10 Preventive Maintenance Suggestions for Your Car

Posted on | 11 Apr 2017 By Anita Gaal

When money is tight, preventive maintenance for your car is probably the last thing on your mind. However, the idea behind continually maintaining your vehicle is that it will save you money in the love run. By monitoring your vehicles needs based on your own individual driving schedule and habits, you can prevent serious wear and tear from occurring to your car. Beyond the interest of saving money, it is also possible that you are a car enthusiast who loves your vehicle like a mother loves a child; you would do anything to keep it from harm. Preventive maintenance is good to practice when you own a vehicle for countless reasons; the most important being saving time and money on more expensive repairs that could have been prevented by routine maintenance. All vehicles follow a different maintenance schedule depending on the manufacturer’s recommendations, but there are at least 10 general maintenance suggestions that will help your car stay in tip-top shape. After all, you never know when you’ll need to leave town unexpectedly, or when you’ll be taking a long drive. In either case, leaving your car sitting in your driveway could cause problems, but issues could also occur along the course of a long drive—the difference will be noticeable when you follow these 10 suggestions.

Routine oil and oil filter change

Firstly, stay on top of oil and oil filter changes; oil is the lifeblood of your vehicle—it keeps all the moving parts greased up and running properly. When the oil and/or oil filter in your car is not clean, fine particles of dust and dirt begin to grind between the other moving parts of your car’s engine, causing wear and difficulty for the car to run smoothly. Another item that must be inspected and replaced routinely is your air filter; for the same reason, your air filter is meant to keep unwanted, damaging particles out of your engine and the moving parts. A good rule of thumb is to have your air filter checked each time you get your oil changed—about every 3 months or so, depending on how often and how long of a distance you drive your car regularly. Additionally, keep all the fluids in your car topped off—these could also be checked and filled when you take your car in for a routine oil change.

Take care of your tires

Checking your tire pressure is highly underestimated; it is essential to be sure that all 4 tires are running on the same pressure—if not, it can cause an uneven tread in your tires causing them to need to be replaced sooner than generally necessary. Furthermore, when there is a clear issue with uneven wear on your tires, it may be an opportunity for you to investigate the cause of the unevenness—it could be due to an issue with the suspension, and the earlier you catch such an issue the better, because you could prevent further harm to take place to other parts of your car. Also regarding the tires, they should be rotated every so often, particularly before a long drive; this will help you get the longest life out of those expensive tires.

Follow the manufacturer maintenance schedule

As mentioned before, every car has its own maintenance schedule as recommended by the manufacturer; it is always best to follow the maintenance schedule on your vehicle to ensure that you are following the suggested guidelines. Some of these services may include checking the battery life and terminals to make sure the power remains intact and sufficient for years to come. In addition to scheduled services and checking the battery every so often, it is also important to check the functioning of your headlights and brake lights regularly. Not only is this safer for driving in the dark and it can prevent car accidents, but it will save you money in the long run; fix-it tickets are totally avoidable.

Do regular car washes and waxes

Another preventive maintenance that is often overlooked is regular car washes and waxes; this keeps the paint on your car shiny and polished—not only does it look fabulous, but in the future, if you ever decide to sell your car, it will make the car look brand new and hardly used. Taking pride in one’s vehicle is always evident in the paint. Lastly, you should always monitor your gas mileage. When there is a huge dip in fuel economy, this can be a big indicator that something is wrong with the engine. Following most of these 10 suggestions will not only ensure better gas mileage, but it will maintain the value to your vehicle, and extend the life of your vehicle for years to come.

Distinguishing a Reproduction from an Original Jaguar Part

Posted on | 29 Mar 2017 By Anita Gaal

Any luxury car brand, especially Jaguar, is deserving of an owner who cares about the maintenance of such a magnificent vehicle. Most car buyers or enthusiasts will know at least a thing or two about the quality of the parts that are used for repairs and replacements on these vehicles. However, not all of us know when a car part has been replaced with a reproduction part or an original part. Although the difference is difficult to see to an untrained professional, there are some distinguishable characteristics that vary between reproduction Jaguar parts and original Jaguar parts that can be helpful to know, especially if this is your first high-performance car. Taking care of your vehicle and treating it with integrity comes with the territory of owning a luxury car such as a Jaguar. Using only the best parts available will not only honor the history of the Jaguar brand, but will also extend the life and quality of your car for years to come. It is important to be knowledgeable about car parts in order to be sure that expensive repair shops don’t swindle you. So here are just a few simple tips about Jaguar parts, and ways to distinguish between an original Jaguar car part and a reproduction Jaguar part.

Buy parts from OEM

Buying a part from the original equipment manufacturer (OEM) will always be the most ideal solution to a replacement need; these parts are designed specifically for the car brand itself. Compared to many other luxury car brands, Jaguar parts are not astronomically expensive. However, with the more rare or classic models it can get incredibly pricey, and it is difficult to find replacement parts that are original. Now, you might be saying, “I can’t afford to spend money on original car parts for my 1969 Jaguar!” but before you panic, you should know that reproduction parts are not always the enemy. Although, it is worth noting, that if you so ever choose to re-sell your Jaguar, you should disclose that the replacement parts are reproduced, not from the OEM, and this may drag down the price you will get for it, as may enthusiasts prefer original parts.

Reproduction parts are not that bad

This is not to say that you and your car are doomed if you purchase reproduction parts. Many reproduction parts are extremely difficult to tell apart from the originals and do a fine job functioning as such. The OEM does not manufacture the reproduction car parts, and therefore, they are generally cheaper than the originals. While they are more affordable, unfortunately this means that sometimes the quality is not as great. Another drawback is that in the instance of a car accident, most warrantees do not cover reproduction parts. If you are unsure of whether or not the part used as a replacement on your vehicle is a reproduction or an original, you can look at the distinct markings and serial numbers on it, or bring it to a professional to inquire. This number can then be verified with the original equipment manufacturer.

Compare the quality and function

When taking on a restoration project, especially with Jaguar, original parts can become extremely expensive, and possibly not worthy of investing the funds. Luckily, reproduction parts are becoming more and more popular—making the demand for quality reproduction parts even higher. You can check with the retailer of the reproduction part to find out more about the process and materials used to manufacture the parts and compare the quality and function of the parts with the originals. Depending on your set of priorities with your beloved Jaguar, reproduction parts are sometimes the only option; they have the potential to offer the same benefits of the original part at a significantly lower price, assuming they resemble the OEM parts.

Last words

Most reproduction parts are manufactured by a set of standards and requirements that match the OEM’s same standards. Depending on the quality of the reproduction, you may go through the entire life of the car unable to distinguish whether or not it is original. This is generally indicative of a good quality replacement part. On the flip side, reproduction parts can sometimes actually be more expensive than originals due to the need for mass production and replication on a larger scale—especially if you find used original parts instead of new originals. In any case, it is important to do your research comparing prices and quality of parts before you slap any old replacement on your precious Jaguar. OEM parts will always be the most desirable, especially for luxury performance vehicles.

How to Fix a Broken Moon Roof of a Car in Texas

Posted on | 14 Mar 2017 By Anita Gaal

In recent years, Texas is becoming even more developed as far as population and city living are concerned. This is partly due to the beautiful weather, and sometimes it can even get a little hot—temperatures breaking one hundred degrees are not uncommon. For those of us that love to drive down the highway with our windows down, taking in the gorgeous surroundings and beauty of Texas may very well have been the reason for moving there in the first place—it may even be the reason why you specifically purchased a car with a moon roof. However, when your awesome moon roof dies out on you, your leisurely days of enjoying the beautiful Texas weather may seem over with. Luckily, this does not have to be the end of your moon roof—fixing a broken moon roof may be simpler than you think. If you are unable to fix it yourself, then you should find qualified professionals who specialize in window repairs and can help you get your days of highway glory back. Here are a few possible reasons why your moon roof may be broken, and some suggestions on how to fix it.

Check whether moon roof is completely broken or not

You roll down your windows, and are ready to breathe in the fresh air and feel the warm sun on your shoulders as soon as you open your moon roof. You push the button, and to your dismay, all you hear is a sad sound indicating that your moon roof is broken. Before jumping to conclusions, it is entirely possible that the moon roof is not completely broken, but only stuck. Prepare yourself for a little bit of labor, and if you’re uncomfortable doing it yourself, rightfully so. So look into asking a professional to check it out for you.

D-I-Y Tips

The first thing you will want to do is evacuate the glass portion of the roof. You will need a screwdriver to take out the screws that are holding the glass. Once the glass is removed, you should put it on a cushioned area, being careful not to scratch or break it. With the help of a flashlight, take a closer look at the inner structures of the moon roof—do you see any broken pieces or anything impeding the movement of the gears inside? You can double check by messing around with the moon roof button to see if anything is not working properly. A can of dust-off is helpful to spray out any dust or debris.

Take professional help, if you’re unsure

In the worst-case scenario, the motor in your moon roof may be broken; this is why it is important to first exhaust all other possible options. If you are unsure of whether or not it is the motor that is broken, you should take your car to a repair shop that can perform a diagnostic and help assess the situation; but keep in mind that each attempt to fix the problem yourself could only add to your expenses. It is important to know whether or not it is simply an issue of debris or grease buildup, or if the issue is bigger—like a motor malfunction. Luckily, the occurrence of motors in moon roofs completely failing is infrequent, unless you are really getting the most use out of your moon roof, everyday, or your kids got ahold of the button, pressing it until its death.

Find an exact replacement motor

Motors for moon roofs are relatively inexpensive on their own and are usually within the range of a few hundred dollars. What becomes more costly is the act of replacing it. If you are feeling adventurous and decide to replace it yourself, you will save the most money. However, depending on the model and year of your car and what shop you decide to take it to, this simple repair can become a larger expense than initially imagined. If your motor truly is broken, it is best to order the part on your own, and give it a try—you may be surprised at your ability to replace the motor on your own. Although, it is important to keep in mind that not all moon roofs are created equally. Finding an exact replacement motor for your moon roof is ideal—finding the serial number and brand will help you find an identical match. By bringing your car to a local shop in Dallas, you can get some much-needed information and help with your broken moon roof.

The Importance of Different Warning Lights

Posted on | 28 Feb 2017 By Anita Gaal

Your vehicle requires constant maintenance and upkeep to ensure that you can depend on it to get you wherever you may need to go. While you may see a light come on the dashboard and be instantly filled with dread at the thought of expensive and elaborate repairs being required or worst-case scenario breakdowns, the dashboard warning lights are actually an immeasurably valuable tool to keeping your vehicle properly maintained. While newer cars seem to have endless lights for just about every component of the car, there are some critical lights that are important to know what they signify and what could be the issue. These are just a few of the most important lights that may be on your dashboard and the issues that they may mean are occurring.

Brake System

This light warns that there is something wrong with either the brake system or the brake fluid. Considering the importance of the brakes on your vehicle, if this light turns on your dashboard it is vital to have your car checked out immediately.

Check Engine Warning Light

Possibly the most dreaded of all dashboard lights, the check engine light usually is accompanied by weird symptoms that can include a lack of power, an intermittent stuttering when you try to accelerate or another issue being caused by whatever the problem may be. The biggest concern with the check engine light are all of the symptoms that can cause the check engine light to turn on; everything from a faulty electrical sensor or a loose gas cap to a large mechanical issue. If your check engine light is on, have your vehicle looked at by a professional auto mechanic as soon as possible. Irreparable damage can be caused to the engine and other components by failing to diagnose the issue should it be something critical.

Airbag Warning Light

If this light is on, it means that the airbag may be faulty and if it is faulty it will not deploy in the event of a crash. Obviously the airbag is one of the key inventions intended for driver and passenger safety and should it be experiencing issues, it can either deploy at a random time or not at all, meaning you should get it taken care of immediately by a professional mechanic.

Power Steering/EPAS Warning Light

This indicates that there may be an issue with the steering system. You may notice it taking more effort to steer or change direction, which can be annoying in lower speed settings and extremely dangerous on freeways or open roads should you need to suddenly swerve or change lanes.

Coolant Warning Light

Coolant is a vital part of your engine systems and without it, the engine would essentially weld itself together due to how hot it gets. If the coolant levels are low then the coolant light may turn on, but it can also mean a larger problem such as head gasket failure or something like a leak in the system. To avoid expensive repair bills or catastrophic damages to your engine or other systems, seek the help of a professional immediately.

Oil Warning Light

Another potentially damaging issue to your engine is if your oil levels get too high or especially too low. If the oil pressure drops it can put a high strain on the system and will result in reduced or completely lost lubrication for your engine, which can cause the engine to grind and inflict expensive damages on it.

Tire Pressure Warning Light

Most modern vehicles have a tire pressure monitor to determine if the tires are properly inflated to avoid risk of damaging the vehicle or the tires. Properly inflated tires will also improve fuel efficiency and handling, so if this light is on take a look to ensure the health of your tires and the sensors themselves.

Conclusion

While there are a large variety of dashboard lights that can indicate issues for your vehicle, knowing the most important ones and what they may signify is a great way to keep your car in top shape and maintain peak performance while avoiding expensive and extensive damages and repairs to your car. Whether it is an issue with oil pressure or the check engine light, finding a professional service center to help you as soon as possible will help prevent any massive issues.

Helpful Tips to Save Money on Car Insurance

Posted on | 11 Feb 2017 By Anita Gaal

If you drive a car, then in most states you are required to have insurance. Finding good, low cost car insurance can feel like a battle that you may never win. There are many considerations that insurance companies make when evaluating a potential customer for an insurance quote. Most insurance companies take into account several factors: credit history, prior accidents and traffic tickets, the age, model and make of the car, the driver’s age and mileage (and projected mileage), and the condition of the car (whether it is protected by environmental elements or not). While looking for car insurance, these are things to consider. If you have a newer car, or if you have more than one accident on your record, you can anticipate a higher insurance rate. Here are some tips that will help you to save money on your car insurance.

Increase Your Deductible

Making changes to your lifestyle can ultimately lower your rate and make you more aware of how your everyday choices affect your potential cost. If you already have car insurance and you’re looking to lower it, you can start by getting in touch with your insurance company to change your deductible. Increasing your deductible will lower your monthly rate considerably, but it is a risk that you should look into. This option may be more feasible particularly if you consider yourself a safe driver. This is a guaranteed quick and easy way to lower your monthly rate, but it comes at a disadvantage if you get into a car accident.

Drive Less & Care Your Car

You may also want to consider lowering your driving mileage. Insurance companies generally give lower rates to drivers who stay under 12,000 miles per year. If you can get significantly lower mileage than that, your rate will be reflectively cheaper. You can walk to places nearby instead of driving, carpool as often as possible, and make sure your car is in good working condition—get regular oil changes, routinely check tire pressure, and check your air filter. When your car is running properly, it will benefit your gas mileage, extend the life of your car, as well as lessen the possibility of getting into an accident.

Learn to Be a Sensible Driver

Being a mindful and aware driver sounds like a simple way to get a lower car insurance rate, but it is true; if you avoid accidents and tickets at all costs, your monthly rate will be significantly lower with a clean driving record. Many insurance companies call this the “good” or “safe driver discount”. There are many other discounts that insurance companies offer such as a low-mileage discount, and a student discount. In order to get the lowest monthly rate, you should get in touch with your insurance provider and ask what discounts they can offer on your policy. Specific insurance companies also offer in-car technology that monitors your driving habits; this is especially beneficial for drivers who have a clean driving record and tend to be the “safest” drivers.

Bundle Different Policies Together

Another thing you can do is bundle a homeowner’s policy with your car insurance. Some companies will offer a discounted rate for those who get both homeowner’s insurance and car insurance from them simultaneously. If you are a renter, the same applies for renter’s insurance. This is similar to buying a “package deal” at the grocery store—if you are a store member, usually the individual cost is lower when you buy multiple items. In addition to bundling policies, you should also look into your credit report. Believe it or not, many insurance companies also consider your credit score when assigning a rate. Making sure you stay up to date on your bills, staying within 10% of your credit limits, and watching your spending habits are good ways to not only get a cheaper insurance rate, but overall benefit your financial status.

Finally

Before you rush into buying a new car, make sure you get an insurance quote. Making the mistake of checking a potential rate after you buy a car is often a costly one—when you have a car loan, your rates are generally much higher. Stay current on insurance factors, and stay in touch with your insurance agent; they can help you make sure you get the lowest rate possible.

Tips for Driving BMW Through Hills & Terrains

Posted on | 27 Jan 2017 By Anita Gaal

Drivers have come to expect more from their BMW than what you may expect from another brand of car and for good reason. BMW’s are known for their innovation and commitment to unparalleled standards for both luxury and performance and that is expected to be maintained even on a variety of inclines and terrains. You don’t purchase a car solely because it drives straight lines well on flat surfaces and you shouldn’t expect your BMW to fold at the first sign of less than ideal terrains. There are however important tips to consider to keep navigating these less than ideal hills and roads easier on you and your car at the same time so consider these tricks before your next drive.

Important tricks to consider

• Utilize Your Hill Descent Control– Hill Descent Control is a driver assistance system available in four-wheel drive BMWs. When navigating a hill it will take control of the vehicle and hold it at a steady, pre-determined speed. This will help control the brakes so you the driver can better focus solely on steering and navigating the hill. Combined with the BMWs anti-lock braking system, HDC is a great feature for driving on loose downhill surfaces like gravel, grass or snow and gives you excellent stability and helps to prevent the vehicle from skidding.
• Use the Right Drive Gears– If your vehicle has an automatic transmission then it’ll be easier for you to drive uphill as opposed to a manual one. Your transmission automatically will switch to a lower gear with lower RPMs when your speed gets low enough but there is a way to get more power while being easy on your engine and transmission. Your BMW should have drive options like D1, D2 or D3 to give your vehicle more climbing power and speed while maintaining higher RPMs, D2 or D3 will offer you an easier uphill drive while allowing for less wear on the engine by maintaining the RPM levels.
• Check Coolant and Engine Oil Levels– If you are going to be driving steep uphill or downhill grades, check your engine oil and coolant levels prior to heading out. These should be filled close to the MAX line and will help keep your engine from overheating and well lubricated to avoid added strain.
• Clean Your Car After Driving Rough Terrains– After driving on any poor roads or terrain you can check your vehicle’s safety by removing any excess dirt and mud from the body and by clearing mud, snow, ice and any other types of debris from the wheels and tires. You can also inspect your BMW after driving for any damages that may have been caused by the terrain.
• xDrive Is Worth It– On most top selling models of BMW, xDrive All Wheel Drive is available and should be considered before purchasing any new BMW. It is a permanent all-wheel drive system that distributes the engine power between front and rear axles and it can send 100% of power to either axle at any time. It constantly changes how much power is delivered to the front and rear wheels to give you the best traction possible at all times. This makes handling any terrain, hill or windy road easier and gives you more grip and control of your vehicle. This option is extremely popular with BMW drivers so if you think that you may be driving a wide variety of terrains with your BMW, consider just how effective and beneficial this feature may be before purchasing your new BMW.

Don’t neglect car maintenance

Chances are you will have to navigate some rough terrains at some point and time with your BMW and while it is designed to handle anything the roads can throw at it, maintaining your car is always a good idea. Knowing the best ways to care for your car during and after driving these roads and hills will help preserve your BMW’s performance and appearance as well. Being better prepared is never a bad thing and when it comes to the health of your car, you want it to be running properly for its’ entire lifespan and following these tips and others when it comes to care, your BMW will also likely have a longer lifespan as well.

Featured Image credit goes to : DathArt

BMW X4 image credit goes to : DathArt

The Journey of a Car from Being Boxy to Curvy

Posted on | 13 Jan 2017 By Anita Gaal

While it’s true that we’ve come a long way in terms of the technology that goes into each new vehicle when compared to the first ones over a century ago, it’s also readily apparent how far vehicles have come from a design standpoint as well, going from boxy designs to sleeker more curvy ones that most recognize on the streets today. There’s a reason that when you see a well-kept older car, you turn your head and have to look: simply put, they just don’t make them like that anymore. With advancements in technology and design capabilities, the natural progression has led to sleeker cars that are more aerodynamic but for car enthusiasts, looking back it’s easy to see how we’ve gotten to where we are in terms of design. Here are just a few important steps in the history of vehicle design from the boxy beginnings to what we know now.

1908

Though combustion engine automobiles had been around Europe as early as 1807, in 1908 Henry Ford applied the idea of assembly line production to auto manufacturing, creating the first affordable and dependable vehicle available to the public. Between its’ 1908 debut and its’ discontinuation in 1927, the Ford Model T sold over 15 million cars. It set the template for body design as well, with a “runabout” body style with no doors, windshield or windows, instead drawing closer resemblance to old horse drawn buggies.

1920s

Into the 1920s the snubbed chassis and box-like wheelbase of the original Model T would begin to lengthen and closed-body designs started to gain popularity over the open-carriage style. The rapid expansion the US was enjoying led to more paved roads and vehicles could lead to longer, lower and more elegant vehicle designs as opposed to the tractor or carriage body design. These new designs became symbolic of the 20s with the engine sometimes having up to 8 or even 16-cylinder engines that required long-nosed bodies with curved runner boards.

1930s

The 1930s saw a huge innovation largely change the way that car bodies were designed. The monocoque, or single hull chassis made cars significantly lighter, easier to produce and more structurally sound. This impacted the aesthetics as well as features like fenders, headlights and runner boards became more integrated into the body. By the end of the 30s teardrop inspired designs like the Cadillac Sixty Special were extremely popular family vehicles. With cars becoming a status symbol for middle to upper class families, styling and aesthetics became more important and an integral part of the car design.

1940s

World War II put a huge interruption into commercial car production but it also contributed to one of the biggest car design innovations: Ponton styling. This was seen as a culmination of blending things like runner boards, headlights and fenders into a single form. This became a design lynchpin throughout the 1940s and 50s with visually cohesive vehicles that had bulbous headlights and bulging hoods that flowed with the car’s surface.

1960s

Shifting from the boat-like designs that the “Big Three” of auto designers (GM, Ford and Chrysler) were known for, European and Japanese imports became more and more popular in the United States. Smaller, less cumbersome designs from companies like Toyota, Nissan and others made up a large portion of the market. At the same time, U.S. muscle cars began to come to fruition with cars like the Ford Mustang and Chevy Camaro debuting with extended hoods and low-profile cabins.

1980s

With the 80s consumers began focusing on issues like safety and fuel efficiency so boxy, uninspired designs began to come into the market more. Some of the most fuel efficient but slowest cars came from the 80s, which also saw bright vibrant colors be exchanged for metallic paints as well.

1990s

Seen as a reaction to the bland cars of the 80s, fluid curves and contours returned in cars like the Porsche 911 and the Mazda Miata. These more elegant lines brought to mind the design choices for vehicles in the 30s and 60s.

2000s

The 2000s brought about car designs of all sorts of shapes, styles and forms though it’s the SUV that may have made the biggest impression on the era of vehicle design. Hard lines and well-defined chassis highlighted the larger, more solid and durable body designs made the SUVs popular with a wide audience of drivers.