Certified pre-owned or certified used vehicles can be a great deal, if you do your research. Image: Flickr / dno1967b / CC-BY-SA

The sales of used cars have been increasing, and for good reason. One option many used car buyers have are Certified Used vehicles; knowing the standards and setup of the certification programs can help you make a more informed choice.

The meaning of Certified

There are multiple different “certified” programs that may certify a used or pre-owned vehicle. Most vehicle manufacturers have their own certification program, as do many large dealerships.

• Most “certified used” programs include a full mechanical check before the vehicle is sold.
• A “certified pre-owned” vehicle is normally checked over and warrantied to at least some point by the maker.

[Check the Springfield, PA Dodge Chrysler Jeep for certified pre-owned vehicles.]

• “Factory certified” is generally a vehicle sent back to the dealership and completely refurbished before being sold.

Know the criteria

Every certification program for used vehicles has different set of criteria. Before you take the jump into a certified used vehicle, research what kind of criteria a vehicle has to meet before it is considered certified of any kind. No matter what kind of certification is attached to a vehicle, if it is used, then a used car history report should be an important step in shopping for a vehicle.

Pay attention to warranty

One of the biggest reasons to purchase a certified pre-owned or used vehicle, usually, is that the vehicle comes with an additional warranty from the manufacturer or dealer. If you are purchasing a certified used vehicle from the manufacturer, then a warranty is generally included; purchasing the vehicle at a dealership can help ensure the warranty is honored. If you are purchasing a certified vehicle at a used car lot, then you should carefully outline the warranty with the person selling you your vehicle.

Sources

Edmunds
CarFax
Chicago Tribune

Don't ignore your check engine light. (Photo Credit: Public Domain/IFCAR/Wikipedia)

Your car’s check engine light isn’t there merely for visual entertainment during your Sunday drive. While the “Car Guys” Click and Clack may joke that the best solution is a piece of duct tape, the truth is that a car owner should pay attention to the warning. It’s important to understand what the check engine light can mean to a car.

Harbinger of expensive repair tidings

When a car’s engine computer detects a problem, the check engine light comes on. A variation on this would be “Service vehicle soon” or “Service engine soon.” While the initial appearance of the check engine light isn’t necessarily catastrophic, it can be if left unaddressed in the long term. While most older cars have one single light, newer, high-end vehicles may also offer a graphic display that delivers more detailed information to help identify the problem.

[Let the mechanics at Momentum BMW West Houston diagnose your engine]

Not a single hiccup, but a sustained visit

Even under the best of circumstances, cars may occasionally flash the check engine light. If it disappears as quickly as it came, the light should not necessarily become a cause for alarm. If the light is sustained or blinks constantly, however, you should pay attention. The former should be addressed soon, while the latter means serious trouble that should be addressed immediately in order to avoid damaging the engine or placing the owner in physical danger.

Enter the OBD-II

Since 1996, all vehicles sold in the U.S. have been required to have the On-Board Diagnostics (OBD-II) system installed. It is the standard by which engine computers report problems. When the check engine light comes on, the system records a code corresponding to the specific problem. In order to read the code, an OBD-II-compatible scan tool must be connected to the corresponding port, which is commonly located under the dashboard on the driver’s side. This can be done either by the consumer or a mechanic.

What codes can tell

Sometimes, a check engine light can appear because the gas cap is loose. Other times, it can be more serious, like catalytic converter trouble or other conditions than can cause a vehicle to lose power. With the OBD-II code in hand, a consumer can inform the mechanic and conceivably save themselves money on repairs.

Don’t ignore, fix today

If the problem signified by the check engine light is something other than a loose gas cap, it pays to actively pursue a solution. If the vehicle is still under warranty and the dealer happens to see that a driver has been ignoring the check engine light, it can be grounds for voiding the warranty.

What to do when the check engine light comes on

Sources

AOL Autos

Associated Press: http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/42902305/ns/business-autos/t/reasons-why-your-check-engine-light-might-be/

Consumer Reports

OBD-II codes

Trading in a car at the local dealer has been made much more user friendly. (Photo Credit: CC BY-SA/Colin Smith/Geograph)

It used to be that trading in a car was an invitation for the consumer to receive the lowest offer possible. Now consumers have more trade-in options, from up-front price quotes to guaranteed values and beyond. Don’t be afraid to explore your trade in options.

A smoother transition into a new vehicle

Trade-ins are certainly a convenient way for consumers to complete all auto-related chores in one visit to a dealership, notes Edmunds. It eliminates the effort of selling the old car independently, plus the dealer takes care of all the necessary paperwork. Trading in a car in some states entitles the consumer to a sales tax break, too.

On the flip side, however, trading in a car at a dealership can sometimes lead the consumer to take in slightly less money on the exchange than the vehicle could net in a private sale. Also, Edmunds warns that some dealerships play games with the consumer by ordering salespeople to “steal the trade.” In essence, this is when the salesperson presents grossly undervalued prices to the consumer, claiming that the prices are low because that’s what the trade-ins actually sell for at auction.

Following supply and demand

While the vehicle trade-in process at a dealership has become more user-friendly, the ultimate regulator remains supply and demand.

“Dealers have been increasingly desperate for trade-ins, as new-car inventories are tight and used prices have sustained at elevated levels,” said Jessica Caldwell, Edmunds.com’s director of pricing and industry analysis.

Consumers can follow the automotive press to discern industry trends. This process should also include online tools like Edmunds’ True Market Value valuation tool. Perusing online classified ads for cars for sale that are similar to yours is also useful.

[In Austin, TX and want a new Honda?]

Some popular trade-in options to consider

Autotrader.com gives users the power to appraise their trade-in, get an upfront price and connect with dealers directly. AutoNation Direct does much the same, and all parts of the transaction can be concluded at the car buyer’s home or office, trade-in included. Hyundai and Subaru even offer trade-in guarantees at purchase time. When the consumer buys a new Hyundai or Subaru vehicle, the dealership quotes a guaranteed future trade-in price that is good for a number of years.

“Depreciation is the single highest cost of car ownership,” said Hyundai Motor America CEO John Krafcik. “While Hyundai’s depreciation is now among the lowest in the industry, Assurance will remove many of the barriers and concerns about vehicle ownership.”

Adam Goldfein on what to do when your auto lease is up

Sources

Automobile.com

Automotive.com

Edmunds

When getting an oil change, some shops will offer an engine flush. Image: Flickr / Robert Course-Baker / CC-BY

When you go in for an oil change or general tune-up, your mechanic may offer an engine flush. Engine flushes are one of those services that are offered more often than they are needed.

Basics of an engine flush

Most often, engine flushes are done with machines built specifically for that purpose. The machines pump all of the oil out of a vehicle, run a heated cleaning fluid through the system as if it were oil, and then replace it with new oil. The idea is that the heated cleaning fluid will clean out all of the gunk that has built up in the engine and help the engine run more cleanly.

Is a flush really necessary?

An engine flush can be expensive, but it sounds like it may be a good idea. The reality, however, is that engine flushes are rarely necessary. Changing your oil as often as the manufacturer recommends should keep your engine in good working order. In many modern engines, that could be as rarely as once every 7,500 miles. Check your owner’s manual and maintain your engine as the manual recommends and an engine flush should not be necessary. An engine flush may only be necessary if an engine has been significantly gunked up through improper oil usage.

Engine flushes could damage your vehicle

An engine flush can damage an otherwise healthy engine. The cleaning fluid used in many engine flushes or brake line flushes is designed for engines that are practically not running, and putting the cleaning fluid through engines that are working well can eat through gaskets and seals, and small amounts of dirt and gunk that would otherwise work themselves out through normal operation would be forced through the engine and could do damage to parts of the engine that are very expensive to replace.

Sources

CarTalk.com
NBC Los Angeles
Focal Jet

Transporting gasoline can be dangerous, if it is not done carefully. Image: Flickr / the_webhamster / CC-BY-SA

Gasoline-fueled engines run everything from vehicles to lawnmowers and snowblowers, and getting fuel to those engines is not always simple. Safely transporting, storing and using gasoline can help keep you and your vehicle safe.

Basics of gasoline safety

Gasoline is a volatile substance by its very nature. Its fumes are toxic to breathe and very flammable. In order to stay safe around gasoline, it is important to keep the fumes from gathering in any space, especially spaces where the fumes could ignite. Gasoline also degrades over time, and after two years or more, the gasoline may do damage to engines it is used in because of water or contamination that gets into the fuel.

How to store gasoline

Many city and state municipal codes put limitations on how much fuel can be legally stored in residential areas. Usually, that limit is between two and 10 gallons in garages or unattached outbuildings. Gasoline should always be stored in approved containers, which are generally plastic or non-reactive. This reduces the possibility of sparks and allows just enough fumes to escape to prevent them from building up in the container. Gasoline should always be stored in a building that is not a residence, in an approved container and nowhere near any potential ignition source.

[The need for extra gasoline can be reduced if you have a reliable vehicle, such as one you can get at Miller Dodge Chrysler Jeep.]

Transporting gasoline

Most people keep a gas can in their trunk just in case they run out of gas. Traveling with a can of gas in your vehicle’s trunk can be very dangerous. You should only travel with a completely dry, empty gas can in the vehicle. There are secondary options as well, including fold-flat disposable gas “cans” made of a lined cardboard product. No matter what kind of container you transport gasoline in, it should be kept in the trunk of your vehicle and be taken out as soon as possible. Once the fuel has been used or put in its intended place, let the gas container air out and dry out completely before re-capping it.

Sources

Wall Street Journal
My Tractor Forum
API.org

Avoid fueling up when you see this guy at the gas station. Image: Neubie/Flickr/CC By

Gasoline contaminated with water can ruin your fuel injectors. At about $150 each to replace, that can add up fast for a six or eight cylinder engine. While occurrences are rare, it happens, and it can be a very difficult thing to prove.

Car wouldn’t start

Last week, Trinity, Ala., resident Celestra Gordon stopped to fuel up. The following morning, her car wouldn’t start.

Gordon’s mechanic determined that there was water mixed with the fuel in the tank. Gordon contacted the gas station after she learned her insurance would not cover the damage. Since then, the station has shut down the pumps and will reimburse Gordon for damages.

But her scenario is not typical. Normally, contaminated gas is difficult to prove, and many stations will not be as upfront in their dealings.

No always so lucky

In August, Clarence Davis gassed up his car at a Bedford, Texas, Kroger station. While he was fueling, he noticed a tanker truck filling the Kroger station’s holding tanks. Later, when his car died, Davis’s mechanic discovered water in the tank.

Davis reported the incident to the Kroger station as well as to the Texas Department of Agriculture. The pumps were then tested by the agency and given a clean bill of health.

[Howdy Honda, Austin's best Honda dealership.]

Taking case to court

This month, Davis took his case to small claims court, asking for the $700 he paid in repairs. He brought with him a milk jug containing the contaminated gas his mechanic had saved for him. The jury ruled against Davis because the gas in the jug could have been tainted after collection. Also, the court said, he should have gotten the gas tested by an impartial lab.

Most petroleum testing labs, however, won’t test small consumer samples. If such a lab can be found, they will likely charge about $300. Between that and the $100 required to file the case in court, Davis’ case was probably cost-prohibitive. And even a third-party test is no guarantee in court

Or the problem could be a misdiagnosis. Richard Armstrong, of the Armstrong Forensic Laboratory in Arlington, Va. said:

“Lots of unscrupulous garages say it’s bad gas when it’s a bad filter or this or that. The gas delivery system is pretty clean, actually.”

Very rare

Because of frequent testing, the chance of receiving watered-down gas is extremely slim. When it does happen, it is usually pumped from the bottom of the service station’s tank. Phil Sorurbakhsh, of Texas OilTech Labs, explained why:

“Gasoline is lighter than water. So all the sediments and the water are on the bottom of the tank. With rain, every time the tank is opened up, humidity starts to accumulate, and it ends up in the bottom.”

Avoid tanker trucks

The best time to avoid fueling up is if you see a tanker truck refilling the holding tanks at a gas station. When tanks are refilled, it stirs up any water or sediment in the bottom of the tank and increases the chances of getting contaminated fuel.

Sources

AOL Autos
Star-Telegram
WHNT 

A new car unveiling is an event too big for a mere auto show. Facebook and Twitter are picking up the slack. (Photo Credit: CC BY-ND/Esther Dyson/Wikidi)

Auto unveiling used to be the exclusive domain of car shows. With social media like Facebook and Twitter, however, automakers are able to transform the experience into customizable entertainment for new car enthusiasts far and wide, notes Automotive News.

Automotive marketing in an on-demand world

“On demand” has become a common element in today’s entertainment world, thanks to the Internet and countless streaming media providers. Automakers have come to recognize this in recent years, notes Ford Motor Co. Social Media Director Scott Monty.

“The notion of must-see anything has really gone to on-demand,” he said. “No longer is a one-size-fits-all marketing approach appropriate.”

Automotive marketing through such avenues as Facebook, Twitter and mobile apps has been an easy fit. Various automakers have utilized their social media crew to create apps that appear to be just a game on the surface, but at the heart sits a great advertising opportunity. Logo placement in place of a standard “start” button quickly leads to the revealing of exciting new models on the horizon for the automaker in question.

Then comes the game

The game reinforces the brand message. By accomplishing tasks within the game, the user is driven deeper into a seamless experience that melds game and advertising. The balance is striking.

“Social media is becoming more and more a part of everything that we do rather than just an add-on for a single vehicle,” Monty says. “With the app, even if they’re not following the tweets coming out of Cobo or not following the live-stream video or broadcast coverage, they have another way of seeing the car in a customizable way to them.”

The power of Facebook teasers

While some automakers use apps to unveil exciting new designs to the public, others use Facebook teasers to get the point across. Fan pages for General Motors, Buick, Nissan, Chrysler and Dodge showcase what’s happening at the Detroit Auto Show. In December, Nissan released the silhouette of its new Pathfinder concept, which had yet to make its auto show debut in Detroit. Nissan used Facebook in a similar fashion before and during the Los Angeles Auto Show in November, notes company spokesman Brian Brockman. This included the unveiling of the Infiniti JX.

Buick is more of a newcomer to Facebook, but as company social media manager Rebecca Harris told Automotive News, Buick has already embraced the medium.

“I think the majority of the folks we’re communicating with are folks we don’t normally communicate with,” she said. “It’s a place where people might be looking at us that might not be looking at us in a normal, everyday setting like a dealer.”

Harris remarked that Buick has more than the traditional unveilings in store for Facebook and Twitter followers.

Twitter 101 for automotive dealers

Sources

Automotive News

Facebook

Fast Company

Winter driving is tough, even with snow tires. (Photo Credit: CC BY-ND/Allan Askar/Flickr)

Winter driving conditions make having the right tires imperative. In climates where snow and ice are ever-present hazards of the winter roadway, loss of traction can prove deadly. Most vehicles come standard with all-season (aka all-weather) tires, but are they enough? Exploring the winter versus all-season tire debate can uncover the truth.

All-season tires and safety

Popular Mechanics suggests that the millions of drivers who trust all-season tires to keep them on their intended path are leaving proper traction to chance. Dedicated snow tires, such as studded tires, have been proven in multiple tests to provide the greatest possible traction under icy road conditions. Even with all-wheel drive, which helps with some aspects of winter driving but not turning and stopping, using all-weather tires doesn’t do enough under the worst winter conditions. In that sense, calling them “all-season” is a misnomer.

Try driving in Minnesota

To test its assertion, Popular Mechanics ran a study at the Automotive Enviro Testing facility in Baudette, Minn. The location is commonly referred to as “The Ice Box,” and it’s designed to fully evaluate frigid-weather driving conditions. The largest automakers in the U.S. trust the facility to test their vehicles.

Testers used two nearly identical four-cylinder 2011 Chevy Equinoxes. One has front-wheel drive, the other AWD. Acceleration, braking, hill climbing and turning were tested, first with Goodyear all-season tires on both cars, then Goodyear snow tires on both. After sufficient repetition by the same driver using traction and stability control, collected data suggested that snow tires were superior, particularly when braking and cornering. Snow tires improved performance by as much as 20 percent.

Know when you need snow tires

While it is possible to make it safely through winter in some regions without dedicated snow tires, having snow tires increases safety. Here are a few guidelines to help you decide whether you need snow tires and what to do with them:

• If you live north of the Mason-Dixon line, buy four snow tires
• For ease of use, if you buy snow tires, buy four inexpensive steel wheels just for the tires
• Put winter tires on around Thanksgiving, and switch back around Easter
• Store off-season tires in a cool, dry place out of the sun’s rays, and wrap them in black plastic bags

Regardless of the tires you use during winter, safe winter driving techniques like slowing down and allowing more time to brake remain important. This is because under the worst ice conditions, even the best snow tires will fail to maintain traction on occasion.

Tire Rack all-season versus winter tire test

Sources

Car and Driver

Discount Tire

Popular Mechanics

I got this covered. Image: akeg/Flickr/CC BY-SA

Most experts now agree that the old 3,000 mile rule for oil changes is over-kill. However, none will argue that regular oil changes are still one of the most important ways to keep your car running for as long as possible. Also, it’s a fairly simple job and can be done cheaply at home.

Getting prepared

Like any job, the first step is to gather the right tools and equipment. You will need four to five quarts of oil for most cars. Pickups and V8s will generally need eight. You will need a large pan or tub to catch the old oil, a replacement oil filter, lots of rags and wheel chocks.

For tools you will need a socket wrench, an oil filter wrench, a funnel and a ramp or a jack.

Jack up the car

Let your car run for about five minutes before getting to work. Warm oil is much more cooperative than cold oil. Park on a flat surface and jack up your vehicle. Be sure to block the raised end of the car and chock the back wheels. Or, if you have them, elevate the car with ramps.

Now pop the hood. Open the oil filler cap to get air flowing in the system.

Open drain plug

Now it is time to get underneath the car. Locate the drain plug, which is generally near the transmission bell housing. If you have trouble locating it, consult your manual. And if you don’t have the manual, it can most likely be found online with a quick search.

Position your drain pan under the plug. Loosen the plug with the socket wrench. The oil may come out hot, so be careful. Allow the old oil to drain out into the pan. Now put the plug back in. Finger-tighten it first, then cinch it up with the wrench, but don’t over-tighten it.

Replace oil filter

The oil filter can generally be found on the side of the engine. Again, a manual may come in handy here. Have the drain pan ready underneath, as oil may spill out. Turn the old filter counterclockwise with the oil filter wrench. After loosening it, remove the filter by hand.

Before putting in the new filter, wipe a little of the new oil around the gasket to ensure a tight seal. Screw in the new filter by hand. Make it snug, but don’t over-tighten.

Put in new oil

You can get up now. The hard part is over. Put the funnel in the oil filler hole and pour in the new oil. Replace the filler cap. You may want to also run your car for a minute to get the oil circulating, then turn it off and check the oil level with your dipstick.

Make sure to dispose of the old oil in an environmentally acceptable way. In most areas, you can take it to any service station. Some may charge a nominal fee for disposal, but if you call around, you should be able to find a shop who will take it off your hands to sell to recyclers.

Changing motorcycle oil

Sources

AOL Autos
Amazon 
Autoblog 

That'll be tough to buff out. (Photo Credit: CC BY-SA/Keith/Flickr)

At some point in the life of your vehicle, you will face a scratched windshield. Provided the scratch wasn’t produced by a bowling ball or high-caliber gunfire, there’s a possibility that you can fix your windshield scratch. If Windex isn’t doing the trick, follow this procedure for repairing a windshield scratch.

Get going with the right tools

Here’s what you’ll need to do the job:

• duct tape
• distilled water
• wash cloth
• buffing machine with water pump
• polishing disk

Considering the materials needed, a simple scratched windshield repair isn’t too complicated. With a few basic tools and a modicum of patience, a fix is possible in just a few steps.

Why you need distilled water

When repairing a scratched or similarly damaged windshield, the use of distilled water is important. The reason is that distilled water does not contain any contaminants like chemicals and/or grit that can either exacerbate the severity of the scratch or fill it with contaminants that can lead to a deeper cut. By using distilled water, you can remove loose, eroded glass particles without adding to the problem.

Begin the cover up

First, cover up the area around the windshield so that no paint is damaged or is splattered while you work. Once some plastic or rags are in place – or duct tape – clean the windshield gently with the distilled water to remove debris and dirt. With a soft cloth, clean in a circular motion, taking care not to press hard on the damaged area.

Buff it out

Now use layers of duct tape to create a dam on the windshield, around the damaged glass. This helps keep as much of the water as possible in the work zone. Once this is complete, take the polishing disk and buffer machine. Start the water pump so that you can pump distilled water as needed. Buff the damaged area until no ripples or damage are visible in that area of the windshield.

Be patient when buffing. It may take a while, requiring another buffing disk in some instances.

Clean up and cry for help

Once the damage has disappeared, remove the duct tape from the window, clean residue from the windshield and the buffing tool. If the damage to the windshield is too severe to buff out on your own, consult an automotive glass professional.

How to repair a scratch in a windshield

Sources

eHow

Glasweld

Popular Mechanics