Since the invention of the cup holder, and the seat belt, automobile manufacturers come up with new features for every new model of car, that will make our driving experience easier, more fun, more comfortable, and of course safer. Sometimes, the new accessory is something that we really don’t want or need, such as that irritating voice that used to tell us that our door was ajar. However, knowing that your door could possibly fly open at 60 miles per hour on a busy highway is important, so when carmakers changed that voice to a subtle beep or a bell sound, the warning was appreciated.

Technology moves ever forward, and accessories have improved and multiplied as well. Included in most auto makes and models are accessories that started out as luxuries. For example, air bags, and automatic door lock. These are accessories that we appreciate and consider necessary. But what are some of the optional accessories that we might consider having included in our automobile, if they were made available to us? And not just in those cars that cost more than most of us paid for our first home.

Directions from Your Dashboard.

One of the most popular car accessories today, is the GPS. Many cars include one, and if yours doesn’t, no need to worry because you buy one for an affordable price from almost any store, like Wal-Mart or even Walgreens. The initials stand for Global Positioning System. And if you have one, you won’t ever have to ask a person for directions again. GPS uses satellite technology to keep track of your location, and when you program your destination into the GPS; your directions are triangulated specifically. GPS technology can also be used to locate your car if it is stolen, with or without you in it, most definitely a lifesaver.

Entertainment on the Road.

Regardless of the fact that most American parents already worry that their children spend excessively too much time watching television, a popular feature in luxury cars is a DVD player or a Video Game Console. Some of the new model SUVs come equipped with not just one, but two of them. So that your kids don’t even have to fight over which movie they want to watch, they can pick between two. While a movie or video game is not a lifesaver in all honesty, it might go a long way toward saving the sanity of the parent who driving a far distance over an extended period of time.

Unlock Your Doors, Start Your Engine.

Without even leaving your house. This accessory is a really nice feature, if you live anywhere it ever gets cold. Going from a toasty, cozy house into an icy cold car which you just spent 10 minutes trying to unlock because the locks were frozen, is not a pleasant experience. Not really a lifesaving accessory, Keyless Entry and Remote Engine Start might just feel like it is. This is also an optional feature that is becoming more and more of a standard accessory. Automobile manufacturers spend a great deal of time researching what car buyers look for in terms of convenience and efficiency. What is a high priced luxury today, is the out dated nuisance of tomorrow. Like the nagging voice of the door ajar alert.

2 Points to Be Wary of when Buying Your Next Used Car

Buying a used car can be a tricky business at best. There are so many factors to take into account, such as the reputation of the car lot that you are considering purchasing from, the past of the car, and the final price after interest rates. Nevertheless, when you carve away all of the long term concerns and narrow your focus down to what you need to know when actually picking the right car, it can be a fairly simple process if you know what to take into account.

The Salesman You might think that you are a good judge of character, but it is best to toss that whole assumption aside when shopping for a used car. The car lot salesmen are professionals in their trade. They know how to make a bad deal sound good and to convince you that a piece of junk is a worthwhile investment. They have to be good at it, as it is their living. You see, car salesmen do not get paid by the amount of hours that they work each week. They get paid a commission on a sale.

With that in mind, one can make a safe assumption that this individual will toss out one lie after another to get your money, so he can get his. It is best to not even include the salesman in your process until you have actually picked out the car you want. Of course, he will be there, following you around, but you can either ignore him or ask him to let you look around on your own and that you will come and get him when you are ready.

The History of Your Car There are various ways in which you can find out the history of your car if you have the VIN number. You can even check it online. Nevertheless, in the past the records of some cars have been doctored to make them more appealing. Thus it is important to know what to look for when looking at the vehicle. First, understand that a large amount of vehicles that used car lots sell are buy backs from the manufacturers or insurance companies. They have been damaged and repaired for resale at a cheaper price.

One of the more common is the flood-damaged vehicle. It is extremely important to watch out for this, as flood damaged cars can have long term issues due to the flood damage. These issues may not show up for some time, allowing the salesmen time to move them before the problems begin. The way to tell if your prospective car is flood damaged is to get down in the front floorboard on the drivers side and look up under the panels to the area around the steering column. If there is a lot of rust in this area, then it is likely flood damaged. Another clue to this is the wheel wells. Look at the areas just inside the fender wells. If these areas have been painted with spray paint, then the odds are that the car lot did this in order to cover rust. Paint does not stop the rusting process, so this is a temporary cure.

Every new car comes with a maintenance guide, and the recommended rules to follow are created to help you keep your car in optimum health. And, since the new car models and makes can go more miles and longer times between tune-ups, it really saves you time and money at those routine tune-ups, if you stick to the maintenance guidelines the rest of the year.

In the list below, are the first in a series of instructions for performing several of the most important maintenance checks that will keep your car running well. You will find the type of fluid or oil that is best for your car stated in the instruction manual of your car. If you bought your car from a previous owner, and don’t have the original owner/operator manual, it is easy enough to call, or visit online, the manufacturer of your car and request a new one.

Checking the Oil Oil expands when it is warm, and this is when you should check it. A cool engine will give you a lower level reading on the oil, and if you top it off, when the engine is warm again, the oil will overflow.

1) Make sure the car is parked on a level part of your driveway.2) Turn off the engine, and give the car about 10 minutes to let the oil drain into the crankcase.3) Usually, you’ll find your dipstick near the spark plugs. The dipstick is a long skinny piece of metal with a loop or a “T” handle on the end of it. 4) Pull the dipstick out, wipe it off with a piece of paper towel, or a clean rag. Then stick it back in, now pull it out again and you will clearly see how much oil is in there.5) If the level is noticeably lower than the full line, then you’ll need to top off the level.6) Locate and remove your oil filler cap, it is somewhere in the middle, near the top of the engine.7) Add just a bit of oil, then check the level again, going slowly, just a little at a time will save you from the major clean ups needed if you were to put in too much too fast.8) Make sure that your filler cap is screwed back on, correctly and securely when you are done.

Checking the Brake Fluid. In newer model cars, this maintenance step is pretty easy, in older cars, it is a bit trickier. Just remember that brake fluid is extremely toxic, be very careful to avoid getting it on any part of you.

1) In most cars manufactured since 1980, the brake fluid reservoir is clear plastic, so you can easily see if your fluid level is low.2) If your car is older than 1980, you need to find the Brake Master Cylinder. On the driver’s side of the engine compartment, near the back, is the most likely place to find it. It will be a small rectangular metal or plastic container.3) Remove the cap, and add fluid to the “full line”, if it has dual containers, fill both halves.4) Replace the cover and you’re all done.

Look carefully at the entire outside of the vehicle. -> Spots on the auto body, which are rusted through, or obviously patched.-> Once rust has eaten through the metal, it really cannot be repaired effectively. There are compounds that can be used to patch over the rusted places, but they do not last indefinitely. The metal is now weak because of the rust, and will not support the patch material for very long. So eventually, the compound will eventually just drop away. Sellers of used cars will sometimes try to hide the rust, and by the time the buyer finds out, it is too late.-> Off matching colors of paint, lumpy looking paint, or cracks in the paint.-> These types of issues indicate that the car has had bodywork done, which could mean that the car has been in an accident. Or, that it has not been taken care of properly. Either way, bodywork should raise other questions that the seller might not want you to ask about this used car.-> Cracks or chips in the windshield or windows.-> Again, this is something that might have resulted from an accident. There are legal issues involved if the crack hinders a driver’s visibility in anyway.

Look at the inside of the car. -> Damage to the interior, upholstery, floor, instrument panel.-> If the car has an obvious musty, damp, or smoky (fire, not cigarette) smell, be wary. These are signs that the car has been through a fire, or a flood. This might lead to further problems later on.-> Torn or faded upholstery can be mended, or covered, but should lower the price of the used car at least a little bit.-> Lift the floor mats, and look under the seats. If there are going to be tell tale signs, these are great hiding spots of damage in used cars.

Take a good look under the hood. -> Problems with any of the engine parts.-> Carefully check for any cracks in any parts, any missing parts, damaged or rusted.-> Check all the fluids and make sure none are low, dirty or smell rancid. Most importantly, check the oil, the radiator fluid, the brake fluid, and the engine coolant.-> Start the car, and then have another look, if you see any white or black smoke, it means big problems. Also, if you hear any noises that are just not normal engine sounds, this used car could be too much of a risk.

Ask to have a look in the trunk. -> Things that should be in there.-> The spare tire, is it there, and is it in good condition?-> Are there jumper cables? Or a tire iron?-> The wires from the taillights, can you see them? Are they frayed or loose?

Have a look under the car. -> Potential problems with the tires, or engine troubles.-> If there is oil in the tailpipe, this could indicate a serious and expensive motor problem.-> Any puddles underneath the car, are possible problems and dangers.-> Look at and feel each tire, if any one of the tires is soft, has bulges, is lop sided, or obviously flat, ask the seller about it.

If you have looked carefully at this used car, from every angle, and are ok with what you see, then ask for the keys and take it for a test drive. There are more things to consider during your first drive in any used car, but that will be a list for another day.

Guess what?? These are the last two fluids left to check every month, to keep your vehicle sufficiently hydrated and all of its thirsts quenched. These two fluids, while not crucial to the life of your vehicle, make driving that vehicle more pleasant and comfortable. Also, these are the only two fluids that do get used up. If the levels get low, adding the proper fluids is something that needs to be done for the mechanical equipment to work. No washer fluid, no clean windshield. No air conditioning refrigerant, no air conditioning.

Air Conditioning Refrigerant Checking the level of your air conditioning refrigerant is a procedure that your technician will have to complete for you. Because it is not actually a fluid, but a gas. In most of the newer model cars, there is a light in the instrument panel that goes on when your refrigerant is low, or there is some other problem with the air conditioning.

Windshield Washer Fluid Almost every newer model vehicle on the roads today has a light in the instrument panel that will tell you when you are low on washer fluid. And most vehicles that are equipped with rear windshield wipers will have a receptacle located in the rear of the vehicle that contains the fluid for the rear windshield. Your owner’s manual will tell you how to access that container.

Although it seems as if it would be logical, and certainly less expensive to simply use a household window cleaner to refill your vehicles washer fluid, it is not a good idea. Household cleaners are just not designed for windshield use. These fluids would freeze in the winter and crack the reservoir, and they would not be able to adequately remove the road salt, bugs, or any other nameless disgusting thing that hits your windshield at speeds of 50 miles per hour, or more.

Checking the level and refilling your windshield washer fluid reservoir is a very simple process. 1. Park your car on level ground, in your driveway, or parking space.2. Allow the engine to completely cool down. Never perform this check on a warm engine, the windshield washer fluid gets hot, and if the hose should slip or come loose, you could be splashed with scalding fluid.3. In order to effectively clean your windshield, without smearing it, and to keep the fluid from freezing in the reservoir during winter, windshield washer fluid consists of detergent, water, and a type of antifreeze.4. The washer fluid container is going to be either a jug or a box shaped reservoir, made of clear plastic, and it will be located pretty close to the windshield, with a hose leading from inside the container, and clamped to aim at the windshield.5. If the fluid level is below the marked fill line, then add the recommended washer fluid type for your make and model of vehicle.6. Make sure that the cap is replaced tightly.

That concludes all of our lessons dealing with the fluids in your vehicle.

The latest edition of our monthly maintenance “how to” series, is going to teach us how to check the hydraulic fluid in a vehicle with a stick shift, or in other words, a manual transmission. Cars that have a manual transmission use either a cable, which connects the transmission and the clutch, or a hydraulic system, for which you need a fluid to help keep it running efficiently, and smoothly.

For the purpose of this article, we will assume that you have determined that your vehicle is equipped with a hydraulic clutch system. You can easily find out which type of automatic transmission that you have in your car, by reading your owner/operator manual, or by researching your vehicle make and model online. A browser search using the name and year of your car will return results pertaining to any question about your type of car that you want to ask.

The steps listed below will guide you through the process. Hydraulic clutch fluid in a manual transmission. There really is no actual “clutch fluid”, so what you are going to use will be stated in your manual. Likely, it will be either some type of automatic transmission fluid, or perhaps even a brake fluid, or motor oil, which is also designed for use in manual transmissions.

1. Park the car on level ground, turn off the engine, and allow it to cool down.2. If the clutch pedal went directly into the engine compartment, this is where you would find the clutch master cylinder and clutch reservoir. At the back of the engine.3. You should be able to see a plastic container; it is only about an inch big. It looks similar to the brake fluid reservoir, only quite a bit smaller.4. The hydraulic fluid reservoir is usually made of clear plastic, so you should be able to check the fluid level without even having to open it up.5. If the fluid level does not reach the top of the reservoir, then you should add hydraulic fluid.6. If your clutch pedal is not working properly even after you add fluid, or the fluid level continues to drop, then there is probably a leak somewhere in the hydraulic line, or in the reservoir itself, or at the connection between the pedal and the hydraulic line.

In some vehicles, there is actually no place in the engine compartment where you can easily check the hydraulic fluid level. The only way a check can be accomplished is from underneath the car. If you’re not comfortable yet with your newly learned acquired maintenance skills, and your vehicle is not exhibiting any shifting symptoms, don’t worry. Just have the hydraulic fluid level checked at your next oil change. However, if you want to give it a try, here are the steps to do it.

1. Get under the vehicle, and locate the fill plug, it should be underneath where the clutch pedal is.2. Remove the plug and stick your finger in, (it won’t leak out on you because the reservoir is tilted), if you cannot feel any fluid with your fingertip, add some.

Do not try to check your hydraulic fluid level, without consulting your manual first.

This is the third installment of our automotive maintenance “How to” series, and again we will be learning about fluids. Performing monthly routine checks on the fluids in your car will save you money, time, and stress when it is time to take your car in for its regular tune-ups. Keeping your vehicle in good condition will also help you avoid situations such as breakdowns and accidents.

Most of the fluids that your car needs to function well, do not get used up, they run continuously through the engine from the reservoir and back again. Therefore, if you do find that any of your fluid levels are significantly low, there is a leak somewhere. Leaks are a hazard to the engine, and to your safety, and should be fixed as soon as possible. If you are unable to find and repair the leak yourself, take the car to a mechanic or technician to be checked before your scheduled tune-up.

Power Steering Fluid Checking the power steering fluid is important because if the level gets too low, damage to all of the steering components could ensue, and repairing the steering system is a costly endeavor. The following steps will teach you easily how to go about the process.

1. In most vehicles today, that are equipped with power steering, the fluid container is usually labeled. If not, then you should look for the power steering pump and belt. On top of the pump, you will find, either a round metal or clear plastic reservoir.2. If your power steering fluid container is metal, then there will be a dipstick attached to the cap. Marked on the dipstick with be two level lines, one for hot and one for cold. You will fill the reservoir to the proper level depending on whether you are checking while the engine is hot, or cold.3. If your reservoir is clear plastic, then you only need to look at it to determine if the fluid level is below the fill line.4. Make sure that you are adding the type of power steering fluid that is recommended for your make and model of vehicle.

If your fluid level was extremely low, and you hear a loud, high-pitched squeal when you turn the steering wheel, you need to check the power steering belt. Damage caused from lack of fluid could have worn out the belt, or caused the belt to slip. If the damage has gone too far, or been left neglected for too long, you may need to have the entire power steering pump replaced. To find out if this indeed the problem that is causing the noise, you should have a qualified and reliable person take a look. Waiting until your tune-up is only going to make the problem worse. It is possible to perform these types of basic repairs on your own, but not a good idea if you are new to the inner workings of your vehicle.

For most automatic vehicles, the manufacturers suggest that the transmission fluid be checked every 30,000 to 40,000 miles. However, unless there is a noticeable issue, such as trouble shifting, most drivers forget all about maintaining their automatic transmission fluid. What eventually happens, is that by the time that a mechanic performs your regular maintenance tune-up, the repairs that you need are serious and expensive.

In part 4 of our “how to” series for monthly automotive maintenance, we are going to learn an easy to do, and easy to remember method of keeping our transmission fluid topped off, thereby keeping our engine running smoothly.

Checking the automatic transmission fluid Tips to know before you start 1. Your owner’s manual will tell you which type of automatic transmission fluid you should be using. The two common types are Type F, and Dexron, also known as Mercron. Some carmakers, require specially designed, unique automatic transmission fluid for new models.2. Automatic transmission fluid does not get used up, if your fluid level is low, then you need to find the leak.3. When adding automatic transmission fluid, be very cautious, that the fluid does not accidentally come into contact with the exhaust manifold. If it does, it could cause a quick and furious engine fire.

The steps to take 1. Always check your operator’s manual before you perform this maintenance check on a vehicle for the first time. Some makes of car need to have the engine running for this, and some do not. You could end up in serious trouble if you use the wrong procedure.2. Make sure the car is parked on a level part of the road or driveway.3. Leave the engine running, in park or in neutral, and give the engine a chance to warm up thoroughly. Unless your owner’s manual states otherwise.4. The reservoir for automatic transmission fluid is actually in the transmission, located near the back of the engine.5. The dipstick for the automatic transmission fluid looks very similar to the dipstick for engine oil, once you locate it, pull it completely out, wipe it off, replace it, and now pull it completely back out again.6. On the dipstick, you will see two distinct level markings, one for a warm level reading, and one for a cold level reading.7. If the fluid level does not reach the full line for the warm reading, then you need to add transmission fluid.8. Be very careful not to over fill, adding too much causes the fluid to foam, and it could splash you, causing minor to sever irritation, or even burns to your skin or eyes.

The automatic transmission fluid is a translucent, reddish color when it is in good, clean condition. If the fluid in your transmission is a dark, murky red, or a blackish hue, then you will most likely need to have the transmission fluid flushed. This is a maintenance measure, best done by someone who has done it before.

In this second edition of automotive maintenance tips, we’re going to be dealing again with fluids. Who would have imagined all the liquid that a car consumes, besides gasoline? Well, other than mechanics and people who find cars fascinating in anyway.

In the previous article of this series, we learned about oil, and brake fluid. Next on our list of must know maintenance pointers, will be radiator coolant. Your operator handbook, or owner’s manual will tell you if, and what type of radiator coolant is best for your car.

Radiator Coolant This fluid is extremely crucial to your car, as it is what prevents the engine from overheating. Allowing the coolant level to get too low, can cause severe damage to your cars engine, leading to repeated breakdowns and costly repairs.

Adding coolant to the radiator. If your car is pre-1970, then you will have to add the coolant straight into the radiator. Some of the newer model German and Swedish luxury or sports cars also require the coolant be added directly to the radiator.

1. Park your automobile on a level part of your driveway.2. Allow your engine to cool down for about a half hour before you proceed.3. The radiator cap should be located at the front of the engine, near the middle.4. Be very careful when you remove the radiator cap, touching it when the engine is hot, could result in severe burns.5. Once you have twisted off the cap (use rags or a thick glove), look into the radiator, and determine if the fluid level is pretty close to the top. If it isn’t, then pour in the coolant until you can see the fluid easily.6. Make sure that when you twist the radiator cap back on, you have it screwed on tightly.

Radiator fluid container. Most American and foreign cars that are available today, have a plastic cistern, or container that holds the radiator coolant.1. The plastic coolant container will most likely be located close to the radiator. In some cars, it is even labeled. There will be a rubber or plastic hose leading from the radiator to the container.2. Again, ensure that the engine is not hot when you remove the cap. If the fluid level is lower than the “full line”, add coolant until it reaches that line.3. Do not try to remove the cap if the car has overheated, the reservoir holding the coolant could have become pressurized, and cause any remaining fluid to spray out at you when you twist off the cap. Allow the engine to cool sufficiently.4. If your car overheats because of low coolant, DO NOT put in straight water, as this can cause further damage. Radiator coolant is half anti-freeze and half-purified water. It is a good idea, to keep a bottle of coolant in your trunk, for situations such as this.

Radiator fluid comes in attractive bottles, and has a somewhat sweet taste. Always keep it out of the reach of children. And if it should spill, clean it up immediately because pets, like kids, only understand that it tastes good, not that it is poisonous.

The oil in your engine is as essential to the health of your car, as water is to the health of your body. The purpose of oil in your engine is to basically keep the metal parts of the engine, from grinding together, and ripping each other apart. The engine oil also aids the safe conduction of heat, throughout the engine, and collects the waste products created by combustion. The engine parts must remain lightly coated with oil in order to continue operation smoothly, and fluidly.

Tell me, what is sludge? Sludge is the sticky, icky black goop that is found in engines without proper maintenance, or that have been given the wrong type of oil. Over time, as the oil is heated, and cycles its way through the engine, the chemical compounds in the oil oxidize, and then break down and the additives separate. This leaves the thick, goopy residue we refer to as sludge.

How do I avoid it, or eliminate it? Cleaning this out of the engine used to involve the time consuming, and tedious chore of taking the engine completely apart, cleaning off each and every piece, and putting it back together. Since most of us regular people would have no idea how to do this, we had no choice but to hand our car over to a professional mechanic, who charged us a small fortune to accomplish this task for us. However, the wonders of modern science and technology, have given us flushing agents, which we simply add to the oil already in the engine. The purpose of a flushing oil is to remove all the residue and build up left in the engine, clogging up the works. But it is not recommended to drive with a flushing oil in the engine, they were not meant to withstand that type of continued use. Let your car idle for about 20 minutes, to run the flushing oil through the engine, and then top off the engine with your regular engine oil.

And if I don’t change the oil in my engine, what happens? If the oil in your engine is too minimal, too dirty, or is of sub-standard quality, then the entire engine will suffer for it, and parts will become sluggish, clogged, or break apart. Using the correct type of oil for your engine, using high quality oil, cleaning, and changing the oil in your engine are crucial to the running of your car, and also extend the life of your car. Each automobile manufacturer notes the recommended engine oil for each particular engine. Use the oil that your engine was designed to consume, or speak with a qualified mechanic, about suggestions for a better grade, or quality engine oil. Also, keeping up to date on the recommended mileage and maintenance checks for your car is a very good idea. By taking your car in, or changing your oil when you are supposed to, sludge is not the only problem you will avoid.