You should always find new car rebates and incentives before buying or leasing your new car. Here are some important factors that you need to consider in order to get the best deals in your town.

What’s the deal with rebates and incentives?

Do not be confused. Incentives are simply rebate offers or low financing deals, but they can come in many forms such as:

1. Loyalty rebates – these are special discounts given to car buyers who choose to stick to a particular brand. Depending on the car that you choose, loyalty cash rebates can range from a few hundred to several thousand dollars.

2. Conquest rebates – these are special cash discounts given to car buyers that choose to buy another brand. For example, if you are currently the owner of a BMW 5-series, choosing the new Hyundai Equus will allow you to enjoy as much as $1,500 competitive owner coupon from Hyundai dealers. This is a way to say thanks for choosing the Equus over other competing brands.

3. College grad programs – if you are a college student, or recently graduated from college, you can get special discounts if you buy or lease a new car. The college grad discount can be applied to existing rebate offers–which means you save more money.

4. Low APR financing – financing incentives are only available to car buyers with a good credit history. If you belong to this group, you can expect to save thousands of dollars by paying a lower interest rate over the life of the car loan. Keep your eyes and ears open for special 0% APR financing offers.

5. Low monthly lease deals – this is perfect if you want to lease a new car. However, the same rule applies to low APR financing–you need to have a good credit history in order to qualify for low monthly lease deals (some will even include cash rebates, low money factor rates, and $0 down payment offers).

Do I need to choose between rebates and incentives?

As previously mentioned above, if you have an acceptable level of credit (or if you have a clean credit history) then you are qualified to participate in a low APR financing deal. Remember that the qualifications will vary according to the car dealer. Some car dealers can offer lower rates, while some can offer $0 APR rates. Of course, this will all depend on your credit score.

Cash rebates are good if you have bad credit, because you can use them as an addition to your existing down payment.

If you are qualified for loyalty rebates or special conquest incentives, then you can also use your savings to lower the financed amount. Simply tell the dealer that you will apply the rebates to your down payment.

The trick is finding the latest rebates and incentives for the car that you want. If you do, then you are sure to pocket thousands of dollars in added savings.

Just a word of precaution: Read the owner’s manual of your car. Different cars have different engines. The coolant and water concentration inside the radiator will depend on a variety of factors, such as ambient temperature, engine type, etc. For the sake of clarity, we will be using a 50:50 ratio of water and coolant, which is a safe number for any type of vehicle.

How to Drain the Car Engine Cooling System

You will need the following:

• Radiator flush (optional)
• Garden hose and water outlet
• Fresh engine coolant (check your owner’s manual for the correct specification of coolant or anti-freeze)
• Distilled water (around 3 to 4 liters depending on the capacity of your radiator)
• Sturdy work gloves
• Pliers

Warning: Be careful when working with a hot engine. It is always best to work with a cool engine.

Step 1: You can flush the radiator before draining the cooling system. This is advisable to older model cars. Flushing the radiator will help to eliminate accumulated rust and debris inside the engine cooling system. It is highly recommended to flush your radiator once a year. Proceed to step 2 if you don’t need to flush the radiator

Park the car in a safe and level area. Pop open the hood. Open the radiator cap and pour 1/4 quarts to 1/2 quarts (approximately 287 ml) of radiator flush inside the radiator. Tighten the radiator cap and start the engine. Let it idle for 5 to 10 minutes. Do not drive the car, just let it idle for a while.

After letting the engine idle, turn off the engine and let it cool for a few minutes. You are now ready to drain the radiator.

Step 2: Put on your safety gloves. Remove the radiator cap and locate the radiator drain plug. The drain plug is located on the lower part of the radiator, either on the left or the right depending on your car. Turn the drain plug counterclockwise to loosen it. Use pliers when needed. Be careful as the gushing liquid will be HOT or WARM to the touch. Remove the drain plug and let the water and coolant mixture drain for 5 to 7 minutes.

Step 3: Use a garden hose to thoroughly flush the inside of the radiator. You can also pour water inside the radiator and let the water drain to eliminate any traces of dirt, debris, and radiator flush inside the radiator. Pouring 2 to 5 liters of water will do the trick.

Step 4: Re-insert the radiator drain plug and tighten fully by turning in a clockwise direction. Pour fresh coolant and distilled water inside the radiator. Distilled water is better than tap water. Distilled water will help to reduce rust and corrosion inside your radiator.

Step 5: It is also a good idea to refill the coolant reservoir with fresh water and coolant. Tighten the radiator cap and start the engine. Look for any leaks that might be caused by a loose drain plug. Re-tighten if necessary.

There are a lot of car owners who take the engine cooling system for granted. What happens next is being left stranded in the middle of the road–with a severely overheating engine. Just follow these simple tips and you can prevent this unfortunate scenario, and save you from spending thousands of dollars in repair bills.

It does not matter if you want to buy a new car or an affordable used car. Understanding the engine cooling system is vital in preserving the life of your automobile.

Think about it: the engine is the ‘heart’ of your automobile, and is one of the most expensive components of your car.

Car Engine Cooling System Maintenance

Tip 2: After inspecting the water and coolant level of the radiator and reservoir, you should determine if there are any leaks in the system. Remember that the engine cooling system is a sealed system–meaning, any significant loss of water and coolant is a sure sign of a leak.

The radiator is connected to the engine via 2 rubber hoses: one to bring the water inside the engine, and a hose at the bottom to circulate the hot fluids back to the radiator. Carefully inspect the hoses for leaks, cracks, and loose connections. If you notice that the hose is leaking water or coolant, you should have this inspected and replaced immediately. Due to the severe heat that rubber hoses have to endure inside the engine bay, premature wear and tear is inevitable.

Tip 3: This applies to both new and used cars–especially older vehicles. You should have the radiator flushed at least once a year.

You might think that this is an unnecessary expense on your part, but the truth is that flushing your radiator will not only result in a more efficient engine cooling system, but this will also make your engine run smoother, quieter, and cooler as well.

You can do this yourself or have a mechanic flush the radiator for you. Basically, all you need to do is drain the water inside the radiator and pour in a fresh mix of water and coolant. You can refer to the owner’s manual of your car for specific instructions on how to find and remove the drain plug of the radiator.

We will discuss the simple steps on how to flush and drain your engine cooling system in the next post.

Again, never forget to check the coolant level of your engine at least once a week. If you notice that the engine temperature gauge is pointing to the ‘H’ level (or Hot) while you are driving, remember to relax, pull over to the side of the road, pop open the hood, and call for assistance.

And no matter what happens, DO NOT REMOVE THE RADIATOR CAP when the engine is hot, especially when the engine is overheating.

The engine cooling system is made up of 3 critical components:

1. The radiator

2. The engine cooling fans

3. The engine coolant (or coolant and water mix)

Some engines are designed to be air-cooled, like the flat-four engine of the original Volkswagen Beetle. But new cars need a reliable cooling system to maintain an ideal operating temperature.

A running engine produces enormous amounts of heat. The combustion chamber alone can reach temperatures of as high as 3,600 degrees Fahrenheit, while the coolant and water mix that runs inside the radiator can reach the boiling point of water (up to 212 degrees Fahrenheit)–or even higher when the engine is overheating.

What Causes the Engine to Overheat?

There are a variety of reasons why your car engine might overheat. It can either be caused by lack of water/coolant inside the cooling system, or it can be caused by a cracked radiator hose (in which the water and coolant mixture will leak outside the cooling system).

If you notice that your engine temperature gauge is high, park your car immediately, pop open the hood to let the engine cool down, and seek immediate assistance. Do not turn off the engine until the engine temperature returns to normal.

What Will Happen to My Car Engine when it Overheats?

Depending on the severity of the situation, an overheating engine will result in engine damage, and costly repair bills. The engine cylinder head may warp or crack, and the pistons may seize or stick to the cylinder walls if your car continues to overheat.

Car Engine Cooling System Maintenance

Here are a few short tips to keep your cooling system in the best possible condition, and prevent the dangers of an overheating engine:

Tip 1: Always inspect your water and engine coolant level. Do not open the radiator cap when the engine is hot. If your car comes with a special radiator cap with a release valve, lift the valve before opening the radiator cap to prevent nasty burns caused by boiling high-pressure water.

Your car will come with an engine coolant reservoir. Look at the radiator cap and trace the hose back to the reservoir. Open the reservoir and inspect the coolant level. Add water and coolant when necessary. Do this at least once a week.

Can I Use Pure Coolant or Water Only?

If you use pure water, and your car has aluminum components for the cooling system, this may lead to premature wear due to rust. The proper mixture of water and coolant will depend on the type of car you have, and the atmospheric temperature in your zip code. Refer to the owner’s manual of your car to know the correct mixture of coolant and water.

More new car engine cooling tips coming in the next post.

However, owner’s neglect is not covered by the warranty. This is the reason why you should always perform basic maintenance procedures at least once a week, to make sure that your car is running in perfect condition.

If you own a used or older car, it is well-advised that you check your car daily before driving to work. It is also best to check the oil level and tire pressure every time that you fill up the tank (especially if you’re tires are worn.)

BuyingAdvice.com presents to you the car owner’s simple guide to car maintenance. Simply follow a few simple steps to avoid the hassles of breaking down in the middle of nowhere (and getting late to work):

Basic Car Maintenance

Daily

1. Check tire pressure. You can use a small tire gauge to correctly determine the air pressure in each tire. If you are not sure, check the owner’s manual, or simply maintain a tire pressure of 31 psi. Never judge the air pressure by just looking at the tire.

2. Check oil and water level. This may sound like a hassle, but who has the time to open the hood and check the engine fluids every single day? Ideally, the oil and water level of the engine should be inspected daily, but you should at least try to do this simple activity at least once a week. Hint: if you are going for a long drive, do not forget to check the fluid levels.

3. Check brake pedal travel. Start the engine and repeatedly pump the brake pedal. If the pedal pushes all the way to the floor, you should seek assistance immediately. The brakes are responsible for stopping the car. Enough said.

Weekly

1. Clean the car, or go to a car wash. Washing your with shampoo and water at least once a week will help preserve the paint finish. This will also preserve the value of your investment. You should also vacuum the carpeting and the seats while you’re at it.

2. Again, check the engine oil and the water inside the radiator or coolant reservoir. If you notice any water leaks or oil leaks, have this checked by a mechanic immediately.

3. Check the condition of your tires. Worn tires are dangerous because they provide less grip on the road surface. Replace worn or bald tires immediately.

4. Start the engine and turn on all your lights. Step out of the car, or have a friend check your headlights, tail lights, position lights, and fog lamps. Make sure that all lights working properly. Replace worn or defective light bulbs to avoid any run-ins with your local law enforcement agency.

That’s it! As simple as it may sound, performing these simple tasks will provide you with a more enjoyable driving experience. ]]> http://www.buyingadvice.com/the-car-owners-simple-guide-to-car-maintenance/feed/ 0 http://www.buyingadvice.com/buying-advice-on-car-leasing-how-to-find-a-cheap-car-lease/ http://www.buyingadvice.com/buying-advice-on-car-leasing-how-to-find-a-cheap-car-lease/#comments Fri, 06 Apr 2012 17:55:49 +0000 publisher http://www.buyingadvice.com/?p=6638

Car leasing is an ideal way to drive the car that you want, without spending a lot of your hard earned money. People often think that leasing is similar to renting, but this is not the case. Car leasing is different.

Renting a car is more expensive–more so if you rent for a longer period of time. Leasing is similar to financing a car. You pay low monthly rates for the ‘use’ of the car, usually for a period of 24 to 36 months. After the lease term expires, you are given two choices:

1. Buy the car.

2. Return the car.

Of course, this will depend on the conditions stated in your leasing contract. However, this is one of the good things about car leasing. Since you can just return the car at the end of the lease term, you don’t have to think about selling or trading the car for a new model. You do not have equity over the car if you lease (you don’t actually own the car) but imagine the convenience of always driving a new car, instead of buying a used car and wasting money on unnecessary repairs and maintenance.

Here is special buying advice on car leasing, and how you can find a cheap car lease without scouring every lease deal in town.

1. What’s your credit?

Have you paid attention to your credit score lately? How are you doing in terms of paying debt? Remember that a large majority of new car lease deals are offered with certain qualifications in mind. One of them is for you to have a good credit score (average at the very least).

Do you have bad credit? Not a problem. Car dealers also offer bad credit lease deals on new cars, but you should be prepared to make a larger down payment. Certain conditions will apply, but it is still possible to lease a car even if you currently suffer from a low credit score.

To sum it up, if you want to get the lowest rates and the lowest lease prices–as well as take advantage of the best lease deals in town–you should try to build up your credit and get a good or average score.

2. How’s your savings?

Do you save money in the bank? If so, then now is a good time to withdraw some of your savings and spend it on the down payment of your new car lease. There are available $0 down lease offers on certain new car models, but it is still best to offer a marginal down payment in order to get the lowest lease price.

Your down payment will serve two things:

1. The down payment will be deducted from the negotiated selling price or lease price of the car, hence effectively reducing your monthly lease payments; and

2. The down payment will serve as a ‘sign of good faith‘ among car dealers and lenders, hence giving you the opportunity to enjoy low interest rates (money factor rates). The bigger the down payment, the lower the interest rate.

We will talk more about getting a cheap car lease in the next post.

It should be a thoughtful, practical and reasonable decision, but also be smart and fun. After all, you will surely be driving your vehicle for at least a couple of years, so choose something that fits you and that you like.

I’d like to start talking about the first and most important, in my opinion, buying tip: Know your budget.

You should only commit to what you can afford and pay. Before making big plans or decisions, sit down, take you time and figure out what is your budget for the car. I also suggest not using all your spare money in monthly car payments, remember that most of the time, things happen, things that we could have never imagined and that unfortunately simply come with life. Using all of your remaining money in buying or paying for a car, can put you in trouble if you run into one of these situations.

You should also be aware that when you own a car, you also need to be prepared to keep the vehicle in good shape. Therefore you should also create a budget for oil change and such things. Needless to say, there are plenty of options out there, where these things will be included when purchasing a vehicle.

Secondly, decide what you want to do with your budget: buy or lease?

That is entirely a personal decision. Some may like the idea of owning a car right away. Some may have the cash to upgrade to a new vehicle after a few years, but most of the people can’t afford to do this, so leasing comes in handy. This way, you can upgrade for a new model every 3 years. However, leasing is usually not a good option if you need to drive too many miles a year.

Last but not least important is what I consider the following step: Research Online.

There are plenty of online websites that currently allowed you to check on updated car deals, rebates, discounts and incentives. You can request new car price quotes absolutely free of charge with no obligation and hassle free.

This is an easy step that can save you time, headaches and money. You can even end up buying a car without having to deal with a car dealer, simply from the comfort of your home or office. Or, in the worst case scenario, walk into the dealership knowing what you want and what is available on the market. This will increase you chances of a better negotiation.

We talked about the car engine oil and how you should change it in our previous post. We will now discuss the simple procedures on how to change the engine oil in your car.

Before we proceed, you should refer to the owner’s manual of your car. The basic procedure is the same, but the location of important parts such as the oil drain plug and the oil filter will vary depending on the type of engine.

Remember to always use genuine spare parts. Genuine parts were specifically designed to deliver the same kind of performance and longevity as the original part that was installed in your car. If your car is still covered under the factory warranty, you should only use genuine spare parts to prolong the life of your engine.

How to Change the Engine Oil

You will need:

• New oil filter
• Fresh engine oil
• Socket wrench
• Oil filter wrench
• Funnel
• Catch basin or plastic recycle container
• Cotton rag

Step 1: Park the car in a safe and level area. Open the bonnet and secure it with the bonnet stand.

Step 2: If you are using a commercially-available engine flush, you should pour the engine flush inside the engine before draining the oil. Simply remove the engine oil cap and pour the entire contents of the engine flush. Start the engine and let it idle for 10 minutes. Let it cool for 30 minutes to 1 hour.

You should always work with a cool engine. NEVER CHANGE THE OIL WHEN THE ENGINE IS HOT!

Step 3: Drain the oil. Look under the engine and locate the drain plug. Place the catch basin under the drain plug. Use a socket wrench to turn the drain plug counterclockwise. Remove the drain plug and drain the dirty oil. Let it stand for 10 to 15 minutes.

Step 4: Remove the oil filter. The engine oil filter is usually located under the engine, near the drain plug. Check your owner’s manual to be sure. Use the oil filter wrench and turn the oil filter in a counterclockwise direction.

Step 5: Install the new oil filter. Place a small amount of oil on the lip of the new oil filter and install into place. Tighten first by hand, then use the oil filter wrench to secure the filter on the engine. DO NOT OVERTIGHTEN!

Step 6: Install the drain plug. Use a socket wrench to re-install the drain plug. Always install the drain plug first before pouring oil inside the engine.

Step 7: Refill the engine with oil. The amount of fresh engine oil will depend on the type of engine. If your car needs 4 quarts of oil, you should put at least 3 1/2 quarts for good measure. Open the oil cap, place the funnel on the hole, and gradually pour the engine oil.

Step 8: Pull out the dipstick, wipe the end with a cotton rag, and re-insert the dipstick to check the oil level. The oil level should be between the “low” and “high” level on the dipstick. Put more engine oil as needed.

Start your car and let it idle for 5 minutes. Check if there are oil leaks on the drain plug and on the oil filter. Close the bonnet.

You are done!

Even new cars will need frequent oil changes. Always adhere to the recommendations in your owner’s manual to prolong the life of your precious investment.

Are you aware of how often you should change the oil inside your engine? Do you know how to do it?

Here is Buying Advice’s simple guide to help you know more about the oil change and how this will affect the performance of your car.

What Does Engine Oil Do to the Engine?

The oil is reputed to be a lubricating agent that helps minimize friction inside your engine. But what many people don’t know is that it also helps to minimize the heat inside the engine.

Engine oil absorbs heat from the hottest parts of the engine. It also acts as a mild detergent to clean, treat, and prevent sludge from building up inside the engine.

How Often Do I Need Change the Engine Oil?

You may heard about the “3,000 mile oil-change” rule that was passed down from generation to generation. Of course, changing the oil every 3,000-miles or 3 months will greatly reduce the chances of sludge building up inside the engine. But as lubrication technology and metallurgy improves, you can safely drive your car for more than 5,000-miles without even changing the oil.

But the definite answer will depend on the type of car that you are driving. Manufacturers strongly advise that you adhere to the recommendations that are printed on the owner’s manual. In this case, you should change the oil anywhere from 5,000 to 7,500-miles.

Your driving habits will play a big part on how soon you will need to change the oil inside your engine. As a rule of thumb, you should pull out the dipstick and check the oil level at least once a week. If the engine oil has a burnt smell and is blackish in color, it is time to change the oil.

Brand new cars will need to have frequent oil changes for the first year or so, especially cars that have high-compression (turbocharged) and high performance engines. If you bought a used car, the first thing that you need to do is to change the engine oil. This will give you an idea on the actual health of the engine and if the previous owner was mindful of car maintenance.

We will discuss the procedures on how to change the oil in the next post. This is a relatively simple activity that you can do on a spare weekend.

Remember to always spend a few minutes each week (or each day) to check the oil level inside your engine. Driving with too little or too much engine oil will severely affect driving performance, engine longevity, and fuel economy.

Problems with a Flat Tire?

It is a common fact that a majority of car owners do not know the proper way to change a flat tire on a car. Read more to know the easy steps on the best way to change a flat tire on your car.

You will need:

• Spare tire
• Tire wrench
• Jack
• Tire block

Change a Flat Tire

Step 1: Park the car properly. Make sure that the area is level and secure. Apply the parking brake and turn off the vehicle. If you have an early warning device, use it to warn oncoming traffic of your emergency.

Step 2: Grab the tire wrench or tire iron and begin loosening the tire nuts by turning them in a counterclockwise direction. You should follow an “X” pattern when loosening the nuts. Begin with the upper left, then proceed with the lower right tire nut and continue until all the nuts are loosened. DO NOT REMOVE THE NUTS! Simply loosen them with a couple of turns and proceed to step 3.

Step 3: Get the jack and prepare to raise the vehicle. Cars have a built-in “jacking point” or “lift point” located aft of the front wheels and at the fore of the rear wheels. Consult your owner’s manual to specifically determine the right lifting point of your vehicle.

Step 4: Place a tire block on the car. Before you raise the vehicle, you should place a tire block (a block of wood or heavy stone will do) on the opposite side of where the flat is located. Think again of the “X” pattern that you used when loosening the nuts. If the flat is located on the front left of the car, you should place a tire block on the rear right tire to prevent the car from moving when the the car is raised.

Step 5: Slowly raise the car. Make sure that you raise it just enough for the tire to be lifted from the ground. You can then proceed to totally loosen the nuts using the tire iron. Remove the nuts and set aside.

Step 6: Remove the tire. Pull it slowly towards you.

Step 7: Get the spare tire and place it on the wheel mount. Get the tire nuts and insert them on each lug. Follow the same “X” pattern when inserting the nuts. Use the tire iron to tighten the nuts slightly. DO NOT APPLY TOO MUCH FORCE ON THE TIRE NUTS WHEN THE VEHICLE IS RAISED!

Step 8: Lower the vehicle, remove the jack from the vehicle and proceed to fully tighten each nut. Follow the “X” pattern when fully tightening each nut.

There you have it! Your vehicle is good and ready to go.

Want to buy a new or used car? Start with a simple and free online price quote to know the dealer invoice and the latest prices of the car that you want. This is the first step in saving thousands of dollars on a new or used vehicle.