Jul 2, 2010 – 8:22:05 PM
Email – Print – Discuss
By Jake Fischer
Separate Fuel Facts From Fiction
|
(NC)—According to a new Angus Reid survey, over one-third of Canadians asked don’t realize the benefits to their vehicle engine just by selecting a high-quality gasoline, and nearly one-third don’t bother to seek out the correct grade of gasoline as recommended by their vehicle’s manufacturer.
Here are a few useful fuel facts that can help keep your vehicle in good running condition and even help prevent costly repairs down the road:
1. Regular maintenance will help keep your vehicle running longer and can help save money at the pump:
Fact
Changing the engine air filter, oil changes and transmission checkups can help your vehicle run more efficiently and avoid major expenses in the future. Following a vehicle manufacturer’s motor oil recommendation can improve gasoline mileage by one to two per cent*. Keeping your engine properly tuned can improve gas mileage by an average of four per cent*.
2.) All gasolines are the same:
Myth
Gasoline choice plays a vital role in the cleanliness and performance of an engine. Audi, BMW, Honda and Volkswagen believe that high-quality gasolines that are Top Tier-certified will help keep engines cleaner than gasolines containing only the lowest additive concentration (LAC) set by government standards. For example, Shell nitrogen enriched gasolines are Top Tier-certified and can help protect your engine against gunk and even help clean the gunk left behind from lower-quality gasolines, which can build up in as little as 80 kilometers.
3.) Octane levels in fuel don’t really make a difference:
Myth
If you use a lower octane fuel in an engine designed to use higher octane, engine knocking may occur, causing the car to shudder and lose performance.
4.) A higher octane level indicates the very best fuel for my vehicle:
Myth
It’s important to remember that “premium grade” only references octane level, and doesn’t always equal “premium quality”. Using a high-quality premium gasoline, like Shell V-Power gasoline, can provide benefits that go beyond octane. Shell V-Power gasoline contains a nitrogen enriched cleaning system with five times the amount of cleaning agents required by Canadian government standards, helping your vehicle achieve optimum performance.
Estimates for fuel savings from sensible driving are based on studies and literature reviews performed by Energy and Environmental Analysis, Inc., Washington, DC.
|
Copy of NAPLESAUTOREPAIR_1
May 25, 2010 – 11:32:22 PM
Email – Print – Discuss
Car Credit And Financing Facts For Car Shoppers
|
What you should know about credit before you go car shopping. Car financing and credit facts you should know before you go to the dealer. Get a credit report to learn your credit score so you know where you will stand with financing.
(ARA) – Whether you’ve decided you’ve gone through your last winter without four-wheel drive, or you’re rewarding yourself for making it through the recession with your financial health intact, summer is a great time to begin shopping for a new car. And experts predict that car dealers, still stinging from some of the worst sales years in motoring history, will welcome summer car buyers with great deals.
But will you be in a position to take advantage of the possibilities? What good does zero percent financing, payment-free grace periods or value-added incentives do for you if you don’t have the good credit you need to secure financing? It may be an auto-buyer’s market, but lenders are in the driver’s seat, and many are still putting the brakes on financing for those with less-than-great credit scores.
To get the car you want at an interest rate you can afford, it pays to be proactive. Before you set foot on a dealer’s lot or peruse the auto section of the newspaper, take these steps to ensure you’re in a position of power when it comes time to negotiate your auto loan.
Step One – Secure Your Credit
Your credit score and an accurate credit report are your most powerful tools to help you negotiate for the best possible deal on a car loan. If you apply for financing before you know what your score is, or what information is contained in your credit report, you’ll be the only one in the transaction who’s ignorant of your credit worthiness. Potential lenders will definitely look at your credit report and consider your score when deciding whether to give you a loan.
If you haven’t done so recently, obtain a copy of your credit report and score. Web sites like freecreditscore.com make it easy to begin evaluating your credit. You’ll be able to see how your spending behaviors can impact your credit score and report, and track both over time.
With your credit report in hand, look at the factors that a lender will be interested in, such as your payment history, the total amount you owe to all your creditors, the length of your credit history, recent new credit applications and the types of credit you use. If there are errors or negative items on your report, work to clear them up before you approach a lender for an auto loan.
Step Two – Secure Your Financing
Experts agree that the best loan deals are rarely found at dealerships. Just as being pre-approved for a mortgage makes you a stronger negotiator, getting approved for vehicle loan before you go shopping puts you in a position of power. Banks and online lenders can often offer you a better interest rate than you might find at a dealership. Plus, getting pre-approved for your auto loan will help you know how much you can afford to spend on a car, and make you more liable to stay on budget when you’re negotiating a final sales price.
Many buyers, however, find it easy and convenient to go through a dealer for financing. Even if you decide to go that route, it pays to explore other financing options before you talk to the dealer. In order to offer you financing, a dealer may have to go to multiple lenders – which could mean multiple inquiries on your credit report; too many inquiries in a short period of time can actually lower your credit score.
Once you’re confident of your credit worthiness, and you’ve been pre-approved for an auto loan, you’ll be better positioned to take advantage of the many deals available to summer auto buyers.
|
Copy of NAPLESAUTOREPAIR_1
