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Looks: The over all look of a used automobile or truck is a very significant sign of how the vehicle has been taken care of. Is the general look of the vehicle consistent with the miles and the price that is being asked? The appearance of the vehicle is a direct clue of how it has been taken care of.

Interior: Is the inside of the vehicle clean or does it look worn out? The seats should not sag or be worn through. Is the carpet clean or is there dirt and grime worn in? Has the interior been freshly detailed? Does the inside of the car look natural? Is there anything out of place that does not quite look right?

Brake Pedal: A very good sign of whether the actual miles are true is to look at the brake pedal. Is the rubber on the pedal worn or does it still look new? It should have an appearance that keeps with the miles showing on the odometer.

Engine: Raise the hood and look closely at the engine. Does it look like it has just been detailed with a shiny unnatural look to it? Do you see any leaks of any kind? Transmission fluid is red, engine oil is black and coolant is either green or orange. Any leak is a bad sign.

Transmission: Does the transmission take off without slipping and seem to shift efficiently? A common problem is a shuddering feeling between 35 to 45 miles per hour. Transmission problems are very expensive so you want to avoid them if at all possible.

Noises: Does the car drive smooth? Are there any jerks or noises that do not seem normal? Does the engine have plenty of power?

Price: Always check the Internet to see if you can find out how much the car you are looking at should be selling for. There are several places to get a good indication of how much your vehicle of choice should cost. Is the price they are asking within reason? Use the power of the web to get a fair price on the car you are looking at.

Feel: Does the car feel right? Buying a car is an emotional process. The vehicle should feel right when you are driving it. This is hard to explain but you need to be aware that if something feels wrong maybe you should keep on shopping.

Inspection: If the car passes all the above tests you should invest in an A.S.E. certified mechanic that you trust to carefully inspect thew car. This will be money well spent because your mechanic can find troubles you will never see or feel. Only inspect the vehicles you are really interested in since you will have to pay for each examination that your mechanic does.

Always remember it is easy to think you have to buy now. You may have just found the deal of the century. Good for you if that is the case, even though that is typically not the way it happens. Remember there is always a new day and another vehicle for sale.

There’s a shiny new Pontiac G6 parked in your next-door neighbor’s driveway. Standing proudly next to it is a gleaming new Jeep Grand Cherokee. This is the second time in four years that your neighbor and his wife have driven home on brand-new sets of wheels. Unless you live right next to state lottery winners or an organized crime family, there could be a more plausible explanation for your neighbors’ seemingly good fortune: they might be leasing.

What is automotive leasing?

Automobile leasing is paying for the use of the car, rather than paying for the car itself. Monthly lease payments are based on the projected cost of the vehicle’s depreciation over the period covered by the lease. For instance, suppose you lease a car valued at $20,000. Over the course of a three-year lease term, let’s suppose the car depreciates in value to $10,500. This depreciated value, also called the vehicle’s residual value, is subtracted from the car’s initial value. The difference between the two values, in this case $9,500, is what you will be paying for the duration of the lease. Leases typically last for two four years, with leases on high-end vehicles and luxury cars sometimes stretching up to five years. When your lease expires, you have the option of either buying the vehicle or moving on to a new lease.

What are the benefits and drawbacks of leasing?

Monthly lease payments are generally lower than monthly loan payments on the same vehicle, assuming that the lease and the loan have the same duration. Leasing lets you drive a new vehicle every few years depending on the length of your lease. Additionally, leasing allows you to drive a more expensive and feature-packed vehicle for the same monthly payment you’d be making to buy a lower-priced model. Your leased vehicle comes with a warranty while it’s in your use. Furthermore, automobile leasing saves you the trouble of selling your used car or trading it in when you’re ready to buy a new one. Moreover, you may also write off a portion of your lease payments as a business expense if you have a legitimate business use for the vehicle. Ask a qualified accountant or tax professional about the eligibility requirements for the tax write-off.

While leasing offers several benefits, it also has its share of drawbacks. One disadvantage is that vehicles on lease programs have annual mileage limits, usually 15,000 miles per year. If you exceed the mileage limit, you will be charged a predetermined amount for every excess mile. Another drawback to leasing is the slew of fees and charges that you will have to pay at the beginning and end of the lease. Among these additional fees are the lease acquisition fee, the lease disposal fee, and the lease finance charge. There are also extra charges for extended warranties, insurance coverage, and other items. Furthermore, if you terminate the lease before the lease period is over, you will be assessed an early termination penalty. Another disadvantage to leasing is that you will have to return the vehicle when the lease expires, unless you choose to purchase the vehicle at lease-end.

There are many of us who love the automobile and the freedom that goes along with it. However, nothing lasts forever and all car owners would benefit if they knew more about their vehicle. Large repair bills can be reduced with some basic preventive maintenance and knowledge. The more you know, the more money you will save!

SERVICE AND MAINTENANCE

Questions to ask yourself before taking your automobile to the shop:

-How and when did you first notice the problem?
-Can you make the problem occur? How?
-Are there any abnormal readings on the instrument panel guages,any warning lights coming on?
-Where is the noise coming from?
-How frequently does it occur?
-Does the problem occur when the engine is cold or hot?
-Is the problem related to vehicle speed or engine speed?
-Does the outside temperature make a difference?

The time it takes for a mechanic to start from square one with your vehicle will cost you precious time and money. Prepare a written description about your vehicle problem using the list above and go over it with your mechanic.

WINTER PREPARATION & PROTECTION

Doors & Locks:
Avoid stuck or frozen doors by lubricating the hinges and wiping a recommended preservative on your car door rubber seals, your parts dealer will know what you need. It’s also a good idea to have a small can of lock de-icer for frozen door locks, keep it somewhere outside your vehicle.

Windshields:
Your windshield not only protects you from harmful UV rays but accounts for 20 percent of the structural integrity of your automobile. You do not want to run out of washer fluid especially during wet snow conditions. Keep the windshield washer reservoir full with WINTER washer fluid and a spare jug in the trunk. Replace wiper blades once a year or when they start to leave streaks across your windshield.

Lights:
Before that big trip check to see that all your lights are operating properly and easily visible to other drivers. If in doubt get your headlights properly aligned. Check your headlights for condensation inside the bulb, this tells you that the bulb is no longer sealed and will fail sooner than later.

Tires:
Check your tire pressure and tread condition. Good ice and snow tires are recommended on all four wheels. Tires have built-in wear indicators that appear as a bald strip when there is 1.6 millimeters of tread remaining. When this limit is reached it is definitely time for new tires!

Engine Service:
Change your oil to 5w30 for winter driving. This grade of oil flows easier and helps your engine start in the cold. Replace the engine fuel filter at least once a year. One tow-truck bill could buy you a lot of fuel filters!

Battery:
Service your battery by getting it load tested and the terminals cleaned. Check your alternator belt. If it fails your battery will no longer receive a charge and soon lose it’s reserve power. Winter driving at night puts a huge demand on your charging system so it pays to get it checked out.

Cooling System:
Get your engine coolant tested and adjusted to prevent the coolant from freezing up. It’s recommended to have your cooling system flushed or coolant replaced every two to three years. Check for leaks in your cooling system with a pressure test. This is a quick check that detects any weak areas. Get your engine fan belt checked. It operates your water pump which circulates the coolant and controls the engine temperature. The engine thermostat should be replaced every two to three years depending on vehicle manufacturer requirements.

These tips are very basic and you are probably familiar with a few of them already. The point is if you go on a trip without checking the simple things on your vehicle there is a possibility of trouble down the road. These checks can be done during a routine service visit which will prevent a major failure.

One point to not overlook is finding a good mechanic you can trust and who knows you and your vehicle. A professional auto repair shop will always advise you before going ahead with extra repairs. You can easily find a reputable repair shop by asking for references and doing a background check with the Better Business Bureau in your area.