Do you think it’s time you went out there and started looking for a new car for the family during this time of pandemic? There are so many different things you will need to consider when looking for a new one, such as the safety features and how secure it is. But there is also another consideration to make as well - should you buy a brand new model or just stick to a second-hand car? It’s certainly a question that requires a lot of thought as both new and second-hand cars come with their own set of advantages and disadvantages.
Saturday, June 4, 2022
Making Decisions On Buying Cars
Wednesday, April 13, 2022
Online Renewal Of Car Insurance The Easy Way
With a household of three grown up kids, having two cars in the house is a normal sight. Paying for the maintenance for the cars is another issue, main issue, I would say. It is not cheap to maintain two cars especially when it comes to insurance annually. We are advised to buy from the same insurance each year and we have been doing that for the past many years. However, recently, I get to know that we can get cheaper insurance rates from this website called Dreamshop.policystreet.com.
From what I gather from this Dreamshop website, it is an e-commerce platform that has partnered with PolicyStreet.com to provide consumers with more affordable and alternative insurance solutions for car owners. With this partnership, we as consumers are able to enjoy 0% interest installment plans for up till 36 months from 10 banks as listed below when we renew our car insurance through Dreamshop.com.my.
What's more, it is so user-friendly that we can just get to receive car insurance quotes online straightaway. Not only that, we can even compare from 10 different insurers! We just have to use the tagline "Car Insurance Made Easy" and through this, we can compare insurance quotes, purchase, renew and make payments within a few clicks away. No hassle of driving out, looking for parking and so forth, with this online link, we can get all these done within 24 hours on a working day, that sounds really easy and everything done in the comfort of our home!
Here are some more information on how to compare Car Insurance Quotes Online:
- Click on this link https://bit.ly/3LSNNsi and key in the details
- Choose your preferred quotes
- Opt for their 0% interest-free instalment plans when making payment
- Payment options to pay can be done via credit card, Boost, Touch N Go, or online banking for monthly instalments.
The below 10 insurance companies are as follows:
- Tune Insurance Malaysia Berhad
- AXA Affin General Insurance Berhad
- Etiqa General Takaful Berhad
- Berjaya Sompo Insurance Berhad
- Syarikat Takaful Malaysia Am Berhad
- RHB Insurance Berhad
- MSIG Insurance Berhad
- Zurich General Insurance Malaysia Berhad
- Orient Insurance Co. Bhd
- Allianz General Insurance Company (Malaysia) Berhad
Renew Car Insurance – https://bit.ly/3DFsUxZ
Website – http://www.dreamshop.com.my/
Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/dreamshop.com.my/
Instagram – http://www.instagram.com/dreamshop.com.my/
Tuesday, February 8, 2022
How To Be Sure A Used Car Model Is Reliable
If you’re about to buy a new car for your family, and you want to make sure you’re getting an affordable model for the value it’s worth, you’re going to be heading down to the nearest second hand dealership! However, before you agree to buy anything, you’re going to need to double check the reliability of the car model in question.
After all, no matter how you’re going to use the car, whether you’re just going from A to B or you’ve got a lot of traveling to do, a car’s reliability factor should be at the top of your priority list. And when you buy used, you’ve got to go the extra mile to ensure you’re making the right decision! So to help out with that, here are some reliability related pointers to keep in mind when you go car shopping.
Check on the Brand (and the car’s!) Reputation
First off, check out the brand of the car and their reputation for reliability. Have they often had to recall parts, accessories, or even entire vehicles? Are they known for making family cars? And have you ever owned a car from this brand before? What have your personal experiences been like before now?
Once you’re sure the brand is just fine for your needs, it’s time to look into the car itself. Thankfully, there’s a lot you can do to investigate a car’s background, origins, and what it’s been through up until the point where you bought it. It’s a good idea to get online, as many car advice websites and even government portals will allow you to tap in a car’s licence and/or registration to find out more about it.
How Does it Handle?
If you’re able to, take the car you plan to purchase for a test drive. Make sure you get comfortable behind the wheel to see how it feels and find out what the handling of the car feels like. Take your time on this test drive to test out the way the car starts, how it feels when you pull to a stop, and what happens when you suddenly brake, and then get out to perform a little roadside inspection.
What are you looking for here? Any visible or tangible signs that the car isn’t performing up to standard. Check out the tyre pressure, and make sure you open up the bonnet to see what’s going on inside. Do you see signs of major wear and tear? Is there a weird smell coming from the engine? How does it feel to the touch? When you’re driving, does the engine sound weird, or louder than it should?
At the same time, check out how the car generally looks. What’s the paint work like? Do you notice any dents or chips or even a crack somewhere? Are there spots on the car where it looks like it’s been repainted? If so, you’ve got some questions to ask the seller when you get back again!
Get a Mechanic’s Opinion
Did you know you can get a mechanic to inspect a second hand car before you buy it? Known as a ‘pre-purchase check’, this is a great way to ensure you’re getting your hands on the right car for you and your family. With a mechanic’s approval, you’ll be far less likely to need the services of a Car Accident Lawyer, and you also won’t waste money on a dealer’s possibly inflated price point!
Of course, if you’re a bit of an expert in cars yourself, you can forgo this inspection and just check around the vehicle yourself. However, it can be easy to miss a detail or two when you’re trying to inspect in a car lot, especially if a sales representative is nearby with some distracting questions for you.
But if you do pay for a pre-sale inspection, be sure to work with a mechanic you trust, and read the terms and conditions of the mechanic check very carefully. They may not look for everything when conducting the check, which can then cost you a lot more in the future. They may even charge extra for specific checks, such as vehicle history, which you won’t know unless you read through the fine print.
Any used car you’re interested in could have a chequered history. Get to know more about the car before you buy it using tips like those above; it’ll save you time, money, and a potential argument with the seller!
Thursday, December 30, 2021
Taking Care Of Your Car Means Regularly Doing These Things
When you own a car, the last thing that you are going to want is for it to start having problems. Of course, if you bought it many years ago and it’s only now having issues then that’s not so bad, but if you purchased it fairly recently and it is now causing you issues, this is not what you need. In order to minimize the risk of something going wrong, you need to be taking care of it. In this article, we’re going to be taking a look at some of the things that you should be doing regularly in order to ensure that this is the case. Keep reading down below if you would like to find out more.
Cleaning It
The first thing that you are going to need to do is start cleaning it regularly. The build up of dirt and grime is not good for anything, especially a vehicle. Clean the outside regularly for aesthetic purposes, but make sure that you are cleaning the wheels to avoid a build up of dirt. You might not think that this is important or that it can have any negative impacts, but you would be wrong.
It doesn’t take a long time to clean a car if you know what you are doing and if you keep on top of it. It’s going to be far worse for you if you don’t clean it regularly and then you end up having to do a huge clean once every couple of months.
Getting It Checked Out
You also need to ensure that you are getting the vehicle checked out on a regular basis. You never know when there are going to be issues that you simply can’t see. Some of these could be dangerous, and it’s up to you to avoid driving when your car is not in the condition to do so. Ideally, if you have to take your car in for anything, including accident repair, then you should get under the hood checked out then too. It’s always better to be safe than sorry, so it’s not going to hurt anyone to take a peek.
Considering Your Driving
Have you ever thought about the impact that your driving may be having on the car? Sometimes if you aren’t driving properly, you can cause damage to the vehicle itself. You can burn out the clutch, ruin the suspension, get into accidents that cause scrapes and other damage as well as so many other things. As such, we recommend that you take a step back and consider the way that you are driving. If you don’t want lots of costly repairs, you need to be careful.
We hope that you have found this article helpful, and now see some of the things that you are going to need to be doing on a regular basis if you want to say you are truly looking after your car. It’s important that you are doing everything in your power to take care of the vehicle that you paid a lot of money for, so take the advice above for the best results. Good luck.
Tuesday, December 14, 2021
Essential For Opening A Car Repair Garage
Photo by Malte Luk from Pexels
Starting a car repair shop may be the right career move for you if you have a passion for cars and want to turn that passion into a profit. This article will show you some of the essentials you need to think about:
What Type Of Service Will You Provide?
A typical auto repair shop tends to offer all general services and repairs. But you could go a step further and offer niche repairs that your local competition may not, like repainting.
Specialising in servicing hybrid or electric vehicles may be a good idea now that businesses are more environmentally conscious.
Your business plan should include your specialities, how many customers you expect per day, the size of your garage, the number of employees, whether you plan to franchise, and your financial projections.
Location Is Important
The location of your auto repair shop can make or break your business. Popular choices include city centres, industrial estates, and highways. Customers won't travel far if you're too remote or can't compete on price.
Small towns without auto repair shops may be ripe for new businesses, especially if residents are willing to travel for services. Many people will be willing to try your services to save time and money on increased travel time.
Your options include building from scratch or buying a property that was previously a garage but has been stripped down or is ready to go.
The Equipment
After securing a location, purchasing equipment will likely be your largest expense. You could also rent equipment. You'll need specialised mechanic's tools, a diagnostic machine, and a lift.
Qualify Yourself
While it is not required by law, demonstrating your credentials will help you build a loyal customer base. Your expertise and confidence will be evident in your actions, and you will ultimately provide a higher level of service. This will not only boost your self-esteem but also your earnings.
Offering vehicle repair services with confidence require knowledge. This includes managing finances, marketing campaigns, and customer loyalty. Ideally, you'll have worked in a garage or the automotive industry. Using tools such as Dodge Ram factory shop manuals can also help.
Obtain Licences
Next, before you open for business, consider obtaining the required licences. These will vary depending on the type of auto repair shop and services offered, but here is a list of some of the most common.
VAN services
Licence for Auto Repair (MVRB)
Trade licence plates to avoid having to register and tax every vehicle that passes through your home.
Registration as a motor salvage operator allows you to buy, sell, and transport scrap metal.
MOT testing approval
Local permits
EPA permits and exemption
Licence for public surveillance – allows you to install CCTV in public areas.
Background music licence
Hire A Talented Team
Employers can be difficult to find. You can start looking for nearby colleges that offer mechanic courses for new graduates. Employing both new graduates and experienced mechanics is ideal for your car garage.
Promote Your Firm
To persuade customers to choose your auto repair shop over another, you need an effective marketing campaign. Offering customer guarantees like free repairs if brakes fail within a certain time frame can help. Using guarantees builds customer trust, which is vital for a new business. To keep your customers coming back year after year, you must keep your promises.
Consider a car repair franchise for a less risky route into business ownership. An established brand with a loyal customer base and comprehensive training make setting up a franchise much less stressful.
Thursday, November 11, 2021
Staying Safe and Comfortable on a Winter Road Trip
Are you dreaming of a winter getaway this holiday season? Perhaps you will have quite far to travel to visit family and friends so want to know how to make it a trip that is much more enjoyable and safe. Planning a winter road trip can take a lot of planning, especially if there are some areas you’ll be passing through that have some winter weather. But making time to plan it all out will make such a difference. Here are some of the things that you can do to make sure that you’re able to make the most out of your trip.
Prepare your vehicle
The vehicle that you choose makes such a difference to your trip. Plus, if you don’t make sure that your car is ready for the trip, then you could end up having some problems which would make the trip a disaster. If you want to take it to the extreme, then you could even look out for caravans for sale if you want to make road trips a regular thing. You’ll have your accommodation right there for you, which can be helpful if you’ve got a long way to travel.
Some of the things to check ahead of time on the vehicle are:
Tires, including tire pressure and the tread on the tires
Gas tank
Car fluid levels like antifreeze
Accessories and extras in the trunk, such as a first aid kit, spare tire, blankets, flashlight, and other emergency essentials
Plan out your route
The route that you take is essential, especially in the winter when there could be some bad weather like snowstorms or rain. There may be some roads to avoid, such as smaller country roads that could be icy, but sticking to freeways is likely to be safer as they are more cared for in extreme weather. You should also plan out any pit stops along the way, as well as places to stay if you have a long journey and will need to stay the night somewhere along the way. Book places in advance as they can get fully booked around the holidays.
Inform loved ones of your plans
If you are making the road trip back to see your parents for the holidays, then let them know all about your plans. It can make a big difference to your plans and will make sure that people will know your route and what your estimated time of arrival is. This can help you to keep safer as someone will know where you are at all times.
When you are planning out all of your things, packing all of your essentials can make a difference. Make sure that you have food and drink to keep you comfortable, as well as making sure that you are comfortable and have things like pillows and blankets should you need to take a quick nap on the way. Be comfortable and be safe, and it can make a big difference to how smoothly the trip goes.
Wednesday, October 20, 2021
What NOT To Do When You're Involved In A Car Accident
There’s a whole lot of information out there about what you should do after a car accident, hence why we all understand the need to gather evidence, contact our insurers, and so on. However, with each accident leaving us vulnerable and shaken, it’s all too easy to forget these essential pointers and make additional mistakes to boot.
Unfortunately, these moments directly after an accident are the most crucial when it comes to seeking compensation, ensuring speedy recovery, and generally keeping our names out of the mud. Hence, no matter how emotionally hard-hitting an accident might be, it’s essential to keep your head about you at least enough to avoid these often fatal mistakes.
Leaving without exchanging details
Most of us want to put accidents behind you as soon as possible. Obviously, that’s not an option if you’ve been involved in a major incident, but individuals involved in scrapes or bumps may be tempted to skip all the insurance stuff and just get going. Unfortunately, fleeing the scene of an accident is considered a crime in many states, and certainly won’t help you if things go to court. What’s more, taking the other driver’s number or word that they’re going to contribute towards repair is no guarantee of anything, leaving you open to being out of pocket even if they were at fault. Instead, you must take the time to exchange details, and contact your insurers on the scene to get the ball rolling and keep everything moving down official channels.
Admitting fault
If you fear that you’re to blame for an accident, it’s tempting to apologize and fess up, but this is another thing you need to avoid. After all, at this stage, anything you say can be used against you, and even the best car accident attorney will have difficulty defending someone who held their hands up straight away. Even if you don’t think that you’re saying anything wrong, you should especially avoid saying sorry in any respect or equally pointing the finger at the other driver. Instead, remain neutral, speak to the other party only as much as necessary, and most certainly never suggest that your driving was to blame.
Omitting emergency services
You might assume that it’s not necessary to contact emergency services if no one’s visibly injured. However, even a small crash is a crime scene, and seeking physical assessments and thorough police reporting ensures the documentation that you’re going to need should this ever go to court. Certainly, a clean bill of health after the accident will put the other party’s future claims of whiplash to bed without question, while accurate police reporting can help to ensure adequate accounts/photographs are taken of things exactly as they happened, rather than how the other party’s attorney may choose to paint them.
It can be difficult to tick all the boxes when your hands are still shaking after an accident, but trust us, avoiding these mistakes is the best thing you could do to keep your name, and your finances, clear in the long run.
Thursday, July 22, 2021
Things to Consider When Blogging About Cars
Do you love cars? Do you want to share your knowledge with the world and start a blog about them? If so, there are many things that you should consider before taking the plunge. This article will cover some of those critical points.
Be Up to Date with the Trends
It is essential to be informed about the current trends in the automotive industry. You don't want to post about electric cars if no one is buying them anymore.
Improve Your Skills in the Niche
You can't blog about a subject you don't know much about. Find out what your niche is and if there are any gaps in the market that need to get filled.
Don't Forget SEO
Include keywords in the title and throughout your blog post. You can also insert links to other articles or pages related to yours so that Google's search engine algorithms will attract more readers.
Keep up with Social Media Networks
Blog posts have a shorter lifespan than ever before because they're getting shared at such high speed through different mediums. So, keep an eye on popular sites like Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and others.
Don't forget about niche-specific ones like Reddit for blogging about cars, so you don't miss any relevant news stories or industry developments that could spark some inspiration for future content.
Be Authentic and Honest
It is essential to see your blog as a platform for honesty and authenticity. Don't try to post about things you know nothing about or stretch the truth in any way because it will backfire on you sooner rather than later.
Don't be Afraid of Criticism
Blogging can come with a lot of different responses, some good and others bad. Being able to handle negative feedback will make you stronger in your blogging endeavors.
Encourage comments from readers by sharing information on social media networks like Facebook or Twitter about new blog posts that you publish. Hence, they know when it's their turn to comment!
Be Knowledgeable with Your Writing
You're not going to be taken seriously as a writer or authority on cars if you copy information from other blogs without verifying it first. Be sure that all of the content you share has been researched and feels true to your voice and beliefs to feel more credible when read by others.
Don't plagiarize! Be careful, though, because this goes both ways. Try not to take credit for someone else's work either!
Don't be Afraid to Ask for Help
Many people have started blogs about cars, so there are plenty of resources available that can provide advice and guidance along the way. Use these sources as a resource whenever possible because it will make things easier in the long run when self-learning becomes too difficult or tiring!
Plus, if someone has done something before, then chances are they've learned from their mistakes already, which means less time lost figuring everything out yourself.
It is essential to learn about the niche you want to log in to and be knowledgeable. It's also good not to get too personal with posts that are supposed to be about cars by focusing on yourself instead. Ask for help when needed so you can learn from others without having to spend as much time researching everything!
Thursday, January 28, 2021
How Do I Know If My Catalytic Converter Needs To Be Replaced?
For most of your car's life, you will hardly even know you have a catalytic converter. That's because this vital component of the exhaust system works quietly and efficiently as it keeps your car's exhaust as clean as possible. In fact, catalytic converters are crucial to the clean air and water of the nation and to the world. Every year, they prevent thousands of tons of dangerous substances from ever entering the atmosphere. Eventually, though, if you have your vehicle long enough, the unit will show signs of wear and tear. The surest sign is when the check engine light comes on. At this point, you want to go to your mechanic or your neighborhood auto parts store to have the code deciphered. The code will tell you if it is time for a replacement.
Signs You Need To Replace Your Catalytic Converter
In addition to the precision of diagnostic
codes, there will be a number of signs that indicate your converter is failing.
These will grow more pronounced over time. The following signs are warnings
that your unit is compromised:
•
Dark exhaust coming out of the
tailpipe
•
A rotten egg odor permeating
the vehicle
•
Frequent stalling of the engine
•
Decreasing gas mileage
•
Rattling sounds near the
tailpipe when idling
Once you know your unit needs to be
replaced, it is time to think about catalytic
converter cost. Like much of your exhaust system, this sophisticated piece
of equipment is not inexpensive. You can expect to pay between $950 to $2500
for a new converter. If you install the system yourself, you can probably shave
off several hundred dollars in labor costs. A direct fit unit will be easier to
install than a universal fit unit. If the unit is clogged, you might be able to
clean the converter and buy yourself some more time. It is not recommended to
wait too long or to try and bypass the warning systems of a failed converter.
How To Tell Your Catalytic Converter Has Gone Bad
While you might be able to drive for a
while on a compromised converter, the signs of failure will progressively
worsen. Engine performance will gradually degrade and the check engine light
will remain lit. You might even be unable to use cruise control. If you push it
too far, there might come a time when you cause engine damage to your vehicle
or even total engine failure.
When you do decide to replace your
catalytic converter, you will have a number of options of what type to buy. You
can use a VIN decoder to
match your car make and model to converters that will work with your vehicle.
This is a failsafe way to make sure you get the ideal product for your
replacement part. In fact, whenever you buy parts to upgrade your vehicle, it
is smart to use the VIN code as a starting point to find a perfect match.
Whether you are looking for new brakes, headlights or windshield wipers,
depending on your local store puts you in contact with great value and
automotive expertise.
Thursday, January 21, 2021
What You Should Have In Your Car For Emergencies
You never know when you’re going to run into trouble on the road. Whether it’s an accident or a breakdown, you can be left vulnerable if you’re not able to drive away from the scene immediately. For that reason, it’s wise to be ready for emergencies with the right tools at your disposal. Here, let’s look at what that emergency kit should really include.
A first-aid kit
First of all, if you get into a collision, then there is going to be a good chance that someone is injured. Even if the injury is a light cut, you should make sure that you’re ready to help patch it up with a first-aid kit to prevent things like infections. However, if someone seems very badly injured, it’s important not to move them unless they are in immediate danger of more severe injuries. Furthermore, if you are in an accident but you don’t feel injured, it’s still important to see the doctor as some issues like whiplash might not manifest for some time.
A phone and the right numbers
It’s a good idea to have a spare phone available in the car, particularly an older one with some minutes on it so that you can follow your post-crash checklist. You will need the right numbers to do that, too, including your insurance company, a breakdown or towing service, and perhaps even some legal assistance. That way, even if your own phone is lost or damaged in the incident, you can still get in touch with the people that you need to call to ensure your safety after the fact.
Crucial information and paperwork
If you end up breaking down or getting into an accident, you may be questioned about the nature of the car’s ownership, not to mention its repair history and insurance details. As such, it’s wise to keep paperwork in the car, preferably all in the same place. This can include things like your repair information, insurance claim forms, AAA information, your license, registration, and the like. Keep these in a safe file that you can pull out whenever you need to. Most people tend to keep this kind of papers in their glove box.
A spare
One of the parts of the car that is most likely to lead to its failure, or at least to more dangerous driving conditions, is the tyre. If you get a flat, it’s best to pull over as quickly as you can to prevent damage to the wheel itself. Having a spare tyre and changing kit in the trunk can help you get things back up and running. You might even want to consider buying spare wheels so that your roadside assistance services can fit them for you. Otherwise, a temporary stop can be turned into a much longer hiatus from driving.
Some jumper cables
Your battery is also likely to be a cause of breakdowns. If you don’t replace it in time, it can drain, leaving you stranded on the side of the road. There are a lot of different jumper cable sets that you can buy, but you usually want it to be roughly six meters in length. This can help you connect your battery to the battery of another car, and give yours the jolt of energy you need to complete your journey or at least make it to a garage.
A car repair kit
Aside from the tire and jumper cables kits mentioned above, there are a few other things you should bring with you. Motor oil can be incredibly useful because you might find yourself struggling with a very tight fit bolt, for instance. The tire pressure gauge can help you quickly make sure that your tires in good condition, too. Lastly, a little engine coolant can help you get your engine back into good health if you have stopped due to it overheating. These little bits and pieces should be kept in your boot to the side for when you need them.
Things to help you see better
You might not necessarily find yourself stopping in the middle of the day when the sun is out. The dark can be a tricky and dangerous thing to deal with. That’s why you should make sure you have a decent travel torch handy in the car so that you can see better at night. Ice is another thing that can affect your visibility, especially when it comes to your windows and windscreen. For that reason, you should consider bringing an ice scrape with you, as well.
Things to help you be seen
It’s not just your visibility you need to worry about, in terms of being able to see. You should also be concerned about whether people can see you, especially at night. Without your headlights on, it might be difficult for other motorists to see you. As such, it’s recommended you have high-visibility gear at the ready. This can include a jacket for you to wear, but you should also consider cones or other high-visibility markers that can be placed around the car to alert others to its presence. Generally, you don’t want to get out of your car except to place these down.
Food, water, and clothes
It not always easy to anticipate when you might be left stranded, but if you’re planning on taking a trip a long way from home, then you should be ready for the possibility of a breakdown. It’s wise to keep some bottled water, some non-perishable and easy-to-eat foods, as well as some warm clothes and blankets in your car. That way you can make sure you’re kept fed, hydrated, and warmed up. You can protect yourself even in the winter if you have the right gear to keep you comfortable until help arrives.
If you get into an accident or a breakdown, having the right preparations in place can make all the difference. Hopefully, the tips above have given you some thoughts about how you could be better prepared for the likelihood of car trouble.
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