Archive for November, 2006

Best time to Buy a New Car

There are a number of times during the year that it is good to buy a new car, but it really depends on the model. The first best time is at the end of the month. Dealers pay money when they have a car on their lot at the beginning of the month. The end [...]

VIN Number Search

Doing a Vin Search (Vehicle Identification Number Search) can give you great insight into the history of your vehicle. History reports can reveal if your car had water damage, or was flagged a Lemon. Check this information before buying, or get one to provide to your potential buyer.

Decoding VIN Numbers

You can decode a VIN to determine what kind of car it is – Ford, Chevy, Honda, Corvette, Chevrolet, etc. With that information, you can tell almost anything about the car. Do your Vin Search with carfax.com.

Manufacturer Replacement Parts

When it comes time to replace parts on your car, or to do routine maintenance, the manufacturer of your car knows best. It is always a good idea to check your owner’s manual to see when certain parts should be replaced, or when the manufacturer recommends that fluids (such as that in the transmission) should [...]

Superchargers

Most people have absolutely no idea what a supercharger is. If they hear that it is on a car, most would think “wow, that must be good.” Lets start with the basics- a supercharger works in much the same way as a turbocharger (see my tip “Turbochargers”), as it draws more air into the engine [...]

Spark Plugs

Make sure when changing spark plugs to invest in a tube of dielectric grease. The lubricant will make removing the plug wires much easier the next time you replace your plugs.

Fuel Octane

What level of octane does my car really need? This is a common question, as many people know very little about the octane ratings they see at the gas station. The octane ratings you see (usually 87-93) are representative of the gas’s resistance to “knock,” or detonation. This is a process when more combustion then [...]

Fuel Injectors

Modern fuel injection systems are far more efficient then their carbureted ancestors. However, fuel injection systems do require cleaning every now and then, and there are some points to remember when doing so. A fuel injector is like a small nozzle, and after a period of time it can get clogged with deposits, decreasing engine [...]

Fuel Filter

Most people do not often think about changing their fuel filters these days as a part of routine maintenance. This is because your car’s fuel filter lasts much longer then it did 30 or 40 years ago due to many reasons, such as the use of unleaded gas (to learn more, see my tip “The [...]

Change your Air Filter

Your car’s engine is basically an air pump. The more efficiently it can suck air in and expel spent gases out, the better it will perform. The first step to keep this cycle going properly is to change your air filter. As the name suggests, it filters out harmful particles before they enter your engine. [...]