How to Salvage Broken Down Parts of Your Car

In order to save money, many of us save by buying used vehicles. This is a very cost-effective choice. As cars depreciate so quickly, it's smart to buy a car a few years old, rather than losing a great deal of money when the car is driven off the lot. Sometimes, customers can even pay cash, preventing having to pay loans. However, there is one caveat to owning a used vehicle. Buying used is most cost-effective when the owner knows about cars, both in how to fix minor issues and how to recognize major problems. Use the following guides to learn about some of the major fixes and checkups that your used car may need.

Body & Interior

• How to Fix a Car Paint Scratch – This is a great guide to fixing little bothersome scratches and dings on your vehicle.
• Should You Repair It of Replace It? - This is a guide to cracked windshield treatment.
• Headlamp Replacement – This is an easy step-by-step process on changing a headlight.
• Clean the Inside of a Car – Fast – This fast technique should be done quickly and frequently to extend the life of your vehicle and avoid residual smells.
• DIY Project – Detailing a Car – This reviews exterior and interior finishes that you can use on your beautiful car.

Transmission & Power-trains

• Top 10 Signs of Transmission Trouble – Your transmission is one of the most expensive parts of the car, so it is important to pay attention when it's not doing well.
• The Transmission – This article talks about how a transmission works and its parts.
• How Does an Automatic Transmission Work? - Have you ever wondered how an automatic transmission switches gears? This article can tell you how.
• Car Tips: Do I Need to Change My Transmission Fluid? - Transmission fluids should be changed once about every two years or every 30,000 miles.
• Keeping You Safe – Car Equipment Recall Listings – Transmissions are often recalled. Check government listings to make sure all recalled parts have been replaced.

Steering & Suspension

• Don't Brake Into a Pothole – This article talks about the damage potholes can do to your car's steering system.
• Diagnosis Power Steering Problems – This article talks about common power steering issues.
• Steering and Suspension – This handbook can help you spot faulty systems.
• Suspension and Steering – This is a learning module about the parts and functions of the suspension and steering systems.
• Suspension, Steering, and Handling – This is another learning module reviewing steering designs.

Engine

• Green Driving Tip: Engine Maintenance – This video includes important engine maintenance tips which can save on gas.
• Change Your Oil – This is a simple how-to on changing your oil.
• Changing Your Oil? An Earth-friendly Guide for Do-it-yourselfers – This is a great guide to doing an oil change, and doing it in a way that's good for the environment.
• Oil Change Frequency FAQ's – This article from the California government maintains that the 3,000 mile rule-of-thumb is a myth.
• How to Check a Vehicle' s Coolant/Antifreeze – If you are ever in a bad situation where your car is overheating, you may want to check the coolant level. Never open the radiator pressure cap when the vehicle is running or still warm. Wait at least an hour before attempting.

Brakes

• Warning Signs You Need New Brakes – Brake failure can largely be avoided by listening to the car and feeling unusual vibrations.
• Know the Signs and Stay Ahead of Brake Problems – This guide has tips on how to recognize the signs of brake failure, and also how to elongate the life of your rotors.
• How To Change Your Brake Pads – This is a simple DIY guide to replacing brake pads.
• Example of How To Change Front Brake Pads, Rotors and Bleed Brakes – It's not necessarily recommended to try and do this yourself, however, the photos in this article give a great deal of knowledge on basic brake structure.
• Disc Brake Service – This is actually a chapter in a textbook about brakes and brake service.

Preventive Maintenance

• Vehicle Maintenance You Don't Want to Skip – Forbes gives its list of ten maintenance procedures to practice.
• 74 Tips to Extend the Life of Your Car – Reader's Digest provides a whopping 74 tips.
• Auto Repair Basics – Heading Off Problems – Use these basic tips for finding out when to come to a shop for larger issues.
• A Debt-Free Older Car Needs a Good Mechanic – This article gives general advice on making the most of your money when it comes to used cars.