Westways - Common Breakdown Causes

In the recent Westways Magazine, it described how the fuel pump was a common cause of car breakdowns. 

Here they are:

• Fuel pump. Keep tank at least 1/4 full and change the filter.
• Batteries.  Test them once or twice a year after the third year it was installed.
• Radiators and transmissions.  Use the correct fluid types.
• Hoses and belts.  Be sure to have them visually inspected.
• Tire inflation pressures.  Be sure to check them at least monthly.  The recommended pressures are typically found by the driver's side seat

For more details go to this link: http://news.aaa-calif.com/pr/aaa/auto-club-research-top-needed-230955.aspx

Westways: Time to Re-Tire?

Wow, this recent issue of Westways has a lot of potentially interesting items of interest.

This is not an article about not having to work as much as you used to, but about whether it is time to replace the tires on your vehicle.

In the June 2011 issue of Westways, it mentions the steps to choosing tires for your vehicle, budget, and driving style.  They include:

• Get the right size and speed rating 
• Understand tire types and trade-offs
• Compare prices
• Read the warranty
• Check the "freshness date"  (do not buy a tire more than one year old)

Click here for further details on their website.

AAA: Keep your old car or trade it for a new one?

In this AAA article titled "Keep It or Dump It?" Peter Bohr tackles the mind battle all of us grapple with when deciding how much longer to keep our current cars.

Here are the common reasons rationalize buying a new car:

• Too much hassle (too many trips to the mechanic, etc...)
• Too unattractive
• Too few of the latest bells and whistles
• Too fuelish

To tread the whole article, click here

Possible GM and Chrysler deals in the next couple of weeks

It looks like most of the 789 Chrysler dealership that received notices will be motivated to get rid of their inventory by June 9.  According to this article on Yahoo! Finance, it may still need to be approved by a Bankruptcy judge.

 

Even though it may be a deal, with the economic cycle we are in, it is still important to "need" the car before seriously going to look to acquire one.  

 

Again:  Needs vs. Wants.