Monday, November 28, 2016

Under The Hood - Check Engine Light


What does the check engine light mean? There are a variety of tools to figure it out.

Friday, November 25, 2016

Most Boosters Earn Top Rating, Bad Designs Still Slip Through - IIHS News


Most boosters earn top IIHS rating, but bad designs still slip through

ARLINGTON, Va. — The latest booster seat ratings from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety show that child seat manufacturers have mastered something that once eluded them: building a seat that provides good safety belt fit for the typical 4- to 8-year-old passenger.

Out of 53 new models evaluated, 48 earn the top rating of BEST BET, meaning they are likely to provide good belt fit for a 4 to 8 year-­old in almost any car, minivan or SUV. When the Institute first began rating boosters in 2008, only a quarter of the seats evaluated earned the BEST BET designation.

Despite this progress, several seats that don’t do their job and are rated Not Recommended can still be found on store shelves. They include two brand new models from Dorel Juvenile.

Tuesday, November 22, 2016

6 Questions to Ask Your Mechanic | Allstate Insurance


Getting your car serviced can be an intimidating experience. But, you can empower yourselves with the knowledge and confidence to help get the right work done. These simple questions may help you avoid paying too much for service and having unnecessary repairs done.

Saturday, November 19, 2016

2017 Most Reliable American Cars | Consumer Reports


Domestic cars rank both among the best – and the worst – when it comes to reliability. Consumer Reports breaks it down by brand.

Wednesday, November 16, 2016

How Do I Remove a Sticker From My Car?


Whether they're on your car's bumper or a window, stickers enable you to express yourself to a large audience, but the problem is that trends and tastes change, and political campaigns end. Cars.com’s Joe Wiesenfelder show how to clean the slate in this week’s segment of Driving Smart.

Sunday, November 13, 2016

Important Steps For Selecting An Auto Repair Shop


When a car breaks down, most customers just want to get back on the road soon without paying an extreme price. However, a little research and patience can go a long way in finding an auto repair shop. In fact, doing the due diligence now means that the next trip to the mechanic won't be anytime soon.

Find the Best Local Options

There are a few advantages to finding an auto shop in the neighborhood. First, you can ask neighbors and friends for their personal recommendations and experiences. Local shops will value customer loyalty and trustworthiness because they depend on word of mouth to create new customers. Secondly, the car can be dropped off and picked up easily, hopefully avoiding the process of arranging rides to and from the store. Lastly, a strong connection to a neighborhood shop can result in fair pricing to keep the customer coming back.

Check Customer Reviews

Even if the auto repair services aren't close by, or there are no referrals from friends and family, there are a variety of internet reviews sites worth checking. A lack of reviews online may suggest inexperience. Of course, most stores will have a range of good and bad reviews, but the overall trends about price, customer service, and quality work are worth reading about.

Compare More Than Prices

Shop around and don't always go with the cheapest option. Some auto repair shops will use a customer's impatience against them and raise the price when they sense a lack of negotiating skill. Remember that they need the customer and not vice versa. It is hard to wait when your primary mode of transportation needs fixing, but patience can pay off both now and in the future if it results in a good business relationship.

Prepare a List of Questions

In a similar vein, don't be afraid to ask questions. General questions about their experience, certifications, warranties, and work timeline let a mechanic know that you take this exchange seriously. Of course, getting an estimate on the price is the best way to ensure you're not getting ripped off, and it helps to do some amount of previous research to understand what a fair price might be. Shopping around and comparing prices can assure the best possible deals.

Get to Know the Mechanic

Establish a good working relationship with the shop to get peace of mind for future auto repairs. Rarely will this be the last visit to a mechanic. Fair pricing, communication, and a serious disposition will result in a good deal for all parties. Furthermore, if you leave a good review online or promise to come back, the relationship will find solid footing.

No matter how the search plays out, remember to trust your instincts and do what feels comfortable. No one wants to deal with a tense or strained business deal. Be patient, have confidence, and rely on those who have been through it before.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/expert/Ace_Abbey/851844

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/9565522

Thursday, November 10, 2016

2017 Five Least Reliable New Cars | Consumer Reports


Buying a new car should bring freedom from repairs. Consumer Reports tells you which new cars fall short when it comes to reliability.

Monday, November 7, 2016

Friday, November 4, 2016

Most Pickup Truck Headlights Rate Poor - IIHS news


Most pickup trucks have poor headlights, IIHS tests show

ARLINGTON, Va. — Drivers of late-model pickup trucks are likely to find themselves squinting into the darkness or temporarily blinding other drivers, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety's latest headlight ratings show.

All four small pickups evaluated are available only with headlights that earn a poor rating. The same goes for 3 out of 7 large pickups. Only one large pickup, the Honda Ridgeline, is available with good-rated headlights, though all but the most expensive trim levels come with poor ones.

Tuesday, November 1, 2016

2017 Consumer Reports New Car Reliability Results | Consumer Reports


Find out what brands build the most reliable new cars, which ones are most likely to need repair, and what tends to go wrong.