Buying and Maintaining A Car Made Easy

Car Repair 101
The more you notice about your vehicle, the more likely you'll be able to head off repair
problems. Yep- even if you're mechanically challenged. You can detect many common vehicle
problems by using your eyes and nose.
“See No Evil”
Is there a little stain or a drop of fluid under your vehicle? It may mean absolutely nothing. But
you do want to check the wet spots immediately - just to make sure.
What color is the fluid under your car? Yellowish green, pretty blue or neon orange colors
indicate an overheated engine or an antifreeze leak caused by a bad hose, water pump or
leaking radiator. Not good. I remember the yellowish green ooze from my Chevette as the tow
truck took it away to its final resting place. Get to a repair shop while you still can!
A dark brown or black oily fluid means the engine is leaking oil. A bad seal or gasket could
cause the leak. This is how my first car met its demise.
A red oily looking spot indicates a transmission or power-steering fluid leak. Also, not good.
A puddle of clear water usually isn't a cause for concern. It may be normal condensation from
your vehicle's air conditioner. Whew!
“Smell no Evil”
Take a whiff, and you may detect your vehicle's problem.
Do you smell burned toast? This odor often signals an electrical short and burning insulation.
Have someone come look at your car. Don't drive it anywhere until the problem is diagnosed.
How about the smell of rotten eggs? This usually indicates a problem in the catalytic converter.
Get to a repair shop! Pheee-yew!
Buying and Maintaining A Car Made Easy

A thick sharp odor usually means burning oil. Look for the sign of a leak. This problem needs to
be addressed immediately if having transportation is important to you. You may also notice a
bluish smoke coming from your vehicle. Ask me how I know. Ahh… memories.
The smell of gas after a failed start may mean the engine is flooded. Wait a few minutes and try
again. If the odor continues, there may be a leak in the fuel system - a potentially dangerous
problem that needs immediate attention.
A chemical odor may mean overheated brakes or clutch. Check the parking brake. Stop and let
the brakes cool after repeated hard braking. Light smoke coming from a wheel indicates a stuck
brake. Call a tow truck.
Do you notice a sweet odor? This may indicate a coolant leak. Watch your temperature gauge
and warning light and drive to a repair shop. Now, if you see steam from under the hood, stop
and pull over. If you keep driving an overheated vehicle, your engine will be seriously damaged.
Call a tow truck.
The basic rule of smell is that if you do notice an unusual odor - get to a mechanic or get one to
come to you. Pretty simple!
A little extra attention to what’s coming out of your car or truck could save you the cost of a new
vehicle payment! Keep those eyes and that nose on the job!
Buying and Maintaining A Car Made Easy

Getting A Great Deal On A New Car
Ah, the excitement of a brand new car! Driving to every friend’s house you ever had to show it
off. Spit shining it ever chance you get.
The only bad part about the deal is, well… the deal.
Fortunately, there's a way get a great price on a new car and this insider info will save you both
time and money.
How many hours have you wasted talking about a new car deal, only to find out that the dealer
had other contract clauses in mind that exploded the cost? I have wasted entire days in the car
buying process.
What does "factory invoice price" really mean? The price that you see on the car is the
“manufacturer’s suggested retail price”. You don’t want to pay this over-inflated price.
Supposedly, the "factory invoice price" is what the dealer paid the manufacturer for the car. The
dealer will have an invoice with this price on it.
When you hear a dealer say that he’ll sell to you “below invoice”, you wonder how on earth he
could make any money. You may think that you’re getting the bargain of the century.
Well, not so fast. See, the factory invoice price probably isn’t what the dealer had to pay for the
car.
Dealers get all sorts of incentives on top of this base price. Carryover allowances and other
special discounts added in make the actual cost of the vehicle less than the price on the invoice.
This can add up to the tune of $500-$2000 dollars.
So you could buy a car at $100 below the factory invoice and still be fattening the salesman’s
wallet more than enough.
Ask if the car manufacturer offers a factory-to-customer rebate. You have to get this straight
from