Welcome to 2011. Hope you enjoyed your holiday season. Some of you might be curious as to the title of this week’s blog. Well were not talking about turning up your Alpine system. The year 2010 was a tumultuous year for all – wealthy, frugal and everyone in between. Gas prices are back on the rise, toll prices on bridges and tunnels have gone up, parking meters have shortened the time a quarter used to get you and the cost to repair your vehicle is at an all time high. With everything rising it’s hard to see what’s coming around that blind spot curve. So this year Your Car Care REPs have got your back. We’re gonna Turn it Up for 2011!!
I’ve been cringing for the passed couple of weeks as I see the price rise steadily at gas stations. Analysts are projecting that gas prices will reach $4/gallon by this summer. No Bueno!! What can you do? We’ve perused the net for the best applications out there that will help you find the cheapest gas prices in your local area. Visit www.gasbuddy.com for more info. You can also download their app to your smart phone for Android phones or for iPhones.
If you pay a toll in order to get to and from work, I feel sorry for you. But there are things you can do to soften the blow that’s impacting your wallet. Start carpooling! There has to be someone in your neighborhood that works in or around the same work area as you do. Most people when they think of carpooling assume the other passengers have to work at the same job as them. That’s not the case. If there is someone who works in the same area, comes from the same neighborhood as you, and takes public transportation, they may be willing to carpool with you. Cause guess what? Mass Transit has raised their prices as well. So it may be worth it for a person to catch a ride and help out with gas and tolls. Start by placing an ad in your local laundry mats, grocery stores, real estate offices, craigslist, etc. This may lead to you finding several carpoolers that want to opt out of taking mass transit. Plus when you have more than one passenger in your vehicle it grants you the right to travel in the HOV lane. Vroom. Vroom. (If you can avoid taking toll bridges and tunnels in the evening this would be another avenue for you to explore.)
Part of owning a car is keeping up its repairs. Like a dentist would say, preventative maintenance is always better than having to do a root canal. So this winter make sure you get your ride checked out thoroughly. Make a checklist. You should have snow tires on by now if you’re in a winter season region. Be sure to get your radiator checked and flushed. Fresh antifreeze will ensure that your engine starts up during these frigid temperatures. Is it time to change your oil (between 2K & 3K miles)? If so, then take care of it now. Your car oil is the life-blood of your ride’s engine do not neglect it. During these winter months you will go through wiper fluid a lot quicker than any other season, due to snow, ice, salt, etc. Be sure to check your wiper fluid reservoir level. Plus it doesn’t hurt to keep an extra bottle in your trunk just in case it’s late and you run out suddenly. Brake fluid and transmission fluid should be monitored as well. These two items can be costly if neglected so ensuring that you have enough fluid goes a long way.
Repairs on your car are inevitable. With parts and labor being as high as they have ever been, these tasks may seem daunting. But there are some things you can do to get a grip on these skyrocketing costs. Locate a reliable junkyard in your area. Junkyards today have far more inventory than they have had in the past with most parts listed in their database of computers. There are even websites that have a listing of salvaged parts online that they can locate for you nationwide. Some may be hesitant to utilize used or salvaged parts because most junk yard businesses don’t offer any type of significant warranty. Think of it this way, buying used parts helps the auto industry (and the environment) recycle. These parts may be just as good as purchasing a new part. The key is to make sure that the part you are getting has been tested by your junkman. I’ve purchased alternators, electric window motors, a hood, even a windshield from my local junkyard with much success in its operation. What I did to achieve this was build a relationship with them. Let them know that you’re interested in coming back and making more purchases if this part lives up to its potential. Your junkman will want your return business and once you become a repeat customer you will be treated as part of the junkman clan. Parts gotten from junkyards can be 50%-75% cheaper than buying it brand new. The other good thing about utilizing junkyards is that they are usually scattered with day labor mechanics looking to make a quick buck to install your newly found treasure. A lot of these guys work on a specific type of car such as Honda, Chevy, Nissan etc. If you don’t want to use them you can always try to take the part to your trusted mechanic. (Note: most mechanics don’t like to install parts from junkyards and if they do they will usually void any warranty on the work.)
Even though things are looking tougher as we spin our wheels around this sun for another cycle, Your Car Care REPs are looking out on your blind side. With that said, the motto for 2011 is “When things look rough Your Car Care REPs Turn it UP!!”
Welcome to 2011. Hope you enjoyed your holiday season. Some of you might be curious as to the title of this week’s blog. Well were not talking about turning up your Alpine system. The year 2010 was a tumultuous year for all – wealthy, frugal and everyone in between. Gas prices are back on the rise, toll prices on bridges and tunnels have gone up, parking meters have shortened the time a quarter used to get you and the cost to repair your vehicle is at an all time high. With everything rising it’s hard to see what’s coming around that blind spot curve. So this year Your Car Care REPs have got your back. We’re gonna Turn it Up for 2011!!
I’ve been cringing for the passed couple of weeks as I see the price rise steadily at gas stations. Analysts are projecting that gas prices will reach $4/gallon by this summer. No Bueno!! What can you do? We’ve perused the net for the best applications out there that will help you find the cheapest gas prices in your local area. Visit www.gasbuddy.com for more info. You can also download their app to your smart phone 
Part of owning a car is keeping up its repairs. Like a dentist would say, preventative maintenance is always better than having to do a root canal. So this winter make sure you get your ride checked out thoroughly. Make a checklist. You should have snow tires on by now if you’re in a winter season region. Be sure to get your radiator checked and flushed. Fresh antifreeze will ensure that your engine starts up during these frigid temperatures. Is it time to change your oil (between 2K & 3K miles)? If so, then take care of it now. Your car oil is the life-blood of your ride’s engine do not neglect it. During these winter months you will go through wiper fluid a lot quicker than any other season, due to snow, ice, salt, etc. Be sure to check your wiper fluid reservoir level. Plus it doesn’t hurt to keep an extra bottle in your trunk just in case it’s late and you run out suddenly. Brake fluid and transmission fluid should be monitored as well. These two items can be costly if neglected so ensuring that you have enough fluid goes a long way.
Repairs on your car are inevitable. With parts and labor being as high as they have ever been, these tasks may seem daunting. But there are some things you can do to get a grip on these skyrocketing costs. Locate a reliable junkyard in your area. Junkyards today have far more inventory than they have had in the past with most parts listed in their database of computers. There are even websites that have a listing of salvaged parts online that they can locate for you nationwide. Some may be hesitant to utilize used or salvaged parts because most junk yard businesses don’t offer any type of significant warranty. Think of it this way, buying used parts helps the auto industry (and the environment) recycle. These parts may be just as good as purchasing a new part. The key is to make sure that the part you are getting has been tested by your junkman. I’ve purchased alternators, electric window motors, a hood, even a windshield from my local junkyard with much success in its operation. What I did to achieve this was build a relationship with them. Let them know that you’re interested in coming back and making more purchases if this part lives up to its potential. Your junkman will want your return business and once you become a repeat customer you will be treated as part of the junkman clan. Parts gotten from junkyards can be 50%-75% cheaper than buying it brand new. The other good thing about utilizing junkyards is that they are usually scattered with day labor mechanics looking to make a quick buck to install your newly found treasure. A lot of these guys work on a specific type of car such as Honda, Chevy, Nissan etc. If you don’t want to use them you can always try to take the part to your trusted mechanic. (Note: most mechanics don’t like to install parts from junkyards and if they do they will usually void any warranty on the work.)
