How To Avoid Being Ripped Off When You Buy A Car

Buying a car can be expensive no matter how you spin it. But what’s more costly is purchasing one that isn’t actually worth the money you spent! So here are some tips for you to avoid that and hopefully be able to make better car buying decisions.

Look Up The Prices Beforehand
You probably have a specific car you’re eyeing for before going ahead to make a purchase, so it’d be easier for you to know the price range in advance. This way you’ll know right away if the dealers quote is way too high or suspiciously too low.

Don’t Sign Up For A Whole Package
Sometimes, just to entice more people to buy a car, dealers include a lot of “promos” in the package to make you feel like the car is such a steal. However, don’t be easily swayed by this because more often than not you’re actually getting freebies you don’t really need. While other times, you do need them, like free window tinting, but the quality isn’t at its best so you end up having to take it to a window tint installer to redo the whole thing.

Research Other Financing Options
Car dealers will naturally endorse financing option that benefits them the most. But it doesn’t mean they only have that one method, so make sure you ask about other options. You should also ask about hidden fees and things like that because they can definitely add up. But generally, you can either find out interest rates that banks and other outside services offer or pay in cash since a lot of hidden charges are tied to financing and credit.

Do You Own Vehicle Identification Number Etching
You can definitely DIY this one! So save yourself the ridiculous fee and just grab $20 kit that will allow you to get this done on your own.

Find Out What You’ll Actually Get From Service Contracts And Other Insurance
We all know that owning a car comes with maintenance costs and possible danger so insurance is always a good idea. But just because of those doesn’t mean you just sign any service contract and insurance that comes with the car. Dig deeper and find out what you’re really getting out of them and what your options are for you to choose what suits your needs.

Bring A Friend
It’s good practice to expect a long drawn out negotiation and discussion when it comes to costly purchase such as vehicles. Not only because there’s a lot of legalities and technicalities involved, but also because there are dealers who purposely keep people for hours just to wear them out and make them sign the papers just to get out. Bringing a friend with you, ideally someone who is familiar with dealing like this, will help spot loopholes in the deal so you don’t end up getting ripped off.

7 Ways To Show Your Car That You Care

I know, I know, it may seem a little over dramatic but given how expensive if an investment a car is, I’m sure you’d like to amp up the car care to get the most out of it. Though it sounds like at the end of the day you’re still doing it for you, I’m sure your car will thank you if it can talk and may even reciprocate the gesture by getting a few more years longer out of it.

1.      Make Your Car Sparkle And Shine
One way to do this is by paint coatings. Paint coatings are relatively new and are one of the up and coming leaders to car detailing in the automobile industry. It serves as an all in one protective layer to a car’s paintwork and UV ray protection is included in its specifications along with many others. With this paint coating in place, you will not need to go through the regular hassle of consistently finding sheltered parking lots or frequent waxing sessions for your car. But if you think it’s already amazing that it can protect your car paint to that extent, you’d be even more impressed because it can also provide gloss and shine!

2.      Get It A Brand New Set Of Kicks
Yes, tires can be expensive. But replacing them is inevitable at some point especially if they already exhibit damages like shallow tread depth, vibration when speeding, uneven tire wear, cracks on the sidewall, as well as bulges and blisters. All of these are strong indicators that your car needs new tires because these things don’t just affect your driving experience and safety on the road, but they also make your car look really bad. Depending on your preference, you may opt for a low-profile tire or a beefed-up, wider tire with a more aggressive tread. It’s vital the new tires maintain enough suspension and brake clearance and properly fit the centering hub. Vehicle rims come in all different styles and colors. From sporty to sleek, a rim upgrade is just another way to add some much-needed character to your ride.

3.      Make It Cozy By Giving The Interior Overhaul
I don’t know about you but comfort is very important while driving. Because not only that the slightest discomfort could affect your focus while driving but also because the act of driving can be tedious as it is already. So why not tweak your interior a bit to make the experience less of a stress. So things like installing window tint to block solar energy to not only achieve comfortable interior temperature but to also protect your upholstery from premature damage or even buying lumbar cushions help.

4.      Swap Out Those Old Mats
Carpets collect dust, dirt and other bits that can be difficult to remove even when using a vacuum. To loosen those bits up, wear latex glove and gently rub your hands across the surface of the carpet. This creates static that draw bits upwards and out of the fibers of the carpet making it easier for the vacuum to suck everything up.  Or better yet, replace them with new ones if cleaning it thoroughly no longer look good.

5.      Upgrade Your Sound System So You Two Can Sing Happy Songs
If you really want to lay it on thick, try upgrading your car’s sound system. By adding a satellite radio receiver, you can serenade your trusty steed all year long, and thoroughly entertain your fellow drivers.

6.      Clear The Air
Do not underestimate odd smells in your car. More often than not, it’s not just because of dirt that you haven’t had the time to clean. This usually indicates that something is not right with your car, especially if you’re getting a burnt smell. Pay more attention to your car when it starts giving you all these odd smells and act accordingly.

Usual culprits behind the smell your car is giving off are spilled drinks or food that you didn’t clean right away, fuel leak, catalytic converter not working right or lubricants that have aged, leaky heater core, and worn out brake pads and clutch. Make sure you take your car to your trusted car servicing center once your car is emitting scents related to these issues otherwise they will lead to more damage and costly car repair. But If you really can’t stand the car smell but don’t want the chemicals air freshener emits either, there are non-chemical options that you can choose from like a charcoal air purifier or a car vent diffuser.

7.      Go Easy On The Brakes
A vehicle’s braking system is a very important part a car. If they’re not in good condition it means you car’s ability to slow down or stop when you’re driving can be compromised. Moreover, your family, other motorists and your own safety could also be at risk! Don’t wait for that to happen before you realize the importance ensuring your brakes are always working properly. Once you notice, vibrations, strange sounds, or pulling, don’t ignore them and get it checked right away.

8 Tips When It Comes To Window Tint Bubbles

People have different reasons for installing window tint on their vehicle. But no matter the reason, you invested money on it so it’s a shame when it starts forming bubbles. Not only because it’s unsightly, but it’s also because if not addressed right away you may have to install a new one which you want to avoid if you’re trying to save money. So here are some tips to deal with bubbles immediately. 1. Quality Is Key The first thing that you should keep in mind to avoid bubbles on your window tints is invest in a good quality film. The higher the quality, the less chances of your window tint to have bubbles. 2. Hire A Professional Quality window film is good but even better if you seek a professional to install it on your car. This ensures flawless application so that you don’t risk bubbles on freshly applied window tint. 3. Use Gentle Cleaning Solution High quality window film doesn’t mean it’s invincible. It just means it doesn’t get damaged as easily. So when cleaning your windows it’s still best to be careful and make sure you don’t use cleaning agent that contains ammonia. In case there are bubbles already, despite your efforts to avoid it, you can still remedy that. All you have to do is follow the tips below. 4. Warm The Window You can do this by either parking it outdoors under direct sunlight or using hair dryer. 5. Mist It But Don’t Soak Once the surface is quiet warm mist it using a spray bottle. But be careful not to spray too much water and do not let the water sit for too long either. 6. Poke Tiny Holes On Every Bubble Now get a straight pin to create tiny holes on the bubbles without tearing the film. 7. Smoothen Out The Bubbles Using an expired credit card or any similar card you have that you no longer use, start smoothing out the bubbles. Hold the card in 45-degree angle and move the card slowly towards the edges. 8. Check For Remaining Bubbles When you’re done running the card through the area you’re working on, use a lint-free cloth to see if you missed some bubbles.

How To Know If Your Car Has A Bad Tint Job

Since there are tint kits available in the markets, many car owners choose to perform the job themselves so that they don’t have to give money for installation. Unfortunately, most of the time it has been found that they cannot perform the tinting task with perfection. Even sometimes after getting tinted from a professional tint specialist, people complain about bad tinting works. So if you don’t wanna waste money on having to redo a bad tint job and you want it done perfectly, it’s best to seek the professionals who have the skills and years of experience on doing this job. Sometimes, to really save money, you have to learn to invest on long-lasting things instead of being stingy on all your possible expenditures.

Getting your car window tinted offers a lot of benefits like protection from the sun’s damage to your skin and car interior as well as providing you with privacy and more security. But to enjoy these benefits, you have to make sure that it is properly installed. To ensure that, you need a professional to take on the job! If you opt for DIY or attempt to save money by going using sub-par quality window film, you’ll encounter soon realize you should’ve invested in a good quality one and had it installed by a professional.

Inconsistent And Messy Edges
Is the film cut very close to the window pane and has a consistent clean line? If no, then sadly your window film was poorly done. This usually happens when the installer doesn’t use computerized templates that pre-cut the film as much as possible.

It Has Turned Purple
You’ll know that the film used on your car was of the most basic quality possible when the tint turns purple over time. This is because the material used is a vinyl sheet with dyes that fade over time.

There Are Tiny Bubbles That Distort Your View
Low quality tint form bubbles as early as 6 months into getting the tint. Even if they’re only tiny ones, you shouldn’t settle for it because it can still distort your view and we all know your view on the road is crucial.

See The Dot Matrix
For a car that's already been tinted, what you want to see is an incredibly consistent line that goes right to the edge of the dot matrix. If you’re seeing horrendous zig-zagging line, you’ve been ripped off my friend.

Gaps And Bubbles Around The Defroster Bars
You want to make sure the tint is pressed as tightly against the defroster as possible. Otherwise this will happen.

Darker Shade Don’t Always Mean Better Quality
A common misconception when it comes to tints is that the darker it is the better job it does in blocking the heat. Put one hand directly in the sun and one hand behind the window, now feel the difference. Even if the tint is dark but the temperature almost feel the same then it’s not really doing the job. There are high-quality ceramic tint that is lighter but efficient in heat reduction.

Dark Metallic Tints May Not Be Good
They may give you the ’80 limo vibe but can interfere with phone and radio reception as well as your own car’s GPS. It would be best to stick with the usual window tint films.

‘Missing’ The Windshield
What’s the point of getting tint in everything else in your car but leaving your windshield bare? Nothing, it just defeats the purpose of tinting your vehicle. If the installer says it’s prohibited to use very dark tint in your area and doesn’t offer an alternative look for another installer. There are high-quality tint that are just effective in blocking UV rays but aren’t as dark.

It Has Cut Outs
If the guy doing your car window tint says he needs to cut out sections of the film on the windshield for things like your inspection or registration stickers, so that you can remove them when the time comes without damaging the film. Don’t let him! A good install will involve placing those stickers on a clear film that essentially converts them to static-cling decals.

6 Accessories Most Car Owners Want In Their Car

Having a car that you can drive at your disposal is already a huge convenience. But it’s no secret that with the help of some car accessories, there can still room for improvement when it comes to driving experience. Here are some of those that you may want to invest in if you haven’t already!

1.Lumbar Or Cervical Car Cushion
Sitting for extended period of time is not good for anyone’s back and overall health; however, it has become unavoidable nowadays due to the rising popularity of deskbound jobs as well as long drives to and from work.  In that case, what you can do is find a way to make sitting less tortuous if you drive a lot? Well, a good idea is to get a lumbar or cervical car cushion. Once you start using it, it will blow your mind how much difference it can make and how did you manage without them before.

2.Rooftop Cargo Bins
Are you an outdoorsy type of person who likes to drive everywhere when you travels? If you answered yes, then this is a good one. Most often than not, you struggle with cargo space since you tend to carry a lot of stuff around, all the time. So getting this will make your life and traveling easier by having more space in your car.

3.A Dashcam
A car dashcam is a fantastic accessory or gadget that any car owner should own. On a good day, it can be used to capture and commemorate particularly beautiful and memorable drives over the hills and through woods. On a bad day, it can be used as evidence in a car accident – the recording can prove who was (and wasn’t) at-fault. Make sure that A) mounted dash cams are legal in your state and B) the camera isn’t one that will obstruct their view of the road. Then keep your fingers crossed that it only gets used for the fun stuff!

4.Portable Tire Pump
Who hasn’t had a moment of frustration with a flat tire before? Basically anyone who drives a car can relate to this. This makes portable tire pump available, whenever the situation calls for it, a heaven sent. Car repair shops aren’t always easy to find when you need them, so it’d be better if you can fend for your own tires.

5.Battery Jumpstart Kit
Just like getting a flat tire in the middle of the road, being stranded with a dead battery sucks. Having these bad boys in your car at all time will save your day. Getting this will be a good investment because it will at least let you get by and look for the nearest car repair if the case of your battery is more complex.

6.Window Tint
Accidents happen even to the most cautious people. This is why it’s good to have an extra layer of protection especially on your car windows. Direct impact often leads to glass shattering which can cause wounds to you and your passengers. But if you install automotive film on your car windows, this will prevent the glass from shattering because the film helps hold the glass together even when broken. Aside from that, since glass allows sun to penetrate easily, the car gets hot in an instant especially during summer. This makes your entire car ride uncomfortable because of the heat and your air conditioning to work harder to keep the car cool which increases gasoline consumption. However, installing heat resistant window tint will solve this problem while also being able to protect your car’s upholstery from premature damage like color fading as well as cracking.

Effects Of UV Radiation That You Definitely Won’t Like

There are a lot of known health benefits we can get from sunlight, it boost your mood, treats seasonal affective disorder, helps relieve stress, improves your sleep, and, of course, provides much needed vitamin D. However, despite its many health benefits, did you know that it can also cause harm to your body, especially if you’re exposed to it too much? You’re not even safe when you’re indoors because UV rays can penetrate your glass windows!

This is the reason why residential window films as well as automotive window tints are a must! This doesn’t just protect your furniture, car upholstery and paint and provides privacy, the most important thing is that solar films shields you from the negative effects the sun can have on your health too.

Damages And Wears Down Surfaces
Wood floors, countertops, and furniture fades or becomes damaged over time, but with the harsh sunlight streaming down constantly, that will happen prematurely. Aside from that, did you know that leather can fade and crack when constantly exposed to the sun? But then you can spare you car’s upholstery from premature damages which, of course, saves you money from repair or repurchasing if your car is tinted. This is because car tints serves as a barrier from direct sunlight to block 90% of harmful UV rays from entering. Window films can do the same thing for surfaces around your house so it’s definitely an investment that’s worth every penny.

Dries Out And Fades Paint
If you’re not driving or using the car, always park it somewhere covered. This is the easiest and cheapest way to prevent UV damage to your car’s paint job.  Even a warm garage beats being parked in the sun all day. So whenever there’s an available garage, use it. Not only that your interior will stay cool, but your paint job won’t suffer to premature damage either. Also, when you’re washing your car make sure you don’t do it under direct sunlight. Remember that the water and cleaning agent is already making your paint job vulnerable, don’t mix UV rays into that. And when you can’t find a covered parking lot, use a car cover to at least give a barrier for your car’s paint from the sunlight.

Weakens Plastic
We have all seen plastic bottles and containers go dull and change shape in the sun. Although the mutation is often credited to the heat itself it has nothing to do with the temperature of the bottle. UV radiation is responsible for weakening the bonds in plastic, which causes it to lose color and change shapes. In other words, UV light makes it easily for heat to affect plastic as it weakens the bonds at a chemical level.

Fades Color In Fabrics
Do you notice how your curtains, drapes, and other textiles around the house, especially those that are close to the windows seem to look faded over time? Even if you try to wash them gently, fading will still happen because they’re exposed to UV radiation. This is the reason why moms like to soak white shirts under the sun because it effectively makes the white even whiter!

Causes Skin Cancer
Do you think your skin is safe from the UV rays just because you’re inside a car or you’re indoors? Not exactly! There’s a reason why most drivers suffer from left-side skin cancer! Even if you stay inside the house most of the time or work indoors, the sun can still get to you. Reduce harmful UV rays by up to 99% by installing quality car tint as well as residential window films.

Increases Chances Of Heatstroke
When the temperature is very high, your body can feel overheated even when you’re not outside. The temperature inside your house can rise just the same if you have a lot of windows and you don’t have air conditioning unit. Avoid this by drinking lots of cold water to keep your body cool and invest in heat-resistant window films for your home.

It Can Damage Your Eyes Too
Did you know that cataracts form in people who are always exposed to sunlight? The majority of UV light from the sun enters the eye through its lens. Ultraviolet radiation from the sun can irritate or potentially burn the lens of the eye. Cataract can obscure your vision, although you can seek surgery for this, why let it get to that point if you can do something to prevent it from the first place?

Tops 5 Tips To Make You Vehicle Look Better On The Outside

Yes, car performance will always outdo looks. But, there are times when neglecting how your car exterior appears can lead to damages and costly car repairs. So it’s still important that you keep your car looking pristine along with maintaining its performance. Plus if you’re the type who like to have their car reflect their personality, custom upgrades are definitely necessary because a car straight out of the dealer shop is basically just like any other car out there. Here are some easy and appealing vehicle updates to seriously consider.

1.  Clear Paint Protection
Most new cars come with a clear coat over the paint layer to keep the car shiny and protected from external elements. The clear coat offers a more glossy finish to the car, and will keep harmful elements like UV rays and dust at bay to protect the paint of the car. Any minor issues can also be buffed out, if the car has a clear coat. However, clear coats are sensitive to scratches and are prone to oxidation. It is still not a substitute for wax and needs to have a wax job to protect the shine of the car. Owners can opt for full or partial front-end coverage, and custom coverage is available for rocker panels, rear bumpers, headlights and more.

2.  Window Tint
Installing window tinting films can provide a lot of benefits for you and your vehicle starting from cooling interior temperature, protecting your upholstery from UV ray damage, adding an extra layer of protection on the window glass itself, helping you drive more comfortably because of reduced glare and keep your car on a low profile. But aside from those wonderful benefits, it can also make your ride look sleeker which is a bonus considering all the other things it can do for you, but definitely something you’d appreciate window films even more for.

3.  Vehicle Wrap
Business owners often seek the professional application of vehicle wraps to advertise their business and dress up company vehicles. For personal rides, it’s a great way to add a bold character statement. Vehicle wraps may suite an owner seeking a classic side-stripe or who wants to represent their favorite sports team. An auto-vehicle-wrap installation company is your expert source for the most aesthetically appealing wraps that guard from ink fading and flawless application.

4.  Upgraded Bumper
If you’re going to upgrade your bumper, you can choose from different materials like aluminum, carbon fiber, fiberglass and plastic. Your choice would depend on whether you want it strong and weighty or durable and light. But remember that bumpers primary role in your car is for protection during low speed collision which can both help provide safety and better look for your vehicle in general. So make sure you think about your options carefully.

5.  New Wheels And Rims
Yes, tires can be expensive. But replacing them is inevitable at some point especially if they already exhibit damages like shallow tread depth, vibration when speeding, uneven tire wear, cracks on the sidewall, as well as bulges and blisters. All of these are strong indicators that your car needs new tires because these things don’t just affect your driving experience and safety on the road, but they also make your car look really bad. Depending on your preference, you may opt for a low-profile tire or a beefed-up, wider tire with a more aggressive tread. It’s vital the new tires maintain enough suspension and brake clearance and properly fit the centering hub. Vehicle rims come in all different styles and colors. From sporty to sleek, a rim upgrade is just another way to add some much-needed character to your ride.