Your car is a big investment. Not only do vehicles cost a lot of money these days, you depend on yours for transportation. It’s silly to let a thing like neglecting car maintenance throw your life into chaos, which is why it’s best to engage in some active prevention.

Even if you’re not mechanically inclined, you can follow these basic car maintenance tips. By taking charge of this area and not just depending on your mechanic to manage it, you’ll see additional savings, allowing you to spend that cash on other things. They also don’t require that much time, and once you’re in the habit they’ll be just a part of regular life.

Car Maintenance

Tires

Most people just plain forget about their tires, even though they’re arguably the most important safety item on a vehicle. If you take proper care of them, tires should last a fairly long time. If you don’t, you’ll go through tires quickly. Considering how expensive constantly changing out tires can be, this should be on everyone’s car maintenance checklist.

Driving around with tires that are underinflated will lead to faster and more uneven wear. Once any part of a tire’s tread is worn far enough, you must replace the whole tire or risk losing traction or a blowout. Either scenario can trigger a horrible wreck, so this is something to be taken seriously. Most modern vehicles have a low tire pressure warning light in the dash. Once that turns on, go to a gas station and use a gauge to tell how low the tires are, then refill them with air. It’s a simple thing that takes only a few minutes.

You should also have your tires rotated and balanced regularly. This also helps prevent uneven wear, making your investment last longer.

Fluids

The different fluids in your car are designed to prevent serious problems down the road, making them an incredibly cheap maintenance item.

You should be checking your car’s fluids no less than once a month. If your car is older, or if you notice drips on the ground where it’s been parked, checking more often is recommended. A great time to look over the fluid levels is when you go to a gas station. While the car’s filling up, pop the hood and check everything. If you find that one of the fluids is low, refill it to the recommended level as soon as possible.

Oil Changes

One automotive fluid is especially critical to running your car without major problems: oil. There are a lot of myths floating around about when the oil should be changed. Thanks to major advances in technology, it’s no longer necessary to get a lube job every 3,000 miles.

Different vehicles can go different distances between oil changes, so the best thing to do is to check the owner’s manual for the manufacturer’s recommendations. While you’re at it, stick with the type of oil listed there, because that will provide the best protection possible.

Easy-to-Change Items

Some items are so easy to change out, just about anyone can do it themselves. They also wear out fairly frequently, meaning constant care is required. Chief among them are the wiper blades and engine air filter. When you notice that the wipers leave streaks on the windshield or back window, it’s time to swap out the blades. With the air filter, you should check it periodically. Once it looks dirty, change it out for a new one.

Schedule

You need to know your car maintenance schedule and follow it faithfully. Every automaker creates a schedule for specific models and includes it in the owner’s manual. It should have a set of items that must be addressed at certain time or mileage intervals. Since the company that made the car knows when different items could wear out or might need replacing, this is an excellent guide to follow.

Some people are knowledgeable enough they can do at least some of the maintenance schedule themselves. If that’s not you, there’s no shame in taking your vehicle to a professional shop and having the items addressed that way. It’s better to do that than to neglect your ride and then deal with bigger, more expensive problems in the future.

 

Few things are as violating as having something stolen from you. Vehicle theft can be especially difficult, because your car is often one of your most valuable possessions. There are some relatively simple steps you can take for car theft prevention, helping you to avoid the unpleasant situation and just enjoy life.

Car Theft Prevention

Garages

There are many car theft prevention devices out there, but the most effective is a good garage. Most criminals go for “soft” targets, or vehicles they can access easily and quickly. Only the most determined thieves will try to break into a garage, because it’s more difficult and carries additional risk. While some thefts do happen during the daytime, you should especially park inside a garage at night.

Park Carefully

If you have to park outside, choose the location wisely. If you must park in a part of the city with a bad reputation, find a pay lot that’s patrolled, not a place where you pay a machine and no workers are visible. Try to get a spot where plenty of people are walking around, like near the entrance to a building or a public sidewalk. Thieves love to break into vehicles that are in the middle of a large parking lot, or in a back row where nobody is walking around, because they can use tools to get inside without anyone noticing.

Always leave your car in park. If you have a manual transmission, leave it in one of the gears. Also, point the tires toward a nearby curb or other obstacle. If a thief has a tow truck, this will make your vehicle much harder to grab and could attract plenty of attention.

At night, you need to find a spot where there’s plenty of lighting. Again, thieves love to work under the cover of darkness, so taking that option away decreases the likeliness they’ll go after your vehicle.

Lock Up

It’s amazing how many people want to know the best way to prevent car theft, yet they don’t even consistently lock their vehicle. Every time you get out, you should lock the doors. This is true when you’re in a grocery store parking lot and need to return the cart after unloading it. Same goes for parking in the driveway while you run in your house for a few moments. What’s even worse is if you leave the keys in the unlocked car, because taking it is simple.

You should also close the windows and sunroof when parking your car, because that’s just as good as not locking the doors.

Use the VIN

All cars come with a vehicle identification number or VIN on several locations. You can see one easily at the base of the windshield on the driver’s side. Thieves often steal cars and sell them to chop shops, which take the vehicles apart and sell the various components. They know where the VINs are on a car and are good at scratching them out or ditching those parts.

You can make your vehicle look like too much effort by having the VIN etched into the windows or other visible parts. It’s a sign that you’ve probably taken other measures to recover your ride if it’s stolen, likely discouraging criminals from even touching your car.

Hide Valuables

It might seem like common sense, but plenty of people leave valuable things sitting in plain view. This includes computers, purses, shopping bags, phones, textbooks, sports equipment, etc. Even if a bag doesn’t contain anything of real value, a person walking by doesn’t know that, so it should be stowed where nobody can see it. If you have an SUV or wagon, throw a blanket over the items or get a retractable cargo cover.

Devices

Among the best car theft prevention tips is to use a security device. There are plenty to choose from. Some lock onto the steering wheel, making it clear to anyone walking by that you’re serious about stopping thieves. Alarms can be a good option, since they make noise that can attract unwanted attention. Some systems will send a notification to your phone when they go off, which is even better. There are also vehicle trackers, allowing owners and the police to see where a stolen vehicle is taken. While this doesn’t prevent the theft, it could help you get the car back.

Kill Switches

One of the most effective theft prevention devices is a kill switch. They cut off the ignition system in a vehicle, making it impossible to start the engine. Some setups require you to insert an extra key into the kill switch before turning the key in the ignition. Others involve simply pressing a button, which you can hide virtually anywhere in the interior. People have come up with clever spots for a kill switch, making the basically impossible for a thief to locate quickly.

 

Most people like to customize their car to one extent or another. This practice is engrained in American culture and our fierce independence. Even if we buy a popular vehicle such as a Camry or Tacoma, we want to do something that makes it stand apart.

Best Car Accessories

The truth is that not all car accessories are made equal. Quite simply, some are better than others. If you’re confused by the sheer variety of options out there, read on for suggestions of the best car accessories, then decide which ones are best for you.

All-Weather Mats

Most cars come with regular carpeted mats. The problem with these is when the weather turns ugly, they get ugly in a hurry. You can shampoo the carpeting on them, but some grime is tough to get out. Not only that, regular mats might wear out in a hurry if you’re constantly trudging through dirt, mud, snow, ice, salt, etc.

All-weather mats are designed to take this kind of abuse and not show the wear. They’re made of heavy-duty rubber and have lips that keep water, snow, ice, mud, etc. contained. While usually not cheap, they’re worth every penny.

Locking Lugs

Unfortunately, not everyone’s honest. While newer cars have become harder to steal for your average thief, the wheels are still big targets. This is especially true if you have nice wheels, because they can be quickly taken, transported and sold for good money.

The way to stop this problem is to invest in some locking lugs. They have a unique shape to them, so you need the “key” or a matching socket wrench that’s included in the set to get the locks off. You put one on each wheel (including the spare tire on vehicles like the FJ Cruiser where they’re out in the open) to stop thieves dead in their tracks.

Towing Packages

If your vehicle doesn’t come with a towing package, it’s a handy feature to have. A towing package involves more than just a trailer hitch. They include ways to keep the engine and transmission from overheating while pulling the additional weight, making this accessory well worth the investment.

Door Edge Guards

One of the most common areas for paint damage is the edge of doors. They can come into contact with walls, poles, other vehicles, etc. Over time chips, dings and scratches pile up, then corrosion takes hold and can start spreading across the door and to surrounding parts.

With the door edge guards, all of these problems are eliminated. When professionally installed, they look seamless and are barely noticeable.

Paint Protection Film

Sometimes called a “clear bra,” this protective film is like a suit of armor for the front of your car. A layer of incredibly durable urethane keeps the paint free of blemishes from rocks and other road debris you’ll undoubtedly come across. Each section is designed to fit the highest risk areas of your car, like the front bumper, hood, front fenders and side mirror caps.

The paint protection film goes on clear, so people don’t even notice it’s there. It’s a great way to preserve the clean look of your vehicle for years to come.

Rear Spoiler

A tasteful, body-colored rear spoiler can add a nice look to your car. It provides a sporty flair that also sets your vehicle apart from others. Genuine spoilers also fit with the overall look of the car, maintaining the originally feeling instead of looking garish and out of place.

Not only do spoilers look great, they perform a function. A spoiler forces the back end of the car down at highway speeds, providing increased stability as a benefit.

Bed Extender

If you have a pickup truck, you’re likely going to haul things on a pretty regular basis. Sometimes items are too long for the payload, which is where the bed extender comes in. It’s essentially like a cage that sits over the extended tailgate, bumping out the cargo space that much further.

Unlike other solutions, a bed extender is see-through, so other drivers can still spot your taillights, keeping with local laws. The extender also locks in place, properly securing your stuff. When the tailgate is folded up and locked, the extender is also locked in the bed, keeping it safe from would-be thieves.

At T3 Atlanta we can install all of these car accessories or more, helping you to achieve the custom look and functionality you desire.

 

Buying a new vehicle can be very intimidating. The more work you do to prepare to make your purchase the better. By being an informed buyer it will reduce the chances of you getting taken advantage of. Do online research, in fact the more research you do the better. Research, research and more research! Remember as the buyer you are the one in control. Do not let a pushy salesperson make your decisions for you.

Tips to Consider When Buying a New Vehicle in 2016

1. What is your budget? Your monthly payment should not exceed 25% of your monthly household income. Find a home budget calculator online. This will assist greatly in doing your calculations. Do not forget to figure other costs of owning a vehicle like insurance, repairs and gasoline.
2. Narrow your search. Pick two or three different cars that are your favorites. Use manufacturer websites and automobile information sites to gather information from. You should target the ones that are priced at 5% less than your monthly budget. This way you will cover other expenses involved in having a car. Check local car lots when the dealership is closed. This will help you to make a decision with a salesperson bothering you.
3. Do you want to buy new, used or lease a vehicle? Used cars can be very affordable. But you will have higher interest rates and a shorter warranty. If you lease a car you may be able to afford a high end vehicle. Before signing the lease read over the conditions carefully. You might have to pay penalties in certain cases. New cars come with a full warranty and can include freebies. Another option can be certified pre-owned cars. These can be cheaper and have some of the warranty left. They must meet certain standards regarding condition and reliability.
4. How much will it cost? Determine what your overall costs for purchasing the vehicle will be. The typical dealer markup is two percent. Find out the invoice price of the car you want. The invoice price is what the dealership paid for the car. Dealers need to make some money on selling the car to cover their overhead costs. Websites like Edmunds.com, KBB.com and NADA.com are helpful in determining the value of the care you are interested in.
5. Have your financing done before you test drive. Walk-in to the dealership with your financing already done. Talk to your bank or credit union and see what they can offer you. Check the current interest rates so you will be prepared to purchase. You can find these online at sites like Bankrate.com.
6. What discounts are available? Find out what discounts you are eligible for before going to the car lot. You can find these on manufacturer websites. Depending on your situation you could save money. Discounts can be given to students, military and membership based groups among others.
7. Take your time. Do not rush in to complete a test drive. Make an appointment online to test drive the car. Take some extra time to get familiar with the car. Drive it to a parking lot near the dealership during the test drive and check the vehicle out on your own. One of the best ways to test drive a vehicle is to rent the car for a couple of days. This will help you decide if you really want to purchase it or not.
8. Be a smart negotiator. Know the current value of the car you want to purchase. Understand what fees are involved when you purchase the car. Most importantly just say no to add-on extras. This is how the dealer can increase the price. Look for a dealer that offers no haggle prices in your area. This means that the price listed on the sticker is what you will pay for the car. This will eliminate having to negotiate the price.

The more homework you do before going to the dealership the better. Talk to friends. Word of mouth is a great tool to use when buying a car. Collect as much information as you can online. The internet has made buying a car a much more even playing field for buyers. Remember the dealer will need to make some money in the transaction. Be an informed buyer and not a victim. 

T3 Atlanta

T3 Atlanta can help you make better used car buying decisions. If you are considering buying a previously owned Lexus, Infiniti, Toyota, or Nissan, we can check the auto for any hidden issues. We have 2 convenient locations to serve you in Smyrna and Decatur/Scottsdale.