Tag Archives: auto

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Super Cheap Ways to Make your Car Look Great

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Your car is a huge investment and if you want to make it look great then there are a couple of things that you need to take into account. After all, you need to make sure that it is accessorised and you also need to make sure that it is clean and polished as well.

Cleaning your Car

Every time you get out of your car, make an effort to take any rubbish out. You also need to try and focus on your interior detailing as well. For example, are there any marks that you could cover up? Is it possible for you to replace the gear shifter knob? Little things like this can make a huge difference to your car and by simply dusting your dashboard you can really improve the general appearance of your vehicle. Organizing your car also helps and you don’t have to spend a ton of money on organisational tools or spiffy hardware. Try and consider using ziplock bags to keep all of your car manuals together, or even use cable tidies to keep your phone wires together. Of course, it’s understandable that you won’t want to wax your car every month, but do consider doing it a couple of times a year. It also won’t hurt to put it through a car wash from time to time, and make sure that you give the alloys a good scrub as well.

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Floor Mats

The first thing that will get ruined in your car is probably going to be your floor mat. If your car has the original floor mat that it came with and it is in great condition then you have nothing to worry about here, but if you don’t or if you know that your car mats are in bad condition then you may want to get these replaced. When you do get them replaced, try and opt for rubber mats. Felt mats can store mud and moisture, and all of this can lead to a mould build up. Eventually you’ll have to buy a brand new set and this can cost you a ton of money as well. Rubber on the other hand, can be cleaned time and time again.

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Car Body

If you have dents or dings in your car then why not consider getting them fixed? A Jeep rear bumper for example is very easy to buy and very easy to replace as well so you can easily bring your old car back to life. If you haven’t cleaned your windshield wipers in a while then you need to get a microfibre cloth so that you can get all of the dust and debris that you have accumulated over the years. This will help to keep your glass clean and it is a great way for you to really boost the general appearance of your car.

Other things that you can do include replacing the alloys, the door handles or the trim underneath the car. These things are a little bit more expensive but they can make all the difference.

 

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3 Reasons You Should Lease Your Next Car

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As the technology that goes into cars gets better and better, they are also gradually increasing in price. While this is part and parcel of creating some incredible new vehicles and pushing the boundaries, it is problematic for people who are passionate about cars and love driving but simply can’t afford those prices. This means that if you are looking for a new car – hybrid, electric or otherwise – you should start considering other methods for funding your transportation.

In the future, it seems very likely that we won’t have our own cars at all. Self driving vehicles are looking increasingly viable as a wide-scale option, opening up the opportunity for people to effectively hire the nearest car rather than owning their own. This lifestyle makes a lot of sense on both an economical level and an environmental level.

But this future doesn’t have to be that far away. In recent years, car leasing has become more and more popular. You get to lease the perfect car for you and in a few years time you can switch it up for a better model, incorporating new technologies and more green credentials. While we don’t have self-driving cars just yet, we can certainly start to learn how to share assets much better and begin to let go of the notion of ownership.

So, what is so good about leasing?

Fit in With Your Monthly Expenses

Leasing is one of the best ways to get a car when you don’t quite have the money to buy one. Cars are expensive and getting more and more expensive as time goes on. This can make it quite tricky for people who require a car but aren’t earning enough just yet to acquire the savings in time, like first time car buyers.

As a good compromise, leasing allows you to figure out how much you can afford to spend out of your monthly budget on your car. With this money, you can then lease a car without having to put down a deposit to begin with. In other words you get the car you want, right now, without having to save up for one first.

Fitting any large expense into your monthly budget can be quite difficult but luckily there are a wide range of cars available to lease. At the end of your lease, you can choose to either swap your car for a new model that will suit your new needs, or you can lease your same car again. This is slightly different to paying for a car on finance as you won’t own your leased car at the end of your contract. However, the monthly payments are quite a lot cheaper so this could be a better option if you are shorter on cash. You can read a little more about the differences between leasing and financing online at www.wcvolvocars.com.

Upgrade to Enjoy a New Car at the End of Your Lease

One of the most exciting things about your lease is that once it ends you can upgrade to get a better car that will suit your needs. As technology and cars are moving along at a rapid pace, this is a really good advantage to have as in a few years time, you can’t even imagine what kinds of changes will have been made. Having the ability to join in straight away will be really very exciting!

This might sound a bit weird if you haven’t thought of leasing a car before, but think of it like a cell phone. We all know how quickly cell phones have suddenly taken off with brand new technologies seeming to appear almost every month. The car industry may be a slightly slower industry given that a car is a much larger investment for anyone to make, but it is rapidly catching up and now this attitude to leasing rather than owning is taking off. And, when you think about it that way, it makes a lot more sense.

Your Car is Protected Under Warranty

One of the biggest worries that drivers have is that should anything go wrong with their car, they will have to pay to get it fixed again. This is particularly worrying when you have already spent pretty much all you have on buying the car in the first place!

With a lease, the car you are driving will be protected and covered so that if there are any problems, this won’t be coming out of your pocket, but will be paid for by the warranty. This means that while you should certainly continue to take excellent care of your car and drive sensibly and safely at all times, if there are any problems, you won’t need to worry about covering the cost.

This is a huge bonus if you are looking for an electric car or a hybrid as these cars are generally much more expensive to fix when they go wrong as they contain specially made parts that can often only be fitted by a particular garage or technician. Knowing this will also help to bring your insurance cover down as your insurer will not be shouldering the cost of these repairs either.

Leasing a car might not sound like it’s for you, but even if you only look at these three reasons to lease your next car, it is clear that there are a few significant advantages at play as the technology in cars improves at a rapidly increasing rate, you don’t want to get left behind the times when you know that the next awesome breakthrough in efficiency is coming. Being able to change your car regularly will allow you to stay on top of the trends without breaking the bank or having to save up a ridiculous amount for a deposit.

Take control of your car and take control of the future. Leasing is a trend that will soon be working for everyone and the sooner you climb on board, the more likely it is that industries will work to develop a future where everyone has a way of travelling around easily and efficiently – where you don’t need to be wealthy to have a stake in the best of the city.

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How To Prepare Your Vehicle For Business Uses

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Being able to drive is a wonderful privilege that we have, and while being able to get from A to B easier and faster than walking, our cars can be used for much more than just transportation. Many people use their cars for business purposes, whether that be to get them to business meetings, pick up clients, or even advertise their own business. If you’re looking to utilize your car for business uses, take a look at the advice in this article so that you can be safe on the roads, while driving in comfort at the same time.

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Use radar detectors

For those who don’t know, radar detectors are installed in cars to alert you when you’re going too fast and when there are police detectors nearby. This could prove massively helpful if you’re using your car for business purposes because not only will it save you from gaining points on your license, but it will also save your business from creating a bad reputation. Take a look at the best undetectable radar detector and buy yourself one to protect yourself, others, and also your business.

Keep business cards and merchandise in your car

Ensuring that you constantly have a supply of merchandise and business cards in your car will allow you to do business wherever you are. Even if you’re not on a business trip, it’s likely that you will run into someone and begin talking about your business, and having everything ready in your car could gain you more customers! Make sure that they are kept flat and away from any damp so that if the time comes that you are showing off your business, that you look professional and prepared.

Have it serviced regularly

Like all cars, there’s a chance that your car could break down at some point, which will obviously not be good for business, especially if you have places that you need to be. Getting your car serviced regularly will give you that extra bit of reassurance that your car is going to be reliable through all journeys that you need to make. Also, having it serviced more regularly will likely prevent any pricey fixes coming your way because your mechanic should be able to pick up on small problems before they turn into larger and more expensive ones.

Add some homely touches

Being a business owner means you will probably be spending a considerable amount of time in your car, travelling to clients and other meetings. Take the time to make your car more homely so that you can travel in comfort. Things you could add to your car include:

  • Hands free set
  • Seat warmers
  • GPS
  • Snacks and water
  • An improved sound system

There are many other things you could add, but the above would make any journey much more bearable.

Use these tips to prepare your car for business uses and you will soon find yourself in a safe and productive car that can help you and your business.

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Making Your Car Safer For The Road With Technology

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Driving can be a dangerous game. There are so many thousands of drivers on the roads just in your area every day, and each of them will have their own view on what safe driving is.

To ensure that you are always safe on the road, companies like American Traffic Solutions will install cameras, traffic lights, warning signs and diversions to ensure we stay safe. However, the safety of ourselves and the people around us is not only down to the authorities. We have a responsibility to make sure that we drive safely and that our car is safe to drive.

There are some great pieces of tech we can install into our cars which make driving much safer, and therefore being on the roads a less hazardous affair.

Rear-view camera

One of the things which can make a massive difference to the way we drive our vehicles is the ability to see where we are reversing. Rather than you having to guess where the cars are in each side of when reversing into a bay, the camera will show you and make it easier for you to drive. It also means that if anything appears at the back of the car such as a cat, you can avoid hitting it.

Phone technology

One of the most common causes of road accidents is texting or talking on the phone while driving. Having your phone either lifted up to your ear or under your steering wheel is a huge danger to you and everyone around you. The great thing is that you can get a car which has the ability to stop you from using your phone on the road. Most newer models will now have Bluetooth in the onboard system which will allow you to connect your phone and talk hands free. Another great feature which Ford has introduced is the ability for your car to read message out to you. This saves you being tempted to take your eyes off the road when you receive a message. You are then able to auto reply with ‘Call me back later’ and carry on your drive.

Lane Keeping

Don’t you just hate it when people swerve in and out of lanes for no reason? This can happen especially when a driver isn’t paying attention to the road. Luckily, many cars can now detect a subtle change in lane positioning and will correct this automatically. It means that if a driver is too busy texting to pay attention to the road. The car will move itself back into the lane and stay there.

Collision Prevention

You may remember your driving lessons when one day your instructor told you to break in the middle of the road. Learning how to emergency stop is a skill you are taught in case of an accident, however sometimes you simply cannot predict what will happen. The great thing is, some cars will do it for you. The Honda Accord for example will sense an accident happening and slam the brakes on before you even notice what it happening, it can save your life, and it will certainly make your car much safer on the road.

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Are You Worried About Buying Used Cars?

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The investment

When it comes to buying cars, it’s generally a pretty big payment, which means you need to make sure you know what you’re getting. There’s a lot of risks when going for used though, as you might find that it has faults of its own, which you would have to deal with if you made the purchase. It’s always best to have someone come and look at it to make sure it’s what you’re after, and perhaps you should take it for a test-drive.

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Why used?

Generally, buying a used car over a new car means you’ll be saving a significant amount of money, which makes the risk of faults well worth it. Many car owners out there don’t care too much for having a brand new, bright and shining car, and can get on fine with a similar model that has one or two small scratches on it. When you look it at like that, it almost makes buying a new car a waste of money, especially if you can’t find any faults on a pre-owned one. You also should consider, any flaws in the car would likely knock the price down a bit, and it’s just a matter of dealing with, or restoring it.

Imagine you find yourself a used car that you really like the model of, and you’re willing to deal with its faults if it means you can own it. The problem here would be that you would need a way to replace any of its faulty pieces, and in some cases that can be quite difficult. If a car isn’t a very commonly desired product, then you may have a lot of trouble trying to locate and buy the right parts for it, so it’s generally better to find out beforehand that you can fix it. You’d do a good job to check around online, and look for things like genuine Vauxhall parts & accessories, and if you’re lucky, you can find products right for you. You should always be prepared to have to put in the extra effort when you’re buying used, especially if you want to buy it knowing there’s a problem. Most people might part with the idea of making that purchase, and move onto another; however, there are times where the idea of owning that specific vehicle can outweigh the costs and effort that you would have to put in.

Your first car?

In most cases, when it comes to buying your first car, it’s usually a used model. Firstly, your lack of experience should indicate that buying a new car would be wasteful and potentially riskier on the financial side. Secondly, most people who are getting their first car are still in education or new to working, and it’s the most they can afford. There’s a lot more than just the base cost of the car that you should be considering because there are constant costs that you’ll have to cover during use. You need to be prepared for insurance, gas prices and maintenance; else you’re likely to be off of the road for longer than you would expect. You’re not legally allowed to drive without insurance, and the other two are physical roadblocks for your car’s driving ability. All of these together can be very expensive, so making sure you have some extra money on the side before a purchase can be a real lifesaver.

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Maintenance Musts: Essential Steps Every Electric Car Owner Should Take

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Every car owner should take steps to keep their vehicle in tip-top condition. If you’re prepared to look after your car, you’re likely to save money on repairs, and your wagon will be worth more if you ever come to sell. Electric cars are a different proposition to traditional motors, but this doesn’t mean that maintenance is any less important. Here are some essentials for every electric car owner.

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Servicing

All cars, regardless of the type of technology or fuel they use, need to be serviced on a regular basis. Servicing involves a series of basic and routine checks, which are designed to ensure that the car is running well and reduce the risk of problems developing. You have to pay for a service, but keeping up to date with services could save you a huge amount of money in the long-term. Servicing an electric vehicle is often more straightforward and therefore cheaper than traditional cars, as there are fewer parts and the mechanisms are simpler. If your car is due a service, look for local garages that offer maintenance checks for electric cars.

Cleaning and polishing

If you’re a driver who takes pride in the appearance of their car, microfiber car wash towels are an excellent investment. Cleaning won’t prolong your car’s life expectancy, but it’ll make the car look more attractive, it will enhance the driving experience, and it’ll make the vehicle more marketable if you come to sell. If you use a car for business purposes, cleaning and polishing the vehicle will help to give off the right impression and enhance the appeal of your brand.

Taking care of your battery

There may be different guidelines for optimum charging for different makes and models, but it’s important to take care of your battery regardless of the type of car you drive. Nissan recommends charging the battery to 80 percent, rather than 100 percent to prolong the life of the battery. Check with the manufacturer so that you get the best out of your battery. While it may not always be the best option to drive with a full battery, it’s certainly not advisable to run your car on empty. Avoid getting to the stage where the battery is on 1 percent.

Tire tips

All drivers should check their tire pressure and tread depth on a regular basis. If your tires are worn, or they’re under-inflated, this can affect the driving experience, as well as putting you and other drivers at risk. Check the air pressure before long journeys and take a minute to inspect the surfaces of the tires. If the pressure is running low and you’ve only just pumped the tires up, you may have a slow puncture, and it’s worth trying to repair the tire or replacing it with a spare.

If you own an electric car, it makes sense to try and keep it in pristine condition for as long as possible. Taking good care of your car will enhance safety, save on repair costs and boost the value if you choose to sell.