Basic Car Care & Car knowlegde issue

Know Your Basic Car Care & Car issue
Today's vehicles are much more complex and complicated than the cars of the 1960s, '70s, '80s, incorporating more computer electronics, silicon chips, and sophisticated engines. However, the same basic car care still applies to all kinds of vehicles, and can extend the life and durability of your car or truck. 

The best part is, basic car care does not require any sophisticated understanding of vehicles or their systems. A few simple steps, some regular checks, and addressing issues promptly can greatly extend the life of your vehicle, making it safer and more dependable for you and your family. 

Regular checks

It may seem intimidating, but basic care car is often simply a matter of popping open the hood and taking a look at the engine of your vehicle.

Some basic car care starts with examining the exterior. Check your tires at least every other week to make sure they are inflated properly. This should be an actual check with a tire pressure gauge, but you may also advantage from a visual check to make sure the tires appear equally and properly inflated.

Other visual checks that require almost no vehicle mechanics knowledge include the following:

• body and bumper damage, which should be monitored for insurance purposes
• leaking fluids underneath the vehicle, including oil, power and brake fluid, transmission or other fluid (air-conditioning may cause water to drip under a vehicle)
• smoke in vehicle exhaust, aside from normal diesel emissions or startup fumes
• engine or fluid warning lights, which should be promptly addressed before any further driving
  
  

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Under the Hood

Of course, much of the day-to-day driving maintenance for your vehicle must occur with the hood opened and up, but that doesn't mean you have to be a mechanic. The most important things to monitor and check regularly include the following: 

• engine oil level and cleanliness
• antifreeze/coolant level (never attempt to remove radiator cap while engine is hot or warm)
• brake and power steering fluid levels
• transmission fluid
• belts

When checking fluid levels, the engine usually has containers and canisters with fill-level lines. Make sure the fluids are above the minimum line, and below the maximum line. You should also keep an eye out for any leaks or worn radiator and other tubes, which should be replaced before pushed to the point of bursting.

Other things to be watchful for in and around the engine include loose electrical or tube connections, worn or exposed wires, and loose or warped belts, which should be promptly replaced. Belt replacement is somewhat difficult for some motorists, but is a relatively simple and inexpensive fix at a service station, so it may be worth the trip to your mechanic to get the right belt installed correctly.

You should also keep an eye on your vehicle's battery, and be aware of its age. Batteries should be replaced every five years or so, and if your battery is not getting the proper charge to easily start your car, you should have it checked. You can usually have your battery's charge and water level checked for free at a battery replacement station. Most vehicle batteries come with comprehensive warranties, as well. 

Changing the Oil

One of the most important things you can do to maintain your vehicle is to change the oil and oil filter regularly. Some mechanics recommend changing the oil every 2,000-3,000 miles, but you can safely drive further. However, you should be sure to change the oil of your vehicle, or have it changed, at least every 5,000, including a new filter.

Your oil should be relatively clean, but still have a dark color to it once it runs through your engine. You should regularly check your oil level, and maintain it between the minimum and maximum fill lines. This is why it is a good idea to have some motor oil with the vehicle so you will be able to add some if needed. 

There are a variety of types of motor oil to choose from. Lighter weight oil, such as 5W-30, is typically better for colder temperatures, while heavier oil, such as 10W-40, is more suited to warmer temperatures and climates. If your vehicle smokes or uses a lot of oil, a heavier weight and synthetic blend motor oil is probably best. 

Other Replacements and Maintenance

Other important components and parts of your vehicle and engine that need regular maintenance and infrequent replacement include the following:

• air filter
• headlight, turn signals, and brake lamps
• spark plugs and cables
• engine timing belt
• windshield wipers

Most engine tuneups are either actual motor work, or electrical tuneups consisting of spark plug, cable, and distributor cap replacement.

The biggest thing to remember with ongoing vehicle maintenance is to address issues promptly, including engine knocking or other noises, and do your best to try to understand what may be going on before you visit the mechanic.

Buying Automobiles - New Or Pre-owned?

It is in your best interest as you research Buying Used Cars to understand that you will need to be patient as you go along and learn about it. For us, we were totally clueless until it became apparent that there was a lot to discover. We try to provide solid and reliable information on the subject, and we are confident in our ability to do that. The bottom line is that sometimes you just do not know what is inside a piece of content that could be tremendously useful. The thing we like to emphasize is to have confidence in your self because very often that is all you need. The reason you should read this article is simple and profound because it is knowledge that you have been searching for all along. There are many things to consider when acquiring a car. The primary thing to give some thought to is whether you really should buy a new or used car. This is an advantageous time for purchasing cars right now; demand is low and automobile manufacturers are in a difficult situation, with some big players like GM even skirting bankruptcy, so there's been downward pressure on the price of both new and second hand cars. With respect to first-time purchasers, getting a second hand car is the best option. The foremost grounds for promoting a second hand car would be your inexperience at owning a car. It's practically impossible for anyone to steer clear of minor accidents and the least consequence will be that your car gets scratched. The worth for a car decreases because of accidents, so it is better to have a car that you won't feel sorry about. This is not to say you won't have fallen in love with this your first car, but as soon as the harsh realities sink in you're going to be glad that it was second hand. An additional factor to think about would be the cost of insuring your vehicle. For most of us insurance coverage is a grudge buy, and we'd rather spend the money on something else. You will save a good deal on insurance with a used car, and you'll also find the cost of repairs to be lower. Bottom line, a pre-owned car is better from the economic point of view. How Diesel Engines Work! (Animation) Choosing Your Automobile Scanning the auto lot for the vehicle that most grabs your attention is not the way to go about it. You have to look past the eye-appeal to ensure that engine problems don't catch up with you. Find someone who knows about cars, from a practical perspective, to examine and give you a report on a car you like. For example, that beauty that's captured your eye might be a model known to be a gas guzzler. Are you willing to dispose of hundreds of dollars on gas each month? Alternative Ideas of Getting a Car Going to your local dealer is not the only approach to buy a car. In fact, people choose to search online for their cars these days. However, it is not like ordering a pair of shoes. You will want to check out the car personally, and, obviously, take it for a test drive. You simply won't find a company that sends the car straight to your door, as this is not possible for obvious reasons. How To Roadtest The Particular Vehicle Focus on the specific engine. You should subject the car to both city and also highway driving. Make sure to achieve high speeds, and ask the seller to allow you to drive it for a longer period. Only by doing this can you get a good idea of how well the car copes with endless periods of waiting at traffic lights, and how it performs when you want to quickly get to a countryside location for a weekend away.

Vehicle Inspections

It is factually impossible to just look at a used car and know whether or not it runs well or is a total lemon. Unfortunately, many people don’t take the time or effort to thoroughly inspect a used vehicle, either because they don’t know how to go about it or they are too trusting.

One thing to keep in mind is that even if you know the seller, they may not be aware of potential problems that the vehicle has. It’s not uncommon to purchase a vehicle that is previously owned and end up having to make extensive repairs within a few months because things have just worn out. You’ll be far better off getting an inspection before you buy and saving a lot of money in the long run. It will let you know what to expect and even if you decide to go ahead with the purchase, you should make sure that the price reflects the problems that you’ll have to deal with after you buy.

You have two options for vehicle inspections, do it yourself or get a professional to check the car for you.

Doing Your Own Car Inspection

If you are fairly knowledgeable about vehicles, you can probably do your own inspection. It’s a good idea to be familiar with engines, though, if you plan to do this. Otherwise, look at getting a friend who is either a mechanic or very mechanically able to help you out when you go to check out a used car.

Visual Inspection: Take a look at the car, both outside and inside, as well as under the hood. Is there any damage to the vehicle? Minor issues like scratches and some small dents are fine, but if there is more obvious damage, major dents, rips, or peeling paint, keep in mind that these signal bigger problems that will need to be fixed. Keep an eye out for signs of a previous collision that could have caused bigger problems like a twisted frame.

Inside, make sure that the dashboard and upholstery is in decent shape. Ripped or cracked interiors can be very costly to repair and chances are you won’t want to just leave them as is. Also look to make sure that there are no exposed wires or rust damage.

Test Drive: Taking a car for a test drive is essential if you are going to be sure it’s worth buying. When starting the car, notice if it starts smoothly or needs extra gas to start up and stay running. This could indicate problems if you need to pump the gas to keep the car running.

It’s also a good idea to try shifting gears if you are in a manual transmission vehicle, since this is where many problems occur. Don’t just drive around the yard, take the car out on the road and get up to speed. This will give you an idea for how the clutch works and how smooth the gears are. In many older cars, this can get a bit jerky, but in general, it shouldn’t be difficult to shift and there should be no grinding.

Other Checks: Test the lights by turning them on and off, including the turn signals. These aren’t major problems, but dim or flickering lights could indicate a battery problem or a faulty connection that will cost more to repair than just a new bulb.

The Checks You Should Make Before Driving

It is essential for every car driver to run through a series of pre-drive checks to ensure a safe and comfortable journey. These checks are called the cockpit drill and now even form part of the UK practical driving test.

Firstly check that the doors, boot and even bonnet are correctly shut.

Adjust your seat and steering wheel so that you are in the correct driving position.

Adjust your head restraint so that it is the correct position. Remember the head restraint is there to prevent whiplash injuries so it is important it is positioned correctly. The base of the restraint should should be level with the base of your skull where it meets the top of the neck, and the restraint should be about an inch away from the back of your head whilst driving.

Make sure your side and rear view mirrors are positioned to give a clear view behind. You should be able to see the view behind clearly and quickly, with a flick of the eyes.

Confirm that the parking brake is on is and that the car is in neutral gear (park if driving an automatic). Starting the engine when in gear results in the car jumping forwards, or backwards if in reverse gear.

Put your seat belt on. Remember the laws states that whilst driving a car you must wear your seatbelt at all times, except when performing a reversing manoeuvre or if you have a medical exemption certificate. For comfort and safety you should adjust the height of the seatbelt so that the belt gives a firm pressure over the top of your right shoulder, with no gap between the belt and the front of your shoulder.




If driving for any length of time then it is important to make sure you are seated in a comfortable way. However remember you must be able to reach all the controls from foot pedals to dashboard switches without stretching, and you shouldn't sit too close to the steering wheel as this could be dangerous in a collision. To obtain a driving position which fulfils these requirements:

Elevate your seat as high as you can without your head touching the roof. Then position the seat forwards so that you can easily depress the clutch and accelerator pedals.

Adjust the height and reach of the steering wheel so that your hands whilst holding the steering wheel rest slightly lower than your shoulders. Make sure the wheel or your hands don't block your view of the instrument panel.

Recline the seat back to the point where your shoulders and upper back are resting comfortably on the seat and your arms are slightly bent when you hold the steering wheel in the ten-to-two position. Don't sit too upright, as this may put pressure on and strain your wrists and shoulders as you lean forward to grip the wheel. Don't recline back too far as this will result in your neck muscles having to work harder to support your head.

Start the engine and wait for all the warning lights, such as oil pressure, air-bag, traction control etc have gone out before moving away.

Selling Your Used Car as a Private Party
Tired of your old car and want to move on to a new one? Or maybe you just don't have any use for the car anymore while it's still racking up expenses? Why not sell it to someone who wants it and will take good care of it. You'll get some profit in return, and you won't have to be burdened with a car that will be more useful to others.

The first step to selling your used car would be to prepare the car for the sale. Make sure that it is in a useful condition. What use is there for the buyer if the car doesn't even work? You'll never get buyers if the car is in such a deteriorated state. So it's best to make your car presentable and competent. Take good pictures of your car, and make a list of its features that you think would appeal to potential buyers.

The next course to take would be to get the word out that you're selling your car. You can do it by making an ad in the newspapers or magazines, or you can use the Web and advertise through an Internet auction. If you're not sure on how to make an ad, browse through automotive magazines and issues and take a look at how the other sellers do it. Make sure that in your ad, you write down the car's features and condition as honestly as you can.

If your car is one of the new models in the automobile industry, you might be able to attract a lot of buyers. It would be best to make some improvements to your car, at least on its appearance. Make it obvious that it is a new model. If you're selling an old car, though, it might take more work to improve the car's appearance. You will also have to make sure the car still functions as good as new. There may be instances where you will have to change some things to the car to make it more attractive to buyers (exterior paint finish, carpeting and upholstery, new tires, etc.). Be careful with the electrical and electronic parts of the car when cleaning it. Check the engine, too, and make sure you have it fully charged and the oil and filter have been changed.

When the first buyer contacts you about your car, meet up with him or her in safe and public places. You don't have to show where you live, and the buyer would feel safer when in doing a sale in public. Be prepared to host more than one person. Your buyer might bring in family or friends, or even a mechanic or expert, to take a look at your car. Make sure to give them time to talk among themselves to discuss the pros and cons of buying your car. It will ease up the awkwardness and give them room of comfort.


There's also the paperwork to take car of when selling your car. Consult with the nearest state motor vehicle office and ask about the legal requirements needed to make a vehicle sale in your area. You'll have to take care of your car's title, registration, license plates and insurance policy. Inquire about the steps to be undergone, and the expenses and payments. You will need to notify your insurance agent about the sale and have your insurance canceled when you've made the deal.




Remember that selling a car may be tiresome, and that there will be some haggling and frustrations at times. Have some patience and try not to pressure your buyer too much. Negotiations to make the sale successful can be a little frustrating but just put in some patience and consider your buyer's position in wanting to make a reasonable purchase.

When doing the financial transaction for the sale, insist on a cash payment, or a certified or cashier's check. A wire transfer of funds into your account is also all right. Just make sure that the money already arrived in your account before signing over the title to your buyer. Never accept a personal check, though. It is not advisable, especially with such an amount. Once you've settled these things with your buyer, you can hand over the signed title and the key to the car, and move on with your own purchase of a new car.

3 Tips To Choose The Used Japan Car For Your Needs

Owning a car is a necessity today for taking your family out to a holiday trip or reaching the office in time or getting into an adventurous trip. With the cheap pricing of the used Japan cars, owning a car today is not a big deal at all. However, several factors have to be considered before buying a used car. You will be well aware of the fact that not all cars will be suitable for all needs. For example, you cannot take an ordinary sedan to an off-road adventure. Hence choosing the type of used car that will satisfy all your needs will be challenging. Here are some tips to choose the used car for all your travel needs. Just keep reading on.

Sedans  for professionals

If you want to travel in a professional style to the office, the sedans are made for you. Toyota Corolla and Camry are the two popular sedans available today. You will be able to find many such used sedans for sale in Japan. The main advantage of buying these used Japan cars is that you won’t have to spend even a single penny for buying accessories to your car. All the expensive accessories will be bundled with the used Japan car. You should opt for sedans if you are planning to use your car to mainly to go to the office. Though you can travel in any kind of car to the office, no other car can match the professional look of a sedan.



SUVs for Off-road enthusiasts and Huge family

The sedans are perfect for small families with 3-4 members. So if your family is large, your car should be larger than a sedan. It should combine the comfort of a sedan and the space of a station wagon. The SUVs (sports utility vehicles) are the ones to fulfill both the needs of comfort and space. When it comes to used Japanese SUVs, the Toyota Prado and Mitsubishi Outlander are the very popular ones. These Japanese SUVs are perfect for both off road enthusiasts and huge families. Such kinds of used Japan cars will be of great use if you like to go out for a holiday trip often. The SUVs will have enough room to accommodate all your stuff and will have the capability to cover long distances without any problems.

2-Door Coupes for Singles

Singles needn’t stay away from cars anymore. The 2-Door Coupes are designed for singles instead of using bikes. In the 2-Door Coupes, the trunk of the sedan will be made into a hatch back. These cars can also be used to transport large items to short distances.

Whatever the type of car you choose, it is always good to import used cars directly from Japan. You can save a great deal of money in buying used Japan cars. You will be able to buy used Japan cars for almost half the price than buying the same car in your country. You don’t have to worry about import tax, as there is no import tax applicable for importing Japan cars. So what are you waiting for, grab the keys of your dream car today.

Mistakes in Buying a Car
Do you remember the time when you decided to buy yourself a car? With that thought comes other thoughts, like what car to buy, how much you can spend for a car, and other things. True, it's nice to dream about finally getting the car that you've always wanted. But we also have to be careful not to be too swept up by our desires and just ignore the reality. There are simply facts that we have to go over so that we won't make a mistake in the process of buying the car that fits our needs and wants.

Lots of people make a mistake or two when purchasing their car. Let's look at the common mistakes that people make when choosing and buying a car.

Shoving out other alternatives: We do have our own preferences. Usually, before we go out to car outlets, we already have a picture in our minds of what our should be. We have this particular car in mind already. What is not good about this is that we may be closing our doors to other comparable, and more appropriate, cars. It's like wanting a limousine when a family van is more convenient. We should learn to look at the other cars available to us.

No research: In our excitement, we sometimes fail to check the advantages and disadvantages of the different cars you have chosen to look over. Before going to the car outlets, you should learn more about the features of the cars, their safety mechanisms, etc. Check for vehicle records and reviews about the cars and reevaluate your options.

Disregarding value for low monthly payments: Low monthly installments for your car can be seen as a relief. But we should think again. We might end up buying a car that we really can't afford wholly. We should budget our money better and set a limit unto how much and for how long we can spend on the car payments. Remember that cars depreciate quickly, so a three-year might sometimes be better than a five-year loan even if the monthly car payments are higher.



No test drive:
Always take a test drive before buying a car. It allows you to get the feel of the car, and see whether you're comfortable with it or not. You might also have questions regarding the history and maintenance of the car, some of which may arise as you're taking the test drive.

Adding the unnecessary extras: Dealers may try to get you to purchase more things from them, most of which are actually unnecessary. There are other payments that you can't avoid, like the sales tax, licensing, and others. But there are also payments that are not important. Dealers may try to talk you into purchasing car treatments and accessories, like rustproofing and stain-proofing the seats. They are not necessary on the purchase of the car. You can even do these things yourself, and at cheaper costs. Learn how to distinguish what is needed and what is not when purchasing your car.

Of course, if you can afford to buy your dream car, and have some extra to buy accessories and treatments for your car, then do so. Financing and setting a limit to how much you can spend on a car is important, though. This is especially true when you're tight with your money. It also pays off to be on the safe side and still avoid the mistakes in buying a car.

Buy Used Vehicle Inspection

It seems some states are asking the benefits of their situation vehicle inspection programs. In fact, it has terminated their examinations as of mid-2010. Are there any advantages to yearly vehicle examinations or are they just a way to get more of our money? Do you think fix centers used examinations as make use of to force you to make needless maintenance on your car or truck? Or do you think that protection examinations are an important way to keep the vehicles on our streets in safe operating condition? When vehicles age and get scrapped, they cannot simply get came back returning to the street until they meet situation protection specifications. In Mo, repairing or repairing a restored care needs a situation inspection before the car can go returning on the street. These specifications implement to exclusively designed, renewed or rebuilt save automobiles. And they need Vehicle Inspection for various requirements. Currently, only a small number of car types are needed to go through yearly vehicle examination assessments and these generally include hire-and-drive automobiles older than three decades, vehicles used as cabs or personal seek the services of automobiles, minibuses, vehicles, trainers, larger products automobiles and all articulated products automobiles. The assessment exercise is considering the likelihood of increasing some way of analyze program to personal vehicles, which currently are only subject to a one-off analyze if they are more than three decades of age when first brought in to the isle. How 4-Stroke Engines Work! (Otto cycle) Retrieve Vehicle According to the Mo Division of Income, a save vehicle is any vehicle that was broken within seven decades from the model year and which the all inclusive costs to fix it to the situation it was in before being broken was at least 80 percent of the car reasonable market value. When the proprietor of such a car, or an enterprise having a security interest in your vehicle, states the car a save vehicle and resolved the loss with an insurance provider, that car is then lawfully considered a save vehicle. Titling Once the save or renewed vehicle goes inspection, the proprietor can implement for a new Mo headline. The candidate must complete an Application for Mo Title and Certificate (Form 108) and bring it, along with a finished Type 551 and the vehicle's automatic save headline or bill of sale to a Mo Division of Income Engine Automobile Certification place. The candidate also must pay all appropriate headline fees though this can change. Vehicle Evaluation Certificate Mo law needs that any renewed save vehicle, rebuilt, custom-constructed or other similar type of car applying for an unique headline in Mo must first receive a Automobile Evaluation Certification. This certificate, also known as the Mo Division of Income Type 551, is available at any Mo Division of Income Engine Automobile Certification place across the situation. The car proprietor must have the certificate finished by exclusively specific workers of the Mo State Road Patrol or the St. Louis City/County Auto Robbery Unit. So it will be more help complete with Pre Purchase Car Inspection. Examination A save vehicle inspection conducted by an approved situation associate includes all places of a car needed for it to function securely in Mo. This inspection includes such places as braking mechanism elements as well as wheels, fatigue program, energy program, protection straps, bumpers, signaling devices, and mirrors; each of which has its own analyze factors. For example, braking mechanism examining includes the examiner performing a decelerator analyze that analyze the car deceleration performance at a speed between 5 and 20 mph. And these are most important reasons for examination. Shopping for new cars Even when you have a virtually unlimited amount of money at your disposal, you still may not know how and where to buy a convenient and reliable car. First and foremost, you should remember that your main goal is safe driving. Driving a super-expensive car is not as important as safe driving. Luxury cars are surely better for the most relaxing and comfortable ride. But when you drive such a car, you can eventually forget about your safety. You may or may not feel all the potholes and bumps on the road. You may not even notice all the vibrations and shocks. It is so quiet in a luxury car that even the noise of the engine is muted to a minimum. For this reason, the car always seems too slow, even when the speed is more than 100 km/hour. If you are planning to buy your very first car, it is better to shop for the class B or C vehicle. These small-sized cars allow you to quickly learn the rules of city traffic. It is also easier to control a small-sized car. Another big advantage of the small-sized vehicles is the ease of parking. As for the jeeps and other large vehicles, it is very hard to explain why so many people adore these huge and not-so-efficient vehicles. In some cases, you will have to pass additional exams to be allowed to drive a jeep. This is mainly because driving a jeep is somewhat more complex than driving a sedan. The biggest problem is in the fact that jeeps and SUVs are quite large, and the stopping distance is much higher than when you drive a sedan. In addition, due to the large size of your vehicle, you can eventually overlook a small car passing by. For many drivers, a car with a powerful engine is nothing more than unnecessary expenses. Those drivers who live in big cities often admit that they cannot find proper application for their SUVs and jeeps. For this very reason, car manufacturers offer a selection of more than 20 engines for different cars. Of course, with such a huge selection, it may seem to be quite hard to make the right choice. Still, the things are not that complicated, when you learn more about different vehicles and the recommended horsepower. Another mistake made by almost all novice drivers is the desire of having an all-wheel drive car. Such a car may have a higher throughput, but it also has huge disadvantages. For example, in critical situations, even professional drivers can lose control of such cars. A rear-wheel drive car is also not the best option for the novice drivers. After all, such vehicles are prone to drift of the rear axles, which does not pose a threat at first glance. In this case, the front-drive car is the best possible choice. The front drive is more predictable on the road than any other type of drives. Besides, almost all modern vehicles are equipped with the front-wheel drive.

Test Drive a Used Car - 5 Tips To Help You

It is essential to test drive a used car. Notwithstanding the fact that one of the positives aspects of a used car is its low cost as opposed to brand new ones, unless you are comfortable with the feel of the car and its condition, you should not be going ahead with the purchase. Nonetheless, getting a used vehicle demands thorough assessment and screening to make certain you are acquiring one that may not give you complications and also lead to high upkeep fees, but will instead work for you for many years to come. In this article, I give you some key points on how to test drive a used car. 1. Do a thorough investigation relating to the particular make and model you are interested in prior to the test drive? Is the particular model only known for its speed or power or is its fuel efficiency, the main feature? Doing your research to begin with will assist you in knowing what to expect from the vehicle beforehand. 2. Don't hurry. Give yourself a lot of time to focus on the automobile. This might additionally be a good time to ask the salesperson any doubts on aspects that you are not very comfortable with during the test drive. Maybe the driver's seat feels sunken? Or perhaps the drive becomes bumpy as well as noisy when you hit some rough patches of road. Enable the sales representative to understand your problems to have them addressed before you purchase the vehicle. Be comprehensive with the test drive to make sure you are indeed covering all possible aspects related to smooth handling of the car. 3. It is better that you take along with you a trusted car mechanic for the test drive as he would be able to quickly identify any niggles in the car due to their experience. He can also offer you advice on how to deal with any issue that comes up and the cost implications so that you know how much you might have to spend extra if you still want the same vehicle. 4. Perform the test drive of the vehicle on different road surfaces to view exactly how it performs in varied road conditions. If you are buying from a car dealer, inquire whether you can drive the vehicle off the regular course before you actually take the car. 5. Ensure you test drive 2 to 3 cars at the minimum to help you come to an informed assessment of which one you would ultimately like to buy after evaluating them on common parameters you have in mind as well as those advised by your car mechanic. Car Care Resolutions It’s that time of year where New Year’s resolutions are in full gear. You have promised yourself to make it to the gym more often, try harder to get that new job, or take more time out to do the things that you enjoy.  “All your resolutions have one common denominator — you must drive to get there. You have to drive to the gym, drive to your interview and drive to visit the vineyard that’s been on your bucket list,” says Rich White, executive director, Car Care Council.  So why not resolve to take better care of your car and drive smarter? All your resolutions depend on it! Here are 13 tips provided by the Car Care Council for 2013 that will help with your resolutions: Get regular oil changes since they are your best investment toward the longevity of the engine. Get regular brake inspections which are the best way to ensure safe and reliable breaking and minimize the cost of repairs when break service is needed. Make sure your gas cap is secure and tight. A loose gas cap can trigger the “Check Engine” or “service Engine Soon” light. Ensure your tires are properly inflated. Proper tire inflation can improve gas mileage by more than 3 percent when maintained regularly. Get regular alignment checks — they are your best way to maximize tire life and ensure that your car performs on the road as originally designed. Get routine tune-ups and engine performance checks — they can be your best assurance of good performance and fuel economy. A healthy running engine maximizes the life of expensive emission system components. Frequent washing and polishing is the best way to protect your car’s finish from the damaging effects of acid rain. You should check the condition of the coolant each spring and fall to make sure the additives that protect against corrosion still function. Have any suspicions of a leak checked out at once. Carbon monoxide from your car’s exhaust is odorless, colorless-and lethal. Try to replace your car’s fuel filter every two years or 24,000 miles for best results. During normal driving, you may not notice a light that isn’t working; inspect your car’s lights at every oil change. You should test your battery every fall. If your car’s battery is three years old or more, consider replacing it since the chances of failure increase. Improper ride height of your car can impact alignment angles and cause premature wear of some steering and suspension parts. The Car Care Council is the source of information for the “Be Car Care Aware” consumer education campaign promoting the benefits of regular vehicle care, maintenance and repair to consumers.