3 Tips For Extending The Life Of Your Car

No matter what type of car you own, you know just how important it is to keep your car running for as long as possible. Since your car is one of the most expensive things you own, it is crucial that you take care of it so that you don’t have to spend more money on repairs than you need to. 

All cars need maintenance, no matter how old they are or what make or model. If you are clueless as to how to properly take care of your car so that it continues to be reliable for you, here are 3 tips for extending the life of your car. 

Drive It 

Letting a car sit for long periods of time is not good for the life of the vehicle. Make sure you drive your car regularly so that it doesn’t become stagnant and start to collect rust or other issues. Think of it this way – a person who has reached retirement age may not be going to work anymore, but that doesn’t mean they should just sit around and do nothing. 

This can be bad for the health of the human body. Same thing with cars. They need to be driven at least periodically in order to be in the best shape they can be. 

Get Regular Oil Changes

Getting your oil changed regularly is one of the easiest and least expensive things that you can do in order to make sure your car lasts a very long time. Oil changes are a must for not only the health of your engine, but many other parts of your car as well. 

There are many videos online that you can watch if you’d like to learn how to change your oil yourself in order to save a little money, but if you’d rather have a professional do it, that’s fine too. 

Many mechanics offer oil changes, and there are places that also specialize in oil changes that you can take your car to. This will cost under $100 and you’ll need to do it a few times a year depending on how much you drive. Typically they will also check your filters, fluids, wiper blades, tires, and lights as well so that you are always safe on the road. 

Let The Engine Warm Up In Cold Weather

When the weather begins to get colder, it’s super important that you let your engine warm up a little bit. Once you turn it on, sit in it for a little while before driving away. Not only will this give your windshield time to defrost which will be helpful for visibility, but it will also allow time for all the other working parts to warm up which will make your car run more smoothly in the long run. 

Owning a car is fun, exciting, and freeing. Of course, all good things require a little bit of effort, so as long as you put some effort into giving your car what it needs, it will have a very long life. 

Posted in Car

3 Reasons You Might Want To Trade In Your Car

If you own or lease a car or truck, you know that not only is this one of the most expensive things you own but it is also a big responsibility. That being said, having a car is super important depending on where you live. If you live in a large city that is well spaced out for example, or your commute to work is long-distance, you have to always make sure that you have a vehicle that runs well. Unfortunately, this is easier said than done and can cause a lot of stress.

There are many reasons the car you currently have may not be fitting in well with your current lifestyle. If you are thinking about trading in your car or selling it to buy a new one, you aren’t alone! Here are 3 reasons you may be thinking of trading in your car.

Retirement

If you are reaching retirement age soon and planning to retire, you may not need to keep the car you originally bought to commute to work every day. With fewer distances to drive, you can finally have your dream car/truck, regardless of whether it gets good gas mileage or not. 

However, your commuter car may be so reliable and comfortable that you may not want to get rid of it at all. This all depends on your personal preference, what will work best for your life, and what you can afford to do! 

Growing Family

If you are far from retiring and instead have a growing family on your hands, this is another big reason you may need a new/different car. For example, if you have multiple children you are probably going to need something larger than a sedan, such as a minivan or SUV. You will also be thinking about safety because you’ll want to keep your little family as safe as possible at all times! 

This is something you should discuss with your spouse or partner before you make any large decisions, of course, but trading in your vehicle may really help to make your life as a parent much easier. 

No Longer Reliable

Another reason you may need a new car is that your current car is simply old and no longer reliable. Perhaps you’ve had it for many years and it has always been great, but it’s on its last legs now, or maybe you just got a lemon. Either way, if you are finding that your car is no longer as reliable as you need it to be, it’s probably time to trade it in for a better one that you know won’t break down on you.

Trading in your car is a big deal, but going through the right company will help ensure that it is a simple and stress-free process for you so that you end up with the best vehicle for you. 

Posted in Car

Ford Tourneo Custom WAV Colour Chart

A Brief Guide to Car Paint Types

If you wish to purchase a car, the first thing you should consider is its colour. Remember that by choosing its appearance, you will present yourself as well. 

At the same time, it will affect the way others think about you while driving. 

Apart from colour, it would be best to think about paint finishes that are available as well.

Of course, everything depends on the amount you are eager to spend and the appearance you wish to ensure. 

It is crucial to understand different options, appearances, benefits, and disadvantages before you make up your mind.

Solid Paint

You should know that a standard for most vehicles across the globe is solid paint. At the same time, manufacturers are using a limited number of hues, including black, blue, red, and white. 

However, by choosing this range, you can find different shades that offer you a completely different appearance. 

Everything depends on whether you wish to stand out from the crowd, disappear from a background, or choose something affordable based on your preferences.

Remember that solid finishes are affordable because they are simple to produce. Generally, they require three layers: primer, paint, and lacquer. 

When it comes to maintenance and repairing, you can do it as simple as possible. Just visit a vehicle spares shop, and you will get a pen that will help you fill the chips and small holes. 

On the other hand, if you wish to handle more significant repairs, you can do it with it as well. The main reason for that is that paint will dry faster than others by using a heat lamp.

If you have suitable equipment, you can do it at home, which is the most affordable option you can choose. Still, it would help if you were careful to prevent the dreaded peel that happens when the layers separate. 

Metallic Finishes

You have probably noticed vehicles featuring paint that reflect light, which is way shinier than other options. Of course, you can choose a wide array of colours, while the finish is not as expensive as most people think.

Remember that shine comes due to a combination of aluminium powder and paint. The metal will reflect and pick up light, which will boost a gloss as a result. You can add extra layers of lacquer and colour, which means it is a more expensive option than solid paint.

They look fantastic under natural light, but they will shine under other conditions as well. However, the main disadvantage of metallic finishes is more visible dirt compared with solids. 

It means you should clean them more often by using washing liquids that feature an abrasive sponge. Check out whether a sponge features dirt beforehand. If you wish to ensure the polishing, you should avoid overdoing it because the paint will feature marks from a brush.

Another important consideration is the repair issues you will get because it is almost impossible to find a perfect match. They need more care, and you will spend more money on maintenance.

However, you can enjoy in the more appealing vehicle than solid paint, which is the main reason people use them in the first place.

Matte Finishes

It is vital to understand that matte finishes can provide you with the most significant appeal without shining features. It is a common choice for black, grey, or silver cars, but it is also the most expensive option that will cost you a fortune.

Of course, we can differentiate numerous methods for achieving this finish. For instance, you can use a primer that features high epoxy content or use paint with high PVC content. Finally, you can get lacquer with a flattening agent as well. It would be best to learn more about the Ford Tourneo Custom colour chart, which will help you determine the best course of action. 

It doesn’t matter which method you decide to use, because the paint will absorb light, which will create a dull sheen, which is highly appealing for black and grey cars.

Remember that you should think about high maintenance with matte finishes. It would help to clean everything regularly by using specific polishes and shampoos. At the same time, bird droppings can affect the finish due to high acid content. 

Finally, they are challenging to repair and expensive compared with other options you can find on the market.

Still, most people prefer it as a form of contemporary perspective, which is why they apply it in the first place.

Posted in Car

Fix most minor car repairs, maintenance, and servicing using a factory service manual

To keep a vehicle important systems optimally running, Factory Service Manuals are acquired by vehicle owners to keep their cars in decent condition. Without a manual, owners might find it very challenging to fix even the minutest issue that a car might be having. If owners use these cars repairing manuals, they will be able to handle minor car repairing and maintenance on their own without any outside help. These manuals are always accessible online for free and do not take a lot of time to download. They can be printed out as well for better productivity.

If owners want to perform minor repairs to their car, it will be simple and easy for them to attend to the issue at hand for themselves with the help of its car factory service manual. The manual will give them the exact guidelines on how to operate the defective component, how to buy a new one, and also how to install it. This is because the engineers who design the cars put in all the specifications of the vehicle in this manual. When owners have the manual available with them, there will be no need for them to worry about who will fix the car and how.

Regular and day to day instructions are also provided in the service manuals through which owners can easily handle small and minor repairs. The manuals step by step explains the process of everything with related visuals so that nothing can go wrong when the owner is trying to troubleshoot a problem. However, depending on the level of experience these vehicle owners have, sometimes they need very little assistance of the workshop service manual when they are carrying out repairs and services such as changing the oil or replacing an air filter. Knowing how to deal with minor repairs also helps the car owners in reusing and recycling. By learning how to handle minor repairs, they can visit the local salvage yards rather than buy refurbished equipment and component of the car. It is both, cost-effective and environmentally friendly. 

Being able to fix minor problems can also result in never being taken advantage of again. This way even if there is any bigger problem in the car that the owners cannot fix, but they will know enough as to who to take their vehicle to where it would be in safe hands. 

The service manuals have procedures on how to best approach a problem which becomes a lot easier for owners to deal with the little issues the vehicles keep having on a daily basis. This way even if the car breaks down in the middle of going somewhere and no one is there to help, the owners will be able to fix the problem on their own and continue their journey as nothing happened.

Posted in Car