Keep your car vs. buying a new one? No Brainer

Buying a new car might sound cool and exciting, but keeping your current vehicle, and continually maintaining it at recommended intervals, makes more economic sense than purchasing a new one, says the non-profit Car Care Council.

“From the down payment to the monthly car payments and higher insurance rates, the cost of buying a new car adds up really fast,” said Rich White, executive director, Car Care Council. “By simply budgeting the equivalent of just one new car payment, you could cover an entire year’s worth of basic maintenance on your current vehicle and redirect the rest to beef up savings, take a vacation, or pay off credit card debt, college loans and other bills.”

Read more ...

Ready for a road trip? Maybe not!

The holidays are stressful enough without having to worry about your vehicle making it over the river and through the woods in time for dinner at grandma’s house. The Car Care Council recommends that before hitting the road for the holidays, you take a little time to have your vehicle thoroughly inspected to make sure it is road ready.

The last thing anyone wants during the holiday season is to break down miles from home in the middle of nowhere,” said Rich White, executive director, Car Care Council. “It’s always a wise idea to have your vehicle checked out before you leave home to identify any potential problems that can be serviced before your holiday journey.”

Read more ...

Engine Problems - Your Options

Excessive smoke from tailpipe; excessive oil consumption; knocking or tapping sounds; low oil pressure; low compression; water mixing in oil; oil getting into the air cleaner and/or radiator.

What are the typical causes of car engine problems? Normal mileage wear and tear; poor maintenance; lubrication problems; excessive overheating.

My vehicle suffered major engine damage, now what?  So when an engine “dies,” it does not have to be the end of your vehicle. Smart shoppers, like smart motorists, make better decisions when they know all of the options. When a car or truck needs major engine repair, the first response and reaction of many consumers is to buy a new or used vehicle. Sometimes disposing of your current vehicle might make sense, but often it’s simply not necessary, or even the best decision.

Read more ...

How to Prepare Your Car for Holiday Driving

For most of us, proper preparation for your upcoming holiday road trip is more about wedging suitcases into the trunk and grabbing that famous stuffing recipe than it is about car maintenance. We certainly understand; the holiday season is a hectic one. However, a little advance planning can make a huge difference in getting to your destination in one piece and arriving with a few shreds of sanity left! Here are five ways to ready your car (and yourself) for the great holiday tradition: the road trip.

Read more ...