If you’re like me and have no clue about the inside workings of automobiles and such, take heart. You can actually tell a lot by what your car says.

Yep. Those squeaks, squeals, rattles, and rumbles offer valuable clues about problems and maintenance needs.

Scenario One

Your car squeals at you. A shrill, sharp noise, (mostly related to engine speed) can indicate loose or worn power steering, fan or air conditioning belt. Loose car parts are not good news. Take your car in for a look-over.

Scenario Two

Your car makes a clicking sound. In this case, you might have a loose wheel cover, or a loose or bent fan blade. Don’t try beating the dashboard to see if the problem goes away. Remember the loose car part warning above.

A clicking noise may also mean you have a stuck valve lifter or low engine oil.

Scenario Three

Your car screeches. Piercing metallic sounds can be caused by brake wear indicators to let you know it’s time for maintenance. Sometimes brakes will squeal, even when they’re in okay shape. Go ahead and get it checked out, though. You want your brakes in top condition all the time.

Scenario Four

Your car makes a low rumbling noise. This could mean something’s up with your exhaust pipe, converter or muffler.

Scenario Five

Your car has a high-pitched pinging sound. This is usually caused by using gas with a lower octane rating than recommended. Check your owner’s manual for the proper octane rating. If the pinging continues, engine ignition timing may be the issue.

Scenario Six

Your car has a rhythmic pounding sound. This could indicate a worn crankshaft or connecting rod bearings. Or maybe a loose transmission torque converter.

Scenario Seven

Your car makes a thumping sound now and again. In this case, you might be dealing with a loose shock absorber or other suspension component. There might also be a loose exhaust pipe or muffler.

Basically, if your car is saying anything other than a pleasant “hum”, you could be in hot water. Get it checked out right away. And casually ask, “I was wondering if maybe I had a loose transmission torque converter…” – just to see what look the mechanic gives you.

Car safety in terms of vehicle safety and equipment of your car being in good operating condition is another important element of overall car safety. For instance, making sure that all the lights are working for your blinkers and brakes and head and tail lights all play an important part in car safety. These lights are indicators for other drivers and pedestrians and signal these people about your whereabouts and your intentions. If any of these lights are not functioning, a vital part of car safety is compromised.

Good working brakes are also vital for optimal car safety. Both the foot brakes and the emergency hand of foot brake aid in maintaining proper speed and distance from other cars, pedestrians and traffic control and if they are not working correctly, collisions can occur and car safety is sabotaged. An important way to be sure that this area of car safety is attended to is by properly maintaining your car with regular servicing, according to the manufacturer’s guidelines. Making sure that your car idles at the correct setting is important for car safety so that you don’t stall you vehicle at intersections and when parking and thus creating a hazard in the road.

Most all of the areas of car safety and maintaining safe driving practices are within the driver’s control. This includes the are of driving under the influence of any mind altering substances. Not only is it illegal in almost every area, but it is unwise and inconsiderate. If your judgement and reflexes are impaired while driving, car safety is out the window, so to speak. You not only put yourself and your property at risk, but you also put every other living being on or near the road at risk, not to mention property. So take car safety seriously and to heart for yourself and the sake of others.

Otherwise most rental cars are fairly stripped down, low cost versions of some fairly well known models. When you call a rental car place and ask about rental cars they offer, they can tell you they have this model or that model that you are familiar with so in your mind you are picturing your fairly well appointed car at home, not some bare bones rental car version of the car you know and love. The ploy always works and you feel reassured about the rental car that you might receive so you proceed with your rental car reservation and eventually see what you are really renting when you go to the agency to pick it up.

Rental cars are like an alternate universe. Rental cars just don’t make much sense. You know that rental cars are the cheapest thing the agency could buy and that they are doing the bare minimum amount of maintenance t keep their rental cars on the road, but you need to double your daily cost for the rental car by purchasing special insurance from the car rental agency just so they won’t tack a couple of extra hundred dollar charge on your credit card when you return the rental car. Rental cars are already all covered in scratches and dings, but if you put on one more, you are going to get charged an arm and a leg, so to speak. But you money never goes to repair the scratches or dings because they are always there, so where does all that extra money go?

Actually, I feel sorry for rental cars. Nobody loves rental cars. Everybody expects them to be trouble free and get them where they want to go and not spoil their vacation, but nobody is proud of their rental car. And certainly, nobody cares for rental cars the way they do for their own car. and everybody abuses rental cars. They feel that they got ripped off by the rental car agency on that extra damage insurance so they might as well get their money’s worth so nobody is careful with their rental car and rental cars suffer for it.

Any car that has been owned by one or more other people should be checked out as thoroughly as possible. Some car owners take very good care of their vehicles, while others do not. A new car that does not get regular maintenance during its lifetime can get premature wear on many of its parts. Because of this, it is difficult at best to judge a car solely on the amount of miles it has on it. Mileage is a factor when looking at a particular car, but it should not be the main reason to pick or dismiss the auto.

If your friendly salesman tries to get you to focus your attention on a certain vehicle, it will still be up to you to decide if you want to check into it or not. Don’t let him force you to look only at select cars that he picks out for you. Remember, you are the one who will ultimately make the final decision, so make good use of your time there. Should the salesman point out a car and you don’t like it for any reason, don’t feel pressured to check it out anyway just to be polite. Many salesmen know that if they can wear you down, you’ll be more likely to make a quick decision just to get it over with and get out of there. Look around the lot first to see what they have. You might see one or more cars that get your attention right off the bat. If not, you might even want to ask the salesman for a recommendation. He is one person who knows the inventory, and he might actually want to show you one of the best that they have to offer.

Once you find a car that you might want to purchase, be sure to give it a serious visual inspection. Sometimes the salesman will talk incessantly in an effort to divert your attention. He might start telling you how good the upholstery is or what great condition the body is in. Certainly listen to what he has to say, but don’t allow him to make up your mind for you. Walk around the vehicle and look at everything carefully. Look at it from different angles, as you might notice something when the light shines this way or that. If the car appears to have its original factory finish, chances are that is has never been in a serious accident. Cars that have been painted by other than the factory may have been painted to cover up repairs to the body.

All in all, keep in mind that you are the one that is buying the car, not the salesman, so don’t take his word as gospel. He might be extremely helpful, and his advice and suggestions may be good, but it could just as easily be his attempt to get you to buy a car that he has been trying to get rid of for a long time. Take your time and look at more than one, even if you have your heart set on a particular car. Seeing some of the others on the lot will help you to get a bigger picture of the type of autos that this dealer purchases, and it might even make you change your mind.

If you have decided on getting a new car, think about what it is you want from this new car. How will you be using it? Where will you be driving it? How many miles a week will you be putting on it? Do you have to consider gas costs and gas consumption because some new cars are much more fuel efficient than others. Do you have some image, professional or personal that you want to consider when choosing from the wide variety of types and sizes of new cars available. Perhaps you new car should actually be a pick-up truck, have you considered that? How many people will be riding in your new car on a regular basis? Is the safety rating on new cars important to you? How much can you spend on the purchase of your new car?

So be very clear in your mind about what your new car needs and what you expect from your new car and this will narrow your search considerably and you will have few new cars to consider before you make your purchase. The type of new car you think you want to get will determine what brands of new cars you will look at. Your budget will influence the makes and models of new cars that are an option for you. If you are on a very limited budget in terms of buying and operating you new car, then you can eliminate a lot of new car makers from you search, unless you find it entertaining to go window shopping at upscale car dealerships where you have no intention of buying…

You can sometimes get into a better new car on a lower budget if you can live without some of the extras for now and add them on later. New cars that are fully equipped are much more expensive than their stripped down counterparts. But you have to set your priorities when buying new cars. Which is more important to you? the make and model or the stereo and sunroof? Also, when you are comparison shopping for new cars, you will notice that some car companies can get more money for a comparable car from another company that doesn’t have the status reputation of the first so you will pay less for the lesser known or less popular make and model.

You need to do a lot of serious homework before setting foot on any of car lots when looking at new cars. There are many independent sources that can help you gather lots of reliable unbiased information that will assist you in your decision making process when considering all those new cars that are out there. You should use the internet and its endless sites on new cars and get as much information as possible on makes and models and then further research when you have narrowed it done. then go get your new car. And before you know it it will be you in the driver’s seat of one of those shiny new cars on the road!

Unlike the standard used car lot, most of the people that you deal with will not be your average car salesman, and many of them will be much easier to deal with. Keep in mind that there are some people who run their own little side business, buying older used cars and fixing them up to sell and make a profit. Should you run into one of these, it will usually be pretty obvious. They will have several cars sitting around in various states of repair, some with signs on them to indicate the asking price and others might even be on blocks. Be wary of these, many times they are as shady as the used car lot dealers, the only reason they do it like this is to avoid getting a business license and renting or buying a lot. It is possible that you will get a good deal from them, just don’t count on it. If you suspect that you have found one of these, be especially careful.

When you arrive at the private seller’s residence, they should already be expecting you and be prompt in greeting you. Don’t let them invite you in for lunch or coffee, that could be a ploy to gain your acceptance and trust in an attempt to sell you their lemon. Ask them nicely to show you the car that they are selling and get down to business. Since you have already gotten a lot of preliminary information about the car on your previous phone call, the only thing remaining is to do a good visual inspection and take a look at their records of the vehicle, which they should have ready for you. Use the same kind of caution that you would at a used car lot, and be sure to ask any questions about the car that you can think of. If you cannot get them to show you maintenance records, there’s a good chance that they don’t have them or just don’t want you to see them for some reason. At that point, you have to decide whether you want the car badly enough to stick around.

Once you see the records, complete with receipts, do a serious visual on the car. Everything that they told you on the phone should be exactly what you see. Make sure that the car has a good finish, and if it looks like it has been painted, ask about it immediately. Although some people paint their cars just because the car is getting old and needs it, others will paint them because the car was in an accident. If you strongly suspect that the car has been wrecked but the seller denies it, use your best judgment as to whether to continue looking or just pass this one over. Just as you would do on a used car lot, look at everything that you can while the car is sitting still. Check that the inspection is current, and that the car is registered. Make sure that it has good tires on it. Look for cracks and dings in the windows, especially the windshield. Remember, this could be your car very soon, and you’ll want everything to be in the best of shape.

Start the car yourself, getting a feel for how the ignition sounds. Like any used car, it should turn over quickly and strongly. Let the car idle for a few seconds and listen to the engine. Get the seller to let you test drive it. Do all of the things that you would when buying from a used car lot, though you already have an advantage if you have seen the maintenance records and will not need to be quite as picky. Once you return, it’s time to decide for yourself whether you want to buy the car or not.

If you live in a country where people just seem to like the sound of their car alarms, then your experience of car alarms will be quite different than if you lived in a truly civilized country. In some places, people just set their car alarms so that it is so very sensitive that it will go off with every loud noise or gust of wind that happens near by. The car with this supersensitive car alarm is then parked in the person’s driveway, but near enough to the road to be set off by almost every passing vehicle. It doesn’t matter that the car with this car alarm is parked in a driveway that is surrounded by a big iron security gate. The car alarm must be super sensitive and always alarmed, even thought there is no way the car can be touched or removed from the private, locked up driveway where it sits.

Then when a car alarm gets set off, which happens every little while all day and all night long, the owner can then take at least a couple of minutes to enjoy the blaring sound of their car alarm. The amazing thing about car alarms like this is that they are not all that uncommon in some places. Why people like this or need this car alarm armed even when the car is perfectly secure is beyond me.

Car alarms should be used when appropriate, not is fairly safe neighborhoods, with security guards on duty, patrolling the street and where you car is locked up behind an iron gate, three feet from your front window. But I guess if you just love the sound of car alarms and you can sit in your house and listen to your car alarm going off every few minutes, all day and all night, then you will have found heaven if you live in a country where people are so inconsiderate and driving their neighbors crazy with their car alarms

The smoother you drive, the longer your car will run. Stopping and starting, fast lane changes, scratching off all lead to shorter life for your car.

Naturally, you can’t drive at all without stopping and starting. But your goal is to keep moving smoothly any time that you can. Does it look like a stoplight is about to turn green? Then slow down and if possible, gently keep moving until the light changes.

Less engine idle means less engine wear, says Sikorsky. If you have to idle longer than 30 seconds, you may as well turn the engine off and start it when you’re ready to roll. So turn off the car if you’re waiting in parking lots, waiting on others to ready themselves for travel, if you have to go back in the house for something, etc.

And never rev up the car while it’s not moving.

If you’re driving in “bumper to bumper” barely moving traffic, it’s wise to turn your air conditioner off. This saves a lot of wear on your car. The engine has to work overtime if the air is on and you’re stopping and starting frequently.

You’ve probably heard that it’s good to take your car out periodically for a good drive on the highway now and again, and that’s good advice. This allows your engine to get fully warmed up and helps get rid of some deposits built up by short trips.

If it’s below freezing, try not to take your car out on short trips of less than five miles. Sikorsky says this is one of the worst possible conditions for your car.

Don’t cruise around a parking lot forever, trying to find a spot. Go ahead and park further away and get in a little exercise.

Avoid accelerating suddenly unless there’s an emergency situation. Putting the pedal to the metal may get you someplace today, but tomorrow you may end up hitching a ride from a neighbor.

If possible, don’t park your car headed uphill. When you’re ready to start it later, the engine will have to use extra power to pull itself. It’s better to park headed downhill than uphill.

Driving on dusty roads cuts your gas mileage considerably as well as adds to engine wear.

I’ve found Drive It Forever a valuable read! It’s personal, and easy to read, even if you’re mechanically challenged.

Scheduling regular oil changes is vital to the life of any vehicle.

The oil filter keeps little bits of dust and other contaminants out of your engine, and helps ensure the oil runs smoothly, so you want to change that every time you change the oil.

Imagine how your body would react if your kidneys and liver shut down. The impurities in your blood would build up continually, and it wouldn’t take long for your body to completely break down.

Oil for your car can be likened to blood to your body. Your car needs clean oil to keep going. What would happen if you never changed your oil?

Well, you’d be lucky to get 30,000 miles out of the car before your engine would collapse.

Say you only change your oil once a year. Your car seems to be running fine, so no harm done, right? Not so fast! Your engine has been flooded with contaminants. It won’t be long till you find yourself coming to a standstill.

Regular oil changes are as important to your car as daily trips to the bathroom are to you. Now, we won’t take the analogy too far, but you get the idea. This one scheduled maintenance may help your vehicle avoid mechanical failures.

I actually heard two mechanics say that they figured you could run a car forever if you had the oil changed every 2000 miles. That may seem excessive to some folks. But it kept my baby humming nicely!

Now if you see any hint of an oil leak on the driveway after the car is parked, get to a service station. This could be ultra bad news and you need to have your car checked out immediately. Ditto if you detect a burning smell or smoke coming from around the engine!

You may not feel 100% comfortable changing your oil, but you can check it easily. It’s best to check the oil when your engine is cold. Unscrew the cap and pull out the dipstick. Wipe it with a clean tissue or paper towel. Reinsert the stick all the way. Then pull it back out and check the dipstick. You’ll see “add” and “full” lines clearly marked on it. If the oil film is between the “add” and “full” lines, you’re good. If it’s below the “add” line, you need a quart of oil. Make sure you use the kind recommended in your owner’s manual. After adding the oil, repeat all the steps.

See, that wasn’t too hard, was it?

Make sure you take the time to check the oil levels in your car, and have it changed regularly. It literally means the difference between life and death for your vehicle!

Due to the current concerns about global warming and internal combustion engined cars’ contribution to that problem, there is renewed interest in electric cars. Electric cars are cleaner and quieter than internal combustion cars. Electric cars have a lot of other more technical advantages over internal combustion cars, but the electric cars have always suffered due to battery technology.

Electric cars are designed to run off of energy that is stored in onboard batteries. Until recently, these batteries have been big and heavy and quick to run down and slow to recharge, all of which has made electric cars a less than viable alternative to internal combustion engine cars. But advances in battery technology point to a very promising future for electric cars. If the batteries can be made smaller, lighter, longer lasting and quicker to recharge, the electric car has a good shot at replacing the internal combustion engine car and that would be a very good thing for the environment. Even with the current electric car using polluting coal powered electric generating plants to supply their electricity, they are still less polluting than internal combustion engine cars and electric cars can now be recharged from sources using renewable resources to produce energy.

Electric cars can now be recharged at a person’s home from their own solar powered electric generator, which means that electric cars can be far less polluting than internal combustion engine cars and electric cars, overall will have a much lesser effect on global warming.

Our world will be so much better off without the internal combustion engine car. Electric cars will be whizzing silently around our neighborhoods and electric cars will not be poisoning us or the environment in the process. Electric cars will be cleaner, quieter, and safe for us all. And the electric car of the future will not have to sacrifice speed or range to bring us all of these advantages.