Deciding Between Car Dealers
4 RV Features that Are Ideal for Traveling Sports Families
When children advance in sports, it seems like the trips get further and further away. Instead of crowding the family vehicle, you can choose to purchase an RV instead. An RV provides plenty of space for families and makes it easier to enjoy all of the traveling games. As you shop for an RV, there are four features to look for. Each of these features caters specifically to your family and the world of sports. Once you find an RV with these features, you can easily travel and enjoy the full sports season on the road. Exterior Kitchens Instead of finding random locations to eat before or after a game, you can easily feed your family with an exterior kitchen on an RV. The inside of an RV is often crowded, making it hard to cook and prepare meals. The exterior kitchen opens up on the outside of the RV. It often features a small stove top and storage solutions for condiments, dinnerware, and food supplies. Not only are these exterior kitchens great for cooking, but it makes it easy to serve meals. For example, after the game, your child may bring some other players over to the RV to hang out and have a bite to eat. By featuring the kitchen on the outside of the RV, you can interact, serve food, and accommodate plenty of people without crowding the inside of the RV. Exterior Shower Areas Playing sports like soccer, baseball, and lacrosse can really build up a sweat. Instead of having your children drive all the way home in a sweaty uniform, you can allow them to shower off and get cooled down right at the RV. Interior showers are often crowded, but they will have plenty of room to stretch and bathe in an RV with an exterior shower. An exterior shower system features an enclosure that blocks them from the public. These showers can be used right at the sports field or if you decide to spend a night at a local campground or RV park. If there is a water tank on the RV, then you do not need a water connection to use the shower for short amounts of time. Loft Storage Areas When traveling to different team games, you often have a lot of equipment to bring on the road. Instead of stuffing equipment into trunks or other areas, an RV with a loft provides plenty of space and storage. High lofts are typically wide and open. This allows you to easily lay out long pieces of equipment like baseball bats, lacrosse sticks, or helmets. By adding a cargo net to the loft area, you can easily add balls, cleats and other equipment in the area. By storing everything up in a loft, you and your children will know exactly where to retrieve it when it comes time to go out onto the field. Slide Out Decks Instead of crowding up on the bleachers, you can park your RV in an open spot and have your own private viewing area. A number of modern RVs have started installing slide out decks. Instead of sitting on the ground, a slide out deck provides a a lifted view. This makes it easy to set up a few chairs and watch from the comfort...
read moreThree Ways To Pay For Large Auto Repairs
When you are driving, unexpected lights coming on in your dashboard, odd noises, weird smells, and strange steering sensations may all be reasons to get a sick feeling in the pit of your stomach. While these automotive symptoms may turn out to be something simple, they can also turn out to be indicators of a serious problem with your vehicle. With the average automotive labor rate ranging from $50 – $150 depending on where you live, a trip to your auto repair shop can result in a large repair bill. If you do not have this type of cash sitting around, here are a few things to try. Negotiate With Your Mechanic If your mechanic gives you an estimate that you know that you are not going to be able to afford, ask them for their suggestions on how to lower your bill. Some of the things that you may want to discuss with them may include some of the following: If all the work you need done is not pressing, suggest that you break your repairs into several different appointments. This may allow you to pay for the work that is the most crucial upfront, and then schedule the lesser repairs as you are able to afford them. Depending on the type of work you are having done, you may want to ask your mechanic about rebuilding your existing parts, purchasing used parts, or if you can find aftermarket parts that may be cheaper than original equipment manufacturer (OEM) car parts. While this may not be an option if you are using your vehicle’s dealership to repair your vehicle, it may be something other mechanics may entertain. Ask your mechanic if they are willing to barter some of their time for some of yours. This will only work if you are able to offer a service or product that they need, but it could turn out to be a win-sin situation for both of you. For example, if you are an accountant, build websites, clean houses, cater meals, or something else along these lines, ask if this is something that they would be able to use. Ask if they will be willing to finance your repairs for a few weeks or months, if that is what you need. If this is a mechanic that you deal with on a regular basis, this may be something they are willing to offer. Apply For An Auto Repair Loan Auto or vehicle repair loans are basically personal loans that are made for the purpose of you being able to fix your vehicle. They can be found in two different forms with one or both being available through your selected lender. These forms are: Unsecured – This means that you will not be responsible for supplying any type of collateral. These are sometimes referred to as a signature loan. You may be able to find these loans through your bank or credit union. Secured – These loans require some type of collateral, which is most often your vehicle’s title. This is only possible if you have enough equity or value in your vehicle to cover the amount you need. You may also find these listed as pink slip financing or title pawn loans. You will hand over or have a lien placed...
read moreSimple Solutions To Prepare Your Car For A Sizzling Summer Road Trip
From a long weekend at the beach to a complete family vacation at a favorite theme park, summer is the perfect time to have some fun and relax. Unfortunately, flying to your destination may not be financially feasible or truly necessary, so you may be part of the large percentage of people driving to their summer vacation spots. Considering you may be part of the 65 percent of people likely to take a road trip this summer, ensuring your car is ready for the long hours on the road is smart. Of course, you may already change the oil and rotate tires before the tip, but other tasks are also important. Using this guide, your car will be ready for a safe and efficient road trip this summer. Tires Your tires will take a large brunt of the abuse on the road trip, since they will be making direct contact with the hot concrete and damaging road debris. Due to this, making sure your tires are in great condition before leaving is imperative. Use the following tips to check the quality of your tires before your summer road trip: Air Pressure – Tires that lack sufficient air pressure will not only increase your risk of a flat but also decrease your car’s ability to handle the road at higher speeds. In addition, tires that are underinflated by only 10 PSI can decrease your fuel economy by 3.3 percent. Check the owner’s manual to determine the recommended air pressure for your specific car and tires. Inflate or deflate to the recommended air pressure before leaving on your road trip. Tread – Poor tire tread also decreases your car’s ability to grip the road. This can increase your risk of flats and accidents, so check the quality of your tire tread before embarking on your vacation. Use the Penny Method for an efficient, effective test of your tread. Place a penny with Lincoln’s head down in between a few areas of your tire tread. If a portion of Lincoln’s head is covered, you have sufficient tread on your tires. Windshield The ability to see through your windshield is also an important element to consider before your road trip this summer. Dirt and debris from the road will accumulate on your windshield, which will be easy to remove. However, if you drive through heavy rain or hailstorms, you may struggle seeing through the windshield. Be sure to fill up your windshield wiper fluid before leaving on your road trip. Depending on the length of your trip, placing an extra bottle of windshield washer fluid in your car’s truck or cargo area can be beneficial if you need to refill. Also, consider replacing your wiper blades. If you notice cracking, warping, or discoloration on the wiper blade arms, replace immediately. If they are squeaking or leaving behind streaks without properly removing water or residue from the windshield, you will need to replace your wiper blades. Battery If you scheduled a routine oil change right before your trip, technicians may check your battery life. However, completing a quick check on your own is beneficial. Inspect the cables and battery terminals for signs of corrosion. If you see residue or heavy buildup around the terminals, disconnect the battery before cleaning the debris with a wire...
read moreAfter A Fender Bender: Steps To Take After A Minor Accident
Owning and operating a vehicle can be overwhelming due to all the different tasks necessary to maintain its value and appeal. Unfortunately, you can never truly prepare you and your vehicle for an accident. While surprising to hear, an estimated 13 percent of accidents occur in parking lots. These fender benders may be minor, but they can damage your vehicle’s body and create underlying issues. Fortunately, placing immediate importance on these minor accidents can prevent insurance rate increases and costly repairs. Using this guide, you will know what to do immediately after your fender bender. Stop to Address the Accident A collision in a busy parking lot, a tap in the rear while sitting at a red light, or damaging your own vehicle while backing out of the garage are all minor fender benders that deserve attention. As soon as you are involved, stop and address the situation. If your fender bender occurs in a parking lot or traffic, call the local police. Contacting the authorities is not only smart for reporting the accident, but also for arranging emergency medical care and directing traffic. Many states will require you to report minor accidents, so contact your local Department of Motor Vehicles for laws in your specific location. While waiting for police, exchange information with other drivers involved. Make sure to get their name, address, telephone number or email address, license plate number, and insurance information. If you cause your own minor accident, you do not need to contact the police. However, calling 911 is smart to ensure you do not have any underlying injuries that require immediate attention. Addressing the Damage Use your smartphone to take pictures of all vehicles involved in the accident. If you do not see any damage, still take photos of the vehicles. These photos will serve as accident evidence, protecting you from possible lawsuits in the future. If you damaged your own vehicle, you should still take a few photos of the damage. It is important to take photos of vehicle damage and any damage to other property. These photos will be beneficial if you plan on filing a claim with your insurance provider. Repairing your Vehicle Dents, dings, and scrapes on the fender and doors of your vehicle are most common in these minor accidents. You may feel this damage to your vehicle’s body is not worth the repair cost or insurance increases. Unfortunately, without repairing this body damage, moisture can build up, increasing the risk of rust. Over time, this rust can cause your vehicle’s body to deteriorate, decreasing its appeal and value. To repair body damage after a fender bender without a large investment, consider the following tips: Paintless Dent Repair – PDR, or Painltess Dent Repair, is a more affordable option for repairing dents after a minor accident. Using specialized tools to apply pressure to the backside of the body panel, PDR removes dents with the costly sanding, body filling, and painting process. DIY Scratch Repair – Repairing minor scratches on your vehicle’s body is also possible. To get started, use a 2000 to 3000 grit piece of wet/dry sandpaper. Add a few drops of liquid dish soap to a bowl of cold water before dipping the sandpaper into the solution. Use the wet sandpaper to sand over the scratched...
read moreAutomotive Repair: 3 Causes Of And Solutions For An Overheating Vehicle
The internal combustion chamber of a vehicle can reach up to 2,000 degrees Fahrenheit easily. As a result, there are many different components and parts integrated within your vehicle to prevent it from overheating. When your vehicle starts to overheat, the needle of the temperature gauge will reach the ominous red zone or the temperature malfunction light will turn on. If you don’t figure out why your vehicle is overheating and solve the problem, the heat will eventually damage the internal parts and mechanisms beyond repair. This article will take a look at three of the most common causes and solutions. A Low Amount of Coolant To remove heat produced from the internal combustion chamber, your vehicle’s cooling system heavily relies on coolant to absorb heat and remove it from the overall system. As your vehicle runs, the coolant gets used up, and coolant levels will drop. If there is insufficient coolant within the system, the system will be incapable of efficiently removing heat produced. This causes your vehicle to overheat. To check whether coolant levels are low, pop the hood and look at coolant levels in the overflow and fill tank using a dipstick. You’ll have to look at coolant levels in the radiator of older vehicles. Make sure you do not open the radiator cap of an overheating vehicle. If the coolant level is low, wait until the car has cooled down and fill the tank with a mixture of 1 part coolant with 1 part water. A Clogged Radiator If the coolant levels are fine, but you notice that the coolant is not getting used up, then there’s a good chance that the overheating is caused by a clogged radiator. This generally happens when the radiator fluid has not been changed for a long period of time, and contaminants have accumulated on the inner surface of the radiator to the point where they obstruct the overall flow. To unclog the radiator, you’ll have to clean it when it is parked and cooled with a heavy duty radiator flush. Pour this solution down the radiator fill tank and let it sit for a minute before you turn on your car to let it run for 15 minutes. During this time, the radiator flush will circulate the system. Next, you want to drain the petcock of the radiator fluid, and flush the radiator by connecting a garden hose to a water supply and running it to the radiator fill tank of the car. Clear water should start to drain out from the petcock. Let the water run for at least 15 minutes to make sure that all contaminants are flushed out of the radiator before you fill the car with new radiator fluid. A Failure with the Electric Cooling Fan To distribute coolant throughout the system, an electric cooling fan is needed to draw cool air from the radiator. To check whether the electric cooling fan has failed, keep your vehicle on idle and wait for it to start to overheat. Once it starts to overheat, pop open the hood to see whether the electric cooling fan is running. If the electric cooling fan is not running, you will have to either replace the fan or the switch. Determining which to replace is easy. Turn on the air...
read moreAbout Me
When it comes to buying a car, choosing the right make and model is one thing, and finding the right car dealer is another thing altogether. A few years ago, I purchased a car from one of my cousin's dealerships, and I absolutely loved the quality of service that they offered. I am here to tell you what your car dealership can do for you, so that you know how you want to be treated as you shop. If you really care about saving money and working with nice, intelligent dealers, check out this blog for tips on how to make your shopping experience productive.
