Taking Care of Your Car's Battery

Every car comes with one, but some motorists act as if this particular component is completely maintenance free. What am I talking about? Your car's battery. Technological advances have made "maintenance free" batteries standard equipment on virtually every vehicle produced today. However, the term "maintenance free" is a misnomer, one that can leave you stranded if you do not perform proper and regular maintenance. Battery maintenance isn't difficult to do, so let's take a look at what you can do to keep your car running.

Before discussing battery maintenance, please make sure that your battery is, in fact, the sealed type. If it isn't, then the "maintenance free" label certainly does not apply and you will need to add water on a regular basis. Unsealed batteries are easy to spot as they have small vent caps on top of the battery which can be twisted open. You will need to periodically add distilled water to maintain water levels; more so in the summer months as water tends to evaporate quicker. Do not let your battery run low or run out of water as the battery's cells can be ruined.

If your battery is of the sealed variety, then the "maintenance free" label is still only partially true since the term only extends to you not needing to add water to the cells as you would with an unsealed battery.

With any type of car battery - sealed or unsealed - you must do the following to help keep it working properly:

1. Clean the cables. Disconnect the cables from the battery and clean them with a wire brush that has been doused in a home made mixture [the mixture combines one tablespoon of baking soda with one cup of water]. Use this same mixture to clean off the top of the battery; use a small and clean paint brush to apply the solution where needed.

2. Lubricate the posts. A small dab of petroleum jelly on each post will help keep your cables clean and free of corrosion longer. In addition, the jelly will make it easier for you to slip the cables back onto the battery.

3. Check connections. Besides the connection between the cable and the posts, make sure that the battery hold down bar is securely in place. Not all cars have or need a battery hold down bar, but if yours has come so equipped, you will need to put it back in its proper place.

That's it! Car battery maintenance is an easy task and one that should be performed on an annual basis. If you keep your battery properly maintained, you will extend its life and greatly reduce the chance that your battery will fail you at an inopportune time. Yes, the "maintenance free" label is incorrect, so please don't be lulled into forgetting to do something that should never be overlooked. 

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Simple Car Maintenance Tips

You drive your car everyday. Do you pay attention to it? Do you feel that slight shimmy in the front end? Is there a new knocking sound under the hood? Is there a rattle in the dashboard? No one knows your car better than you do. If you feel something different, or if it isn't handling correctly take it to your mechanic. It could be something as simple as a tire out of alignment, or perhaps a loose belt. It's always best to find any small problem before it becomes a large one.

Here are some simple maintenance tips that you can follow to help prolong the life of your car, and help save you money.

Notice where you park your car and get into the habit of looking to see if there are any leaks when you pull out. This can be very tricky in a public garage with lots of stains from leaks from other cars, but if your car is leaking any type of fluid, transmission, radiator or brake the leak will look "fresh". If you see any fluid leaking have your car serviced as soon as possible.

Keep an eye on your tires. When you have your oil changed every 3,000 miles have your tires rotated. At this time the technician will inspect your tires for any wear. Keep your tires aligned. Check your tire pressure once every month. It's easy enough to read tire gauges and they even have electronic ones. Keeping your tires properly inflated helps increase gas mileage too.

As mentioned above, change your oil at least every 3,000 miles. The oil is the life blood of your car and keeping fresh oil in your car can extends it's life by many, many miles. At this time the technician will check your air filter, hoses and belts.

Keep your windshield washer reservoir full and carry an extra gallon with you. You don't want to be caught without washer fluid, and you don't realize how quickly you use it up, especially in the winter months when we get salt spray on the windshield. Replace your wiper blades once a year.

Following these simples steps can go a long way in prolonging the life of your car.

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Oil – The Life Of Your Car

Oil cleans your car. It lubricates parts. It helps cool things down. Without it, your engine would be sitting squarely in the center of your local junkyard.

Scheduling regular oil changes is vital to the life of any vehicle.

The oil filter keeps little bits of dust and other contaminants out of your engine, and helps ensure the oil runs smoothly, so you want to change that every time you change the oil.

Imagine how your body would react if your kidneys and liver shut down. The impurities in your blood would build up continually, and it wouldn't take long for your body to completely break down.

Oil for your car can be likened to blood to your body. Your car needs clean oil to keep going. What would happen if you never changed your oil?

Well, you'd be lucky to get 30,000 miles out of the car before your engine would collapse.

Say you only change your oil once a year. Your car seems to be running fine, so no harm done, right? Not so fast! Your engine has been flooded with contaminants. It won't be long till you find yourself coming to a standstill.

Regular oil changes are as important to your car as daily trips to the bathroom are to you. Now, we won't take the analogy too far, but you get the idea. This one scheduled maintenance may help your vehicle avoid mechanical failures.

I actually heard two mechanics say that they figured you could run a car forever if you had the oil changed every 2000 miles. That may seem excessive to some folks. But it kept my baby humming nicely!

Now if you see any hint of an oil leak on the driveway after the car is parked, get to a service station. This could be ultra bad news and you need to have your car checked out immediately. Ditto if you detect a burning smell or smoke coming from around the engine!

You may not feel 100% comfortable changing your oil, but you can check it easily. It's best to check the oil when your engine is cold. Unscrew the cap and pull out the dipstick. Wipe it with a clean tissue or paper towel. Reinsert the stick all the way. Then pull it back out and check the dipstick. You'll see "add" and "full" lines clearly marked on it. If the oil film is between the "add" and "full" lines, you're good. If it's below the "add" line, you need a quart of oil. Make sure you use the kind recommended in your owner's manual. After adding the oil, repeat all the steps.

See, that wasn't too hard, was it?

Make sure you take the time to check the oil levels in your car, and have it changed regularly. It literally means the difference between life and death for your vehicle!

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Learn how to choose the right fuel treatments for your car

Choosing the right fuel treatments might be the difference between your car mechanism's receiving bad deposits or not as well as it could reduce the engine's wear or increase it in case it was wrongly chosen. Due to all these reasons, it is very important that you buy the right fuel treatments for your car instead of choosing them randomly.

If you wish to learn which the right fuel treatments for your car are, you should start by consulting your car owner's manual. Most car owner's manuals come with indications regarding the use of fuel treatments and some of them would let you know which ones you should buy and which ones you should avoid since some of them could be very prejudicial.

Fuel treatments are applied in order to improve specific car functioning areas and therefore you should have a clear idea on what you need to correct before buying the treatment fuel for it. This way, one of the best ways to make sure you will buy the right fuel treatment for your car is by choosing it according the specific problem it is going through.

Although there are some low cost treatments which are not bad, you should always try to make sure you buy a well known one or one which has been recommended to you by your mechanic or someone who knows what he is talking about. Another great way to buy your treatments is when they are on sale which happens very often in many stores.

After you have bought the right treatment, you should wait to add it until the next time you will add gas to the tank. This way, you should add the treatment, with a maximum of one bottle, and then add the gas you wish. If you have any doubts regarding fuel treatments you should ask your mechanic, or, in case you have doubts on how to use it you should ask the treatment manufacturer for further advice. You shouldn’t add any treatment to your car if you are not sure about it and what it could do to the car.

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A Guide to International Car Shipping

International car shipping is the service you will undoubtedly require if you want to transport your car over a long distance. As the name suggests, it entails a company putting your car onto a ship at one destination and then ensuring it’s safe arrival at the other side. Depending on the company you choose to complete this service for you they may also be responsible for getting your car to and from the shipping docks. Some companies offer a door-to-door service. Many different people and organizations enlist the help of a shipping company for several different reasons. Individuals use shipping companies to transport valuable vehicles, antique cars that can’t be driven over longer distances and even just to transport the family car to a new home while they fly. Companies may use a shipping company to move their fleet cars during a relocation and showrooms obviously use them for transporting their cars from the manufacturers to there showrooms.

Recent years have seen a massive increase in imported cars, especially from Japan, where top quality and high performance cars can be acquired for some of the lowest prices imaginable. This increase is also seeing many more individuals needing an international car shipping company to bring the cars into the country.

What is included in the price you pay for international car shipping?

As with most things the price you pay for your international car shipping is pretty much dependant on the car shipping company you choose and before you make your final decision you should be very careful that you have been comparing like for like. Some shipping companies will include a number of value added services that the cheaper company may not offer. In order to be sure you are getting the best deals make sure you read all of the terms and conditions on the site. Here is a short guide to selecting the most cost effective international car shipping company for your needs:

1. Get quotes from as many companies as possible.

2. First of all you should consider any services that you definitely require; perhaps you have to have door to door delivery in which case you would only consider those companies that offer door to door delivery in their price. Be sure to exclude anyone who doesn’t offer any of the essential services you require regardless of how cheap their prices are.

3. Now write down which services and extras each of the companies remaining offer. Also write down the price.

4. Remove any international car shipping company that is way overpriced unless they offer something significant that the others don’t. Also remove any company that offers very few of the services you would like (not essential, but preferred).

5. You should either be left with one offer that is noticeably cheaper than the others while still offering the same products. If so, this is the most cost effective solution for you. Alternatively, if the prices are all similar and one offers many more services, that is the most cost effective solution.

6. If, however, there are several international car shipping companies left with similar prices for similar services then it’s time to ring back and get them to offer you that little something extra.

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2006 Mazda MX-5 Miata -- the Freewheeling Youth of the Sports-Car World Matures

Mazda has done it again. First, they reinvigorated the sports car market a decade and a half ago with the introduction of the Miata for 1990. Then the company followed that up with a redesigned version that was good enough to make Miata the biggest-selling sports car in history.

Now, for 2006, they've topped that with a third-generation Miata that's as sophisticated as far more expensive sports cars, despite keeping its reasonable low-20-thousand-dollar price tag.

Compared to the two previous versions, the 2006 MX-5 Miata is a little larger in most dimensions, and gains about 50 pounds. It continues with its four-cylinder engine but now it's a 170-hp 2.0-liter instead of a 142-hp 1.8.
Slipping into the interior, it's obvious that Mazda's junior sports car has grown a bit. Instead of the window sills having a sort of elbow-height feeling, you now feel as though you're sitting low in the car, instead of sitting on it. Along with the cabin's extra room comes a more upscale look to the interior. 

Although still not exactly plush feeling, the new Miata replaces its predecessors' retro spartan style with a somewhat more opulent look. The leather seats are both easy on the eyes and posterior. The convertible top has a cloth surface and a glass rear window, and it folds neatly into a smooth bunch that latches down to form a smooth profile without a separate cover.
Overall, the cabin pleases in both design and execution. There's a subtle, high-quality feel to it that speaks of cars costing far more than our tester's $25,000 sticker price.

Firing the engine up brings forth a sporty purr that's maybe a tad more subdued than Miatas past, but nonetheless satisfying. Once rolling, planting your foot into the gas yields one of the bigger delights of the new Miata. The engine feels somewhat stronger than its power rating might imply, providing gutsy acceleration at low speeds and very nice passing power without downshifting. It never feels high-strung or fussy.

Complementing that pleasure is the shifter. Traditionally a strong suit of Miatas past, the new version continues to be noteworthy. Although not quite as pleasingly mechanical feeling as before, the shifter is precise, with appropriate springing and well-defined gates. Tying it all together are pedals that are well spaced for easy heel-and-toe downshifts.

Once acclimated to the new Miata's basic control personality, it's time to tackle some twisty roads. And you'll quickly find that this aspect of the new car is where the new Miata differs the most from its predecessors.
While the generation-one and -two Miatas were well known for having low handling limits and almost toylike tossability, the new Miata feels heftier, more serious, and obviously more capable. In earlier Miatas the idea of slipping and sliding the rear end was as obvious and basic as putting the top down on a sunny day -- Miata practically begged for such exuberance behind the wheel.

The new Miata responds to such tail-happy shenanigans with all the control and communication of Mazda's earlier little sprites. But now the car just doesn't seem to ask for it with such a strong voice. This version's vastly higher grip and more potent engine instead make it happier with high corner-entry speeds and smooth, even steering-wheel inputs.

Those things said, this Miata is really happy in that environment. Whereas previous Miatas tended to have a wild, freewheeling personality on winding roads, the new version hauls through turns as if locked onto rails, with minimal body lean and very high limits that aren't as easy to upset.
It's still terrific fun. It's just a little different kind of fun.

It's clear that Mazda has once again crafted a true little gem of a sports car. There's not a squeak or rattle to be heard, the engine has a smooth, almost exotic personality, and the driving controls are precise and solid. You find yourself double checking the sticker to see if this is really a $25,000 sports car -- plenty of rivals costing $15k more than Miata don't get these things much (if any) better.

As for how this new Miata design overall compares to its predecessors, picture a guy that was loveable but slightly over-eager in college. Now he's been out in the real world for few years and maybe gotten a graduate degree.
He's not really the same guy anymore, but he commands more respect. And he's still a whole lot of fun to be around.

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