Saturday, October 14, 2006

How to Save Money on Auto Supplies and Parts

By Joseph Hanoa

One of the most expensive purchases you will make in your lifetime after your home is the purchase of a new vehicle. Indeed, over your lifetime you may end up paying more for several vehicles then what you paid for one home. Once your car is paid off you will soon start to encounter a growing number of repairs that must be done in order to adequately maintain your car. At some point it may simply be better to purchase a new car instead of putting up with repairs. However, if you are interested in keeping your older car longer than let’s look at some tried and true ways you can save money on auto supplies, parts and accessories.

The Junkyard – You can save a mint by visiting your local salvage yard for a “new” bumper or a replacement radiator. True, you could buy these items new but you’ll pay a bundle for each part. The more common your model, the more likely your junkyard has what you want. Best of all, many modern day yards computer inventory all of their salvaged vehicles so a simple call to the yard can reveal whether that model is there or not.

The Dealer – The best place to get original equipment manufacturer parts is through your local dealer. They have everything your vehicle needs or can order it for you. However, just remember a dealer can be a pricey option for you: you’ll pay the full price on just about everything in their inventory.

The Discount Chains – Nationwide discount auto chains have pretty much everything you need and for less. Shop the discounters for air filters, brake parts, car bras, headlamps, floor mats, and much more. Check their sales as this where you can save the most on car parts and accessories.

The Online Wholesaler – Online wholesalers have risen up to service the consumer. The advantages of shopping with reputable internet provider are that they have a low cost overhead and most of their goods are purchased direct. No middle man mark ups, just the lowest prices on name brand parts. Most will ship your order to you for free and have online assistants standing by to help you out. Savings of 10 to 60 percent off of the going retail rate are common with online wholesalers.

Yes, your car is a classic but it doesn’t have to be a costly one at that. Shop around and save on all of your car parts and accessories.


Joseph is the proud owner of Finance Portal, a website that will explain everything you need to know about Credit Repair. We invite you to visit our site today and see what we have to offer.
Article Source:
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Wednesday, October 11, 2006

Tips to Get You Ready For Wintry Roads

By Trisha Hessinger For NewsUSA

(NewsUSA)- This winter, as you prepare for the hustle and bustle of shopping, holiday parties and family gatherings, don't forget that your car needs some seasonal preparation too.

Along with vehicle maintenance, as the temperature drops and driving conditions change, drivers need to be more aware and prepared on the road.

Get into the holiday driving season by sharing these important safety tips from Firestone Complete Auto Care with your friends and family:

* Check fluid levels, including engine oil and coolant, brake, transmission, windshield washer and power steering fluids, and fill if necessary. Don't forget to check the gas. Also, coolant should be flushed and refilled as recommended by your vehicle manufacturer.

* Check the condition of each windshield wiper and replace if needed. Windshield wipers are a necessity in snowy and wet conditions.

* Tires can lose 1 pound per square inch of air pressure for each 10-degree drop in temperature. Check your inflation pressure more frequently during the cold months. Under-inflation will lessen the tire's gripping action because the tread will not meet the road surface as it is designed to do.

* In icy conditions, avoid sudden movements. Accelerate gently, turn gradually, and ease on the brakes when stopping. If you start skidding and your car has an anti-lock braking system, apply steady pressure to the brakes and turn in the direction of the skid. Don't pump the brakes.

* If you're approaching a turn while in motion, brake earlier than normal, remove your foot from the brake at the beginning of the turn and steer into the curve. This will provide the most tire grip to avoid skidding or sliding sideways.

Trisha Hessinger, an automotive education specialist and former race car driver, is a national spokeswoman for Firestone Complete Auto Care's Car Care Academy program.

Monday, October 02, 2006

Car Donations: Which Vehicles are Accepted?

By Mariah Cruz

Are you the owner of a car that you no longer use? Whether that car is in perfect working condition or needs a few small repairs, did you know that you could donate your car? Each year, thousands of Americans make the decision to donate their old, unwanted vehicles. If you are just letting your vehicle take up space in your yard, garage, or driveway, you are advised to give a car donation some thought.

When it comes to car donations, there are many car owners who have a number of questions. Some of those questions pertain to the purpose of car donations, as well as what you can get out of them. Out of all of the questions asked, there is one that is extremely important. That question is centered on what types of cars are accepted. One of the reasons why many car owners decide not to donate their cars, aside from wanting to sell it, is because they think their car isn’t good enough for a donation; however, chances are it is.

If given the choice, most local charities and car donation programs would prefer to have a car that is in perfect working condition. Unfortunately, many car owners, who have a car in perfect working condition, make the decision to sell it. Therefore, many car donation programs and local charities have become less selective. Essentially, this means that there is a good chance that your car will be taken, no matter what condition it is in. In fact, some local charities or car donation programs will even accept your car if it doesn’t run. Many of these groups have individuals who would repair your vehicle, free of charge or for a discounted price.

When keeping the above mentioned information in mind, it is important to remember that not everyone has the same set of standards. For instance, when it comes to donating your car, you have a number of different options. Those options include a car donation program or local charities. A car donation program works to find local charities and they also offer a number of other services. When it comes to fixing up a car, they tend to have more time and more money to spend than local charities. Essentially, this means that the condition of your vehicle may have a significant impact on where you can donate your car to and who will accept your car donation.

Although the words car donations are used to describe these types of donations, you don’t necessarily have to limit yourself to a traditional car. Many car donation programs, as well as local charities, would be more than willing to accept a wide variety of different vehicle types. These vehicles may include full size vans, mini vans, trucks, and SUVs. Whether you own one of these vehicles or a traditional car, there is a good chance that some charitable organization would be able to benefit from your car donation.


Mariah Cruz is a writer for Car Angel . com where you will see abundant amounts of information on things such as Car donations and other related information.
http://www.carangel.com
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Mariah_Cruz
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