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Diagnosing Common Car Problems Part II

November 17th, 2008 by admin

Diagnosing Common Car Problems - Part II

Recently, I wrote about a few common issues that drivers experience with their cars. They included a shaking steering wheel, excessive bouncing, and drifting. None of these problems imply any significant damage and all can be fixed simply by your mechanic. That said, there are dozens of other issues that may suggest certain parts or components under the hood are failing. In order to help educate drivers, I’ll be making this a regular column. Today, I’ll describe 3 more car problems that you might experience.

Stalling Engine

This is a potentially complex issue that can be traced to a number of possible root causes. It’s unlikely you’ll be able to diagnose this problem perfectly, but through a process of elimination, you’ll be able to identify what is not causing it. If you’re driving an older car, the problem may be in the carburetor. When that’s the case, it may be due to a sticking or broken choke.

If you’re driving a vehicle with a fuel injection system, anything that impacts the air and gas blend can cause your engine to stall. Other reasons might be linked to the idle speed control (in engines with fuel injection), the powertrain control module, or even a vehicle speed sensor that’s failing. In the end, your best bet is to have a technician run a diagnostic check.

Persistent Tire Hum

You might notice when you’re driving along a smooth, even road, that your tires will hum. You’ll probably be able to hear the hum even if your windows are up. This issue is far less complex than stalling engines and it’s usually due to the alignment of your wheels. In most front-wheel drive cars, the noise will be coming from the rear wheels. In that case, have a mechanic rotate them to the front on opposing sides (that is, the rear passenger tire should be placed on the front driver’s side).

Failing Turn Signals

This happens often and it’s nothing that should cause concern. When you’re sitting in your car, you’ll occasionally notice that one or both of your turn signal indicators on the dashboard aren’t working. Usually, this just means that one (or both) of your turn bulbs on the exterior has burnt out. You can double-check by turning on your hazards. They typically use the same exterior bulbs as your turn signals. If a bulb has burnt out, replacing it is usually easy and inexpensive.

Ongoing Car Education

As I mentioned, this will be an ongoing column to help you get acquainted with your car and the things that can go wrong with it. When problems occur (and they always do eventually), you’ll have a foundation from which to draw to begin troubleshooting. Some issues are easy to resolve while others will need a trained mechanic. Learn as many of the basics as you can (this column will help). The more knowledgeable you are, the more complex the problems you can diagnose.

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Diagnosing Common Car Problems Part I

November 17th, 2008 by admin

Diagnosing Common Car Problems - Part I

One of the most frustrating things about having car problems is the uncertainty. Unless you’re well-versed in how the various parts, components, and systems work, you probably won’t know what is causing your car to react in certain ways. For example, if your steering wheel shakes violently, what does it mean? If the engine “misses” whenever you cross 40 mph, what might be causing the issue? More importantly, does it suggest more serious problems in the future? Below, I’ll help you diagnose a few of the most common car problems that drivers experience.

Excessive Bounce

Often, when people drive over speed bumps, they’ll notice that their car continues to bounce. The reason why this happens is because the car’s shocks have worn out. It happens mostly with large vehicles, though it can also impact smaller cars, too. It’s an easy problem to fix and requires replacement shocks. You should have the shocks and struts checked occasionally by a mechanic because they wear down so gradually that it’s difficult to notice.

Shaking Steering Wheel

Drivers can be startled by their car’s steering wheel shaking at high speeds (typically above 60 mph). The root of the problem actually isn’t that serious (though it should be corrected as soon as possible). Steering wheels shake because the front tires aren’t balanced properly. Once they’re rebalanced, the shaking should disappear. Incidentally, if the steering wheel isn’t shaking, but you feel your seat vibrating, it’s likely that the back tires are imbalanced.

Drifting

Most people immediately think that if their car drifts, it must mean the tires aren’t aligned. While that’s often the case, it’s worthwhile to test the alignment before paying a mechanic. After making sure that your tires’ air pressure is set to the factory standard, drive on a road that gently slopes to either side. Most streets are built this way to allow debris and water to run into the gutter. If your car drifts to the side with the gutter regardless of the direction in which you’re driving (test both directions), you probably don’t have an alignment issue. Otherwise, have your mechanic take a look.

Being The Car Doctor

The 3 issues that I’ve just described don’t imply anything is seriously wrong with your car. That said, small problems become worse if they’re neglected. If you notice that your car is bouncing, drifting, or your steering wheel is shaking, invest the time to take it into a repair shop. A technician can usually fix the problem easily and quickly, preventing it from turning into a costly headache later.

In the next installment in this series, we’ll explore car problems that are a little more complex. They’ll typically involve specific parts or systems under the hood, and can actually lead to major issues if they’re not addressed.

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Three Common Car Buying Mistakes

November 7th, 2008 by admin

Three Common Car Buying Mistakes

Car dealerships have a reputation for preying upon the desires of prospective buyers. That is, salespeople often focus less on meeting buyers’ needs and more on encouraging instant gratification. While buying a car is always a significant investment, the true cost is often a result of the buyer making a number of mistakes. By shopping smart, consumers can save hundreds, if not thousands of dollars and make sure they drive home the car that meets their needs. Below, you’ll discover 3 of the most common car buying mistakes that people commit.

Mistake #1: Using The Wrong Price

Most people arrive at a dealership prepared to negotiate. The problem is that millions of people start negotiating from the wrong price. They notice the price of the car on one of its windows and start dealing from there. That’s the sticker price and it doesn’t reflect how much the dealer paid for the car. That means there’s no way to tell how much room the dealer has to negotiate (and you shouldn’t take what the salesperson tells you at face value).

Find out how much the dealer paid for the car. You can find this information online (ConsumerReports.org is a great resource). Then, identify promotions that can be deducted, such as incentives for the sales staff and dealer rebates. The price you end up with is the point from which you should negotiate with the dealer.

Mistake #2: Falling For The Deal

Those who say their impervious to advertising are often the most susceptible. Car manufacturers and dealerships are adept at creating enticing offers to spur sales. They’ll offer substantial rebates, attractive financing terms, and other incentives to persuade people to buy cars. The problem is that many consumers purchase cars to get the deal. That is, the deal becomes more important than the vehicle. You should always be aware of specials that are offered by manufacturers. But, don’t let the deal overshadow getting a car that meets your needs.

Mistake #3: Trade-In Laziness

Most of us have a lazy streak and accommodating it can be healthy (occasionally). Unfortunately, a lot of people are lazy when trading in their old car to a dealer. They neglect to do their homework to identify the value of their car before trading it in. In many cases, a dealership will be willing to shave hundreds of dollars off the price of a new car because they know they’re getting the trade-in for a steal. If you’re going to trade your old car in, find out how much it’s worth and use it as a bargaining chip.

Shopping Smart For A Great Deal

The 3 mistakes I’ve just described cost car buyers millions of dollars each year. Remember, dealerships are often financial wizards. They know the numbers of their vehicles intimately. That means they can massage those numbers to yield the greatest profit without your realizing it. Avoid making the 3 mistakes above and you’ll boost your chances of getting a great deal on your next car.

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