Page 3 - 2015 Car Care

Buying a new automobile, be it a brand new car or a pre- owned vehicle, is a considerable investment. Some buyers agonize over which automobile to buy, while others tend to stick with the same make or model for years on end.
Regardless of which group buyers fall into, there are some things all consumers should consider before buying their next vehicle.
• Driver needs: A large sport utility vehicle might be your dream vehicle, but it might not be the most practical car to start parking in your garage. When examining your vehicle needs, ask yourself what you use the car for. Is it just a vessel to get you from point A to point B? Do you routinely use your vehicle to take your children and their teammates to and from soccer practice? Is your commute long or short? Each of these things should factor into your decision. For example, if your commute to work is espe- cially long, then perhaps a smaller, more fuel-efficient vehicle is the most practical choice. However, if you rou- tinely carpool or use your car to get the kids to and fro, then a larger vehicle with a more roomy interior might be the best bet regardless of its fuel efficiency.
• Budget: Your budget is perhaps the biggest thing to consider when shopping for a new vehicle. Many buy- ers intend to finance or lease a vehicle, and sites such as Edmunds.com can help prospective buyers estimate what their monthly car payment will be. The larger the down payment you’re able to make, the less your monthly payment will be. In addition, those who intend to finance their vehicle purchases should consider the length of their finance agreement. You might be able to finance a vehicle purchase in as little as 12 months or as long as 72 months. The longer your agreement, the less you will be paying each month. However, you will pay more interest the longer your agreement is and your payment is likely to be the same in the 72nd month, when the vehicle has
New wheels: A host of factors should be considered when men and women are buying a new or preowned vehicle.
significantly depreciated in value, as it was in the first month when the vehicle’s value was at its peak.
• Lease or buy: The decision to lease or buy is some- thing to consider. Leasing allows drivers to drive a brand new car for far less money than if they were to purchase the vehicle outright, and the terms of a lease are typically far shorter than those when buyers are financing, which allows drivers to get a new vehicle more often. Buying or financing a vehicle has its advantages as well, most notably that you will be making payments for something you’re eventually going to own. In addition, buying or financing gives consumers more flexibility, as they’re allowed to sell the car whenever they choose without penalty, something that is not allowed under many lease agreements. In addition, there are no mileage restrictions when buying or financing, while such restrictions are typical when leasing a vehicle.
• Insurance: Some vehicles are more expensive to insure than others. Insurance companies base insurance rates on a host of factors, but those vehicles that have the stron- gest safety records and are less likely to be stolen tend to cost less to insure. How much you will pay to insure a vehicle also depends on how you will be paying for it. Lenders typically require borrowers who are financing or leasing a vehicle to fully insure the car, which costs con- siderably more than basic insurance coverage that drivers who buy their vehicles outright tend to choose. Weigh the costs of insuring different makes or models before making your purchase.
Buying a new vehicle requires a considerable financial investment, so buyers should weigh a host of factors before driving their next vehicle off the lot.
Simple steps turn the interior from dirty to pristine in little time
Much like curb appeal improv- ing the chances of a sale on your home, having a car that is present- ed well inside and out may boost the amount of money and poten- tial of a resale on your vehicle. Even vehicle owners who don't anticipate selling their vehicles in the near future should maintain the vehicles to ensure they are safe and sound.
After home and work, a car is where many people spend most of their time. As a result, a vehi- cle can easily become soiled, scratched or overrun with clutter. Maintaining the interior of your vehicle need not take much time or effort, but it should be done often enough to keep on top of the mess. Here's how to start.
Remove Clutter
The first step in cleaning the interior is to remove the excess items that may have accumulat- ed in the car. Busy families tend
to leave toys, books or cloth- ing in their vehicles. There also may be discarded food wrappers or beverage containers. People who commute also may accumu- late a number of items in their cars, including business materi- als. These items should be sort- ed through and put where they belong before tackling the rest of the cleaning work.
Vacuum
Much of the dirt and debris that accumulates in vehicles can easi- ly be removed with a vacuum. A shop vac will have enough power to thoroughly clean upholstery and mats. If you do not have one, visit a self car wash.
Remove the floor mats and set them on a flat surface. Thoroughly vacuum the mats to clear them of dust, dirt, food crumbs, and any other debris. Vacuum the floor of the car as well as any seat upholstery that may be a catch-
all for crumbs. Using a soft-bris- tled vacuum attachment, you also can remove dust from the vents, speakers and the center console of your vehicle .
Spot cleaning
Spills and stains do occur in vehicles, just as they do else- where. Cleaning these stains may require a little elbow grease and a cleansing agent. Most automo- tive supply stores will sell an upholstery cleaner designed for car interiors. You also can use a mixture of laundry detergent and water applied with a slight- ly damp rag or sponge. Go over each area that is soiled so you can devote adequate time to each stain. The same process can be used on the vehicle's carpeting. Use a brush to really clean heavily soiled areas.
Leather upholstery can be more delicate than cloth upholstery. When cleaning a leather interi-
or, use only products that are designed specifically for leather so as to avoid damaging the inte- rior.
Console and dashboard detail- ing
A barely moist cloth can be used to clean the plastic components of the dashboard and consoles of the vehicle. The goal is to wipe away any dust and any minor stains or sticky areas without saturating important electrical components. It is always better to spray polish or cleaning agents on your cloth than directly on the dashboard. In hard-to-reach-areas, consider using a soft-bristled paintbrush or cotton swabs to clean in crevices. Wipe down everything with a dry cloth or towel afterward.
Windows
Having clean windows is essen- tial to driving safely. Cleaning the windshield and windows is rel- atively simple to do with a glass
cleaner spray and a lint-free cloth. Use caution when cleaning the rear windshield if it has a defog- ger/defroster grid on the window. These wires can be damaged easi- ly. Clean with the direction of the defroster grid lines.
Freshen the car
Place an air freshener or spray a product on the air intake vent to eradicate musty smells in the car. It also is important to replace the cabin air filter periodically, otherwise you could be breathing in dust and dander that is trapped in the filter.
These are the basic steps to cleaning a car's interior. Other detail work can be done depend- ing on your preferences and the make of the car. Routine mainte- nance helps others see you have pride in your vehicle and can ensure a better return on your investment down the line if you choose to sell.
Road trip safety tips ensure safe and successful getaways
A good road trip can be the ultimate spring or summer experience. With the open road ahead, life’s troubles seem to melt and there’s just the one- ness of the driver and the road.
For a road trip to be successful, it’s not just a matter of taking to the road and putting the pedal to the metal. There are a host of considerations to make, which can ensure safety and peace of mind when beginning your excursion. The hot sun that can bake the roadway — and your body — can also take its toll on your car, contrib- uting to breakdowns. And there are other factors to be aware of.
Maintenance should never be over- looked when it comes to prepping for a road trip. At the least, The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration recommends that drivers have their tires, battery, belts, fluids, and air conditioner checked by a qualified mechanic prior to starting any long trip. But the list does not stop there. There are many other precautions to heed before taking to the road.
* Be sure to have all necessary doc- uments on hand. Nothing can stall a road trip faster than getting pulled over by a police officer and being without your license, registration and proof of insurance. These are required documents to operate a vehicle, and it’s definitely worth a second check in your wallet and glove compartment to be sure they are where they should be.
* Get an oil change. Driving long intervals can be taxing on a car engine, as can the start-and-stops associated with getting stuck in road trip traf- fic. Do yourself and your car a favor by getting an oil change to ensure there will be proper lubrication of the
engine and that thick, old motor oil won’t contribute to a breakdown.
* Update your GPS. If you will be using a GPS device as your primary tool for navigation, update the device’s maps before departure. Roadways are always being changed, and without downloading the proper updates, you could end up driving in circles instead of moving on to your destination. In addition, many GPS models come equipped with pinpointing points of interest, or POI, such as restaurants, tourist areas, hotels, and rest stops, which should be update before begin- ning the trip. Follow the guidelines spelled out in the owner’s manual that comes with your GPS unit. Consumer Reports also advises knowing the local ordinances regarding GPS use. For example, a windshield-mounted unit is not allowed while driving in Minnesota.
* Plan who will drive when. A long road trip — one that will be done pri- marily in one day — could necessitate splitting up the trip between two or more drivers. Not only does this ban- ish boredom, it also reduces the risk of driver fatigue. NHTSA estimates that approximately 100,000 police-reported crashes in the United States each year involve drowsiness and/or fatigue.
* Protect your eyes. The weather and the position of the sun could change depending on where you are driving. If you wear glasses or contacts for driving, be sure you have them with you. Keep a few pairs of sunglasses in your car to shield your eyes from sun glare. If the sun proves problematic, pull over for a little while or try an alternate route that prevents oncom- ing sun on the windshield. While you
are packing sunglasses, also be sure to bring along — and wear — sunscreen, as the sun’s rays can be magnified through the window glass.
* Bring along refreshments. Frequent stops for bathroom breaks and simply to stretch your legs are adviseable, but limit rest-stop fare whenever possible. Not only do these foods tend to be unhealthy, they are often expensive. Keep your road trip budget down by packing healthy food and drinks that you can enjoy on the go.
* Keep on top of your car’s fuel level. Play it safe when gassing up the car. On rural roads or stretches of coun- try with which you are unfamiliar, you never know how far away filling stations might be from one anoth- er. That means you should take the opportunity to top off the gas tank whenever you get the chance. This way you always will be confident you have enough gas to get to the next station. Don’t risk coasting into your destination on fumes, unless you want to arrive at your destination hitched to a tow truck.
* Be wary of hitchhikers. Although hitchhikers are few and far between nowadays, there is still the possibility of coming across someone thumbing for a ride on the side of the road. Do not pick up a stranger who is hitch- hiking, no matter how reputable the person may seem. If you come across someone who has broken down, offer to call for help instead of allowing the person into the car.
Road trips seem to be an essential part of the spring and summer season. They can be all the more fun and safe when you heed a few road trip rules of the road.
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