Repair Credit Rating - Used Car Loans Easily Accessed With a Repaired Credit Rating

You are driving to work when you hear a clunk in your engine. Your car stops and refuses to start. You hail a cab to get to your office and get your car checked by a mechanic. Your mechanic tells you something that makes you think of only one thing- I need to repair credit rating as early as possible.

What did your mechanic say? You were probably informed that you will have to go in for a replacement automobile. Since new automobiles are out of the question, you will have to go in for a used car. You probably don't have sufficient cash in hand to pay for a used car. You probably have to go in for a used car loan.

With your credit cards maxed and repayments being made on an irregular basis, you will find it very difficult to get affordable used car loans. Your lender will probably require a very high down payment and will continue to charge high interest rates because of your poor credit rating. You will either have to put your finances under a lot of strain or you will have to go in for a less expensive used car.

Why don't you take the third alternative and improve your finances? Why don't you repair credit rating so that you can qualify for affordable loans?

Take a look at your credit history and credit rating to determine whether you are a safe bet or not. This rule applies to all lenders including those offering loans for used cars. You should try to repair your credit rating by going in for the advice of professionals as early as possible. Trying to repair credit rating because you want to qualify for affordable loans a few months or a few years from now and doing so because you want to qualify for affordable loans immediately are two different things.

In case of the latter option, you will have to take remedial actions immediately. Not only do you need credit relief but you also need it with the immediate effect. This means that the advice of professionals would prove very useful.

Next, you should plan ahead and focus on repayment of the car loan in a prompt manner. If you get an affordable car driven but if you are not in a position to repay the debt on time, chances are high that your credit score will continue to fall and you will continue to pay high interest loans.

Car Repair Coupons - 4 Types of Repairs to Save On

Car repair coupons are essentially like free money. Every car needs a certain amount of regular maintenance and repairs: oil changes and tune ups to keep it running its best, and replacement parts such as tires, brakes, batteries, and alternators as the old parts wear out. Since you already have to pay for these repairs anyway, these should be used to knock the cost of regular maintenance down a little.

Car repair coupons can be found in a lot of different places. Local auto repair shops often place advertisements and coupons in local newspapers, magazines, and other publications. Online coupon sites, such as Valpak are also a great resource for coupon clippers. Finally, many shops send out their own mailings or post their current specials right on their website. Here are the four types you are most likely to find.

1: Oil changes are the most frequent type of maintenance cars need. By about three thousand miles, the oil and oil filter in your engine start to wear out. Replacing the oil and filter regularly keeps your engine running smoothly, prevents harmful buildup inside your engine, and even helps to maintain optimal gas mileage. Dirty oil, on the other hand, creates buildup that can damage the engine, leads to dried-out and leaky seals and gaskets, and creates more resistance on the engine as it thickens -- causing your fuel bill to increase too.

Since oil changes are needed so frequently, there are tons of auto repair shops and quick lube places ready to compete for your business. Because of this, shops almost always include a coupon for a discounted oil change.

2: Tune Ups. After oil changes, tune ups are the next most common repair that car owners have to do: Tune ups typically should be done once a year, or every twenty or thirty thousand miles, depending on the manufacturer's recommendations. A tune up typically includes replacing the air filter, the spark plugs, PCV valve, and the distributor cap and rotor; some parts only need to be replaced every two or three years, such as the oxygen sensor and the spark plug wires. The mechanic will also visually inspect the car's various systems to make sure everything is functioning correctly.

All of the potential replacements can make tune ups very expensive, particularly if the mechanic finds something wrong. Auto shops will give you a discount on at least the basic tune up, so that if something else turns out to be wrong, at least the bill won't hit you quite as hard.

3: Wheel alignment is another one of those things that you should have checked regularly. Most auto repair shops offer an inexpensive wheel alignment check that will tell you if you need your wheel alignment done. Proper wheel alignment produces the least amount of rolling resistance on your car, ensuring that you get the optimum gas mileage; it also causes the entire tread of the tires to make contact with the road as you drive, which spreads the wear out along the entire tread and helps your tires to last longer.

With the expensive but very precise equipment most repair shops use these days, wheel alignments can be pretty expensive. To compete with one another for your business, many repair shops will issue alignment coupons periodically, often offering a significant discount off the normal price.

4: New Tires. With the length of the average commute these days, most people end up needing to buy new tires every couple of years. Since tires can be pretty expensive, many tire shops and service centers send out mailings and print them in local papers. If you know you will need tires soon, be on the lookout for these coupons.

There are many other types of car repair coupons than the four listed above. These are just the most common. You'll notice as you hunt for coupons that you also find some for replacement windshields, bodywork, and even general repairs. In fact, it's not uncommon to find a coupon from an auto repair shop that simply states dollars off for any repair work made over a certain amount spent. You'll find that looking for discounts is like an Easter egg hunt. The coupons are all right there under your nose; you just have to look for them.

Choosing an Auto Upholstery Repair Shop

To some people, a car is like a second home on wheels. It has all the amenities: air conditioning, music, and nice comfortable seats.

Yeah, the seats. They can really make the car comfortable. And then there are the floor mats and the other parts of the car's cabin.

But what happens when something happens to the inside of your car? What happens when your auto upholstery tears, rips or is stained? Well, you take your car to a good auto upholstery repair shop. There are plenty of these shops. Here's what you should know before choosing one.

Because it takes a lot of time and effort to repair seat covers, tops, and car upholstery, many shops may increase their prices. Also, for the same reason, many shops may take shortcuts when it comes to quality.

So you have to be careful. Auto upholstery isn't necessarily an easy business. But It's necessary. Everyone loves to have great looking auto upholstery.

Since many shops can cut costs and quality, it's important to know that auto upholstery is all about precision. It takes detailed work to determine the right fit and look for your car.

Furthermore, often there are certain materials that go into the making of the material that covers your car's seats. Many of the cars driven today use dense foam as a batting for the car seats. This foam makes the seats last a long time.

You want to look for an auto upholstery repair shop that can give you a selection of densities and chemical compositions.

You also want to make sure the person who will be working on your seat covers, top or auto upholstery is very knowledgeable about the work he or she will be doing. Take the time to question that person about the materials and chemicals that go into making the batting for the seats. Ask the person if they know how to work with the make and model of your car.

And while it's true that 'you want to consider costs when choosing an auto upholstery repair shops, you don't want to skimp on quality. That means you may want to take the time to really compare auto upholstery repair shops. Get a real feel for what a few shops have to offer its customers.

Lastly, if you have any stains in your car, discuss them with an auto upholstery repair shop owner. That way you'll know what kind of cleaning supplies or dry cleaning services they have on hand. Since dry cleaning can increase the price of auto upholstery services, you'll have a better idea of what to expect if you discuss your stain issues upfront. Then compare prices for the different repair shops.

Do It Yourself Auto Repair: What You Need To Know

This article answers some of the questions asked
by car owners or would be Do It Yourselfers on Do It
Yourself Auto Repair.

What is DIY or Do It Yourself Auto Repair:
This is a maintenance system where a vehicle owner carry
out specific repair works on his/her car. The repair
work can be major or minor.

Can anybody carry out Do It Yourself Auto
Repair: Yes, anybody old enough to own a car, and
calm - headed enough to follow some sets of repair
instructions can successfully carry out Do It Yourself
Auto Repair.

It does not require deep knowledge of engineering
or mechanism, just the ability to believe in yourself
and follow instructions.

What are the requirements for Do it yourself auto
repair: The following are the basic requirements,
which may be more, depending on the repair job to be
done.

A good auto repair manual.
Set of tools.
Auto parts for replacement.
Calmness and determination.
Time.

From manual you can get all the requirements and the
procedures.

Where Can Do It Yourself Auto Repair be carried out:
Anywhere there is space. preferably in a place where
there is privacy and where you are shielded from
sun, rain, etc.

Can I get help for Do It Yourself Auto Repair jobs when
I needed one: Yes you can get a real life help if you
register with a good auto repair site and/or auto repair
forum for car owners.

There you meet car owners like yourself sharing their
experiences in Do It Yourself Auto Repair job and their
failures too, you learn a lot and avoid many pitfalls.
What are the benefits of Do It Yourself Auto Repair: you
stand to gain a lot in Do it Yourself Auto Repair, Some
benefits includes:

Reduction in repair and maintenance cost.

Self Satisfaction in carrying out your repair works.
Better understanding of your car system and operations.
Opportunity to meet/chart with other car owners,
share ideas and gain from their experiences.
Ability to gain total control over your car.

The total benefit of Do it Yourself Auto Repair cannot
be generalized it depends on where an individual is
starting from and his background knowledge. You really
see it when you start.

What is the rate of success in Do It Yourself Auto
Repair: The rate of success figure is not constant, for
it depends on individual knowledge and what he has

committed to it.

But a lot of people have been recording
success, this you can find out in DIY forum sites. even
people that started as a complete novice.

The important things to hold to record success is,
having the right tools equipment and starting/doing your
Do it Yourself Auto Repair jobs rightly. This I can show

you.

You may have many more questions not answered here, but
you don't need to know all answers before you start,
just a step-by-step guide. if others have been doing it
then you can do it.

Why not start right now.

My Experience Using Seized Car Auctions

In my experience I have found that a lot of people are intimidated by seized car auctions. I usually try to allay those fears. There is nothing to be afraid of a car auction. You should not feel like you have to hold back perhaps because you are not entitled to go. This attitude I found in many people. But generously I think I'm writing this article to help people to use vehicle auctions. So to do this I would like to give you my experience going to car auctions. I'd also like to explain how they help me. Perhaps this will help you to get a good viewpoint of car auctions.

The first time that I used a vehicle auction I was looking for a 1999 Honda Accord. I can't recall the exact price that I was finding at car dealerships and in classified ads. It was somewhere in the neighborhood of $10,000. I knew I could never afford to pay that much for that car. I needed to find something different. That's one of friend help me find repo auctions in my area to attend. I was a little like you, not sure what to expect.

How shocked I was to find the exact car I wanted flying off the holding lots for at least half off the price that they were going for at dealerships and in the classified ads. My eyes grew bigger. I had found what I was looking for! By the end of the day I had a Honda Accord for about $3000. It was in 1999 model just like I wanted and red.

This really opened my eyes to car auctions. So I decided to go again to buy another car. My intention this time was to resell it. So I got a similar vehicle, a Toyota Camry. I ended up selling that car to my cousin that next week at a price that he thought I was losing money on. Actually earning $3000 on that sale! So from then on I have used car auctions to make a living.

Auto Air Conditioning Repair 101

When your car or truck A/C is not blowing "cold air", the first thought is to panic. $$$$ signs are going through your mind. Your A/C is broken and the repair is going to be expensive. This article takes the mystery out of automotive air conditioning and serves as a primer so that you can make common repairs yourself and save MONEY on professional repairs.

A/C Principles

There are books and publications that contain volumes of information on the subject of air conditioning repair. This information is often too technical for the you to learn how-to fix your auto air conditioning system.

In the nutshell, here is all that you need to know about the fundamentals of refrigeration so that you can fix your auto air conditioning system yourself.

Air conditioning is the process in which air inside the passenger compartment is cooled, dried, and circulated. Heat is removed from inside the vehicle and transferred to the outside air.

All air conditioners whether, it is an auto A/C, household refrigerator or home HVAC, work on the same principles. Namely, a liquid refrigerant is changed to a gas and then back to a liquid. If a change-of-state of the refrigerant is to take place, heat transfer must take place. The two (2) rules that apply to refrigerant are:

1. Refrigerant in a gaseous state collects, absorbs, and holds heat.
2. Refrigerant in a liquid state releases that heat.

A/C Operation and Components

For your auto A/C to blow "cold air", R-134A refrigerant must pass through and change state in three (3) components, one (1) receiver-dryer, and one (1) expansion valve that makes up the closed auto air conditioning system. The components of the system are:

1. Compressor - A device that pressurizes the heated refrigerant..

2. Condenser - A radiator for refrigerant that transfers the heat that was absorbed in the passenger compartment to the cooler air.

3. Evaporator - Is a small radiator located under dash in the passenger compartment. Liquid refrigerant entering the evaporator creates a pressure loss. The liquid refrigerant absorbs heat from the air blowing across the evaporator. It then boils and changes state to vapor before it enters the suction port of the compressor.

4. Receiver-Dryer - Is a canister that stores the liquid refrigerant when the compressor is not running. It contains a desiccant that removes moisture from the system.

5. Expansion Valve - Is a metering device that controls the amount of refrigerant to the evaporator.

A/C Quick Check

A check that can easily be made to check the health of the A/C system is the "feel check". With engine running, turn the auto A/C control to "ON" and the blower on "high". Take a test drive to warm the engine until the A/C system pressures stabilize. Raise the hood. With the A/C "On", locate the large tubing connected and routed from the compressor (low side) to the expansion valve (inlet side) of the evaporator. Next, locate the small tubing that is connected to the discharge-side of the compressor and routed to the outlet side of the evaporator. When you feel these two (2) lines, you should observe these results:

1. The low-side line should feel "cool" to the touch.
2. The high-side line should feel "warm" to the touch.

If the high-side tubing is not warm and the low-side is not cool, further tests will have to be made as the system is not doing any work. There is an internal problem; such as, a defective component or a leak in your A/C system.

Testing A/C System

Before system temperature tests can be made, a checklist should be followed (below) to setup for testing the A/C system:

1. Set the A/C "ON-OFF" switch to "ON".
2. Set the temperature control to "maximum cooling".
3. Set the blower on "high" or the highest number on the control switch.
4. Temperature inside passenger compartment should be stable and getting cooler.
5. Engine speed must be a minimum of 1500 rpm's.
6. All windows should be be in the "UP" position.

Check Temperature

Your compact car or truck has a small capacity A/C system and a loss of "cooling" would be more noticeable than a larger capacity auto A/C system. If a noticeable loss of "cooling" capacity is noticed, a temperature check at the vent registers should be made. This check can be made with an instant read or digital temperature thermometer.. The discharge air from the vents in the passenger compartment should range from 38 to 42 degrees F.

A/C System Diagnosis

Assuming that the discharge air test measured at the vent registers is out-of-range, a system pressure test will have to be made. Professional A/C technicians connect a tool known as the manifold gauge set to the "low" and "high" side service valves of the system. For you to diagnose and look inside the A/C, it will be necessary to become proficient in the use of the manifold gauge set.

A manifold gauge set that is suitable for the needs can be purchased at most auto supply stores and Internet A/C tool and supply store fronts for less than $50.00. TIP: Look for a gauge set that has a built-in sight glass.

Locate the "low" and "high" side service valves.. Connect the hoses (they are a snap connector fit) to the service valves in the following manner:.

1. Connect the blue hose of the gauge set to the "low-side" service valve of the compressor.
2. Connect the red hose of the gauge set to the "high-side service valve of the compressor.
3. The yellow hose of the gauge set is connected to a vacuum pump or a refrigerant can to add refrigerant to the system. The yellow hose is not connected to the system at this time.

Static Test

If you find an out-of-range temperature reading, the manifold gauge set should be installed on the "low" and "high-side" service valves. With the engine "OFF" and the compressor and clutch not engaged, the blue "low-side" and red "high-side" gauges should show equal readings of approximately 80 to 120psi. These readings would indicate that there is a refrigerant charge in your A/C system. If the readings were 50psi on each gauge, this would indicate that there is refrigerant in the system but a LOW CHARGE. If the readings were 10 to 20psi on each gauge would indicate that there is little or no refrigerant in your A/C system.

Engine Running Test

Start the engine,.turn the A/C switch"ON" with the blower on "high" and run for a minimum of fifteen (15) minutes. Observe the reading on the manifold gauge set. TIP: A manifold gauge set with a built-in sight glass (mentioned above) will save you diagnostic time as most A/C systems do not have a sight glass built-in the receiver-dryer on the high side of the system.

With this feature, you look for bubbling refrigerant oil and refrigerant in the sight glass on the manifold. Oil moving through the glass would indicate that the compressor and clutch are engaged. Refrigerant is being moved from the low-side throughout the A/C system in the refrigeration cycle.

Low Charge

With the engine running, A/C switch "ON", and the manifold gauge set installed, a "low-side" pressure reading of 20psi over 150psi would indicate that your A/C system has a LOW CHARGE. The low reading of 150psi on the "high-side" gauge would be the tell tale that the system is doing very little work. A LOW CHARGE usually is an indicator that there is a refrigerant leak from a component on the "low" or "high-side" of the A/C system. A refrigerant leak in the system would have to be repaired for the A/C system to blow "cold air". TIP: REFRIGERANT DOES NOT WEAR OUT, IT LEAKS OUT. Some symptoms to look for a LOW CHARGE condition are:

1. Compressor clutch short cycling.
2. Clutch will not engage.
3. Little or no cooling.
4. Oily residue on hoses and components.

Leak Checking

For your A/C system to blow "cold air", refrigerant leaks will have to be found and repaired. Usually, leaks in an A/C system are minor and can be fixed with a screwdriver or hand tools. Most A/C systems use schrader valves for easy connection of the manifold gauge set. That said, these are no more than overgrown bicycle valves that use a valve core. When you are checking a system, the valves are the first place check for a leak. Other targets; such as, oil residue on hoses connected to the compressor is the second place that should be checked. TIP: When tightening the bolts to the suction and discharge ports of the compressor with hand tools, do not over tighten. Rubber 0-rings are placed on the suction and discharge ports of the compressor for sealing. The seals will create a leak when over tightened. Only tighten snug.

When your A/C system has a LOW CHARGE, a refrigerant charge will have to added to check for the leak. Refrigerant that contains a dye for leak checking a system is used for this purpose. The manifold gauge set, refrigerant, and a can tap valve will be needed to add refrigerant to check for a leak in the system.

Connect the manifold gauge set as discussed above. Connect the yellow hose to the can tap valve and front seat (turn clockwise) the valve. Close the blue gauge on the manifold gauge set. Open the valve on the can tap valve. Slowly open the valve on the blue or "low-side" gauge and let the refrigerant flow from the refrigerant can into the system until you see a reading of 60psi on the "low-side" gauge. TIP: Placing the refrigerant can in a pan of hot water will allow the vapor refrigerant to enter the A/C system quicker. WARNING: Do not invert the refrigerant can. Doing so will allow liquid refrigerant to enter the system resulting in a ruined compressor.

Professional A/C technicians use an electronic leak detector to find leaks in an system. Use a battery-powered UV leak detector kit and special UV glasses. This kit can be purchased at auto supply stores and Internet A/C supply store fronts.

The UV glasses should be worn when checking for leaks. Simply place the tip of the detector on a fitting or connection to each component to be checked in the A/C system. When a leak is found, a light greenish color will be seen through the UV glasses.

Air Flow

An often overlooked cause of your A/C system not blowing "cold air" is debris that clogs the condenser. Bugs, plastic bags, and leaves from city and highway driving will prevent air from passing through the fins of the condenser. The condenser should be cleaned with a cleaning solvent. Bent fins on the condenser should be straightened with a fin comb.

Restrictions

A restriction is a condition that is a blockage. Usually, it is traced to the outlet side of the condenser. Some form of debris has formed causing a restriction of refrigerant flow through the condenser tubes.. The passages in the tubes of most condensers that are used in compact cars and trucks are very small. An effective way to diagnose a restriction in your A/C system is the manifold gauge set. The "high-side" (red) gauge would move into the DANGER zone, over 300psi.

System Repairs

When a system has been opened, and a component removed, moisture has entered the system. For your A/C to blow "cold air", that moisture will have to be removed with the aid of a vacuum pump.

At this stage of the repair, you have two (2) choices to finish the repair of your A/C system. The first choice is take the car or truck to an A/C professional. At their shop, they will evacuate the system, check your work, and recharge the A/C system for a fee.

The second choice is to repair your A/C system yourself. You will need to borrow or buy a vacuum pump to finish the repair. A small 2-stage vacuum pump that is designed for automobile refrigeration systems is available for less than $100.00.

After replacing a component, moisture has entered the system during the repair. For the A/C system to blow "cold air" the moisture will have to be removed. Install the manifold gauge set to your car or truck service valves as described above. After repairs, your A/C system is evacuated and recharged by applying the below steps:

1. Blue hose to the "low-side" service valve.

2. Red hose to the "high-side service valve.

3. Yellow hose to the suction port of the vacuum pump.

4. Close the hand valve to the vacuum pump.

5. Back seat (open) the hand valves on the blue and red gauges of the manifold gauge set.

6. Connect the electrical power to the vacuum pump.

7. Open the hand valve on the vacuum pump.

8. Run the vacuum pump for three (3) minutes.

9. The needle on the "low-side" gauge (blue) show should be in a vacuum at 28.3hg.

10. A system with no leaks will pull a vacuum of 28.3hg in three (3) minutes.

11. If the needle of the blue gauge did not fall to 28.3hg, the evacuation will have to be aborted as there is a leak in your car or truck A/C system.

12. The leak will have to be found in the A/C system using the UV detector and UV glasses.

13. Once the leak has been found and repaired, continue the evacuation steps as described above for 25 minutes.

14. Front seat (close) the hand valves on the blue and red gauges and observe the needle on the blue gauge.

15. The needle should hold steady at 29hg, indicating a tight system with no leaks.

16. Any needle movement toward "0" on the blue "low-side" gauge would indicate a leak in the system and the evacuation would have to be aborted and conduct a search for the leak.

16.Look in the owners manual or service manual for the factory recommended refrigerant charge. It is usually from 16 to 28 ounces.

17.Attach the can tap valve to a can of refrigerant Make sure that the tap valve hand valve is front seated (closed).

18. Turn the A/C control switch to the "ON" position and blower switch to "high".

19. Start the engine and run at 1500rpm's.

20. Place the refrigerant can in a pan of hot water. Warning: Do not invert the can for this process as liquid would enter the system and ruin the reed valves of the compressor.

21. Continue this process until the factory charge (approximately 2 1/2 cans) has entered the system.

22. Shutoff your car or truck engine and let the A/C system stabilize. When the readings on the red and blue gauges are equal, remove the blue "low-side" hose from the service valve.

23. Restart the engine and remove the red "high-side" hose from the service valve.

24. Close the hood and take your car or truck for a three (3) mile test drive.

25. Place an instant read or digital thermometer in the vent register in the passenger compartment.

26. The temperature should range from 38 to 42 degrees F on a 90-degree day.

Tools and Materials

1. Manifold gauge set
2. Vacuum pump
3. Hand tools
4. Battery powered UV leak detector
5. Can tap valve
6. 134A refrigerant dye
7. 134A refrigerant
8. Instant read temperature thermometer
9. Digital temperature thermometer

Rebuild Your Engine Or Purchase a New Car?

For car owners, one of the worst things that can happen is that their engine blows out. If you have an older car and have been used to not having to make car payments, this can be doubly troubling because in many cases, it means that it's time to go out and purchase a new car. However, further investigation shows that this may not necessarily be the case. There are other options besides getting rid of the car and buying a new one. One of those options includes getting the engine rebuilt. In some cases this makes sense, in other cases, it does not. What one needs to do is take a close look at their situation and see which way makes best financially.

The advantage of using a rebuilt engine instead of purchasing a new car is obviously, not having to make car payments every month. Other advantages include the high quality of a re-built engine. They can be just as good, if not better, than the original one. They are also friendlier for the environment because they use recycled parts, and they have to be compliant with pollution standards. They also typically come with short warranties. So individuals can have any problems that come up, fixed.

If one's car is in pretty good shape and the only problem is the engine, then it may be good idea to simply purchase a rebuilt engine instead of buying a new vehicle. Because new cars often come up with unexpected costs, depreciate very fast, have more expensive insurance rates and taxes, it can be much cheaper to simply replace the engine instead of going out and purchasing a new car. Engines that are rebuilt also then get better gas mileage and this is even more advantageous considering the price of gas these days.

If one considers only price, they will find that a new car can be very expensive, especially when you consider all of the above costs. Suddenly, the $2500-$3000 that is necessary to get an engine re-built, doesn't seem as steep. Again, this is only the case, if you are confident they your car is in pretty good shape and the only problem is engine.

Depending on whether or not you are good with cars, you can rebuild the engine yourself and install it in your car. For those that have no desire do so, they can have it rebuilt professionally and it typically comes with a warranty that covers 12,000 miles or one-year. You will find some warranties that will cover the car for either three years or 36,000 miles. The best way to find a really good deal is to simply call around.

Discovering that one's engine has suddenly failed can be very distressing, especially if you really can't afford to be without a car. You will need to decide if you need to replace your car or if you simply need to get the engine rebuilt. A lot of this will be dependent upon the shape of the car and the cost of the repairs, as well as how much it will cost to purchase a new or used vehicle. It basically comes down to dollars and cents and what makes more sense financially for a particular individual.

Some Maintenance Ideas

Car repairs are serious. A repair order is a contract for work. Car repairs are very important for maintaining a car in a well-functional condition, and they are critical for preventing auto accidents. So, maybe it's worth to shut our eyes to those unpleasant aspects of tune-ups, and think what are the best options for car repairs? Car repairs are expensive, but by keeping your car well-maintained, being informed as a consumer and choosing your mechanic wisely, you can reduce those car repair bills significantly. Keep reading for 5 tips that will show you how to do just that.

Car repairs are something I don't enjoy paying for. I used to use garages to do the work, even though when I was first working, I didn't have much money to spare. Car repairs are costly. Ohio's repair rates increased by an average of 16.6% between 1995 and 1999, click here . Car repairs are the worst. Or at least always seem like it at the time.

Car repairs are another significant and unexpected expense. If the family car needs repair and it is the end of the month, when cash reserves are low, a family will have no choice but to reduce food intake to get the car back on the road in order to go to work. Car repairs are expensive and it seems that the majority of negative comments dealt with estimates and questions, not about actual work performed. It was a breeze dealing with them (and I hope I won't have to go back soon). Car repairs are available both on-base/post and on the economy. However, the availability of car parts for older non-Korean vehicles could be troublesome.

Car repairs are one example of these things that happen. When I take my car in, I know that I'm going to be spending money, and that it might be more than I've budgeted.

The engine parts kits we offer include complete tune-up kits, valve cover replacement kits, oil pump repair kits, timing cover replacement kits, timing kits, rocker arm kits and engine mount kits. After all, if a customer takes his bicycle in for a tune-up, he knows the bicycle mechanic won't install new spark plugs, but he does expect the bike to perform better when the work is completed. The brakes will be adjusted, the tires aired up, the chain oiled, and so on, all under the guise of a "tune-up.". Your vehicle may only require a standard tune-up. However, if you are experiencing any performance problems, advanced diagnostics may be needed.

Today's 100,000 mile tune-up interval also skirts around the issue of fuel and air filter replacement, too. A number of new cars and trucks now have "lifetime" fuel filters, most of which are located inside the fuel tank with the electric fuel pump. The tune-up is not a cure-all for an engine that has spun its last revolution?or has problems beyond that which can be cured by replacing a few worn out parts. Engine brake removal is a part of the process in the maintenance of your engine?s fuel injectors and valve settings, therefore it?s an ideal time to perform engine brake maintenance with a Pacbrake tune-up kit. Make safety a priority while saving time and money.

A good place to begin the tune-up is with the distributor cap. Note position of cap. When you take you car for a tune-up, you rightfully expect to get better mileage and performance after the tune-up is completed. You may not expect to get extended engine life thrown in, but anything done to make the engine more efficient will make it last longer.

The spark plugs are especially important because a worn spark plug will cause poor starting, rough idling, and poor gas mileage. Keep the gas tank as full as possible. More condensation will form in a half-full tank than in a three-fourths full tank. This switch shall allow the operator to select gasoline operation or LPG operation and shall be permanently marked. The operator shall not have to operate any other controls in switching from one fuel to the other, unless required by the conversion system manufacturer.

Before you travel in bad weather, check several resources to gather as much information as possible about the weather and road conditions. You and you alone are responsible for making the final decision to travel during periods of bad weather. If the temperature gauge or warning light does not indicate overheating, drive carefully to the nearest service station, keeping an eye on your gauge. If the odor is accompanied by a hot, metallic scent and steam from under the hood, your engine has overheated.

The cooling system protects against damage, keeping the engine operating within the correct temperature range. Surveys among auto mechanics indicate the cooling system is among the most neglected aspects of car care. These simple steps save you money by improving your vehicle's gas mileage and extending the life of your tires, while also reducing air pollution and preventing tires from being added to our waste streams. Xenon is the same gas found in photo flash tubes and in many lighthouse bulbs. The thrust from the engine is as gentle as the force exerted by a sheet of paper held in the palm of your hand.

Cheap Auto Repair

Auto repair is a headache for motorists all over the world. Repair and replacement of parts have become so costly that motorists are looking for cheap auto repair as an alternative to regular repair.

Many auto repair firms advertise to repair vehicles at cheap rates but they do this by using inferior parts and employing unskilled workers. Generally, specialized shops, including transmission repair and old car repair shops, offer cheaper auto repairs compared to general shops. There are even general repair shops that provide you quality repair at cheaper rates.

It is imperative that you discuss the exact nature of the repair job and take time with the mechanic before you actually launch the repair. Most of the modern vehicles have computerized monitoring systems, which help mechanics identify problems easily. Auto repair manuals and guides call tell you details of each repair job and the normal time taken for each. These manuals can be bought from auto parts shops in your neighborhood.

Online you can find many experienced mechanics advertising cheap auto repair. They do brake jobs for as little as $50.00 and many other repair jobs just as cheap. There are also part-time mechanics who do most of their work at their own house and are ready to do cheap auto repair on request.

Cheap auto repair is usually sought by people who are money-minded. Cheap repair has many drawbacks too. It is not reliable, and often functionality is not guaranteed. Mechanics doing cheap auto repair generally do not give proper attention and, in many cases, inferior parts are used. Cheap auto repair can lead to long-term problems that may sometimes cost you much more money in the long run.

Car Interior Repair

A new car does not need any car interior repair but as it grows older, you will need to pay special attention. The dashboard, leather items, carpets, seat covers, door panels, etc. need to be either replaced or repaired.

Start the car interior repair from painting the dashboard. First of all, remove all the parts that you can and wash them in warm water with dish soap added to it. Use a soft cloth to clean the other interior parts such as steering wheel, door panels, dashboard, etc. Cover the other areas then rub the plastic parts and affected area with a fine-grade sand paper. Again clean up and apply good quality of primer on the areas you want to paint. Allow to dry and finally apply the proper re-paint color that is specially designed for your car type. A vinyl repair kit is the best option or dash cover is good choice in case of ample damage. Many dash covers are available that can match the carpet color in your car.

The loose headliner at times may be irritating and awkward. The fabric headliners in old cars were not a big problem, but the flabby headliner in modern cars may be disturbing at times specially while driving the car. If not repairable you need to change the whole set and it might cost you a big amount if done from a specialist. The headliner material and replacement kits are easily available in the market and you can easily fix the problem without hiring the professional.

The carpets in your car play an important role in car interior repair. The faded and damaged carpets in your car give a dull feeling inside the car. Replacing the whole carpet on your own can be a good option. Its easy job and many replacement carpets are available in the market that will perfectly fit your car model. You just need to remove the seats, door still plates, center console, and seat belts. The old carpet can be easily removed if not pasted originally. If bonded with some material it may take some time. Finally clean up the floor surface and install the new carpet. You can even follow the detail instructions in the manual provided while buying the carpet.

The car interior repair is incomplete without repairing the damaged leather seat covers. If the tear is small, the vinyl sealant can simply do the job. A vinyl repair kit is available for larger tear. These kits are provided with filler paste in a variety of colors that can match your interior. Also, you have the option of fabric repair kits for small holes in your seat cover. Protecting your seats is vital because it plays a major role while selling the car. The impressive and well-maintained seat covers can always add a great value to your car.

It is not always the case that you need a professional to do the car interior repair. The minor problems can be solved on your own. All types of company kits and manuals are available in the market. Well, one thing is sure the minor problem is the cause of major difficulty in future. Hence, it is important to detect them and repair in the first stage itself.

Do It Yourself Auto Repair, Case Study #1

This is my first, in a series of many, case studies for the "Do It Your Self" (or DIY) vehicle repair folks out there. Additionally, this is some good information for Junior and Intermediate Level Automotive Technicians!

Some vehicle history first. We'll start off with calling the DIYer Jim. Jim was literally pulling his hair out. He needed to get his vehicle to pass the states emissions test in order to get a current Inspection Sticker. He borrowed a friends "mini scan tool" and got the code p0171, left bank lean. Meaning the left bank O2 sensor had "seen" a continuous lean condition and triggered a code to set in the PCM and turn on the Check Engine Light.

Jim is "web savvy", so he went online and did some homework. All the recommendations pointed to the left bank O2 sensor ("left" being the operative word!). He went to his local parts supplier and purchased the sensor. Jim replaced the O2 sensor, cleared the code and had his wife drive the vehicle for a few days. At approximately 75 miles later, the Check Engine Light came on and the same code was triggered.

Jim went back online and dug deeper. It was suggested that a possible cause could have been the vacuum lines had cracked and were leaking; causing this lean condition and/or the lower intake gasket had failed. These are common problems with this type of engine. He also verified this with some "mechanic friends" of his. (I'll comment on that later)

Well, Jim went all out! First he tackled the daunting task of replacing the lower intake gasket. Luck was not in his favor and in the process, two of the intake bolts hole threads stripped out.

After re-drilling and tapping the bolt holes, he got the lower intake gasket and the upper plenum gaskets replaced. Jim also replaced every vacuum line! He cleared the code and again had his wife drive the vehicle for a few days. At this point he thought he "nailed" the problem.

Once again, the nasty Check Engine Light came on at about 75 miles. Well you can imagine Jim's frustration level by now. He got my business card from his local parts supplier and gave me a call. When I arrived on site, his wife gave me Jim's written history and a list of what he wanted me to check (he's a meticulous guy!). Needless to say, I immediately connected my Scantool (I use an OTC Genysis) and noted that the O2 sensor 1/1 (left bank) was "fixed" lean. I also noted fuel trim on the left bank was "maxed" and on cold start the idle was very low.

I then shut down the engine, removed the air intake ducting and noted that the "left bank" O2 sensor was an original factory installed part. I restarted the vehicle, connected my lab scope and verified the O2 sensor's condition. (But I've got to say that I knew which side of the engine was "left" and which side was "right").

I think you see the "moral" to this story. Poor Jim had replaced the wrong O2 sensor; he'd gotten "bad advice" online AND from "mechanic friends" (who turned out to be really fellow DIYers and technicians with very little experience!). He was lead to believe that the "left" bank was in relation to the "drivers" side of the vehicle, when in fact the "left" side was really in relation to when you were standing in front of the vehicle FACING the front of the engine. (Simplified)

Lessons Learned: (I love this part, because if we all learn something new everyday ........ WE are all that much better!)

1. I'm going to say this over and over and over again ... Back to Basics! Yeah, these new cars can be complicated, when it comes to engine performance issues, start with the BASICS and then "move on" ie: verify which side of the engine is which!

2. Did I mention Back to Basics? (I'll stop now!)

3. Testing is the key to your successful diagnosis! And knowing what to test for is equally important. Lets review; Jim had a Scantool that displayed basic codes, monitor status and limited data stream. A simple test was: disconnect the O2 electrical connector and view which O2 was actually the cause. Suspected O2 was lean, disconnected O2 should read mid range, .4 -.5 vac. Or rev the engine to 2k rpm (in park!) and "view" the O2's "switching" from rich to lean.

4. Jim had the DIY manual for the vehicle AND a wiring diagram. A simple test (not definitive) is to test, with a digital multimeter,the voltage of the suspected O2 sensor(less than .40 vac is lean, greater than .40 vac is rich. This may have pointed him in the right direction!

(Though I don't recommend this unless you can find your way around a wiring diagram!)

5. Don't "lock yourself in" on the recommendations of others! Get some professional advice! Hey, this is the "New Millennium"and there are plenty of places out there to give you FREE advice.

Jim spent a good amount of money in vain and got a few grey hairs in the process. But, hopefully, he'll never forget this lesson and will learn from it. I've kept the testing procedures in the very broadest of terms, so please don't take them as the gospel truth. I recommend finding the component test information in your DIY manual or OEM manual first. When seeking advice ensure the person is a certified technician, either A.S.E. or OEM Factory trained.

Until next time,

Avoiding Costly Auto Air Conditioning Repairs - Some Small Tips That Can Save You Cash!

Auto air conditioning repair seems to be getting more and more difficult. There are a handful of individuals with the skill and know-how to take on this task but they seem to be a dying breed. Auto air conditioning is built in and around the engine of the car, so upkeep should be handled by a professional. For instance, do you know how much refrigerant does your car take? Auto air conditioning service and repair cannot be undertaken by just anyone, you need the right equipment and the knowledge to undertake such a repair. In some countries it is illegal to repair an air conditioning system even an auto A/C system has to be repaired by a licensed mechanic.

Automobile gas leak and the consequent resealing of the system. It has been observed, that a large percentage of older (4 years or older) cars, seem to have continual slow refrigerant leaking problems. Even when the leaks are identified and repaired, many are low on charge by the following summer. Leaks can be difficult to detect. Specialist equipment is necessary to find the leak and further equipment is needed to correctly recharge the system after repairs have been carried out.

Auto air conditioning repair is also one of the largest overcharged repairs on automobiles today. It is very common for repair bills to reach well over $1000. As you can see, there are some businesses that are taking advantage of consumers due to the specialist nature of the repair and the qualifications needed to do it properly. But do not despair there are honest repair technicians / businesses out there that will charge a fair price for the work carried out. Try to obtain quotes for the repair and do not make the mistake of settling for the first quote you receive.

Tip: During winter many motorists forget about their auto air conditioning because it isn't necessary to use it during those cold months. But did you know that using the air conditioning on the windscreen will clear any internal fogging very efficiently, and having the heater on at the same time stops you getting cold as well.

Tip: Using the auto air conditioner as noted above will also help to alleviate any need to re-gas the system. Why? Because an auto air conditioner compressor uses a seal on the drive shaft to keep the refrigerant from escaping. This seal works with the help of a thin film of oil, during winter the non use of the air conditioner allows the oil to dry up thus letting the refrigerant escape. The unknowing driver does not find out their system isn't functioning till summer arrives. Run your car air conditioner once every 2 weeks for a few minutes and you will have no problems or use it to defrost and defog your windscreen during winter.

Restoring a Car Engine? Use an Ultrasonic Cleaner

There's something magnificent about a beautifully restored antique classic automobile. One look under the hood of a 1930 Model 734 Packard Rumble Seat Roadster or something like Amelia Earharts' 1931 Reo and you have to think, "They sure don't build them like that anymore!"

While many of us can't afford the classic cars of the 1920s or 30s there are those who like to work on old engines, coaxing new life into a recalcitrant block of 4, 6 or 8 cylinders as part of our own auto restoration project. Since it has to run to have worth, an automobile engine is usually first to be tackled. An ultrasonic cleaner is the best friend a restoration fanatic can have for a project like this.

Ultrasonic cleaners are widely used to clean engines of most any size and shape. They replace the old-fashioned solvent degreasers used in neighborhood garages of yesteryear. Perhaps you recall seeing mechanics holding engine parts under a faucet and manually scrubbing away grit, grease and grime as the solvent is re-circulated through a filter-equipped holding tank.

Now mechanics place disassembled engine parts in an ultrasonic bath. Yes, we're talking carburetors, fuel pumps, oil pumps, pistons, connecting rods, crankshafts, camshafts, bearings, all the various gears, chains and components that together comprise an internal combustion engine and for that matter, transmissions and differentials too. The magic of cavitation does the work faster, much more efficiently and safely than any amount of hand scrubbing in a volatile solvent.

Why an Ultrasonic Cleaner Cleans so Clean

Like the old solvent cleaning system an ultrasonic cleaning system consists of a tank that holds the ultrasonic cleaning solution. Biodegradable and safe, the solutions usually come in concentrated form and are diluted to manufacturers' specifications. Along with the tank an ultrasonic cleaner consists of an ultrasonic generator and ultrasonic transducers that are firmly attached to the bottom or sides of the tank.

When the unit is turned on the ultrasonic transducers create billions of microscopic bubbles in the cleaning solution. Engine parts are placed in a mesh basket, on a rack, or otherwise suspended in the solution and the cleaning cycle begins as the bubbles implode with tremendous force upon contacting the parts. Dirt, grime, grease, carbon deposits - all contaminants are stripped off of the parts without damaging them.

So tiny are the cavitation bubbles that they penetrate cracks, crevices and blind holes - areas impossible to reach by manual scrubbing.

At the end of the cleaning cycle parts are removed, rinsed and dried. A rust inhibitor is applied and the parts are ready for reassembly.

Operating Tips

Because it contains air, fresh ultrasonic cleaning solution should be degassed by letting the cleaner operate in a degas mode for at least 10 minutes before immersing the parts into the solution. This is because air bubbles interfere with cavitation action and slow the cleaning process.

Oils and residues that rise to the surface should be skimmed off and safely recycled. Filters can trap other contaminants and should likewise be safely disposed of. Used biodegradable solutions can be disposed of in sanitary drains. The tank itself should be periodically cleaned according to manufacturers' recommendations.

The "Check Engine Light" in My Car Keeps Coming On - What Does this Light Mean?

Reader Question: My check engine light came on the other day what should I do? Will it hurt my car if I continue to drive it?
Thanks James

Dear James,

I hear this line at least once a week. The instrument panel on most cars is absolutely cluttered with warning indicator lights and buzzers. These lights are color-coordinated so that different colors indicate the severity of the potential problem. As you start the car, all of the lights should come on, and as the computer verifies each component is working properly, the light is turned off. You should only be concerned with lights that remain on for several minutes after the car has been started. Check engine or service engine soon lights can be tricky to repair, so a little help on your part could really save the mechanic some diagnostic time, and save you some money!

Treat check engine lights-service engine soon lights, and all dash lights like traffic signals. A Red Warning light indicates an immediate danger. Pull over, turn off the car immediately and assess the problem. Symptoms that usually cause red warning lights are engine over-heating, low oil pressure, transmission over-heating, low battery voltage, and brake failure.

Red lights can also indicate a safety issue, so proceed with caution as you maneuver to stop the vehicle. Unfortunately, when the red light is illuminated the problem is at its peek. It can be a matter of seconds before permanent engine damage occurs.

Some common things to look for when a red light comes on are:

* low anti-freeze, engine oil, and transmission fluid levels

* low brake fluid

* missing belts

* faulty alternator that is not charging the battery or a bad battery

To decode check engine lights, you really need a quality repair manual like those provided at ALLDATA. They include troubleshooting procedures, Recall Information and Technical Service Bulletins. Click Here to get your manual today and find out what that check engine light really means.

A Yellow Warning light, (Usually a Service engine soon light) indicates "Proceed with caution." The onboard computer system has indicated a potential problem and is alerting the driver. This computer system resets and re-tests all sensors and indicators each time the car is started. The computer system is capable of correcting some minor abnormalities, but if the light continues to come on after multiple car starts, it is probably sensing something that would imply a visit to the diagnostic mechanic is in order.

Some common things that may cause a yellow light (Service engine soon light) to come on, but will probably require an experienced technician to diagnose are:

* anti-lock brake systems

* safety restraint systems, such as air bags

* emissions components

* computer-related problems, such as faulty sensors

If you are driving your car and a yellow light comes on, ask yourself these questions:

1. Did you notice problems when starting the car? (slower to start than normal..etc.)

2. Have you noticed a decrease in fuel mileage recently?

3. What is the over-all running condition of the car? Is the engine misfiring or not performing like normal? Are there any new noises from under the hood? Turn off the radio and listen closely as you drive the car.

4. Do you notice any odors, such as a rotten egg smell, or see visible smoke from the tail-pipe or from under the hood?

Make sure to note the exact location and wording of the light that has been coming on, because Murphy's Law dictates that the light will suddenly not come on when you take it in to the repair shop.

In some cars, "engine" is the more serious red light, whereas others use "check engine light," which is a yellow caution light. If the mechanic thinks you are seeing a yellow "check engine light," and your car is indicating a red "engine" danger light, this could be a costly mistake for both of you. Why? You could be having a serious over heating problem and the mechanic is assuming you are having a less serious caution light illuminating. The mechanic then might give you the "green light" (no pun intended) to proceed with your out of town road trip with the kids. Yikes!

Start the car, and point to the light to ensure good communication of the problem. Intermittent dash warning lights can be a pain and hard to diagnose! Diagnosing the problem in some cases will require the light to be on while the mechanic performs the diagnostic test. If the light is not on when you bring the car to the shop, you might be wasting your time and the mechanic's.

SIDE NOTE: Keep a "running condition and dash light" log in your car to help the mechanic pin point the root of the problem. I have a customer who keeps such an accurate log of her cars' complaints that sometimes I can diagnose the problem correctly with the help of her log and by taking her along on my initial test drive.

I can do my diagnosis usually without opening the hood to her car. This saves me time and she saves money on a diagnostic charge. This customer can also hold me to my warranty time period, because she had this particular complaint written in her log book.

Most Common Auto Repairs

Owning a car can be something of a double-edged sword. On the one hand, you cannot imagine daily life without this source of tremendous convenience. On the other, the repair schedule and expenses can occasionally be brutal enough to send you running back to public transit. Thankfully there is a middle ground, and it relies on nothing more complex than a basic understanding of common car repairs. If you have found yourself wondering whether those mechanics' estimates may be a bit suspicious, some basic education can go a long way toward saving your finances in the future.

Cars are notoriously complex machines, given to wear and malfunction in countless areas. From dings in the body down to the tiniest catalytic converter, the vehicles we drive are as intricate as they are pricey. Only a few main areas seem to require attention year after year, however - master these and you can expect lower bills and a more successful ownership experience.

The most common repair is most likely the brakes. This is, after all, a part that was designed specifically to wear down and disappear over time. Whether your car uses pads or disks, it is important to get detailed information about how much wear you are looking at. Responsible ASE-certified auto shops will most likely give you a percentage of material remaining, making it far easier to decide when it's time for a replacement part. If the problem is something more substantial - blocked fluid lines or a defective booster, for instance - you will want to call around for different estimates before committing to an expensive process.

Engine problems are the second most common type of repairs, especially when you consider just how many parts are covered by this umbrella category. From issues with the fuel lines to a mis-choked carburetor, engine repair can run well into three and even four figures. Taking swift action is inevitably less expensive than waiting, however - that "check engine" light isn't decoration, and it's not unusual for problems such as these to quickly snowball into major mechanical failures. Experts recommend getting off the road and to a trusted mechanic at the first sign of engine trouble.

Countless other problems can arise in the daily operation of your car, from suspension and tire pressure failures to problems with the transmission, electrical system and climate control. Practiced mechanics and savvy customers know the best way to save money on repairs such as these is to do some comparison shopping and keep a vigilant eye out for pricing scams. Speak to friends about their experiences if you are on the hunt for a new repair shop, and be sure to check Better Business Bureau files to avoid sources of common compliant.

One of the few consistent truisms about owner a car is that you will almost never see the same problem twice. Good research, sound preventive maintenance and an informed perspective on the repair business should keep you driving at minimal expense for years to come.

Learn About Managing an Oil Pressure Switch

The right amount of oil and pressure is essential for the smooth operations of the engine. In terms of fuel economy and managing costs, you need to check the oil level regularly. If you do not manage the oil issues properly, you can lose thousands of dollars in repairs. Again, any heating system that is maintained with oil requires the right pressure. This allows the system to work efficiently at all times.

The right amount of oil and pressure is essential for the smooth operations of the engine. In terms of fuel economy and managing costs, you need to check the oil level regularly. If you do not manage the oil issues properly, you can lose thousands of dollars in repairs. Again, any heating system that is maintained with oil requires the right pressure. This allows the system to work efficiently at all times.

Oil Pressure Switch in Cars

Almost all the cars are equipped with the gauge or light that is connected to the oil pressure switch. This tends to flash and change color if there is a problem. You need to immediately pull over and turn off the engine. Let it cool down so you eliminate the risk of the engine seizing up.

The switch basically works by triggering the light or gauge if the pressure drops below a specific level. In the newest models, you will find that at any point if the pressure drops below 10 pounds the light will go off. If the light continues to blink then you will require refilling of oil after checking the level.

Occasionally when you start the car you will see the oil pressure gauge light up and it goes off in a few minutes. This is because a cool engine does not have a lot of pressure. At this point, you may think that the switch is broken. However, give it a few minutes before you make a change.

Replacing the Faulty Oil Pressure Switch

If you feel that the switch is no longer working, it needs instant replacement. The small gadget can allow you thousands of dollars of savings in car maintenance and repair.

It is easy to shop online or go to a car parts store. Within a few minutes, you can choose the right oil pressure switch for your vehicle. With a little insight on the model number, you really don't need to go to a mechanic or car dealer. This saves you a lot of money when you're considering replacement.

It is very easy to check the oil level to top it up. You simply need to locate the oil tank. Just check the owner's manual and you can find the location. If you do not have an owner's manual then you can check online on the manufacturer's website.

Changing the Switch Manually

In order to change the oil pressure switch yourself, you need to have a basic mechanical background. Generally it is located right next to the oil filter in the vehicle spirit you require a special socket to unscrew this switch. Once you replace it, screw it back tightly and it will work perfectly.

3 Easy Steps to Growing Your Offline Business Online

I often get asked "what is the best way to promote a small offline business on the internet?" There are so many answers to this question I would almost need to write a novel, but if I had to narrow it down, there would be three "musts" that will be the backbone of your internet marketing strategies.

The Top 3 Small Business Marketing Strategies Are:

Create A Business WordPress Blog. With the technology today and the existence of some pretty fantastic plug-ins, it is possible to do the majority of your business marketing through your blog. You can do social bookmarking and micro-blogging on sites like Twitter and Facebook automatically from your blog. Article publishing is possible through the blog as well with the right plug-ins installed. On-page SEO is very easy with WordPress so you can invite the search engines to visit the site often to index your content. Today, WordPress is almost like business management in a box.
Link building. Creating a network of high profile inbound links to your small business website can mean the difference between appearing on page 10 in the search engines and appearing on page one. Since the goal is to get traffic to your website to generate more new business, the higher up the search engine placement you can get, the more traffic you will receive. These links can also grab traffic from the sites they are placed on. If the site is relevant to your niche and gets a good amount of traffic itself, you may receive referral traffic from your link.
Forums and Community Sites. Joining forums and community user-groups is a great way to generate awareness of your business. These sites are filled with your potential customers. Almost all of the members of these groups have a common interest or situation. The old saying is that "birds of a feather flock together" and this is true of forums and user-groups. Becoming an active member within these communities will create a word of mouth referral system for your business. Be actively involved, not a sales person. Form friendships and be helpful to all. This is one of the fastest ways to gain authority status and become the go-to person within your niche market.

This will form the foundation of your online business. If you do nothing else, although I do not recommend that, these three methods will go a long way to creating an online presence for your business and begin sending traffic to your website. Of course, the more traffic you get the more sales you should make if you have made a highly converting website...but that is a topic for another article.

When We Need Car Repairs - How to Know When Our Car Needs Repair

Cars are products that should be taken care of, just like humans and any other products in the market that have a multiple of systems working in them. The consequences of not taking care of your car would be catastrophic, and not to mention expensive. Drivers are lucky however, as the systems within a car has ways to indicate and show the driver that something is wrong, provided the driver keeps an eye out for deficiencies. So how would one know if his or her car needs to be repaired or a part needs to be replaced?

Signs to Look Out For:

1 - Tyres / Tires

In terms of handling and tires, you can detect deficiencies in this segment when the car starts wobbling or you lose grip when driving on the road. If your car veers to the side while you are driving, chances are that you need to get your tires re-aligned and balanced. Other symptoms include vibrating or shaking steering wheel, lack of grip during rainy days or during cornering. If you are losing grip, you should probably check the condition of the tires (tire pressure, thread condition) or even the suspension system.

2 - Oil filter leakage

If you experience oil leakages from the engine, you could probably be facing a leaking oil filter. If you are facing jerking problems while you drive, your air filter might be clogged, or probably it is time to change your spark plugs.

3 - Transmission system

You should look at repairing or replacing your cars transmission system if one of the following occurs. Firstly if your car is not moving smoothly and you are experiencing bumpy rides. Secondly if you smell burning rubber, which may be hardened rubber seals and gaskets within the transmission system. Thirdly if you drive a manual and you find gear shifting to be difficult. Or if you find that your transmission fluid is leaking, make sure you head to a qualified mechanic to get the transmission system checked out.

4 - Electrical system - Car Battery or Alternator?

How about the electrical system of a car? This would first be indicated by cranking and starting problems if your battery is in need of repair or replacement. Or else your alternator might be facing issues to charge your battery. Check on the charging system by turning on the headlights and checking for dim lights. If they are indeed dim, that means you have to get your alternator looked at.

To conclude, your car would definitely give indications when something needs to be replaced or repaired. It is up to you to read the signs right and take appropriate action to avoid long-term damage on your car.

Auto Air Conditioning Repair

Auto air conditioning repair is often compared to a detective's job. Problems may occur in any part of the air conditioner and at times it is not possible to identify the exact nature of the problem, hence it becomes necessary to contact a mechanic who is well versed in the repair of an air conditioning system.

Auto air conditioning may be damaged by leakage in systems, low level of refrigerants, clogging in condensers, and failure of compressors. Some of the problems are simple and can be handled on your own. Some others need technicians to perform the task. To facilitate this, a number of auto repair shops are available. Along with basic auto mechanic tools, some specialty tools are also needed, this depends on the type and area where repairing services are needed. Air conditioning repair manuals serve as ideal companions when repairs are needed.

There are certain facts one must know about auto air conditioning repair. A/Cs are designed to keep the vehicles cool. The repairers must be familiar with five important components, such as compressor, refrigerant, condenser, expansion valve, and dryer or evaporator. In some vehicles, accumulator and orifice tubes are used instead of expansion valves and dryers. One must have a detailed knowledge of the whole mechanism involved in air conditioning systems.

A proper mechanic can check out leakages without pulling the machine parts apart. In addition to basic components, other accessories including switches, fuses, wires, and fan belts are checked as part of auto air conditioning repair.

Auto air conditioning repair is quite expensive. Most of the auto part stores sell air conditioning parts at a high cost. Hence, expenditure is high even if repairs are carried out by vehicle owners themselves.

Luxury Auto Sales Hit With Consumers in China

Dozens of carmakers lined up their newest products at a recent luxury car show in Beijing that has brought out China's curious and most wealthy. The Chinese are a hard working culture and enjoy personal rewards such as high-end cars. Luxury car sales in China have soared in recent years, becoming one of the fastest growing segments of the market, even outselling the United States. Automakers sold 13.4 million vehicles last year, a vast majority of these going to Chinese consumers, making them the world's largest auto consumer.

In the first few hours of the Beijing Auto Show, where nearly 1,000 vehicles have gone on display, two Rolls Royce cars were sold, each fetching prices of around $1.3 million dollars or nine million yuan. Ferrari also showed off a new limited edition 599 GTO model. The Italian sports car maker has made only 599 of these cars, which can reach 335 kilometers per hour or 220 miles per hour, making it Ferrari's fastest consumer car. For those who have a Ferrari fetish, you may be disappointed to know that all of the cars have already been sold, including 20 in China. Ferrari would not publicly divulge the price of their new 599 GTO.

China has the second highest number of billionaires in the world after the United States. The Chinese are getting very rich, very quickly and they are willing to spend their hard earned money on the most luxurious goods. The Chinese are auto enthusiasts who love to drive and they love their chosen brands. Successful entrepreneurs like to purchase items to show their wealth.

The Chinese market has been the savior for foreign automakers, as sales remained strong during the North American recession. Carmakers are expecting strong sales growth in the Chinese market in the following years ahead. Aston Martin, a British sports carmaker, entered the Chinese market in 2007 and had record sales, making it their top market over an 18-month period, while Ferrari sold more than 200 cars in China last year. Rolls Royce has developed an extra long car for the chauffeur driven Chinese market and expects sales to more than triple to 300 and 400 cars, which would make it the number two market in the world.

The auto show also featured 65 concept cars and 95 alternative energy vehicles. You may or may not be in the market for a new luxury car, but if you are in need of some money and you own your vehicle, car title loans are easy to obtain and are available through private financers.

Estimate Car Repair Costs

Having an accident is probably the worst thing that could happen to you and it's something that could appear anytime. Even though you drive carefully below the speed limits or even when your car is stopped someone who is not paying attention slams into your car. Your car could also be damaged by natural disasters and you can't predict these things.

If you want to have less worries you could always choose a good auto insurance policy but usually insurance companies solve problems pretty slow, and you probably want your car fixed and running as fast as possible. But if you need a quick solution you have to know that car repairs can get expensive and you always have to search the best repairs for your money. You should always estimate car repair costs before choosing a company that would repair your car. There could appear several cost differences for repair prices in different areas of a country and you should always pick the best choice for you.

If you have a scratched hood, small engine problems, smashed bumper or slightly damaged side skirts, these are problems that could be repaired easily and pretty cheap. But you have to know that minor repairs are pretty inexpensive, but when it comes to severe car damage then you surely have to be really careful when you estimate your car repair costs. There are some companies that overcharge you for your car repair and you surely don't want that to happen.

A car repair estimate has six major headings: your information and your vehicle information, replacement parts needed for the repair, labor cost, miscellaneous charges, flat fees and a summary of charges. The labor cost is the number of hours spent to repair multiplied with the hourly charge of the car service. You should always check the car repair estimate to ensure that you won't be overcharged.

In the end, if you're careful when you're choosing a repair company, you could get your car back faster and you could always get a good repair price.

Troubleshooting Ignition Misfires

Diagnosing and correcting a misfire that develops on the track can be far more frustrating than trying to figure out why a car will not start. There are, however, some similarities between trying to determine the cause of a miss and why a car will not start.

Troubleshooting misfires can be nerve wracking. Is it really ignition related or is it a fuel problem causing the misfire?It may be caused by a mechanical problem within the engine or even a cooling system problem. Other than mentioning the need to check for a blown or leaking head gasket and a bad or low-pressure radiator cap, we will not dwell on the engine internals. However, cooling system problems are responsible for over 20 percent of "ignition problems."

Fuel system problems are more often than not attributed to ignition problems. Before delving too deeply into the ignition, rule out any basic fuel system maladies: A fuel pressure gauge will identify a weak fuel pump, clogged fuel filter, or collapsed fuel line. A warped carburetor base, worn throttle shaft, or other vacuum leaks will show up as a lean condition. A clogged main jet may pass a visual inspection if it is blocked by a piece of sand or clear plastic. If in doubt, use a piece of thin wire to make sure that the jet is not clogged. A blown power valve should be obvious from an overly rich exhaust.

In the early days of the automobile, good wire insulation was poor at best. Some early engines even used bare metal for spark plug "wire." In those early times, simplicity was the norm and wires were routed as neatly as railroad tracks. Today, wiring has become more complex. Insulation quality has improved many times over, allowing wires to be bundled and be more tightly routed. Unfortunately, high voltage and high impulse carrying wires are bundled with signal wires that carry pulses that are affected by high voltage much the same as a compact car is buffeted by a tractor-trailer on the highway. Critical signals are corrupted or lost. This can result in a misfire.

A short checklist will help in determining the source of the problem:

· Using solid-core spark plug wires, including the coil wire, can induce an unwanted signal into the ignition amplifier, causing the amplifier to trigger at the wrong time.

· Poor connections on either end of coil and / or spark plug wires may cause a misfire.

· Bad crimps or connectors not seating on the plug or in the coil can both cause problems.

· Sometimes, a little moisture inside the plug wire boot turns to steam and blows the wire off. A thin film of oil will reduce corona and will help the moisture to escape.

· Spark plug wires must be separated. If possible, do not run them parallel to each other.

· In rare instances, having the coil mounted too close to the amplifier can cause problems.

· Do not run the coil secondary wire through the firewall with the distributor leads or the alternator lead as this can cause erratic operation due to "noise bleed over."

· A weak ignition can cause a misfire, reduced power, or poor performance. This may be the result of a low battery or a malfunctioning alternator.

· Poor power connections, or wires and connectors that are too small can reduce ignition output.

· A master switch not rated for the application can restrict current flow enough to cause poor operation.

· Weak or damaged ignition components may work satisfactorily with a well-charged battery and cool conditions, but when the battery loses its surface charge or the box heats up, misfiring will occur. Low voltage and higher temperatures both require the ignition to work harder.

· Parts store switches might work well for a 10-amp blower or a 100-watt light but the ignition switch on current racecars may need less than 100 milliamps. This small amount of current may not burn through a thin film of moisture or across an oxidized set of contacts. Quality switches are a better and more reliable choice. A Mil-Spec number on a switch gives you, or the supplier, a reference where you can check and compare the qualities and capabilities of a given switch. Make sure that the switch you have chosen or are using will work well in your application. A $5 parts store switch may work most of the time, but do you use supermarket motor oil in your race engine?

Misfire or Stumble

A voltmeter in the dash of the car helps you or the driver diagnose a problem. It can alert the driver to a malfunction before it develops into a misfire. If the alternator quits, proper power management may allow you to finish the race with all electrical power coming from the battery. To accomplish this, all non-essential electrical consumption needs to be curtailed as soon as possible after the alternator quits. If the tach starts jumping, or the car starts missing, it probably too late to start a meaningful conservation of power. How the engine acts, combined with when and where on the track the engine skips, misses, or flattens out are all factors that may be used to diagnose problems.

Some factors to consider when determining the cause of a load or RPM induced misfire:

What is the battery voltage when the problem occurs? Twelve volts or less? Or between 13.5 to 14.5 volts? A12-v misfire normally indicates a lack of reserve power. To remedy this type of problem, you can reduce the spark plug gap, retard the timing, and install an alternator or 16-volt battery.

A misfire at 14.5-volt is a little bit more complex. Does the tach fluctuate or get erratic? Does the problem occur early in the race or practice, or is it always after the midpoint in the race?

Always have a box and coil known to be good, along with an emergency or test harness and a direct coil-to-distributor wire available. If, after changing these components, the problem does not go away, look for a bad ground or a battery problem. Which way do the plates in the battery face? They should be aligned from left to right to prevent shorting in the turns due to centrifugal force. Where on the track does the problem occur? Diving into a turn? Off the turn or midway down the straight?

If a problem develops over time (10 or more laps), replacing components may "fix" the problem until everything heats up or the battery loses its surface charge. Tachometer operation may indicate the source of an ignition problem. An erratic tachometer reading or a zero reading may indicate a loose connection or low battery voltage.

Auto Repair Manuals

If you are an amateur auto mechanic who loves to dig in the car engines until the wee hours while most people are under their blankets, entails the spirit of the "do-it-yourself" -doer and are not afraid to get grease on your hands or if you are in an emergency situation, a very handy resource is the availability of the right auto repair manuals.

There are two types of car repair manuals:

Online downloadable manualsPrinted manuals

Online Manuals

The best thing about online manuals are that whatever manual you'll need for whichever car brand, it is only a few mouse clicks away; you can load it down from the internet in no time.

If the time is a significant factor for you, for instance if you are in a situation that requiers repair information immeadeatlY and your knowledge about the specific problem is limited, the fastest and cheapest solution is to go online to find high quility vehicle repair manuals.

Some of these manuals include not only repair information, but also updated technical service information and some of them even include aproximate business hours. This is valuable info if you decide to take your car to a mechanic: You'll know in advance how much you could expect to pay for the repair. Most of these websites charge a minor fee for their service, but compared to what you'll get back, it is worth it.

Good vehichle repair manual sites also features updated diagnostic and maintenance information. Their manuals are Original Service Manuals Written by the manufacturers and contains the original workshop repair descriptions. Therefore many professional auto technicians are using quality downloadable manuals. .

Good manuals contain thousands of pages of diagrams and all the necessary detailed information for the specific vehicle and car part repair.

Printed manuals

I have chosen to make a breif review of three of the best printed motorcar fixing manuals available on the market today. If you chose these instead of the online alternative, expect some time for shipping and handling.

Bentley

the target is the experienced mechanic, and is considered by many experts as the hands-down best reference.

probably the most detailed car repair book available

Unfortunately, Bentley focuses on European models mostly, not US models.

Factory

The target for these service manuals are factory certified mechanics, and unfortunately not amateurs

may require access to special tools only available to authorized mechanics.

Chilton

Simple step-by-step procedures, easy-to-follow standard format
their targeted audience is the average, general backyard mechanic

focusing on maintenance and basic repairs

containing lots of sequential photographs and graphics to simplify maintenance and thus make the job easy and fun.

new cars are treated with thorough attention. Older cars however, get lumped together and the instructions for these are a little more generalized.

Free Online Auto Repair Manual

Getting free online auto repair manuals is going to help you save a lot of money. It is expensive enough to buy parts to fix your car. Your labor is worth something as well and it gets very expensive so getting free manuals can help you to lower your repair bill overall. Use the internet to help you get the one that fits your model car.

It is important that you decide what type of manual you are going to need. There are general maintenance manuals that can help you to do simple repair task such as changing the oil or other fluids in your car. If you are doing something more complicated such as changes an alternator then you will want a free manual that is specific for your car so that you know where the part located and how to remove it.

There are manuals that deal with segmented issues. For example if you are having a problem with your brakes then you can get help just in that area. Maybe you have a general exhaust issue and you can get a book that will tell you how to correct that problem as well. You can see that it is important to determine what issue you are having with your vehicle so that finding the right repair guide will be easy.

Remember that when you are in need to a auto repair manual you need to search online and find one for free. Fixing your car can be expensive so saving money any where you can is a good option for you. Use the internet to help you find one that fits your cars make and model. If you are in need of a general repair guide then you can search for that as well.

DIY Tune Up and Misfire Codes - Top 10 Misfire Causes

Tune ups are not required on today's vehicles nearly as often as they were in the past. Most vehicles today, no longer have distributors (with points) and carburetors. A tune up used to consist of much more than it does today, with technology and innovative design vehicles require much less attention from us when it comes to maintenance items affecting the engine's performance. The car's computer is running thousands of tests everyday to insure optimum performance. If the SES (Service Engine Soon) light comes on, the computer is telling you there's a problem. Today I cover what a tune up consists of and the most common causes of misfire codes being set or stored in your car's computer. Also, in this article read on to find out why my friend with an old Chrysler lean burn system used to carry a big stick! 

What a Tune Up Used to Be

In cars during the 60's and 70's a minor tune up consisted of replacing the spark plugs, distributor cap, rotor, points and condenser. The timing and dwell would also be set if needed. Back then a major tune up would also include spark plug wires and adjusting the carburetor. Computerized cars no longer need all of this attention! Electronic ignition and fuel injection in today's cars have almost completely banished the use of distributors. And practically the only place you'll find a carburetor is in a dinosaur or a hot rod. Today spark plugs typically last from 60 to 100,000 miles (sometimes less if there's a misfire). Computers control the mixture of fuel and air to the cylinders so efficiently that a car that floods today, is a rare one indeed. Don't get me wrong there were some growing pains in the 80's with carburetors that still needed adjustment and computer systems that never really allowed some cars to run very well from day one. I had a friend with a 1980 Chrysler equipped with a lean burn system that worked in conjunction with a feedback carburetor, it caused him many headaches. The lean burn computer was mounted on the air cleaner housing. He discovered that when the car wouldn't run, it only took a light tap on the computer to make it work again. Instead of switching back to a conventional carburetor or relocating the computer away from the heat of the engine like many people did back then; he found that carrying a stick in the car, would allow him to stand outside, reach the stick under the hood and tap the module while he turned the ignition switch to start the engine!

Cars Today

Misfire codes (including P0301, P0302, P0303, P0304, P0305, P0306, P0307 & P0308) indicate that there is a misfire in a cylinder, the last number indicates which cylinder has the problem. If something is causing a miss in random cylinders or is affecting all of them, a P0300 misfire code will be stored in the car's computer. It's always smart to begin with the basics. Also consider the mileage and service history when diagnosing a misfire. Higher mile vehicles are more inclined to have mechanical issues with the engines, like low compression from worn valves or rings etc. Any accompanying codes should also be considered in case they may be related. If the spark plugs are worn (excessive gap) or the car is past due for a tune up, it may be smart to go ahead and start with spark plugs and spark plug wires and go from there.

The most common misfire causes on the cars I've worked on have been:

Spark plugs
Spark plug wires
Ignition coil
Fuel injector
Wiring to fuel injector
Timing Belt
Vacuum leak or stuck open EGR
Contaminated fuel or bad fuel pump
Weak compression
Blown head gasket

Obviously there are many different types of cars, so a service manual for the specific one that you are working on may be required to help pinpoint the misfire you're looking for, but hopefully this will direct you to some of the most common causes of misfires in cars of today.

My Car Won't Start and Makes a Clicking Noise

Nothing is more aggravating than walking out to your car Monday morning and finding it won't start. Instead, all you hear is a click noise when turn the ignition key. What's the problem?

If you are unfamiliar with how a car works, you might immediately assume the clicking noise means the engine is dead. It is obvious that power is being turned on, so the lack of even a vibration or jerk would indicate the engine is frozen up, right? Fortunately, the answer is no. Instead, you have an equally aggravating problem somewhere in your starter assembly, but the good news is it will cost a lot less to fix.

There could be a myriad of problems when you hear a clicking noise when starting a car. The first step is to start with the easy things. Check to see if your battery has a charge. Next, check the battery cables to make sure the hookups are not corroded. Corrosion can put a damper of the flow of electrical current and can be the entire problem.

If everything looks okay, the problem may be the solenoid. The what?! The solenoid is essentially a switch that turns the starter on and off. When your car is just sitting off in the driveway, the solenoid is receiving a current from the battery, but it does not pass it on to the starter. When you flip the ignition, a small current signals the solenoid to let the current through to the starter. The starter then turns over. When you have a solenoid that is going bad, the switch can get tweaked and not let the current through correctly. Since the electrical current isn't enough to fire up the starter, the engine doesn't fire. In some cars, it just makes a clicking noise.

Assuming your solenoid is okay, the problem is most likely going to be your starter. The starter takes a lot of strain when it turns over the car. Sooner or later, it is going to have problems. The starter is usually very sensitive to human emotions. If it senses you need to get somewhere in a hurry, it will usually choose that moment to go bad!

Is there some easy way to tell what the problem is? Well, easy is a relative term, but you can do a bypass test. The idea is to bypass the solenoid with the electrical current from the battery. If the starter terms normally, the solenoid is the problem. If it doesn't, the starter is the problem.

You'll notice I didn't mention anything about testing the ignition switch. It is very rare for them to go bad. If you hear clicking when you turn the ignition on, the problem is not the ignition for the very reason that you are hearing something!

A car that won't start is a pain in the derriere. That being said, fixing it is usually not expensive, so things could definitely be worse. 

How to Know When to Replace Or Repair Your Auto Upholstery

When a person drives a car, there is a direct experience with the cabin. The driver doesn't really have contact with the car's engine or even with the car's fuel tank. But a driver sits in the seat of a car for hours each day.

That's why it's a good idea to keep your auto upholstery maintained. And it's not always enough for you alone to keep your auto upholstery in good shape. Sometimes you need to bring in some auto upholstery professionals to do some replacing or repairing.

How do you know when to replace or repair your auto upholstery? Here's how.

Your car is more than 10 years old.

If your car is more than ten years old, it's a pretty good idea to do a spot check of your auto upholstery. Look closely for tears, rips and stains. Check under the floor mats and in between the seats. If you have a convertible, carefully inspect the car's top. Auto upholstery repair shops specialize in making the cabin of your car look great, so don't be shy about finding every little thing that needs to be fixed.

You have kids or pets

Kids or pets can do a little bit of their own "work" on your auto upholstery, and you may not even realize anything is happening. Carefully inspect leather seats for small punctures. And look at cloth tops for little rips. And always look for stains.

You've recently been in an accident.

Car accidents can wreak havoc on both the inside and outside of your car. The first thing you may notice is any damage that's been done to the windshield. And that's fine because many auto upholstery shops fix windshields. You may then notice any damage from debris that made contact with the seats or floors.

You sleep or take naps in your car.

Find yourself lounging back in your convertible or hard topped car often? Your auto upholstery may be due for some repair. Often the weight of our bodies can begin to wear car seats down, and make them look older and worn. If you toss and turn while napping in your car, oils or moisturizers from your hair can quickly transfer onto your car's seats and cause stains that are very difficult to remove. So if you sleep in your car sometimes, occasionally inspect your upholstery. You may find that your tossing and turning has begun to do a number on your car.

Auto upholstery repair doesn't have to cost an arm a leg, so don't avoid going to the shop every once and a while. There's just nothing like the smell of new leather seats or the look of a nice clean convertible top. The interior of your car can be a wonderful part of you daily commute. So take the time to maintain your upholstery.