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.

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.

Tips When It Comes To Repairing Hybrid Cars

If more people are just more responsible with the choices they make that affect the environment, we’d all be living a less polluted planet. Who doesn’t want to leave a cleaner and fresher environment for their sons, daughters, and grandchildren in the future?

In relation to that, even the vehicle industry have started taking initiative when it comes to environmental preservation. Considering that air pollution is one of the biggest problems nowadays when it comes to ecological issues, it’s a good thing hybrid cars have been invented. As the technology and supporting infrastructure improves, they are gaining popularity among vehicle owners who are both environmentally conscious and budget-minded.

The thing is, with advances in hybrid car technologies comes car issues as well. For those who own a hybrid car, this is an all too relatable dilemma which you’d probably want to find a solution for. While you’d definitely want to be aware about such things too if you’re looking into purchasing one.

Most Common Maintenance Issues With Hybrid Cars

· Manufacturer Recalls

Now don’t get this wrong, yes, this happens to any vehicle, it’s just that hybrid ones are a lot more prone to it since they have newer technology. That means, unlike non-hybrid cars, these technologies have yet to be tested and proven over the years of use. Recalls may be related to something as simple as improving gas mileage, or they may be important for safety reasons.

· Battery Problems

Yes, traditional car batteries get problems too but hybrid vehicles one can be a bit more complex. Since hybrid cars relies heavily on its battery to reduce gasoline usage and improve gas mileage, it is made heavier which forces the engine to work harder too. Aside from that it also contains materials that have been known to blow up upon impact, potentially putting the driver and passengers at risk. For those who live in places with extreme weather, you’d even notice that a hybrid car’s battery doesn’t perform as well.

· Catalytic Converter Issues

Unfortunately, hybrid vehicles are more apt to have catalytic converter failure than traditional gas-powered vehicles. More frequent replacement or repair means more maintenance expense. Since this type of auto repair requires a greater level of knowledge and skill, it typically must be done by a qualified auto repair technician.

· Oxygen Sensor Failure

Hybrid cars have exhaust and emission systems too. They also have oxygen sensors which are prone to malfunctioning or complete failure. These then results to impaired fuel efficiency and increased fuel costs which obviously defeats the purpose of opting for a hybrid car in the first place. Since a hybrid’s emission and exhaust system is very complex, it can be more difficult to work on, necessitating the use of trusted auto repair shop instead of doing the repair yourself.

While these things can be troublesome, this doesn’t mean hybrid cars are no good. Both traditional cars and hybrid ones have advantages and disadvantages of their own, choosing which one to go for solely depends on your needs as well as preference. If you’re planning to buy a car, just make sure that you do your research may it be hybrid or not. Know what your options are ahead of time and see what works best for your situation. Being a knowledgeable consumer allows you to make an informed decision that will benefit you the most.

But know that, no matter which one you pick, you can’t get away with little to no maintenance at all. So that’s something to keep in mind when looking into your finances. Can you afford a car along with all the other expenses that comes with it? And, even though hybrid cars often come with a higher initial price tag, they offer environmental benefits and savings in terms of fuel economy. The choice is ultimately yours.

Air pollution is a serious issue all of us are facing today. If you can, why not commute or carpool with friends or co-workers, it saves you gas and lessens carbon footprint. But if you must use your car, just make sure it is being well maintained, take it to car servicing on suggested manufacturer’s schedule. This prolongs your car’s lifespan. If more people do this that means less broken cars will be added to the already burgeoning dumpsites.

Simple Car Problems That Can Get Really Bad Overtime

First time drivers easily panics when there’s something off with their car that’s why the problem gets fixed right away. However, overtime, drivers can become lazy when it doesn’t seem like a big deal, they just ignore. It’ll be fine for a while they will say. And because of these, many drivers end up dealing with a bigger damage on their car that would have been prevented if it was taken care of earlier.

Like many things in life, 'you don't know what you got till it's gone'. So before your car gives up on you and becomes too late to realize how much your life is so much easier with having your own ride, pay more attention when it’s already sending you SOS signals! Save yourself from the headache, bigger costs, and road risk. When you notice any of these bad symptoms in your car, get it fixed immediately. 

Tire Bulges

When you notice that a bulge has formed on your tire, replace your tire immediately or take it to car servicing as soon as possible. Otherwise, when you hit a curb or a pothole your tire may blowout and put your life and other motorists at risk.

Tires heat up and wears faster on long trips, add that to a hot weather and you’re a sure candidate for blowouts. So you better see to it that you’re not driving with really worn tires, if you are then replacing them before you leave is a must. Doing visual inspection will also keep you aware of wear, cracks, slipped belts, bulges or other abnormalities when it comes to your tires that can affect your driving.

Jerky Shifting

Does your car feel as if it’s reluctant to shift gears? Or does it changes gears all of a sudden without you changing it? Then it’s a must that your seek car repair immediately because it could end up with serious transmission trouble if you don’t.

When it comes to transmission, you want it to go into gear like it should without any delay or difficulty. Otherwise, you’ll really feel bumpiness while driving like you’ve never before. Don’t let this problem go unattended for too long if you don’t want to spend on an expensive new transmission.

Squeaky Belts

This is a sign that a belt is already worn out. Riding on it even further can lead to irreversible damage on your engine. Often times you only need to adjust the belts, but if yours can’t be adjusted then it calls for a visit to the car repair shop.

Stinky Exhaust

It’s natural for your car exhaust to smell because of the catalytic converter. However, you should be alarmed once the smell becomes too strong. That may mean there’s leaking fluid, your catalytic converter is failing, or there’s something off with your air/fuel mixture.

Scratched Paint

Your car’s paint job isn’t only for aesthetics; it also acts as a protection for the body panels. Why? Because even a tiny scratch is exposing the sheet metal to moisture, which can cause rust to form and lead to corrosion. A dab of nail polish in that tiny scratch may save you a hefty paint job. 

Wobbly Steering Wheel

Improper aligned suspension and wheel and tire that is out of balance, are two possible reasons why the steering wheel feels shaky. Either of these can limit your control over your car which will make driving not only difficult but dangerous too. Worst case scenario would be the steering wheel being detached from the car. Don’t wait for that to happen before you get that wobbly steering wheel fixed. 

Also, if your car is bouncing a lot before stopping, you’re experiencing especially harsh impact when driving over potholes and bumps, or if you notice the vehicle leaning to one side then you’re most likely dealing with suspension problems. Go and visit your trusted car servicing center to get your springs checked out and whatever repairs or replacements to be done.

Squealing Brakes

Riding on your breaks when it’s already worn out produces this squeaking sound because the metal tab is grinding with the brake rotor. This sound won’t go away and will make the braking ability of your car less efficient unless the pads get replaced. If your brakes are noisy, the brake pedal is pulsating, or the brakes are responding poorly, you may need to replace the brake pads.

Brake pads are the ones that grip the rotors so that the car slows down or come at full stop when you hit the brakes. On the other hand, the rotors are the surface that the pads rub against. If these two are too damaged, it could not help slow or stop the car while you’re driving which can be a great risk to your life on the road.

Burnt-Out Bulb

While this problem may not cause any problems with your car’s performance, it may mean trouble with the law enforcement. Replacing the bulb is way cheaper than getting a ticket so you’d better attend to it at once before that happens.

Smoke

Do not ignore it once you see or smell smoke from your car. This could mean a serious problem with your car so don’t drive until you’ve located and fixed the problem that’s causing the smoke – otherwise you risk a vehicular bonfire.

Check Engine Light

Your check engine light helps notify you when something needs attention under your hood. But sometimes it’s not easy to figure out what’s wrong, so it’s best to take your car to the mechanic to get diagnosis and avoid further problems.

Things You Should Remember When Your Car Breaks Down

It sucks but cars do break down at one point or another. But instead of crying, cursing, kicking the car, or whatever it is that you do when you get frustrated, why not do something that will solve the problem at hand?

The annoying part is cars will eventually break down and it is usually the worst place and the worst time for it to do so. To make matters worse, if your vehicle is not up-to-speed and experiences a breakdown that leads to a collision or any other type of accident, the fact that your vehicle was the one that malfunctioned means that you are the one liable for the accident. Sure, it may not be something you intended to happen, but in a court of law or insurance agent’s office that’s not a good enough argument. Here are some tips that will help you get through the day in case your vehicle decided not to cooperate today.

Know The Basic Precaution After Your Car Breaks Down

· Before anything else, make sure to pull up as far left as possible.

· Position your wheels to the left.

· Get everyone out of the car.

· Go to the left side of your car and stand there.

· If you’re with children or pets, be sure to secure them.

· Don’t forget to leave your sidelights on as well as your hazard warning lights. 

Always Carry Safety Equipment In The Car

People tend to hoard a lot of things in their car, which isn’t so bad considering that we spend a lot of time on the road. But before anything else, make sure you have emergency-essentials in your trunk first. A driver can bail out of a lot of sticky situations if he plans ahead. More often than not, things go south on you when you think nothing could go wrong. So it pays to hope for the best and plan for the worst, especially on the road.

You’ll never when a break down might happen, so carrying safety equipment all the time will come in handy once the need arise. Few essentials would be warning triangles, reflective clothing, blankets, phone charger, matches, first aid kit, and a snow scraper. But aside from those, always have a stash of cash, food, and drink. These will help get you by until help comes.   

Do Not Attempt Repair

Doing your own car repair is highly advisable for a lot of practical reasons. But there are certain car problems that you just shouldn’t take your chances, otherwise you’d end up spending more than you should and could risk more damage than you originally had. Unless you’re absolutely sure with how to fix it, it’s best to leave it. Trying to DIY could cause more damage than what you originally had to deal with. Here are some examples of fixes you definitely should leave to the experts:

Electrical Gremlins

You’d be wise to leave electrical repairs to the expert, except from replacing fuse or relay. Run-of-the-mill electrical repairs are so intricate that one mistake can make more things go haywire.

Fuel System Fixes

Fuel systems have the capacity to cause headaches, garage fires, and even unconsciousness. Rule of thumb: when dealing with fuel, use caution. Don’t attempt to do it yourself if you’re not sure how to do them properly.

Snapped Coil Springs

Coil springs can fail and when that happens you could be mauled by a rogue spring flying at your head. So unless you’re truly experience at replacing them, you might want to sit this one out and call for car servicing.

Don’t Force It To Start

Being stranded with a dead battery sucks. Having jumper cables in your trunk will save your day. They should at least let you get by and look for the nearest car repair if the case of your battery is more complex. But, you should keep in mind that forcing to start your car may cause further damage. So you might want to just let the experts take care of that. Because more often than not, there’s a lot more car repair necessary than simply getting the automobile to start. If you’re near a car repair shop or you can call for a tow away service then you might be better off opting for those, unless otherwise you really know how to deal with the problem yourself.

Bring Your Car To The Nearest Car Repair Shop Once You Get Help

Arrange transportation for you and your car to the car repair shop near the area. As soon as they can get their hands on your car, the sooner it’ll get fixed.

Unless you’re an automotive repair expert yourself, the first thing to do is contact a technician who can come examine your vehicle and figure out what the problem is. Take note of any local landmarks you can use to guide them to your location, and provide as much information about the problem as possible – sounds, smells, how it felt while driving, and so on. This may help the technician pinpoint your problem even before they arrive.

Many cases can be resolved on the spot, but about 40% will require being towed to a repair facility. Other fixes may be temporary – just enough help to get you there on your own. In a certain percentage of cases, mechanical breakdowns are immediately followed by a collision. You should be ready to deal with such events.

Car Tools You’ll Want And Need In Your Garage

Car repair is not a job to take lightly. So whether you’re a seasoned mechanic or a regular car owner who wants to take charge in his own car troubles, you need to invest in tools that you can rely on through thick and thin. Here are the top tools that you want and need in your garage.

Milwaukee Cordless Impact Wrench, 18.0 V

When trying to grip or apply torque on things like nuts and bolts, you need a reliable tool like this especially when a compressor or air tank and hose aren’t available. But since this is a rechargeable cordless impact wrench do not expect it to apply the same kind of torque a pneumatic model can. However, it has enough energy to handle axle shaft nuts.

Proto Sealed Head Air Ratchet, 3/8” Drive

An air ratchet wrench is more powerful version of your trusty handheld socket set. But the best thing about this is that it’s lightweight and compact that you can get it into tight places in your car and get those tough nuts loosened.

Mac Tools Spinflex Flex Head Ratchet

This rugged 30-tooth design is for maximum durability, it has a low-profile switch, and its design allows users to slide comfortable grip on its handle so that when released from locked position it converts ratchet to a speed handle. No more struggle when reaching for tight nooks and crannies in the car’s engine bay when you’re in the middle of car repair.

Steelman STE97202 Wireless Chassisear Kit

The problem with a traditional stethoscope is that you can't use it while you're taking a car for a test drive. This is why having Steelman is such an ease to have when you’re trying to diagnose certain problems in your car. This one comes with a transmitter that you can attach to the problem area which allows you to hear noise changes better even when you’re driving the car.

Craftsman 17-Piece Standard & Metric Flex Socket Set

Once you’re faced with a car repair that requires you to get into tight spaces without disassembling other parts to get there, you’d be thankful you decided to invest in this set. This is especially known for nickel-chrome plated socket and precision machine which is perfect for loosening or tightening bolts or nuts. 

Chicago Pneumatic CPT-7748 Air Impact Wrench

With a maximum of 922 ft-lbs of torque and 1200 blows per minute, this impact wrench can do even the toughest rusted bolt there is. No wonder this is known for its quality and reliability.

Mityvac MITMV8500 Hand Vacuum & Pressure Pump Kit

For those who are determined to take on car repairs on their own, this kit is a must buy. It will make your life easier when dealing with brake bleeds or vacuum tests. It comes with all the necessary attachments and accessories that will allow you to handle any type of vehicle or components, and can quickly switch between applying vacuum and pressure too.

Gearwrench 81229 3-Piece Offset-Handle Ratchet

Mechanic’s knuckles often take a beating when getting into odd spaces under the hood. If you want to avoid looking like you beat people for a living because of your knuckles this bent-handle ratchet is your new best friend. Reaching spark plugs became easier too because of this guy’s deep-well sockets. 

SK Hand Tools 1/4-In.-Drive Thumbwheel Ratchet

Trying to get to a connector under the dash with a big-handled tool is a surefire way to lose your patience and get nothing done because there’s just no way it’s gonna happen. This SK Hand Tools have a knurled rim that's easy to grip and can fit almost anywhere. Goodbye frustrating attempts to take on this task with the wrong tool.

Torin T82040 Trolley Jack With Jack Stand And Creeper

When you’re faced with a car repair which calls for going under the car, the most important thing is to have a secure tool that will hold the car in place. This guy right here includes a comfortable creeper to get you around while you’re under there and trolley jack and jack stands which are all rated to two tons and are easy to adjust. This jack stand and creeper is definitely a keeper!

Car Repairs You Can And Definitely Should Do On Your Own

We all know how costly it is to own a car. But you’ll be able to save a great deal of money if you do some of these minor car repairs yourself. With the right tool and initiative to learn something new, you can definitely take these on. Just know that when it comes to complex car issues, it’s best to take your vehicle to the experts. So when it comes to your own car, you should spare some time to get to know it and how to fix it when a part of it needs fixing.  If you can follow basic instructions in your owner's manual or repair book, you don't have to be mechanically inclined to perform these simple tasks.

Replace Wiper Blades

With a screwdriver and new blades, you can easily replace the old ones, by tilting the wiper arms upwards, in just five minutes. Just follow the instructions on the package and you should be fine.

Making sure you have windshield wipers that are in good condition all the time is vital to your safety on the road because it allows you to have a clear view. Do this at least once a year.  It’s not really that complicated to do it and it doesn’t take much time.

Replace Fuse

Check your owner’s manual first to know where to find the fuse box and the type of fuse you’ll need. Using a fuse puller, you can easily do the job. The fuse box cover is usually labelled so you won’t have trouble identifying the circuit.

Replace Light Bulb

Just like the wipers, headlights are important for your safety while driving. Your owner’s manual usually has instructions on how to replace bulbs. Don’t forget to use surgical-type glove when holding the bulbs to prevent premature burnout and possible breakage of the bulb since skin oil will attract heat and could cause those. 

It’s basically as simple as replacing a light bulb at home. You won’t need a mechanic for that, do you? Just make sure you buy the same bulb as the old one from a trusted auto parts.

Replace Air Filter

Remove the cover of the filter box using a screwdriver then just lift the filter out.

This is another quick and simple car repair that doesn’t need a seasoned mechanic to accomplish. You can easily see the air filter when you pop the hood so there won’t be a lot of digging necessary. You just have to remove the old filter, clean the inside of the compartment, and then install the one and you’re done. If you had someone else to do this for you you’d be charged around $35. Air filter replacement intervals is typically every 15,000 miles, but you’d have to do it more frequently if you drive in dusty conditions or on dirty roads.

Change Oil And Filter

First of all, different vehicles might have different recommended oil change intervals, it’s best to refer back to your owner’s manual to be certain of yours. If you decide to do an oil change on your own every time,  you have to have the basic tools like adjustable wrench, filter wrench (for older cars) and a seal-able container to catch the used oil and buy oil in bulk to save more money.

You would have to refer to the user’s manual with this one too. That will tell you the type of engine oil and recommended capacity. After that prepare your latex gloves, drain pan, funnel, oil filter wrench, and a combination wrench, if your car is a newer model, you’ll be able to get this done in less than 30 minutes. Oil filters of newer cars are more accessible which also means there’s less chances of spill.

Tire Replacement

If there’s one car repair that every car owner should know, that’s changing tires; especially since jack and tire changing tools are provided by most car makers.

Check Radiator Hoses

Always check both the upper and lower radiator hoses to see if they’re both damaged. Radiator hoses are usually just held by screws and clamps, so all you need is a screwdriver.

Check Car Batteries

You’ll know it’s time to have your batteries replaced if it hits only 9.7 volts when starting the engine. You’ll need suitable gloves, eye protection, and a voltmeter for this car repair.

Before you touch anything, make sure you know how to disconnect the old one and connect the new one. Possible reasons for your battery to need replacement are old age, corroded terminals, extreme driving conditions, and faulting charging system. Doing this yourself is pretty simple as long as you follow the instructions on your manual, plus it saves you around $20-30 on installation fee.

Check Car Signal Relays

All you have to do is check your owner’s manual. Inspect relay cluster and then the turn signal relay. It could be just a bad turn signal relay or dead bulb.

Check Seat Belts

With just a screwdriver, you can easily replace the old seat belts with new ones. But even if you’ve already replaced it, see if the new seat belt is working fine.

Why Having A Car Service Plan Is A Good Idea

Buying a car and driving one every day is easily one of the most popular goals among working individuals. Not only because of the convenience that it provides but also because of the feeling of independence that it gives you and sometimes the status symbol that comes with it.

But because of all these ideals, people often forget that that’s not all there is to owning a car. It also comes with regular expenses for maintenance.  

Buying a car is expensive whether you’re going for brand new or not. So it’s hardly a decision you should make on a whim even if you have the money to spare. While we’re warning you over spending cash on impulse, if there’s anything you wouldn’t regret spending it on once you get a car is a car service plan and here are the reasons why!

You Get To Avoid Expensive Bills

As we’ve already mentioned and reminded you, owning a car requires regular maintenance which can mean expensive bills depending on the services you avail and the condition of your car as well as the current rates on those services. But if you get yourself a car service plan, you’re basically covered for those future servicing needs of your vehicle.

Regular quality servicing lessens the chance of a costly fault occurring as issues are identified and resolved sooner. With a car service plan, you can avoid any large and unwelcome bills and also save yourself from getting stuck in the middle of nowhere. Moreover, you get your car serviced on a budget with professionals. 

The Amount You Pay For Car Services Do Not Get Affected By Inflation

When the economy is whacked and prices rise, you can bet parts and fees of car servicing professionals inflates too. What happens then is that you will have to pay for those increased charges every time you need to take your vehicle for a service. This is where having a car service plan helps. It is a great ROI as your car needs regular servicing and therefore the amount you are paying as monthly installments or as upfront service fee will be used to get your vehicle serviced regularly.

You Get Your Hands On Genuine Parts

Car owners go to great lengths when it comes to acquiring genuine parts for their car. Asking for their old parts back when something needs replacing in their car is actually a common practice just to make sure they’re not being tricked. We cannot deny that there are instances where dubious mechanics will tell customers that they have replaced the car part already, when in fact they didn’t.

But if you have a car servicing plan, you wouldn’t have to worry about this. That is because this plan ensures that the car service provider will use genuine parts for your car as you’re coming back to the same provider in fixed intervals. Thus, your car will have manufacturer-approved parts. Furthermore, the work is carried out by experienced and trained technicians so you can trust the quality of the service provided as well. 

You Get To Enjoy Better Road Performance

Any experienced motorist can appreciate the value of car maintenance. They understand that if problems are diagnosed and rectified on time, it can save a lot of money, time, and most importantly, stress! Getting your vehicle regularly serviced means you won’t be running it down like so many other motorists do. Running on low fuel, running on tires with little to no treading, running with no coolant – these are things that can and will increase the amount of money you put into your car over time.

You’ll Have Peace Of Mind

Last but most important, the major benefit of having a car service plan is the peace of mind that comes with it, knowing that the cost of service is already taken care of. With a car servicing plan, you know that your car gets serviced regularly. All that you need to do is take your car to a local car service provider. Thus, you can go for those long drives or car trips without worrying about your car breaking down. You’ll also not get stranded because of your car’s condition and thus save yourself from headaches.

Whether you’re buying a brand new car or a pre-owned one, car maintenance will be a part of car owning responsibility for as long as you have it in your possession. Yes, no matter how good the condition of the car when you first bought it, you’re bound to experience dead battery, failing brakes, or a flat tire at the very least. So it’s important that you know a trust-worthy car repair shop in town. Or consider getting yourself a car service plan to make sure your vehicle is well taken care of on a timely, regular and excellent manner without you having to worry about it whenever your car needs it. Aside from that, you have to understand right off the bat that owning a car is not a one-time expenditure.

8 Ways To Avoid Going Broke When Maintaining Your Car

Cars are no longer just a luxury; they have become a necessity too. But we cannot deny that despite the benefit of owning one, maintaining it means another addition to things that you have to spend money on a regular basis. So here are some tips to help you cut back on the costs if your wallet is already complaining.

1. Standard Petroleum Is The Way

We immediately assume that only the premium fuel should be in your tank because this is better for the car in the long run so you’ll save more. Actually, even the standard one is fine, and way cheaper, as long as you’re not using the car in racing competitions.

2. Source The Parts Yourself

Usually, people rely on one car servicing for whatever they need to get done for their car. But when it comes to parts, it’s best if you canvass around for the parts. When you find the best deals then the workshop of your choice can still do the replacement with the parts that you’ve sourced.

3. Buy Parts When They’re Out Of Season

Don’t wait for the rain before purchasing tires that are best for wet conditions because that’s when they’re at their highest price. If you want to get them at the lowest price possible then you should shop for them when they’re out of season. People typically don’t buy rain-tires during the summer because they don’t need it, so sales for those kinds of tires are low. Dealers deal with that by offering off-season tires on big discounts.

4. Be Mindful With The Car Insurance Rates

Yes, insurance is more of an investment than an operating cost, but it could be if you don’t know how to choose the best type of insurance to get. Even if you already have a great one, check for new offers at least once a year. There could be something better than what you already have.

5. Check The Manual When You Avail Car Servicing

The manual came along with your car when you bought it for a reason. Even if you already know how to drive that car, you can still benefit from that manual especially during car maintenance A.K.A car expenses. Most of the time, mechanics will charge you for extra routines, your ride didn’t need in the first place since it’s not even indicated in the car maker’s requirements. So if you read your manual, or kept it for reference at times like this, you’d be able to save on services that you might have availed otherwise.

6. Equip Yourself With Basic Car Maintenance Skills

If it’s checking and changing the engine oil, installing new spark plugs, topping up brake fluid, and cleaning of the engine, they’re so simple that you can learn how to do them effortlessly. This way you won’t have to take you vehicle to a car servicing every time you need any of the mentioned.

7. Don’t Throw It—Patch It

Why discard a perfectly fine tire because of one hole when you can have that fixed? You’re basically throwing your money out the window if you do that. Instead of panicking like that, find a car repair center that fix punctures like that by patching it from the inside then remounts and re-balances it really well. That will allow your tire to go for miles until it’s really time to retire and replace them.

8. Be Up-To-Date With Your Regular Car Servicing

Think car maintenance and car servicing are an unnecessary expenditure? Think again! Because by keeping your car in good running condition means not needing to buy a new ride after every couple of years, not spending money on major car repairs due to malfunction, and more importantly avoiding hospital and damage expenses in case of an accident because of malfunction too. By taking good care of your vehicle, you'll be able to save more money than spend. That’s what we call cost-effective. Yes, you’re basically still paying for the car repairs but at the end of the day, it’s beneficial as opposed to detrimental.