Top 10 Things Your Mechanic Could Be Keeping From You

Mechanics assume that people have no idea about car repair which is why some tricks consumers into paying for something that they shouldn’t. Don’t fall victim into these tricks of trade. 

1. They Have Scare Tactics

When the mechanic starts saying things like 'I wouldn't drive this another mile', don’t trust his assessment right away. He could be just scaring you to get your car repaired.

2. Certifications (Or The Lack Of It)

If a shop and mechanic is reputable, you’ll know because the certificates to prove that will be hanged around. But if you’re not seeing any, that could be a red flag for you. 

3. Basic Info

Things like recommendations, years in business, warranties offered, licenses, and the type of equipment used should be readily provided by the car servicing. If not, you should ask, if they refuse, look for another shop.

4. Vital Equipment

Car servicing shops should have necessary equipment like engine analyzer and scan tool, otherwise how are they gonna do the job effectively? 

5. Coolant Flushes And Power Steering Flushes

If you read your owner’s manual you’d know better than buy into these. Many cars have fluid that is designed to go 100,000 miles.

6. Original Equipment

When you need some parts of your car replaced, always ask for the equivalent material. There are mechanics that will get you the worst friction material but charge you a fortune.

7. Tires Build Date

It’s easy to be blinded by really low priced tires. However, you might wanna double check if you’re actually getting a good deal, because you could be receiving a three-year-old thread.

8. Check Engine Light Shouldn’t Be On All The Time

See if your gas cap is loose. 

9. Double Labor

Know a thing or two about car repair. Or you’d end up paying for double labor which second task can actually done while doing the first. 

10. Old Parts

This is the only way to be sure that the parts are actually changed. 

Best Times To Purchase A Vehicle

Is your car so beat up that car grooming is not working out anymore? Think it’s time to replace it with a new one but not sure when is the best time to buy so you could get a better deal? Well, here are some suggestions that may help you with that. 

End Of The Day

If you’re really serious on buying a car, it’s good to catch a sales person when they’re about to close for the day, provided that you’re not too tired or it could backfire. This is because when a sales person thinks you’re a potential buyer, you might get a strong deal since the sales person would want to close the deal already. So they’d be more willing to give you a deal that would make you decide to buy to speed up the transaction. On that same reason, if you come in too tired to analyze if the deal being offered is actually good or not, you could get swayed by his sales talk and make hasty decision.

End Of The Month Or Quarter

Car dealers usually operate on monthly cycle with quotas to meet. Also, most sales person have special bonuses when they reach they monthly goals. During these times, they’re more eager to make a sale and as a result they become more lenient with the deals they offer to those potential buyers just to make a sale. 

Late Summer Or Early Fall

When these seasons hit, new car arrivals are being delivered to dealers. In these cases, dealers are eager to sell their previous year model cars since they know majority of people will have their attention on the new arrivals. So it’d be harder to sell the ones from the preceding year unless they give potential buyer a really good deal. 

End Of The Year

Out of the options in this list, end of the year is probably the best strategy for you. As mentioned earlier, car sales persons have quotas that they have to meet, a goal which is even tougher when the year is about to end. Though their sales for the past 11 months are looking pretty good enough, quota-wise, they still push in December because not only the sales representative but up to the finance manager is trying to hit their sales goals. So it’s best to make a purchase this time because you have a negotiating advantage due to their goal-meeting anxiety. 

If you happen to be fortunate to catch a great time to buy a car, just don’t forget to take your new ride for a paint protection service in Singapore when necessary. This could help extend its lifespan so you don’t get anxious waiting for these windows for buying vehicles too. 

Top 5 Ways To Cut Car Maintenance Expenses

Cars are no longer just a luxury; they have become a necessity too. But we cannot deny that despite the benefit of owning one, maintaining it means adding another thing that you have to spend money on a regular basis. Good thing I have here some tips to help you cut back the costs if your wallet is already complaining.

Standard Petroleum Is The Way

We immediately assume that only the premium fuel should be in your car tank for it can save more money than any other fuel. But, actually even the standard one is fine and way cheaper as long as you’re not using the car in racing competitions. 

Source The Parts Yourself

Usually, people rely on car servicing for whatever they need to get done for their car. But when it comes to its parts, best thing to do is to canvass. Find great deals then the workshop of your choice can still do the replacement with the parts that you’ve sourced. 

Be Mindful With The Car Insurance Rates

Yes, insurance is more of an investment than an operating cost, but you need to know how to choose the best type to get. Even if you already have a great one, check for new offers at least once a year. There could be something better than what you’ve already had. 

Check The Manual When You Avail Car Servicing

The manual comes along with your car when you bought it for a reason. It doesn’t only contain instructions on how to drive the car but it also offers benefits during car maintenance A.K.A car expenses. Most of the time, mechanics will charge you for extra routines but if you read your manual, or kept it for reference at times like this, you’d surely cut back your car expenses.

Equip Yourself With Basic Car Maintenance

If it’s about checking and changing engine oil, installing new spark plugs, topping up brake fluid, and cleaning of the engine, they’re so simple that you can learn how to do them effortlessly. This way you won’t have to take your vehicle to a car servicing every time you need any of the mentioned.  

10 Eco-Friendly Cars Of 2015

In recent years, the market for Eco-friendly cars continues to blossom. Eco-friendly cars come with many advantages to the consumers in terms of fuel costs, energy security, tax benefits, less greenhouse gas emissions and power efficiency.

Looking for a vehicle that emits low carbon compound when it runs? Here’s Kelley Blue Book Top 10 Best Green Cars 2015:

1. BMW i3

2. Volkswagen e-Golf

3. Nissan Leaf

4. Toyota Prius

5. Honda Accord Hybrid

6. Tesla Model S

7. Chevrolet Volt

8. Toyota Camry Hybrid

9. Ford C-Max Hybrid

10. Volkswagen Jetta TDI

Every car including eco-friendly car needs car grooming or regular maintenance to keep it running well and looking decent.

ALSO READ: THE 10 MOST RESEARCHED NEW VEHICLES

Vehicles General Service Schedule

Auto technicians say the key to keeping vehicles running well-today and down the road-is routine maintenance. Yet many drivers tend to stall when it comes to keeping up with some everyday auto-basics. A recent survey by the Car Care Council found:

• 25% of cars had low or dirty engine oil.
• 13% had low or contaminated brake fluid.
• 18% had dirty air filters.
• 17% had inadequate cooling protection or low coolant levels.
• 16% needed new windshield wiper and 27% had low or contaminated washer fluid.
• 18% needed new belts

Overall, 89% of vehicles were in need of at least one service or repair.

For your convenience, the Car Care Council developed a Service Interval Schedule to help you keep track of regular maintenance. Most of the checks and services described here can be done at little or no cost. Best of all, they are quick and easy to do. Learn more about your car’s systems in our vehicle systems overview.

Check Frequently

Dashboard Indicator Lights On

Lights

Tire Inflation and Condition

Windshield Washer Fluid

Engine Oil Level

Check Every 3 Months/ 3,000 Miles

Automatic Transmission Fluid

Battery and Cables

Belts

Dashboard Indicator Light On

Engine Air Filter

Engine Oil

Exhaust

Hoses

Lights

Power Steering Fluid

Tire Inflation and Condition

Windshield Washer Fluid

Check Every 6 Months/6,000 Miles

Automatic Transmission Fluid

Battery and Cables

Belts

Chassis Lubrication

Dashboard Indicator Light On

Engine Air Filter

Engine Oil

Exhaust

Hoses

Lights

Power Steering Fluid

Tire Inflation and Condition

Windshield Washer Fluid

Wiper Blades

Check Every 9 Months/ 9,000 Miles

Automatic Transmission Fluid

Battery and Cables

Belts

Dashboard Indicator Light On

Engine Air Filter

Engine Oil

Exhaust

Hoses

Lights

Power Steering Fluid

Tire Inflation and Condition

Windshield Washer Fluid

Check every 12 Months/ 12,000 miles

Automatic Transmission Fluid

Battery and Cables

Belts

Brakes

Cabin Air Filter

Chassis Lubrication

Dashboard Indicator Light On

Coolant (Antifreeze)

Engine Air Filter

Engine Oil

Exhaust

Hoses

Lights

Power Steering Fluid

Steering and Suspension

Tire Inflation and Condition

Wheel Alignment

Windshield Washer Fluid

Wiper Blades

When was your last car grooming serviced? 


ALSO READ: BRAKE: THE MOST IMPORTANT SAFETY FEATURE OF YOUR CAR

Cars Driven By The World’s Richest People In 2015

Forbes released its annual list of the world's billionaires for 2015. With spots on Forbes' richest people list, these billionaires are going places. Here are the top 10 billionaires of 2015 and their Cars:

1. Bill Gates, Microsoft, $79.2 billion

1999 Porsche 911 convertible

2. Carlos Slim Helu, Telecom, $77.1 billion

Navy Mercedes 4x4

3. Warren Buffett, Berkshire Hathaway, $72.7 billion

Lincoln Town Car

4. Amancio Ortega, Zara, $64.5 billion

 Audi A8

5. Larry Ellison, Oracle, $54.3 billion

Audi R8

6. David Koch, Koch Industries, $42.9 billion

 Blue Shelby GT 500 Mustang

7. Christy Walton, Walmart, $41.7 billion

2006 Ford F-150 King

8. Jim Walton, Walmart, $40.6 billion

        

 Dodge Dakota

9. Liliane Bettencourt, L'Oreal, $40.1 billion

Black Mercedes

Every car owners especially the world richest people wants their car to look brand new at all times. But, not all car owners have time. So, for those who are unable to find time for the maintenance of their car it is important to get help from a pro like car grooming services in Singapore.

It’s All About Paint Dent Repair

Everybody wants their car to look brand new at all times. Still, sometimes, we don't have the time to make it look brand new. In these cases, it's important to remember that you also have the option of getting help from a professional.

Paintless Dent Repair (PDR), also known as "Paintless Dent Removal", describes a method of removing minor dents from the body of a motor vehicle. A wide range of damage can be repaired using PDR as long as the paint surface is intact. PDR may be used on both aluminum and steel panels. The most common practical use for PDR is the repair of hail damage, door dings, minor creases, and minor plastic bumper indentations.

The process of Paintless Dent Removal requires a technician to work on precise locations of metal to the correct height, which can only be observed by the use of a PDR reading instrument such as a paintless dent repair light. The fine details of the process may not be satisfactory to the technician without a reflection from board and light source to read the dent. Fluorescent or LED lighting, or in some cases a reflection board, may be used to conceptualize the deformation of the dent and to help the technician in locating the tip of the tool being used to push the metal. 

What’s the first factor we should consider if we should go for dent removal services is the cost. If  the services is reasonably economical than that of a paint job done by professionals.

The second factor to consider is the warranty. Paint jobs, on the other hand, usually voids the factory paint.  A restriction of this service, however, is that it can only be performed to the metal parts of the car.

To summarize, paintless dent removal services are most helpful against minor dents where the structure of the car is hardly affected. Think about its benefits. Think about the money and time you’ll end up saving. 

What's Your Car Needs?

There are so many ways on how to take care of your car. Car grooming means protecting your vehicle and at the same time, your investment. But, not all car owners have time to work on their cars because they are already committed to many things.  So, they will have to resort to Auto-Detailing Shop to look for professional groomers, car repair technicians, mechanics and body restoration experts. Well, for those who are not familiar with the term “Auto-Detailing -- it is the performance of thorough cleaning, restoration, and finishing of an automobile, both inside and out, to achieve that showroom condition that all car owners crave for.

WHAT IS CAR POLISHING?

Polishing is designed to remove or mask sub-surface paint defects and greatly enhance surface gloss in readiness of sealant or wax protection. Waxing and polishing are not the same. They undergo different process. Waxing create a temporary gloss while polishing actually deep cleans the paint by removing oxidation, scratches, spotting, old wax, swirl marks, and other minor paint defects. Waxing with waxes, polymers or paint sealants provide an extra level of paint protection while yielding a high gloss finish but polishes work with abrasives and/or chemical cleaners to flatten, or level, the surface. Properly cleaning and polishing makes a world of difference to the outcome and gloss duration of the paint.

Car Polishing in Singapore offers these services:

Revol Exquisite Grooming

Perhaps this is the most value-for-money comprehensive grooming session in town. Your car goes through our full intensive grooming; window-shield glass polishing to remove watermarks and additional coating of crystal-clear view ; polishing of front and rear lamp covers.…a total makeover session that covers more than its value.

Wheel Polish and Coating

Have you ever felt frustrated with the  stubborn brake dust on your rims that cannot be entirely removed even after cleaning? Restore your rims like new.

Exhaust Pipe Polish

How long have you not seen your exhaust shine? It is time to revive that lost look that you've always wanted!

For more info visit us at: http://revol.com.sg/

10 Ang Mo Kio Industrial Park 2A

#01-12 AMK Autopoint

Singapore 568047

Enquiry Hotline: 6555 1181

How to Protect your Car from Burglars?

Burglary can happen anytime especially when you least expect it. Keep in mind burglary is a crime of opportunity and most properties or valuables that are stolen are left unattended. If your house can be burglarized, so is your car. Burglars often steal anything that has value. They will steal your wallet, money, loose change, cellphones, radios, speakers, purses and CD’s. Just about anything that has value in it. Burglaries often happen at night while your car is parked outside of your home, or if your car is parked in a dark part of the parking lot. If you become a victim or car theft or auto burglary, report it right away and report anyone that you saw lurking or loitering near your car.

It’s always better to be safe than sorry. For your car protection, here are some tips to help you avoid car burglaries.

LOCK.LOCK.LOCK – Remember that burglary is a crime of opportunities, so it’s in your hands if you are going to give burglars the opportunity to steal from you. Always lock your vehicle and keep the key with you even if you are just running quick errands. Don’t forget to lock the trunk, hatchback and tailgate to block access to the vehicle. Make sure that you close the windows, vent or sunroofs before leaving.

Keep your valuables – before you even park your car, hide all of your valuables and take them out of anyone’s sight. Criminals are creepy people and creepy as it may sound, criminals lurk around parking lots looking for anything valuable in cars that are parked. Keep the original vehicle registration with you and leave a photocopy in the trunk or compartment of your car.

Alarm – make sure that you equip your car with an alarm that works. Although some people believe that an alarm is not as useful as before or it doesn’t make any difference, keep in mind that they are still an effective deterrent to burglars.

Don’t attach personal information – don’t put any of your personal information in your keys like plate number or address in case they get lost or misplaced. You don’t want to give strangers hint where or what your valuables are.

Parking – whether you have a garage or not, always lock your car whenever you get home. If you have a garage make sure that you lock it too. If you are outside, park in a well lit area and somewhere visible to pedestrian

Only you hold the key to your car grooming for the maximum car protection. Always have an alert mind and follow these tips to avoid being a victim of car burglary.