NJ Used Car Trader » Maintenance

The Importance of Keeping up with Used Car Maintenance

patrick — Fri, 24 Apr 2009 20:32:56 +0000

Whether you buy a new or used car, there is a level of attention you must pay to your car. There are certain things every car is going to need, but used cars in particular require a bit more maintenance. In fact, the US government suggests setting aside about $600 a year to cover the costs of repairs and maintenance.That seems like a hefty price, however if you take care of your used car, that cost can be greatly reduced.

The problem with used cars is that most times all the parts are stock, meaning they are the same parts that were in it the day it left the factory. They are designed to last, however a lack of care for your vehicle will result in those stock parts to deteriorate. Take not changing your oil for example. Over time will cause sludge buildup, wear out your piston rings, bearings, cam, and lifters. Leave it long enough and you will have engine failure.

One suggestion is quickly checking over your car every 3,000 miles, from top to bottom. If you can’t do this yourself, have a mechanic do it for you when you get your oil changed. This simple procedure can save you thousands in the long run. It gives you the opportunity to see any potentially dangerous situations, and keep up with required maintenance. Simply put, take care of your used car, and it will last much longer.

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Topics Car, Maintenance, Used

Used Car Maintenance Tips for NJ

patrick — Fri, 17 Apr 2009 00:05:20 +0000

When maintaining your used car, it can be very beneficial to bring your car to a garage (or to the dealership, if that is covered in your warranty) for regular tune-ups. Exercising preventive maintenance on your used car is a great way to avoid expensive repairs, and can also help alert you to any possible problems with your used car.

Don’t be afraid to ask questions of the mechanic who services your used car. It pays to be informed, and they may be able to let you know in advance of any possibly expensive used car repairs in the future. Knowing of any possible repairs beforehand will allow you to set aside additional money specifically for repairs on your used car, and will help you to plan ahead. Some mechanics will even offer you a discount if you have these repairs performed at their garage, and may even be able to work with you on a payment plan for these repairs.

Another important part of maintaining your used car is to always get your oil changed every several thousand miles. The recommended mileage between oil changes varies, and it is important to ask your mechanic approximately how much longer you should wait before your next oil change. Getting the oil on your used car changed regularly will help prevent possible damage to your used car’s engine. This may greatly prolong the life of your used car.

Maintaining a used car may seem like an unnecessary annoyance, but in reality, it is a very important part of keeping your used car running. Keeping up to date on your oil changes, getting regular tune-ups, and being informed about your used car’s condition can go a long way towards improving the chances that your used car will not require expensive repairs.

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Topics Maintenance, Tips, used car

Taking Care of a High-Mileage Used Car

patrick — Sun, 05 Apr 2009 21:51:43 +0000

In today’s economy, it is no secret consumers are sticking with older cars on the road. In fact, roughly 68% of vehicles on the road have 75,000 miles or more on them. Unfortunately, many consumers ignore the special care high-mileage vehicles demand.

Perhaps the most simplest, but most important thing you can do is get your oil changed frequently. On a car with over 100,000 miles on it, it is recommended every 3 months, or 3,000 miles.

Check your tire pressure on a monthly basis, this is the easiest way to prevent flats, and only takes a minute.
Pay attention to warning signs your car may be giving you. Are there fluids on the ground when you pull out of your driveway? Do your vents smell funny? Hear any strange noises? If so, take it into your mechanic for a checkup. Which brings us to our next point…
Find a good mechanic and stick with them. Try to find one that is ASE-certified. Bouncing around mechanics increases the likelihood of you being overcharged. A repeat customer is much more likely to get “taken care of”.
Take your car in for a tune-up annually. Tune ups are generally cheap (just over $100), and your mechanic will change any minor parts that need it. This includes spark plugs, spark plug wires, air filters, fuel injector checks, brake lines, belts and more.
Prepare your used car for the seasons, especially in locations of drastic temperature changes. For example, in the hot summer you should run thicker oil than in the freezing winter. If snow is a regular occurrence, consider investing in snow tires in the winter. Not only does it give you better traction, but it also puts less stress on your engine, resulting in less wear and tear.

Maintaining a Used Cars Braking System

patrick — Thu, 02 Apr 2009 20:00:40 +0000

Many people take for granted all the small little systems inside a used car that keep it running. The braking system, for example, is one of the most important parts of a vehicle. Obviously without it, you would not be able to stop, leading to potentially catastrophic damage or worse. Let’s discuss maintaining your braking system, and what you should do to prevent failures.

To properly care for your braking system, it will be beneficial to understand how exactly it works. When you press down on your cars brake pedal, you are telling your car to press the brake pads up against your rotors. Your rotors, or more commonly referred to as brake discs, are a part of your wheel hub. The pressure of the brake pad against the rotor causes your wheel to slow, or stop completely, based on how much pressure you apply to your brake pedal. Sometimes on older vehicles you will find a drum brake, however the principles are still the same.

Eventually, there will be enough wear and tear to both your brake pads and rotors to warrant a replacement. Your brake pads will always need replaced before your rotors, and it is important you do so. If you allow your brake pads to go to long without being replaced, they will begin to fig groves into your rotors every time you apply the brakes. As you can imagine, this will cause your rotors to not function optimally, and they will need to be replaced, or at a minimum resurfaced. Driving in extreme braking conditions can also result in a need to replace your brake rotors. When you are constantly applying your brakes (think braking down a mountain), your rotors are constantly heating and cooling. This can cause a warping, rendering your rotors unsafe to use.

In theory, you should never need to replace your brake rotors. However there are many things that can happen that will require your used car to need a new rotor, such as the two examples mentioned above. If your brakes are not feeling quite right, go ahead and take them in to your local mechanic. Fortunately brakes are cheap, and not having them working at 100% could be hazardous.

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Topics Brakes, Maintenance, used car