Auto Insurance and Leasing
When leasing a car, it’s easier to stick with the same company for your auto insurance. What you don’t know, however, is that you may end up paying too much for your coverage and it’s better to look elsewhere for lower rates.
When you lease, the vehicle that you will drive belongs to the leasing company. They want to make sure that their investment is covered in the event the vehicle gets damaged, totalled or stolen. They typically want to get covered for the difference between what your auto-insurer pays and your outstanding leasing obligations at the time of the accident or damage. This is called GAP, short for Guaranteed Auto Protection, and is usually included in the leasing contract. If your leasing company is called BMW Financial Services, Chrysler Financial or any other finance division of an automaker, then chances are your GAP insurance will be offered by the same lease company.
You are under no obligation to accept GAP insurance included as part of your lease agreement. Why pay an insurance premium if you could get the same coverage for a lower price? Invest some time shopping by comparing quotes from other insurance companies, including your existing one. Ask for discounts that you already qualify for and adjust your coverage accordingly.
Check Tire Pressure
Tire pressure is one of the things a car needs to have checked most often. Ideally, you should check them once a month as well as any other time when they might look low. Also, if you are planning a long trip with your car, tire pressure is one of the main things you should check, along with a general checking.
The first thing you need in order to be able to check your car’s tire pressure is a tire pressure gauge. You can acquire one at any car parts store or just use one in a gas station. All gas stations have one, but you should ask if it is functioning well before using it. Some of the gauges you might find in gas stations are old or damaged and therefore the information they would give you would be incorrect, which could even lead you to add more air to the tire than it should have. This way, it is important that you make sure the gauge you will use functions properly.
In order to be able to evaluate the pressure your tires have, you should learn how much pressure they should ideally have. You might easily learn this since your car’s driver side doorjamb will probably have a sticker giving you some guidance related to the tires and their pressure.
Once you know which the proper pressure for your tires is, you are ready to check them. In order to do this, you must unscrew the caps on the tire air valve and press the tire pressure gauge against it. You should make sure you keep the tire pressure gauge as firmly against the tire valve as not to let air come out from it.
Once you have the tire pressure gauge connected with the tire valve, the gauge will immediately tell you what the tire pressure is. This will allow you to learn weather the tire needs more air or its air pressure is correct. If it needs more air, you should do it carefully in order not to pass its air limit. And, in case its air pressure is correct, you simply need to disconnect the air pressure gauge from it and screw the valve cap back in its place.
By: Jakob Jelling
Baby Car Seat
Taking the baby or toddler for a walk is one pleasurable activity that we are waiting for. By bringing them on a walk or trip, we are introducing them to the nature and environment. If we take a baby on a walk to the nearest city park, it will be no problem because we can carry them with our hand and we only need to bring several equipments. However, the situation will be very complicated if we have to take baby or toddlers for a trip or vacation.
Before we take the baby or toddlers out of town, we must prepare the complete equipment. If we bring them with car, we should prepare special baby car seats that are completed with safety belt. We should not forget to bring bags and carrier. If we want to take them exploring the park on the new destination city, we better to bring compatible stroller in the car.
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Purchase Used Car
Buying a used car is a bit trickier than buying a new car although you can follow most of the same guidelines for both.
First, know what car you have in mind. Research the car. There is a wealth of information online. Check the car manufacturers web site, consumer reports and the edmunds.com. web site. Know the approximate value of the car before you head out to the dealer. Go to your bank or to your credit union before you go shopping and see how much money they’ll be able to lend you on a used car. This way you’ll have a much better idea what you can realistically spend.
Realize that there are many different models of the same car. You may not find exactly the car with all the extras you want, or the exact color, but you may find something close that is a great deal.
Most dealers are upright and honest when selling used cars. They offer limited warranties with them. In the case of luxury end cars a lot of them still have warranties in effect when you purchase them.
If you are buying from a private seller ask to see service records. Go online and order a carfax car history report. Find out if the car will be sold “as is” or already state inspected. When you are serious about a used car make sure that you have time to take the car to your mechanic for him to give the car the once over, especially if it’s being sold “as is”. You don’t need to find out after the fact that it needs many more repairs than you thought. You can’t tell just by a visual inspection.
The cosmetics of the car are an important factor in determining it’s value. Cars are generally rated as being in good, fair or excellent condition. However, especially when purchasing from a private seller you’ll find that these ratings vary, sometimes greatly.
Whatever you do, don’t let anyone pressure you into making a quick decision, especially a private seller. If you hear something like “I already have someone else who’s willing to give me a down payment” let the car go. Stick to your guns, and your budget. If you don’t get this car it wasn’t meant to be and there will always be another, and better one.
By : Tim Henry
