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It’s time to head for work. You turn the car key in the ignition, but nothing happens. What’s the problem? Chances are, your battery is dead; and you need a jump start. Besides a neighbor who’s willing to help, there are only a few other necessary items for jump-starting your vehicle. First, check the car’s Owner’s Manual regarding jump starts. Hopefully jumper cables are in your vehicle, since it’s a basic piece of equipment in every car’s emergency kit. A quality set of jumper cables is made with multiple strands of copper wire, and the alligator clips should also be copper. It’s important to wear protective glasses when working with jumper cables, even if just sunglasses or prescription glasses.Next, get your neighbor’s car as close to yours as possible. Front end to front end is best. Open the hoods of both vehicles and find the batteries. Locate the batteries’ terminals. In most vehicles, negative charges are marked with an “A-“and positive charges are marked “A+.”Now it’s time to attach the jumper cables. Attach the red cables to the positive charge on both batteries. Attach the black cables to the negative charges on both batteries. Double check to be sure the jumper cables aren’t interfering with any engine belts or pulleys in either vehicle. Now the good neighbor’s car should be started. Let the car run for a few minutes to charge the dead battery before trying to start the other car. If the car doesn’t start at that point, check to be sure there’s no corrosion or dirt on the battery posts interfering with the charge. Also be sure the clasps are attached tightly. These steps should correct the problem. To complete the charge, let the car with the recently charged battery idle for a few minutes. Then turn off both engines and remove the battery jumper cables. The newly charged battery should have no problem starting the car. If no one is available to give you a jump start, contact City Tow. If the problem isn’t solved with a jump, they also provide local towing services. Preventative maintenance is the single best move to save money and extend the life of your vehicle. An automobile is one of life’s biggest investments, for a typical family; and you can protect that investment by keeping your car in good working order. The owner’s manual includes a recommended service schedule for oil changes and tune-ups, among other things. Following the maintenance tips will help prevent any serious damage to your car during its day-to-day, year-after-year operation. Along the same lines as preventative maintenance is to get in a car pool. It’s good for your car to give it a rest once in a while. By car pooling, you save some wear and tear on your vehicle. An added bonus is that you share the cost of gas, tolls, and parking. Even with preventative maintenance, the need for automobile repair on some level is inevitable. When that time comes, one option is to do the repairs yourself. Start by checking the owner’s manual. The troubleshooting tips will probably indicate whether needed repair requires a mechanic or whether it’s a repair you can do yourself. If you don’t know anything about engines, sign up for a beginner mechanic course at an adult education center. There you can learn the basics of car repair and equip yourself to perform the simpler tasks.
Written by citytow
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style=”text-align:justify;”>Tips for buying Used Cars:-
Kicking the Tires: The Basics of Used Car Buying
Why you need to buy used Cars?-
Given a choice few would opt for buying used Cars, for majority of you think that buying used cars tantamount to buying other people’s problems! Is it really so? Not necessarily, if you buy used cars, with proper planning and care.
The economics being the main reason behind going for the used cars you need to be careful and pragmatic in getting the best bargain while you buy a used car. The fastest growing segment in the automobile industry is the used car market as a consequence to the increase in the average price of the new car. Of late record number of used cars is being sold in the market and the value that the used cars give have since increased. You may save thousands of dollars by opting for a one or two year old used car especially in the backdrop of increasing prices of new Cars. A one or two year old used car is not so old and you may even get the original factory warranty transferred in your name. Another prime reason for the growing number of used cars for sale is the advantage of easy leasing facility for the cars that are slow movers because of the low mileage or other unpopular tags attached to the brand.
Steps to be followed while Buying used Cars:-
Be specific about your need:-
The first and the foremost step, in acquiringused cars is to have a clear idea of the car you are going to buy. That is details like the budget you can afford, the make and the model you prefer, the seating capacity of the car etc. The cost varies significantly depending on the purpose whether you need a car for your family or for the use of your college going daughter or son. It would be always wise to have one or two choices in model and make to have a wider choice in the selection. There are various sites that give the used car listing along with the new cars. Consumer reports is onesuch site that gives detailed information about used cars. You may also get in touch with the online help of the US department of transportation auto safety hot line to get the details like the recall record of any make or brand before getting trapped.
Know the Price:-
The dealers as well as the buyers follow a variety of price guides to determine the price of the used cars. One of the reliable system is the Official used car guide of the National Automotive dealers Association. The bulletin published on a monthly basis is also available for reference in public libraries and credit unions. The details such as average trade in the wholesale and retail prices of the cars sold during the last seven years are available in the publication. The publication gives you an opportunity for price comparison and a clear idea of the difference between wholesale and retail prices as compared between the local classifieds and the rates from such sources.
Financing:-
The next step would be to enquire the details of credit with the banks and credit unions. A comparison with dealer financing would help save money. Arrangement of pre approved credit would avoid dealer pressure for the purchase of vehicle. Simultaneously an insurance quote for the vehicle may also be obtained to see whether you would be able to meet both the payments while keeping an amount for unforeseen contingencies. Never forget to ensure that the dealer is licensed by the division of motor vehicles. Various sites allow you to compare the rates and the terms of used car financing. Bankrate.com is one of the reliable sites that helps you in the search for the used cars, give you quote and gives the used car buying tips besides other useful input.
Choose the best seller:-
Contrary to the popular belief, the purchaseof used cars is a major decision and a big deal and you need to ensure value for the hard earned money. You have the option to make a good deal with any one of the many sources available for buying used cars. The options include new car dealers, used car dealers, leasing firms, car rental firms or private individuals. While each of these options has its own merits and demerits, the purchase from a new car dealer gives you immense choice besides warranty with regard to the repairs and maintenance of the vehicle. While the condition of the cars offered by the rentals would be comparatively better, no service or labor warranties would be offered by them. You may also look around in the local classifieds to see whether you can get a better deal and new model. The advantage of buying from an individual is the opportunity to discuss the condition, the mileage and other details of the car and also the reason to sell the car. Not only such deals lacks any warranty of any kind but often you may also end up in paying more amounts since you may be under an impression that you are avoiding middlemen and thereby getting a better deal. Moreover the financing of buying used cars from individuals may have to be arranged privately or from own resources. There are umpteen numbers of sites that gives the used car listing and gives used car advice and sites Like Carjunky.com and Car max.com are some of the more popular ones.
You need to know the lemon laws of the state to seek recourse in case you feel cheated in the deal later. Knowing the history of the car and making a test drives are other inevitable steps to be followed to ensure that the car is in top condition and would give you trouble free service for some more years. You need to have an elaborate discussion with the seller to know the graphic details of the car offered for sale. The following checklist that is only illustrative would help you to ascertain the relevant details while meeting the seller.
1) The make and model of the car
2) Whether the seller is the first owner or not
3) How long the seller has been using the car
4) The mileage history
5) The service records and repair details after the purchase.
6) Details of any major accidents
7) The profession of the seller or the usage the car has been put into ( The car used by a professional like a doctor or a lawyer might have run less distance compared to the usage of a marketing executive)
8) The reason for selling the car
9) The details of the service firm if the seller is an individual
10)When a test drive and inspection can be arranged
11)Any other relevant details that is considered necessary.
Inspection and test drive:-
You may also explore the possibility to get an extended warranty from the seller in case the car is to be bought from a new car dealer. You need to get inspected the car by a known and experienced mechanic and also to obtain a detailed report including the cost of repairs if any required for the vehicle. A test drive by yourself and a second opinion from a reliable friend would definitely help you in making a good choice while buying the used cars. If you need to know the A to Z of buying a used Car Visit this Site
Written by Greenbird
Journalist and freelance writer
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