Buying your first car is a huge milestone in life that’s worth celebrating. After all that hard work you put in to save for the down payment (or full payment), now you can finally drive your very own car. But before you celebrate, there’s the need to ensure that the buying process will lead you to the right car. Otherwise, when you make mistakes, you’ll end up wasting your hard-earned money.

While it may mean putting in a lot of thought and hard work, buying the perfect first car is always possible. It’s only going to be daunting at first, but once you get the ball rolling, you’ll find that it’s all worthwhile. That said, you must know which factors to look for with certainty when you’re shopping for your first car. These are:

1. Budget

Of course, you have to start with your budget. Cars are expensive, yes. But, there’s always a car for every budget. You don’t have to force yourself to choose a model that is too heavy on your pocket when there are still good options for a cheaper one.

The key to getting the best car prices and deals is to take your time canvassing and window shopping. This is an easier process nowadays, as many reputable car dealers also have their respective websites. From these websites, you have the means to compare car prices and units without even walking from one shop to another. Visit VisionHyundaiWebster to start this search and comparison process.

When choosing based on your budget, don’t just think about the sticker price. Remember that you also have to spend for repairs and car maintenance, so your chosen car should also be something you know you can afford to pay for in the long run.

2. Insurance

One of the most common mistakes committed by first-time car buyers is that they think they won’t need a car insurance just yet. When you do this, however, you’re only setting yourself up for disaster. No matter how much you want to save on the costs, you can do this in other areas of your car purchase, like minimizing add-ons. Don’t skimp on your car insurance policy. This is that umbrella of protection that’ll keep you covered for many years to come while you own the car, just in case you meet an accident.

A good tip to follow here is to also shop for various insurance providers. You don’t need to feel compelled to go for the very first choice you come across. Take time to compare from at least three different car insurance providers, so you know you’re getting the best price with the most extensive coverage.

3. Add-Ons

Because you’re still a first-time buyer, you might easily get drawn to buying more add-ons. But before you get too excited about that, be very careful just to keep it to a minimum. Your expenses can easily escalate because of the add-ons you put in.

This is your very first car, so you don’t have to pressure yourself immediately with cool add-ons. You can take just one add-on at a time. Save first, and then have it done. In doing, so, you’re also buying more time to truly determine whether or not those updates or accessories are really something you like to have, or if you’re simply deciding on a whim.

4. Quality

Of course, quality should always be one of the most important factors you have to consider. This applies whether you’re buying a used car or a brand new one. Don’t even try to purchase one that’s questionable in quality. Like any big investment, your chosen car should last you for many years, even if you’re choosing a secondhand one.

A good determinant of quality is, of course, the brand. If you do your research, you’d know what car brands are reputable enough. If you’re going for a used car, check for the mileage and overall condition of the car. Have a professional mechanic determine the condition if you’re unsure. It’s also very important to take the car out for a test drive. Do this even if you’re buying a brand-new car. Doing so can give you a better feel as to its quality and performance on the road.

Conclusion

So now that you’ve got a list of factors that you must look for, are you now excited to begin the process of car hunting? You’ll only be a first-time car buyer once, so you should be able to enjoy the experience. Bring this list with you as you shop, so you will end up with a good buy. And most of all, congratulations on being a first-time car owner!

The post Factors to Consider When Buying Your First Car appeared first on ForceGT.com.

The engine is the heart of the vehicle, and it must undergo proper maintenance to make sure that it won’t stall on the road. Your car’s engine can face many issues after production or while in your possession, which is most likely.

A car’s engine is made up of aluminum alloy, and cracks in the block are rare. However, if residue gets into the casting block while under processing, it can create a fissure. The engine block can eventually make it past quality inspection and cause problems to the car user. That said, here are some ways to diagnose a cracked engine block:

1. Check The Lighting Gauges

Check your dashboard first. The gauges will tell you that a crack is present when the dashboard gauges turn on. The coolant, oil, or temperature gauge will act up, and any or all of them is possible. Looking into the engine’s components, or even just outside and you may see additional signs as well.

2. See If The Oil And Antifreeze Mix

Among the sure signs of an engine with a cracked block is when the antifreeze and the engine’s oil begin mixing. Inside the engine are separate routes where the oil and the antifreeze are circulating. There’s a tendency for the two substances to mix once a crack develops near any pathways or trails. Experienced mechanics will be able to tell once the radiator cap is removed and a closer inspection ensues.

3. You Experience Constant Overheating

Your car’s engine is not supposed to overheat, especially when the weather is relatively cold. At the same time, if you’ve only been driving for a short while, that’s also a sign of cracking. A cracked engine block will cause leakage under the vehicle, which is easy to see because a puddle will form. A leak can occur either between the antifreeze or the radiator.

If you’re selling a car for cash and you can’t address overheating issues, you’ll still find willing automobile buyers who can sell your car regardless of its condition, make or model. This way, you’ll eliminate the burden of having to fix an overheating car while having enough money to at least pay for a down payment for a new one.

4. Engine Smoke Is Coming Out Of The Hood

Smoke coming out of the tailpipe is normal, but not when it’s exiting from under the hood. When it’s under the car, the smoke coming out that looks dark grey to black may be coming from a cracked block. The smoke is the unpleasant fumes from engine performance issues that you might want to have looked into by an experienced mechanic.

5. Perform A Compression Test

If your car engine has a crack, it will lack power. An unstable car engine can cause problems, especially if you’re currently driving on the road. A considerable lack of combustion pressure and fuel inefficiency will eventually get you into trouble later if the block cannot be fixed in time. It can lead to misfiring at the start, stop halfway through the drive, or not start at all. You or an engine mechanic may perform a compression test to see its condition. You may find other problems within the engine that could make things worse, such as worn-out components that need replacement.

In Conclusion

Cracked engine blocks are still reparable when taken to the shop in their earliest appearance on the surface. It will take welding and cold metal stitching to make sure that none of the aforementioned signs will occur. If your engine is in good condition, never skip checkup or maintenance to ensure that no cracking happens.

The post How to Diagnose a Cracked Engine Block appeared first on ForceGT.com.

Incurring injuries from a car crash can impact your physical well-being and overall quality of life. Hospitalization translates into lost hours of work or school. Recovery can mean reduced income or even months of unemployment. Coping from a traumatic event may take even longer, often with emotional scars that last for a lifetime. Severe injuries may even lead to partial or total disability.

Insurers often provide some relief, but in some instances, this amount is not enough to re-compensate the victim for the injuries sustained. In the event that negotiations with the offending party turn sour, there is a need to direct grievances to the court and file for a personal injury case.

Most people would think that any lawyer could represent you in court. You might know one or two lawyers and have dealt with them in the past, but your case of personal injury from a car accident is a special case. This requires the attention of a lawyer who specializes in the field of personal injury law. Your case not only requires a car accident lawyer but someone who is accustomed to representing claimants as opposed to one who deals with insurance companies.

A car accident injury lawyer can help you get fair compensation for all your inconveniences and even aid you towards full recovery to restore the quality of life. It is only a matter of looking for the right personal injury lawyer for you and your case’s unique circumstances.

How To Find A Car Accident Injury Lawyer

There are several ways on how you can find a car accident lawyer. You can find one through:

1. Personal Network

Your network of friends and acquaintances is the first resource to finding a car accident lawyer. Some of them may have a similar experience in the past and sued for damages that they can recommend a car accident lawyer. You can consider their names as you create a list of probable lawyers for your case.

While they may come as highly recommended from your peers, keep in mind that people have different responses and don’t take their word unless you get to know the lawyer yourself. Take time to sit down and chat so you can see if they’re a good match for you and your case.

2. Lawyer directories

Advertising directories are sure to give you attorneys that specialize in personal injury cases, especially in car accident injuries. You can check them online with a search engine and do further research by looking up their websites. Aside from knowing their specialty and success rates, you can also lookup client reviews to gauge their experience and reputation.

3. Local Bar Associations

Local bar associations have members with different specialties, and they provide you with several personal injury lawyers that live near you.

Choosing The Right Lawyer

Choosing the right lawyer for your claim can give your desired outcome of receiving higher compensation than the insurer’s initial offer.

You can take advantage of free consultations to discuss your case with the names you gathered from friends, online directories, and local bar referrals. It may be tedious to do so, but meeting with each lawyer and asking them about their case can help you decide which of them can best advocate your cause.

You can even use these meetings to personally ask about their credentials and pay-out rates. This way, you can gauge their abilities and check if their strategy to gain higher compensation is amenable to you.

Consultations also help you ‘feel’ what it is like to have them as a partner in your claim. You can judge by first impression and subsequent encounters if they are cordial, professional, and enthusiastic about your case or if their attitude says otherwise.

Once you have finished several interviews with your prospective lawyers, you are now prepared to hire a car accident injury lawyer who can help you in your quest for just compensation for all your injuries and inconveniences.

Conclusion

Car accidents can be traumatic experiences, especially for those who have been injured through no fault of their own. While insurance companies have an obligation to pay for damages, these negotiations often fail. Going to court with the aid of a reputable car accident injury lawyer can be your last and best recourse to claim damages that not only recognize the extent of your injuries but award you with sufficient means to guarantee recovery and continuum in life.

The post Got into a Crash? Here’s how to find a Car Accident Injury Lawyer appeared first on ForceGT.com.

If you ever get into a car accident, you know it is serious. But it is important to stay calm. Find out what measures should be taken after a car accident.

When you have a car accident, you may need to take steps to keep everyone safe, comply with the law, and start an insurance claim procedure or an injury claim

According to the guidelines of the Insurance Information Institute, the steps below can help you make critical decisions promptly.

Things You Should Do Immediately After A Car Accident

A car accident is something nobody wants to face, but in case you get into one, it is always better to be prepared. We suggest following these tips immediately after a car accident.

One important thing is to hire an accident lawyer because it eases up a lot of follow-up procedures after a car accident. If you are looking for one, you should consider Eric Ramos.

As long as drivers are reckless, careless, sloppy, drunk, and unsure of traffic regulations, a car accident will occur. In Los Angeles, the frequency of road accidents is staggering.

However, many people are not sure what to do after an accident occurs despite the high frequency.

Even if no one is injured, dealing with a car accident is frustrating and difficult.

Soon after a car crash, it can be hard to concentrate on the future steps. Still, the actions taken after a car crash can help you get the compensation you need to cover the damage, medical costs, and lost earnings.

Seek Medical Attention Immediately

Ensure everything is fine for you and your passengers, and consult the driver of the other vehicle if possible.

Even if no one is injured, call 911 immediately. Some injuries are not obvious, and some may be revealed after days or weeks.

If you need to be taken to the hospital by ambulance, try taking the time to pay attention to things around you.

Get Out of the Crash Site

Try to get out of the traffic if nobody is hurt. Many people are injured in accidents when they are hit by other vehicles who are unable to see stopped cars on the road.

Look for Evidence

Look around for vital details of the accident. First of all, pay attention to other drivers’ license plates, especially if they decide to flee the scene. Find skid markings, glass shards, vehicle parts, etc.

These can be critical pieces of evidence for the police. Consider taking the crash scene photographs if possible.

Provide Information

Provide all vehicle data, but do not engage in conversation with the other party about the collision. Get the relevant data from the person who hit you and other car owners who got caught up in the crash.

Get some Details

Ask for the name, address, contact number, agent information, policy number, and company health coverage.

Get the contact information for all passengers and witnesses. Ask for their names, addresses, and contact numbers.

Check with all bystanders because if someone saw the accident, their testimony could be valuable if the parties do not agree regarding what happened.

Contact the Police

Talk to the police. Tell them what you know about the car accident. Even if you think you are guilty, things might prove otherwise.
After investigating the case, you may find that you are not responsible for the accident at all.

Take Photographs

Take photos of the place with your camera or mobile phone. Photograph all possible things: scenes, damage to all vehicles, roads or intersections, related road signs, road conditions, people in other cars, and other things that could have led to the accident.

Note Down Everything

Note everything you recall about the car accident as soon as possible. You may believe that you will remember things, but sometimes it takes weeks or even months to resolve such situations. These details can be hard to remember.

Keep Documents

Get a copy of the documentation regarding the incident. A report of an accident shall be submitted if the police officers come to the crash site. Check for mistakes or faults.

If you contact a law firm, they will find a lawyer for you, or you can ask the sheriff or the police who have reported on the spot.

Contact an Accident Lawyer

Contact an accident attorney/personal injury lawyer in your area. A free consultation can help you determine the best measures for your situation.

Conclusion

An accident can tire even the most experienced driver, but following the steps below may save you a major headache.

This way, you can focus on working with insurance companies to get your vehicle back in running condition as soon as possible.

While we hope you do not need to use it, we recommend that you should contact the ambulance.

It would be best if you kept your lawyer’s number and put it in the glove box along with your vehicle registration and insurance details.

Check out how you can keep your family safe from accidents?

The post What to Do After a Car Accident: Checklist and Tips for Drivers appeared first on ForceGT.com.

Many components of automotive parts in the automobile industry today use alloys, including automotive body parts. The Ford F-series pickup truck, for example, was first released with an aluminum body, but it quickly became 70% lighter than its predecessor. Because of this, Ford made the decision to make all future vehicles have aluminum bodies only. Of course, other manufacturers followed suit.

What really makes alloys special that they’re widely used in the automotive industry?  That’s what you’re going to learn in this post. Discover the answers below.

1. Durable

Alloys are known to be durable and strong. Some metal alloys don’t easily deform and wear out, so they may be very long-lasting. These alloys are typically used for industrial purposes because of their high quality, long-lasting performance, and durability. Some of the components of cars, like the body panels, have aluminum and steel alloys. These make them strong enough to withstand impacts and pressures.

2. Cost-Effective Due To Being Highly Customizable

Alloy in the automotive industry includes a broad range of materials, such as titanium, aluminum, magnesium, copper, stainless steel, cobalt, nickel, and even palladium. Alloy manufacturing is used to create various body panels, windshields, bumpers, door handles, exhaust systems, and more. These are done by using steel, brass, copper, or other metals. When a material’s properties are combined, they form a composite material that can, then, be molded into a shape before being hardened into a final product.

Because of the high costs of steel, alloy has been a cost-effective alternative. It also allows for customization through alloy steel casting, making it a very versatile material. Other materials, on the other hand, can’t be customized to fit a wide variety of applications because they can only be used for industrial purposes. However, alloy can be tailored to fit almost any application in the automobile industry.

3. Energy-Efficient Due To Being Lightweight

Aluminum alloy, as an established non-ferrous metal, has been widely utilized in many industrial fields. Most car parts are made of alloy, including engine and transmission components. This is because of a need for light weight, mostly due to CAFE (corporate average fuel economy) requirements, and a need for environment-friendly vehicles, partly inspired by CAFE standards. The light weight of alloy gives automobiles better performance and energy efficiency.

4. Highly Conductive

Other alloys used for automobile production include titanium and copper. Both of these metals are extremely strong, corrosion-resistant, and are highly conductive of electricity. This gives them the ability to conduct electricity with great ease, which is why they’re mostly used in electric vehicles and hybrid cars.

5. Corrosion-Resistant

It’s generally accepted that alloy in the auto industry offers better corrosion resistance than other forms of metals used in the manufacturing process. Pore distribution in C.W.N: YAG welding of stainless steel alloys used for automotive applications was also recognized as one of the best examples of corrosion resistance in the automotive industry. However, it was soon observed that the instability of the weld keyhole in C.W.N: YAG welding was the major cause of poor dispersion during welding. To overcome this problem, welding processes that use the induction-based arc to provide heat to the weld puddle have been developed.

6. Environment-Friendly Due To Being Highly Recyclable

Alloy in the automotive industry is very useful as it’s highly recyclable. This means that you’ll have a material that’s reusable and won’t pollute the environment by releasing toxic chemicals into the air. Many of the parts and components that you find in the automotive industry are made from this kind of material. Some examples of these products include dashboard bumpers, suspension, roll cages, engine mounts, clutch plates, clutch cables, brake pads, brake discs, clutch pedals, transmission fluid, radiator hoses, fan belts, and hoods.

In addition to recycling, polymer also benefits the environment because it doesn’t contain any harmful toxins that are created by fossil fuels, or by the vehicles they create. For these reasons, many people choose to purchase automotive products that are made from this type of material.

Conclusion

Alloys are made up of different types of metal, and they all have a number of unique properties that make them superior to other metals. They’re normally harder than steel, but they’re also stronger than aluminum and much more durable than either zinc or copper. Their malleability and toughness make them perfect for bending and molding parts with precision, and their flexibility makes it easy to cast and shape them to almost any form.

Alloys aren’t only used in the automotive industry, but they’re also being utilized in medical and aerospace industries where they’re used to create different components that aren’t possible with other materials.

To sum it all up, alloys are used extensively in the automotive industry because of their superior strength, cost-effectiveness, energy efficiency, high conductivity, corrosion resistance, and environment-friendliness. It’s essential to note, however, that although alloys can be used in almost all parts of the automobile, there are certain areas of the vehicle they’re not suitable for, such as engine mounts and radiators.

The post Why are Alloys used in the Automotive Industry appeared first on ForceGT.com.

Not everyone can own a luxury car in their lifetime and if you have one, chances are high that you want to keep it in tip-top shape. Taking care of your luxury car means having it checked each year by experts. If you have a Ferrari, Cavallino Motorsport is a specialist that can help you keep your car running smoothly.

A luxury car comes with several additional luxury items and equipment making it more complicated than other cars. These additional parts mean greater chances of trouble if it’s not maintained properly. Thus, regular maintenance should be scheduled for your luxury car.

Here are the reasons why you need regular maintenance instead of just bringing it in when trouble arises:

1. Maintain The Car’s Reliability

The primary reason to take good care of your car is to ensure that you can depend on it anytime. Ensure that all fluid levels are checked and corrected depending on the manufacturer’s directions service intervals particular for the vehicle model and year you have. Check out the owner’s manual for the service schedules needed for your vehicle to keep it running smooth and safe.

It’s best to have your luxury vehicle checked by expert technicians at least once a year. This way, professionals can identify and repair any minor problems before they become major problems.

2. Ensure Smooth Driving And Parking

People choose to ignore the recommended maintenance schedules of their vehicles only to end up paying more for repairs one day. There are four crucial maintenance items, including the brakes, belts, oil, and tires. Even if these are expensive replacements, having them replaced on time can help you prevent blowouts, engine seizures, and crashes.

The best thing to do is to observe your vehicle and decide when it needs attention. For example, when the tread on the tires are already worn off, or the belts squeak, it’s best to act on it immediately before accidents happen.

3. Maintain Its Value

If you’re thinking about selling your Ferrari in the future, having your luxury car maintained by professionals will help ensure that the vehicle keeps its resale value. On the other hand, if you take maintenance for granted, you might end up selling your car at a much lower price than when you got it.

4. Encourage Fuel Economy

Regular upkeep of your luxury vehicle will ensure that you maximise its fuel economy, which means greater savings in the long run. For example, if you make sure that the tire pressure is at the right levels, it can help prevent the vehicle from using excess fuel and energy. In the same way, when the air filter is clogged or when the fuel lines are leaking, your vehicle may use up to 20% more fuel than normal. Although luxury vehicles are made to be efficient and powerful, regular maintenance will ensure that it stays this way.

5. Maintain The Interior Beauty

Regular maintenance of your luxury vehicle isn’t only applicable to its engine and other moving parts. The interior of your vehicle also needs constant upkeep. Steam cleaning at least once each year can make a great difference in keeping your car clean and pretty.

Luxury Vehicle Maintenance Tips

Here are some tips to keep your luxury vehicle well-maintained.

• Follow The Recommended Maintenance Schedule

The manufacturer knows what’s best for keeping your luxury vehicle in tip-top condition. Thus, it’s best to follow the recommendations as stated in the owner’s manual, which is prepared based on the designer and engineers’ knowledge.

The owner’s manual and guide come with detailed explanations on the maintenance schedule of the vehicle. Following these guidelines will ensure that your luxury vehicle performs best. On the other hand, ignoring them can result to costly repairs that could’ve been avoided.

If you bought your luxury vehicle brand new, it should be covered with warranty for a certain mileage limit or a few years. Together with the warranty, you may also enjoy free services from the dealership where you got your vehicle from. Take advantage of the free services to take extra care of your expensive luxury car.

• Check Its Lubrication

Cars are made of various metal moving parts, which need appropriate lubrication to ensure that it works properly. Thus, it’s important to add oil in various parts of the car to keep these moving parts working smoothly. The engine is the heart of your car, which regularly needs fresh oil to perform well. Ensure that you use the recommended engine oil for your car.

• Exercise Gentle Care With Your Car

Luxury cars are designed with great precision and intricate details. Everything inside and outside it should be handled with gentleness. One way to do this is to avoid parking your luxury car at bad parking areas. If you park your car at an awkward angle, this increases the likelihood of it being scratched and chipped by other drivers or passersby.

One thing about luxury cars is that they weigh more than regular cars primarily because of the various luxury equipment inside it. Although you can be sure that the engineers who designed your car has put all the work in keeping everything inside the car intact and everything is durable, you still must take great care in driving. Aside from keeping yourself safe, you’ll also keep your car in perfect condition by avoiding harsh braking, power sliding, or drifting.

Luxury cars are made to be driven with gentleness because it’s not built like a sports car. Aggressive driving habits can be destructive to you and the expensive equipment you have inside your luxury car. Emergency repairs are sure to cost a lot, especially for luxury vehicles. 

Final Thoughts

Owning a luxury car comes with the responsibility of knowing how to take good care of it. The way you treat your luxury car will greatly affect its performance. If you take great care of it, you can be sure to keep it running smoothly and safely. On the other hand, if you take maintenance of your luxury car for granted, you can’t expect to keep your luxury car in top notch condition for long. Regular maintenance of your car with a professional should be a priority if you’d like to keep your luxury car for a long time.

The post Luxury Car Maintenance: Why Your Vehicle Needs To Be Checked Every Year appeared first on ForceGT.com.

Ask someone what ‘social distancing’ means just a few months ago and they might think you’re taking a break from social media.

Fast-forward to today and it’s the most important step in preventing the spread of the coronavirus here in Australia and around the world.

It simply means keeping a safe distance away from other people by staying at least 1.5 meters away.

Besides following government guidelines to self isolate if you’ve been overseas, interstate or come into contact with an infected person, a car is a good way to maintain social distance compared to public transport.

As such, drivers are also urged to upgrade vehicle hygiene practices to help minimise the risk of spreading COVID-19. Viruses can live for up to nine days on hard surfaces inside the car if the conditions are right.

The good news is you don’t even have to use harsh chemicals or disinfectants to wipe down your vehicle, as normal hand or dishwashing soap with water will do just as good a job.

Sanitising your vehicle

Below are some measures you can take to reduce the spread of the disease:

• Start with ‘high-contact’ surfaces in cars every time they are used. These include the interior and exterior door handles, steering wheel, gear shifters, light and wiper stalks and seat-belt buckles.
• Use disinfectant wipes on infotainment touchscreen, buttons and switches to avoid any water getting into the electronics. Check your car’s owner’s manual for materials to avoid when cleaning the screen.
• Clean the dashboard, backs of seats, windows and door cards, particularly those that would be in the line of fire for anyone coughing or sneezing.
• Don’t forget vehicle key fobs, seats, interior grab handles, armrests, cup holders and air conditioning vents that should also be wiped down.
• Child restraints should also be cleaned thoroughly.
• Wear gloves when cleaning and/or wash your hands thoroughly before and after.
• Limit vehicle passengers as much as possible to maximise social distance. If you are sharing a vehicle, avoid physical contact with other occupants such as shaking hands.
• Take particular care when refueling vehicle and ensure hands are washed or sanitised after handling fuel pumps and touching cash or EFT terminals and any other public surfaces during the transaction.

FCAI Chief Executive Tony Weber said taking these simple measures may help stem the rising tide of infections without impacting mobility.

“As social distancing measures limit transportation options, Australians are looking to their cars as a more isolated means to conduct essential travel, and in some cases are even receiving vital infection screening from their vehicle.

“Maintaining hygiene can assist in preventing transmission. It is just as important as cleaning any other surface. Cars should be sanitised every time they are entered or exited.

“With common sense and consistency, we can help to limit the spread of coronavirus and mitigate the impact of disrupting essential mobility,” Mr Weber said.

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Car detailing pertains to the thorough cleansing and restoration of your automobile. More than a car wash, the service also encompasses reconditioning your vehicle’s interior, as well as doing
cosmetic touch-ups on the exterior.

While a car wash takes up only a few minutes from washing to drying, some car detailing services can take as much as five days. This is because of the meticulousness that comes with this task. Professional detailers have to remove as much dirt as possible from the inside and outside of the vehicle.

If you’re still apprehensive about whether you should send your automobile in for the service, here are some signs that your car needs car detailing:

1. Your Windshield is Hazy

When you find that your windshield isn’t getting clearer any more, even when you use your wipers or clean it by hand, you ought to send it to a car detailing service provider. These experts are equipped with the appropriate tools and knowledge on specialized techniques to restore your windshield to its pristine condition.

A hazy windshield can lead to damaging consequences for you and your car, especially when you’re driving at night, in the rain, or during the snowy season. You never know when accidents
might happen, so it’s wise to avoid these repercussions just because you neglected to send your vehicle in for car detailing.

2. Your Headlights are Murky

Headlights are another essential aspect of driving visibility. You want them to light up what’s ahead of you to ensure that you don’t hit anything or anyone while you’re on the road at night.

Headlights can become murky for several reasons, such as:

• Oxidation –Your lights have a topmost layer, which serves as their protection. However, this coating wears out over time and exposes the lens to UV rays and other elements, which leads them to turn into a slightly yellow color.
• Dirt Buildup – Hazy headlights can also be caused by dirt buildup. The accumulation of tiny mud splats and road dirt can harden onto your lights. With this, the light can have a difficult time penetrating through this layer.
• Chemical Interaction – Acid rain can destroy the coating of your headlights. Sulfuric and nitric compounds can damage your entire car, not just your lights.
• Road Damage – The position of your headlights can subject them to impact from road debris and small rocks that fly as you drive down the road. Pieces of gravel can nick the plastic of the headlights and cause dents to its surface.
• Moisture – As the topmost coating deteriorates, moisture can seep into your headlights and form water vapor on the lens. This issue requires specialized techniques, not just wiping of the lights.

3. Your Interior Smells Bad

While car detailing ensures that you have a sparkling exterior, you can also trust professionals to clean the inside of your vehicle thoroughly. If your automobile’s interior reeks of a stench that
can no longer be covered up by fresheners, you should enlist the help of expert car detailers as soon as possible.

Making sure your car smells nice isn’t just to establish your bragging rights or street cred. Exposure to unusual odors can be detrimental to your health, especially if you drive your vehicle
daily or for long stretches.

Moreover, strange scents can be indicators of gas or water leaks. You must ensure that you’re alerted about these potential issues by taking your vehicle for car interior detailing.

4. You Notice Paint Scratches

Paint scratches are an eyesore. You get them from minor mishaps like bumping into a pole when backing up or parking. However, these seemingly insignificant issues can lead to rust, which can
create significant damage to your car.

Sending your vehicle to a car detailing Central Coast company can prevent this issue from happening. These teams of professionals can conduct light cosmetic touch-ups with ease to eliminate the likelihood of these scratches—which could cause further damage to your automobile—while ensuring that the exterior looks spick-and-span.

5. Your Tint Films Have Come Undone

Tint films protect your eyes from the glare of the sun when driving during the day. However, these can come undone naturally over time or because of external factors like children playing with the windows. Car detailing can help restore these accessories for a more seamless driving experience.

Conclusion

Car detailing isn’t another service that’s purely for aesthetics. While it entails meticulous cleaning of your vehicle, it’s also a restorative process. Some signs that you need to have your automobile undergo this service include hazy windshields and headlights, smelly interiors, paint scratches on the exterior, and damaged tint films.

The post Signs Your Car Needs Car Detailing appeared first on ForceGT.com.

Preliminaries

Before you even begin thinking about buying a used car, you’ll need to make sure you have your paperwork in order and that you have an up to date driving license. Also, it’s important to know how much money you have to work with. Setting yourself a budget is vital, as otherwise you may end up taking on more car than you can actually afford. Once you’ve worked all this out, you are ready to start looking at cars!

Do Your Research

You are going to want to do plenty of research before you take the plunge and buy a car. This means looking around to get a feel for the market, and understand that sorts of prices that the kind of cars you are looking at typically go for. This is important for a number of reasons: First, you will know when you are getting a good price, or whether you are being ripped off. Second, you will also know when a price is too good to be true – if a price is much lower than you have seen elsewhere, then you know to proceed with caution, there may well be something that the seller is not telling you.

A great way to do this research without leaving the comfort of your couch is through online car marketplaces, where you can see thousands of car listings across the country. Because sellers on these sites are competing with a huge number of other sellers, prices will be fairly representative of the actual value of a car, there is very little room for inflation.

Take a Test Drive

Once you’ve done your research, and you have found a used car that you like the look of, it is time to visit the seller and see the car for yourself. It is absolutely vital that you do this – do not buy a car without seeing it! In fact, ideally you want to take the car for a test drive, to get a feel for it.

When you go to see a used car, there are a host of things you will want to check. I have provided a list of what I think are the most important things to check off one by one when you go to see a car:

Age and Mileage

You will probably have known this before you went to see the car, but make sure you check when you see the car that the seller had accurately recorded the mileage.

This is also a good time to ask yourself whether or not the car is looking in good condition for its age. Just because a car is newer does not mean it is better – an older car that has been well looked after can often be a safer bet than a newer one that has been mistreated.

Brakes

Does the car make any noises while braking? In particular, a grinding noise while braking suggests that brake pads are worn through and need replacing. Depending on the model of car, this can be quite expensive.

Also, when braking you should briefly take your hands off the steering to see if the car pulls one way or the other. If it does track to one side while braking, this can suggest a few different problems with either the brakes or the suspension. Again, these would be expensive to fix.

Tyres

Check the condition of the tyres. You want to check that the tread is not overly worn and also that there are no major marks or damage to the tyre that could lead to a puncture. You can always use any tire damage to negotiate down the price, allowing you to pay for new ones with the money saved.

Check that the tread depth is legal. For example, in Australia it needs to be at least 1.5mm.

Engine

If you are not a mechanic, you may feel that checking the engine is beyond you. However, there are a few simple things to check for, like signs of corrosion around the battery, or leaking fluids.

Also, while driving, you can listen to the sound of the engine. If you hear any knocking or grinding noises, that is normally a bad sign and you should steer clear.

Exterior

You want to check to see if there are any marks that look like they came from collisions. Even if a car has been repaired following an accident, more problems may rear their heads in the future.

Look out for rust as well. When it comes to rust, you have to make a judgement call. A little rust can be fixed, especially if it is only cosmetic damage. However, if it looks like the rust is more serious, you might want to stay away.

Interior

Check that everything on the dashboard works. Often the first thing to break in cars is the inboard electronics, so do check everything. Obviously, if some of the electronics don’t work this is not a dealbreaker, however you do not want faulty instruments.

Finally, have a good sniff of the inside of the car! This might sound silly, but older cars can get damp if they are not well cared for. Mould and mildew can form inside, and this will smell really unpleasant. As well as making it horrible inside the car, this mould and damp can spread to cause more damage in the long term, so it is important that you sniff it out!

Conclusion

Make a list of each of the things to check when you see the car, and then tick them off as you go. This way you can be sure not to forget anything. It also gives you solid ground for comparing different cars you see.

Following the steps laid out in this article will help you feel confident that the car you end up choosing will be in good working order. However, ultimately the decision about which used car is for you will come as much from the heart as from the head – if you see something you love, well then maybe it’s worth paying extra to get it fixed up!

About the author:

Anna Nilsen is a contributing editor for ForceGT.com and also a Junior Editor and Motoring Journalist at AutoVolo.co.uk.

The post Car Guide: The Complete Used Car Buying Checklist appeared first on ForceGT.com.

A new breakthrough in the way hydrogen is transported around the world could accelerate the commercialisation of fuel cell vehicles.

One of the biggest challenges facing fuel cell vehicle manufacturers and filling station operators is the transportation and storage of hydrogen – the gas that powers a fuel cell vehicle. The process is currently complex and expensive, due to the volatile nature of hydrogen.

But researches from Australia’s Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO) have pioneered a new technology that allows bulk hydrogen to be transported in the form of ammonia, using existing infrastructure and transportation methods, and then reconverted back to hydrogen at the point of use.

After ten years of research, the team have discovered a way to convert hydrogen to ammonia, and then reconvert it back to hydrogen using a special membrane. The membrane separates ultra-high purity hydrogen from ammonia, while blocking all other gases.

This means the shipment of hydrogen to filling stations can be simplified, paving way for hydrogen distribution and delivery in the form of a modular unit that can be used at, or near, a refuelling station.

It has the potential to fill the gap in the technology chain to supply fuel cell vehicles around the world with low-emissions hydrogen sourced from Australia.

CSIRO Chief Executive Larry Marshall was one of the first to ride in the Toyota Mirai and Hyundai Nexo fuel cell vehicles powered by ultra-high purity hydrogen, produced in Queensland, Australia using CSIRO’s membrane technology.

“This is a watershed moment for energy, and we look forward to applying CSIRO innovation to enable this exciting renewably-sourced fuel and energy storage medium a smoother path to market,” Dr Marshall said.

“I’m delighted to see strong collaboration and the application of CSIRO know-how to what is a key part of the overall energy mix.”

Program leader David Harris said Australia has a huge source of renewable energy — sunlight and wind — that can be utilised to produce hydrogen.

“The key here is we can transport the hydrogen from the place where it is produced from renewable energy — let’s say maybe that is in outback Western Australia — and we can ship that form of ammonia anywhere in the world,” Dr Harris said.

Hydrogen-powered fuel cell vehicles such as the Toyota Mirai and Hyundai Nexo emit zero carbon emissions and have a driving range of around 800km from a full tank of hydrogen. Unlike battery-powered electric cars, which have long charging times, refuelling an empty tank in a fuel cell vehicle takes only a few minutes, much like conventional petrol or diesel cars.

CSIRO principal research scientist Michael Dolan said the cost for hydrogen would be around $15 a kilogram, with an average car holding five kilos of pure hydrogen in a tank.

“But the efficiency of the car is twice as good as current gasoline cars, so you can actually drive twice as far on a tank,” he said.

The CSIRO team has already received expressions of interest from Japan, South Korea and Europe, regions where hydrogen cars are rapidly gaining popularity in the backdrop of a fast expanding network of hydrogen filling stations. Industry players are looking at taking up supplies initially to fuel commercial vehicles like buses, taxis, trucks and trains.

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