V.I.N. stands for Vehicle Identification Number .
Every vehicle has one (or should) and it can be found on a metal plate at the bottom right of your windshield when facing it.
It can also be read from inside of the drivers door (bottom of the pillar).
The VIN is made up of 17 digits that are codes for various information.
The 1st character identifies the country in which the vehicle was built.
Ei: USA (1 or 4), Canada (2), Mexico (3),Germany (W or 9), Italy (Z)
2nd character identifies the manufacturer.
Ei: Audi(A), BMW (B), Buick(4), Cadillac(6), Cheverolet(1), Chrysler(C), Dodge(B) Volkswagen(V),Ford(F), Canada(7),General Motors(G), Honda(H),Jaguar (A), Lincoln(L), Mercedes Benz (D), Mercury(M), Nissan (N), Oldsmobile (3), Pontiac (2 or 5), Plymouth (P) Saturn (8), Toyota (T),VW (V),Volvo (V)
3rd character-identifies vehicle type or manufacturing division.
4th to 8th characters-Identifies vehicle features such as body style, engine type, model, series, etc.
9th character identifies VIN accuracy as check digit.
10th character identifies the model year.
Ei: 1988 (J), 1989 (K), 1990(L), 1991(M), 1992(N), 1993 (P), 1994®, 1995(S),1996(T),1997(V), 1998(W), 1999(X), 2000(Y), 2001(1), 2002(2), 2003(3) and so on. 2010(A), 2011(B), 2012(C).
11th character identifies the assembly plant for the vehicle.
12th to 17th identifies the sequence of the vehicle for production as it rolled off the manufacturers assembly line.
Wednesday, April 14, 2010
Signs of the Times
Sign outside a Car Dealership
"The Best Way to get back on your feet-Miss a Car Payment"
Sign on a Fence
"Salesmen Welcome-Dog Food is Expensive".
Sign Outside a Muffler Shop
"No Appointment Necessary-We Hear You Coming"
"The Best Way to get back on your feet-Miss a Car Payment"
Sign on a Fence
"Salesmen Welcome-Dog Food is Expensive".
Sign Outside a Muffler Shop
"No Appointment Necessary-We Hear You Coming"
Monday, April 12, 2010
To Trade(-in) or Not to Trade
Let’s say you decide to upgrade your 2004 Honda Accord or any brand. You, being a knowledgeable shopper, gather brochures, get prices, determine manufacturer’s programs for leasing, financing and cash rebates and then narrow down the possibilities by test driving. When it comes to your trade-in, rumor has it that you will always get a higher price by selling it yourself. So, let’s examine the difference.
Your Accord has average kilometers on it and is in fairly good condition bodywise (windshield unmarked, no accident history, tires, exhaust and brakes will pass a safety).
You check the internet Auto Trader and find that 04 Accords with similar features, kilometers and engine size are retailing for between $15,000.00 and 16,500.00. After the dealership checks out your trade they offer you $13,800.00 against the price of the new car.
Do you take it or sell it privately yourself?
If you decide to sell it yourself, and advertise the price at $16,500.00, if you get a buyer that offers you $16,000.00 cash, you would probably take it (we all leave a little wiggle room in the price).The safety check, clean-up, placing an ad ($40/week-2 weeks), and purchasing a sellers pkg from the MTO (your responsibility) may have a dollar value of $380.00 (usually it will need something for the safety).
Sitting at home waiting, taking people for test drives, taking a deposit, and doing the paperwork does not have a dollar value but your time is worth something.
Once everything washes out you have $15,620.00 in your pocket which you use as a downpayment (this is deducted after the total price).
If you took the trade-in price of $13,800.00 it will come off before taxes, which means that after taxes (13% Ontario) it’s value equals a total of $15,594.00.
This is where we get back to the dollar value of your time, as you saved yourself $26.00 by selling it yourself.
To some, that is worthwhile-you decide.
Your Accord has average kilometers on it and is in fairly good condition bodywise (windshield unmarked, no accident history, tires, exhaust and brakes will pass a safety).
You check the internet Auto Trader and find that 04 Accords with similar features, kilometers and engine size are retailing for between $15,000.00 and 16,500.00. After the dealership checks out your trade they offer you $13,800.00 against the price of the new car.
Do you take it or sell it privately yourself?
If you decide to sell it yourself, and advertise the price at $16,500.00, if you get a buyer that offers you $16,000.00 cash, you would probably take it (we all leave a little wiggle room in the price).The safety check, clean-up, placing an ad ($40/week-2 weeks), and purchasing a sellers pkg from the MTO (your responsibility) may have a dollar value of $380.00 (usually it will need something for the safety).
Sitting at home waiting, taking people for test drives, taking a deposit, and doing the paperwork does not have a dollar value but your time is worth something.
Once everything washes out you have $15,620.00 in your pocket which you use as a downpayment (this is deducted after the total price).
If you took the trade-in price of $13,800.00 it will come off before taxes, which means that after taxes (13% Ontario) it’s value equals a total of $15,594.00.
This is where we get back to the dollar value of your time, as you saved yourself $26.00 by selling it yourself.
To some, that is worthwhile-you decide.
Thursday, April 8, 2010
How to Safely Change a Tire
1. Know if you have ROADSIDE ASSISTANCE .
· Know the condition of your spare and
check for essentials before any road trip
· lf blowout occurs do not apply brakes hard may cause loss of control .
Coast if possible to a safe, flat area ease
on brakes-beware of soft shoulders,
guardrails, etc.
2. Make sure the vehicle is in PARK and the ignition is off and emergency brake applied
3. Place your hazard lights/emergency flashers on
(especially on highways)
· lt is best to have all occupants outside the
vehicle-a safe distance to the right side of
car-not back or front
4. Be sure the vehicle is on flat ground and secure the front wheels by placing wedge/block/log in front of front wheels
· ln trunk, carry gloves, reflective hazard
triangles and a kneel pad (blanket,
cardboard, towel,)
5. Remove spare tire by lifting/removing wing nut-be careful not to injure yourself-it's heavy
· Remove jack (may be in tire/behind tire/or
side compartment of trunk)
· Remove toolkit probably with tire-or refer
to owners manual-(wrench, screwdriver,
jack rod)
· Remove wheelcaps with pry tool in kit
6. Refer to owners manual for proper jack points
7. Position jack high enough to clear tire and then remove lug nuts and place in safe location until needed
8. Loosen lug nut wheel lock key with toolkit while tire is on ground-excessive force may be required
9. Pull flat tire off and install new tire
10. Tighten all lug nuts using wheel wrench while tire is in the air
11 Lower jack down to put weight on wheel
12. Double check nuts are secure
13. Put hub cap on
14. Put tools away- remove and store wedges-put flat in trunk
15. Check for SPEED RATING (if not full size) is usually written on the sidewall
DRIVE SAFELY to destination
DON'T FORGET to have the tire replaced or repaired
· Know the condition of your spare and
check for essentials before any road trip
· lf blowout occurs do not apply brakes hard may cause loss of control .
Coast if possible to a safe, flat area ease
on brakes-beware of soft shoulders,
guardrails, etc.
2. Make sure the vehicle is in PARK and the ignition is off and emergency brake applied
3. Place your hazard lights/emergency flashers on
(especially on highways)
· lt is best to have all occupants outside the
vehicle-a safe distance to the right side of
car-not back or front
4. Be sure the vehicle is on flat ground and secure the front wheels by placing wedge/block/log in front of front wheels
· ln trunk, carry gloves, reflective hazard
triangles and a kneel pad (blanket,
cardboard, towel,)
5. Remove spare tire by lifting/removing wing nut-be careful not to injure yourself-it's heavy
· Remove jack (may be in tire/behind tire/or
side compartment of trunk)
· Remove toolkit probably with tire-or refer
to owners manual-(wrench, screwdriver,
jack rod)
· Remove wheelcaps with pry tool in kit
6. Refer to owners manual for proper jack points
7. Position jack high enough to clear tire and then remove lug nuts and place in safe location until needed
8. Loosen lug nut wheel lock key with toolkit while tire is on ground-excessive force may be required
9. Pull flat tire off and install new tire
10. Tighten all lug nuts using wheel wrench while tire is in the air
11 Lower jack down to put weight on wheel
12. Double check nuts are secure
13. Put hub cap on
14. Put tools away- remove and store wedges-put flat in trunk
15. Check for SPEED RATING (if not full size) is usually written on the sidewall
DRIVE SAFELY to destination
DON'T FORGET to have the tire replaced or repaired
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