According to Edmunds.com, there are ten steps that everyone should adhere to when they are on the hunt for the perfect car suited for them. Five of these steps are listed below. To read the entire article at Edmunds, click here: source.
- What kind of car do you need? There are many variables to consider when purchasing a new car. From deciding whether or not you want manual or automatic transmission, four-wheel drive, safety features, cargo area or flexible seating positions because you are tall- all of these are considerations that you should think about well before you step your foot into any car dealership parking lot.. Your needs (not your wants) should be the key factor driving your decision when you buy.
- How much can you actually afford? This is often the first mistake that people make when they are on the hunt for a new car. They get caught up in the fancy or clever car commercials and want the sleek or fun looking new car. Big mistake. As a general rule of thumb, your total monthly car payments shouldn’t exceed 20 percent of your monthly take-home pay. Additionally, if you have other debts to pay back, you may want to reconsider buying a new car.
- Should you buy or lease your next car? Leasing is often viewed by some as a waste of money; but this depends on the type of driver that you are. For instance, my father leased a vehicle for me when I was in college, and one of the caveats of leasing is that you have to keep the mileage within a certain range. I barely managed to do this because I did a lot of long distance driving. However, leasing is an excellent option for those folks who don’t plan on driving a lot, except to and from work or running a few errands around time. The benefits of leasing are that you can typically drive a more expensive car for less money; you can drive a new car every few years; and there are few hassles at the end of the lease. On the flipside, the advantages of buying are also appealing. For example, when interest rates are really low, it may make more financial sense to own a car versus lease it; there are no unexpected mileage penalties; there is more flexibility (i.e. you can sell the car whenever you want).
- Have you considered all vehicles in that class? With so many different vehicle options out there, it is often difficult to keep up with all of the various vehicles that are available. Use sites such as Edmunds.com and others to research and compare different vehicles.
- Have you considered all the costs of ownership? One of the major mistakes that people make when they buy a car for the first time is they focus so much on the sticker price that they fail to see the entire picture of what it will actually cost for them to own a vehicle. For instance, seemingly little things such as oil changes, gasoline expenses as well as vehicle tax (depending on what state you live in) can all add up pretty quickly.
For more information about car repair or to find a reputable auto repair shop, contact Pinnacle Automotive Service today at 919.828.3113.
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To better serve our customers we have finally moved into our new and larger facility at 4808 Hargrove Rd, Raleigh, NC 27616. The new shop is just one block west off Spring Forest Rd (take a left on Hargrove and we are the 4th driveway on the left) from our previous location. We are not completely settled in yet, we have a few more things left on the to do list but we are up and running at the new location. Please come by and take a look around, we think you will be impressed.
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Fall into good car maintenance habits now, and keep your car in excellent condition for years to come.
While your vehicle might have cruised through warmer weather, cold weather can set in before you realize the leaves have fallen. It’s important to remember that vehicles need seasonal adjusting if you don’t want to get caught out in the cold. Autumn is a great time for automotive maintenance and repair. It gives us time to repair the wear and tear and allows us to prepare for those colder days ahead.
Following a simple maintenance checklist will save you time and money by extending the life of your vehicle and ensuring safer operation. To keep your car in top shape and running smoothly as we transition into cooler months, here are four big tips to keep in mind:
Tires: Good Pressure, Little Wear and Rotation
Tires lose pressure every month, and more when the temperatures drop. To maintain proper pressure, check your tires monthly and make sure they’re filled up to their recommended PSI rating (which can be found on the driver’s side door paneling, in the owner’s manual or sometimes on the tires themselves). Drivers should also check the tread on the tires regularly for wear; replace excessively worn tires. If it has been over 5,000 miles since your tires have last been rotated, it is important to do so because there’s a risk of having one tire wear more significantly than the others.
Oil: Switch to Synthetic
Lower temperatures can add stress on your engine. To prevent engine wear, change your oil and oil filter as specified in your manual. A switch to synthetic oil, if you’re not using it already, will help your car operate more efficiently. Synthetic motor oils are specifically designed to protect your engine in wide temperature ranges. For example, synthetic 5W-30 flows rapidly to critical engine parts during cold start-ups, provides outstanding wear protection and keeps engines clean and running smoothly.
Cooling System: Flush and Refill
The cooling system (radiator) should be checked for leaks and low levels. Additionally, it should be flushed and refilled as recommended in the owner’s manual. When checking, remember to never remove the radiator cap until the engine has thoroughly cooled. While coolant may mostly be associated with warmer weather, a vehicle’s coolant (or antifreeze) is equally important in the colder months to make sure the vehicle can withstand the temperatures. A 50/50 mix of anti-freeze and water is the usual recommendation.
Connect with your Battery
Be sure the connections on your battery are free of corrosion and solid. If your battery is older (more than three years old), we can test it for you to make sure it will not leave you stranded on a cold winter morning.
Full Engine Tune-up: Systems and Fluid Levels
If you haven’t had your yearly-recommended basic tune-up, now’s the time to have that done. Cooler weather will only make existing problems worse. A tune-up will correct engine problems such as stalling and diminished power, and will also ensure that fluid levels (for brakes, transmission, windshield washer, etc.) are topped off or replaced if needed.
Even if you prep your car for winter weather, a little planning can make sure you are prepared for emergencies. Carry an extra jacket, hat and gloves, along with a pair of boots, and keep blankets in the trunk. You should also keep some road flares on hand, as well as a flashlight, cell phone charger and portable shovel-just in case. Preparation now will make sure you keep your car performing well throughout the winter months ahead. Give Pinnacle Automotive Service a call to schedule an appointment today.
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Happy Friday,
We offer discounts to several area employers and groups. We offer a 10% Discount of labor to the following businesses:
Wake Med Employees
Duke Employees
Coastal Federal Credit Union Employees
Carquest Employees
NC State University Employees (Wolfperks)
Just let us know before you check out that you qualify for the discount to save 10%
Have a Great Weekend
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We are proud to announce that Pinnacle Automotive Service has earned the Blue Seal of Excellence Recognition as prescribed by the National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence (ASE). There are only 44 shops in North Carolina and only 9 in the Triangle that have earned Blue Seal of Excellence Recognition. The Blue Seal of Excellence program is a recognition program for businesses striving to be the best, and willing to prove their commitment. ASE a non-profit organization dedicated to improving the quality of vehicle repair and service by means of voluntary testing and certification for automotiverepair and service professionals.
To be eligible for this recognition, a company must have 75% of its automotive professionals ASE certified. In addition, there must be a certified technician in each area of service offered. To remain in the program, a business must renew each year and confirm their professionals’ certification status. Stop by, we will be glad to show you our credentials.
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Pinnacle Automotive Service has some new faces. Please join us in welcoming Marc Kelly, Service Advisor and Mike Surles, Technician. Welcome to the team!
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Pinnacle Automotive Service is excited to announce that we will soon have a new logo. Stay tuned for details.
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Pinnacle Automotive Service is now offering towing and roadside assistance service to the local Triangle area. Call our office at 919-828-3113 for more information or 919-710-0030 for assistance. We are excited to add towing services to our customers and the Triangle area.
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We invite you to visit our website at www.bimmercare.com and our new blog where you will find a host of different topics on a weekly basis. We are excited about this new venue for communicating with our customers and welcome your suggestions, comments and questions. This section will be your place to find the latest Pinnacle Automotive Service News, Specials and Events so please check back often.
We have earned the trust and respect from our clients over the years and would welcome the opportunity to earn yours. We invite you to stop by and meet our staff and see for yourself why our customers are choosing Pinnacle Automotive Service. We look forward to hearing from you.
Keep it between the lines,
The Staff of Pinnacle Automotive Service
Kevin, Chris, Chase, Darnell, Katie and Will
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