Portable Battery Jump Starter

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.  Read more...

Let’s face it, taking your car in for repair is not one of our favorite things to do. Usually there are large sums of money to be spent and often there is doubt in our minds as to the honesty of the mechanic doing the repair work. As a retired workshop owner/operator I can sympathize with people that have been taken for a ride by unscrupulous operators but I am here to tell you that there is something that we can do to minimize our chances of falling victim to these money hungry people.

The first and most important tip I can give you is to seek recommendations from people that you know before taking your car in for repair. Word of mouth is a very powerful advertising medium and it works both ways, most people will take pleasure in telling you who to avoid if they have had a bad experience with someone in particular. Ask around your workplace, talk to family members, even your neighbors may be able to shed some light on who will look after your car well and not charge an arm and a leg for it.  Read more...

When doing auto electrical repair, the first vehicle component your should acquire knowledge about is the car battery. Even though the battery only store 12 volts, it is the electrical source of the entire vehicle. You will not be able to start your engine without the battery. In addition the auto battery helps to operate all the electrical accessories installed on your motorcar. An auto battery should last 3-5 years in average climates. Extreme hot or cold climates however, will reduce this to only 2-3 years.

An auto battery is built up of six cells, each containing stacked positive and negative lead plates. These are divided and separated by insulators and immersed in an electrolyte, a liquid blend of sulfuric acid and water. However, some batteries, use a gel instead of the electrolyte. This is considered to be safer and because you do not have to refill it with electrolyte, it has been labelled “maintenance-free”. Each cell generates or more correctly put, stores 2.1 volts for a total of 12.6 volts.  Read more...

Specialty auto repair refers to the repair and servicing of specialty autos and specific auto parts. Specialty auto repair centers take special care to provide you with genuine factory parts. Specialty auto repair technicians are highly skilled and experienced and they can pin point the problem of the automobile. Whatever model of luxury car or foreign car you are driving, there are repair centers specializing in those very models.

Specialty auto repair centers offer special dealer alternative maintenance and service packages. Some of them give extended warranties services for their clients. They even undertake heavy engine and transmission repair and replacement if needed. Some of these dealers have their own websites from which you can download special auto repair discount coupons.

There are specialty auto repair centers that repair and service specific auto parts such as the brakes, engines, air conditioning, mufflers, and radiators. They also take care of wheel alignments, transmissions and paintless dent repair. Replacement of windshield or window is also included in specialty repair.  Read more...

We all have received them on our cars – rock chips, door dings, bumper scrapes, etc… They can come from a rock thrown up from a truck on the highway, or its as easy as a parking lot ding from someone in a hurry or even an errant grocery cart. Most of these are unavoidable. They can happen even if you park far away from stores and regardless of the measures you take to protect your car. Not only do they detract from your cars beauty, but they can also make your car susceptible to rust and the environment. Here’s how to fix these paint chips, nicks and deep scratches and protect your car from rust.  Read more...

When speaking to your mechanic or service representative, there are many things one should never say. Sad as this is, certain questions and requests can trigger multiple price-gouging tactics from your service center. Following is a list of ten statements in random order. The term “mechanic” may be exchanged for “technician,” “service representative,” “service advisor,” “owner,” “service manager,” or anyone that you deal with when having your vehicle serviced.

1) Do I need a tune-up?

This innocent question seeks to ensure that your vehicle is up-to-speed with its maintenance. However, it reveals that you know nothing about your car’s maintenance and can therefore be “easily” taken advantage of.

What your mechanic is thinking: Putty in my hands!

Instead: ask what services are due for your vehicle given its age and mileage according to your manufacturer guidelines. Also visit the maintenance link at the end of this article for an overview of today’s maintenance needs.  Read more...

Keeping our vehicles looking good is one of the top priorities of car owners; however safety mostly beats out looks when it comes to car concerns. People want to know that they are safe while driving their vehicles and also that any passengers that ride along with them are safe as well. So, it is important that you be aware of any changes in your vehicle, especially those on the windshield. Not only can it not look good to have a cracked, chipped or broken windshield but it is also very unsafe to ride with your windshield in that condition.  Read more...