Practical Tips to Discover a Good Car Mechanic in Your Area

Finding a good mechanic is one of the most important tasks especially for first-time car owners. It is someone who has the skill to keep your car in good running condition coupled with an attitude of professionalism and courtesy. This type of skilled professional is becoming rare these days but if you are diligent enough to conduct a search, you can still find a few.

A good mechanic can help to keep your car running longer and save you money on repairs. Here are some practical tips you can use to find one:

Ask Around

The shortest way to find information about any subject is to simply ask the right questions. Similarly, if you want to know of some reliable mechanics in your area is to ask friends, relatives and office mates about it. With 88% of Americans driving vehicles, for sure someone will tell you where they take their cars for repairs or maintenance checks.

Look for Manufacturer or ASE-Certified Shops

Some car manufacturers train and certify mechanics and shops they choose and authorize to repair their vehicles. The National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence (ASE) also does the same without being particular about brand names. But being certified like Subaru Clinic can certainly guarantee one thing: the mechanics in that shop really know their stuff.

Get Information from the Better Business Bureau

A quick search on the website of the Better Business Bureau can bring out names and reviews of some shops you have in mind.  

Ask Your Prospective Mechanic Relevant Questions

To make sure that the initial information you get during the first few steps is true, you should have it confirmed by your prospect mechanic. By asking the right questions to each of them, you will be able to find answers which will be your basis for an informed decision. These questions should revolve around:

• Experience in number of years
• Any offer of warranties
• ASE certification
• Automotive training
• Replacement parts
• Do they supply it?
• Do they provide new, used or OEM?
• Their specialty (type of vehicle or work)
• Schedule of fees (including inspection, estimation, etc.)
•  Payment policies

 

These are some of the most practical ways to find a skilled mechanic for your car. You should be able to find one before your car encounters any major issue. One way to know your prospect’s skills and potentials is to let him do some maintenance tasks like oil change and tune-ups while your car is still running smoothly. You should make sure that those minor jobs you gave can give you the feeling that the mechanic is trustworthy in terms of skills and attitude. Remember, even if you are the customer, it is always good to feel at ease and confident with your service provider.

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Credit Score - What You Might Want to Know

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Let's pause for a while from our car care topics. Let us instead take up one of the most important elements for owning a car - credit score.

The credit score is the most popular number of the present generation. It has become the framework of so many aspects of our lives. Modern business and economy has in fact made it a basis for granting a person the opportunity to own certain possessions through credit. Credit cards, mortgages and car loan applications are among these.

If you want to purchase a car with financing in mind, you’ll probably be concerned about your credit score. But how can you determine if your credit score qualifies you to make a smooth sailing car loan application? Please read on to know more.

What Number Makes a Good Credit Score?

You may not know it, but a majority of businesses want to see a particular “magic number” that they consider as the minimum for making you qualify for purchasing anything on credit. That magic number, which is your credit score actually, happens to be 630. This is the absolute minimum. If your credit score is equal or greater than that number, you have a good chance of getting an approval for a loan. Here are the other credit ratings and their meanings:

Excellent – 760 or Higher

A credit score of 760 or more is the credit sweet spot. It denotes that you are highly responsible with your finances. This credit rating makes you attractive to lenders and creditors. Your score also makes you qualify for the lowest interest rates possible.

Very Good (725 – 759)

A “very good” credit rating is still attractive to creditors – it should not give you much of a problem as far as a loan application is concerned.

Good (660 – 724)

This credit score is still okay with creditors and securing approval for a loan wouldn’t be much of a problem to you. However, not all lenders are willing to offer lower interest rates with it. You should however expect a possible resistance when you ask for lower interest especially if you are at the lower end of this range.

Fair (560 – 659)

Although considered “fair,” this credit rating doesn’t really guarantee sure loan application approval, and if your loan is approved, chances are the interest rates could be a bit higher than average.

Poor (300 – 559)

A “poor” credit score is the least credit-worthy rating. It has the least chances of getting approved and if some lenders would be willing to take the risk, the interest rates would be high. A “poor” credit rating is the least any person would want to have because it is considered “high risk.” If your credit score happens to be in this range, you must strive to get out of it by making regular, timely payments on your existing loans.

If you are looking forward to making a loan in the near future, you must take good care of your credit score. Doing so can make you appealing to lenders and creditors. Not to mention you will also need to find a car shop as your choice of maintenance care for your car once you've already owned it. When you do, look for Subaru auto mechanic who would be too willing to offer their services as much as you getting a goods score on credit deserves a good credit company's trust.

Practical Tips for Keeping Your Car in Top Shape

There you go. You don't really have to be an auto expert to keep your car mint and shiny. The most important thing you must do is to follow manufacturer's instructions and recommendations. You should always remember that no matter how superb the quality of your vehicle may be , it will always deteriorate prematurely if you don't give it proper care. But to be sure that the vehicle you want is of guaranteed quality, you should get your maintenance service from Subaru car shop. They are trustworthy sources most car owners recommend.  

5 Signs You Need to Switch to a New Car Repair Company

While Colorado had the lowest number of registered vehicles, car owners in this state demand no less than the best in terms of getting the best quality of repair and care for their cars. A vehicle isn’t a cheap investment after all, and is considered a necessity for every individual or family.

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There are literally hundreds of car repair companies and maintenance experts out there, but the truth remains that finding the best and most reliable team remains a really frustrating task. It’s not uncommon to hear horror stories of inefficiency and poor customer service.

Here are 5 big signs of a car repair shop that’s far from being the best choice:

1. Limited business hours. Emergency repairs aren’t uncommon, so why settle for a shop that closes when you need them?

2. A disorganized, unclean shop. You don’t want to leave your well maintained, squeaky clean car in the hands of individuals who can’t even keep their place of business welcoming and well organized.

3. The business and/or its people lack accreditation or certification. Certifications from recognized auto industry organizations are like your guarantee to finding a team with proven techniques and processes for the repair and maintenance of your car.

4. The repairs aren’t exactly excellent. Do you find yourself going back to your mechanic for a not-so-well-done job? If this happens a lot, chances are the shop isn’t well equipped for the work or your mechanic isn’t as skilled as you expect him to be.

5. You are being overcharged. You can avoid falling into this trap by getting estimates. Ask around as well, and get recommendations from friends. Everyone wants the best value for their money, so be wise in choosing your mechanic!

Does any of these situations sound familiar? If so, it may be high time to find a new team of car experts that can offer you top rated service like the best Subaru repair Denver can offer. 

Six Things to Check Before Buying a Used Car

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Buying a used car can be a gain or a loss on your part. The result can depend on your assessment of the vehicle. As a buyer, it is important for you to consider not only the price but the overall condition of the car as well. Some used vehicles are sold cheap but it doesn’t necessarily follow that when you buy it, you are at an advantage. Before deciding to buy, you must first see to it that you are not buying a problem. Here are some things you need to check to make sure that the deal you are getting into is a win-win situation.

1. Reason for Selling

If you are buying the vehicle direct from the owner, you must know why he’s selling it. Some car owners sell their vehicle because it has problem. Others sell their vehicle to raise money as down payment for the purchase of new one. Still, some others want to dispose of their automobile because of a financial problem, or they are just simply bored with it. If the car has a problem, for sure, its owner won’t tell you that as a reason. You should make extra effort to check the truth by asking a third party such as the car’s maintaining mechanic.

2. Road Performance

A test-drive is an important part of a car purchase whether you are buying a new or used vehicle. You should allocate enough time for this so that you will be able to get the exact feel of the vehicle as you take it to different types of terrains. During the test, be observant for any unusual sound or smell. They are an indication that something is wrong somewhere.

3. Leaks

You don’t have to be an expert to detect obvious defects on an engine. Some important aspects you need to check are leaks and the condition of the oils used by the engine. Wet spots on specific areas especially around the cylinder head indicate a leak. If there is none, check the oil level by pulling out the dipstick. If it is on the “low”, there’s a tendency that the engine is burning oil. Oil that’s too dark and sticky is an indication that it hasn't been changed for a long time.

If the car is automatic, the next thing you need to check is the transmission fluid. Pull out the dipstick to see if it looks good. ATF that appears red or pink in color indicates a good transmission. But if it looks brown and has a burning smell, it is telling you the transmission is not in the best condition.

3. Battery

A car battery can be easily replaced but it means additional cost if you happen to buy a car with an old or defective battery. Batteries that are more than four years old may only live for just a few more months. To ensure that the battery is good, check its terminals for signs of corrosion, gouges and scratches. You should also give particular attention to its form. If it looks bloated, the battery needs immediate replacement.

4. Mileage

While it is possible to change the odometer reading, checking it still matters because it can signify the age usage of the vehicle. Besides, many owners won’t bother to go that far just to make the vehicle appear like it is slightly or seldom used. A car with low mileage often gives the impression that it is not a battered or overworked vehicle.

5. Tires

Uneven wear on the tires means the car’s suspension is having some problems. When you see this, you can walk away from that car because suspension problems can translate to costs and driving problems.

6. Features and Accessories

The car’s lights, air conditioning system, stereo, wipers, and power windows should work well to give you the value that your money deserves. You should make sure that they are working by turning them on and letting them work for a few seconds.

Buying a used car can be daunting because your hard earned savings goes with it. Before buying one, you must be sure what to check. This will allow you to give a good evaluation of the car’s real value. If you want to make sure that all the cars offered for sale are guaranteed for quality, you should buy only from reputable car dealers. As for your maintenance needs, you can visit Subaru auto mechanic.

Important Car Components You Should Maintain Regularly

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Cars need proper maintenance in order to run efficiently. With the exception of some important parts, you don't need to actually test each car component every day just to make sure they are working properly. A good observation of the vehicle's sound and running performance is sometimes sufficient to let you know that it is in good shape. But there are certain parts that need greater attention than the rest. Ensuring that they are in proper working condition can help to keep your car efficient and safe for years.

Oil

Engine oil is the thing that keeps the rotating parts of your engine moving without heating up or getting worn out. It lubricates the parts and allows them to move smoothly. But leaving oil for too long inside the crank case is not good. Oil works to lubricate the parts, but its extended use can cause it to lose its viscosity or thickness which prevents moving parts from making friction. This can cause damage to the engine parts. Oil that's been used for too long can contain small bits of metal which is no longer safe for your engine. It is always a good idea to change oil at least once for every five months of use. This will keep your oil viscous and free from contaminants while it is stored in your car's engine.

For new cars, you can determine if its oil needs replacement because it has a monitoring system keeps track of the oil viscosity and volume. Oil that's too thin can not help to protect your engine parts from wearing out faster.

Air Filter

This is the component that keeps your car engine take in clean air when it is running. A clogged air filter reduces the power of the engine and increases its gas consumption. Under normal conditions, you should have your air filter changed once in every 7,500 to 10,000 miles of use. But if your car runs on dusty roads on a daily basis, you should change air filter more frequently.

Brake Pads

The brakes are one of the most important car components because it involves safety. There are no hard and fast rules on the frequency and length of time brake pads need to be replaced. The need to change them is dependent solely on your driving style, the size of your vehicle and the quality of your brake pads.

For some cars, knowing that the brake pad is worn out can be done with the help of a mechanic. But for some modern cars such as the BMW, this is no longer a problem because they are fitted with a sensor that detects when the brake pads wear down.

Another way to determine if your brake pads are worn out is to watch out for a scraping sound every time you apply the brakes. This sound serves as a warning that your brake pads are wearing out. If this sound escalates into a rough grinding noise, it is the ultimate sign that you have to change your brake pad at once.

Tires

Tires don't just allow your car to run and take you to places. They also work to keep you safe because they provide traction and prevent your car from swerving off the road. They stop effectively every time the brakes are applied. To make sure that your tires are safe to use, you must see to it that they are thick and their tread is deep enough to provide traction. Inflating the tires to the car manufacturer's standards is a way to make the car run smoothly. It takes years for tires to get worn out. If your tires are no longer new, you should inspect them once in a while. If you notice that their treads are getting even with their ridges, you should buy a complete set of tires to make sure that all four are running evenly for your convenience and safety.

Your car has many components and most of them are necessary, but there are only a few that really need regular maintenance. The four components that we mention here are the most important. You should see to it that these are well taken care of to keep your car safe and in good running condition for a long time.

And even more importantly, take your car to a reputable car maintenance team. If you're like most Subaru owners in Colorado, it is imperative that you trust only the best subaru repair Denver team to handle your car with care!

3 Facts That Might Change Your Mind About Your Preferred Car Color

Perhaps one of the things that come to mind as a major consideration for purchasing a car is the color of your ride. In most cases, car buyers make the choice based on preference. There’s more to that, however. Explore your car color options with these three facts in mind:

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1. It is all about value. By choosing white, you are investing in a car that is more likely to find a buyer fast during a resale, said the Colour Popularity Report published by DuPont Automotive in 2012. That being said, however, you will need to take into account your car as a whole (and not just the color) for it to appear valuable to your market.

2. Bird attraction. Did you know that birds are mots likely to “drop their bombs” on red, blue and black vehicles? A research involving 1,000 cars in 5 cities in England showed that these feathery friends find such colors more “attractive” compared to white, silver, green and gray. However, there hasn’t been a proven explanation for this.

3. Low-risk. A study conducted by Australia’s The Monash University showed the link between car crashes and car colors. With several other factors such as driving conditions taken in to account, it was found that blue, black, gray, silver, red and green, red cars seemed more accident-prone.

If big trucks are your thing, be sure to visit Subaru car shop a car maintenance service center that have earned people's trust over the years for the team's outstanding service. Ask the right questions and make a sound investment!