Buying a Car: Setting a Budget

Buying a Car

• Start by thinking about the kind of car you want, considering factors like color, interior, transmission type, and more
• Set a realistic budget to avoid overspending and ensure financial stability
• Research different vehicles within your budget, using online resources like Edmunds, Kelley Blue Book, YouTube, and Reddit
• Look for cars on online marketplaces like Facebook Marketplace, Offer Up, Cars.com, and Craigslist, and filter by make, model, year, price range, mileage, and location

Inspecting a Car

• When inspecting a car, check for signs of leaks, unusual noises, and vibrations
• Check fluid levels, belts, and hoses, and assess the condition of the exterior and interior
• Look for any dents, scratches, or rust, and check the alignment and consistency of the body panels
• Check the functionality of accessories like air conditioning, stereo, and power windows

Red Flags to Watch Out For

• Frame damage: avoid cars with a history of frame damage
• Salvage titles: be cautious of cars with salvage titles, which means they've been deemed a total loss by an insurance company
• No title: avoid cars with lost or missing titles, as it can be a headache to deal with
• Weirdly low prices: be wary of cars with prices that are too good to be true
• Generic pictures: reverse image search pictures to ensure they're not scams

Negotiation Strategies

• Research the market value of the car and be prepared to negotiate
• Know when to walk away if the seller is unwilling to compromise
• Be polite and professional during negotiations

Car Washing and Detailing

• Regular washing and detailing can help preserve the car's resale value and prevent corrosion
• Use a car washing/detailing cart with necessary supplies, and check it out from the owner
• Pre-wash rinse the car to remove loose dirt and debris, then use a foamer to apply soap
• Rinse the car from top to bottom, and dry with a microfiber towel
• Clean wheels and tires with separate sponges and rags to avoid cross-contamination

Exterior Detailing

• Clay bar: removes embedded contaminants from the paint surface, restores smoothness and shine
• Polishing: removes minor imperfections, restores gloss, and provides long-lasting protection
• Waxing: enhances shine, provides long-lasting protection, and protects against the elements

Exploring Hybrid and Electric Vehicles

• Hybrid vehicles: combine internal combustion engine and electric motor for better fuel economy and reduced emissions
• Components: battery pack, electric motor, internal combustion engine, regenerative braking system
• Regenerative braking system: captures energy from wheel rotation during braking, converts it to electrical energy, and recharges the battery pack
• Fully electric vehicles: rely only on electricity stored in high-capacity battery packs, produce zero tailpipe emissions

Lights

• Importance of proper lighting: enhances visibility, safety, and is a legal requirement
• Parts of the lighting system: headlights, taillights, brake lights, turn signals, hazard lights
• Headlights: primary source of illumination, types of bulbs: halogen, LED, HID/Xenon
• Halogen bulbs: reliable, cheap, moderately bright, higher power consumption
• LED bulbs: efficient, bright, long-lasting, low power consumption
• HID/Xenon bulbs: superior brightness, visibility, and longevity, but require a ballast, and can be expensive to replace

Jumpstarting

• Importance of knowing how to jumpstart a car
• Dead battery: can be caused by age, leaving lights on, or other factors
• Jumper cables: transfer electrical power from a donor vehicle to the disabled vehicle
• Pre_jumpstart precautions: ensure both vehicles' ignition is turned off, check polarity, and keep cables away from moving engine parts
• Jumpstarting procedure: position vehicles close, connect cables in the correct order, and start the donor vehicle### Jump Starting a Car
• When jump starting a car, hook the last clip to a clean piece of metal in the engine bay to reduce the risk of sparks.
• Start the donor vehicle and let it run for a few minutes to charge the dead battery.
• Try starting the dead car, and if successful, keep the engine running to charge the battery further.
• If unsuccessful, let the donor car run for a little longer to charge the battery more.

Disconnecting the Cables

• Start by removing both black clips, then the red clips.

Portable Jump Boxes

• A portable jump box is a recommended investment for car owners.
• It eliminates the need for jumper cables and a donor car.
• It is easy to use and has a built-in battery that acts as a donor vehicle.

Dashboard Warning Lights

• Dashboard warning lights serve as early indicators of potential problems or malfunctions in various vehicle systems.
• Ignoring these lights can lead to safety issues on the road.

Common Dashboard Warning Lights

• Check Engine Light: Illuminates when the vehicle's computer detects a problem with the engine or its related systems.
  • Purpose: Alerts drivers to potential engine issues.
  • Symbol: Outline of an engine, often amber or yellow.
  • What to do: Don't panic, and use an OBD-II scanner to determine the cause.
• Oil Pressure Warning Light: Illuminates when the engine's oil pressure falls below a safe threshold.
  • Purpose: Alerts drivers to potential engine damage.
  • Symbol: Oil can or oil drop, often red or amber.
  • What to do: Pull over, stop the engine, and check the oil level.
• Battery Warning Light: Illuminates when the vehicle's charging system detects a problem.
  • Purpose: Alerts drivers to potential battery issues.
  • Symbol: Battery, often red.
  • What to do: Check battery connections for signs of corrosion or looseness.
• ABS Warning Light: Illuminates when the Anti-Lock Braking System (ABS) detects a problem.
  • Purpose: Alerts drivers to potential braking system issues.
  • Symbol: Letters "ABS" and often red or amber.
  • What to do: Safely test the vehicle's braking performance and pull over immediately if it's inadequate.
• Brake Warning Light: Illuminates when the computer detects a problem with the braking system.
  • Purpose: Alerts drivers to potential braking system issues.
  • Symbol: Exclamation point and the word "BRAKE", often red.
  • What to do: Check the brake fluid level and inspect the brake pads.
• TPMS Warning Light: Illuminates when the Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS) detects a deviation from the recommended tire pressure.
  • Purpose: Alerts drivers to potential tire pressure issues.
  • Symbol: Flat tire, often amber.
  • What to do: Check the tire pressures and ensure they are at the manufacturer's recommended level.
• Coolant Temperature Warning Light: Illuminates when the engine's coolant temperature exceeds the normal operating range.
  • Purpose: Alerts drivers to potential cooling system issues.
  • Symbol: Thermometer, often red.
  • What to do: Pull over, shut off the engine, and check the coolant level.
• Airbag Warning Light: Illuminates when the airbag system detects a problem.
  • Purpose: Alerts drivers to potential airbag system issues.
  • Symbol: Image of a person with an airbag deployed, often red or amber.
  • What to do: Take the vehicle to a qualified mechanic to resolve the issue.
• Low Fuel Warning Light: Illuminates when the fuel level in the tank drops below a predetermined threshold.
  • Purpose: Alerts drivers to refuel.
  • Symbol: Fuel pump, often amber.
  • What to do: Refuel the vehicle.

Introduction to Automotive Diagnostics

• Diagnostics are essential for modern automotive repair.
• OBD-II (On-Board Diagnostics, version 2) is a diagnostic tool used to communicate with and retrieve information from a vehicle's onboard computer system.

OBD-II Scanners

• OBD-II scanners provide access to a wide range of diagnostic functions, including:
  • Reading and clearing diagnostic trouble codes (DTCs).
  • Running diagnostic tests and checks on various vehicle systems.
  • Providing access to vehicle information such as calibration IDs or readiness monitors for smog tests.

OBD-II Ports

• The OBD-II port is usually located beneath the dashboard on the driver's side.
• It may also be located near the center console or in the passenger footwell.

Basic Diagnostic Functions

• OBD-II scanners can:
  • Retrieve data and display DTCs stored in the vehicle's computer.
  • Clear or reset a DTC from the computer.
  • View real-time sensor data from various vehicle systems.

DTCs (Diagnostic Trouble Codes)

• DTCs are codes generated by the vehicle's computer to indicate a specific issue or malfunction.
• Generic DTCs are standard codes across all vehicle makes and models.
• Manufacturer-Specific DTCs are unique to a particular vehicle manufacturer and may vary in format and meaning.

Interpreting DTCs

• The prefix of a DTC indicates the system or area of the vehicle where the issue is detected.
• The numeric portion of the code provides further details about the specific problem or malfunction.

Pre OBD-II Vehicles

• Before 1996, OBD-II was not standardized, and diagnostic systems varied between vehicle manufacturers.
• Pre OBD-II vehicles may have their own diagnostic systems, making diagnostics more complex.

Windshield Wipers

• Windshield wipers are important for maintaining visibility on the road.
• Wiper blades are usually made of rubber or silicone strips.
• Types of wiper blades include:
  • Traditional wiper blades with a metal frame.
  • Beam or flat wiper blades with a single piece of rubber or silicone.
  • Hybrid wiper blades that combine traditional and beam blade designs.

When to Replace Wiper Blades

• Wiper blades should be replaced when they show signs of wear, such as streaking, skipping, or noise.
• They should be replaced every 6-12 months or when showing signs of wear.

The Starting System

• The starting system consists of:
  • Battery
  • Ignition switch
  • Starter solenoid
  • Starter motor
• The starting system converts electrical energy from the battery into mechanical energy to rotate the engine.

Key Components of the Starting System

• Battery: The primary source of electrical energy when the engine is not running.
• Ignition Switch: The primary control mechanism for starting and stopping the engine.
• Starter Solenoid: Acts as a bridge between the battery and the starter motor.
• Starter Motor: A powerful electric motor responsible for rotating the engine.

Ignition Switch Positions

• Off: Cuts off power to the vehicle's electrical systems.
• ACC (Accessory): Allows power to be supplied to accessories without starting the engine.
• ON: Powers the vehicle's electrical systems, including the fuel pump and ignition system.
• START: Activates the starter motor to begin the combustion process.

Common Problems with the Starting System

• Dead Battery: Causes include aging battery, leaving lights or accessories on, or electrical system faults.
• Faulty Starter Motor: Causes include wear and tear, electrical issues, or damaged Bendix gear.
• Ignition Switch Problems: Causes include wear, electrical faults, or damaged contacts inside the switch.### Fuses and Relays
• Fusible links are special types of fuses that are usually integrated into a wiring harness and consist of a small length of wire with a lower melting point than the rest of the circuit.
• When current levels in a circuit exceed their rating, fusible links melt and "open" the circuit, stopping current flow.
• Fusible links are a one-time use and must be replaced if they blow.
• Fuses have a printed number that refers to the maximum amperage that the fuse can safely handle before blowing.

Relays

• Relays serve as switches that control high-powered circuits with very low power signals.
• They take low current signals from switches or sensors to power high current circuits such as headlights, starter motors, fuel pumps, air conditioning, and radiator cooling fans.
• Relays use electromagnetism to open and close the switch inside.
• When replacing relays, make sure the new relay has the same number of pins as the old one.

Locating Fuses and Relays

• Fuse and relay panels can be located in various places depending on the car, such as under the hood, under the dashboard, or in the trunk.
• Always refer to your owner's manual to find the exact location of the fuse and relay box for your car.
• The manual will also provide information on the functions of each fuse and relay for easier troubleshooting.

Replacing Fuses

• When replacing fuses, it's important to replace the fuse with the same amperage rating.
• Replacing a fuse with a lower amperage fuse can cause it to blow prematurely, while replacing a fuse with a higher amperage fuse can overload a circuit.
• Overloading a circuit can cause severe damage and even risk a fire.

Leaks

• Oil leaks are characterized by a dark brown or black color, slick oily texture, and a distinct burnt odor.
• Oil leaks are commonly found underneath the car, especially towards the front or center near the engine block.
• If left unchecked, oil leaks can lead to increased friction and eventual engine damage.
• Coolant leaks are characterized by a variety of colors, a watery texture, and a slightly sweet odor.
• Coolant leaks are commonly found underneath the car near the radiator, hoses, or water pump.
• If left unchecked, coolant leaks can lead to insufficient cooling, causing overheating, and possible engine damage.
• Transmission leaks are characterized by a red or light brown color, an oily texture, and a slightly sweet odor.
• Transmission leaks are commonly found underneath the transmission or along transmission fluid lines.
• If left unchecked, transmission leaks can lead to transmission slipping, delayed or rough shifting, or even transmission damage.

Importance of Identifying Leaks

• Identifying leaks is essential for ensuring safety, preserving vehicle performance, protecting the environment, and minimizing maintenance costs.
• Addressing leaks promptly can help keep your vehicle in top shape and prolong its lifespan.

Wheel Balancing

• Unbalanced wheels can cause vibrations that can be felt through the steering wheel, seats, and floors.
• Unbalanced wheels can also cause uneven tire wear, which can reduce tire lifespan, compromise traction, and handling.
• Wheel balancing is the process of making sure the weight of the tire and rims are distributed evenly around the axle.
• Wheel balancing is required every time you get new tires or put a different tire on a rim.
• Wheel balancing equipment includes a wheel balancing machine, wheel weights, and a wheel weight removal tool.

Roadside Tire Change

• Flat tires can occur anytime unexpectedly due to various reasons such as punctures, tire blowouts, or gradual loss of tire pressure.
• Safety is the most important aspect of changing a tire on the road.
• Choose a flat surface, stay clear of traffic, turn on your hazard lights, and apply your parking brake.
• The tools required for a roadside tire change include a scissor jack, lug wrench, and spare tire.

Tires

• Tires play a significant role in vehicle performance and safety.
• Tire anatomy includes the sidewall, tread, shoulder, bead, and ply.
• The sidewall has important information such as tire size, max load, and speed rating.
• Tread patterns are designed to provide maximum traction and grip in different circumstances.
• The shoulder is the area where the tread meets the sidewall and plays a big part in cornering stability and handling.
• The bead is the inner edge of the tire that sits securely on the rim.
• The ply provides reinforcement to support the tire's structure and maintain its strength under various loads and conditions.

Common Tire Wear Patterns

• Cupping appears as uneven wear in a wave-like pattern around the tire tread.
• Feathering appears as smooth, diagonal wear across the tread.
• Camber wear appears as excessive wear on one side of the tire tread.

Tire Rotation

• Tire rotation is a simple but essential maintenance procedure that can maximize tire performance and longevity.
• Rotating tires helps to prevent uneven wear patterns and extends the lifespan of the tire by making sure they all wear out evenly.
• Tire rotation techniques include front-to-back rotation, cross rotation, and side-to-side rotation.

Suspension

• The suspension system is responsible for providing a smooth and comfortable ride while ensuring stability, control, and safety.
• Basic suspension components include springs, shock absorbers, struts, control arms, and sway bars.
• Coil springs support the weight of the vehicle and absorb shocks from road irregularities.
• Leaf springs are robust and well-suited for heavy-duty applications.
• Shock absorbers control the movement of the springs and provide a smoother and more controlled ride.
• Struts combine the functions of a spring and a shock absorber into a single unit.
• Control arms connect the suspension components to the chassis or frame of the vehicle.
• Sway bars offer additional support to reduce body roll and improve stability during cornering.