Tips on Buying and Installing Car Parts

Car Parts And Mistakes: Cause And Effect

Your vehicle has a way of letting you know when something is wrong. The most obvious signs are the lights on the dashboard, but billowing smoke from your exhaust pipe, lurching while driving, and engine stalls send a clear signal, too. In a lot of cases, drivers will ignore seemingly benign warning signs, hoping that the problem will simply go away. Unfortunately, that often leads to expensive repair work. Today, we’re going to look at 3 red flags that your vehicle raises in order to make you aware of a potential issue. I’ll also briefly describe what can happen if you ignore them.

#1 – Oil Indicator Light

For some reason, a lot of motorists think their vehicle’s oil indicator light can be ignored. Admittedly, few people enjoy lifting the hood and getting their hands dirty while replenishing the oil. But, it’s critical that you do it. If you ignore the light, and the oil level drops, the parts inside your engine will start to grind against each other. That creates excess friction and heat. Let it go too long and you should start saving money for a new engine.

#2 – Puddle Of Gas

Have you ever noticed a small puddle of gas underneath your car and wondered what had caused it? Your first instinct might be to push it out of your mind, but consider what can happen. First, the gas is probably coming from a leaking fuel line in your vehicle. A fuel leak is obviously a fire hazard, especially while driving. Don’t panic; your car isn’t going to explode into a 65-mph ball of fire on the highway. But, if a fire develops (and it can do so easily because of your engine’s combustion process), your car will sustain major damage. Fix the leak if you see a puddle.

#3 – Puddle Of Coolant

Your vehicle shouldn’t be leaking coolant, either. If you see a small pool of it, it’s likely that there’s a leak in water pump. Now, before you say, “No problem, coolant is cheap. I’ll buy more,” think about what happens to your engine when there’s no coolant: it overheats. If you’ve ever driven past a stranded motorist with billowing white smoke coming from under his hood, you’ll realize that an overheated engine is bad. But, it get worse; the head gasket can blow. If it does, find your credit card. You’ll need it. Of course, you can avoid the problem altogether by fixing the water pump when you discover coolant leaking.

Watch For Signs Of Trouble

You already know that most of the problems that can occur under the hood are avoidable (for awhile, at least). The key is taking action when you notice them. A lot of times, car parts manifest signs that something is wrong (for example, a small pool of gas). When you notice the signs (they’re usually obvious), take your vehicle to a mechanic to have it checked. You can save thousands of dollars over the long haul and preserve the life of your car.

What Are CCBs?

The acronym stands for “ceramic composite brakes.” It’s a relatively new technology that was used exclusively in racing cars until a few years ago. Drivers who compete in the Indy 500 and other high-profile racing events require better braking systems than those used in conventional vehicles. They have to be lighter, able to withstand intense heat, and perform better. It wasn’t until 2008 that Porsche released their Boxster S fully equipped with them. It was the first car that “normal” drivers could buy a car (assuming they had over $60,000 to spend) with the special ceramic composite brakes. Below, we’ll explore how they’re made and whether they’re worth investing in.

How They’re Made

One of the reasons why CCBs are expensive (which we’ll get into below) is because of the process used to build them. As you may know, your car’s brakes use discs and rotors. The material used to produce the CCB discs is a mixture of carbon fibers and a silicon-based resin. Once it has been molded, the discs are exposed to temperatures exceeding 2,500 degrees Fahrenheit in order to transform the resin into a diamond hard material called silicon carbide. Then, the rotor is bolted to the disc.

Are They Worth Having?

To give you an idea regarding the level of investment required, the Boxster S noted above costs just north of $55,000 without the special ceramic composite brakes. If you add the CCBs, you’ll pay another $8,000. If you’re driving a Ford Escort, spending an extra $8,000 for special brakes may not be the perfect decision. However, if you’re driving a performance car, CCBs offer a few advantages.

First, as noted above, they’re lighter (a little over 30 pounds lighter). That helps deliver a smoother ride with more efficiency. You may not notice it (after all, it’s only 30 pounds), but it does make a difference. Second, they tend to last longer. Automakers like Porsche have even claimed that you’ll never need to replace your CCBs, assuming you’re not participating in the Indy 500. Third, they’re extremely heat-resistant. If you’ve read my previous column on how heat impacts the effectiveness of your brakes, you’ll understand why this is a major benefit.

So, are they worth the money? It depends on your budget and how you drive. If you own a Bugatti, an extra $8,000 won’t mean much to you. In that case, get them. If you do a lot of your driving on steep hills, the heat resistance of ceramic composite brake systems will come in especially handy. Also, keep in mind that it’s entirely possible that the “mass market” automakers (Toyota, Honda, etc.) are already designing more affordable CCBs. In the end, waiting patiently may be the best solution.

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What Smoke In The Exhaust Means

Cars are built better and more durable today than ever before. But, things continue to go wrong and can lead to expensive repairs (not to mention frustration). Sometimes, while driving, your car will start spewing spoke from the exhaust. That can imply a number of potential issues under the hood. In this article, I’ll explain the types of smoke you might see, how to figure out what the problem is, and ultimately, what you should do about it.

Different Colors

If you notice smoke coming from your vehicle’s exhaust, it will most likely be 1 of 3 colors: white, black, or blue. If it’s blue, you have a problem. It usually means that oil is burning in your engine for some reason. In my experience, it’s often caused by bad piston rings. But, the blue smoke can also result from a broken cylinder or a problem in the valve guide.

White smoke isn’t much better. It often happens as a result of burning transmission fluid when the fluid leaks into the engine through a hose. Burning coolant can also cause the problem if your cylinder head is cracked or broken, or your head gasket has developed a leak. Finally, black smoke has a couple of potential causes, depending on the kind of car you’re driving. If it’s an older model that uses a carburetor, the choke plate can stick. Otherwise, the fuel injection system may have sprung a leak or the air filter may be filthy and congested.

Diagnosing The Problem

Besides the color of the smoke, there are other signs that a problem may be lurking in the bowels of your vehicle. For example, if the smoke is blue, it will usually smell like burning toast. Check your oil to make sure it’s full and look at the pistons to see whether they’re worn or broken.

Burning transmission fluid smells the same way. Similar to the oil, check the levels and replenish the fluid as needed. While the hood is up, look at the vacuum hose that goes from your transmission to your engine. If there’s fluid inside, you may need to buy a new modulator valve. If coolant is burning, you’ll notice a mildly sweet odor. You can identify whether the issue is with the head gasket or cylinder by pressure testing the cooling system.

Black smoke is usually the easiest to diagnose. If your vehicle is using a carburetor, check the choke plate to see whether it’s sticking. Otherwise, test the pressure of your fuel injection system and take a quick look at your air filter. If it’s clogged, replace it.

Fixing The Problem

If you’re handy with car parts, doing the repair work associated with black smoke won’t pose a challenge. On the other hand, if you’re noticing white or blue smoke, take your vehicle to a repair shop that you trust. The mechanics may need to overhaul the car engine or remove the cylinder head. It’s better to have trained hands performing those jobs.

How To Sell Your Used Car

While driving your car for several years is a great way to save money, you’ll eventually want to get rid of it. At some point, you’ll want to replace it with another vehicle that is better-equipped, more reliable, or even more fuel efficient. You can either use it as a trade-in when buying another car from a dealer or sell it yourself. Trading it in is less effort, but you’ll probably get a better price by selling it. Below, I’ll take you through the basic steps of selling your used car.

Set A Realistic Price

You’ll need to identify how much your car is worth on the market. First, ask a local dealership how much they’ll offer you for the car. Once you know the figure, use it as your price floor. It’s the least amount of money you should accept. Next, find out what dealers are charging other buyers for your make and model. Unless your car has extremely low mileage or an overhauled transmission, the dealer price will represent your ceiling.

Finally, check through your local paper (check online, too) to see how much your car is selling for in your area. Then, identify the lowest amount that you’d be willing to accept from a buyer and add a small markup. That way, you’ll have a bit of room to negotiate.

Getting The Word Out

You may need to do little more than telling friends and family that you’re selling your car. Often, someone you know will either want to buy it or they’ll know someone else who will. Consider placing ads online, too. You can use eBay, Cars.com, and Yahoo Autos to attract prospective buyers in your area.

Plus, don’t neglect the proven strategy of leaving your car parked near a busy intersection with a “For Sale” sign on the window. The key details that passersby want to know at a glance are your car’s year, mileage, whether it has air conditioning, and the type of stereo system. And, of course, leave your phone number or email address so interested buyers can contact you.

Documentation

The type of documents you’ll need in order to sell your car is largely dependent upon the state in which you live. Every state has their own way of handling private party vehicle sales. Some states require you to submit a “Transfer Of Title” document. Others allow you to write down the mileage and sign the owner’s certificate. Also, most buyers will want you to provide a bill of sale that documents the transaction.

A lot of people consider the process of selling their used car to be too high-maintenance. For them, trading it in toward the purchase of another car is a better solution. However, if you’re willing to spend the time and put in the effort, you’ll be rewarded with a higher price for your car than a dealer will offer you. And that can provide a hefty boost to your budget.