A Checklist to keep your car running
You can keep your car running longer and better by
following a few simple maintenance routines. Your
owner's manual indicates how often you should
change fluids, tune the engine, rotate the tyres, etc.
Follow the manufacturer's recommended frequency
of maintenance, increasing that frequency for cars
that see a lot of heavy use or stop-and start driving.
Your maintenance schedule should include a number
of basic procedures:
Fluids
change motor oil and filter;
replace coolant;
replace transmission fluid and filter;
re-fill windshield washer fluid and change blades;
Engine
change spark plugs;
check alternator and starter;
clean battery and terminals;
clean/replace air filter;
check timing;
check intake manifold;
check/replace crankcase ventilation;
check/replace belts;
Tyres
check air pressure;
check treads, replace tyre if less than 1/16"
rotate tyres;
check brakes/pads;
check wheel alignment;
10 EASY WAYS TO CHECK A USED CAR
1. run a line of sight along both sides of
the car - misaligned body panels or
different shades of paint indicate
that the car has been in an accident
2. check for rust, especially under the
doors and around wheel openeings. If a
small magnet doesn't stickthere, that may
be proof of a cheap, -and temporary - repair
with putty. Look under the carpet too. Fixing
rust damage is difficult and costly.
3. stains on the upholstery or carpeting and
a moldy smell are signs of a rain leak - another
problem that can be hard to fix.
4. look under the car. Oil or coolant drips could
indicate a serious problem
5. try all the controls and displays. And make
sure all lights are working.
6. when you turn on the ignition, make sure the
"check engine" light comes on. If it doesn't, it may
have been disconnected to cover up an emissions
(muffler) problem.
7. On a level road, the car should track straight,
without constant steering correction. Pulling could
mean a body that's badly twisted - from a crash.
8. On a quiet street with no traffic nearby, step
harshly on the brakes. The car should stop
without pulling.
9. pull the automatic transmission dipstick.
the fluid should be cherry red, with no burnt
smell or bubbles on the dipstick. The transmission
should shift smoothly. A manual transmission should
not grind, and the clutch should engage smoothly.
10. accelerate in low gear to 15 miles per hour
Then release the accelerator, letthe speed drop
to about 5 miles per hour and floor the accelerator.
A cloud of blue smoke from the tailpipe is a sign
of an oil-burning engine. Lots of white smoke may
mean serious engine trouble, but a few wisps after
the engine starts is no worry (especially on a damp day)
Tuesday, April 19, 2005
New Model
3 - the Magic Number
The Three Series is BMW's most successful car,
as anyone casting an eye about Kingston's
motorways can confirm. Globally, the Three
(dubbed the E90 internally at BMW) accounts
for some 57% of sales. This, as someone close to
the local dealership said at the Jamaican launch
on Saturday (April 16), "this is the one car they
have to get right."
And judging from the looks from the enthusiasts
and would-be car buyers on hand, they have.
On the outside, the new 3 essentially sticks to the
design formula laid down over the last seveal years
but with a few modifications (an inset mount of the
famous kidney grille for one).
Inside the cosseted cocoon that is the interior,
wind noise and tyre noise has been virtually
eliminated, so the sensation of raw speed is
diminished, even at very rapid rates of transit.
The new model is also larger, boasting more
legroom than its predecessor, and has new
onboard electronics. BMW's now renowned
iDrive navigation system will also be available.
BMW will reportedly offer four body styles on
the new 3: the four-door sedan, the station wagon*
(*due to debut at the 2006 Geneva Auto show);
the coupe (Paris, 2006); the convertible
(scheduled to launch at the 2007 Detroit
auto show).
But the real star of the new 3 is the engine, or we
should say engines. This generation's engine
permutations do not disappoint. The six-cylinder
and four-cylinder offerings (the six is all-new)
come with substantial innovations.
Additionally, the new model features a central computer
system that can be updated with new features throughout
the car's life cycle, guarding against obsolescence.
Sterling Motors Marketing point-man Wayne Miller
was busy glad-handing and chatting with the likes of
Supt. Reneto Adams and others as the guests
imbibed drinks and enjoyed cocktails prepared for the
occasion - all in between test drives and tire-kicking.
The 3-series has long been a fixture on the 10-Best list of most
auto publications. The latest generation looks set to continue
that trend.
The Three Series is BMW's most successful car,
as anyone casting an eye about Kingston's
motorways can confirm. Globally, the Three
(dubbed the E90 internally at BMW) accounts
for some 57% of sales. This, as someone close to
the local dealership said at the Jamaican launch
on Saturday (April 16), "this is the one car they
have to get right."
And judging from the looks from the enthusiasts
and would-be car buyers on hand, they have.
On the outside, the new 3 essentially sticks to the
design formula laid down over the last seveal years
but with a few modifications (an inset mount of the
famous kidney grille for one).
Inside the cosseted cocoon that is the interior,
wind noise and tyre noise has been virtually
eliminated, so the sensation of raw speed is
diminished, even at very rapid rates of transit.
The new model is also larger, boasting more
legroom than its predecessor, and has new
onboard electronics. BMW's now renowned
iDrive navigation system will also be available.
BMW will reportedly offer four body styles on
the new 3: the four-door sedan, the station wagon*
(*due to debut at the 2006 Geneva Auto show);
the coupe (Paris, 2006); the convertible
(scheduled to launch at the 2007 Detroit
auto show).
But the real star of the new 3 is the engine, or we
should say engines. This generation's engine
permutations do not disappoint. The six-cylinder
and four-cylinder offerings (the six is all-new)
come with substantial innovations.
Additionally, the new model features a central computer
system that can be updated with new features throughout
the car's life cycle, guarding against obsolescence.
Sterling Motors Marketing point-man Wayne Miller
was busy glad-handing and chatting with the likes of
Supt. Reneto Adams and others as the guests
imbibed drinks and enjoyed cocktails prepared for the
occasion - all in between test drives and tire-kicking.
The 3-series has long been a fixture on the 10-Best list of most
auto publications. The latest generation looks set to continue
that trend.
How to.....Buy a New Car
Buying a new car: it can be an ordeal. But then it doesn't have to be.
with a proper plan and knowledge of what's available, you can still get
the car you wnat, equipped the way you want it, at a fair price.
Below, the five (5) steps to blissed-out car buying:
1. Find out what the dealer paid for the car
Easier said than done in the Jamaican market, but
ascertaining the dealer price is critical to negotiation.
A good source is the Kelley Blue Book(check with JAMPRO), or you can
go on to the Consumer Reports website
2.Know Your Negotiating Room
Either of the documents mentioned
above will give you an idea of the leeway
you have between the dealer price and the
manufacturer's suggested retail price (MSRP)
or sticker price.
3. Always Bargain Up
Don't be intimidated by the salesperson.
Always baragin using the invoice price, never
down from the sticker price. If the car you
want is in tight supply, you may have to pay full price,
otherwise 10-15% over the invoice price is
reasonable for popular models.
4. Be wary
The sales manager or sales rep may try
to upsell you, that is persuade to try a higher-priced
model for the sake of added features. Don't jump
into these arrangements, they usually don't
provide the value you're expecting over the
long term.Weigh the dealer's terms carefully
and stick as close as possible to your guns.
5. Consider the trade-in
You'll need to have an idea of
your car's re-sale value. Find out
from the dealer their disposition to trade-ins
and then compare to open market prices (which
can be had by scanning the Auto Classifieds of
the Sunday papers)
with a proper plan and knowledge of what's available, you can still get
the car you wnat, equipped the way you want it, at a fair price.
Below, the five (5) steps to blissed-out car buying:
1. Find out what the dealer paid for the car
Easier said than done in the Jamaican market, but
ascertaining the dealer price is critical to negotiation.
A good source is the Kelley Blue Book(check with JAMPRO), or you can
go on to the Consumer Reports website
2.Know Your Negotiating Room
Either of the documents mentioned
above will give you an idea of the leeway
you have between the dealer price and the
manufacturer's suggested retail price (MSRP)
or sticker price.
3. Always Bargain Up
Don't be intimidated by the salesperson.
Always baragin using the invoice price, never
down from the sticker price. If the car you
want is in tight supply, you may have to pay full price,
otherwise 10-15% over the invoice price is
reasonable for popular models.
4. Be wary
The sales manager or sales rep may try
to upsell you, that is persuade to try a higher-priced
model for the sake of added features. Don't jump
into these arrangements, they usually don't
provide the value you're expecting over the
long term.Weigh the dealer's terms carefully
and stick as close as possible to your guns.
5. Consider the trade-in
You'll need to have an idea of
your car's re-sale value. Find out
from the dealer their disposition to trade-ins
and then compare to open market prices (which
can be had by scanning the Auto Classifieds of
the Sunday papers)
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