Prepare for your Spring Break Vacation the Right Way

Did you know that U.S. automobile insurance is not valid in Mexico? With many of us heading south this spring break, be sure to plan accordingly with travel auto insurance to cover yourself in case of damage or theft of your vehicle while you are there. One of the biggest mistakes drivers make is not getting auto insurance that is accepted in Mexico and assuming that US auto insurance works across the border. According to azcentral.com, “The Mexican government will only recognize those companies authorized to do business in Mexico. Under Mexican law, it is a felony to not carry at least civil liability insurance issued by a Mexican-based company. The insurance pays for damages and injuries that a person causes another driver.  Drivers also can opt to purchase a full-coverage policy, which will cover their own vehicles in case of an accident.

In 2005, there were 19 Mexican insurance companies that issued policies to U.S. drivers, collecting $71.2 million in premiums, according to the Mexican Association of Insurance Institutions.” “If you have no Mexican liability insurance and you’re involved in a crash, you’ll almost certainly spend some time in jail because in Mexico you’re guilty until proven innocent,” said Yvette Lopez, a spokeswoman for AAA Arizona in Tucson. People who are leasing or financing an automobile should think twice before driving their vehicle south. Nearly all lease policies prohibit people from driving across the border, even if they have full coverage from a Mexican auto insurer.

This is not the only thing to think about before driving across the border. It is critical to check the status and condition of your vehicle and all of its functions to make sure you can make it there and back. It won’t be much of a vacation if you have to spend your time and money with a broken-down car. At a trusted repair shop, it is recommended to have fluids checked, an oil change, brakes serviced, battery checked, tires rotated, and other preventative maintenance services which will keep your car running well. Get to your trusted mechanic before your next road trip and enjoy!

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February 27, 2012 by in Driving Laws, Driving Safety, Money Saving Tips, Preventative Maintenance
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Ever Been Cornered for a Hard sell?

Most of us that have ever gone out to buy appliances, cars, trucks, furniture and any other large ticket items have at some point found ourselves cornered by a sales person performing a hard sell.  There is a reason that most people go vehicle shopping on Sunday, there are no sales people around and we can look in peace.  After looking around and finding something we might be interested in, then we can go back during regular business hours and deal with a sales person.  Only then can we deal with taking the chance of being faced with a hard sell salesman.

We all recognize that the sales person is trying to make a living too, but there are appropriate ways to sell and then there are ways that just shouldn’t be allowed.  Add to the hard sell, the fact that lots of our big ticket items don’t have the longevity that they used to and we have another totally different deal breaker to work around – a warranty at an additional cost.

Vehicles and appliances as well as furniture are made up of a lot of different pieces that are made in a variety of different ways using different materials and designs to make each piece a true individual different from all others.  That is what makes them all sell.  We don’t like to own things that look just like something that everyone else owns.  Vehicles are no different.  We all like a different look whether it is the color, style, tires, spoiler, or even the hood ornament.  Everything has a warranty anymore, and it seems that items only last up to the very last moment just beyond the warranty.  As one article recently pointed out, if something fails before the warranty does, then often times it is said to be normal wear and tear so that it doesn’t have to be covered.  This is the basis of the extended warranty or service contract.

Sales people are now selling the extended warranty or service contract letting consumers believe that it will cover most anything that goes wrong with the vehicle after the warranty expires.  Well, in truth, these contracts have fine print and loop holes that will let them out of their contract.  The end result of the whole hard sell is sometimes bilk the consumer out of a few hundred more dollars and not have to do anything for it in the long run.

If a sales man corners you to make a hard sell for an extended warranty or service contract, the best answer is to simply ask for a copy of it so you can read it over in the privacy of your own home.  Taking the time to read it instead of simply taking their word for it, could save a lot of headache should something fall apart either before or after its allotted time.  Just like with anything, take the money you would have spent on that service contract and put it in a savings account, then use that money only for auto repairs and preventative maintenance.  This way you will always have the money for the repairs and it won’t have been wasted on a contract that someone other than you got the benefit out of.  If you have questions about a service contract that has been offered to you, how it could benefit or harm your investment, feel free to ask your local auto repair center for their experience.  If you do decide to purchase an extended warranty, your mechanic can generally do warranty work too!

 

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February 27, 2012 by in Money Saving Tips, Preventative Maintenance
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Paying attention to your vehicle may save money in the end

By seeing, feeling, and hearing differences in your vehicle’s performance and driving, you could save yourself thousands of dollars in auto repairs. We have all put off bringing our car to our mechanic because we didn’t think we could afford the repairs. But too many times, drivers wait too long and end up paying an amount that they truly cannot afford because they were not proactive. A recent online news article from kjrh.com, explains why drivers cannot wait when then identify differences in their vehicle’s performance and what to look for. You don’t have to be a mechanic to know when something is wrong. Seeing, hearing, and feeling your vehicle can save thousands of dollars in serious repairs in the long run.

Seeing warning light indicators like check engine lights or the service engine soon messages, those are a helpful indicator to have your car looked at. Your car is trying to tell you something and this is certainly not a request you want to ignore. Seeing oil spots under your car can also mean your car may not be getting the proper lubrication due to a leak, having devastating effects on the engine. Furthermore, look for green liquid leaking from your engine. Radiator coolant, which helps maintain engine temperature, is usually dyed green by the manufacturer for safety. If you have a coolant leak, your engine could overheat, which can mean thousands of dollars in repairs.

Feeling differences in the driving performance of your vehicle is also a helpful indicator that you need to bring your vehicle to a trusted auto repair shop (http://www.goodworksautorepair.com/).Slow starts are a sign that your battery is dying. Excessive vibration while driving can mean that you need new tires or need an alignment.

Hearing noises that are unusual, or unusually loud, are also signs of a problem. For example, an extremely loud running car can mean muffler issues. Also, a squealing noise when you start the car or turn on the AC could be the sign of a bad serpentine belt which helps deliver power to crucial car systems. Brake problems are important to feel or listen for. If you hear a squealing or grinding sound while coming to a stop, this could mean your brake pads or rotors are at the end of their life and need to be serviced as soon as you can to keep your passengers safe

If you see, feel, or hear something going on with your vehicle, bring it to a trusted repair shop right away. The key is not waiting until something is wrong to find somewhere to bring your vehicle. It is important to develop a trusting relationship with your mechanic. Find an auto repair shop that will keep the prices low, the honest communication open, and is there for you and your vehicle. To read more from the news article, click here.

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February 13, 2012 by in Money Saving Tips, Preventative Maintenance
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Stats Say We’re Hanging On

Last week the news reported that as a country, we’re all hanging on to our cars just a little longer than we have in the past – they call it the graying of the U.S. fleet. Not a particularly flattering term, but be assured that with aging comes a measure of wisdom. And, isn’t that true – in this unstable economy, we’ve suppressed the urge to overspend on a brand new car and kept the old one going a little longer.

Of course, keeping a vehicle longer means more maintenance and repair, but the odds are with us. While many folks at one point in time or another have shook our heads about how cars are all made of plastic and aluminum anymore – the good news is that plastic and aluminum don’t rust. That means that the body of your car, unless it is in a fender bender, can hang on longer than older cars. Further, cars are built to last. According to AAA regional president Rick Brinkman, “It used to be when you hit about 70,000 miles or so, you started thinking it was about time to get a new vehicle”, but now it isn’t unusual for cars to keep running well past 100,000 miles. That’s another year or three for many of us.

The key to being successful with the hanging on of old vehicles is simple. Maintenance. You not only will start needing to pay attention to those parts that wear out with high miles, but also those rubber hoses and seals that simply dry out and rot with age and the Arizona heat. The good news is that parts on older cars are generally less than on newer models. As one car expert said about his 25 year old truck, “I know that if I have to replace my starter that the part is going to cost me $35 … if it was one of the newer trucks, the starter is going to cost me at least $100.”

So, we recommend you start treating your car like an old, trusted friend. Stay in tune to its needs, listen when it tries to tell you something, and invest a little more into it – the payback will be worth it. Did you know we have a maintenance schedule on our website? There’s a lot of good information there to get your car back up to speed, and keep it there. Falling a little behind on your oil changes or tire rotations? That’s okay, we can help you get caught up affordably with our online specials and easily with our online appointment scheduling.

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February 8, 2012 by in Money Saving Tips, Preventative Maintenance, Recent News
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Protect Your Precious Metals

Once again last week, news came from California that thieves are again stealing catalytic converters in high numbers. This isn’t the first time we’ve covered this topic, but the crimes seem to come in short-lived bursts. Last week was San Francisco – where next week?

According to the police in the area, thieves were targeting higher-sitting Toyota models like the SUVs and 4Runners. The height of the vehicles make it easier for these individuals to slide under the truck, saw off the part, and be out of there without using a jack or calling undue attention to their presence. Often, during a rash of catalytic converter thefts, several cars will be hit in a single night. The thieves have multiple outlets for their prized parts. The more industrious ones are after the tiny amount of platinum contained in the parts – especially with the New York spot price for platinum up around $1,500 per ounce. Others sell their stolen goods to junk yards, where some victims are coming in looking for used parts to replace the stolen parts.

A catalytic converter is a small part that converts three harmful components naturally generated by a fuel-burning engine into harmless compounds. When a theft has occurred, the vehicle owner generally will have no idea that they have been victimized until they start the car. The car will make a loud roaring noise, sounding like it does not have a muffler. The replacement?  Painful – while the part often only runs around $100, fixing the damage and installing the new part can run well over $1000, and in a few cases up to $2000!

What can you do to protect your car? Simply be aware. Park in your garage if possible or at least in a well-lit, well-traveled area. If you see anyone suspicious in your neighborhood, call the police immediately. If you have questions, call a trusted auto repair facility.

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January 18, 2012 by in Recent News
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BG Products the Best for Your Vehicle

It isn’t sold at all repair shops, but BG Products are known by all car experts. In a recent radio show, host Rush Limbaugh even acknowledges that all people in the industry of automobiles know this product, and if they claim they don’t, they’re lying and trying to get you to buy what they do sell. Rush also states that these BG products are the best for your vehicle, and to go to bgfindashop.com to see which auto repair shops sell these products. Non-BG service centers cannot carry these products even at the request of the customer. The reason is not what most of us consumers would think, as Limbaugh discusses. It means that that repair shop is not one of the 20,000 hand-picked locations that sell this product. It does not mean that the product is not good enough for the repair shop to sell but rather that it is good enough to where the  BG Company chooses where they want it sold.
Each of the products and services has resulted from decades of research and close interaction with automotive professionals on the job. BG serves the driving public with innovative products and proven programs of automotive maintenance. BG distributors only trust 20,000 locations around the country to sell their products. The aforementioned website contains all of these locations, which is a great tool to use before your next visit to a service shop.
Limbaugh’s enthusiasm radiates at the end of the segment when he talks about how these dealerships and repair shops love BG products because they optimize a car engine’s performance. The engine becomes more free of the metallic particles that clog up the engine and keep it from performing its best, including giving you the best mileage. According to a video from BG Products, carbon deposits can build up on your fuel systems injectors, pistons, combustion chambers, valves, and intake and exhaust ports in as short of time as 5,000 miles. Lost power, lost fuel economy, and engine performance are the most common results. But using BG 44K fuel system cleaner at regular intervals will stop this buildup.
Everyone in the automotive engine fluid business has heard of BG products no matter what they claim when you bring in your vehicle. So save yourself the hassle and utilize the web that will find a place that has BG products. To watch this video for yourself, click here.

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January 17, 2012 by in Improve Gas Mileage, Preventative Maintenance, Recent News
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Get To Know – and Trust – Your Mechanic

It is not okay to get scammed by any business, but with the costs of owning a vehicle, being “upsold” out of additional money is beyond unacceptable from your chosen repair shop. Auto repair complaints make up the largest group of consumer grievances. Many of these involve unnecessary or overpriced upsell tactics. Vehicle repairs and preventative maintenance cost enough and shouldn’t run you more than the work they’re doing and the parts you need. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration estimates that consumers lose tens of billions of dollars each year due to faulty or unnecessary car repairs. The top scams include selling lifelong transmission fluid, informing the customer of the repair when the car has already been put on the lift and disassembled, falsifying replaced parts or repairs, “giving” free alignment checks, and selling lifetime brake pads for an extremely low price. Knowing the tactics will help keep you better aware so keep reading…

“Lifetime” transmission fluid isn’t meant for the life of the vehicle at all. After 80,000 miles on this so-called “lifetime fluid” your transmission fails and you have to buy a new transmission for thousands of dollars. To protect yourself, check the owner’s manual and replace the transmission filter and fluid about every 30,000 miles. Also, don’t find yourself trapped into either authorizing overpriced/unnecessary repairs or risk getting your car back in a disassembled and unusable condition, or paying a large and unexpected fee to have your car reassembled only to find that nothing was repaired. Demand that you are made aware of the needs of the vehicle and the services that should be done before you are locked into any costs, fees, etc… It’s very easy for an unethical mechanic to convince car owners that unnecessary repairs are needed because the average person doesn’t know much about their cars. Finding a trusted auto repair shop is necessary to avoid this. Shop for a mechanic before you need one so that you don’t find yourself in a bind.

Consumers have rights, so be sure to ask to see the parts that are being repaired or replaced. Older parts should be dirty and new parts should be clean. “It’s very easy for an unethical mechanic to convince car owners that unnecessary repairs are needed because the average person doesn’t know much about their cars,” according to fraudguides.com. Free alignment checks aren’t free if they scam you into services or repairs because of it. Don’t accept recommendations to sell you shocks or struts, ball joints, tie rods, wheel bearings, and axels until you see the worn out parts. With the exception of a major pothole incident or an accident, an alignment should be good for 50,000 – 100,000 miles.

Finally, buying lifetime brake pads at an extremely low price like $89 usually means low quality parts and in order for your lifetime warranty to apply, you may have to buy new calipers with your new cheap pads. There may be other stipulations and exceptions down the road. Be sure to find a trusted repair shop. This is your vehicle, after all, and is it crucial to keep it working safely and properly. To read more on upselling tactics could cost you too much, click here.

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January 9, 2012 by in Customer Service, Money Saving Tips
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Fix Your Car, Feed Your Wallet

No one wants to spend more money on gas and more money on vehicle maintenance than they have to. With our budgets already as tight as they can be, we all have plenty of things we can see ourselves spending more money on. Gas is one of the things in our budget that we can spend less on and still have more of just by changing a few of our habits as drivers. One important tip that can save us money and future car problems is making sure the vehicle is properly maintained and in top shape. According to fueleconomy.gov, “fixing a car that is noticeably out of tune or has failed an emissions test can improve its gas mileage by an average of 4 percent, though results vary based on the kind of repair and how well it is done. Gas mileage can be improved by another 1–2 percent by using the manufacturer’s recommended grade of motor oil.” It is also mentioned that using 10W-30 motor oil in an engine designed to use 5W-30 can lower your gas mileage by 1–2 percent. Using 5W-30 in an engine designed for 5W-20 can lower your gas mileage by 1–1.5 percent. Also, look for motor oil that says “Energy Conserving” on the API performance symbol to be sure it contains friction-reducing additives.

Furthermore, as found on the website of the USAA, “a well-maintained vehicle performs better and stays on the road longer. You’ll see better gas mileage immediately, and routine service helps avoid more costly problems and ensures that you’re driving a safer and more reliable car.” This is where any driver can see savings in many ways. When you have a trusted repair shop perform routine preventative maintenance on your vehicle, such as oil and filter changes, tire pressure checks, brakes, hoses, belts, and much more at routine intervals, you can save yourself a lot of time and money in the end. It is recommended that a driver “refer to the manufacturer’s maintenance schedule for your specific model, as well as state’s vehicle inspection and emissions laws for specifics that apply in your area.” Doing this today could save you on gas tomorrow.

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December 30, 2011 by in Improve Gas Mileage, Preventative Maintenance
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Properly Inflated Tires Means Gas Savings and Road Safety

One of the easiest ways to put a little extra money back into your own pocket is to save money on gas. There are many ways we can do this, but one of the quickest and most cost-effective tips is to drive with the properly inflated tires. According to environment.about.com, “tires are not inflated to the pounds per square inch (PSI) rating recommended by manufacturers; they are less “round” and require more energy to begin moving and to maintain speed. As such, under-inflated tires do indeed contribute to pollution and increase fuel costs.” Furthermore, according to fueleconomy.gov, you can improve your gas mileage by up to 3.3 percent simply by keeping your tires inflated to the proper pressure? Under-inflated tires can lower gas mileage by 0.3 percent for every 1 psi drop in pressure of all four tires. Not only that, but properly inflated tires are safer and last longer.

An informal study by students at Carnegie Mellon University found that the majority of cars on U.S. roads are operating on tires inflated to only 80 percent of capacity. All in all, it means that the average person who drives 12,000 miles yearly on under-inflated tires uses about 144 extra gallons of gas, at a cost of $300-$500 a year. In times when we can all use money for more necessary spending like food and housing payments, we don’t need to be spending any extra at the pump.

Not sure how to check your tire pressure? Have your tires serviced by a trusted auto repair shop who offers a slew of tire services for a worthwhile and affordable cost. You will earn that money back and then some over time. Properly inflated tires are also safer on the road and your car will drive better. Those, too, seem to be pretty big pros for such a small change. Still need more incentive before heading to your local repair shop? Properly inflated tires are less likely to fail at high speeds. Under-inflated tires make for longer stopping distances and will skid longer on wet surfaces. “Analysts point to under-inflated tires as a likely cause of many SUV rollover accidents. Properly inflated tires also wear more evenly and will last longer accordingly.” That right there is enough for most people. Visit a trusted repair shop for tire services and let the gas savings begin!

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December 30, 2011 by in Improve Gas Mileage
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Want More Gas-Savings Ideas?

Saving money is great and as we approach the holiday season, we could all use a little extra cash in our pockets. If you are like most folks, a good portion of your monthly budget goes to putting gas in your car. One of the easiest ways to save gas is imply to drive less. It doesn’t mean you have to go less places, but the simple act of planning your trip can mean more errands in one trip, less stops and starts, and a more direct route to get to one place to the other. As stated on wealthinformatics.com, you don’t have to plan your every turn, you will miss the detours and “the awe of nature that is waiting in those detours but roughly know what route you are going to take. If there is a possibility of getting stuck in traffic with this route, plan an alternate route in advance.” This will help you tremendously in saving time and fuel – and money.

Several short trips taken from a cold start can use twice as much fuel as a longer multipurpose trip covering the same distance when the engine is warm. By planning your trip, you ensure that traveling is done when the engine is warmed-up and efficient, and you likely will reduce the distance you travel. When planning longer trips, check out some likely choices for cheap gas in advance with these gas cost calculators.

Just want to save money going to work? Take advantage of carpools and ride-share programs. You can cut your weekly fuel costs in half and save wear on your car if you take turns driving with other commuters. Many urban areas allow vehicles with multiple passengers to use High Occupancy Vehicle (HOV) lanes which are typically less congested, further improving your fuel economy. Saving gas money can help you put money into your car in other ways that will help you get better mileage. Preventative maintenance, tire services, and oil changes from a trusted auto repair shop are well worth spending the extra money on. After all, we need a healthy vehicle to put the gas in!

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December 15, 2011 by in Improve Gas Mileage, Money Saving Tips
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