One industry which stays undisturbed even during recession is the automobile market. Rising inflation may have made it difficult for people to buy cars, but car manufacturers are determined at making cars more affordable for an average customer. Rising prices havent affected the car market in any way; in fact, car manufacturers have been consistently dropping their prices while spending a significant capital on upgrading the present variants. One reason why car prices have shown a downward trend even during peak inflation is the cut throat competition.
India is one of the most attractive markets in the world, not only for car manufacturers, but for any industry. Many car manufacturers have set up camp in the country to cash in on the economic boom which has intensified the competition in the industry. To grab a better share of the market, every car manufacturer introduces new car offers in India. The car offers give buyers added incentives for buying a particular make and model. Some of the car offers that you may find on new cars in India are:
Cash discounts: Cash discounts are given on the ex-showroom price of the car which is the price of car without taxes. Cash discounts may start from as low as Rs 5000 and may over Rs 30,000. Car dealers also offer cash discounts on cars in order to attract more customers. While cash discounts from the company are constant, additional discount given by dealers may vary from dealer to dealer.
Loyalty bonus: Loyalty bonus can be availed only when you already own a car of the same manufacturer. Loyalty bonus is much like a cash discount except that you should be an owner of a model from the same manufacturer.
Free accessories: Almost every car manufacturer give car accessories as an incentive for buying their models. Depending on the manufacturer you are dealing with, car accessories will vary from car perfumes to seat covers and MP3 players. The car accessories may also vary with the dealer you are dealing with.
Exchange bonus: In case you are selling your old car while buying a new car, you can avail an exchange bonus and get better rates for your old car. Suppose your old car is valued at Rs 80,000, the amount of the exchange bonus will add on to this value and increase the selling price of your old car.
Extended warranties: Maintenance of the car can be a very big problem. Every car buyer is happy till the time their car is under the manufacturer warranty and there are never charges of repairs. Extended warranties extend the period of the manufacturer warranty on payment of a small fee.
Scratch card: This will depend on your luck. If you are lucky enough, you may get a holiday trip or even a new car with your purchase. The scratch card scheme seldom works.
Insurance/low interest: Car manufacturers may also give free car insurance with your new car. Offering car loans at low interest rates is also a popular offer. Car manufacturers generally enter an agreement with a particular bank which than offers car loans at low interest rates to a customer who buys cars of that manufacturer.
Mississippi Car Salvage Laws
Auto salvage laws were implemented as a measure against the operation of unsafe vehicles on the roadways and Mississippi car salvage laws are no different. Before you are able to drive a recycled car in Mississippi, you are required to make sure that you meet the requirements for inspection and insurance, which are set by the Department of Public Safety. Whether you are the owner of just one salvage car or you sell recycled cars for a living, you must ensure that these requirements are met, since failure to comply with the laws can result in penalties or fines being imposed. Below are a few of the requirements:
Salvage Title
All trucks and cars operated in the state of Mississippi should have a title under code 162 of the Mississippi Department of Public Safety (DPS). You can visit the nearest DPS office in order to get a title for your salvaged car and will be asked to provide your address, name and the identification number of the vehicle that is provided on the salvage title application. Additionally, be sure to provide information relating to the type of damage the car suffered.
Motor Vehicle Inspection
Section 63-1309 of Code 162 requires that salvage cars must be inspected at any authorized auto inspection service station in Mississippi before the car is allowed on the states roads. Ensure you take proof that the car has been repaired when you go to have the car inspected as well as photos of the car before the repair was done. Remember, your inspection has to be done within the district you reside so make your appointments accordingly.
Flood/Hail Damage
Mississippis Salvage Inspection Unit has a Bureau of Investigation, which asks that insurance companies make contact with the DPS before they take over the ownership of any car declared salvage. In addition, insurance companies are also required to title the salvage car in the companys name beforehand. Four photos showing the state of the car before repair is also required in this case. The title for cars suffering flood damage will be marked Flood Brand but for those with hail damage, the title will remain unmarked.
Selling the Car
The DPS Bureau of Investigations require that you inform the buyer that the purchase is a salvage car as this will stay a permanent part of the cars title history. This requirement will apply regardless of how the vehicle was damaged.
How To Service Your Car (diy)
It is widely understood that despite a cars age, it should be serviced once every 15,000 klms/ 10,000 miles to keep them up to scratch. If there is any major problem with your car take it to a mechanic straight away as i do not recommend attempting to fix anything yourself.
Ideally to start a service, you will need a pair of car ramps and a drainage bucket, and then the first port of call would be to check the water level in the radiator. You can do this by looking at the header tank and checking that the water is in between the low and high level. If it is low, make sure that the car engines temperature is cold and then look in the top of the radiator. If it is full replace the radiator cap, then top up the radiator header tank so its on the full mark. When changing coolant, use radiator coolant only.
Also check the hoses connected to the motor are not soft and leaking, this should be shown by a powdery substance at the end of the hoses where the clip is situated. If it is not leaking, but is soft, you should replace it on your next service.
Follow this by checking on the fan belts for cuts and nicks that will develop into bigger ones resulting in fan belt breaks that could thus result in breaking down and calling the RAC.
The oil filter is one thing that should be changed every service. The main cause of wear and tear in a motor is dirt and sludge that comes with the running of the motor over a period of time. If the filter is not changed you could end up with a motor that blows smoke and is hard to start. Some car oil filters are in extremely difficult hard-to-reach areas and can be nightmares for beginners, but you can obtain a filter remover from any car parts store.
The oil itself should be of the highest quality and should be the same type as listed in your car service manual. If you do not have a manual, most auto part stores can tell you the amount of oil you need. Make sure you dont over fill capacity because too much oil is worse than not enough. Before you screw the oil filer on, smear the rubber lip with lubricant such as oil or a little grease for easy assembly and next time removal.
After changing the oil, all the air filers need to be changed every time the car is serviced if it is to run smoothly and more economically. Your petrol consumption relies on this very important point, despite the age or transmission of your vehicle.
The battery should be checked for loose ends and terminals and the battery post wipes and cleaning with a rag. Do not use any harsh cleaners, except when they are covered with green particles, then you can remove them with hot boiling water which will clean up the area and a small amount of Vaseline put around the bottom of the post, as this is where acid particles leak from.
The battery cells found under the battery caps have distilled water in them and this should just cover the top of the cells only, not be completely full. The terminals should be tightened firmly so they make good contact.
All the tyres should be checked for wear and tear, especially on the inside of the tire, and the spare checked for pressure and doors and bonnet hood should be coated in dry lube
Automatic transmission should be carried out by a transmission specialist because of the cleanliness involved, if any small particle gets inside the gearbox, it will play havoc with the gearbox. I made that mistake with a friends Kia in Poole, never again. However this should ideally be done every 30,000 klms/20,000 miles and doesnt need to be done every service.
Manual gearbox fluid should be just under the filler hole. If you take out the filler nut and you have oil pouring out all over the ground, it was obviously too full.
When checking the brakes and power steering fluid, ensure it is at the full mark and not over, and to complete the DIY service, check all lights and indicators and replace them if faulty.
After attempting this DIY service, be sure to take it next time round to an actual mechanic to make sure everything is looked over properly, but every second service, if known how, can be done quite easily yourself.
How to change a tyre
One of the most annoying things that can happen to you whilst driving is experiencing a puncture. Slow down to 5mph and pull over to a safe place away from other traffic, and if its dark, preferably near a light. Do not attempt to change a tyre yourself on the hard shoulder or any busy road, call your breakdown company like the AA or RAC to do this for you.
Ensure you have parked on level ground and remove all passengers from the car to a safe place away from any traffic.
If the tyre can be changed easily just follow these simple instructions to help.
1.Obviously make sure you car is parked on level ground with the handbrake on, with the hazard lights flashing.
2.Check that your spare tyre is suitably inflated and make sure you have a car jack, the locking wheel nut (for some cars) and a wheel brace. (All of which should be in the boot)
3.With the car still on the ground remove the hubcap or cover concealing the wheel nuts then use the wheel brace to loosen the nut holding the wheel in place by turning it in an anti-clockwise direction, for half a turn. This can be quite tricky as some nuts need all your body weight to loosen them, be careful of your back.
4.Continue to loosen the nuts by half a turn each, work on opposite ones so the left over support is even.
5.Using the car jack raise the car slowly till the weight of the wheel is high enough off the ground to get it off.
6.Finish removing all the nuts and put them somewhere safe. The wheel should be hanging and can freely be removed.
7.Lift the spare wheel onto the wheel studs, the air valve should be facing outwards
8.Replace the nuts, tightening them in the same pattern as you loosened them.
9.Slowly lower the jack and remove it, then tighten the nuts again, as much as you can. Stand on the wheel brace to make it as tight as possible, but this time in a clockwise direction.
10.Replace the wheel cover or hubcaps and youre free to go.
Changing a tyre on your Kia in Bournemouth doesnt always require calling your breakdown cover. I wouldnt recommend doing this alone for the first time, but if you are with someone else, it could be a learning opportunity, and it is always a handy skill to know should ever you get a puncture and you dont have breakdown cover.
Using Craiglist Cars And Trucks By Owner Section
I am sure you have heard of the website Craigslist by now. This guy named Craig started it as a way to share information with people in the San Francisco area. Long story short, 15 years later the site has established itself in about 700 cities in over 70 countries. It is one of the top 50 visited websites on the internet. It is a pretty good resource to find used equipment, baseball cards, real estate, you name it. One of the better resources is its cars+truck section and this is what we are going to focus on.
#1 Go to the Craigslist website
You will reach a pretty generic page with a list of 100’s of cities and states. If your closest metro area is listed, choose it. If not, pick your state and it will give you a list of areas to choose from.
#2 The ‘For Sale’ section
Under the ‘for sale’ section you will find a listing that says ‘cars+trucks’. This is where you can find almost an unlimited amount of listings. Some listings will be by private owners and some will be from the dealership. Either one is fine and can turn into a great deal for you.
#3 Bring someone with you when dealing with a private owner
When at all possible, have your mechanic friend go with you. Sometimes these guys can get a really good feel for what the car is worth just by starting, looking under the hood at the hoses and what not, and checking underneath for leaks. I can’t stress this enough. It would be worth setting up all your car appointments in one day, buy the mechanic lunch and check out the cars. Most people are honest, but just cover your bases.
#4 Dealer vs. By Owner
There are two people to buy from on this site: dealer or by owner. Buying from a dealership can be good because the dealership has a reputation and a standing in the community. They don’t want you to be unsatisfied, so hopefully they will represent the car in a true fashion. The price from the dealership may be a little bit higher though. The private owner on the other hand could be anything. They could be a con artist or a great person just trying to get a fair price for their car.
#5 Do your research
Pick the cars you are interested in and do some comparison online. It doesn’t take long to find out if what they are asking is too much too little, or just right.
Bottom line: a) go to the site; b) go to the car section; c) pick the cars you want to research; d) do some online research; and e) go check out the car with your mechanic if you can.
The research and the mechanic part are the most important. Try not to skip them.
Car Battery Trickle Charger
You want to store your car, or RV, but you know that when you go to start your vehicle after it’s been sitting for a few weeks or months, that your battery will be dead.
The car battery trickle charger is specifically designed for the maintenance of 12 Volt batteries that are used periodically or kept in storage for extended periods.
The normal self-discharge of a battery is prevented when using a car battery trickle charger. In addition, the life of rechargeable 12 volt batteries is extended by providing a minimum current, regulated output.
Low quality chargers will produce a strong, rapid charge that often will decay electrodes and boil out liquids. We strongly recommend purchasing a charger that; once your battery has been fully charged, it will automatically shut-off and then resume charging as your battery level drops. Also, check to make sure the charger you buy is specifically designed for longterm use. You want to be able to safely leave it connected to your battery for days, weeks, months, even years!
More important tips for vehicle storage:
Gas up
Air carries moisture with it and that will result in condensation in the tank. To reduce this as much as possible make sure the tank is as full as it can be. This will reduce the condensation and considerably lessen the amount of water in the gas and the injection system. Get a gasoline stabilizer such as Stabil and put this in before filling the tank. You will need to run the engine for a while to ensure that the stabilized gas has penetrated the entire injection system.
Change the oil filter and the oil
The contaminants in old oil will corrode the insides of your engine so it’s important to put fresh oil and a new filter in the car.
Over-inflate Tires
Inflate automobile tire to approximately 40 or 45 psi. Modern radial tires aren’t known to have problems with flat spotting from storage. Still, some people suggest that you roll the car a little every 2 weeks or so. It is strongly recommended that you don’t jack the vehicle up and rotate the tires because when you lower the car the suspension will be loaded up. Try and check the pressure of the tires every few weeks or so and watch for slow leaks.
Some say that the suspension will sag by putting the car up on jacks. Letting it sit on the ground for the few months shouldn’t lead to any problems.
Clean the vehicles interior
When it comes time to take your vehicle out of storage you won’t clean it. You may not want to clean it before you put it in storage but when you take it out you simply won’t do it. So, take some time and get everything really clean. Clean the carpets. Clean the glass, inside and out. Clean behind the pedal cluster. Clean and condition the leather. You’ll be surprised at the dirt you’ll find. Clean all the nooks and crannies. Also, don’t forget to also clean the trunk, etc. There is a full season of dirt and junk in the vehicle that you’re not going to want to carry into the next season. Moth balls and a bag or two of the silica gel inside the car (which absorbs any moisture in the air) are excellent preventative measures.
Wash the vehicle
Dust and dirt are corrosive to any paint job so to ensure a longer life it’s important when storing to not leave those elements on the vehicle, but take care not to put it away wet. This can be challenging if you want to use the vehicle right up to wet or snow season. You should never put your car away wet because rust will form everywhere the water collects. You’ll want to try anticipating the weather and cleaning the car and driving it a little to dry it out before storage. Then it will be necessary to get the dust off before storing it with a wipe down with wet/damp towels followed drying it with towels. Another option is one of the “quick detailer sprays” available at many auto parts stores.
Wax car
This is recommended but it may be difficult to get in a good waxing of the car depending on the temperature when you are preparing to store it. A good quality of wax will be too difficult to apply in low temperatures.
Condition the rubber parts
Many of the brand name products for treating rubber put on greasy coatings of silicon (Silicon isn’t good for paint) or tend to build up over time and actually make the trim look worse. Use a good rubber conditioner to preserve all the trim.
Clean the wheels
Brake dust is highly corrosive and it’s not good to have it sitting on your wheels for weeks or months at a time. To do the most thorough job remove the wheels from the car, clean them on the outside and inside.
Cover Openings
Sealing up the exhaust tips will help to prevent rust inside the exhaust system. Close the heater vents and any other openings. Every 2 weeks or so, it’s probably a good idea to make a periodic inspection. Check if any leaks developed or if any mice are nesting.
Engine Storage
Spray WD 40 into cylinders
Take out spark plugs
Spray WD 40 into air intakes
Turn over the engine by hand with wrench a couple of times
Every three months repeat this (except the spark plugs which will no longer be in the engine)
To change the wheel bearing position, every three months turn wheels, or move car into different location
And for manual transmissions shift into one gear and move gear box internal around
Every six months drive the vehicle.
Starting the vehicle
There are differing views on whether starting a vehicle periodically while it is in storage is a good idea. Starting the engine puts considerable thermal stress on parts which are often in cold temperatures. The majority of engine wear occurs in the first few minutes when a car has been started because the oil is still in the oil pan and not lubricating the engine. In cold weather the engine may not get hot enough to burn off the moisture, acids, etc. the car is creating while running. This contaminates the clean oil. If you are going to store your car for a really long time then it needs to be run periodically to keep it operable.