you managed to drain all the old coolant, it’s now time to flush the cooling system. To do this, you need a lot of distilled water to rinse the radiator and the whole system. But make sure to activate the thermostat and the AC heater before you do so. Keep in mind to use only distilled water for this step. Tap water contains minerals that can cause sedimentation which is why it’s no good for rinsing the radiator and the whole system using it. You’ll know you’re done with this step if the water being drained have becomes clear and rust-free.

Step 3: Pour In The New Coolant Mixture

Before you pour in the new coolant mixture, make sure that the ratio of distilled water and the manufacturer’s recommended coolant type is right. Measure properly and then pour all of the mixture in the reservoir.

Step 4: Burp

After pouring in the coolant, you need to get rid of possible air trapped in the system. If air gets trapped, it will cause it to boil over and produce steam that is trapped within. Heat and pressure build up; cooling efficiency goes down. Sustained overheating will melt the head gasket, leading to an expensive engine teardown and rebuild.

To do this, you just have to park at a slight incline, or jack up the front with the engine higher than the rest of the vehicle while filling up the radiator.

Step 5: Add Your Stop-Leak Product Of Your Choice

When you’re done burping it, time for the last step which is to add in your choice of stop-leak product. Run the engine up to operating temperature, and check the previous leaking location for oozing. Observe for a few days.

Parts Of Your 4x4 That You Need To Inspect Once You’re Back From Off-Roading

Driving to and from work is one thing, but if you’re a frequent weekend traveler that’s a whole different thing. When it comes to your everyday route, the road is a lot more stable which doesn’t cause as much impact to your vehicle. But as you know, off the beaten paths aren’t like that. When we say rough, it can really get rough. This means your car is being put through intense impact and a lot worse damages than any normal drive would have.

Therefore, it’s important that your 4x4 is being checked every after trip to see if there are any damages and to get it fixed as soon as possible. Because car issues caused by off-roading can be serious and is not good to continue driving it until fixed.

Breaks

When going on an off-roading, the rubber or steel lines where the brake fluid passes through could get damaged and lead to a leak. Although they’re normally tucked away from harm’s way, all the trail bashing can snag on rocks or brush all the retaining clips or tie-downs that keep it in place. The thing is, this damage could only lead to a slow leak which is why you need to check your brake lines as soon as you get home. Otherwise the slow leak will give you a false sense of security and may get you in trouble at the most inopportune time.

Engine Compartment

In the engine compartment, check for leaks from the power-steering pump and hoses (if your vehicle’s power steering is a hydraulic system). Look for slow leaks, too, in the cooling system—undetected, they may cause a catastrophic engine failure due to overheating.

If you have not installed a wading kit, it’s always best to inspect your engine and transmission oil for contaminants. If you’ve just done some really serious water crossing or if you’ve been driving through fine sand, have the differential axle lubricated as soon as you can to avoid bearing failure. Drain and replace fluids as soon as possible.

Electrical Wirings

If your 4x4 is fairly new, this may not be as much of a concern. Although, it wouldn’t hurt to play it safe and still check anyways. But for older cars that have been through a lot of off-roading, you really need to check electrical wiring regularly to see if their insulation coating has not been rubbing on steel body parts. Why? Because when that happens and electrical fire can break out which will not only cost you your vehicle but also could hold your next trip back.

Tires

Since off-roading is a lot rougher than your usual daily drive, the tires take in a lot of impact. So always check the sidewalls for possible lumps right away. If it’s there, then your carcass is already broken and will probably bursts in just a matter of time if you continue to drive it in that condition.

Since this isn’t your usual daily commute where I’m assuming you’re driving on concrete, you should invest in mud tires as well. You’ll be surprised how correct tires for off-roading can actually make the experience a whole lot better in terms of driving and longevity of the tires. Just imagine how much bruise, impact and cuts your regular tires will have to take which can prematurely damage the tires beyond repair. Buying new tires all the time can cost a lot compared to purchasing mud tires for your road trips. These mud tires are designed to improve clearance of both sand, dirt, and mud, for ultimate performance, no matter the conditions. Plus, the formula is made to deliver traction, specifically for off-road driving.

Unusual Vibration

Frequent off-roading can cause a lot of different damages to your car. It can cause broken engine or transmission supports, misaligned wheels (especially on vehicles with independent front suspension setups), damaged propeller shafts, or unbalanced tires due to balancing weights getting knocked off the wheels. One tell-tale sign of those damages is unusual vibrations. So if you noticed that after you’ve come back from your trip then make sure you take your car to your trusted car repair shop. This will keep any issues from going unattended and causing even bigger damages. Even mud buildup inside the wheels will definitely get your wheels and tires unbalanced, too, and cause some mild to serious wobbling when you’re back on the road. So make sure you check and get the problem taken care of while it’s still simple like that.

Rubber Components

Especially on high-mileage vehicles, inspect the rubber components used to insulate the undercarriage components to ensure there is no metal-to-metal rubbing.

Yes, all the mentioned potential problems are worrying. However, a 4x4 is still designed for such rough conditions so it would be pointless to try and baby your car too much or avoid off-roading all together. Sure, scratches and dents are heart breaking for any car owner but that’s given and the bare minimum damage a 4x4 gets when off-roading. No matter how careful you drive, you can only minimize them at best but not entirely avoid them.

If you really can’t stomach those risks then maybe it’s time to consider if off-roading is for you or you should look for a different hobby. Do understand that a lot of people subject their four-wheel-drive vehicles to this kind of use, not abuse, because it’s part of their job in fields like mining, surveying, and so on. If you do have to use your vehicle in difficult conditions and are concerned about the warranty, read your owner’s manual and understand the limitations of your vehicle’s warranty.

7 Things That Trigger Road Rage Among Drivers

Owning a vehicle and being able to drive yourself anywhere you need to be is no doubt convenient for anyone. However, it’s also no secret that being on the road on a regular basis can pose a lot of stressors that leads to road rage sometimes. This is why aside from ensuring that your car is reliable and in good all-around condition, you should also be aware of safe and defensive driving as well as proper disposition and state if mind before going behind the wheel.

To be more prepared, dig in and learn about the factors that upsets anyone’s’ equilibrium on the road

1. Poor Road Design

When it comes to road rage triggers, you’re probably already thinking of driving skills and drivers themselves. But before any of that affects you, the road design, depending on your location, alone can already make your blood boil. Not being familiar with the road can also aggravate that. A road can go from four lanes to just two, becoming chaotic when everyone starts jostling for position, while lane restrictions can cause traffic to pile up at your exit. And then there’s the hidden or unclear signs or stoplight that create even more chaos that will give even the most calm person road rage.

2. Hunger

I think we can all agree that being hungry alone can put anyone in a bad mood. Now combine imagine that while driving. You would even notice how you get ticked off by the smallest thing when hungry right? Well that’s because when your stomach is empty, your body releases cortisol and other hormones that makes you feel irritable and aggressive. So it’s really not a good idea to go on the road on an empty stomach. Doing so can not only be a bit dangerous since being hungry can make you feel light headed too which is not good when driving, but it may also make you snap at anyone for the tiniest mistake or delay.

It’s always good to have snacks and drinks on hand in case you feel hungry while driving. If you don’t have them and your stomach is already growling, don’t try to push through it. Stop by the next gas station or rest stops you can find and grab something to eat. This should help calm you and your stomach down plus you get to take a break from the stress of traffic even for a little while.

3. Your Car Condition

Driving an old beat-up car can be really irritating. A dirty and weak air conditioner can make you sweat a bucket especially when stuck in heavy traffic. A dirty interior can make you sick, a dark or peeling tint can obscure visibility on the road and poor mechanical condition can make you feel like you’re fighting with your own can when it’s supposed to make commuting easier for you.

Sure those are some of the worst car conditions that can no doubt test your patience. But even noisy and old tires can be annoying. If you don’t drive much these things may not bother you, but an everyday drive with these conditions can push anyone at their wits end. So, if your job or day to day living requires you to drive a lot, it pays to maintain a clean vehicle that is also in good running condition. Be sure to take your car to the car repair shop when it needs it as well as for its regular maintenance.

4. Being Late

You’ve probably heard this before but it bears repeating. Leaving even 10 minutes early than planned could save you from the rush hour. Aside from that, it may help you arrive at work early or at least on time (if you’re usually late due to traffic) which then saves you the stress over being stuck in traffic and being late in the first place. This then makes your commute so much more stress-free because you’re not worried throughout the ride. Plus if you know that you can still make it to work on time, the irritation at being delayed by other motorists is much less.

5. Erratic Driving

Driving mistakes happens even to the best of us. While that’s true, it shouldn't be an excuse for you to be too complacent either, especially if you’re just starting out on driving. Know that everything you do while on the road can affect other motorists. Like mentioned, driving on its own is already stressful, add speeding, distracted driving, tailgating, not knowing how to properly drive on expressways and even something seemingly as simple as taking too long to move when traffic starts moving can irritate other motorists and heighten the tension on the road. Be mindful of your driving. Keep it smooth, and stick to one lane.

6. The Act Of Driving Itself

Daily driving commute can really sap the energy out of you. Even if you’re fairly close to everything, it doesn’t ensure that your drive will be smooth sailing every day because the road always presents a lot of unexpected events that can test anyone’s patience. There are drunk drivers, road rage, traffic, sudden accidents or road work that can all stall you on the road when you’re actually trying to get somewhere early. If you don't want to feel like you’re going to explode every time you’re driving, you need to learn how to prepare for such things and accept things that are out of your control. Driving can be stressful but it’s also a huge convenience in a lot of ways, so try to see the good in that and you’d realize that it’s not all that bad.

7. Being Too Assertive

It’s obvious that being a jerk causes road rage. But playing the white knight and actively fighting back can also be counterproductive. Blocking an aggressive driver or blaring your horn at them in irritation can increase their hostility, causing them to drive even worse. Aggression and counter-aggression can and will eventually lead to a fight. Know when it’s safe to assert your rights and when you need to back down.

Calm driving doesn’t just help prevent road rage, it also helps keep your car in good shape. Smooth, calm driving is gentle on the engine, the brakes, and the tires. It ensures you've got enough grip and traction in reserve for any emergency that might arise—which definitely boosts confidence and peace of mind on the road. Having reliable and trusted tires like Bridgestone helps contribute to that peace of mind, keeping you centered in even the worst traffic situations.

4 Online Car Selling Scams That You Should Watch Out For

Are you looking to sell your car at some point in the future? Then you’ll want to keep up with routine service and maintenance so that it continues to run in optimal condition. Most buyers will also prefer to purchase a car that they know has been well looked after. Even if people are buying a second hand car, they would still want one that is in good running condition, looks good, offers decent gas mileage, and suits the passenger and cargo space requirements them and their family. Just because they’re opting for a less pricey vehicle doesn’t mean they should settle for any less than those criteria.

On the other side, while looking after your car’s condition it’s also important that you look out for scams if you decide to sell your vehicle online. While honest buyers are still there, sadly those who like to take advantage of unsuspecting sellers exist too. So it pays to be aware of how they do their ‘business’ so you can save yourself at the very early sign.

1. The ‘I Don’t Need To See It’ Scam

If you think this doesn’t happen, well think again. Scammers can make up a lot of pretty convincing excuses to make you believe that they don’t need to see you vehicle in person before buying, but don’t fall for any of them.

Think about it, any sane and serious buyer would want to check the car before shelling out the cash. First, a car isn’t exactly a cheap purchase even if it’s a used one. Second, we all know that the older the car the more likely it comes with issues. And third, it’s even common practice for people to bring a mechanic friend to inspect the car thoroughly before buying it. So who would be in his right mind to blindly pay for a used car unless he has other motive to do so?

A buyer may get into an accident or damage the car on purpose, and then claim that it was already damaged when they bought it. They may then try to make you pay for something that wasn’t your fault.

So to save yourself from this kind of scam, it would be best to be very transparent and accurate when describing your car in your advert online. It also helps to weed out buyer like this, if you ask them to sign a “sold as seen” receipt before a sale is agreed.

2. The ‘I’m Currently Abroad By A Can Pay Online’ Scam

This one may not smell fishy to you, you’re transacting online after all. However, you should know that there are a lot of ways to swindle you through online payment methods like PayPal. Buyers may try to claim things like working for a popular company and asking you legitimate questions about your car and its condition, to really make you trust them.

But then their true colors will show when it’s time to pay. They may send you a fake receipt masked as a genuine email from the online payment company when in fact they didn’t send a single cent. The scammer will then ask you to ship the car or to organize a freight company to pick up the vehicle for them.

Another example of this scamming method would be the buyer saying their payment is being held by the online payment service provider until you ship the car. This actually happens a lot more than you realize you want to really be vigilant with the people you transact with and easily accepting email receipts. What you should check is your bank account, if no money has reached it, then don’t ship you vehicle anywhere.  

3. The ‘Oops, I Think I Overpaid You. Can You Refund Me The Extra?’ Scam

I guess the most common scam here is those who can’t meet and pay in person, so be very careful when dealing with them. If it’s at all possible, skip those buyers altogether especially if there are others who are willing to transact face to face.

This type of scamming happens with the fraudster sending you a check, paying via bank transfer or sending you money online but then says he overpaid you by mistake. Of course the person will then ask you to pay them back the extra.

Yes, honest mistakes like overpaying happens but very rarely. People are hardly ever that careless when it comes to paying for something. But in fact the check is forged, the bank transfer hasn’t happened at all or the payment receipt you’ve received to your email is fake.

If you’re already in this situation, don’t hastily send the money right away. You should at least wait until the check clears, the bank transfer reaches your account or log in to the payment website.

4. The ‘This Car Is Not Worth The Price. Can You Knock Off A Few Dollars?’ Scam

As mentioned above, it is common practice for buyers to bring a mechanic to inspect the car before purchasing it. While that mainly happens for a buyer to feel secure that he’s not being scammed by the seller, this can also be used to scam people.

How? Well, as you may already imagine, the buyer shows up with an “expert” to check the car and then declares that your car isn’t worth your asking price because it still needs a lot of fixing or that the price for the car model that you’re selling have dropped in the market. If they’re good, they can really make you think twice about your asking price. When they manage to fool you they’ll put the car back on the market and sell it for an even higher price than they paid you.

Don’t let yourself fall for this trick, what you can do is get your car inspected beforehand. Even better if you go to a popular car servicing shop for the inspection that gives a certificate of inspection instead of just going to a random mechanic. This way you can stand your ground and stick with your original asking price. Check for any issues and make sure you know the true value of your vehicle and how much other drivers are selling that same model for.