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Archive for the ‘Autos Express’ Category

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Car Care Means Battery Maintenance

January 25th, 2010 by Matthew C. Keegan | 2 Comments | Filed in Autos Express

Cold weather can place an enormous burden on your car with your battery straining to provide the juice needed to help it run. If your battery is not working optimally or dies, then you may find that heat and lights are not working at full capacity or your car’s engine might not turn over, leaving you stranded.

Your car's battery is under assault due to winter weather conditions.

CarMax, the nation’s largest used car retailer, offers some timely advice about car batteries that we’re happy to share with SayEducate readers. “Car batteries supply electrical energy to retain the memory in the onboard computers as well as the energy needed to start the engine,” said Tom Damon, ASE Master Technician for CarMax. “Proper maintenance is vital to keep your vehicle running year round, especially during the harsh winter months.”

Let’s review some of the do’s and don’ts of battery care as offered by the CarMax technicians:

Do’s

* Wear proper eye, hand and clothing protection when working with batteries.
* Check the terminals where cables connect to be sure they are tight and corrosion free. If corrosion is present, have terminals cleaned by a professional.
* Lubricate terminals with a dab of petroleum jelly to keep cables clean and free from corrosion.
* Make sure the battery is firmly secured to its mounting bracket. An unsecured battery can become damaged and cause short circuits.
* Check the fluid level unless it’s a maintenance-free battery. If the fluid is low, add distilled water. If there is no fluid visible, then replace the battery.
* Keep your battery case clean. Dirt conducts electricity and can discharge the battery. Use a solution of baking soda dissolved in warm water to clean the battery. Wet the case and agitate with a nylon bristle brush to scrub surface. Rinse well with plain water.
* Batteries come in many different sizes. When replacing a car battery, make sure you choose the right size for your vehicle. When it comes to car batteries, bigger is not always better.
* Prior to disconnecting the battery, check manufacturer specifications on what items may be disrupted when disconnecting the battery. For example, the radio may require a security code when the battery has been disconnected.
* Always disconnect the negative cable first and reconnect it last.
* Charge battery in a well-ventilated area.

Don’ts

* If your battery is frozen, do not charge it, as it may explode! One visual sign of a frozen battery is that the sides are bowed out. This condition is dangerous; the battery will need to be replaced.
* If you need to charge your battery yourself, switch the charger to a low-charge setting. Most chargers have this feature, but if not, have a professional charge the battery.
* Don’t charge a dead battery with a car’s alternator. An alternator is not designed to function as a charger, and it may be damaged or have a shortened life as a result.
* Never lean over a battery when charging, testing, or jump-starting the engine.
* Don’t disconnect battery cables while engine is running (your battery acts as a filter).
* Don’t let the battery get totally discharged. Most car batteries get their power from lead cells submerged in electrolyte and these cells can be damaged when the battery is totally discharged.
* Don’t let the battery get hot while charging.

If you are not familiar with battery maintenance, most any major auto parts retailer can test your battery for free. Some stores offer battery charging services too which can ensure that your battery is ready to take on winter’s worst.

Source: CarMax


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Bad Credit Auto Loans Advice

January 21st, 2010 by Matthew C. Keegan | 4 Comments | Filed in Autos Express, Consumer Tips, Credit Reports

You have seen the ads: if you have bad credit, we can provide a car loan for you! Unfortunately, if you take them up on their offer you could end up paying a very higher interest rate for your loan, costing you a mint in financing charges.

Before you trade in your old gas guzzler, make sure that your credit is in good shape.

Experian, one of the three credit reporting bureaus, says that a person whose credit score is above 700 “usually suggests good credit management.” They also say that most scores fall between 600 and 750 which means that if your score is below 600 then you pose a greater lending risk. (see Experian.com: What is a Good Credit Score?)

But bad credit does not mean you cannot get a new or used car. What it does say is that if you are patient and work first on improving your financial picture, then you can get an affordable loan to cover the cost of your new ride.

Let’s take a look at some steps you might want to take in a bid to improve your credit score:

Pull your credit reports. Did you know that you are entitled to one free copy annually of your credit reports? AnnualCreditReport.com is a site managed by the three credit reporting bureaus—Trans Union, Experian, and Equifax—where you can obtain copies of your reports.

All three reports contain important consumer information about you including your credit accounts, loan balances, payment history, job and personal information, and other details.

Review your credit reports. Examine your credit reports closely to make sure that the information contained in each is accurate and up to date. Wrong or outdated information can pull down your credit score, perhaps enough to affect what lenders will charge you for your car loan.

Nolo advises consumers to “complete the form the credit bureau provided to dispute entries in your report. List each incorrect or out-of-date item and explain exactly what is wrong.” After thirty days, that information must be removed from your credit reports if in error. (see Nolo.com: How to Clean Up Your Credit Report)

Obtain your credit score. Through AnnualCreditReport.com, you can obtain your credit score too. Unlike your credit report, you will need to pay a fee for this service.

Trans Union and Equifax offer credit scores through this service (Experian requires you to obtain it through their website), so choose just one company and pay that fee. This information will serve as a baseline score going forward, a number you will want to improve as you fix your credit.

Analyze your debt. In addition to reviewing your credit reports for mistakes or outdated information, these reports can give you a good indication of what is holding down your credit score.

You cannot do anything about negative, but correct bad credit information such as defaulting on a loan or filing for bankruptcy. Those events will show up on your credit reports for at least seven years. But if you have made late payments to your creditors, landlord, or utility companies then work toward making your payments on time while also paying more than the minimum balance on your credit cards each month.

Give it time. Certainly, if you want or need a new car right now there is not much to stop you from applying for a loan. But consider this: if you are considered to be a sub-prime borrower, then you could pay two or three times the going rate for your car loan. Better for you if you were to delay your purchase until your score improves.

Work actively to pay down your debt, resist taking out new credit, pay your bills on time and within six to twelve months you can pull your credit reports and obtain your credit score again. By then, your score may have improved enough to where you can get a car loan at a favorable rate.

Considerations

  • When it comes time to get a car loan, shop around. Credit unions generally offer a lower rate than commercial banks.
  • Put more money down. If you have bad credit, then make a larger down payment. If you assume a greater portion of the risk, then lenders may adjust their terms accordingly.
  • The look, feel, and smell of a new car is enticing. However, your car can lose as much as one-third of its value within the first year of ownership. You may do better finding a late model used car whose price reflects its depreciation.

Adv. – If you’re planning to buy a new car, then you’ll want to get price quotes or find a dealer to arrange for a test drive. You may also want to arrange for your own auto financing which can save you hundreds of dollars on your next car loan.


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Ford Wins Car & Truck of the Year Awards

January 12th, 2010 by Matthew C. Keegan | 1 Comment | Filed in Autos Express

The 2010 North American International Auto Show (NAIAS) press days are afoot, but moments before its official start on Monday, the winners of the 2010 North American Car and Truck of the Year (NACOTY) awards were announced.

Ford Sweeps Awards

For only the third time in the history of the awards, one manufacturer managed to sweep both categories, with the Ford Transit Connect named best truck while the Ford Fusion Hybrid was named best car.

A jury of 49 veteran automotive journalists was tabbed to narrow the original list of 16 cars and 10 trucks to 3 finalists in each category. To be eligible, vehicles had to be “all-new” or “substantially changed” from the previous model. This year the jury considered more than 50 vehicles before whittling their list.

2010 North American Truck of the Year Award Winner

Transit Connect Surprises

The Ford Transit Connect was the biggest surprise given that the truck, which is actually a panel van, has been sold in the European market for eight years before appearing stateside in summer 2009. Built in Turkey, Ford brought the Transit Connect over in order to fill an important gap in its line up and to advance its One Ford plan. Though not new to the rest of the world, the Transit Connect is new to North America hence its entry and subsequent award.

One Ford, by the way, explains Ford’s quest to unify its global small vehicle line up across all markets by offering the same vehicles everywhere. The Transit Connect is the first in what Ford says will be six small vehicles designed in Europe and being sold in the US and Canada. Most of these vehicles will eventually be built in factories located in Mexico, Canada, and the United States.

2010 North American Car of the Year Award Winner

Best Car Again

The Ford Fusion Hybrid was no surprise as it was long considered to be a strong finalist given that it had already won numerous other awards already. The gas-electric hybrid, a midsize sedan seating five passengers, returns 41 mpg city and 36 mpg highway. Those fuel economy numbers put it at the top in its segment, indeed making it one of the most fuel efficient cars sold in North America.

What does this mean for the average consumer? Not much other than to demonstrate that select models sold by traditional American manufacturers can still receive critical acclaim. And with the Ford Motor Company the only one of the three US car manufacturers not taking a government bail out, underscores that Ford is apparently on the right path.

Photo Credits: Ford Motor Company


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Detroit Show Offers Glimpse of the Future

January 11th, 2010 by Matthew C. Keegan | 3 Comments | Filed in Autos Express

North American International Auto Show Highlights

The North American International Auto Show (NAIAS)–once known as the Detroit Auto Show–begins today, offering two days of extensive press coverage before doors swing open to the public on Friday. The Detroit event, one of several large scale regional auto shows in the country, is important as it showcases numerous new product debuts.

NAIASBesides, with General Motors, Ford, and Chrysler headquartered nearby, Detroit gets its chance to shine in the midst of a frigid Michigan winter, something the “Big Three” automakers take full advantage of.

This year will be no exception as hundreds of cars will be on display including several making their world debuts. Most major automakers who sell in the US will have multiple vehicles on hand for review by journalists invited from around the world. Media professionals will have an opportunity to interview automotive executives, broadcast their findings to the world, and hobknob with each other.

Once media has moved on, the floor of the Cobo Center will be transformed for public viewing. That will be your opportunity to see first hand what automakers have planned for the next few years.

Of course, not too many of our readers live within driving distance of Detroit, so making a visit to the Motor City won’t be on their list of “things to do” between now and January 24, the date that the NAIAS draws to a close. However, if you live near any major city, the auto show tour will be in your area in the coming months, with many of the same cars displayed in Detroit showcased locally.

After selling just 10.5 million new cars last year compared to 17 million units annually in the early 2000s, automakers are eager to put the past behind them and focus squarely on the future. A sense of urgency has gripped the industry, manufacturers who are pouring tens of billions of dollars into bringing forth the following types of cars:

Pure electric vehicles – Science fiction has now been transformed into reality as automakers have perfected the necessary technologies allowing cars to run on pure electric power. The Nissan Leaf will debut by year’s end and Ford will roll out an electric version of its Transit Connect van this summer.

The highlight of the show will be the Chevy Volt, a car that will supplement its lithium-ion battery pack with a small gasoline engine in order to extend its range. The NAIAS has a 37,000 square foot ‘Electric Avenue’ exhibit for showcasing several models and related technologies.

New compact cars – It remains to be seen whether consumers will embrace them, but that isn’t stopping car manufacturers from bolstering their line ups with cars that are smaller than what many motorists prefer to drive today.

An all new Ford Fiesta subcompact will be introduced by early summer as will the compact Chevy Cruze, a world car that GM hopes will help that automaker pick up market share. The big difference with these vehicles is that they will be better equipped than cars of its kind in the past, offering 40 mpg highway driving.

Flashy concept vehicles – Every major car show has a number of surprises which are sometimes leaked out in advance, but are almost always reserved for the press days alone. This year will be no exception with several concept vehicles which will give lookers a good idea of where cars are headed in the future.

In cabin wireless, self parking cars, cars that drive themselves, data boxes similar to the black boxes found in aircraft, cars made from materials grown on the farm, and other odd sounding stuff will be on display. How many of these things will be produced? Almost all – changes are underfoot right now that will even change your perception of what a car is and how you use it. Imagine recycling some or all of the car you buy come 2015. Sounds crazy, but it will soon become a reality.

Enjoy the show, whether you’re in Detroit or viewing highlights from computer or flat screen TV.

Source: NAIAS


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