Understanding the Secrets of Window Cleaning

Let’s face it. When it comes to window cleaning of our vehicles, many of us fail miserably. We try with so many different washer fluids as well as paper towels and store cleaners, yet we never do obtain the invisible glass that we covet so deeply. We must be going wrong somewhere, but where exactly?

Paper towels work well to a certain extent, but use the wrong one, and you could end up with tiny debris or ‘hairs’ on your windows. Not something to look forward to.

Providing the solution to this problem is a very simple answer which has been used by the older generation for years now, newspapers! There is something unique about newspapers that make them extremely efficient to use to clean car windows. In addition, they are practically free as we are utilizing old newspapers that you would want to throw away anyway.

How to we clean car windows with newspapers? Here is a step by step guide of accomplishing just that:

1) Make sure that you have a good cleaning solution with you, the average window cleaning solutions that are available in the market today would work just fine. If you are not happy with them, you could create your own by adding 1 part of alcohol and 10-12 parts of water together with a little bit of ammonia to the solution, this would work exceptionally well as a window-cleansing solution.

2) Next coat the entire surface of the window with the solution, and wipe the window clean to remove dust and pollen using a paper towel.

3) Next come the newspapers. Add water to the newspapers to make them soft, and shape them into a ball. In a circular motion, start from the edges of the windows and work on cleaning your windows until you see them really clean. If the newspaper ball gets too damp and starts to break, make a new ball and continue along the same line.

4) Finally, do not forget to perform the same for the other side of the window to obtain the best possible results. Repeat for all your windows, and you would find them all gleaming in no time.

A word of caution, while newspapers work well on glass, they do not work on plastic window tints, so if you have tints installed, avoid using newspaper on them as they might cause scratches on these window tints. In this case, use soft polishing towels that might prove to be a bit more costly, but they do the job well enough. Keep these tips in mind the next time you tackle your windows, and good luck in making them look as good as new!

Windscreen Maintenance

The windscreen of a car is an extremely important portion of the vehicle. Considering that your visibility is largely dependent on how good your windscreen and its condition is, it is imperative that you keep you windscreen clean and in the best of conditions. Visibility is usually affected by either condensation on the windscreen, or sometimes extremely heavy rain that leaves water stagnant on the screen.

For stagnant water issues, you could use a water repellent on your windscreen. There are many types of brands when it comes to water repellents such as Rainax in the market today, and most of them do the job effectively. These repellent serve to capture water droplets and move them away from the driver’s visibility range, thus making visibility a lot better even without the use of wipers.

The repellent is also easy to apply as they usually come in liquid form, simple apply them with the use of a damp cloth. Pour the solution on the outside of the windscreen, and use to cloth to apply it uniformly across the entire surface. For best effects, go in circular motions and apply come force when you apply the solution onto the windscreen. Lastly, wipe off the subsequent white layer that forms for best effects.

Condensation is the major culprit that fogs up the car’s windscreen, and makes driving unsafe during rain and cold conditions. Contrary to what many think, the solution to this problem is actually simple and easy to accomplish, one only needs a sponge and some dish washing liquid soap.

 

Soak a few drops of the liquid soap onto the sponge, and sweep the sponge across the entire surface of the windscreen. Take note that this has to be done on the inside, not the outside of the windscreen. Thus wipe the sponge across the windscreen from inside the car in a vertical motion, try to make these movements as vertical as possible. Avoid going in circles as it would not be too effective. If you see bubbles or soap on the windscreen, use a dry cloth to with the windscreen clean. Establishing this action would help avoid condensation issues and assist extensively to better a driver’s visibility during difficult conditions.

Remember, maintaining your windscreen well would definitely help in ensuring that your driving experiences are much safer ones. Safety first!

Window Tints - How Important Are They?

In tropical countries such as Malaysia, window tints have become more of a requirement rather than a luxury. Almost of all the cars in our country are fitted with window tints, and with good reason too! With the increasing temperatures due to the effects of global warming, the importance of window tinting rises as well! And the fact that these window tints also offer added aesthetic value to your vehicle is an additional reason of why you should install them in your vehicle! Let us now browse through the importance and advantages that are offered by window tinting:

1)    First and foremost, window tints protect the driver and passengers of the vehicle from the harmful UV rays of the sun, as well as help to keep the temperature within the cabin of your vehicle low. When you receive too much of sunlight on your skin without any filters, you risk being exposed to possible health problems such as skin cancer, that results from excessive exposure to harmful UV rays from the sun. Window tints help deflect these harmful rays successfully, thus you are protected from the UV rays while you are driving under the sun. The window tints also help to avoid your cabin overheating, thus you could safely leave your car exposed for hours in the sun, and it would not feel like an oven when you get into it. Expect a lower internal temperature within the vehicle when you have the tints installed.

2)    Window tinting makes your car look substantially better. With numerous colors and shades to choose from (in accordance to the color of your car), increase the aesthetic value of your car by applying window tints on the window that would not only protect you and your car, they would also make your car stand out in a crowd! It could also prove to be a crucial criterion to mention when you are planning to sell your car in the future, and could result in your fetching a higher price for your car.

3)    It helps in theft protection, as car thieves would not be able to see inside your vehicle easier, and would not be able to penetrate the windows easily as they are protected with an extra layer.

4)    Window tinting also assist in protecting the polymer components within your vehicle better, as they get more protection from the damaging sunlight once you have your tints on. This would mean your car’s interior components would end up lasting longer, and results in less expenditure in replacing or repairing these components.

Having understood the importance of window tinting, if you have not yet installed tints on your vehicles, I guess it is time you do so?

 

Gleaming Your Wheels Effectively

If you are looking to having a sleek looking car, in addition to making sure that the paint work gleams, you would also have to ensure that your wheels shine at the same time! Most people fail to keep their wheels gleaming as they do not know the exact ways or methods to keep their wheels sparkling clean. Perhaps this articles might help guide you in the right direction in this aspect!

Firstly, ensure that your rims are clean before you plan on making them gleam. How do you make your wheels clean you may ask. Well, work on one rim at a time, and spray the dry rim with a rim cleaner, one that is available in most auto stores or even departmental stores. Let the chemical soak for a bit before you rinse it off with a pressure spray. If you don’t own a pressure spray, a normal water hose would have to do. Remember to direct the spray downwards so that the abrasive wheel grime does not damage your vehicle’s paintwork. Thus try to use a medium-pressure spray, a high-pressure spray would be difficult to control.

The chemical within the wheel cleaner would be able to successfully clean any brake dust on your wheels, thus it would help your wheel cleaning and gleaming process extensively. Next use a solution of soap and water together with a sponge and clean away all remaining dirt and grime from your rims. Remember always to rinse the sponge clean before you dip it into the bucket again, as this would significantly reduce the amount of grime that would pollute your soap and water solution.

Some of the tight areas within your wheels would not be accessible with your sponge, thus what you could do is to use a soft- or medium-bristle toothbrush to access and clean these areas. Avoid using hard-bristle toothbrushes as they can scratch your wheels. The toothbrush would be exceptionally useful if your wheels are designed complicatedly.

Next you would need to rinse off the soapy solution off your rims, again with the use of a medium-pressure spray, or you could also use a normal hose. Finally dry your rims with a dry cloth or towel. The use of a dry cloth would help remove any water spots or remaining bits of dirt and grime off your wheels, making them gleam and shine just like how you have always wanted them to be! Follow the above-mentioned pointers, and be the proud owner of a vehicle that has extremely shiny and gorgeous rims that would be the envy of all!

Careful Selection and Maintenance of Vehicle Rims

When a car owner wants to modify his or her vehicle, one of the first things that would be considered would be an upgrade of the car rims. The fact that a change of car rims reflects positively on the aesthetics portion of the car is reason enough for most car owners to swap to bigger and lighter rims. But one has to be careful before swapping the original rims with new ones, as there are several factors that have to be considered before the modification is done.

The selection process has to start by first determining if the size of the new rims fit your car’s specifications. Most cars come with standard 15-inch rims, and car owners usually try to swap these rims for 16-inch, 17-inch and even bigger rims. Swapping to one size bigger usually does not pose much of a problem, but if you are jumping two sizes, check with your vehicle’s specifications to ensure that rims of that size are allowed. As long as the overall diameter of your new wheels is similar to your current measurements, or less than 3% bigger, you would not face any complications with the rims. Usually car owners purchase lower profile tires to match their bigger wheels when the swap to larger rims, to compensate for the larger wheels. As long as you have sufficient wheel arch clearance with the new rims, you are doing good.

Selecting lighter rims would also be a commendable move, as it would proceed to reduce the overall weight of your vehicle, and in return you get better fuel efficiency figures from your car. Top speed and acceleration figures would also improve when you have lighter wheels, nevertheless make sure that your wheels are not too light, or they might affect your stability factor.

In terms of maintenance of vehicle rims, you could either accomplish the maintenance works yourself or send it to auto spa to help you with the maintenance. If you want to accomplish the task yourself, get a rim cleaning solution (usually a spray), and spray the rims with this solution before letting the chemical soak for a few minutes. Next you would need to rinse the chemical off with a medium-pressure water spray. The chemical would be able to clear off any brake dust from your wheels, and next you would need a water and soap solution (with a sponge) to help clean away all remaining dirt off your rims. Finally rinse your rims again, and use a dry cloth to wipe your rims dry. This task is pretty simple, and as long as you have the right solutions in place, you should be able to complete it in a few minutes.

Keep your car looking good at all times with proper selection and maintenance of vehicle rims! 

The Importance of Proper Tire Pressure

Almost every day we hear of accidents happening on the federal roads as well as highways. Most of the time, these accidents are caused by negligent drivers that do not take care of their vehicles. One of the most commonly ignored maintenance portion of a vehicle is the tire maintenance.

A lot of drivers out there are not actually aware of how important is it to maintain proper tire pressures in their vehicles. Nor are they aware of the dangers they face when their tires are under-inflated or over-inflated. Maintaining a good tire pressure would do a world of good for your vehicle, and would assist greatly in enhancing safety features for not only you but also your family.

When it comes to tire conditions, there are three different situations that one could face. The first is tires with the correct pressure, the second is under-inflated tires and the third would be over-inflated tires.

Under-inflated tired come into more contact with the road, thus they need more traction to move. In return, the load on the vehicle increases, and you realize that your tires wear our much faster than usual and your fuel consumption increases.

When your tires have more contact with the surface, heat tends to build up faster especially when you travel long distances. This could damage the tires internally, and damage the material properties of the tires themselves.

Unwanted mishaps such as sudden tire blowouts could materialize due to this excess heat as well. And the consequences could be catastrophic if you are travelling at high velocity and the tire explodes. With under-inflated tires, wearing happens more on the sides of the tires, and uneven wear properties expedites the need to replace these tires, which would definitely burn a hole in your wallet.
On the other hand, having over-inflated tires proves almost as bad as having under-inflated ones. With over-inflated tires, you have less contact area with the surface, thus stability of the vehicle is compromised.

Expect less grip on the road, especially during rainy days and during sharp cornering. The tires also do not wear out evenly, as over-inflated tires tend to wear the centre segment of the tires faster and reduce their lifespan. Over-inflated tires are also stiffer, thus you would experience bumpier rides as well with them.

To conclude, it is always advisable to keep a portable air compressor as well as a reliable tire pressure gauge within your vehicle at all times. This could help you ensure that you maintain the correct tire pressure whenever you are driving. Check your tire pressures at least once every two weeks, the more frequent the better.

Tips to Improve Fuel Efficiency

In view of current uncertainties over global oil prices, fluctuations of fuel prices at fuel pumps are regular occurrences. Drivers are now more aware of the importance of driving more fuel-efficient vehicles, and are constantly on the lookout for ways to reduce the fuel consumption of their vehicles. So how can you actually lower the fuel efficiency of your vehicles and lower your daily vehicle running costs? Rather than placing trust in fuel-saving scams that are aplenty in the market today, there are more functional methods to improve on fuel consumption.

Maintenance is definitely the key to ensure your cars perform well in terms of fuel efficiency. Keeping your car well-maintained through a well-planned service schedule and implementation guarantees lower fuel-consumption as your vehicle performs more efficiently. Make sure you regularly change you oil filters, air filters as well as spark plugs during routine vehicle services. Using fully synthetic engine oil also assists in lowering the fuel consumption of your vehicle.

Ensure that your tires are well-inflated in accordance with the specifications that are given. Under-inflated tires reportedly increase fuel consumption to up to 20 percent, and also make your drive dangerous.

Over-inflated tires are no better, thus ensure that your tires are optimally inflated. Also try to avoid carrying large amount of things or loads in your car, as this tends to increase the drag on your vehicle and thus increases fuel consumption. Remember that the more the load that you carry, the higher the resistance your vehicle faces, and the higher the fuel consumption would be.

In terms of driving style, avoid hard braking while driving. Plan your braking in advance, as this would help lower fuel consumption. Maintaining your car’s velocity at a constant would help to conserve more fuel. If you are driving a manual, try to drive at the highest gear possible as driving at a lower RPM would assist greatly to decrease fuel consumption. The use of cruise control would also be of great help to better your vehicle’s fuel consumption.

If you have the luxury to choose travelling times, ensure that you travel times where traffic is not heavy, as getting caught in traffic only serves to increase fuel consumption further. And if possible, avoid using the air conditioner and wind down the windows while driving. The use of air conditioners actually increases the load on your engine and increases your fuel consumption up to 15 percent.

Take note of the above tips if you are serious of reducing your vehicle’s fuel consumption. Trust me, they work.

Introducing the Shell V Power 97 Fuel

The latest in high-performance fuels in the market today is the Shell V Power 97 Fuel, an innovative formula that is all-set to assist you in getting the most out of your car, regardless of how you drive. The Shell V Power 97 Fuel is created to provide your vehicle with the required power in a faster and more effective method, and also promises to provide you with a more sustained and consistent performance.

Let us now look at what makes the Shell V Power 97 Fuel so attractive. For one, the 97 Octane formulations within the Shell V Power 97 Fuel is designed to complement the acceleration potential of all cars out there, thus regardless of what car you drive, you would be able to reap benefits by opting for this fuel. Similar to the Shell V Power Racing, the Shell V Power 97 Fuel has been formulated with the revolutionary Friction Modification Technology, a technology that produces more effective and functional combustion, resulting in higher power within your engine, regardless of what car you drive.

This same Friction Modification Technology is used by Ferrari Formula One car through the Shell V-Power race fuel, and it works by reducing friction between moving parts within the engine of the vehicle. This is accomplished by introducing a surface coating component that works brilliantly to protect critical engine parts within the engine block, especially within the combustion chamber. By achieving this, the transfer of energy from the fuel and the combustion process to the wheels becomes more efficient, and less energy loss is experienced. And the use of this Friction Modification Technology would successfully prevent the accumulation of power-stealing deposits on your engine’s systems such as its valves and injection systems for instance.

The utilization of this technology would also assist in eliminating existing deposits which would assist greatly in increasing the ability of your engine. In short, if you have a new car, it would perform much better than before, or if you have a fairly old car, you could successfully rejuvenate its performance! And in all, you are able to produce and transfer energy at a more optimum level, and this significantly improves performance figures of your vehicle. And when you consider that you are getting the benefits of a performance fuel at the price of a regular RON97 fuel, what more attraction do you need?

The Shell V Power 97 Fuel would undoubtedly make a difference to your car, right from the first time you pump this fuel for your car!

Efficient Gasoline Consumption

One who owns a car knows the importance of driving a car that is fuel efficient. With the recent fluctuations of the global oil prices, the urge to own or purchase vehicles that are not fuel-guzzling becomes higher by the day. Even if you own vehicles currently, there are methods to ensure that your cars perform efficiently in terms of fuel consumption. Let us look at a few ways of reducing fuel consumption when you drive your cars.

If you have not yet purchased a car and are planning to, make sure that you choose one that sips less fuel and is more efficient performer. Selecting cars with small engine capacities would help achieve this, and if you comfortable with driving a manual, select a car with manual transmission as this also helps to reduce fuel consumption when compared with automatic-transmission vehicles.

Drive more sensibly and defensively to enhance fuel efficiency properties. Avoid aggressive driving, sudden accelerations as well as sudden braking as this would increase fuel consumption. Speeding also increases fuel consumption, thus keep to lower speeds or the speed limit to save more on fuel. Drive with a lower load in your car, thus ensure that there are no unnecessary things in your car as it would only serve to increase your the load on your engine. The use of cruise control and overdrive gears can also help to ensure efficient gasoline consumption for your vehicle.

Keeping your car in good shape also helps conserve fuel and lower its consumption. Make sure that the engine’s wear and tear is minimized through regular visits to the service station when required. Use recommended grades of motor oil for your cars and not lower grade versions as this could prove to increase fuel consumption. Regularly change your oil and air filters, and keep your car engine in tip top condition. Also make sure that your tires are inflated properly, and under-inflated tires tend to increase the load on your engine, and subsequently increase fuel consumption. Your tires should also be well aligned and balanced to ensure that the load on your car is balanced and fuel consumption is lowered.

Other tips include avoiding heavy traffic hours as well as not letting your car from idling for too long. It would also help if you plan trips in advance, perhaps by combining them to decrease the number of times you need to drive out. Follow the tips above to ensure a more fuel efficient drive every time you get into the car.

What is the difference between RON95 and RON97?

There have been plenty of debates over the two types of fuel that we currently get at our petrol stations, RON95 and RON97. Many have claimed that pumping RON97 would make your engine perform better, while opting for RON95 would not be good for your engine as it is cheaper and less powerful than RON97.Some have also claimed that RON97 has the ability to clean your engine better as this choice of fuel has better cleansing properties. Before we debate on this, let us first look at what RON stands for, and how different is RON95 compared to RON97.Understanding the basics always help, and trust me when I say that you would have a completely different idea of RON95 and RON97 once you have completely read this article!

RON, or in actual Research Octane Number, refers to the ability or the rating of the fuel to withstand auto ignition (also known as knocking) inside auto-combustion engines. The higher your RON figure is, the more difficult it is to ignite within your engine. Thus RON97 is more difficult to ignite compared to RON95, and RON95 is harder to ignite when we compare it to RON92. Usually high-performance vehicles are designed to run on higher octane numbers, especially sport and racing cars.

This is to ensure that premature ignition of oil within the engine does not happen, and the vehicle waits for the spark plug to ignite the fuel as per normally required. This situation could occur if your engine overheats or ignition timing is not proper. Early-ignition, which is called knocking, is unfavorable as it reduces the performance levels of the engine on the whole. High-performance vehicles operate at relatively higher temperatures, and are more prone to situations such as auto-ignition and premature ignition, thus the manual of these cars would recommend a minimum of RON97 for those engines.

In reality, the higher the RON number, the fuel would tend to burn less easily! And it would prove to be more expensive as well, thus always check your car’s manual and check what the requirements are. Most cars only require RON95, thus it is advisable that you pump RON95 instead of opting for RON97 and hoping that your car performs better (it does not work that way). RON97 is certainly not more powerful than RON95, nor would it be able to provide you with more power for your vehicle! If your car requires RON95 and you pump RON97, then you are practically throwing money away as you are not gaining anything from your actions!

Facts to Consider when Purchasing a Used Car

When you want to purchase a car, you would usually have two options, the first is choosing to buy a new car, while some others opt to purchase used cars or second-hand cars. Those who opt for used cars are usually driven by the cost factor, as used cars are usually significantly cheaper than new cars. Nevertheless, one must be careful while purchasing used cars, as you would not know the actual condition of the car until you buy it and use it for several weeks or months.

Let us now look at facts and criteria that one must consider before purchasing a used car. You could either buy it straight from the owner, or from used car dealerships. Buying from owners would allow you to get a lower price, as used car dealerships tend to charge higher prices due to company policies and processing fees. In this multimedia age, one can scout for the required car online, and find the car of choice, regardless of from owners or dealerships. Once you find the car of your choice, simple make an appointment with the relevant party, and check the car out!

It is exceptionally important that one should look at all the relevant documents such as the vehicle grant, insurance papers and PUSPAKOM inspection papers before one decides to buy the car. Ensure that all the documents are valid, and ensure that you double-check on the legitimacy of the papers. Also check with the Road Transport Department and the Traffic Police to ensure that the car is not blacklisted before you purchase the car.

If you are well-versed with the maintenance portion of a car, you should then proceed to inspect the vehicle as well as the engine of the car in question. If you do not have experience in this field, it is advisable to bring along a foreman or a mechanic to help you inspect the condition of the car. Cars with full service records are preferable, as you have a clear record of whether the car has been maintained properly or not.

And never buy a car until you test-drive it and are fully satisfied of how the vehicle performs in terms of handling, braking, transmission control, cornering and all other aspects. If you are not happy with the way the car performs, do not compromise and purchase it for a lower price even though the owner might offer it to you, as you might encounter a host of other problems within weeks of buying it.

Avoid buying cars that are more then five years old, as all the components within the car would then be due for an overhaul, and you would end up having to change the components one after another. All the best in finding the ideal used car for yourself!

Getting the Best Financial Deals When Buying Cars

Buying a car is a big decision in one’s life. This is because after the purchase of a home, the second biggest investment that you would make would be the purchase of your car. When we look at it from that angle, the importance of getting a good financial deal when you purchase your car becomes more crucial.

Finance is a major part of the car purchase, as you would normally need a small amount as down-payment, as well as enough credit credibility to warrant a hire purchase loan from a financial institution to pay for the remainder of the car price. Most of us fall into this category as it is difficult to finance a car on your own unless you have sufficient amounts of cash in abundance.

To get the best of financial deals before purchasing a car, it is best that you scout around all the financial institutions in town to get the best deal possible. There are plenty to choose from, thus you would be spoilt for choice. Select one that gives you the lowest interest rates for a specified loan period so that you get the best deal possible. Some of the local banks that you could consider include EON Bank, RHB Bank, Public Bank, CIMB as well as Maybank. The interest rates would not vary that much, however it is best that you personally go to these institutions and find out the rates yourself. The current agreement at most banks allow you up to 108 months of repayment, at a total loan amount of 90% for new cars and 85% for used cars.

Also remember that you would need a bit of savings from your side to ensure that you are able to place an amount for the car’s down-payment. The down-payment is usually a pre-requisite when you purchase cars, however some of the auto dealers are now promoting new cars without the need for down-payment.

 

Although this could prove helpful for those who do not have cash reserves, in reality, you would end up paying more to the financial institutions as your loan amount would be higher, and you would also pay more in terms of interest to the bank in question. In the long run, you end up saving more if you can come up with a decent down-payment figure when you purchase your car.

Finally, do not forget to negotiate when you buy cars, for both new and used cars. Getting a good financial deal is only complete when you negotiate for your car’s purchase, and get the best price possible from the car dealer. Failing to do this would only mean that you are losing money, and you do not want that now, do you?

Searching Online for a Used Car

When one looks for car to purchase, the first question that comes to mind is whether it is going to be a new car or a second-hand car. If one is looking for a new car, it is easy to obtain the required information online at the respective sites of car manufacturers before heading to a showroom to have a look at the car of your interest.

However, if one is looking for a used car, then there are several ways of finding a car that you need. You could walk into any of the used car dealerships around, or another option would be to go through the newspapers and its classified section to look for the car that you want. There is another way to doing this, which is browsing the internet to locate the car that you want before viewing it.

Remember that when you buy a used car, the price of the car would differ tremendously if you buy directly from the owner compared to if you buy from a used car dealer. Owners would normally sell according to the car’s market value, while dealerships would mark up to make a profit.

 

By browsing online, you can find cars that are being sold directly by the owners themselves, thus you could save a significant amount of money. One would also save time by browsing the sites online while looking for a used-car, imagine the time you would waste having to go to all the different locations to find the owners or car dealerships without online searching capabilities.

There are plenty of car and vehicle advertising websites available on the internet today. These are sites where buyers and sellers communicate with each other to get the best deals possible.

 

Potential buyers can also search for specific vehicles easily since the vehicles are segregated well into sections such as general vehicles, performance vehicles, 4 wheel drives, as well as luxury vehicles. This will make your choice of deciding much easier as you weigh up your options. 

Browsing online for used cars is certainly the way forward for people looking for second hand cars. A word of caution though, although online searching for cars is recommended, it has to be reminded that buying straight from the internet without physically looking at the car is not encouraged. After finding a car that you like online, it is suggested that you make an appointment with the owner or car dealer to view the car. Take the car for a test drive, and only commit to the deal once you are completely satisfied with the car. 

How To Effectively Buy Used Cars out There

Buying a car is a big decision in one’s life, as it represents the second biggest investment that you would be making in your life after the purchase of your home. Although many prefer buying new cars, some opt for used or second hand cars, for the reason that they are reasonably priced and relatively cheaper than new cars. Although they appear less expensive, buying a used car involves a bit of risk, as we are unsure of the previous history of the car, and how good the condition may be. Thus how do we effectively select a used car if we are in the market for one? Let us look at how this can materialize.

Firstly, you should determine the type of car that you are looking for, and set a budget for the purchase. You should also ensure that you know how long you are intending to use the car, as it would determine the age of the car that you want to purchase. Once you know what you are looking for, you should then determine how you are going to look for the car of your dreams. You could do this online, or visit several used car dealers to locate the ideal car for you.

If you choose the online option, you would have plenty of options where you could view the specifications and price of the car before you actually schedule a meeting with the car owner or dealer to view the car. It is advisable that you try to deal directly with the car owners themselves rather than with dealerships, as prices of cars purchased from dealerships would undoubtedly higher than when you buy straight from the previous owner.

The best option is would be to purchase used cars that are less than three years old, as the car condition would still be almost new, and you could safely use the car for at least a few more years before you opt to look for something else without much maintenance issues. Once you find the car that catches your attention, schedule an appointment with the owner or the car dealership, and take the car for a test drive. Bring along someone that is familiar with car engines to gauge the performance and the condition of the car before you put pen to paper! And in terms of financing, you should scout around for the best deal in the market rather than opting to accept the offer of the dealership that is selling you the car.

Finding cars that have clocked less than 20,000 kilometers on the mileage meter would be exceptionally good buys, thus try finding deals such as these to avoid disappointment when buying used cars! It would be even better if you manage to buy a car from a friend or a family member, as you know how the car has been treated in the past! All the best in finding the best used car out there!

Setting a Price for Your Used Car

When it comes to the time to sell your car, the most important step would be to determine the right price for your vehicle. This step is absolutely crucial so that you can attract the right buyer, and ensure that potential buyers are not put off by a price too steep. It is also important to not under-evaluate your car, so that you would avoid losing too much of money when you actually sell your care.

So how can you set a right price for your car, so that it is not over-evaluated or under-evaluated? The first thing you should do is set a benchmark for the car’s price, and this could be done with some research on the internet through car selling websites. For your information, the price of your car would depend on current condition, year of make, amount of deprecation over the years, type of car and model, mileage as well as other similar factors. As an alternative, you could ask for a car value estimator to provide a valuation for your car. This could serve as a benchmark figure before you eventually set a final price for your car.

Next evaluate the overall condition of your car. This could mean externally (paint work, body work, tires, etc), internally (plastic components, seat condition, etc) as well as engine condition. If the car is free from any forms of major repairs, then you can set a higher price for your car. However if there is work to be done on the body, or if there is any leaks in the engine compartment for example, you should either get the car fixed, or expect to lower your asking price for the car. It is recommended that you make some minor modifications to make your car look good before selling it as you tend to save more overall. Appearance especially is extremely important to determine the price of a car.

Also take note that cars with higher mileage are less appealing compared to those with lower mileage, so you could set a higher price if you have used your car less in the past. Internally, make sure all the seats, carpets and covers are clean, this would definitely increase the value of your car. Ensure that everything within your dashboard (indicators, lights, etc), switches, buttons and knobs is in working condition as well. Ensuring all these would help extensively to set a high price for your vehicle.

The A to Z of Buying Vehicles

Buying a vehicle is no easy task. There are so many things to consider and take into account before you make the final decision of which car you are going to purchase. One usually buys a vehicle based on characteristics such as looks, performance, safety features, the need for the vehicle, running and maintenance costs as well as the price of the vehicle itself. Let us have a look at what needs to be considered before one buys a vehicle, and tips of buying a vehicle smartly.

Firstly, consider your need for the vehicle. Do you need a vehicle for private or business use? Or do you need one for your family, or maybe yourself? There are a whole variety of vehicle types in the market today such as sedans, coupes, hatchbacks, pick-up trucks, MPVs, SUVs as well as several others. Consider your needs carefully before making a choice.

Do not buy your car unless you are fully prepared. Do not be emotional and purchase a car for its looks alone. Cost is an extremely important factor, thus consider carefully if you can afford the car that you are buying (including its running cost, road tax costs, insurance premiums, etc).

 

Take time to compare several cars in the same class, as well as several dealers and financial institutions to make sure that you get the best deal possible. You are also advised to compare insurance rates from different insurance companies to get the best premiums at the most competitive rates for your car. Always negotiate on car prices as well, as the prices are normally not fixed and with some coaxing from your side, you could probably enjoy a few thousand dollars in discounts.

Ensure that you do plenty of background research on the cars that you are interested in. This would provide you plenty of information on the cars themselves, and help you deal with car salesmen that may try to cheat you into buying their cars.

 

The test drive is extremely important to get a feel of the car that you are buying, thus do not skip that part before you purchase a car. Go through the warranty documents and ensure that you understand completely what is contained in them. Try to get as long a warranty as possible for your car, this would leave you with less headaches when you encounter any maintenance problems.

Once you understand the above tips and pointers, implement them when you go looking for a new car to purchase. It would be of tremendous help to avoid you getting short-changed for the price you pay for your car, and assist to make sure you get the best deal possible for your new car.

Cut Costs on All General Automotive Repairs

Owning a car exposes you to a myriad of challenges, not least the maintenance expenses you incur with the ownership of a car. And during these tough economic times, people are constantly on the lookout for ways to cut cost on automotive repairs, thus let us look at ways to accomplish just that.

The first step you should take is to check if your vehicle is still under warranty. If it is, then you could look to save quite a lot of money from making use of your warranty. Check if your warranty covers only parts or both parts and labour, and ensure that you read all the terms and conditions within your warranty agreement to make full use of it.

 

Be careful to take your vehicle only to authorized service centres as penned out in the warranty, and not to other workshops that would make you pay more as it is not covered under your warranty. If you car is under warranty, it is advisable to take your car to the manufacturer’s own service centres as this would ensure that your get all the original parts installed as well as personalized attention from experts in the field.

If your car is not under warranty, you now have the option of choosing your own service centre to repair or service your car. To cut costs, you could avoid the manufacturer’s service centres and instead head to any established workshops out there.

You can also make do with OEM parts instead of the original manufacturer’s parts, as they would do the job almost as well, and they would prove to be much cheaper than the originals parts. A point to note before choosing your service centre though, make sure the mechanics are professionals and certified so that you do not get bad service for your car. Experienced mechanics would also be able to advise you on cheaper substitute parts for your cars to cut overall costs of automotive repair.

Another great option is by doing the repair works yourself. Remember not to fiddle with automotive parts and systems that you are not familiar with. This could prove to be extremely costly if something goes wrong. You could probably perform the smaller tasks such as changing the oil filter and changing the engine’s lubricant without having to take the car to a service centre. It would be best to buy a do-it-yourself car service handbook to help with these tasks, or you could also attend a short course on basic maintenance repairs to help enhance your knowledge on this topic.

For more major tasks, it is recommended that you take your car to the professionals, as you do not want to incur extra expenditure if something goes wrong. Follow the tips above to reduce costs on your vehicle’s repairs.

Most Countries Insist On The Importance Of Belting Up Children In Vehicles

The Malaysian Association of Standards in its article which appeared very recently, stated that, according to the Malaysian Automobile Association or M.A.A., some 536,905 new vehicles are expected to be registered in Malaysia this year alone, including passenger and commercial ones.

Although, it is compulsory now for front and rear seat passengers to wear seat belts when driving in Malaysia, there is actually no law which makes it mandatory for children to be strapped down when travelling in vehicles with parents and adults.

Before we proceed any further with this article, a “seat belt” may just only be a piece of cloth but remember, this simple invention, does save lives.

The World Report on Road Traffic Injury Prevention states that more than 1.2 million people die and as many as 50 million people are injured on our roads everyday. It is expected that this figure will rise by about 65% over the next 20 years, if steps are not taken to prevent traffic accidents.

My reading and researches made prior to writing this article, discovered some very interesting and startling facts which I feel should be shared with the blog readers.

Although the Road Transport Ordinance 1987 clearly states that a driver can be charged for non wearing of a seat belt, and can thus be imposed a fine of RM100 (section 119(2)), however, the law is silent on the wearing of a seat belt by children and small babies in Malaysia.

Readers might be surprised, that there are laws, when driving in other countries such as England, Australia, Germany and other European countries, which specifically insists the wearing of seat belts by the young.

In the United Kingdom, seat belts must be worn at all times by front and back passengers. Children under 12, must not sit in front seats. Except for infants or young children in baby or “booster” seats.

In Australia, seat belts must be worn by drivers and passengers all the time. In New Zealand, the law says drivers and passengers must wear seat belts or child restraints at all times, in both front and rear seats. Children under 12 years are not allowed to sit in front. They must be seated at the back. This is the regulation in Belgium.

In Finland, the law there says that seat belts are mandatory both at the front and rear seats. If you should be driving in France, do remember all passengers are mandatorily required to wear seat belts. Children under 10 years of age are not allowed to sit in front and must be seated at the rear with a seat belt tightly fastened.

When driving in Germany, drivers are reminded that seat belts are mandatory for passengers sitting both in front and at the back. There exists a fine, for each person not using a seat belt, on the spot.

The rule regarding seat belts in Portugal requires children under 12 years are not allowed to sit in front. Unless they are over 150 cm tall. Baby and booster seats are compulsory for children up to 12 years of age.

In Italy, children who are under 4 years of age are not allowed to travel unless they are seated in a child safety seat that has met with safety regulations. Children under 12 years are not allowed to sit in front and must be seated at the back safely fastened.

From my reading with regards to seat belts, most countries seem to make it compulsory for drivers and passengers to wear seat belts. Spain, Sweden, Austria, Greece, Ireland and Netherlands, are examples of countries which make it a compulsory ruling to use seat belts.

In my reading on this subject on seat belts, some countries do not seem to mention the use of seat belts in their countries. Most likely, it is therefore assumed that the use of seat belts there, is not compulsory. Countries which fall into this category include China, Indonesia, Israel and Egypt.

Now that you know that most countries make it compulsory for the use of seat belts in vehicles, those in Malaysia, especially the authorities should ponder over this problem very seriously and come up quickly with a ruling to make it mandatory for small children and babies to don seat belts as well.

5 Good Reasons Why You Should Buy A New Car Versus Used Car

There comes a time when a person has to make a decision, to buy a brand new car or a second hand one. Various pros and cons have to be considered. The final decision however will depend solely upon the person who is buying the car himself or herself.

Today, I will put forward various pros and cons that favour the buying a new vehicle and that of buying a second hand vehicle. You have to weigh both the pros and cons before you arrive at a decision.

Reasons to support your buying a brand new car:-

1) A new car provides you with pride and prestige.

A brand new vehicle obviously will bring you a certain amount of pride and prestige. You will certainly be the proud owner of a new car as compared to a second hand one.

And especially if you are owning a model such as a Mercedes, Volvo or a BMW vehicle. A salesman, who owns one of the above cars, will find that his business will be in a way affected by the type of vehicle be owns.

2) Better service and performance.

New cars obviously tend to provide you better service and performance as compared to a second hand one. Without a doubt, a new car or vehicle will tend to provide you with a better performance or better service all round.

They can, as they say, provide you with reliable services, and fewer breakdowns. Therefore with new cars, you can rely on your new vehicles to provide you with the confidence that you expect from them!

3) Vehicle warranty.

New cars have warranty to cater for breakdowns as compared to vehicles which are slowly undergoing deterioration.

Most new vehicles possess a warranty period of approximately 5 years. If within a 5 year period, a new vehicle should breakdown, then the warranty calls for the agents or distributors to be responsible for repairs and upkeep of the new vehicle.

4) Better fuel efficiency.

New cars are more fuel efficient as compared to older second hand cars. New vehicles are said to be able to give the owner better fuel consumption. This means a new vehicle will be able to provide lesser costs of maintenance to the owner.

5) Better resale value.

New vehicles have a higher resale value. Where resale value of cars are concerned, it is believed that new cars possess a higher resale value as compared to a second hand car.

Buying Second Hand Car Guide

Check Car History It's important to check the used car history record to protecting yourself against buying it with costly hidden problems. Give the seller a call. Prepare a list of questions to ask the seller, and make notes while speaking to them. 1. How long have they owned the car? 2. What condition is the car in? 3 .Why are they selling it? 4 .Has the car been involved in an accident? 5. Has the car got any outstanding finance? 5 .What features does the car have? 6 .Is it in full working order? Though you're not likely to get an honest answer to your questions, the manner in which your questions are answered should give you clues of the seller's honesty. Was he dodging questions? Did she hesitate uncomfortably when you question her on accidents? Contact JPJ and Polis Diraja Malaysia to find out important information like car severe accident, number of owners etc. JABATAN PENGANGKUTAN JALAN MALAYSIA (JPJ) HOTLINE : 03 88884244 Tel : 03 88866400 Faks : 03 88889645 www.jpj.gov.my Polis Diraja Malaysia Tel: 03-22626222 Fax: 03-2273 9602 www.rmp.gov.my
Get Loan & Finance Advice You can then use Payment Calculator to estimate what your monthly payment might be or to find a financing company through whom you can obtain an auto loan. Consider other potential costs such as registration, title transfer, and road tax. Click to calculate the car road tax. Another point to note is that any outstanding amount from the seller's loan must be settled in full first, before the bank would approve any loans for your used car. Banks are also less inclined to issue loans for used vehicles, with interest rates increase with age. As a rule, cars more than 10 years old do not get loans, and cars approaching that landmark will only get short tenure loans. With these difficulties in mind, the buyer is advised to apply for loans from multiple banks.
Insurance & Road Tax Get your insurance quotation from various agencies. You may also consider applying online. Remember that the insurance policy of a car is attached to the owner's name. An official transfer of ownership requires the buyer to purchase a new insurance policy to take over the car's coverage from the preceding one. For road tax, no such restrictions apply. If the previous owner had paid for the car's road tax, it remains valid until the stipulated expiry date.
Contact Seller for Checking & Test Drive Meet the seller to check the car thoroughly and take a test drive. Ensure you see the original Car Registration Card. Ask for any service/maintenance logbook and inspection record the seller may have one. Have a trusted mechanic to inspect the car, and note the contact details of the workshops listed in the car's service booklet. Speak to their representatives to find out more on the car's maintenance history. On another note, please arrange for viewing of the car in a safe public place. Exercise precaution as you do not know the seller. You may request the seller to have the car inspected by a third-party service. AAM (Automobile Association of Malaysia) offers such services. - Phone: 03-2162 5777 - Email: mru@aam.org.my - Website: http://www.aam.org.my However, current regulations mandate that any vehicle must be inspected by PUSPAKOM SDN BHD (Formerly known as Pusat Pemeriksaan Kenderaan Berkomputer) before JPJ would approve of the ownership transfer. Inspection fee is RM30 if you go personally. Expect dealers and runners to charge you more (you gotta let those guys make a living). - Phone: 1800 88 6927, 03-2052 7474 - Email: customerservice@puspakom.com.my - Website: www.puspakom.com.my
Ownership Transfer and Payment  Follow below procedure: General JPJ transfer car ownership. (both seller and buyer must be there) 1. Get the forms ready for transfer. You can download the forms from JPJ website. Forms you need are as follow: JPJK3, TM-1, TM-AB (photocopy both buyer/seller IC). 2. After completing, go to JPJ and submit all the forms together with the original Car Registration Card and also new buyer insurance cover note. 3. Pay RM100 (you can buy postal order from JPJ itself). 4. Wait for the transfer name to complete and collect back the transferred ownership of car registration card. *PUSPAKOM also offers car ownership transfer service, click to find out more. The Payment Bank Loan: 1. Buyer and seller need to be at the bank with the car registration document in order to apply the loan. If buyer is from outstation, then seller needs to fax over the car registration. 2. Upon approval, the bank will issue an undertaking letter and after that the seller need to transfer the car ownership to the buyer's name. 3. Upon completion, bank will release the fund to the seller. 4. Any additional fees in loan/transfer ownership shall be paid by buyer. Cash Deal: Ask the seller to write two receipts stating the date, amount paid, make, model and registration number, along with the names, addresses and signatures of both parties.

Buying Vehicle Guide

Finding The Car 

The process of buying a car starts with you deciding that you need / want to buy one. The first step then, is to do what they call, 'survey the market'. You have many options for this.

Through our considerable amount of resources, in the form of used car postings, forums and test drive reports, you can gather a great deal of information regarding the car of your choice. Through us, you have the means do your research on cars of various make, model, and year of the manufacture.

On top of that, you can use our Affordablity Calculator to evaluate your own spending power in the car market, and see if your preferred car is within your means.

However, if you have already decided what to buy, use our search tool to find the car you want (by car make/model or price range) and this searching will bring you straight to used car listings where you can find the best deal, see the car asking price in your area, make the selection and contact the seller .

Check for the car's market price

Car prices vary and here is how / what you can do to find out what your car is worth.

1) Search for similar car based on Make, Model, Year and Transmission and do own estimation on your car price. 

2) Buy an independent valuation report from Redbook.

3) Research offline (newspaper, magazines, calls to dealer) to enquire. 

4 x 4 Driving Tips

4 x 4 Driving Tips

• Routinely check your tyres
• Slow down
• Become a good night-time driver
• Be aware of your physical condition
• Pay attention to any special seasonal driving requirements
• Be extra alert when driving in the city.

Routinely check your tyres

Make sure you do the following routine maintenance: Keep your tyres properly inflated. The correct air pressure for your tyres is specified by the vehicle manufacturer and can be found on the vehicle door edge, door-post, and glove box door or fuel door. It is also listed in the owner's manual. The number listed on the side of the tyre is not the recommended air pressure for your tyre -- it is the maximum air pressure for the tyre. You should check your tyre's air pressure at least once a month. Check the tyre's tread depth. Proper tread depth will help prevent skids, aquaplaning and blowouts.

Slow down

Watch your speed.

Become a good night-time driver

Night driving can be a pleasure if you are aware of the special alertness demanded by low visibility. A few fundamentals: Keep your headlights and tail lights on for the entire period between sunset and sunrise. Put your headlights on low-beam when another vehicle is within 200 metres, or when driving behind another vehicle. If your car breaks down at night, make sure other drivers can see your car and stop in time. Turn on the hazard warning lights. If possible, pull off the road. Avoid stopping just over a hill or just around a curve. Take good notice of roadside reflectors and any other helpful visual signals to stay on the road at night.

Be aware of your physical condition

Cities and urban areas have the highest concentrations and varieties of traffic, from pedestrians, trams and bicycles to utility vehicles like street sweepers and refuse lorries. There is twice as much to watch out for, and you must pay great attention to what is going on in front, to the sides and behind your vehicle.

Pay attention to any special seasonal driving requirements

You don't only have to prepare your car and tyres well in advance for winter, but also for other seasons. Fog, excessive rainfall and glare and heat all bring specific kinds of adjustments and maintenance. Look at the 'Maintaining a tyre' section here in the site for more information. And consult your Goodyear dealer, too!

Be extra alert when driving in the city.

Cities and urban areas have the highest concentrations and varieties of traffic, from pedestrians, trams and bicycles to utility vehicles like street sweepers and garbage trucks. There is twice as much to watch out for, compared to driving off-road. You have to pay more attention to what is going on in front, to the sides and behind your vehicle.

How to Fix a Flat Tire on Your Bike?

There are numerous causes to flat tires, which can be easily dealt with. The causes can range from a leaky valve to a massive blowout.

Step 1: Remove the Wheel

It's easier to fix a flat when you remove the wheel from your bike. Wheel removal involves 2 steps:


(1) Release Your Brakes
Generally, brake assemblies sit very close to your wheel rims and use a quick-release system to disconnect and reconnect them easily. The exact location and design of these release systems depend on what kind of brakes you have.

•    A knob at the end of the pull-cable that catches on a notch in the caliper arm: Squeeze the brake arms together to release the cable.

•    A quick-release lever, just like on your axle, which can be opened to release the brakes.

•    If your bike has disc brakes, be careful not to touch the rotor when opening the quick-release mechanism. The rotor is located very close to the quick-release lever and can become hot enough to burn you.

(2) Release Your Wheel

 
Even though your brake assembly has been disengaged, your wheel is still held to the frame or fork (depending on if it's the front or rear wheel) by the wheel axle. To release the axle, check to see if you have a quick-release (lever) axle or a bolt-on (nut) axle. Then, proceed with the steps below:

Quick-release Axles:
Front wheel: To remove a front wheel, merely open the quick-release lever to release the tension holding the wheel in place. Assuming your brakes have been disengaged, your front wheel will probably drop straight out.

Note: Some bicycles have retention devices designed to hold a wheel in place even when its quick-release lever is open. If your wheel doesn't pop out after you open the quick-release lever, check the owner's manual for details on its particular release-and-retention system.

Rear wheel: Removing the rear wheel is just as easy as removing the front wheel, just be watchful of the chain!

Before you remove your rear wheel, shift your chain onto the smallest rear cog. To do so, adjust the shifter up then raise your bike and spin its wheels until the gear-shift is complete. Then, turn the bike upside down and turn the rear axle quick-release lever until it's fully open. You may need to unscrew the nut slightly on the opposite side. Pull back on your rear derailleur to give yourself a little slack, then lift out the wheel with your other hand. The wheel should pop free without getting tangled in your chain. If your wheel stays put, it's likely there's a retention device holding it in place. (See "Note" above.)

Bolt-on Axles:

These axels work almost like the quick-release axles, except they must be loosened with a wrench instead of a lever, and so it might take a little longer.

To loosen a bolt-on axle, simply grab both ends of the axle with 2 good-fitting wrenches and turn both wrenches a couple of full turns. If you only have one wrench, alternate between ends of the axle bolt, loosening each a half turn or so at a time.

If you're removing a bolted rear wheel, follow the procedure described above to avoid getting it hung up in your chain.

Step 2: Check for Damage

It's important to find the cause of your flat tire. It may have been a nail, which has left you with a hole in your tube and tire. Or, it may be a thorn or a piece of glass that is still stuck in the tire and could damage your newly repaired or replaced tube.

When searching for the cause of a flat, begin on the outside and work your way in.

•    First, check the outer surface of the tire for any signs of damage or wear—things like foreign objects lodged in the tread, cuts or tears in the tread or tire sidewall, or worn/cracked tread patterns.

•    Next, get inside the tire (see below) and check both the inner tube and the inside surface of the tire for similar damage.

Getting Inside Your Tire

Most bike tires are held inside the rims with a combination of physical grip and air pressure. The grip comes from the edge—or "bead"—of the tire interlocking with the edge of the rim. The pressure comes from the inflated tube pressing the tire against the rim.

First, release all of the remaining air from your flat tire by depressing the small plunger in the center of your tire valve (Presta valves must be opened first. To do so, remove the valve cap and turn the valve counterclockwise.) Next, unseat your tire bead using the following procedure:

•    Attempt to unseat your tire by hand by pushing one bead edge in toward the center of the rim. If this doesn't work, use tire levers to get some additional leverage.

•    When using tire levers, start on the section of your tire opposite the valve (to avoid damage to the valve stem). Use the longer end of one tire lever to pry the bead of the tire up and over the edge of the rim.

•    If you can't unseat the tire with just one lever, place a second one in a similar manner, 2 or 3 spokes to either side of the first. (Tires levers come with a handy notch that can be secured against a spoke, keeping the lever in place.) Some tire manufacturers suggest sliding the second lever along the rim away from the first to unseat more of the tire. Others suggest using a third tire lever instead to avoid possible tire and/or rim damage.

Once a section of the tire bead is free, you should be able to unseat the rest of the bead with your fingers. Remove the inflatable tube from beneath the tire by pulling the valve stem out through the rim first. The rest of the tube slide out easily when pulled. Be careful when pulling the valve out through the rim, as its sharp edge could damage the valve.

Finding the Cause of Your Flat

Tube damage can be difficult to spot. If you don't see any obvious punctures or blowouts, try inflating the tube so you can check for escaping air. To find very small leaks, pass the tube close to your eye or submerge it in water and look for bubbles.

Tip: Leave the tire in its same location on the wheel so you can check for tire damage once the tube leak is discovered.

If you can't find any tube damage, check the valve. If the valve stem or base is cut, cracked, or severely worn, it may be leaking. If so, the entire tube will have to be replaced.

If the valve is in good condition, check the thin strip along the inside of your rim. Look for protruding spoke ends or areas where the strip may have come free and pinched the tube against the rim surface.

Once the tube damage has been located, check your tire for damage as well. Use the valve stem to relocate the tube so you can find the same location on the tire. Look for any embedded objects in the outside tread. Then turn the tire inside out and do a full visual inspection of the inner surface, making your way slowly around the tire. If you find any cuts, squeeze them to pull apart the rubber and look for anything embedded in the tire. Use a pair of tweezers to remove any foreign debris.

Step 3: Repair/Replace the Tube

If your tire has sustained little or no permanent damage (as is often the case), your decision will be whether to repair your tube or replace it.

Repair: Repairing a bike tube is easy once you get the hang of it, and it is more inexpensive as well. Most commercial patching kits contain everything you need to create an effective patch in the field, including step-by-step instructions. However, patching a tube should be considered an emergency repair. For maximum reliability and safety, replace a patched tube as soon as possible.

Replacement: This is the best and, in some situations, the only solution to a flat tire. You must replace your tube any time the damage is too extensive or severe to patch, or when a patch job fails to hold.

Note: Replacing tubes is almost always more expensive than patching them. However, the resulting tire/tube combination is generally stronger and longer lasting than a patch job. Bike shops do not, as a rule, patch tubes because the labor cost actually makes the patch more expensive than a new tube and with a less durable result. To repair a bike tube, follow the instructions included in the tube-repair kit that you use. Kits use different methods and materials, so read the entire instruction page before beginning.

Typical Patching Steps

•    Find the damaged area.
•    Clean and dry the damaged area.
•    Rough up the surface of the damaged area with sandpaper (to help the glue set).
•    Spread the glue (vulcanizing fluid) and allow it to set until tacky.
•    Apply the tube patch and hold it in place with pressure.
•    Apply talc to repaired area once the glue has bonded to make the tube easier to reinstall. Talc should also be applied to the inside of your tire.

Replacing a tube is simply a matter of using the right size. Size information is available on the tube itself, on the sidewall of your tire or in your bike owner's manual.

Putting Your Tube and Tire Back On

•    Make sure the rim strip is seated properly.

•    Partially inflate your new or repaired tube to give it shape and ensure it holds air.

•    Then place the tube inside the tire.

•    Starting with the valve stem, place the tube and tire onto the wheel.

•    Reseat one edge (or "bead") of the tire completely.

•    Beginning close to the valve, reseat the other tire bead inside the rim. Check that the valve stem is straight and not at an angle.

•    Proceed around the wheel (in both directions at the same time), reseating more of the tire bead. This will get harder as you go.

•    Pinch both sides of the tire in towards the center of the rim to make things easier, or carefully use a tire lever to complete the job.

•    Once the tire and valve are in place, check along its edges to make sure that the tube is not caught between the rim and the tire bead. This could cause another flat.
Now inflate your tire slowly, checking both sides of the rim to make sure that the tire bead stays firmly seated. Double-check the valve as you go to ensure it remains straight. To make sure your tube doesn't get caught between your tire and the rim, go around the whole tire once and pinch both sides of the tire inward.

Inflate the tire to its recommended pressure (printed on the tire itself or in your owner's manual). If you don't have a gauge, use your thumb as a guide. If your thumb presses in easily, keep pumping.

Step 4: Reinstall the Wheel

Simply reverse the procedure you used to remove it. Reattach the wheel to your frame dropouts, holding the derailleur out of the way if you're reinstalling the rear wheel.

If a bolt-on axle holds the wheel in place, you must tighten it securely. If a quick-release mechanism is involved:

•    Make sure the quick-release lever is open before reinstalling the tire in the frame dropouts.

•    Make sure that the wheel is installed evenly, centered in the dropouts.

•    Turn the quick-release lever to the fully open position, then turn the adjusting nut on the opposite side of the axle clockwise until it resists turning (don't use a tool to tighten this nut).

•    Close the quick-release lever. Resistance should begin when the lever is sticking out perpendicular to the bicycle frame, then build until it is fully closed and pointing towards the rear of the bike.

Finally, flip the bike right-side-up and be sure to reattach your brakes before riding!

Be Prepared

• Carry a spare tube: It's always wise to carry an extra tube. Just make sure you have the right size. Your tube size is indicated on the sidewall of your tires and in your owner's manual. Also note whether it uses a Schraeder or Presta valve.
• Carry a patch kit: This is a compact and economical alternative to a new tube. The downsides? They are more hassle and offer a somewhat less durable solution.
• Carry tire levers: These easily fit into even a small underseat bike bag.
• Carry a pump: Some flats can be avoided by simply riding on tires that are properly inflated. Check your air pressure before every ride.