Strange Smells Coming from Your Car or Truck?

Posted on May 10, 2010 by randall

We’ve all been there: you’re driving down the road and you start to notice a funny smell coming from your car. Sometimes it’s a burning smell and other times it might smell like old eggs (if you haven’t experienced that one, consider yourself lucky!).

Depending on what you’re smelling, the problem could be coming from several key areas of your car, and if you take a look at descriptions below, it might give you a good idea on what kind of problem you’re dealing with.

Strange smells can lead to bigger problems if not checked.Gasoline
This one is easy because most of us have smelled gasoline before. If you’ve mowed a lawn, you’ve probably spilled a little gasoline from time to time, and you know how that smell likes to stick around. On a car it could mean that you flooded your engine, and if you turned the key and it tries to start but won’t, that’s probably your issue. But, if that’s not it then it is likely a leak in your fueling system and you should get that looked at ASAP.

Bitter
Most times this is an oil leak and you’re smelling it burning off of your engine. If the smell gets worse or hangs around for a few days, then you might have a substantial oil leak that needs to be checked. If the smell has a hint of chemicals in it, then you could have overheated your brakes (or clutch if you drive a manual transmission). This could be a sign of a bigger problem and it’s best to discuss it with a mechanic.

Sweet
If your car or truck is overheating, then you are probably leaking coolant. You want to stop driving as soon as possible if this is the case because you could cause serious damage to the engine if it gets too hot while you drive. You can check your radiator fluid to see if it’s leaking out, but make sure the engine is completely cooled before you take off your radiator cap! Pressure in the lines could cause boiling-hot fluid to spray everywhere if the engine is still hot.

Eggs
The old eggs or sulfur smell is probably coming from something in your exhaust and emissions system. Have it checked as soon as possible to make sure that the problem doesn’t get more severe.

Toast
Another food smell, and this one isn’t good, either. You might have smelled this before at home or in the office because it’s usually an indicator of an electrical problem. Like all electrical issues, it’s best to leave it to an experienced professional, so make sure that you fully explain the problem and where the smell is coming from.

Come over and see me if you have any questions about this or any other post here!

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New or Used Car: Getting Ready to Purchase

Posted on May 7, 2010 by randall

If you’re in the market for a new or pre-owned car, you may have noticed that the process can be a little overwhelming. But, it doesn’t have to be! If you do your homework before buying from your local dealership, you’ll see that buying a car is a lot easier than most people think it is.

Let me take you step-by-step on how to get started:

Car buying can be fun and easy!

Set a budget. Simply calculate how much money you can afford to spend on a monthly payment and don’t forget to include any money available for a down payment. You want to do this before you start looking at specific makes and models so you’ll know which ones are in your range.

Research the cars you want. This is fun, so enjoy it! Now that you know what your budget is, you can start searching for the car you need. It’s a good idea to make a checklist of what you’re looking for in a car; good gas mileage, room for multiple passengers, high safety ranking, etc. This will narrow down if you need a sedan, SUV, something more sporty, and so on.

Find the right price. You know your price range, and you know the car you want (you might actually have a few cars you want, and this is fine), and now it’s time to start getting quotes. You can do this through dealer websites, or pick up the phone and call a few local dealers. Some dealerships offer a money back guarantee that will match the price of another dealer, or refund you the difference if you find a specific car cheaper somewhere else.

Nothing beats the feel of those keys.

Insurance and warranty coverage. If you are looking at a few different models, make sure you have an idea what the insurance coverage and premiums will be between them. Also, make sure you have a good understanding of the manufacturer warranty and know what is covered and what is transferable if you decide to sell later on. If you want roadside assistance, see if it’s included with the warranty or if that will be an additional cost.

Test drive and buy. I saved the best for last! When it comes to test driving, try to drive the model closest to the one you actually want to buy. If you want the base model of a specific car, don’t try out the one with the luxury package added to it — you want to get a feel for the car you’re going to drive off of the lot. If you’re deciding between a few different cars, try them out and you should get a better feel for which is right for you.

That should cover the basics, and that wasn’t too hard, was it? Remember, if you have any questions, let me know by leaving a comment below.

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Traveling with Your Four-Legged Friend

Posted on May 5, 2010 by randall

Sometimes we treat our pets like people, and that can cause a problem when it comes to letting your dog in your new car or truck. Besides damaging the leather or taking some of the “new” off of your vehicle, I know a lot of people who forbid animals in their cars.

Not the safest way to travel with your pet!

Now, that’s personal preference, and if you love having Brutus ride shotgun while you run errands, there are a few tips I’d like to pass along to keep both of you safe. First, make sure your dog is properly secured and not just roaming around the car. This can cause distractions while you drive, and in the event of an accident, it puts your dog in a dangerous position. So, either put your animals in a crate while you drive, or strap them in the back so they can’t move around or help you drive.

Take a look at these tips from dog safety expert Melanie Monteiro:

httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-dL2JSIR3XE

I’d love to hear any fun stories about traveling with your animals, so please leave a comment below and tell me about them!

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Road Rage: How to Deal with Aggressive Drivers

Posted on May 3, 2010 by randall

There’s really no way around it: road rage happens daily, and I’m sure all of us at some time have gotten a little frustrated with a fellow driver. But, it’s all about how you handle that feeling that counts and it’s best just to forget about it and keep driving. We all have to share the road out there, so the fewer angry drivers the better!

If someone cuts you off or blocks an exit, you might think it was intentional, but the other driver may have been distracted and didn’t even noticed you. On the other hand, you might have an aggressive driver traveling right around you, and if that’s the case, take a look at this short video to see how to handle a road rage situation:

httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QjZt-4-_xMc

That’s great advice! Just remain calm and try to let the other driver just drive on by. Be safe out there, and if you have any questions or comments, come on over and see me.

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Ford Time Machine: The 1920s

Posted on April 30, 2010 by randall

There’s a lot more to the ’20s than great jazz music! Take another trip into the past with Sherry and me to see how Henry Ford got involved with a lot more than just the automobile:

httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A_Sru63EiiU

Most people remember Henry Ford for his automotive work at the Ford company, but he was also passionate about aviation, agriculture, film, politics, and so much more.

What’s in store for Sherry and me when we head into the 1930s? You’ll have to wait for your next dose of autotainment to find out!

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Financing a New Car? This Info Will Help

Posted on April 28, 2010 by randall

Talking about a customer’s credit situation can be a touchy subject, and rightfully so. Customers with a lower credit score might not want to disclose that to anyone, let alone the person they are buying that new car from. But, from the car dealer’s perspective, we’ve seen it all and we really want to help. Bad things happen to good people, and a lot of credit issues might be out of a person’s control — loss of job, divorce, illness, and so on.

If you have good credit, then your financing needs might be the last things from your mind. But, you want to make sure that you qualify for the best terms and rates available, so having an idea of your credit score before you shop is a good idea.

Take a look at this great video I came across to get a better understanding on car loans:

httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BxTIUY2mlt0

The main thing to remember is to be upfront and honest with the dealer about your credit situation. Dealers have good relationships with their banks, so just because you don’t think your credit is good enough, that might not be the case. Don’t fall into the trap of prejudging your credit.

Having problems getting financed or have any questions that I can answer for you? I’m here to help, so just let me know!

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Ford Work Solutions: Tool Link

Posted on April 26, 2010 by randall

Tool Link is an essential component to what makes Ford Work Solutions work so effectively. Have you ever left a job site only to realize that you left a tool behind? Tool Link from De WALT uses radio frequency ID (RFID) technology to tell you what’s in your truck and what isn’t. You can even create tool inventories based on job requirements, so you’ll have the right tools when and where you need them.

Tool Link makes sure it all comes back with you.

Within a few seconds, Tool Link can inventory hundreds of items and you have it all at the touch of your fingertips, both before and after a job. So, how does this technology work? The Ford Work Solutions site says it best:

– Fasten standard second-generation RFID tags to tools, safety equipment, material inventories and other valuable assets, even recreational items. Then scan the tags.

– With the vehicle running, a pair of RFID antennas inside the pickup bed or van cargo box scans for tagged items and displays them on the In-Dash Computer screen.

– You’re alerted if any inventoried items have not been loaded on the truck.

If you use your work truck for recreation, too, you can use Tool Link to track the stuff you use for camping, hunting, or any other hobby you want. Make sure your next Ford truck is equipped with Ford Work Solutions.

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Choosing Leather or Cloth in Your New Car

Posted on April 23, 2010 by randall

You’d be surprised how many customers I’ve seen that pick leather or cloth based on appearance alone. Nothing wrong with that if it’s what you want, but when you start thinking about long-term ownership, there are some big differences between the two that you might want to consider. I’ve broken down some of the pros and cons below, so look them over and come tell me if you can think of anything I’m missing here.

Cleaning Messes
If you eat in your care and are prone to spilling, you might want to go with leather. If you have children this is a good choice, too, and even though it might be more expensive than cloth, it is a lot easier to clean. Stains have a way of seeping in cloth interior and not coming out.

Overall Comfort
If it’s hot where you live and you’ve had leather seats in the past, then you probably know what happens to hot leather when your skin touches it, right? If you’re wearing shorts, not only will it be very hot, it will also be sticky. If it’s cold where you live, you might not be sticking to the seat, but that leather gets just as cold as it does hot! Go with cloth and save yourself the torture.

What’s That Smell?
Score another point for leather — cloth holds in smells a lot more than leather. What kind of smells? Smoke, food, animals, sweat, and the list goes on. Sure, it can hold good smells, too, but if you go with leather then you won’t have to roll the dice on that one.

Upkeep & Maintenance
Now, it’s almost an even break here and it will depend on your preference. Leather does take some upkeep to make it look nice and fresh, but cloth fades over time. Cloth also rips and tears easily, but leather is usually more expensive. I’ll call it a tie and let you have the final decision.

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Proper Tire Maintenance for Your New or Used Car

Posted on April 22, 2010 by randall

Your tires are one of the most important pieces of your new or used car. They come in daily contact with the road and have to withstand any element that they are subjected to: rain, heat, ice, etc.

With just a little effort, you can ensure that your tires will last for a long time to come, and help keep you and all of your passengers safe.

Tire Pressure — Do you remember the last time you checked the air in your tires? If it was the last time you changed your oil, that might not be soon enough. It’s best to check the pressure in your tires every few weeks, and especially if the seasons are changing over.

As the temperature changes, the heat and cold can cause the tire pressure to raise and lower — you typically lose 1 psi (pounds per square inch) per 10 degree change in the temperature. Plus, you lose at least 1 psi per month through normal driving. If you’re not sure about how much air should be in your tire, you can find the specific psi requirements on the outside wall of the tire.

Tire Tread — The easiest way to see if you have enough tread on your tire is to do what’s called the “quarter test.” You take a quarter and insert it between the tread grooves of your tire with Washington’s head pointing downward. If the tread doesn’t touch the top of Washington’s head, you probably need new tires.

Tire Wear — Take a look at this picture of common tire wear problems:

That image shows you how the wear on the tire can give you an idea of what might be causing the problem.

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Bad Drivers: Know the 10 Types

Posted on April 20, 2010 by randall

Now, I don’t think anyone means to be a bad driver, and it might just be a gradual problem that gets worse over time. But, if you spend a lot of time driving, you’re sure to come across many different types of bad drivers and their behaviors can range from humorous to dangerous.

If you were nodding along while reading that last part, then take a look at this funny list of 10 types of bad drivers. You might even know a few of these people, and that’s all right; just make sure you send them this list so they know we’re on to them!

(1) The Time Waster – You know this guy. You’re waiting to make a right turn and he’s coming down the street and instead of using his blinker to let you know he’s turning before you – you sit there and waste time not knowing what he’s going to do.

(2) Traffic Weavers – Why bother with all the lane changes when you’re only gaining one or two car lengths. You’re cutting people off and making us very irritated. I think it’s funny when someone is driving behind you and they think they can get ahead of you so they change lanes to get around you but get stuck behind someone going slower than you. I laugh so hard at this.

(3) Light Turns Green And Nothing – HELLOOOOO GOOOO!!!

(4) The No Reason Passer – If you’re going to pass me then you better not start driving slower than I am. What’s the point of that?

Not sure which of the 10 this is.

(5) I’m Officially Blind – Ok, I got it Mr. I Drive the Tallest Truck I Can. You win. I have been clinically blinded by your headlights. I give up.

(6) The Snail / The Bullet – I think this pretty much sums it up,  ”Have you ever noticed that anyone driving slower than you is an idiot, and anyone going faster than you is a maniac?” – George Carlin

(7) Widespread Panic – OK look, I’ve given you plenty of room to get over in front of me, what are you so afraid of? I’ve seen hamsters be more aggressive.

(8) Oh Will You Look At That – Was it imperative that you take a quick few second look at that poor guy being pulled over by the police. You’ve backed up traffic for miles. Eyes forward FOCUS!

(9) The Permanent Blinker – You must be a real treat. You’ve just given more than one person on the road a complete psychotic breakdown as they are driving. Way to go!

(10) The Ones That Enter The Parking Lot – And then proceed to drive at the pace of a turtle. It’s OK to go faster than 2 mph. Trust me.

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