Maintaining your Car

Using Solar Battery Chargers

One of the really frustrating experiences in life, is going to your automobile only to find that the battery is flat. For many of us, this will happen when the car is parked for extended periods of time. On top of that, there are other occasions when your car battery may have died on you.

A particular example might be that you left the interior lights on in the car overnight. Or perhaps you left your car doors ajar, possibly you left the the radio on. No matter what the reason, you should get a solar trickle charger.

The great thing about these units, is that anyone can simply plug it in to your cigarette lighter and leave it there all the time. It has an overload failsafe feature so that you won’t inadvertently over charge your batteries.

Consequently, you can have the unit set-up to be permanently activated. These units generally include alligator clips, letting you hook it up directly to the battery, which is a good option when you have other devices that also need to use the cigarette lighter.

Solar battery trickle chargers can be utilized in other instances besides your automobile. This is a great option for fisher-folk and fishing boats as it is weather proof. There is nothing more terrifying than getting caught in the middle of a body of water with a dead trolling motor and no means to recharge it.

By having one of these units you will not have to bother with that, as it will continuously keep charging your battery for your entire fishing trip.You can also use solar trickle chargers during the winter months, so that your batteries are always charged up and ready to go. Over the winter months, many people remove the batteries from their motorboats, ATVs and other vehicles they may not be using.

With a solar trickle charger you won’t have to worry about the batteries going dead, as you can simply put the unit in a window and use the alligator clips to keep your battery charged all winter long, without wasting mains electricity.

This could be one of the finest inventions in a long time. The only drawback is that some models are made from plastic, therefore not as durable as may be necessary for outdoor pursuits. But if you are only planning to put one in your car then it should be a foregone conclusion to get one.

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Solar Battery Trickle Charger

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Time to Replace Your Brake Pads

When Should You Replace Your Brake Pads?
It might be hard to work out when you should replace your brake pads. But there are some signs that can indicate that you need to change them.

It is not a good idea to ignore it, as it can cause more trouble in the long run.

Worn brake pads can adversely impact your ability to bring your car to a halt. This can be especially dangerous in an emergency situation when adequately working brakes are a must to help you stop your car promptly.

There are some telltale signs of pending brake problems; do you know what they are? Awareness of a problem is the key to avoiding potential harmful consequences; let’s examine some well known warning signs.

Here are the most common signs of something wrong with your brakes: squealing brakes, spongy brake pedals, grinding of the brakes, wheel grabs, the car pulling from one side to the other, brake pedal pumping. Be sure to take notice if there are any of these signs when you are driving.

Once you notice any of these problems you should then have your car inspected. While some of these problems may necessitate you replacing other brake components, an inspection of your brake pads should reveal that they are worn and are in need of immediate replacement.

If you look around you can probably find a garage that will offer free brake inspections, which can help you determine what exactly is wrong with your brakes.

Ask your mechanic for a complete diagnosis of your brake system and an estimate on what parts and repairs will cost you. A good garage will give you a print out showing a fairly close estimate of what your costs will be.

Throw in your local taxes and the price quoted should be within 95% of the final cost, barring an unforeseen additional problem being detected [for example, brake master cylinder failure].

If you feel reasonably confident that you can do the work yourself, you stand to save yourself plenty of money, at least in labor costs.

You can save money with parts, too, by shopping around; the highest prices you pay will likely be through your dealer’s parts department.

Prices at a national auto parts supply store should be lower, while prices through an online wholesaler should be about the lowest available as they purchase directly from the manufacturer.

You should shop around to get a good deal on parts. A good place to check out would be the internet. Shopping online can give you more selections and save you a lot of money.

If you decide to purchase online, only obtain parts from a reputable dealer selling parts from trusted manufacturers. Be careful of those sites selling generic parts from overseas merchants.

In the end all that matters is that you have your brakes fixed, so you can get on the road again.

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How to Save on Car Service

7 Great Tips To Save Money on Car Parts and Maintenance
Taking care of your car maintenance can be very rewarding if done properly, so here’s a list of seven tips that can help you save money on your car parts and service.

1. A well tuned car can has a fuel consumption from 25% to 33% lower than a poorly tuned car, making a tune-up cheaper than driving without it. Tuning your car for better performance can save you between $150 and $250 per year.

2. Regardless of the number of miles the manual recommends a oil change and filter change you should change them every 3,000 miles. This is one of the most important factors in your engine’s life since it’s going to prolong your engine’s life and you’re going to save on engine car parts. The potential savings are $500 to $3000.

3. A dirty air filter means more gasoline used and reduces the engine’s life so you should check it regularly, maybe monthly. The air filter can be cleaned by blowing it out with an air-hose or can be replaced. You can save about $130 per year.

4. Using steel-belted radial tires can increase the number of miles you make per year by up to 10%, saving about $130 per year this way.

5. Most cars, don’t work better on premium gas, so, unless your car is pinging or knocking you shouldn’t use higher octane gas. If your car doesn’t have a high performance engine, using the gas that best suits your car’s engine can save you $200 to $400 per year.

6. Having under inflated tires makes your engine burn about 6% more gas so make sure you check your tire pressure regularly.

7. If your tires are improperly balanced the tread on them will be destroyed. In addition, your suspension and shock absorbers can be damaged, leading to more expense on car parts and service. Balancing your tires once a year can add thousands of miles to their life.

Written by: Ispas Marin
At http://www.mbsautoparts.com you will find discount part prices on millions of domestic and import Auto Parts and oem parts. Cheap Mercedes Parts, BMW Parts, Porsche Parts. Our discount prices on domestic and import truck and car parts and accessories are unbeatable.

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Finding a Good Car Mechanic

What to Look For in an Auto Repair Shop
When their cars break down unexpectedly, many people take them to the closest repair shop they can find. But this important decision should not be left to chance.

The best thing to do is to start shopping for a repair facility before you need one. By planning ahead, you can be sure that your car will be in capable hands when repairs are needed.

The National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence (ASE), a nonprofit, independent organization that tests and certifies auto service professionals, offers these tips on finding a good auto repair establishment.

• Ask your friends and associates for their recommendations or consult local consumer groups.
• Arrange for alternate transportation in advance so you will not feel forced to choose a shop based solely on location.
• Look for a neat, well-organized facility with modern equipment and vehicles in the parking lot that are equal in value to your own.
• Look for a courteous staff. The service consultant should be willing to answer all of your questions.
• Ask about the shop’s policies regarding estimated repair costs, diagnostic fees, guarantees and acceptable methods of payment.
• Ask if the repair facility usually handles your type of repair work.
• Look for signs of professionalism in the customer service area such as civic, community or customer service awards.
• Look for evidence of qualified technicians such as trade school diplomas, certificates of advanced courses and ASE certification.

Approximately 400,000 professionals hold current ASE credentials. They can be found at independent garages, dealerships, franchised outlets, collision shops and various other types of repair facilities.

The certified technicians wear blue and white ASE insignia or pins. Their employers often display their technicians’ ASE credentials in the customer service area and post the ASE sign on the premises.

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