Month: September 2014

3 Minor Car Repairs That Can Save You Major Dollars

Tire RotationNobody likes to have repair work done on their car, but answer this question. Would you rather spend $200 now to fix a small problem, or $1,000 three months from now to fix a major issue? Obviously, you’d rather address the minor issue before it becomes a major headache.

The thing is, most people ignore or simply don’t think there’s anything wrong with their vehicle until it’s too late. So the next time you take your car into the shop and the mechanics suggest a few additional fixes, think twice before saying no, especially if the issue is one of the following problems that can snowball into a costly fix down the road.

1. Tire Rotation and Inflation – Keeping your tires properly rotated and inflated can keep you from having a major issue down the road. As you drive, your tires wear down unevenly based on weight distribution. If you don’t rotate your tires, eventually one of your tires is going to be preforming at a less than optimal level, and it can leave you susceptible to a blowout. Rotating your tires can extend the life of your vehicle, and nobody likes to pony up the $200-$400 for a new set of tires. Under inflated tires also affect your fuel efficiency, so keeping them properly inflated can lengthen the time between fill-ups.

2. Mind Your Spark Plugs – Spark plugs aid in fuel combustion in your engine. If they are worn or broken, they may not fire properly. This can cause your engine to rev, hesitate or have poor efficiency. If left unaddressed, a spark plug can blow and damage your catalytic converter, which is a costly fix.

3. Windshield Chips – A tiny chip in your windshield may not seem like a big deal, but they can be especially problematic in areas where the weather fluctuates so dramatically, and we Minnesotans don’t need any reminders about the summer heat or the cold winters. Moisture can seep into the crack, and as we all learned in 6th grade science, water expands when frozen. The resulting pressure can cause the glass to spiderweb, which is a much more costly repair, not to mention extremely dangerous if it cracks while you’re driving. You can seal the crack on your own, but for best results, have the crack professionally sealed.

Related source: The Fiscal Times

Minnesota Among Fastest States For Auto Repair

Fastest mechanicsWhile our main goal at Affordable Auto is quality service, speed is also another factor we keep in mind. We know how important it is for you to have your vehicle, as the daily commutes to school, work or the post office simply can’t wait. That’s why we are honored to work in a state that constantly ranks among the nation’s best when it comes to getting your repairs done in a timely manner.

According to data provided by Enterprise Rent-A-Car, Minnesota is the second fastest state for auto repair.

To determine which mechanics do the quickest work, Enterprise collected data from their Automated Rental Management System (ARMS). The ARM system tracks how many days a customer uses a rental car when they take their car into a body shop for major work. The average consumer rents a car for 10.7 days.

Quickest States For Auto Repair

Minnesota just missed out at the top spot, falling behind North Dakota by just a few hours. Take a look at the five fastest states for auto repair below:

1. North Dakota (8.0 days)

2. Minnesota, Nebraska, South Dakota (8.1 days)

3. Iowa (8.3 days)

4. Utah (8.8 days)

5. Idaho, Maine, Vermont (8.9 days)

Minnesota mechanics are 2.6 days quicker at returning your car than the national average, which can save you money in the long run. Although Enterprise boasts about renting cars for $9.99 a day, the average consumer spends between $30-$60 a day depending on the vehicle you rent. If we round that difference up to three days, considering it probably will take you some coordination to get to the repair shop and then drop off your rental car, Minnesota residents can reasonably expect to save about $150 on car rental expenses compared to an average consumer, simply because they won’t have to rent a car for an additional three days! That $150 will certainly go a long way in cutting into your car repair bill.

We’re proud to work in a state with so many great mechanics, because it means we can’t cut corners. If we want to be the best, we’ve got to keep up with the best, and these numbers certainly show were headed in the right direction. Let us preform your next auto repair. We think you’ll find our work quality, quick and affordable.

Cars May Soon Be Able To Park Themselves

Car companies have been boasting about features like blindspot monitoring and active park assist for some time, but a French automaker is looking to make the next parking enhancement by fully automating the parking experience by simply hitting a button on your smartphone.

According to the French car company Valeo, technological ingenuities like ultrasonic sound-wave sensors, 360-degree cameras and laser scanners will allow cars to park themselves safely. All a driver will have to do is hit a button on his or her smart phone. The fully-automated system is called “Connected Automated Valet Parking.”

“Driving around looking for a space is not dead yet,” said Eugene Tsyrklevich, CEO of Parkopedia, an app that helps drivers find open parking spaces. “But it will be.”

Self-Parking Benefits

Unlike cars that can parallel park for the driver, the Connected Automated Valet Parking would go beyond simply turning the wheel. After a driver parks on a connection deck near the lot’s entrance, the driver would hit a button on their smartphone. The car will sync up with the parking lot and travel at a blistering 3 miles an hour towards the most efficient parking spot. The car would then back itself in, making it easier for the driver to exit the space when desired.

Valeo said the technology would have numerous benefits, including:

  • More orderly parking
  • Less driver frustration
  • More efficient parking, squeezing more cars into parking lots
  • Hazard detection that may not be visible to human drivers

While the benefits are numerous, the technology still has a long way to go before you’ll see it on a parking ramp near you. Once the technology is sharpened in the vehicle – think perfected sound-wave sensors and laser scanners – car manufacturers would have to get parking lot owners on board. This would require a hi-tech communications system and a unique radio frequency with government approval. On top of that, government regulations and legal liabilities still need to be hammered out, and currently only nine states allow driverless cars on public roads.

So while the technology may seem cool, economists and automakers say the technology is still a few years away. Automakers hope to have self-parking cars with the sensors and laser technology within the next five years, but they expect that it would be in the form of an on-board control, not a smartphone app from a designated platform. Once that technology is perfected, then automakers will turn to apps and remote valet parking.

Related source: Business Insider

The 7 Best Cars For Dogs

Best Cars for DogsNearly 80 million Americans have a dog, so it’s no wonder that finding a car that’s comfortable for man and his best friend is important for many car buyers.

According to a report by Autotrader.com, about 55 percent of customers on their website search for cars and trucks that can safely transport their K-9 companions, and roughly 75 percent of dog owners drive with their pet in the car at least once a month.

Cesar Milan, the well known TV personality and dog trainer notes that as pets become part of the family, car buying needs shift.

“You wouldn’t take your baby for a drive without a car seat, don’t take your dog without a crate,” said Milan.

While new drivers may look for features like heated seats, Bluetooth connectivity and cruise control, dog lovers opt for extras like rear lift gates, rear cargo attachments, space for a gate between the back seats and a connected trunk area, and rear climate control.

Best in Show

So which cars top the list of the best cars for dog lovers? Surprisingly, no car company has more than one vehicle on the list, which likely means all manufacturers are aware of pet owner needs. According to the Humane Society, the best cars for dog owners are:

1. Subaru Outback

2. Nissan Juke

3. Volkswagen Tiguan

4. BMW X3

5. Volvo V60

6. Kia Soul

7. Honda Odyssey

And always remember. If your vehicle is making funny noises and it isn’t coming from Fido in the back seat, bring it in to Affordable Auto today.