Home Garage Design for Car Enthusiast

Nearly every car enthusiast (mostly the guys) dreams of having a home garage to rival that of the average NASCAR team.  Most spouses of car enthusiasts simply dream of a home garage that doesn’t look like a cross between a salvage yard and the clearance rack at the local parts store.    Here are five things that will help make your automotive “man cave” functional, organized and even “acceptable” to your wife.

1.  WORKBENCH W/ A VISE. This can be as simple as a mounting an old solid-core door or some medium-density fiberboard on top of two sawhorses.  If you want something more sophisticated, there are hundreds of easy-to-build designs floating around the Web, or buy something ready-made from Sears or even IKEA!  Be sure to install a good vise to make those projects easier and safer.

2.  GOOD LIGHTING! You can’t work on a car (or any other project, for that matter) if you can’t see properly!  Most garages have minimal lighting, such as the lights on the garage door openers or exposed bulbs hanging from the rafters.  Luckily, it’s not too difficult or costly to upgrade your lighting with ceiling-mounted fluorescent light fixtures.  Hanging shop lights are single-, double- or four-bulb fixtures that drop down from above your workbench to provide illumination where you need it most. Sometimes just adding one of these lamps to an otherwise dimly lit garage can lead to noticeably better visibility.  A portable worklight is also a must-have, especially if you plan to spend a lot of time under the hood of your car.

3.  PROFESSIONAL-QUALITY FLOORING. The slab of cement that came free with your house is perfectly usable as a garage floor.   But an upgraded finish will be more forgiving to dropped objects, as well as make your floor more appealing and keep it that way by protecting it from spills.   Some people prefer epoxy finishes, which are available in “kits” with tons of color and “fleck” options and very easy to do yourself.  Modular tiles are also a great way to go. A little more expensive, but installation is easier, and tiles offer numerous color and style options, including checkered flag patterns.  RaceDeck is one of the best garage-floor tile manufacturers on the market – nothing but positive feedback about their products and customer service.

4.  A GOOD TOOL CHEST.  The more tools you own, the more important organization becomes.  Few things are as frustrating as spending an hour looking for a tool you need for a 10-minute job.  You don’t need to spend thousands of dollars for a SNAP ON tool chest.  For a few hundred bucks, you can get a 6-drawer Craftsman from Sears that holds plenty of tools with room to grow.

5.  POWER STRIPS & EXTENTION CORDS. A 6 to 10-outlet power strip (or two) is perfect for placement on a workbench and can easly accomodate cordless-tool battery chargers. Use smaller power strips to make difficult-to-reach outlets more accessible, and be sure to use metal-encased power strips with built-in surge protection.  Extension cords are also essential.  A ceiling-mounted retractable reel is indispensable for working on cars.  It offers greater range and eliminates the need to drag power cords across the floor.  You can get these cheap at Harbor Freight, Northern Tool or even Lowes.  If you will be using multiple power devices at the same time, consider upgrading the wiring in your garage to its own circuit and fuse box.

You don’t need a big budget to have a great home garage.   A little organization combined with some design flair will go a long way to giving you a functional automotive project space that your spouse won’t be afraid to show to the neighbors.

The Car Chick, co-owner of Women’s Automotive Solutions and co-host of the America’s Garage radio show, talks with Fox News about holiday car shopping.  Are YOU leaving money on the table?

The Car Chick talks with Fox News about Holiday Car Shopping

1. Change your wipers – You generally use your wipers more frequently in the fall and winter. They’ll also be taking a lot more abuse from road grime and windshield-washer solvent, so it’s best to have a fresh set. Don’t forget the 3rd wiper for the rear window if you have a hatchback, wagon, van or SUV!

2. Top-off windshield wiper fluid – We also tend to use more windshield wiper fluid in the fall and winter, so be sure your reservoir is full. If you live in the mountains or other colder climates, change to a wiper fluid that contains anti-freeze.

3. Check your tire pressures – Temperatures have dropped in the last couple of days, and so have your tire pressures. Tire pressures can drop as much as 10psi or more as the weather cools down! Don’t forget to check the spare tire too!

4. Check your engine air filter – In the South, our air filters tend to get dirty in the spring and summer with all the dirt and pollen in the air. So fall is a good time to check the filter and replace it if necessary, so your car can breathe easily going into winter.

5. Check your battery – for dirt and corrosion on the posts and cable connectors, and clean them with a damp rag and mild detergent if needed. Consider having the battery tested to make sure it has enough charge left to last you through the winter.

Start with the easiest types of repairs first. Don’t try to tackle a transmission rebuild or an engine swap your first time out.  Keeping it simple to start will allow you to learn how your car works, how to use the various tools, and help you build confidence.

Here are some relatively easy repairs for budding mechanics to try at home:

• Replace the wiper blades
• Change the air filter
• Change a headlight
• Change a battery
• Replace the spark plugs
• Change the oil
• Change serpentine belt

2. Avoid high risk repairs

Novice DIYers should avoid repairs and maintenance items where the consequences of making a mistake are dire.  If you mess up a brake job, you could end up crashing your car!  If you don’t install a timing belt correctly (or reassemble the engine correctly), you could destroy your engine.  Save these types of services for when you have more experience.

3. Get the right tools

Before you start ripping apart your car, make sure you have the right tools.  A hammer and a screwdriver just won’t cut it.  Run out to Sears or your local automotive store and a starter set of automotive tools.  A good basic set will include a complete set of socket wrenches with extensions, open-end and box wrenches, screw drivers, and pliers.  If your car requires any special tools for removing the oil filter, pulling spark plugs, and whatnot, then you may want to invest in those as well.  If you plan to remove the wheels from your car, a high quality torque wrench is a MUST.

4. Do your homework

Always do your homework before plunging into a repair.  A little research time invested up front will save you a lot of time (not to mention the headache) later.  Buy the manufacturer’s shop manual for your vehicle (or the online subscription from AllData), and read up on the repair.  Make sure you understand each step and what is involved BEFORE you undertake the project.  (If step one says “remove the engine”, then you might want to reconsider.)   Beware of “how to” information on the internet.  Enthusiast forums and YouTube are full of step-by-step guides on how to change the thingamajigger on your 2002 Humbug GT.  Make sure the advice comes from a trusted, professional source and not just Bubba in his backyard.

5. Ask for help

If you’re undertaking a repair you’ve never even seen done before, it’s reasonably likely that you’ll screw it up.  At best, you’ll do it the hard way and possibly pick up a bad habit or two.  Besides, there’s no sense in reinventing the wheel.  Find someone who knows what he or she is doing, preferably a professional (ASE Certified) mechanic, and ask for a lesson.  Not only will you learn the right way to do the repair, you may even learn the quickest and easiest method.  If you get into the repair and you make a mistake, don’t be ashamed to ask for help.  Better to eat a helping of humble pie than risk ruining your car.

6. Safety first

Working on your car can be dangerous, especially if you have to get underneath it.  If you have to jack up your car, don’t use flimsy jack that came with it.  Invest in a hydraulic floor jack and ALWAYS use approved jack stands to support the vehicle.  Try to avoid repairs that involve contorting yourself into an uncomfortable position, which can make a repair more difficult and more dangerous.  Wear safety glasses to protect your eyes from dirt, flying parts and spewing fluids.  Consider wearing latex or polyurethane gloves to protect your skin from dirt and grease – your significant other will thank you for keeping clean.

7. Dispose of waste materials properly

Nearly all automotive jobs result in waste projects, such as used coolant, motor oil, brake pads or other hazardous materials, which will need to be disposed of properly.  Pouring used fluids down the storm drain or casually tossing used oil filters into the trash bin is environmentally unsafe and, therefore, illegal.  Google your county government website to find the hazardous waste facility near you.  Many automotive parts stores accept used motor oil, coolant and other fluids, as long as you bought the products from them in the first place.

According to data compiled by the Insurance Institute of Highway Safety, red cars do not get more speeding tickets than their less vivid counterparts.  Nor are they more likely to be stolen.  One would also assume that sports cars are more likely to be cited for speeding.  That’s what sports cars are for, after all.  Yet, the data tells a different story.  According to a study by ISO Quality Planning, a risk assessment company, the following ten vehicles are the biggest cop magnets on the road. (I wonder where my pink Mini would fall on this list?)

1.  Hummer H2 (and H3) – Perhaps the owners of these flashy behemoths drive like they own the road.  Maybe they are just easier for cops to spot.  Either way, Hummer drivers get more traffic tickets than drivers of any other vehicle.

2.  Scion tC – This entry level vehicle from Toyota’s Scion division is popular with young drivers, which easily explains why it’s on the top 10 ticketed list.  This little coupe delivers good performance at a very low price, which should at least make the speeding tickets more affordable.

3.  Scion xB – Popular with both young drivers and small businesses, the boxy xB certainly attracts a lot of attention.  The xB isn’t exactly fast, so it must be all of the catchy graphics that get these roving billboards pulled over.

4.  Mercedes CLK63 AMG – Luxury has its price, and if you can afford one of these babies, you can afford the speeding tickets that go with it.

5.  Toyota Solara – Although sportier than the 4-door Camry, the 2-door Solara is far from a high performance machine, but it is fun to drive.  Maybe the convertible models just look like they are going faster with the top down.

6.  Mercedes CLS AMG – Between its smokin’ hot looks and 507 hp V8 engine, this car has more than earned a spot on this list.  Of course, with that much horsepower, I’m surprised the cops can even catch it.

7.  Scion xA – With this model making the list, Scion completes the traffic ticket trifecta.  The xA was discontinued in 2006, but I’m sure it’s replacement, the xD, will uphold the tradition.

8.  Subaru Outback – Subarus are known for being reliable, “green” vehicles driven by environmentally conscious, outdoor-types.  I guess those otherwise responsible people are in a hurry to pick up their organic groceries. 

9.  Toyota Matrix – More expensive than its Scion cousins, but still affordable and attractive to younger drivers, this sporty hatchback is a blast to drive.  And Mr. Highway Patrol knows it.

10.  Audi A4 – Offered as a sedan, a wagon or a convertible, all three versions of the upscale Audi A4 are likely to get you noticed – by the neighbors and the police. 

Of course, it’s not the car that gets the speeding ticket – it’s the driver.  Statistics show that younger drivers are more likely to speed than older drivers, which explains the prevalence of Scions on the list.   Rich people, it seems, are also more likely to ignore the speed limit if the number of luxury cars listed is any indication.   Maybe that’s what they mean by “time is money”.  

Keeping a clean driving record is your responsibility, not your car’s.  If you watch your speed and obey the traffic laws, you can avoid costly citations no matter what vehicle you drive.   So, please drive safely!

(Women’s Automotive Solutions can help buy a car – cop magnet or not!  Check out our unique car buying service at www.WomensAutomotiveSolutions.com and see how you can get the best deal without all the hassle!)

 1.  Deals, deals and more deals!  For perhaps the first time in history, the supply of new automobiles far exceeds the demand.   Even after production cutbacks, there are still more cars than can fit onto already the overstocked dealer lots.  So, what do businesses do when they have too much inventory?  They have a REALLY BIG SALE!  The level of incentives, including rebates, financing specials and manufacturer-to-dealer bonuses, is astounding -  which is good news for you!  Even small, fuel efficient cars, which rarely need incentives to move, are being discounted.  Be sure to negotiate hard on the price of the car even before the incentives are applied.  The car dealers are hungry for your business, and they know they must compete to earn it.

2.  Beware of creative advertising!  When car dealers are desperate to make sales, they often get very creative with their advertising campaigns in order to entice you into their showrooms.  Offers such as “buy one, get one free” and “$12,000 minimum for your trade” may technically be valid, but they usually come with a stack of fine print that would make an attorney faint.  Be sure to weed through that fine print before signing on the dotted line.  And, remember the old adage, “if it sounds too good to be true, it usually is”.

3.  Credit is tighter, but still available.  Just six months ago, you could get a no-money-down auto loan with a credit score of just 650.  You will likely need at least a 720 credit score to get that same deal today.  The credit crunch has hit the automotive industry, with banks and manufacturer finance companies alike tightening the strings on subprime lending.  Rates on subprime car loans are higher and may require a 10-20% down payment.  You may have a hard time finding those longer 72 and 83 month loan terms, or you may pay a one to two point premium to get one.  However, if you have excellent credit, then you can take advantage of incredibly low rates for 36 to 60 month loans – under 5% at some credit unions!

4.  Fewer lease deals.  Over the past decade, insanely cheap lease deals have allowed Americans to drive far more expensive cars than they could otherwise afford.  Those days are over – at least for the foreseeable future.  The leasing companies are being killed by the number of vehicles coming off lease that have depreciated much more than expected.  Most manufacturers are raising lease rates or even suspending lease programs entirely.  Luxury car makers, like BMW, whose business depends heavily on leasing, will still have good lease programs – but probably not as good as they used to be.

5.  Watch what you buy.  Many cash-starved automakers are looking to cut costs by downsizing their lineups.  Manufacturers are canning poor selling vehicles, consolidating twinned models and even axing entire brands in order to stop the bleeding.  (See side bar for vehicles “on the chopping block”.)  So, is it still safe to buy American, even if it’s a steal?  Yes, it is.  Even in the event of a bankruptcy, the manufacturers will still do everything possible to honor your warranty, and mechanics will still be able to service and repair your vehicle.  (Heck, they still make parts for the Model-T!)  While there are no guarantees, vehicle makes and models always come and go.  It’s just part of the business.  However, the biggest risk is depreciation – orphaned vehicles typically lose their value faster than normal.

Truly, there has never been a better time to buy a car.  With great deals everywhere you turn, purchasing a new car can save you a ton of cash.  And, more importantly, it will also help revive our economy.

The most common scam that people encounter when selling a vehicle online is the “419 Nigerian Scam”, also known as the “Advance Fee Scam”.   A prospective buyer emails you (often in very poor English) and says that he is interested in your vehicle and agrees to your selling price.  He claims that he a previous deal fell through, and he has a cashier’s check in an amount that is several thousand dollars more than your selling price.  He says that he will FedEx you the cashier’s check and asks that you wire the difference back to him via Western Union, once the funds have posted to your account.  How trusting of him, right?  Not so much.

It is a common misconception that cashier’s checks are as good as cash, and that they clear the bank within 48 hours.  In reality, your bank is required to make the funds available in your account within 48 hours.  However, it may take up to two weeks for the check to actually clear.  The counterfeit cashier’s check will eventually bounce, and then you are in real trouble.  Not only will you have lost the thousands of dollars that you wired to the scammer, but depositing or cashing a counterfeit check, even unknowingly, is a felony. 

Sellers of automobiles are not the only ones at risk online.  Scammers target eager buyers by posting popular vehicles for sale at enticing prices.  The post looks perfectly legitimate, complete with pictures, VIN and even a free Carfax report.  The seller claims that the vehicle is being stored in the warehouse of a transportation company that will ship the vehicle and handle all DMV paperwork.  To appear even more genuine, the seller says that he will process the transaction through the “eBay Safe Trade”, or similar, department.  No such department exists, nor does the vehicle!  The pictures, VIN and Carfax report have been expertly fabricated or stolen from another seller’s post.  Some scammers even create elaborate, professional websites to make you think that the transportation company, escrow company and “safe trade department” are real.

The online market places work hard to try to protect buyers and sellers from these scams, but there is only so much they (and the authorities) can do.  Most of the scammers live in foreign countries (as evidenced by their abysmal English) and use “spoofed” email addresses.  Even if the authorities could track them down, they are almost always outside US jurisdiction.  So, it is up to you to protect yourself!  Here are five tips to help you avoid falling victim to an internet automobile scam:

1.  Never sell your vehicle to someone in a foreign country.  Think about it – they have cars in Nigeria and other countries, so why would someone want to buy yours and incur the shipping costs and import fees?  Why would someone in the UK, where they drive on the left side of the road, want to buy an American car with the steering wheel on the wrong side? 
 
2.  Never trust someone who offers to pay you more than you are asking for your car.  If an honest person had a certified check for the wrong amount, he or she would simply return to the bank and get a new one.

3.  Be wary of a buyer who insists on using an escrow service to “safeguard” the transaction.  Scammers often setup fake escrow services that claim an affiliation with AutoTrader, eBay, or eTRUST.  None of these companies operates or partners with an escrow service. 

4.  Never ship your car to the buyer or allow a seller to ship a car to you (unless the seller is a legitimate car dealership).   The buyer and seller should arrange to meet and complete the transaction in person.
 
5.  Secure payment for a vehicle before transferring the title to the buyer.  Insist on certified funds, and verify the check with the issuing bank before you release the vehicle. 

Buying or selling a vehicle online can be a fun and financially rewarding experience, but it is not without risk.  Before you buy or sell, review the fraud awareness information provided by the various online marketplaces.  And, above all, trust your instincts.  If something feels hinky, it probably is.

Want to avoid online car scams altogether?  Women’s Automotive Solutions can help you buy OR sell a vehicle!  We’ll make sure you get the best possible price without having to worry about online scams, fraudulent deals, and unscrupulous characters with bad grammar.

Low pressures cause the sidewall of the tire to flex, leading to handling problems, excessive tire wear, reduced fuel economy and even tire failure.

Signs of low tire pressure may include your car pulling to one side, a drop in fuel economy, and “squealing” sounds during normal acceleration and cornering. Of course, if you are lucky enough to have a vehicle with a tire pressure monitoring system, that little yellow warning light is a dead giveaway.

If you don’t know the proper air pressure for your tires, check your owner’s manual or look on the side of the tire itself, near the rim of the wheel. Keep a tire pressure gauge in your car and check your pressures often, adding air as needed.

When temperatures warm up again, the air in your tires will expand, and you will need to let air out to prevent over-inflation.

Drive safely!

1.  STOP!  Stop your vehicle and, if necessary, move it to a safe position near the location of the accident. The law requires that you stop at the accident scene.  Failure to do so could result in a traffic ticket or a warrant for your arrest.
 
2.  Check all involved parties for injuries.  Seriously injured persons should not be moved unless they are in imminent danger from fire, traffic or other hazards.  Everyone who can walk should move to a safe location.  If necessary, call 911 for medical assistance.  If you are injured or think you may be injured, seek medical attention immediately.  If you do not seek it from the scene, do so as soon as possible thereafter and keep all related paperwork for possible reimbursement.

3.  Contact the police. The police will advise you if their response to the scene is necessary. Contact the police if the accident involves a hit and run, if there are injuries to people, or if it is apparent that liability will be disputed. If police are present at the scene of the accident, get the police officer’s name, phone number, and the police report number.

4.  Do NOT admit fault!   It is natural to want say that you are sorry to the other people involved in the accident, but this could be construed as an admission that you were at fault.  Instead, simply give the details of the accident and cooperate with the police in providing answers to their questions.

5.  Exchange contact information.  Exchange names, addresses, and phone numbers with all parties involved in the accident.   Get the year, make, model, license plate number, insurance carrier, and insurance policy number for all vehicles involved.  Identify any witnesses to the accident and gather their contact information as well.

6.  Call your insurance company.  If there is damage to any vehicle or injuries as a result of the accident, immediately report the accident to your insurance company and cooperate in the same manner as with the police.  If you have a camera in your possession, take photos of the damage to the vehicle, accident scene, and people involved.
  
7.  Take care of your vehicle.  If your vehicle isn’t drivable and must be towed, be sure to write down the name, address, and phone number of the towing company and be advised of the towing and storage fees.  Arrange for your vehicle to be repaired as soon as possible.  If it appears your vehicle may not be repaired soon after the accident, make sure you remove it so storage fees don’t accrue.  (You will have to pay the fees up to that point, but seek to get those reimbursed.)  If you vehicle is totaled and cannot be repaired, contact Women’s Automotive Solutions to discuss replacement options.

8.  Find the best repair shop.  Depending on your insurance company and coverage, you may be able to choose any body shop to repair your vehicle, or you may be required to select one that is pre-approved by your insurance company.  Don’t assume that a body shop is good just because your insurance company recommends it.  Research local repair facilities to find the one that is best qualified to fix your type of vehicle and has a solid reputation.  Contact Women’s Automotive Solutions if you need a referral.
    
9.  Consult an attorney.  If you are injured and want to seek compensation for medical bills and pain & suffering from another vehicle’s insurance company, do NOT make the claim or speak to them without consulting with an attorney.  Even if you are making a claim for property damage for your vehicle, consult with an attorney before speaking to the adverse insurance company so you know and can protect your own rights.  If you are contacted by another party involved in the accident or by someone acting on his/her behalf (such as an investigator or representative from his/her insurance company), do NOT speak with him/her unless and until you have contacted an attorney.
 
10.  Take care of yourself.  Give yourself sufficient time to rest and recover after an accident, even if you don’t think you suffered any injuries.  The stress of being in an accident causes a rush of adrenaline in the body, which can mask pain and inflammation.  It can often take 24 hours or longer for aches and pains to surface.  Always follow up with your doctor and/or chiropractor to assess any underlying injury and take corrective action to prevent potential long term damage.  Keep track of all medical expenses and any lost wages and seek to get them reimbursed.

Nearly 6.5 million automobile accidents happen in the United States each year, with a financial cost of over $230 billion, according to the Federal Highway Administration.  If you are involved in an accident, take the steps necessary to protect yourself, your family and your assets.  Of course, prevention is always the best tactic, so DRIVE SAFELY!

(This article was co-written by Justin Lowenberger.  Justin is an attorney with Ted A. Greve & Associates, a law firm that represents clients who have suffered personal injuries or property damage in automobile or truck accidents in North Carolina and South Carolina.   Learn more about how they can help and protect you on the web at www.MyDrTed.com.   Justin can be reached directly at 704-804-7114.)