automarket's Xanga

Getting Ready for Winter

Mon, 26 Oct 2009 19:18:00 GMT

Well, I am sad to say that winter is just about here. Since we get very cold weather and snow (I know some of you will gasp), there are some things that we need to do to get ready before the snow falls.

First, I have to change the windshield washer fluid to winter washer fluid. I had a car a couple of years ago that I forgot to change the washer fluid, and it froze and I couldn’t use it all winter. Lucky for me it didn’t burst – I’ll never make that mistake again.

I also check to make sure that the antifreeze level is high enough because we have some days where it gets really cold. The radiator is just one of those things you just don’t want to have freeze up, so I make sure that it is on my list.

Also, once the snow falls and stays, I go to the shop and get my winter tires put on. Since we do a lot of highway driving, they have been an invaluable investment and have saved us from getting into an accident a number of times.

Oh, and I shouldn’t forget the window scraper – in winter, you should never leave home without it!

Tips for Locating Hard-to-Find Toyota Parts

Thu, 24 Sep 2009 18:18:51 GMT

Most of us are used to just going to the parts store and them having the part we need in stock. And most of the time, that is the case.

Sometimes, though, a part turns out to be much harder to find. This might be the case when the part is for an older car, or perhaps for a very new car. In the latter case the car should still be under warranty, which might help; but in the former, you may have to really hunt to locate the specific part you need.

Another factor is how common the vehicle is. For instance, you no longer see very many of those old Corollas, particularly the Supra Corollas -- remember those, before they made the Supra into a totally different car? Toyota Corolla parts for these old cars are typically more difficult to find than for a newer or more common model.

Any time you are looking for parts for your Toyota, the first place to check is with a supplier of genuine Toyota parts. This might be your local dealership, or you might prefer to shop around for the best prices online. Just be sure the parts you are getting quotes on are genuine Toyota, or you'll be comparing apples to oranges.

The reason to start with OEM is because these are the most like what came on the car originally, which usually means they are the most reliable. Most aftermarket parts manufacturers cut corners in order to price their parts competitively, so although it may look and sound like you're getting the same thing, you really aren't. Unless you want to be hunting for the same part all over again in a year or two, buy genuine OEM parts whenever possible.

If you can't find your part there, it's time to get creative. If your car is an older model, you might be able to find the part you need at a junkyard or from a used parts dealer online. Don't forget to check eBay and to ask members of reputable car forums for advice.

There are many avenues available to you where you can find parts for even the older and rarer models -- all you need to know is where to look. Good luck!

Things to Think About When Buying a New Car

Wed, 26 Aug 2009 15:01:08 GMT

If you are planning to buy a new car, there are a few things you need to think about before you head down to your local Fort Worth auto dealership. Some of these things could have a serious impact on how satisfied you are with the car you purchase, so considering all of your options could really pay off in the long run.

One thing to think about is how fuel-efficient a car is. I know gas isn't all that expensive right now, but it is still on its way back up. Most likely it won't be long before it is just as expensive as it was a year or two ago to fill up your tank. When that day comes along, wouldn't you like to have a relatively fuel-efficient vehicle saving you money on gas?

Now, this doesn't mean that you necessarily need to get a hybrid, or even that you have to give up your dream of owning a truck. It does, however, mean that you'll probably want to ensure that your vehicle is the most fuel-efficient one possible within your budget and other requirements.

You also ought to consider the age of the vehicle, and how much you are likely to spend in repairs. A newer vehicle may cost more, but most likely you won't have to spend much on parts. Likewise, consider whether a particular model has a reputation for breaking down, and how expensive or easy to find the necessary parts will be. For instance, if you are looking for Ford parts they should be pretty easy to find, but certain other manufacturers or models will be more challenging.

If you aren't sure whether a model or make is a good buy and will be reliable enough for you, be sure to call a dealership and ask an experienced mechanic what flaws tend to be common with that make or model. Also be sure to ask about routine maintenance, so that you know when you are looking at a car whether something big such as a timing belt replacement needs to be done.

Thinking about details such as these can help prevent you from making a mistake in which car you choose to buy. If you make your decision carefully, you should get years of good use and much satisfaction out of your vehicle.

Rural living is far away from genuine Toyota parts

Fri, 22 May 2009 22:51:00 GMT

Being a car care enthusiast, I was somewhat unsure about my decision to make my next car a Toyota. Not so much that I was concerned with the quality or performance of their vehicles, but more about the ongoing care and maintenance of them.

Since I live about 2 hours away from the nearest dealerships, how hard was it going to be for me to get genuine Toyota parts when I needed them? I learned long ago that you should always err on the side of caution when buying car parts so as not to void your vehicle's warranty.

Knowing there are innumerable car enthusiasts out there, I started doing some research to find online sources for buying Toyota accessories. Any time I have bought a new vehicle in the past, I've always spent a good chunk of money in order to get the car completely tricked out.

But just having access to Toyota parts isn't enough. I am also concerned about being near an authorized dealer for warranty repairs, potential recall work, and anything else that might require me to have to drive the 2 hours each way in order to get my car taken care of.

Of course, I do realize this is one of the costs of living in such a rural area. The normal conveniences are just a little further away.

Ford refuses to take competitive advantage with diesel vehicle

Mon, 04 May 2009 19:56:22 GMT

In another move that leaves you scratching your head, officials at Ford have decided that (relatively) low gas prices currently will keep you from considering the purchase of a diesel pick-up truck next year.

Apparently, since both Chevrolet and Dodge have put their entry level truck with a diesel option on hold, Ford decided to join the fray and "postpone" or eliminate all together their F-150 diesel.

Most analysts, and likely most prospective buyers of these vehicles believe that fuel prices will rise above current levels. One has to wonder just what the U.S. automakers are thinking. Clearly, since Ford seems to be sitting pretty in these financially challenging times, (they recently stated losses of only about $1 Billion dollars) they have no incentive to offer a vehicle that gets 20% better fuel mileage while also increasing torque and power.

Granted all three companies do and will likely continue to offer diesel vehicles for more expensive prices, this truly seemed like an opportunity for Ford especially, to wreak havoc on market share.

Perhaps foreign oil will stay at the current $2 per gallon rates, and there will be no real incentive to create a better product. We are, of course, talking about the U.S. Auto industry.

A Truck Bed Liner Can Make All the Difference

Mon, 30 Mar 2009 17:55:28 GMT

If you own a truck, you absolutely need to get a truck bed liner for it. Why? Because it protects the bed of your pickup truck like nothing else and having one added to your truck can add years of life to your truck. Have you ever seen a really badly damaged truck bed? The really bad ones have dents, holes in the metal, and even rust that can leach over into the rest of the body and really cause your truck to look terrible and even make you pay for expensive bodywork to repair the rust damage. Rust is a serious danger to truck bodies because of all the steel used in constructing them.

So, take my word for it, and find a good place to purchase truck bed liners. Not only will it keep the bed of your truck looking new, it will also protect it from chemical and paint spills, scratches, scrapes, and most especially, rust. Of course, you can always put tonneau covers over the be d, to add even more protection, but the spray-on or drop-in bed liner is what you need the most. There are a great many ways to accessorize a new or used truck, but getting a bed liner is one of the best ways to protect your investment.

Cancun Honeymoon

Fri, 27 Mar 2009 18:04:53 GMT

My husband and I are going to Cancun for our honeymoon. We are basically going to hang around the hotel most of the time. We are really looking forward to just laying on the beach and swimming in the ocean. We didn’t want to plan too many activities. The last think that we wanted was to be running around the entire week. We are going to go snorkeling one day though. That is probably one of my favorite things to do.

We’re going to get a Cancun rental car so we can drive to Chichen Itza. Chichen Itza is the capital of the former Mayan Empire. It’s actually considered one of the 7 Wonders of the World so we really want to see it while we are so close. We are going to try to walk up the pyramid of Kukulkan. It’s 75 feet high, so I hope that I can make it! We were thinking about taking a tour instead of renting a car but we aren’t big on the tour thing. We got a rental car in Las Vegas when we were on vacation there and we really liked it. We’re a little nervous about driving around Mexico but that’s part of the fun!

I want the right parts

Fri, 20 Mar 2009 22:34:11 GMT

You know, it seems like lately that I have been having trouble finding any genuine toyota parts around here. Everything I am finding is just a generic knock off or something and I only want the very best when I shop for toyota truck parts. I love to work on my truck and I spend a lot of time doing it. I spend so much time working on my truck that I actually do not really remember what else I used to do before I spent this time working on it. It is just so much fun. I guess probably what I used to do was sit around the house watching the tv or a movie or maybe listening to music.

I know I used to play a lot of video games, especially sports video games because I love sports. My favorite sport is football because of course I used to play it when I was in high school. I was the school’s quarterback and the captain of the team so of course I was very popular. And I dated the head cheerleader because she was very pretty and we made a great couple. Those were good days, but after high school I never really got into college even though I had a full ride scholarship to play football. So I dropped out and worked small jobs here and there and now here I am.

Which are Trendiest?

Thu, 12 Feb 2009 20:35:46 GMT

Trucks aren’t just relegated to small country side towns anymore. Today’s trucks can be eye-catching and trendy. That’s why many truck owners trick them out with trendy accessories that make them stand out from the crowd. It’s these little custom touches that make some trucks more valuable than others.

So, which truck accessories are trendiest? Here are a few below.

Fender Flares- Chrome fender flares give trucks a hot, new look that’s sure to turn heads. Whether you want some low profile flares or the cut-out style that stand out a bit more, fender flares give your track a customized look that separates it from the pack.
Tool Boxes- You don’t have to be a handyman to have a tool box in your truck. Even if you don’t use your truck for work, you can still benefit from a tool box. Beyond the beauty a tool box can add to the truck, it’s also a great place to store your emergency tools in case you break down.
LCD Screens- Truck accessories don’t have to be on the exterior of your vehicle. One of the top interior accessories is the LCD screen. While it might sound crazy to have a flat screen TV in your car, it’s one of the trendiest looks on the market today.

How to Tell When it’s Time for a New Car

Fri, 06 Feb 2009 19:28:02 GMT

Most people hold onto their old and broken down cars like a starving dog to a bone. However, the dog can generally figure out when the bone isn’t worth chewing any longer, whereas people will chew right through their fingers if you let them. Take these few points into consideration if you’re one of those people who are still driving the car grandma gave you on high school graduation night.

First of all, a new car won’t need repairs. Take Ford for example. OEM Ford parts can get expensive, very quickly. Not to mention the cost of labor for those repairs. It is not unheard of for someone to spend well over $2,000 per year on auto repair when the car is over ten years old! Here at local car dealers in Fort Worth, you can find a brand new car for that or less.

Secondly, take a look at gas mileage. With today’s gas prices the way they are, mpg efficiency is a must. Today’s new cars are averaging around 30 per gallon, and that’s not even an electric. What are you getting, about fifteen? That alone will save you a bundle every year.

Last but not least, we have reliability. I couldn’t count the number of times my car broke down on my way to work. I would have to wait for hours to have a tow truck come get it and then find a ride to work. There goes about $100 on the tow and half a days’ pay. Trust me that adds up quickly.

So do yourself a favor and give that rust heap a long overdue retirement. Stop wasting time and money on a car you can’t stand the sight of and jump into something new. You and your wallet will be happy you did.