2018 Fall Car & Truck Care Guide
Check Your Washer Fluid System
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t’s easy to take your vehicle’s washer fluid system for granted. You probably don’t think of it with the same importance as engine oil or transmission fluid.
While it isn’t crucial for your car to run properly, using the correct type of washer fluid during the cold season can help keep you safe.
Different Types Like many other automotive fluids, you have several options when it comes to choosing the washer fluid which works best for you. Here are a few different types and when they are most beneficial. • Cold weather: If you experience frigid temperatures during the autumn, consider switching to a mixture that is resistant to freezing. Most bottles will advertise their freeze threshold clearly on the bottle. • De-icing: Another popular colder weather type of fluid is mixed with de-icing properties. Not only is it resistant to freezing, it will help clear icy windshields while you sit comfortably in the warm car. • Bug cleaning: More popular in warmer climates, this solution applies a chemical to clear bug residue collected on your windshield.
How the System Works
fluid system works is easy. Once you know its process, you will know how to diagnose problems when they occur. The windshield washer is activated by a switch in your car, near the steering column in most vehicles. Once it is engaged, a pump goes to work to push washer fluid from your reservoir into a series of tubes that are connected to nozzles located on the front or back of your window.
Safety Washer fluid is largely made up of methanol; without it, regular water would freeze in the reservoir. It’s important to keep your extra bottles away from children as its bright color can easily be mistaken for a sweet drink. When maintaining your vehicle’s system, be careful to avoid contact and clean any spill, because it’s harmful to pets, too. According to the National Capital Poison Control, the methanol in washer fluid can cause kidney failure, blindness and even death if swallowed.during the winter, or how to preserve them until next spring.
Understanding how a washer Page 2F
2018 Fall Car & Truck Care Guide
2018 Fall Car & Truck Care Guide
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Your Heating System
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or many locations around the country, fall means crisp temperatures and cool drives to work. Make sure your heating system is working before enduring a teethchattering commute. Schedule a visit to your local auto repair shop to test the integrity of your car’s heater before the temperatures drop. Heater Core What it does: This crucial part of your heater resembles a compact radiator. Instead of acting to cool the engine, it is responsible for the defrost and heating capabilities of your vehicle. It directs hot coolant through brass or aluminum tubing,
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allowing the air you feel inside to be maintained at comfortable levels. When it fails: If your coolant levels are adequate but the air is still cool, it’s likely the heater core is clogged or failing. Some signs you may notice include fog inside your car, an overheating engine or an unusually sweet smell.
Blower Motor What it does: This electric motor is responsible for pushing air through the vents in your cabin. For air conditioning, it pulls cool air from the vehicle’s evaporator. Heated air is taken from the heater core. You may think you are
controlling the motors speed when you change the dial. However, the interior climate control is actually operating a resistor. This part distributes different voltage levels to the motor when you adjust the knob or auto-climate control changes temperatures. A popular style of resistor uses coils to
produce resistance and fluctuate speeds to accommodate your comfort. When it fails: A breakdown of this part can lead to an uncomfortable drive home. A professional can test the motor, resistor and relay, which all play a role in a properly functioning blower motor.
2018 Fall Car & Truck Care Guide
Maintenance For Safety
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eing a safe driver is a responsibility held by everyone on the highway. However, it takes more than watching the road and driving defensively to ensure things go smoothly. Drivers must also take the issue of safety maintenance seriously.
Before the cool weather returns, schedule an appointment at your local garage to check the integrity of important safety systems.
Tires
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, nearly 700 people die each year in accidents due to faulty tires. If you notice the tread is low or there are wires showing on your car’s tires, do not attempt to drive. Not only are you putting everyone in your vehicle at risk, other
2018 Fall Car & Truck Care Guide
innocent drivers may be injured if you experience a blowout on the road. Most vehicle manufacturers recommend rotating your tires at least every 6,000 miles. In years past, the common rule of thumb was to get this maintenance done every other oil change. Today, synthetic oils and efficient engines are requiring intervals much less often, so it can be harder to keep track of your rotation schedule. It’s important to save the date or ask your repair facility to send
you a reminder as the day approaches. Properly rotating your tires helps with balancing, evening out tread wear and prolonging tire life.
Brakes
If your stopping power is compromised, you may find yourself in a dangerous situation. Brake pads are designed to begin making noise when they require to be changed, modern vehicles even feature brake pad wear sensors which trigger a warning light on the dashboard. Change the brakes at the first
sign of trouble to avoid costly repairs by replacing rotors and calipers that can become damaged.
Windshield
Your view of the highway should always be cleaned and free of cracks or blemishes. Avoid using any tint on the windscreen; it’s not only illegal in most states but it can lessen your view quality. If your windshield is damaged from rock chips, hire a professional to repair it. Most small cracks can be fixed inexpensively.
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Get Your Wheels In Line
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fter driving through the rough conditions of summer road-construction projects, it’s likely your vehicle is in need of an alignment.
Hitting potholes, curbs and normal wear from your car’s steering components can cause your wheels to point the wrong way. While fall is the perfect time to perform an alignment due to the many road hazards created during warmer temperatures, don’t forget to add it to your regular maintenance schedule all year.
How to Know It’s Time It’s not easy to see that your car needs an alignment. Sometimes the wheels will only be off by a hundredth of a degree. However, the way your
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car handles will provide the telltale signs while you’re in the driver’s seat. Pay attention for these symptoms while traveling. • When you let go of the steering wheel, the vehicle may pull to one side. • While driving down a straight and flat road, your steering wheel can be unbalanced. Pay attention to the angle of the logo in the center, if it isn’t straight, make an appointment. • It is also common for steering wheels to constantly vibrate while traveling when an alignment is required.
How It’s Performed A wheel alignment is not a job for the DIY mechanic. The procedure requires a special machine with technology to determine the proper angle of your tires. There are a series of suspension angles called toe, thrust, camber and caster that impact the direction wheels move. To ensure a smooth ride, each part must be properly aligned to the manufacturer’s specifications. Once your vehicle is connected to an alignment machine, special sensors and cameras work to show the
exact degree where a component must be adjusted.
How it Affects Your Car The main concern when driving an unaligned vehicle is safety. Especially when traveling at high speeds, steering can be extremely difficult, affecting your reaction time to hazards. It also takes an enormous toll on your tires. When driving with proper alignment and regular tire rotations, you will get more out of your car’s shoes and expensive-suspension components.
2018 Fall Car & Truck Care Guide
Timeline for Buying a Car
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he big day has finally arrived. You have been preapproved for the loan and decided on the perfect car. It won’t be long before you’re on the way home in a vehicle of your dreams, right? Not quite.
The process of purchasing a car can take a while. If you have never purchased a new vehicle, here’s what you should expect from the time you step on the lot.
The Test Drive Before getting to the dealership, you should have a few different cars in mind. Be sure to research safety and performance ratings and have a good idea of what it may cost. After viewing the vehicles you have chosen in person, it’s time to take a test drive.
2018 Fall Car & Truck Care Guide
During this trial period, be sure to travel roadways like the ones on your daily commute. You deserve to know how the vehicle will perform in your everyday life. You should also pay attention to functionality. If the dashboard and onboard controls seem overwhelming, consider another model with fewer features.
Crunching the Numbers Now that you have decided which vehicle works for your budget and lifestyle, it’s time to
make a deal. Negotiating is part of buying a car, so don’t feel like your salesman will be offended if you ask for a better price. When buying a new car, you can take advantage of rebates offered by the manufacturers. With a little research, you can find out about these discounts and use them as leverage. Expect your salesman to make several trips to the sales manager’s office before the deal is finally done. Don’t settle for a price that you will struggle to afford. It’s also important to avoid a decision based strictly
on the monthly payment. Consider what you will pay in the long run.
Signing the Papers Once the deal is done, you will put your wrist to the test. Be prepared to sign numerous papers to make the sale legal and complete. Your sales professional will explain the purpose for each signature. Take your time. Be sure you understand what you’re signing.
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Get to Know the Car
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acing buyer’s regret on an investment as large as a new car can be tough to manage. With so much on the line financially, it is important the vehicle you choose performs exactly as expected. That’s why researching a few different options will ensure you made the right decision. Here are a few tips to get your car-buying journey started the right way.
Before the Dealer Start your research to discover features that are most important to you. These are some helpful resources which can help answer common questions you may have. • Insurance Institute for Highway Safety: Here, you can review safety ratings for new vehicles, based on rigorous testing methods. • Environmental Protection Agency: This group reveals fuel economy for cars and trucks hitting the market. • Kelley Blue Book: This resource can show you the average price a dealer will pay for the vehicle you are considering and help you negotiate your trade-in value.
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At the Dealer After choosing several vehicles to consider, you should go see them in person at the dealership. Sometimes, it’s best to go after hours or on a weekend to avoid any pressure from a salesperson. Most new cars will have a sticker in the window showcasing the features a vehicle is equipped with along with the cost and fuel economy. Once the dealership is open, visit the lot and test drive the cars you have researched. It can also be beneficial to record the Vehicle Identification Numbers on the vehicle and research the exact model on a manufacturer’s website. Some automakers will disclose the factory it was built in, the exact warranty and special technologies you may have failed to notice during the test drive. Understand exactly what you are buying before signing the papers. 2018 Fall Car & Truck Care Guide
Know a Vehicles History Did you know there are 17 numbers listed on every vehicle that denote different aspects and keeps a record of its history? A vehicle identification number (VIN) became standard in automobiles when the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration required them in 1954. During its inception, the VIN’s length and format were different depending on the vehicle. That was until 1981, when all numbers began containing 17 letters and numbers. This is still the standard today.
Importance of a VIN According to the Department of Motor Vehicles, a vehicle identification number is a specialized code that displays helpful information such as where the vehicle was built, which engine powers it, the manufacturer and the model year. The VIN also shows you important information about the vehicle’s history and previous owners’ actions with the vehicle. Consider these tips from the DMV while researching the VIN of a vehicle you are considering purchasing. • Past owners: The VIN will show you each time the vehicle’s title changed hands. Investigate how many owners it has had and mileage driven between different owners to see how hard it might have been driven. 2018 Fall Car & Truck Care Guide
• Title and accident history: Incidents such as accident reports, flood damage and salvage title branding can be exposed by researching a VIN. Performing a title check will ensure you that a seller is the actual owner of the vehicle they are selling. • Faulty odometer: Pay attention to the current odometer and the mileage you see while researching a VIN. If it was ever lower on its history report, it’s a good indicator that someone might have tampered with the mileage to make the sale more attractive. Buying used comes with awesome advantages and a few risks that can make some hesitant to commit. However, when you buy from a certified used car dealer, the guarantee that a vehicle is legal to be sold and has had a thorough inspection gives great peace of mind.
Where to Find a VIN A vehicle identification number is featured in several places on a vehicle. When researching a used car, you can find it on the lower-left corner of the dashboard (visible by looking in the windshield), under the hood near the front of the engine, inside driver’s door jamb and the front of the car’s frame. Make sure VINs match, as sometimes parts with a label on them are replaced due to damage. Page 9F
NEW CAR BUYING GUIDE | MAINTENANCE
Maintaining Your Warranty O
ne of the biggest advantages of buying a new car is the peace of mind that comes with having a manufacturer’s warranty. Since each automaker may set different limits or standards to keep it intact, it is important to follow the recommendations set in the manual.
Keep in mind that a full warranty is likely limited to the engine and powertrain. Normal wear items like braking components, wiper blades and batteries usually aren’t covered. To ensure the parts that are included in the warranty can be replaced at no cost, you must follow specific instructions regarding maintenance. Learn how to understand the manufacturer warranties and how you can protect yourself with tips from the Federal Trade Commission.
WHAT IS A WARRANTY?
The FTC defines a warranty as a promise, often made by a manufacturer, to stand behind its product or to fix certain defects of malfunctions over a period of time. The warranty pays for any covered repairs or part replacements during the specified period. New car manufacturers vary in the mileage limits and number of years the vehicle is covered. Check with your sales professional during your visit to the dealership to find out exactly what they offer. pulsion system, like the engine and transmission. Repairs to There are typically two types these components can be of warranties offered by a man- expensive and labor intensive, ufacturer. Become accustomed so a warranty is welcome to their meanings before you insurance. head to the dealership. Bumper-to-bumper: This Powertrain: This typically type of warranty covers system covers the vehicle’s main procomponents like air condition-
WHAT IS COVERED?
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© ADOBE STOCK
ing systems, suspension, audio system and electronic technology. High-tech vehicle owners can benefit greatly from this assurance.
IMPORTANCE OF MAINTENANCE
Any warranty can become
void if proper maintenance is not being performed to a manufacturer’s specifications. Make sure you stick to a schedule made by your service advisor to ensure everything is completed at the proper intervals. It’s crucial to keep records of everything an authorized facil-
ity has performed to your vehicle. Warranties can be voided for something as simple as using the wrong viscosity of oil that the engine calls for. DIY repairs or maintenance should be avoided when your car is covered by a manufacturer warranty.
2018 Fall Car & Truck Care Guide
Get the Most for Your Trade-In W
hen buying a used vehicle, there is always the question of what to do with your old one. An extra car comes with the costs of insurance and registration fees.
Sometimes, Americans can get more money for their old cars by selling them themselves. However, to save time, many choose to simply use it as a trade-in at their dealership in exchange for a credit toward buying a new car. Do you know how to find the general value of your vehicle and how to present it to receive the biggest offer?
How a Dealer Values a Trade In Don’t be surprised if a dealer offers you a trade-in price lower than the actual value of your
2018 Fall Car & Truck Care Guide
vehicle. It is their priority to make a profit on the investment when reselling your trade in. This is not malpractice. It’s simply part of how used car lots keep their inventory fresh and stay in business. According to the Department of Motor Vehicles, here are the factors a dealer will use when determining your trade-in value. • Current inventory. • The car’s model age. Newer trade-ins may come with lower offers, since they are competing against other new cars. • A vehicle’s engine type.
All these factors will significantly impact the amount of money a dealer will offer.
Score the Best Offer Presenting your used vehicle as a viable automobile that will sell quickly is just as important as the lengths to which your dealership must go to make the cars on their lot attractive. Would you be interested in making an investment toward a vehicle with poor maintenance? Neither will you dealer. The DMV suggests taking these steps before offering your vehicle as a trade in: • Make sure to thoroughly
wash the inside and outside of your car; • Bring all records of maintenance to prove the car was taken care of; and • Explain that you have a general idea of your car’s trade-in value.
know Your Car’s Value
Taking advantage of tools such as the Kelley Blue Book can give shoppers an advantage by showing what you can expect when it comes to a trade-in offer. The price will be impacted by the condition of your vehicle, its model year and the number of features.
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2018 Fall Car & Truck Care Guide