Posted on 8/23/2016
Make some room for Tablet Technology in the Auto Shop By on March 01, 2016 at 3:59 PM, updated March 04, 2016 at 8:23 AM Email Tablet Technology enters the neighborhood garage! Zaloom's Auto Repair is pleased to announce that they have incorporated a popular, user friendly technological tool – the tablet - into their daily business operation to provide a more efficient and engaging automotive repair experience for their customers. While a 31 point inspection has always been the starting point for any vehicle that enters Zaloom's, the process and review of these individual car inspections or "check ups" has become more effici ... read more
Posted on 7/9/2015
10 Inventions That Changed Cars Forever Posted July 02, 2014 by Ken KupchikinShare0 A car "shovel" meant to reduce the number of casualties among pedestrians (Paris 1924) Cars have revolutionized transportation and allowed mobility on an unprecedented scale. Without cars, we would be at the mercy of public transportation, horses, or our own two feet. The cars that we drive today, however, are a far cry from the original automobiles, which had few safety features, relatively simple engineering, and weren't very fast. Over the years, innovation has brought dynamic changes to the automobile, one breakthrough at a time. Here are the most pivotal inventions for the automobile: 1) Combustion Engine - The most important part of an automobile is the engine, powering the rest of the vehicle. Internal combustion engines power cars with the combustion of fuel and oxygen which occurs in a combustion chamber. Without this invention, we wouldn ... read more
Posted on 7/8/2015
5 Cars That Retain Their Value Posted August 18, 2014 by Ken KupchikinShare0 Everyone knows that once you've signed on the dotted line and gotten the keys to your brand new car, it's already worth less than what you paid for it at the dealership. Cars are considered "depreciating assets" and there are few people who would argue otherwise. With the exception of classic cars that end up being collectors items, car values usually go in one direction: down. But in this respect, not all cars are created equal and some retain their value much better than others. Here is a list of the best performers: 1) Honda Civic - Having owned several Civics myself, I can vouch for the great resale prospects that come with ownership. Since they're at the lower end of the price spectrum, there are more potential buyers out there, and a reliable, fuel-efficient, and durable car like the civic doesn't need to be listed for long before it's sold ... read more
Posted on 7/7/2015
Should I Ask A Mechanic To Inspect A Used Car Before I Buy It? Posted March 27, 2014 by Ken KupchikinShare0 Buying a used car is a process that most people hate for good reason. When buying used, you're basically at the whim of the seller and their willingness to truthfully disclose any issues with the vehicle, including prior repair work. I just bought a used car myself, but had the advantage of knowing the seller beforehand, eliminating much of the guesswork. If you're buying the car from a used car dealership, you should always determine what kind of a warranty program they're offering. When dealerships buy vehicles at auction, the reputable ones will fix any issues before selling to the public. It's best to look for a dealership with actual mechanic bays as they're more likely to offer a warranty and repair any issues you may encounter since they have mechanics on-site. When buying from a private seller, a good option i ... read more
Posted on 7/7/2015
The Craziest Places Mechanics Call Home Posted June 22, 2015 by Bobby GagliniinShare7 Where there are cars, there’s a need for someone who knows how cars work. Within our country, there are almost a million mechanics working on cars, trucks, boats, motorcycles, RVs and more. I was thinking about this the other day, and started wondering whether there were mechanic shops in the craziest, hidden and most desolate places in the United States. I’m a geography buff, so anything unusual landscape or climate-wise always intrigues me. For this particular example, I used the mechanics that we have listed in our Mechanic Advisor database, and limited it solely to auto mechanics. The findings were nothing short of awesome. 1. A and D Automotive & Jeep – Barrow, Alaska A fun fact about this shop…it’s also a car dealership. Oh, and it just so happens to be located in the northernmost populated settlement in the United States ... read more
Posted on 6/5/2015
5 Ways You Can Get Out of Paying For Auto Repair Posted August 26, 2014 by Ken KupchikinShare0 Every dollar counts these days, and finding new ways to save money can go a long way. Auto repair is an unpleasant, and typically unexpected expense, so getting out of having to pay for it is very appealing. While most people will gladly pay to make sure their car is safe on the road, some will try anything to avoid the repair bill. Here are some ways you can get out of paying. 1) Do it yourself - If you can perform repairs yourself, you will never have to part with your hard-earned money and pay a mechanic. However, unless you are very handy or have some sort of experience, you will be very limited in the repairs that you will be able to perform. Mechanics are trained in the intricacies of modern vehicles and have all of the tools to perform complicated repairs. But you can get out of paying if you just work on your car yourself. 2) Don't repair it ... read more
Posted on 6/4/2015
5 Ways To Get a Better Deal When Buying a Car Posted August 27, 2014 by Ken KupchikinShare0 Everyone loves the feeling of taking home a new or used car. But most people hate the act of having to look around for the right car, and then spending time in the uncomfortable process of negotiating with a salesperson to get the right price. While you probably won't be able to get a brand new Porsche for the price of a Honda Civic, there are ways to get a better deal when buying a car. Here are some tips: 1) Buy at the right time - To save some money on your next car purchase, it's important to understand when the best time to buy a car actually is. If you're looking for a great deal on a new car, you will want to shop for it when the newest model year arrives and replaces the existing cars on the lot. This will drive down the prices of the "last year's" model, helping you get a better deal. This is usually enhanced if there are major ... read more
Posted on 6/1/2015
5 Modifications That Will Affect Your Car's Resale Value Posted August 28, 2014 by Ken KupchikinShare0 Image from Pakwheels.com Cars are wildly popular in America because they not only allow the freedom of transportation for individuals across the country, but because they embody the independence and individuality of their owners. Some car owners take this a step further and add modifications to their vehicle to add their own personal touch, make it stand out, or increase speed and performance. But it's important to remember that making modifications to your car can seriously impact resale value when it comes time to sell it or trade it in, so be mindful of what kind of changes you make. Here are 1) Body modifications - Whether it's a new spoiler, a body kit, or hood scoop, changing the look of the car's body is the most obvio ... read more
Posted on 5/29/2015
What Causes Traffic Jams? (4) Comments Add a Comment » By Natalie Josef September 25th 2012 Where I live, in the San Francisco Bay Area, traffic jams are as common as the fog. A few weeks ago, I drove up to Sebastopol from San Francisco and before I knew it, my leisurely drive had turned into stop-and-go traffic. The traffic was so bad, I had to turn around to head back to the city before I had reached my destination so I wouldn’t be late for another appointment. When I turned back and started heading the other way, suddenly I was in traffic again. I had seen the roadway on my way up and there had been no traffic—none at all—and now it was crawling along. And just when I was about to seriously freak ou ... read more