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| February 2008 Newsletter |
2008-03-24 |
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Sweetheart's Edition!
Motormouth here,
Welcome everyone to our February “Sweethearts” edition of our Car Connection Business Network newsletter. Well folks according to “The Brown Furry Missile” Mr Ground Hog were still in the deep freeze for 6 more weeks! I sure hope for the Ground Hog’s sake that spring does arrive on time or else there could be some rather upset golfers looking to settle the score with our brown furry friend!
Anyhow I still have a tough time buying into this ground hog deal! Since Mother Nature herself already has us “pegged” to greet spring with open arms in 6 weeks, “go figure” I suppose for some, the Ground Hog thing helps to release some winter stress or something? As for me once I spot that first Robin its Wooo Hooo all the way to the warmer weather!
Axel is not too sure about Mr Ground Hog, a few years ago when we were living on a farm in the Kitchener Ont area, Axel encountered our brown furry friend in a field next to the barn. After a brief chase they met nose to nose, Axel just stood there looking at Mr Ground Hog. From where I was standing it was the funniest thing to watch!
I could visualize a cartoon caption over Axels head saying “what is this thing” “its furry, but it does not look like a Cat or act like one” “it certainly is not one of us” Axel had a very confused look about her at this point in the confrontation, suddenly Axel turned and bolted in the opposite direction.
It was as though she had completed her “scan” of the furry brown being and had determined that it was some kind of unexplainable phenomenon or Alien being! One of those times when you wish you had brought along a camera phone or something to record the moment!
A warm welcome to all of our Car Connection Club “Newbies” from all of executive club members! I was passing by the main club house the other day and I may have uncovered the initiation package that the senior exec’s are putting together for our “Newbies.”
Let me say this, what does it mean when a costume rental van is unloading several “Cupid” costumes into the main hall? Folks I’m staying completely out of this one, just the thought of grown men prancing around in a “Cupid outfit” to music tells me that I need to find something fast to fill up my schedule so that I am not able to make it to this one! I pretty busy, I think I have to watch snow melt or something! This initiation just ain’t right if you ask me! “Motormouth” & Axel out………..
Soooo on another note, keep in mind that regular vehicle maintenance along with a preventative maintenance plan in the long run will accomplish a number of positive things for you.
1) Your vehicle is always ready to make a long journey without questioning wether it will make it there and back safely without issues?
2) Your vehicle is always ready for resale, without having to have a “tonne” of repairs completed before you can place it on the market or trade it in! Remember the first impression is everything!
3) Your vehicle will always be in fine shape to pass a mandatory emissions test or safety/state inspection.
Trust me folks there is nothing like the peace of mind that comes along knowing that your vehicle is properly maintained at all times! It is a great feeling also knowing that you are setting a good example for your kids to follow and to those around you! Mt theory has always been “teach them by showing them” talk is cheap!
Our Car Connection Annual maintenance reminder list continues below check it out!!!!
1) Rust Proofing your vehicle is an Annual Event!
2) Transmission Servicing every 12 months.
3) Complete brake system service/inspection min every 12 months.
4) Brake Fluid Flush every year!
5) Tires re/ balanced once per year.
6) Front wheel / four wheel alignment.
7) Steering & Suspension inspection.
8) Filters: Air, Fuel & Cabin min once per year.
9) Fluids: Antifreeze, pwr steering, differential & manual transmission each yr.
10) Cooling system thermostat.
11) Wiper blades min once per yr, I suggest every 6 mos.
12) Have your vehicle thoroughly detailed inside min once per yr it is worth the effort!
More Car Connection Vehicle Resale TIPS: A brief recap of our top 3 vehicle resale tips. For more info watch for our Dec 2008 news letter to make it to the Feature article list!
1) Have all service records on hand, providing proof of maintenance.
2) Have a pre- certification inspection / repair any items of concern.
3) If an emissions test is required get it done ahead of time / repair any concerns.
4) Keep in mind any vehicle fully certified & e tested providing a pass has greater value than a vehicle sold as is! The unknown could cost you an arm and a leg!! & most people are not interested in a vehicle as is!
5) If a seller’s package is required (Canada) make sure you have it, this will help to show the history of the vehicle along with proof there are no liens on the vehicle.
6) Do a thorough market value of your vehicle before setting your price, look for your same vehicle listed in local & surrounding news papers to see what others are asking but take into consideration the vehicles mileage, “higher mileage” you will have to decrease your asking price to attract a buyer.
7) Flexibility: you can ask any dollar amount you like how ever you may have little success selling the vehicle. If you price it right you should have no problem getting action on the vehicle. If the phone is not ringing chances are your price is too high! So do not ask a “million dollars” for it be reasonable & never let someone who has cash walk away from the deal negotiate and make the sale. If you do not you may regret it later having to take less than what was offered been there done that!
8) This is what I like to call the BIG ONE, when negotiating price with a potential purchaser say very little during the negotiating that may talk the person out of the deal. If they pitch a price to you that is not acceptable counter with another price then say these words in your head “shutt up” remember the next person to speak will lose the deal! Sound advice given to me by a very successful salesperson years ago! You don’t have to be a pro just know when to stop talking!
Hope you find these resale tech tips to be of help making the sale on your own!
Take your time you can do it!
Need a Battery? These battery purchase tips could save you $$$ heads up!
Step One: before any battery gets replaced we recommend that a qualified service technician verifies for you that the battery is the CAUSE of your vehicle not starting! Guess work repairs cost a lot of people each year due to an incorrect DIAGNOSIS. Over the years folks we have seen many a battery replaced only to discover that the battery was not the CAUSE of problem/concern.
Step two: Take the time to become an educated consumer & not a “conned sumer” when it comes to selecting a new battery below is some info that will help you to better understand the info written on the top of any battery it is easy to understand!
CCA: stands for Cold Cranking Amperage, to Keep It Super Simple or KISS for short. Tip, the larger the CCA rating written on a battery available to fit your vehicle in reference to your owners manual the better. If a higher CCA rated battery is available to fit your vehicle you may want to consider upgrading. How ever if there are several options of batteries to select from all with different CCA ratings here’s a general rule of thumb as to “what do I select”. You do not have to go for the higher end CCA choose something mid range. Remember the higher the CCA rating the battery has the easier your vehicle will crank over and start! There is nothing wrong with selecting the higher CCA battery it’s just that we do not always have to “get out a cannon to kill a butterfly”
RC: stands for Reserve Capacity meaning how much time you can run your vehicles accessories with the engine shut off without robbing the battery of its power needed to crank the engine over to get the vehicle started. Again the higher the number representing the Reserve Capacity the better! Reserve Capacity is expressed on the top of a battery in Amperage vs Number of Minutes. Reserve Capacity ratings usually refer to the length of time a battery can produce 26 Amps @ 27 degrees C. For instance, headlights left on typically draw from the electrical system approximately 15Amps, a parking lamp or tail lamp will draw approximately 1.5 Amps.
Battery Warranties: can be confusing hope this helps shed some light! They differ by the length of time and warranty type. Sooo here’s what to look for, the longer the warranty the better the battery. Batteries with longer warranties generally have a lot more lead plates built into the battery prolonging battery life. ( heavier the battery the better, ”Motormouths” general rule of thumb when making your selection.)
Batteries are also “pro- rated” allow me to explain, most battery warranties offer up a FREE replacement period. It may be 18 months, 24 months or 5 years depending on the manufacturer and quality of the battery. Can you guess which battery “Motormouth” would select? Clue: same number of pads on Axels Paw (5).
A battery is pro- rated after the FREE replacement period has been reached and a claim for replacement has not been required. Battery companies will then calculate a “user type fee” for each month there after the free replacement period. For instance let’s say you paid $80.00 for a battery that has a 2 yr FREE replacement warranty the battery was fine 8 months past the 2 yr free replacement interval then the battery fails.
Here’s how the pro- rated system works, the manufacturer may charge you for eg. a $2.00 usage fee each month after the free replacement interval, so in this case $2.00per month for 8months = $16.00 here is the good news you would pay $16.00 plus any applicable taxes to get a brand new replacement battery.
Here is another eg. 5 yrs free replacement the battery lasts 7 yrs and fails, the battery exceeded the 5yr free term leaving 24 months of usage at $2.00 per month = $48.00 you would pay $48.00 plus applicable taxes towards a brand new battery. The pro – rated system works out well for the consumer, providing that you have made a wise battery purchase. Remember this, the better the battery the longer the period of time the manufacturer will replace it for FREE!
Congratulations my friends you have successfully completed the battery purchase course 101! My hope is that this helps you to get involved in your next battery purchase a little more with some understanding. Not all batteries are the same.
Please discard of your old battery responsibly through use of a recycling program. Batteries contain large amounts of lead and acid both of which can have significant negative environmental impacts. Together let’s take good care of this rock were all spinning on! Thank You your friend Nile “Motormouth” Jenkins & Axel.
Well folks, Axel and I have “gotta go” we have an appointment with a fresh box of donuts. So till next time, our prayer for you is all the success that you are willing to work for and then some! Keep it under a 100, Happy Motoring oh and by the way put that coffee on cause we are well on our way! Your friends Nile “Motormouth” Jenkins, Mamamotormouth & Axel.
Until next time Happy Motoring my friends, keep it under 100 and put that coffee on were well on our way! Your friends “Motormouth” “Mamamotormouth” & Axel out……………
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