Auto repair: Learn to get car repair quotes, costs, cheap spare parts and accessories

Admit it, like small kids you only love your car when it feels smoothly to your drive but when everything breaks, you feel like you don’t want to see it anymore for fear of repair costs. The best way to solve your problem with minimal costs is to simply just seek out expert help and get quotes and estimates for repair yourself! This way you’ll know what to do and can therefore budget on costs. Follow these:

1. Ask a friend or your neighbors for a referral. Reputation counts much as going to a place that’s popular will save you from overcharging, scams and unnecessary repairs or charges.

2. Visit a repair center (maybe you can get a free estimate) and ask for a summary of what is wrong with your car. This way you’ll know what is wrong with your car and whenever you’re in doubt you can contact other repair centers and compare costs on estimates.

3. Contacting more repair centers in your area will certainly help you see if the quote you got is fair. Here on, you can compare summarized estimates (repair, parts, labor costs, miscellaneous charges etc.) generally, labor cost is the number of hours spent in the repair multiplied by the hourly charge of the car service.

4. Ask for a written estimate. Though this may come as a variable factor for complications might occur, the moment repair for your car is started. If however your charges end up higher than your quote, never hesitate to ask or complain to the shop manager and together sort out a satisfactory solution.

As a last note to save more on your car repair budget, it will greatly help if you also know where to get quality spare parts at a price that’s just right or get discounts when you buy.

Before setting off on a hunt, take note of the following essential information.

Know your car basics (year, make, model, engine etc.) and transmission (manual, automatic) and air conditioning. Always be sure to scour a lot of dealerships you can handle as possible and have web access ready in case you want to conduct price comparisons online.

Once you’ve had these things considered, then you can follow these:


1. Learn to look the other way. Though it might seem convenient that your car dealer is the source for quality auto parts, be open that you’ll save like say a dollar at a parts department dealership and even if it is true that dealers are the only place around where you can get hard to find spare parts and accessories, you will certainly chance upon a good supply for less at a small auto parts store.

2. Browse and order online! The internet is a very good source of top quality spare parts and accessories and with the fierce competition among dealerships, means greater value for money. All you need to do by the way is to browse and compare prices as to which suits you best.

3. Take a look at Specialty web sites. Specialty websites are another option in your search as they provide fresh- from- factory prices, a large inventory of parts and accessories and they also offer shipping and handling. Most often, specialty sites offer big discounts and promos.

4. There are still usable parts in the junk! Junkyards and recycling facilities can save you hundreds of dollars on some parts where getting a brand new one at a dealer ship would have cost you higher.

5. Ask among friends or other drivers. Remember that nothing beats word of mouth, so it is also good to ask around people for the best place to go to or who among them might have an extra part or accessory that’s ready to sell.

Follow these tips and you’ll be heaving a sigh of relief over normally costly car repairs.

Drive safely.

Jovir Amatong
jamatong@ibcjapan.co.jp

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Knowing the Blood and Lifeline of your Car’s System - Brake, Power Steering, Battery and Radiator Coolant Fluids

Now that you’ve known the other car care basics, perhaps it’s time we take a look at the fluid essentials that are literally the life giving blood of your car.

1. Brake Fluid- Is a type of hydraulic fluid that is used in hydraulic brake applications of your car, motorcycles and trucks. This type of fluid is used to transfer force under pressure from its point of origin among hydraulic lines to the braking mechanism close to the wheels.

Most brake fluids today are composed of glycol-ether but several types with mineral oil and silicone composites are also out in the market. This type of fluid should meet stringent requirements set by organizations such as SAE and the US Department of Transportation (DOT) - hence you get ratings on labels such as SAE or DOT 3 and 4 compliance.

As a rule of thumb, brake fluid should always be replenished if the levels in its container decrease with every drive. Fluid level in the master cyclinder will drop as the linings, brake pads and shoes wear and the calipers extend further to compensate. Brake fluid level may also be low because of leaking, which can lead to loss of hydraulic pressure and the most dangerous- brake loss.

It is very important to constantly monitor your brake fluid levels to ensure safe driving and fill according to the set level. Flush and change your brake fluid every 1-2 years to further ensure reliability and take note to never mix brake fluids with different DOT ratings as this can result to poor fluid performance.

2. Power Steering – Is another type of hydraulic fluid that transmits the power steering system of cars, trucks and other modes of transportation.
This is the fluid that guards your power-steering pump and rack from wear and tear. It requires constant monitoring and refilling from time to time according to the required level in its cylinder.

A way to notice that your steering system is about to have a problem or that your power steering fluid is running low is when you turn the steering wheel and you hear whining noises. Have your car checked when this occurs to prevent serious damages to your power- steering system.

Note: There are products out in the market today that contain the combined properties of Power Steering and Automatic Transmission Fluids (ATF). Use any of these products to save and be protected more.

3. Battery Fluid- Is the electrolyte fluid found inside the cells of your battery. If you are using the regular type of battery and not the maintenance free one, then you are required to refill your battery cells from time to time with electrolyte fluid.

Standard battery for cars is 12V and usually has 6 individual cells inside it. To refill, simply remove the vent caps that can either be found on top or on the sides of the battery. Check and fill the electrolyte fluid inside.

Note: There are some brands of maintenance free batteries out in the market today that can run on dual power- meaning they also have vent caps for electrolyte fluids in case their power supply run out. Although this type of battery may not come cheap, it would be best for you to use it.

4. Radiator Coolant- Is a mixture of anti-freeze fluid and water designed to protect the radiator and cooling system all year round. Using one will protect your engine from overheating. Most coolant products out in the market today come with various additives that can further help you against rust and other forms of corrosion, lubricate or increase the cooling efficiency of your cooling system.

Simply pour out the contents of your coolant to the radiator reservoir. Add water to the set level and you’re done.

For maintenance, it is very important for you to drain and flush your coolant once a year (or depending on the product recommendations) and replace it with a new one.

Note: Never mix different types of coolant together as this can lead to damage or a reduction of your car’s cooling system. Before changing to another brand, be sure to drain and flush your cooling system of the old one.
See to it that the reservoirs of these fluids are in constant levels and refill when they’re not enough. Properly maintaining them will help ensure your safety and prolong the life of your car.

Buckle up and drive safely.

Jovir Amatong
jamatong@autoterminal.com

Read more money saving car care and maintenance tips @:

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The truth about Lemon cars and how to avoid buying one

No, were not talking about the green, refreshing fruit we’ve all come to love- but of a defective car. The term “Lemon” has been coined for new or used cars which after purchase, has been found by the buyer to have defects not readily apparent before it was bought. Defects could range from simple design flaws to life threatening flaws due to parts installed incorrectly during manufacture.

The term nowadays, is also associated with any product which has major defects that make it useless for its purpose.

New and used lemons

In perception, brand new cars may contain technical defects or workmanship errors. This could be due to incorrect design or errors during the assembly process at the factories. Parts and wiring may have been installed incorrectly or cars may have hidden defects under the hood.

Used cars on the other hand, become lemons once they are not used according to the set standards, abused or poorly maintained, repaired or worse, has been unprofessionally rebuilt after meeting an accident. A common practice of fraudulent dealerships is the tampering of lemon vehicles to manipulate high mileage, technical and mechanical defects, corrosion and more.

The used line up may also encounter the same problems as that of their brand new counter parts, but the problems are way much worse.

A form of lemon known as “Cut and shut” a type of car body collision repair where a wrecked portion of a car is sawed off and is replaced with a section from a matching car. A car that is cut and shut is very dangerous as it will surely come apart under strenuous conditions, high speeds and road mishaps. Usually, cars that have been cut and shut are the ones that were salvaged after a serious collision.

Poorly repaired collision-damaged vehicles are also bound to be a risk with Unibody problems. A Unibody by the way, is the type of construction used in motor vehicles where parts such as the floor, roof, and panels are wielded together to produce a unit. This process has been employed in the manufacture of vehicles since 1987. It eliminates the need to construct a separate frame for every vehicle produced.

Car weight may be reduced, but its unibody parts are prone to bending as they were designed to absorb the impact of g-forces or damage in severe accidents which may cause the car not to work properly when it is still driven (even with stringent repairs) after a grave blow.

Protect yourself from lemons

As a consumer, there are legislative measures that protect you against lemons and manufacturers nowadays are very vigilant about their products that they would be willing to give you back your money, buy back the defective vehicle or exchange it for a new one right away once it has undergone multiple repair attempts yet the problems still persist or when defects caused your new vehicle to be out of service over a long period of time because of repairs.

In buying new or used cars, please take note of the following:

1. Do a research on the manufacturer or find out from the authorities if there has been a recall on your model.

2. Be in the know of your model’s safety recall and maintenance history through consumer safety groups, auto magazines, newspaper articles and website reviews.

3. Ask car shops and mechanics how often your model shows up in their shops for repairs.

4. Do a survey among other owners of your model if they are satisfied with their cars.

5. For used vehicles, always get a vehicle history report to make sure that the car you’re buying is clean with no major wrecks or any illegal activity in history.

6. Be suspicious of a model that’s being sold at a very cheap price. Ask around why the price is so. Be warned of dealers / sellers who try to close a deal too quickly.

7. Buying from an owner? Always see to it to have a trusted mechanic inspect the car. Avoid cars that have been in an accident or have frame damage.

Drive safely.

Jovir Amatong
jamatong@autoterminal.com

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Rev and Bootstraps: Optimizing your car’s looks and performance

Getting bored with driving your car lately? Perhaps it’s time to consider accessory additions or replacements. Here’s a few tips to help you rev up your ride:

The Interior

To give comfort and flair to your ride, you can load up on new aftermarket accessories readily available at your local car shop from various makers with impressive and stylish designs. Common updates for the interior include:

Carpets/ floor mats, Seat covers, Headrests, Moon light, Strobe lighting, Neon lights, Mobile phone and drink holders, Seat belt harness and pads, CD Organizers, Cockpit films, Dash kits, Door guards, Gauge facers, Pedal pads, Shift pads, Steering wheels, Steering wheel covers, Steering wheel accessories and Sunshades.

Let’s discuss some of the most important upgrades mentioned above. Carpets and mats are very important for your car as they help protect the floor against the entry of dust, rust and moisture which can easily eat up your floor without you knowing it. Seat covers on the other hand will help protect your seats while making them look more stylish. You can even have your covers as the highlight of your planned theme for the interior!

Steering wheels or steering wheel covers will provide you better grip and handling on the wheel. Shift knobs look trendy while providing an improved grip. Pedal pads ensure better grip while adding accent to your cockpit. Seat belt harness and pads may not only look pleasing to the eyes but will help ensure that you and your passengers are safely and comfortably held to the seats when needed. Steering wheel accessories allow you to integrate important triggers and buttons into your steering wheel for ease and convenience. A Custom dash kit is one great way to compliment your interior theme and it usually comes in numerous finishes such as wood veneer and carbon fiber.

The Exterior
Now that we’re done with the interior, we will now give your exterior a make over. Consider the following upgrades the next time you visit the auto shop:

Paint, grille, billet door handles, wings, spoilers, headlights, tail lights and rims. For a really enhanced look, you can also go for a whole new body kit installation.

In a summary, select the best type of paint (Acrylic or Urethane) and finish your car in a color that’s trendy or in tune with your taste and personality. Look for an aftermarket grille which is an upgraded version from your car’s brand or something that is custom designed. Spoilers will improve your car’s aerodynamics while giving it a fuller edge and design. A change in your headlight, tail light casing and bulb colors will also make your car attractive, not to mention improve your view. An upgrade in Mags/ Rims will definitely enhance your car’s profile as well as its grip on the road. Select from various finishes such as chrome, stainless-steel and alloy, that suit your taste. Always remember to compliment a rim change with the appropriate tires. Body kit installations are available at specialized car shops, look for one in your area that caters to quality personalized designs or is the town popular so you’re really getting your money’s worth.


Under the hood Engine – Have your engine overhauled to bring it back to pristine condition or consider installing a performance chip to boost it even further. Chips can easily be fitted with fuel injection and an Electronic Control Unit (ECU). Installing one often results with a 10-15% power boost in regular engines and a 10% horsepower increase in turbo engines.

Brakes- You need to improve your brakes for better handling and safety. Install performance pads and upgrade performance discs. Performance brake pads enhance your braking power and can withstand much more abuse than their regular counterparts.

Air Filter- Replace your air filter or the filter element in the air filter. For fuel injection engines, enhance the airflow by removing the original box containing the air filter and hoses and then put an induction kit in place. It looks like a cone filter that can be attached directly to the air flow meter, making a more direct and smooth airflow to the engine.

Exhaust – Always see to it that nothing blocks the way of gases on their way out for greater power. You can replace the original exhaust with aftermarket assortments out in car shops. Simply select one that fits your taste.

Suspension- You might want to lower your springs for a leaner look and get a better grip for your car. Springs reduce roll when taking corners and will give your tires better contact with the road. Although you might encounter slight problems when driving over small bumps, these springs will come in handy as they will stiffen and reduce roll when you take on corners. You can also employ shock absorbers and up-rated bushes to upgrade your suspension.

Simply follow these simple tips and you’ll be zooming off to a brand new ride. Just don’t forget to buckle up while you’re at it.

Jovir Amatong

jamatong@autoterminal.com

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