Custom replacement seats can provide you with improved comfort, enhanced driving support for your body, and add tremendous eye appeal to the interior of your car. Searching the web provides you with any number of choices of color and style, and you can be pretty sure that your car will stand out from the crowd when you open the door.
There are several important things to consider when deciding if this is the way you want to go in your customization plan, however. First and foremost, as an automotive engineering director for a number of years, you need to understand that the seat in your car is just one piece of the overall safety system that is engineered into your ride to make it legal from a federal safety perspective. That seat has been included in tests ranging from front and rear impact, front, side and possibly seat-mounted airbag deployments, seat belt pull tests, seat frame deformation and pull-out; and several other possible tests. The passing results of those system and vehicle tests allows your car to be sold to the public.
When you change the seats in your car, unless full-vehicle tests have been performed and your car certified with the same seat you installed, the results of all of those previously made safety compliance tests are nullified. Installing a seat that is stronger in some regards can in fact cause the results of some tests to give failing instead of passing test results. Any single element of the vehicle system that changes how the test dummy (or human occupant's) body moves in a crash can alter the geometry of an airbag depolyment and cause HIC (Head Injury Criteria) numbers to exceed allowable limits, for example.
In today's highly engineered cars, changing things like seats, belts and other components is the equivalent of turning the driver into a test pilot. In the event of a crash, the others in the car can now name you, as owner, and the person and/or company who modified the car in a lawsuit, the same as they can sue the original manufacturer such as Honda, Toyota or GM. I am not certain, but I believe that the act of altering the compliance of a motor vehicle by a company could violate some federal laws in the same way that altering airbags or emissions equipment does.
The second factor to consider is comfort. I highly recommend actually sitting in the same model of seat in the same model of car that you are customizing before you buy. Car seats feel differently based upon the location of the steering wheel, shifter, windshield, etc; and nothing is worse than spending money on a custom seat and finding out after it is too late that the results are not comfortable.
Saturday, December 19, 2009
Friday, December 18, 2009
Classic cars: What is a classic car?
What Is A Classic Car
The most basic definition of a classic car is a car that is 20 years or older, but a classic car is much more then that, classic cars bring back memories for a lot of us, memories of the good old days when all of our friends lived for nothing more then to cruise the boulevard.
A classic car is different things to different people, classic American cars are big imposing beasts, with long sweeping body line, and sharp contrasting chrome, cars that will always stand out from the crowd, you'll always know a classic corvette when you see it.
Classic cars are appealing to a lot of different people because they see the styling, and artistry that was used in building them, they don't look the same as every other car on the road, and they each a different personality and persona that they carry.
Such as is you drive a Cadillac your considered to hold yourself to higher standards, it's a symbol that you have succeeded in life and you can afford the best, if you drive a classic camaro your considered a high performance car enthusiast, a corvette is America's only sports car.
It's not hard to see where I'm going here, I love classic American cars, but to describe is different for everybody that has ever owned one, most of us buy one as a kid when we're in high school, and we never forget that car, we always remember the good times that we had in it.
In my option classic cars are more about fun then anything else, people love to be different, and a classic car is a great way to show your personality, your individuality, and your creativity classic cars are just a lot of fun for those who own them.
They are not just your normal car, you can modify them any way you want, unlike the new cars where you have all kinds of rules that you have to follow, and the classic cars don't all look like their cut from a single mold, they each have their own style, because their owners make them have it.
Classic cars just can't be replaced, no matter how many hippies whine about them, and want them taken off of the road, no matter what president idiot does to remove them from the road, they will always be here, because we love them, and because this is a free country.
Classic American cars have always held a special spot in my heart, because over the years I have had so much fun restoring then, building them, and just driving them, they are fun to drive and they are fun to build, my best description is that they are just fun.
The most basic definition of a classic car is a car that is 20 years or older, but a classic car is much more then that, classic cars bring back memories for a lot of us, memories of the good old days when all of our friends lived for nothing more then to cruise the boulevard.
A classic car is different things to different people, classic American cars are big imposing beasts, with long sweeping body line, and sharp contrasting chrome, cars that will always stand out from the crowd, you'll always know a classic corvette when you see it.
Classic cars are appealing to a lot of different people because they see the styling, and artistry that was used in building them, they don't look the same as every other car on the road, and they each a different personality and persona that they carry.
Such as is you drive a Cadillac your considered to hold yourself to higher standards, it's a symbol that you have succeeded in life and you can afford the best, if you drive a classic camaro your considered a high performance car enthusiast, a corvette is America's only sports car.
It's not hard to see where I'm going here, I love classic American cars, but to describe is different for everybody that has ever owned one, most of us buy one as a kid when we're in high school, and we never forget that car, we always remember the good times that we had in it.
In my option classic cars are more about fun then anything else, people love to be different, and a classic car is a great way to show your personality, your individuality, and your creativity classic cars are just a lot of fun for those who own them.
They are not just your normal car, you can modify them any way you want, unlike the new cars where you have all kinds of rules that you have to follow, and the classic cars don't all look like their cut from a single mold, they each have their own style, because their owners make them have it.
Classic cars just can't be replaced, no matter how many hippies whine about them, and want them taken off of the road, no matter what president idiot does to remove them from the road, they will always be here, because we love them, and because this is a free country.
Classic American cars have always held a special spot in my heart, because over the years I have had so much fun restoring then, building them, and just driving them, they are fun to drive and they are fun to build, my best description is that they are just fun.
The Best in Proper Car Maintenance
Car-proud individuals leave no stone unturned so that their cars are always turned out in their Sunday finery. Thus they have trendy stick-ons, upholstery matching the dashboard and carpets where the feet sink. But car maintenance is much more than having a gleaming façade. Car maintenance should be an all-encompassing routine covering both the exteriors and the interiors.
Car maintenance and repair should feature in the daily itinerary of every car owner. Tend to your car daily so that in the long run, you do not have to face major hold-ups or breakdowns. Car maintenance need not be drudgery or an expensive proposition, for there are numerous DIY car maintenance tips that can be practiced with ease and without having to tow your vehicle to the garage.
The one car maintenance tip that you should swear by is the regular checking of the tires. You should replace them immediately if you find any sort of cuts and protruding on them. Unevenly spaced out wears and tears suggest disproportionate tire balance. Rotate the tires every 7,500 miles and pump up the tires only up to the prescribed level.
One car maintenance tip to abide at all times is to lookout for seepages from any part and clogged pipes and mufflers. Always use the recommended varieties of oils and fluids for car maintenance is not a stopgap solution.
As you go about your DIY car maintenance regime, make sure that the antifreeze level always sticks to the norm and that you use only a 50:50 mixture of antifreeze and water.
Jammed brakes are the nuisances of every driver. Ensure that you are not running short on brake fluid but stop short of overfilling.
Transmission fluid, power steering fluid and motor oil checks should be an integral part of every car maintenance and repair regimen. Put the transmission fluid through the rigors of a reality check by rapidly changing gears so that any possible chinks in the armor are exposed. Change the motor oil every 3 months or 3,000 miles.
A highly recommended car maintenance tip is to periodically check the shock absorber by actually putting the car through bumps and grinds. Shock absorbers should always be replaced in pairs.
The windshield washer fluid reservoir should always be full. One oft overlooked car maintenance and repair job is to regularly clean the wiper blades and replace them yearly, if not broken or chipped by then, so that when the skies open up, you are not stuck with rusty blades.
Finally, do not wait for the car to send warning signals. Any car maintenance and repair job might be too late then. Instead, periodically check the belts and hoses, exhaust clamps and supports and replace them whenever deemed necessary.
These car maintenance tips and tricks are not meant to be broken like the New Year resolutions. Go about your car maintenance job diligently. Each car maintenance tip, practiced rigorously will ensure your car looking radiant, running like well-oiled machinery and the engines purring happily.
Car maintenance and repair should feature in the daily itinerary of every car owner. Tend to your car daily so that in the long run, you do not have to face major hold-ups or breakdowns. Car maintenance need not be drudgery or an expensive proposition, for there are numerous DIY car maintenance tips that can be practiced with ease and without having to tow your vehicle to the garage.
The one car maintenance tip that you should swear by is the regular checking of the tires. You should replace them immediately if you find any sort of cuts and protruding on them. Unevenly spaced out wears and tears suggest disproportionate tire balance. Rotate the tires every 7,500 miles and pump up the tires only up to the prescribed level.
One car maintenance tip to abide at all times is to lookout for seepages from any part and clogged pipes and mufflers. Always use the recommended varieties of oils and fluids for car maintenance is not a stopgap solution.
As you go about your DIY car maintenance regime, make sure that the antifreeze level always sticks to the norm and that you use only a 50:50 mixture of antifreeze and water.
Jammed brakes are the nuisances of every driver. Ensure that you are not running short on brake fluid but stop short of overfilling.
Transmission fluid, power steering fluid and motor oil checks should be an integral part of every car maintenance and repair regimen. Put the transmission fluid through the rigors of a reality check by rapidly changing gears so that any possible chinks in the armor are exposed. Change the motor oil every 3 months or 3,000 miles.
A highly recommended car maintenance tip is to periodically check the shock absorber by actually putting the car through bumps and grinds. Shock absorbers should always be replaced in pairs.
The windshield washer fluid reservoir should always be full. One oft overlooked car maintenance and repair job is to regularly clean the wiper blades and replace them yearly, if not broken or chipped by then, so that when the skies open up, you are not stuck with rusty blades.
Finally, do not wait for the car to send warning signals. Any car maintenance and repair job might be too late then. Instead, periodically check the belts and hoses, exhaust clamps and supports and replace them whenever deemed necessary.
These car maintenance tips and tricks are not meant to be broken like the New Year resolutions. Go about your car maintenance job diligently. Each car maintenance tip, practiced rigorously will ensure your car looking radiant, running like well-oiled machinery and the engines purring happily.
Thursday, December 17, 2009
Car Gearbox Repairs - Avoid the Dodgy Dealers
Not everyone in this world is honest and trusting. It is fair to say that there are some rather cutthroat individuals out there who would do anything to make a fast buck, and in the world of cars, there are many dodgy dealers that you might come up against. So, when you need to have car gearbox repairs, where on earth do you go? You need to find somewhere with a good reputation.
Car Gearbox Repairs - Some People Don't Have A Clue
Many people assume that dodgy dealers are only really found in car dealerships rather than in vehicle repair centres, but this is not always the case. You need to be aware that there are some people out there that don't care about customer service and it would be unfortunate if you ended up with a car mechanic that did a half-hearted job and ultimately didn't fix the gearbox problem. The automotive industry has many dimensions and it is therefore recommended that you approach people with slight trepidation before handing money over or forming a long-term relationship.
Car Gearbox Repairs - Look For The Professionals
The sad thing is, that due to the high number of suspect car garages and the like, those that are good and honest don't get enough praise, and often get tarred with the same brush. This is unfortunate, because they will inevitably do a very good job and pride themselves on their customer service. Those car gearbox repair specialists that have a website, professional premises and a number of hard-working mechanics is evidence that they can be trusted and this is the sort of place you should be visiting if you need car gearbox repairs or you're simply having a few gearbox problems. It makes a refreshing change to see some places trying really hard to retain their customer base and prove that they are an honest business.
Don't Let One Bad Experience Destroy Your Trust!
Often, it is the driver that has a bad experience with a garage or car dealership and then feels reluctant to try anywhere else, which is why the genuine car repair centres have to try so much harder to convince the consumer that they are worth visiting. Check the centre out before you place your trust in them, or base your decision on word of mouth, and that way you know which place to go to.
For more information on car gearboxes, be sure to visit this very popular site specialising in Car Gearbox Repairs. Visit http://www.cleckheaton-gearbox-centre.co.uk/ today.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Carli_Chaffer
Protect yourself when you buy a used car (Part 2)
Do a little private investigating
Cars that look great (even dealer-warranted ones) might still not be wise choices, so it behooves you to uncover a bit more information on your own.
For starters, a quick call to the U.S. Department of Transportation's Auto Safety Hotline (800-424-9393) will give you information about recalls on a model you're considering. You can also visit the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration's Web site (www.nhtsa.dot.gov) to check out crash-test results, defect investigations and manufacturers' service reports.
Ask the seller if you can see the car's maintenance records. Look for any major repairs, as well as frequent oil changes, tire rotations and other regular maintenance, which indicate that the car has been well cared for. Also, when you take the car for a test-drive, note indicators like whether or not the transmission shifts smoothly, the steering pulls to one side or the other, or the car shakes or shimmies at high speeds.
And consider investing a few dollars to delve deeper into--and get third-party verification on--the car's history. A bank won't let you buy a house without first guaranteeing that the title is clean; take it upon yourself to do the same thing before you buy the car.
Carfax Vehicle History Service has a database of reports that, the company claims, covers virtually every car on the road; the data comes from state registration and inspection records, auto auctions, salvage auctions and rental companies. The reports indicate such things as mileage discrepancies (a car that showed 70,000 miles when it was inspected in 1996 and 50,000 miles in 1997 almost certainly has a rolled-back odometer), rental-car use and accident-related damage. Reports are $19.50 when ordered and viewed on the Carfax Web site (www.carfax.com) or $29.50 over the phone (888-422-7329) or when the report is faxed or mailed. The company guarantees that if a vehicle it claims is "clean" actually has a problem in its past, it will pay up to $1,000.
The key to the Carfax history check is the unique Vehicle Identification Number found on every vehicle built since 1981. The 17-character VIN is stamped on a tag attached to the top of the dashboard, just inside the windshield on the driver's side. For a quick check on the information a seller is giving you, look at the tenth digit, which signifies the car's model year, starting with B for 1981 and skipping the letters I, 0 and Q: N means 1992, for example, and U means 1997.
Many dealers use Carfax reports to check on cars they're going to buy at auction or take as a trade-in; you can save yourself the fee by asking to see the dealer's report on file.
Go to a specialist
Your final stop should be at your mechanic's shop, where for $100 or less, you can get a complete once-over of the car's mechanical systems. If a private seller balks at that request, walk away. It's your legal right to get such an inspection on any car you buy from a dealer (under the Federal Trade Commission's "Used Car Rule," the same rule that requires the window sticker with warranty information). If the dealer has a legitimate reason, like insurance restrictions, for preventing you from taking the car, find a mobile inspection service to come to the lot, or ask the dealer to drive it himself to the garage you choose.
Cars that look great (even dealer-warranted ones) might still not be wise choices, so it behooves you to uncover a bit more information on your own.
For starters, a quick call to the U.S. Department of Transportation's Auto Safety Hotline (800-424-9393) will give you information about recalls on a model you're considering. You can also visit the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration's Web site (www.nhtsa.dot.gov) to check out crash-test results, defect investigations and manufacturers' service reports.
Ask the seller if you can see the car's maintenance records. Look for any major repairs, as well as frequent oil changes, tire rotations and other regular maintenance, which indicate that the car has been well cared for. Also, when you take the car for a test-drive, note indicators like whether or not the transmission shifts smoothly, the steering pulls to one side or the other, or the car shakes or shimmies at high speeds.
And consider investing a few dollars to delve deeper into--and get third-party verification on--the car's history. A bank won't let you buy a house without first guaranteeing that the title is clean; take it upon yourself to do the same thing before you buy the car.
Carfax Vehicle History Service has a database of reports that, the company claims, covers virtually every car on the road; the data comes from state registration and inspection records, auto auctions, salvage auctions and rental companies. The reports indicate such things as mileage discrepancies (a car that showed 70,000 miles when it was inspected in 1996 and 50,000 miles in 1997 almost certainly has a rolled-back odometer), rental-car use and accident-related damage. Reports are $19.50 when ordered and viewed on the Carfax Web site (www.carfax.com) or $29.50 over the phone (888-422-7329) or when the report is faxed or mailed. The company guarantees that if a vehicle it claims is "clean" actually has a problem in its past, it will pay up to $1,000.
The key to the Carfax history check is the unique Vehicle Identification Number found on every vehicle built since 1981. The 17-character VIN is stamped on a tag attached to the top of the dashboard, just inside the windshield on the driver's side. For a quick check on the information a seller is giving you, look at the tenth digit, which signifies the car's model year, starting with B for 1981 and skipping the letters I, 0 and Q: N means 1992, for example, and U means 1997.
Many dealers use Carfax reports to check on cars they're going to buy at auction or take as a trade-in; you can save yourself the fee by asking to see the dealer's report on file.
Go to a specialist
Your final stop should be at your mechanic's shop, where for $100 or less, you can get a complete once-over of the car's mechanical systems. If a private seller balks at that request, walk away. It's your legal right to get such an inspection on any car you buy from a dealer (under the Federal Trade Commission's "Used Car Rule," the same rule that requires the window sticker with warranty information). If the dealer has a legitimate reason, like insurance restrictions, for preventing you from taking the car, find a mobile inspection service to come to the lot, or ask the dealer to drive it himself to the garage you choose.
Wednesday, December 16, 2009
Protect yourself when you buy a used car( Part 1)
If you follow these simple steps? you won't drive away with someone else's headaches.
That new-car smell--not to mention the new-car paint job, the new-car upholstery and the new-car stereo--can be utterly seductive when it comes time to buy a vehicle. And for about 15 million people last year, that seduction led to a brief (or not-so-brief) courtship with new-car payments. But for 41 million buyers, seduction of another sort--lower prices--won out.
Almost three in four car purchases last year were made on the used-car lots. And even with all the rebates and incentives available on new-car purchases, used-car sales are projected to continue to grow strongly. For one thing, cars today are built better than ever before, so they're lasting longer. The most recent data available shows the average car on the road in 1996 was more than eight and a half years old, almost a year older than in 1990, according to ADT Automotive's 1998 Used Car Market Report. And the price of new cars--a bit over $20,000 on average--towers over the $9,000 sticker on the average used car.
But used-car buyers aren't just missing Out on the olfactory joy of driving a new car. They're also missing the peace of mind that comes with being the first owner. That's especially true in private sales, from newspaper ads and the like, which accounted for almost 11 million transactions last year. Dealers are bound by many federal consumer-protection regulations (though not all dealers have halos, of course).
Who knows what that shiny three-year-old coupe you've been eyeing has been through? Aside from just having some transmission problems, say, or a leaking oil gasket, it could be a lemon, a car with a chronic defect that the dealer was forced (under state law) to buy back from the original purchaser. It could have been soaked in a flood or flipped over in a hurricane. Like more than a million cars annually, it could have been totaled in an accident. Or it could have thousands of miles more than the rolled-back odometer indicates.
For cars with serious problems (the ones that could be the subject of deceptive sales practices), state laws vary. In Washington, for example, the Department of Licensing brands, or permanently marks (with "WA REBUILD" across the top), the titles of all cars six years old or newer that are totaled by insurance companies. Across the country in Tennessee, totaled cars get no special marking on their titles.
The National Salvage Motor Vehicle Consumer Protection Act of 1997 has, as the name suggests, been mired in Congress for over a year now, though it shows signs of moving forward sometime soon. The bill would set a federal minimum standard for labeling a salvaged car as such; if passed, it would ostensibly prevent the underground rebuilding industry from "washing" titles simply by taking cars across state lines and retitling them.
Until that federal standard comes into play (and even after it passes), it's up to you to protect yourself when you're looking for a used car. Even if a car isn't suffering from a major trauma, it could still be a headache waiting to happen.
Buy smartly
Car manufacturers are getting into the business of selling certified used cars, which is tantamount to buying new from the dealer (see the box on page 72). Since the companies are staking their reputations on the vehicles, you can be reasonably certain that they've been thoroughly inspected and repaired. Some carmakers, like Mercedes-Benz, have even placed their inventories of certified cars on the Internet, where you can search the database to find exactly what you want.
Some used-car superstores and dealers also tout their rigorous inspections. CarMax backs its cars up with a 30-day warranty, and many dealers offer some sort of warranty, too. Dealers are required to post a sticker on any used car they sell, indicating whether it comes with a warranty or "as is." You're entitled to read the warranty before you buy, and you should; make sure you understand what is covered and for how long.
Dealers are also subject to implied warranties on the used cars they sell. If you buy a car "as is" and it had a serious defect, you would theoretically be able to get repairs or replacement at the dealer's expense.
There are plenty of fine used cars--on dealer lots and being sold privately--that are sold "as is." The secret to finding one is to be aware of the warning signs that the car might not be the cream puff it's advertised to be:
* Body panels that don't quite match up, for example, indicate that part of the car might have been replaced after an accident. Doors or fenders that have rough or slightly different-hued paint, or are missing an accent stripe, are also flag-raisers.
* New tires on a car with low mileage could signal a rolled-back odometer. Ditto for excessive wear on the brake pedal, the upholstery or the carpet under the floor mats.
* Rust in the wheel wells or under the door panels means a new paint job could be covering a marred body.
* A different name on the car's title and the seller's driver's license should sound some warning klaxons about the sale's legitimacy; scam artists have been known to claim that they're selling a car for a friend, when in fact they're acting as unregistered dealers and selling rebuilt cars.
That new-car smell--not to mention the new-car paint job, the new-car upholstery and the new-car stereo--can be utterly seductive when it comes time to buy a vehicle. And for about 15 million people last year, that seduction led to a brief (or not-so-brief) courtship with new-car payments. But for 41 million buyers, seduction of another sort--lower prices--won out.
Almost three in four car purchases last year were made on the used-car lots. And even with all the rebates and incentives available on new-car purchases, used-car sales are projected to continue to grow strongly. For one thing, cars today are built better than ever before, so they're lasting longer. The most recent data available shows the average car on the road in 1996 was more than eight and a half years old, almost a year older than in 1990, according to ADT Automotive's 1998 Used Car Market Report. And the price of new cars--a bit over $20,000 on average--towers over the $9,000 sticker on the average used car.
But used-car buyers aren't just missing Out on the olfactory joy of driving a new car. They're also missing the peace of mind that comes with being the first owner. That's especially true in private sales, from newspaper ads and the like, which accounted for almost 11 million transactions last year. Dealers are bound by many federal consumer-protection regulations (though not all dealers have halos, of course).
Who knows what that shiny three-year-old coupe you've been eyeing has been through? Aside from just having some transmission problems, say, or a leaking oil gasket, it could be a lemon, a car with a chronic defect that the dealer was forced (under state law) to buy back from the original purchaser. It could have been soaked in a flood or flipped over in a hurricane. Like more than a million cars annually, it could have been totaled in an accident. Or it could have thousands of miles more than the rolled-back odometer indicates.
For cars with serious problems (the ones that could be the subject of deceptive sales practices), state laws vary. In Washington, for example, the Department of Licensing brands, or permanently marks (with "WA REBUILD" across the top), the titles of all cars six years old or newer that are totaled by insurance companies. Across the country in Tennessee, totaled cars get no special marking on their titles.
The National Salvage Motor Vehicle Consumer Protection Act of 1997 has, as the name suggests, been mired in Congress for over a year now, though it shows signs of moving forward sometime soon. The bill would set a federal minimum standard for labeling a salvaged car as such; if passed, it would ostensibly prevent the underground rebuilding industry from "washing" titles simply by taking cars across state lines and retitling them.
Until that federal standard comes into play (and even after it passes), it's up to you to protect yourself when you're looking for a used car. Even if a car isn't suffering from a major trauma, it could still be a headache waiting to happen.
Buy smartly
Car manufacturers are getting into the business of selling certified used cars, which is tantamount to buying new from the dealer (see the box on page 72). Since the companies are staking their reputations on the vehicles, you can be reasonably certain that they've been thoroughly inspected and repaired. Some carmakers, like Mercedes-Benz, have even placed their inventories of certified cars on the Internet, where you can search the database to find exactly what you want.
Some used-car superstores and dealers also tout their rigorous inspections. CarMax backs its cars up with a 30-day warranty, and many dealers offer some sort of warranty, too. Dealers are required to post a sticker on any used car they sell, indicating whether it comes with a warranty or "as is." You're entitled to read the warranty before you buy, and you should; make sure you understand what is covered and for how long.
Dealers are also subject to implied warranties on the used cars they sell. If you buy a car "as is" and it had a serious defect, you would theoretically be able to get repairs or replacement at the dealer's expense.
There are plenty of fine used cars--on dealer lots and being sold privately--that are sold "as is." The secret to finding one is to be aware of the warning signs that the car might not be the cream puff it's advertised to be:
* Body panels that don't quite match up, for example, indicate that part of the car might have been replaced after an accident. Doors or fenders that have rough or slightly different-hued paint, or are missing an accent stripe, are also flag-raisers.
* New tires on a car with low mileage could signal a rolled-back odometer. Ditto for excessive wear on the brake pedal, the upholstery or the carpet under the floor mats.
* Rust in the wheel wells or under the door panels means a new paint job could be covering a marred body.
* A different name on the car's title and the seller's driver's license should sound some warning klaxons about the sale's legitimacy; scam artists have been known to claim that they're selling a car for a friend, when in fact they're acting as unregistered dealers and selling rebuilt cars.
Keeping your car like new
Sticking to a new cars maintenance schedule is a lot easier than it used to be.
You don't have to be old to remember 1,000-mile oil changes "points and plugs," changes, tune-ups and carburetor adjustments every 5,000 to 10,000 miles--not to mention engines that were lucky to see 100,000 miles. Thankfully, those numbers are truly history for today's high-tech cars and trucks.
Improved filtering systems and better oil quality have extended the interval between oil changes to every 5,000 or 7,500 miles. More efficient and more reliable fuel injection systems have replaced cranky carburetors.
And advanced spark plugs, sophisticated electronics and computer control systems have lengthened tune-up intervals to 30,000 miles, with a growing number of vehicles in all price ranges going 100,000 miles before needing a major tune-up.
Manufacturers' recommended maintenance schedules now routinely run to 120,000 miles, and owners can expect more miles after that.
The bad news is that no one has invented the perfect car--yet. Cars still need maintenance to live long, run well, stay safe and sell for more than scrap when you tire of them. And that is still your responsibility. To neglect that responsibility not only jeopardizes the manufacturer's warranty, it puts your sizable investment at risk.
The trick is to know which services your car needs (and which it doesn't need) and when it needs them. And you need to find the best person to perform the maintenance
A little light reading
For fun things to do, reading a new-car owner's manual and warranty guide ranks right up there with opening this year's package of IRS tax forms. But take heart. Although many manuals still rely on the annoying authoritative tone of a stern teacher to emphasize their do's and don'ts, manufacturers have made the manuals more comprehensive and easier to read. Even the mechanically challenged can follow the manufacturer's clear maintenance recommendations, complete with helpful illustrations.
The most important thing to familiarize yourself with is the maintenance schedule, which lists the minimum requirements you must meet to keep your warranty in effect. If you know exactly which services are required, your odds of being ripped off are greatly diminished. But the key word here is "minimum." Depending on your driving habits and your need to nurture your new vehicle, you may have to go beyond those minimum requirements. Most owner's manuals provide separate maintenance schedules for "normal" and "severe" driving conditions.
Normal versus severe driving
What's normal in this day and age? Good question. When it comes to driving, you and your car are often at odds. Long trips at steady highway speeds are tough on drivers but easy on cars. What cars don't like are short trips--where they never get a chance to fully warm up--and stop-and-go commuting, which most of us do every day.
Cars and trucks also need more maintenance if they're used off-road; if they haul trailers or carry heavy loads; if they're operated in extreme temperatures, humidity, dust or pollution; or if they are left to idle for extended periods.
If any of those conditions describe your driving environment, be prepared to follow a severe maintenance schedule. That simply means more-frequent trips to the dealership or service shop for routine maintenance and inspections--for example, oil and filter changes every 3,000 miles instead of every 5,000 or 7,000. But nearly any auto technician will tell you that's a good idea anyway, particularly for owners who don't want any hassles over warranty claims or who expect to keep their cars well beyond the warranty period. As that stern teacher would say, better to be safe than sorry.
Picking the right shop
Automakers strongly recommend that new-car owners use authorized, franchised new-car dealers for routine service and repair, and most owners do stick with the dealer that sold them the car, at least through the warranty period.
But you can use independent, chain or quick-service shops--or do the work yourself--and keep the warranty in effect as long as you keep detailed records and receipts and use only parts and materials warranted by their manufacturer to be equivalent to the car's original equipment.
That's a big if, considering that auto repair service ranked second-worst in the Better Business Bureau's latest report on complaints filed against businesses.
Shady practices such as performing unnecessary or unauthorized repairs, exceeding estimates without authorization and charging for repairs not performed give the auto repair industry a black eye, according to the Auto Repair Task Force Report released by the National Association of Attorneys General. That makes picking the right service shop even more important.
Here are the pros and cons of various choices.
Dealerships. The key factors in choosing the right service facility are technician training and competence, proper tools and diagnostic equipment, and the latest technical information and original equipment parts for your car or truck. Franchised new-car dealerships have them all.
You don't have to be old to remember 1,000-mile oil changes "points and plugs," changes, tune-ups and carburetor adjustments every 5,000 to 10,000 miles--not to mention engines that were lucky to see 100,000 miles. Thankfully, those numbers are truly history for today's high-tech cars and trucks.
Improved filtering systems and better oil quality have extended the interval between oil changes to every 5,000 or 7,500 miles. More efficient and more reliable fuel injection systems have replaced cranky carburetors.
And advanced spark plugs, sophisticated electronics and computer control systems have lengthened tune-up intervals to 30,000 miles, with a growing number of vehicles in all price ranges going 100,000 miles before needing a major tune-up.
Manufacturers' recommended maintenance schedules now routinely run to 120,000 miles, and owners can expect more miles after that.
The bad news is that no one has invented the perfect car--yet. Cars still need maintenance to live long, run well, stay safe and sell for more than scrap when you tire of them. And that is still your responsibility. To neglect that responsibility not only jeopardizes the manufacturer's warranty, it puts your sizable investment at risk.
The trick is to know which services your car needs (and which it doesn't need) and when it needs them. And you need to find the best person to perform the maintenance
A little light reading
For fun things to do, reading a new-car owner's manual and warranty guide ranks right up there with opening this year's package of IRS tax forms. But take heart. Although many manuals still rely on the annoying authoritative tone of a stern teacher to emphasize their do's and don'ts, manufacturers have made the manuals more comprehensive and easier to read. Even the mechanically challenged can follow the manufacturer's clear maintenance recommendations, complete with helpful illustrations.
The most important thing to familiarize yourself with is the maintenance schedule, which lists the minimum requirements you must meet to keep your warranty in effect. If you know exactly which services are required, your odds of being ripped off are greatly diminished. But the key word here is "minimum." Depending on your driving habits and your need to nurture your new vehicle, you may have to go beyond those minimum requirements. Most owner's manuals provide separate maintenance schedules for "normal" and "severe" driving conditions.
Normal versus severe driving
What's normal in this day and age? Good question. When it comes to driving, you and your car are often at odds. Long trips at steady highway speeds are tough on drivers but easy on cars. What cars don't like are short trips--where they never get a chance to fully warm up--and stop-and-go commuting, which most of us do every day.
Cars and trucks also need more maintenance if they're used off-road; if they haul trailers or carry heavy loads; if they're operated in extreme temperatures, humidity, dust or pollution; or if they are left to idle for extended periods.
If any of those conditions describe your driving environment, be prepared to follow a severe maintenance schedule. That simply means more-frequent trips to the dealership or service shop for routine maintenance and inspections--for example, oil and filter changes every 3,000 miles instead of every 5,000 or 7,000. But nearly any auto technician will tell you that's a good idea anyway, particularly for owners who don't want any hassles over warranty claims or who expect to keep their cars well beyond the warranty period. As that stern teacher would say, better to be safe than sorry.
Picking the right shop
Automakers strongly recommend that new-car owners use authorized, franchised new-car dealers for routine service and repair, and most owners do stick with the dealer that sold them the car, at least through the warranty period.
But you can use independent, chain or quick-service shops--or do the work yourself--and keep the warranty in effect as long as you keep detailed records and receipts and use only parts and materials warranted by their manufacturer to be equivalent to the car's original equipment.
That's a big if, considering that auto repair service ranked second-worst in the Better Business Bureau's latest report on complaints filed against businesses.
Shady practices such as performing unnecessary or unauthorized repairs, exceeding estimates without authorization and charging for repairs not performed give the auto repair industry a black eye, according to the Auto Repair Task Force Report released by the National Association of Attorneys General. That makes picking the right service shop even more important.
Here are the pros and cons of various choices.
Dealerships. The key factors in choosing the right service facility are technician training and competence, proper tools and diagnostic equipment, and the latest technical information and original equipment parts for your car or truck. Franchised new-car dealerships have them all.
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