Category: Automotive

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Automotive

10 signs your car needs a service

Your car is your road to freedom, so when your vehicle starts making funny noises, unfamiliar lights appear on the dashboard, brakes are becoming less responsive or smoke is appearing from underneath the bonnet, it is a sure sign that your car needs to be serviced. To avoid a surprise breakdown and expensive repairs we have identified the top ten warning signs that your car needs to be serviced by a qualified mechanic.

1. Engine warning light

The appearance of warning lights on your car’s dashboard should not be ignored. Car warning lights are programmed to light up when there is an issue with the area of the vehicle that they are monitoring. There are many different warning lights that will indicate a number of different problems, from battery issues, security alert, lamp out, oil pressure warning, reduced power warning and more. However, the one warning light that you must never ignore is the Engine Light. Should the Engine Light be showing it is important to take your car to a garage to be serviced immediately. Failure to do so may result in breakdowns and expensive repairs.

If you see or hear a warning sign, it’s important to have you vehicle checked for roadworthiness / Source: Premium Mechanical Services

2. Funny noises

Unusual noises, such as squeals and squeaks coming from your car can be an indication of problems with the fan belt, braking system or power steering fluid. The main noises to listen out for and what issues they indicate are:

  • Highly pitched squeals: heard when the ignition is turned on is indicative that the fan belt is either worn or loose
  • Squealing as brakes are applied: can be a sign that you need new brake pads or that dirt or bits of rock have ended up in the braking system
  • Squealing while driving: A squealing noise apparent whilst driving is a sign that your car tires may need to re-balanced, or that you need to replace your power steering fluid

3. Emissions of Smoke

Unusual emissions of smoke either from the exhaust or from under the bonnet of the car must be checked out. Black smoke from the exhaust can be signs of an oil leak, blockages and build-up of carbon in the system. Smoke from under the bonnet can be a sign that the car radiator isn’t working properly.

Strange vibrations are often a sign of problems such as worn or unbalanced tires, worn brake discs or pads, suspension issues or a problem with the steering system. It is strongly advised not to guess the root of the problem yourself and to instruct the services of a professional auto-mechanic as soon as you can.

4. Strange vibrations

5. Unresponsive brakes

The brakes on your vehicle go through a great deal of wear and tear, it is therefore extremely important to recognise any changes in the sensitivity and responsiveness of your brakes. If you notice any changes take your car to a garage to ensure your safety.

6. Stalling

Sudden stalling, even if you’re in the right gear, can indicate a fault with your engine. The stalling can be caused by clogged fuel filters or faulty spark plugs. Find a garage as a matter of urgency if you are experiencing these issues.

Your car should be checked by a professional if you see a warning sign / Source: All States Australia Mobile Mechanics and Auto Electricians Pty Ltd

7. Ignition issues

If you find it takes numerous attempts to get your car engine going, or your car coughs and splutters as you try to drive off this is likely to be a sign of faulty ignition. Ignition faults can be caused by a number of problems including a faulty starter motor or a dying battery.

8. Grinding gears

Grinding gears are often a simple indication of wear and tear, and will need to be fixed. Your chosen mechanic may replace parts of the gearbox, along with replenishing transmission fluids. The good news about gearbox issues is that they can be identified and fixed early, saving the driver costly repairs in the future.

Contact local mechanics

9. Decrease in power

A decrease in the power of your car, such as your vehicle struggling to reach its full speed potential, sudden surges of power or a full tank of petrol doesn’t take you as far as it used to, indicate that you should get your car checked over. Things such as incorrect tyre pressure can also cause a decrease in power but can be avoided if you have a high-quality tyre pressure gauge.

10. Steering

If you’re experiencing issues with your vehicle pulling to one side, even when you are in a neutral position, this is an indicator that something is wrong with your car steering.  This is often caused as a result of a broken steering rack mounts or worn ball joints. If you finding that your steering wheel is very stiff this can also be a sign that you don’t have the right amount of air in your car tyres, or that you need to adjust the amount of power steering fluid.

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Automotive

How to finance a car loan when you’re self-employed

Purchasing a new car isn’t something everyone manages outright. Throw self-employment into the mix, and the challenge can be harder.

Variable income and unpredictability often make securing finance feel out of reach. But that’s not the case. If you’re self-employed or an owner of a micro-business, there are options to secure a car loan that doesn’t break your bank.

Now with times more uncertain than before, it pays to invest and choose wisely. Here’s how you can increase your chances of successful car financing. 

Interior of a red ferrari with white leather seats and black steering wheel.
Source: Creative Car Care

Prioritise loan type

One of the most common financing mistakes is falling in love with the car before the loan.

You wouldn’t buy a house without sorting the paperwork, and your vehicle buying strategy should follow the same rule.

If you want to save money, seek pre-approval first and understand how different types of car loans work. This helps you budget, compare and approach the right lender for your needs and is the smartest way to determine what you can afford. Apply this strategy whether you’re shopping new, used or private.

Make sure you:

●  Review interest rates, fees, charges and repayment frequency to work costs into your budget

●  Prioritise your credit score to confirm your current financial position

●  Shop for car financing before you visit car dealerships

Tip:  Be careful not to apply for too many loans in a short period of time as this impacts your credit report and may decrease chances of approval. 

Research, compare and negotiate

Will you be leasing or buying your car?

The type of loan you choose depends on your business needs. Consider the purpose of your car, budget and whether you need to keep its ownership. Research and compare at least three loans from various lenders before you decide.

If buying outright isn’t for you, leasing enables you to get a new car with low monthly repayments. But it still pays to do your research first to compare and strengthen negotiating power.

Pre-approval of car finance also improves your negotiating influence.

Consider potential tax benefits

Buying a vehicle for business is a great tax advantage.

You may claim your car against business tax with a registered ABN. Generally, leasing means you won’t pay GST.

If you’re GST registered, the tax is charged on the purchase price which you can claim back when you lodge your statements. Depending on the type of car you’re after, see if you’re eligible for the Australian Government’s instant asset write-off. This only applies to new and second-hand cars under $20,000.

Minimise lender risk

There are a few ways to minimise the lender’s risk, which could improve your chances of approval.

  1. Have a substantial deposit
  2. Get your credit score up to scratch
  3. Keep balance sheet to prove business growth, profit and equity 

Weigh up features and restrictions

Every contract will have its own set of benefits and loan restrictions.

Before you sign, review the fine print. Sometimes, there are features to fuel savings like additional warranties and Guaranteed Auto Protection (GAP) insurance. Optional extras such as maintenance plans, GPS navigation and car alarm installation may sound good, but verify they’re meeting your needs and not adding to the total costs unnecessarily.

If there’s a chance you’ll pay your loan out early, look for flexible payment options and smaller payout fees like a chattel mortgage. These are favourable for self-employed individuals or tradies.

Buyer Beware: Not all features are what they seem. For example; some extended warranties are only valid if you return to the same dealership for servicing, which could end up costing you more. Remember it’s a car salesman’s job to upsell features, so it’s important to know what you’re really getting and if it’s worth your money.

Partner with a financial advisor

Partnering with an accountant or financial advisor is a wise move to determine all options and tax benefits.

Whilst it’s always vital to do your own research, a financial advisor provides knowledgeable guidance, so you find the best loan, lender and deal for your industry. These professionals have access to a network of financiers to save you the hassle of negotiating with each. Such savings in time and energy are valuable when you’re self-employed or a small business owner.

Flexibility, simplicity and clarity are the essential ingredients for anyone who is self-employed and looking to apply for car finance. The right loan will assist in the growth of your business, by ensuring access to the transportation you need.

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Automotive

A guide to car window tinting

Have you seen cars with tinted windows and thought it would be a good idea to try it yourself? If you want to do it right, there are certain things that you need to have in mind, and it needs to be done by someone who knows what they are doing. There’s nothing worse for your car’s aesthetic than doing a bad tint job. If it results in a streak of bubbles between the window and the translucent film that is the tint, you’re in trouble. Here, we’ll go through what to take into consideration when opting for car window tinting.

Look out for bubbles

It is essential that your view is clear. So, if your tint job results in big bubbles all over the place, it certainly won’t do. However, even very small bubbles can create distortion. This is why you need to find a professional for the job, as they will make sure that the risk of them appearing is minimised. Also, if you opt for a low-quality tint, it will take about six months for bubbles to form, as the adhesive that holds the tint will begin to break.

Source: Tintacar Victoria Park

A dark shade doesn’t necessarily mean top quality

You must keep in mind that the fact that a tint is dark doesn’t necessarily mean that it does the best job of blocking heat or providing UV protection. When your car is in the sun, put one hand behind the window and the other in the sun in order to tell the difference. Generally it is true that the darker the tint is, the better it will reduce heat, but there are solutions such as high-quality ceramic tints and spectrally-selective tints that can do an even better job. This basically means that a lighter shade of something of high-quality can work better than a darker shade of something cheap.

Know your local tint laws

How dark your window tint can be really depends on where you live. Do some research and find out which country or state laws for car window tinting apply where you are located. For example, Oneflare’s car window tinting experts point out that Australia has strict laws when it comes to this. Make sure that the professional installing the window tint on your car knows these laws. If you install window tint that is way too dark, you may end up being fined and wasting money on removing the tint and getting another one that is appropriate.

Contact local car window tinting experts

Tint the windshield

Applying a very light tint to the windshield is allowed in most places. This is where you should also check local laws. If it’s legal in your location, make sure you do it. It’s the largest size window on your car, so if you tint everything else and leave it uncovered, it will kind of defeat the purpose of tinting in the first place. This is the case where you should apply the previously mentioned high-quality tints that aren’t necessarily as dark.

Avoid purple

When your tint goes purple, it means that it has aged to the point that it has lost its protective properties and that it needs to be replaced. It’s most common with tint made out of cheap materials, as they simply start to break down.

Tinting your car is a fancy way of making a statement, and also an essential aspect of protecting the inside of your car from the negative effects of the sun. Make sure that you keep these points in mind when getting your tint job. Also, it’s far better that you get a professional to do it for you than to do it yourself.

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Automotive

Used vs new car parts

When the time comes for a replacement part for your vehicle, you are often faced with a choice. Should you go for a used car part that’s cheaper and readily available to get your car up and running again? Or, should you head down to your local dealership, pay a premium price and wait a little longer for it to be delivered and installed?

The critical difference is, you know you’re going to get a high-quality part if it’s new. You’ll also receive a manufacturer’s warranty. It seems like the new part is the most obvious choice.

However, this isn’t always the case as you’d be surprised just how resourceful a second-hand part can be. A used car part is not only super cost-effective, but they are also more readily available. Choosing a second-hand part is often the faster option in most cases, and some even come with a warranty.

Source: Deluxe Detail

To help you decide between a new and used part, here are the pros and cons.

New car parts

There are three avenues to explore when purchasing a new car part. You can choose from either Genuine, OEM, or Aftermarket; each coming with their own set of pros and cons.

  • Genuine parts are parts which are supplied by the manufacturer of the vehicle and will generally come branded or packaged. High-quality, comes with a warranty, easier selection. However, it is usually more expensive, limited availability, and may take longer to arrive.
  • Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEM) come from the same company which manufactured genuine parts; however, this partner company is usually employed by the original automaker to produce parts as OEM. Quality guaranteed comes with a warranty, easier selection, and usually cheaper than Genuine. However, it can be more expensive, take longer to arrive, and quality isn’t always guaranteed.
  • Aftermarket parts are that have not been manufactured or sourced directly by the original automaker. Usually the cheapest option of the 3, a more extensive selection of brands, parts and prices, and in some cases, quality is equal or better than OEM. However, may not come with a warranty, potentially made from lower-quality materials and poorly constructed, and can be challenging to make the right choice with such a wide selection.

Used car parts

Pros

  • Cost-effective: Second-hand car parts are less expensive compared to new car parts and is one of the main reasons why people opt for used parts.
  • Increased availability: There is no shortage of used parts sellers, so there’s always plenty of choice and availability for the parts you seek.
  • Competitive prices: Because you have so many options to choose from, sellers are generally quite competitive with their prices, meaning you can get a lower price.
  • Large variety: With plenty of choices in brands, parts and prices, you’ll have your car up and running in no time at all.
  • Environmentally friendly: It might not be something you’d normally consider, but opting to buy a used part over brand new reduces the need for new parts to be made. This means fewer resources are used when being manufactured and therefore reducing your environmental impact.

Cons

  • Quality isn’t guaranteed: How does the saying go? “You get what you pay for”. To avoid purchasing a complete lemon, we’ve given a list of questions to ask before you buy a used part below.
  • Overwhelming selection: With so many brands, parts and sellers available, especially online where parts can be purchased from Facebook Marketplace, Gumtree and eBay, it can be an overwhelming experience.
  • No warranty: Not all used parts come with a warranty, so it pays to purchase a used part from a credible supplier and always ask for a warranty.
  • Mechanics may decline installation: If a used part was to fail, resulting in a crash, who’s responsible? With concerns about liability, warranty and insurance, your mechanic may decline to install a second-hand part.
  • Unknown history: Purchasing used parts from auto wreckers or online sources may not always have the history of the part. Not knowing the history of the part you’re buying puts you at risk. What’s the remaining lifespan of the part? Has it been in an accident?
Source: Tlc Automotive Services

Essential tips for buying second-hand car parts

If you plan to go down the path of buying a used car part, there are a few questions to ask to ensure you receive a high-quality part and not a lemon.

Are you buying from a credible seller?

Thanks to the internet, there are now many avenues to purchase a used part. However, there are just as many counterfeit products available on the market. It’s best to buy used parts from a reputable and trusted seller to ensure you are not wasting your money on low-quality parts.

Know what part you need

Before you go out and buy a second-hand part, find out exactly what you need. If you’re unsure of the part you need, do not hesitate to contact your mechanic or speak to a professional. This way, you can avoid unnecessary delays and costs on purchasing the wrong part.

Have your vehicle details ready

With such a wide selection of parts and brands to choose from, it is essential to have your vehicle’s make, model and year ready to go. Also, having your car’s VIN will ensure you purchase the right part for your car.

Ask for a warranty and how long

It goes without saying if you’re purchasing a used part always ask if there is a warranty and how long does it last. Most credible sellers usually offer a warranty or at least the option to purchase one.

Find out the history of the part

Attempting to find the history of a used part from a Gumtree or Facebook Marketplace purchase is near-impossible. Without knowledge in the automotive industry, it can be difficult to tell if it has been in an accident or the remaining lifespan. However, you can minimise your chances of getting a counterfeit part by purchasing used parts from a trusted local supplier. Make sure the seller is capable of giving you the history and expected life.