When on a tight budget, people like to engage in do-it-yourself efforts. Aside from saving a large amount of money, doing DIY builds people’s self esteem since they know how to fix things on their own. Yet sometimes, prior to taking on such things, they need to make sure that they can handle the situation.

One of the things that you can do on your own and add to your knowledge list is auto window repair.

Here are several points that you need to keep in mind if you want to successfully carry out a DIY auto window repair.

Before trying to fix your car window, park it in an open area so it will be easy for you to clean it up. Expect to have shards of glass on the floor when you start removing the inside of your car door. Parking your car on concrete floor will also make it convenient for you to clean up the glass shatters since you can simply sweep them away. However, if you have no other place to park your car in, except for a dirt area or a place similar to it, save yourself from the hassle and place a tarpaulin on the floor, then park your car on it. That way, you will be able to sweep and pick up the shards with no trouble.

To start your auto window repair effort, take out your car door’s armrest and handle. The inside panel gets taken out after those two; it may take a while to remove this as it is attached to the door with several screws on its corners. When the panel is detached, a moisture barrier can be seen. Taking this car part off may be tricky, thus, be extra careful in doing so as it may be held with glue, tape, screws or clips. It is best not to hurry the process to ensure that it does not get ripped; otherwise, you’ll be adding another problem to your situation, and it may even cost you more money.

Now that the barrier is out, you are closer to finishing your auto window repair task.

The next thing to do would be to take out the glass window, and you’ll need to use thick work gloves so that you won’t cut yourself with the shards. Remove the glass carefully and, by all means, take your time. Once you have them out of the door, vacuum out the small shards left inside. Cleaning the inside thoroughly is just to assure that you won’t have pieces of glass in your car and hurt yourself.

It is now time to place the new glass window on your car door. Position the glass on the track with care; to connect the track arm to the glass, there should be a plug or a pin for you to use. Once attached, test the window if it is working as it should. It is advisable to observe the window for a time so that you can deal with potential problems early on. If it seems to work fine after testing it out a few times, place the other parts back; put the barrier first, then the panel, the armrest and the door handle. After attaching each part, test again if it is functioning correctly. If you don’t notice any problems with the parts, clean your car up and remove any dropped shards and dispose of them properly. Now, your auto window repair task is done.

For more information on anything related to auto window repair, you can visit FastLanes.net, your best source for the latest in cars, car care and car accessories.

If you want your car fixed in an auto repair shop, chances are you’ll want to know how much you’re going to pay. Most car repair joints provide an auto repair estimate that lists down the parts that should be replaced, the labor charges and other applicable fees. This estimate is designed to give you an idea of the total repair cost.

Learning how to estimate repair costs is the best way to ensure that the mechanic gives you a fair and accurate auto repair estimate.

Below are tips on how to size vehicle repair expenses.

Assess Exterior Damages

Before having your car fixed, evaluate its exterior issues first. Check if the dents (if there are any) are small enough to be fixed by hammering with a body hammer. If you have no experience with this tool, it’s better to make that auto repair estimate and head to a trusted repair shop. Alternatively, you can have a friend or family member who knows how to use a body hammer to fix the dent.

Check for Inside Damages

To look for damages inside, remove the car’s exterior and check for breaks, cracks or dents. This step can help you figure out the auto repair estimate. Carefully unscrew different body parts and look for missing or damaged parts that need to be replaced. Place the gears and screws inside a storage bin to make sure nothing gets lost.

Listen to unusual sounds. If you hear a squeaking sound from the engine area, for instance, the pulley belt may have to be replaced.

Research on the Prices

An auto repair estimate usually includes the replacement parts’ cost. Research these prices by going online or visiting a store for car parts. So, if you’re going to need a new alternator, which costs around $150, and if its labor costs $65 an hour, then you’ll be paying a total of around $215.

Consider the Labor Rate

Another huge component of the auto repair estimate is the labor rate. Ask how much they charge by the hour and how long the repair will take. Although mechanics usually can’t give an exact time frame, a range can help with formulating the estimate.

What Kind of Car Do You Have?

Your car’s make and model can make a huge difference when doing the auto repair estimate. The parts of a 2000 Toyota Corolla, for instance, are way cheaper compared to that of a Bentley GTC. Car repairs are much more expensive if you have a luxury car.

Call Your Insurance Provider

Another option when figuring out the repair expenses is asking for estimation assistance from your car insurance company. Car insurance companies can also provide an auto repair estimate by inspecting the car or looking at pictures of the damage.

Keeping these tips in mind will help you work out car repair estimate in the most favorable ways possible.

If you don’t know much about cars or car repairs, it can be hard to say whether or not the mechanic’s estimate is fair. Nonetheless, it’s still possible to make your own damage estimate. Creating your own auto repair estimates will allow you to compare your own assessments with what the repair shop tells you.

Examine the Needed Repairs

The first thing to consider is determining all the necessary repairs. You can do this by either making an analysis yourself or by waiting for what the mechanic has to say after the diagnosis.

Ask for the Usual Labor Rate

Initial auto repair estimates can be made by knowing the shop’s usual charge and how long the repair will take. Just remember that they might not be able to give you the exact number of repair hours.

Consider Replacement Part Costs

Replacement parts that need to be installed are also part of the auto repair estimates. Make sure to ask about the parts’ costs because you wouldn’t want to pay more than the recommended price, especially if the parts are from an original equipment manufacturer. If the mechanic is going to put in used car parts, you should have a wider price range. Consider requesting the shop to use reasonably priced items.

Study the Breakdown of the Auto Repair Estimates

If you want to make sure that you’re billed correctly, look at all the charges. Even miscellaneous fees, such as hazardous waste and rags, may add up to the total.

If there are things in the bill that you don’t understand, don’t hesitate to ask questions. Unreadable writing, unintelligible technical terms and services you didn’t ask for could all make the auto repair estimates put a hole in your pocket.

Become Familiar with Your Car

Another option is to learn auto repair. Buy a book or two about automotive repair and study the jargon and diagrams. This way, you won’t feel overwhelmed when the mechanic spits jargon, deceptive sales talk and faulty reasoning at you.

Compare Different Repair Shops

Although this option is time consuming, asking auto repair estimates from at least two car repair joints is well worth it. If their estimates vary, ask each shop why a component has been excluded or included. By asking around, you’ll get a glimpse of the different mechanics’ attitude and how they explain things.

Services for auto repairs are no longer exclusively done in auto repair shops. With the advent of mobile auto repair services, people no longer have to go to the shops to have their cars repaired. This time around, the shop can go to them.

Specifically, a mobile mechanic is dispatched to attend to the customer’s car repair needs. The question now is where can you find an excellent auto repair shop that offers this service?

Where to Look

FastLanes.net has plenty of information on how and where to look for mobile auto repair services in your area. This is an all-around, online car care tips and maintenance guide for vehicle owners.

The following are some of the tips that can be found in fastLanes.net when looking for mobile auto repair services:

1. Search Online

As with almost everything else these days, you can find a service provider through the Internet. There are Web directories for mobile auto repair shops where people can browse through the shop listings and get their contact information. It is also easy to look for customer reviews and shop ratings online. Since many mobile auto repair shops are now running their own websites, customers can compare prices and services offered when choosing a mobile repair service.

2. Use Mobile Phone GPS

Mobile phone manufacturers have made plenty of other uses for cell phones besides making calls. New cell phone models come with a GPS feature that is useful for emergencies like car troubles in the middle of the highway. Activating the GPS application will generate a list of mobile auto repair shops that are near your location. This is a good option for sudden, on-the-spot needs for vehicle repairs.

3. Ask for Recommendations

Family and friends may know several reliable mobile auto repair shops where they are subscribers themselves. If you are confident about their judgment on this matter, consider their recommendations and see if much can truly be said about their choice. Second opinion solicited from other vehicle owners and drivers are also useful.

Benefits of Mobile Service

Mobile auto repair is very useful and practical. Drivers who experience car trouble while on the road can request for the aid of a mechanic. This beats waiting (and paying) for a towing service. Auto repair shops that offer impromptu and emergency car repairs will save you the expense for the towing company.

Appointments can also be scheduled for a mobile mechanic to visit your car at home. There’s no need to take your car to the shop (which would be difficult to do if the car won’t start in the first place) and go back days later for the pickup. Mobile auto repair gives customers the convenience of having their cars repaired right in their garage.

The National Institute for Consumer Education says that new cars cost $18,000 on average. While many can afford to pay this amount, there are cash-strapped people who prefer the cost-effective option: used cars.

There are several advantages to purchasing a used vehicle. If you take a good look at these advantages, you may even want to buy a used car instead of a new one.

Price

Money remains the main reason for purchasing a used car because brand new wheels are just plain expensive. The value of used cars is significantly lower than the new ones. Most cars lose about 30% of their value after three years.

Improved Flexibility

When you buy a used car, you avoid extra high financing expenses, such as insurance costs. Theft and comprehensive insurance for used vehicles are usually offered at a very budget friendly price.

Also, there are used car dealers who offer warranties, making the transaction all the more tempting. Sometimes, the original manufacturer warranty is even transferable to the used car without further charges.

If you want to buy a used car and are looking for a specific make or model, don’t fret because used car shops contain an extensive array of vehicles with varying brands. You will surely find the car that will best suit your needs and wants.

Certification Programs

Certified pre-owned programs are another trend in the used car industry that’s attracting more buyers. When you buy a used car, you can take advantage of this program implemented by car manufacturers. The program says that your car can come with a long term warranty provided that it meets a few requirements, including having low mileage and no history of huge damages. CPO cars undergo a thorough inspection process. Remember, though, that when you buy a used car, CPO vehicles may cost more.

Avoid Depreciation

Another good thing about used cars is that they have a lower rate of depreciation. New cars, on the other hand, drop in value the moment you buy them and take them out of the lot.

More Negotiating Power

Although this tactic doesn’t apply all the time when you buy a used car, you can always tell your dealer that it doesn’t make sense if you buy a used vehicle when you can spend just a little bit more for a spanking new car. If you’re not comfortable with this tactic, it’s good to know that you can always negotiate.

Get the Most Out of Every Dollar

If you prefer to buy a used car, but have your eyes on a vehicle with a sunroof or a navigation system, this won’t be a problem. You can get a set of wheels with all the latest features and gadgets from used car dealerships just as well. There are many used models that come with cool built-in features.

There are several other benefits when you buy a used car. Remember this guide to decide whether or not a used vehicle is the best choice for you.

Anyone would welcome the chance to get a brand new car, but when there are issues to consider (like budget); used cars become a more attractive option. The perks of buying used car more than makes up for not having a brand new one. This is why more people prefer to buy used cars.

With the convenience brought by the Internet to the business world, looking for used cars for sale has become a whole lot easier. FastLanes.net is a very informative website where you can get tips on the hows and wheres of buying used car. They also give advice on scenarios where buying used cars is a more practical choice.

The Money Argument

The practicality of buying used car is undeniable. It is the best option for people who need to have a car but are constrained by a tight budget.

If you think that people who can afford brand new cars are very lucky, think again. Brand new cars quickly depreciate because of the fast turnout of new models. There will always be a model that is faster, more attractive, and infinitely better. As a result of this, the value of brand new cars usually decreases by 20-30% in just a year. As opposed to buying used car, the depreciation stage is no longer a problem for the new owner. He will get exactly his money’s worth.

Buying used car also increases your chance of buying your dream car for a cheaper price. A year-old, second-hand convertible that’s still in excellent condition, for instance, is not a bad deal. If you buy it brand new, it is likely that you will continue paying on installment for more than a year – the same time frame when the vehicle starts losing a large percentage of its value. Ironic, isn’t it?

Advantage of Flexibility

People are more inclined to install new car features when they are buying used car. Although you can always have accessories installed when you purchase a new car, most people are hesitant to do so because of the fact that it is “brand new”. You don’t want the body to be scratched or mess up the engine while they’re still new and gleaming. In this respect, buying used car is a better choice if you’re uncomfortable with taking apart a new car.

Extended Benefits

If you are lucky, you could be buying used car that is still within its warranty period. This is an added advantage where, for the remaining warranty period and for certain conditions, you might be covered for car parts replacements and repairs. The insurance premium for a used car is also considerably lower. Lastly, there’s less hassle in buying used car especially when you are in direct contact with the original owner.

To change oil filter, it is recommended to use either 5w-30 or 10w-30 conventional oil, type SJ, but you may choose the synthetic.

Now to change oil filter, raise and support the front of the car high enough to get underneath comfortably and make sure to secure the car with wheel chocks and jack stands.

Match the new oil filter to the old filter attached to the block – usually located on the backside of the engine. Then loosen and remove the drain plug from the oil pan using a wrench. The one closest to the belt is the engine pan.

Drain the oil into an appropriate pan. Don’t try to drain it into an empty washer fluid or coolant bottle as wind and muscle fatigue would certainly make a mess. Then loosen and remove the oil filter–allow both the plug and oil filter to drain.

Then put a bead of oil on the rubber gasket of the new filter and install it along with the drain plug.

Try not to use an impact gun to remove or install a drain plug. This will strip the threads from the bolt or the oil pan and create damage.

Now wipe the excess oil from the side of the engine under the oil filter and lower the car. And once you get the hood open, use a small funnel to pour your new oil into the filler hole. Now you can start and run the engine for a few minutes.

Shut the engine off and check the engine oil level on the dipstick to make sure the level is good now that the filter has been filled. Add oil if needed.

This job can be done approximately 30 to 45 minutes and you can surely go smoothly on fast lanes.

Changing oil filter is quite simple and reasonably economical, and as for a Honda Civic you can use the conventional oil or synthetic oil. But as for me, I have been an advocate of synthetic lubricants such as AMSOIL products because synthetic oils reduce friction more efficiently than conventional oils do. Less friction means less engine wear, better fuel economy and enhanced power and performance. These products are surely compatible and suggested particularly for the HONDA CIVIC. The finest oil change for a HONDA CIVIC will continue your vehicle running at its best and will keep protecting your car better than ever!

In an ideal world, cars need no maintenance. But even newfangled, futuristic cars are bound to corrode, wear and tear just like any earthly commodity.

For them to last longer, owners need to follow the car maintenance schedule as stipulated in the auto maker’s manual. Every passenger car, SUV, mini-van, pickup, and what-have-you comes with these manuals. Car owners have to follow the schedules therein as they would a doctor’s prescription, simply because the manufacturer knows best.

Least of all, car maintenance schedules recommend that owners change the vehicle’s oil every three months. Otherwise, one may change the oil once the car has been driven for 3,000 miles. The right oil weight and grade is important in that case.

Monthly, owners must see to it that their cars’ lights function properly, especially the check engine light. Owners must also check windshield washer fluid levels monthly.

It is just as imperative to check tires in the same intervals. Tires, including the spare, should be properly inflated and pressurized at all times, lest the driver risks an accident. They must not have abrasions on their sidewalls.

Some car maintenance schedules suggest tire rotations for as long as three months, or every time the car has driven 3,000 miles. Rotation means changing the tires’ locations, so that each would be subjected to the same road conditions, evening out their wear and tear.

At the same time, owners must lubricate the chassis. More than just for aesthetics, lubing the chassis lets the vehicle negotiate twists and turns easily. Newer car models are already lubricated for a lifetime though.

Every three months too, owners must ensure that the battery is mounted firmly. Ideally, batteries should be chucked if it has aged three years.

Vehicle owners must also regularly scrutinize the exhaust for damage and leaks. Similarly, owners must inspect for leaks among the hoses, since the car’s cooling system depends on it.

Belts also need maintenance every three months. Broken timing belts can outright ruin an engine. One must also take care of the so-called serpentine belts and fan belts.

Air filters, which obstruct dust and other particles, need maintenance around the same time. For cars driven constantly on dirt roads, intervals between air filter maintenances can be shorter.

Once a year, or each time the car has driven 12,000 miles, it is necessary to inspect the car’s whole brake system, from the drum to the lining. As a rule of thumb, screeching brakes tip off faulty rotors.

Another car part worthy of yearly maintenance is the cooling system. Owners must know well to drain and refill the system, including the condenser, radiator, neck, and pressure cap.

Annually too, owners have to maintain the steering and suspension system. Cars that tend to bounce excessively usually indicate damaged suspension.

According to most car maintenance schedules, maintaining the spark plugs is also recommended every year. The same goes for wiper blades, power steering fluids, automatic transmission fluids, fuel filters, etc.

Characteristically, car shops may make their own prerogative regarding a car’s maintenance schedule. Still, the manufacturer has the final say on the schedule.

Notify your insurance agent about the new car.

Read the entire owners manual. Familiarize yourself with the service requirements. Understand when you need to change oil, filters, and other major things like timing belt and driveline fluids.

Get used to operating the heating/AC controls and the radio so you do not have to fumble around and risk an accident while on the highway.

Pop the hood and find the oil filler cap, the oil dipstick. If you bought a car with an automotive transmission there will be a dipstick for the transmission fluid also.

Find the spare tire and jack. Make sure you know where to jack the car when changing a tire and how to remove the spare when you need it. There is nothing worse than getting a flat tire in a new car and having to struggle to change it the first time.
Accessorize! It’s your car and it should make a statement about you. There are plenty of aftermarket items to make your new car unique like yourself. Wheels, bug guards, window visors and more are all available at part houses like CarParts.com