Valencia Auto Center Blog

Today when you go vehicle shopping there’s a wide variety of choices you can make from best fuel economy to the size of the vehicle and some of the modern conveniences that are offered today. But selecting the right vehicle for your needs should always be the basis of your decision. Because most people are keeping their vehicles longer taking a little extra time to research the best vehicle to fit your lifestyle is something every new car buyer should do.

Vehicle Features

First think about who will be driving your vehicle or whom will be riding in it with you. Is your new vehicle strictly for commuting back and forth to work, or will it be for the entire family? Comfort and space are very important, features such as DVD screening or navigation systems are options that you can consider depending on how the vehicle will be used.

Fuel Economy

When it comes the fuel economy there are wide variety of choices depending on the type of mileage you be driving the vehicle each year you may want to consider a hybrid or one of the newer more fuel-efficient gasoline models that can get over 30 miles per gallon. Each manufacturer offers a few choices in each one or both of these categories.

Annual Maintenance

One other important factor most people don’t consider his annual maintenance on the vehicle. Some vehicles require more maintenance than others and can range in price depending on the brand. So in your quest to find the right vehicle make sure to check on the maintenance schedule and what services like oil changes, air filters, breaks and other general maintenance requirements cost. This could put you over your budget especially if you’re planning on keeping the car longer than the warranty.

Some things to consider when shopping for a new vehicle:

• Are you looking for a manual or automatic transmission?
• Do you require four-wheel-drive?
• What are the safety features you’re looking for?
• What type of cargo capacity do you need?
• Will you be towing an RV or boat?
• Do you need the vehicle to fit easily in your garage?

These are just some of the questions you need to ask yourself before purchasing the wrong vehicle. The best thing to do is make a checklist of features and functions that you absolutely need in your next vehicle. When shopping take this list with you and make sure the vehicles you’re looking at meet your needs. All of the dealers in the Valencia Auto Center can help you find the right vehicle for your budget and provide you excellent service after the sale.

One of the biggest investments an individual will make in their lifetime will be the purchasing of a vehicle. Cars aren’t cheap and the cost of maintenance and repairs required in keeping a car running well can be astronomical. So, it is no surprise that new car owners want to take every possible step necessary to ensure that their vehicle is well cared for. Properly breaking in a new car is on the mind of many new car owners, as they drive off the lot of a dealership. While the question is complex in itself, there are several recommendations regarding breaking in a new car, that are helpful in prolonging the life of a new vehicle.

First tip to properly breaking in a new car is to drive gently. The first 2000 miles on a vehicle are crucial and it is important to not only drive conservatively, but to also keep the RPMs under 3500 for the first 500 miles.

There is no rocket science involved in breaking in a car’s engine. Simply drive 30 mph and then allow your engine to accelerate to 50 mph. It is important to continue this routine during the first 3000 miles of your car’s life.

For those wanting their vehicle to make the long haul, it is imperative that the car, specifically the engine, is properly broken in. Failing to properly break in your car could have some devastating consequences, including engine failure and deficits in the parts.

There are a few myths centered on breaking in cars that are leased. It may not seem to be a valid concern for those leasing, to dedicate the time to properly break in their car; however the short term consequences of not complying with the recommendations, affect the driver. A standard lease can leave you with the same vehicle for several years, and the quality of the auto maintenance provided will reflect the car’s overall performance.

In the good-old days–those being the 60s for this writer–with the arrival of the first winter storm in Minneapolis, drivers found themselves forced to relearn what they had forgotten over the summer: how to brake on ice. Slamming your foot down on the pedal worked fine during the warmer months, but in the winter that instinctive reaction to a panic stop brought disaster as your wheels locked-up and the car went into a dangerous spin.Regardless of the brake system, power brakes or the older mechanical type; it did not matter: they locked and you spun! This is true even in California when it rains. As the roads become very slick do to oil and other stuff on the roadway.

In the 1970s, American automobile manufacturers started installing power brakes of a new type: ABS brakes, or antilock brakes. Now when a startled driver jammed down on the brake pedal, instead of locking up, the abs brakes would pulsate as if he were pumping them; the result was a stable slowing instead of a spin. The concept for ABS brakes was not new, having been used for aircraft landing gear as early as 1929; but the earlier systems depended on mechanical means like flywheels that were unsuitable for automobiles. With the advent of the transistor and sophisticated sensors, power brakes could be controlled in a less expensive more efficient manner.

These sensors automatically furnish the brake system with carefully measured shots of fluid as pressure on the wheels waxes and wanes. The driver feels the pedal pulsating under his foot at up to 16 times per second, and can turn all his attention to controlling the steer. Since most newer vehicles use this brake system  rain and winter storms are safer for driver – – if less exciting.