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Installing Aftermarket Head Units
Are you thinking about installing your own car stereo head unit? Be sure to read this article and figure out what you will need to do to get it done. Upgrading the sound system is usually one of the first modifications attempted when we talk about car customization. The best place to start is with a good head unit. If you plan to install it yourself, read on for some technical tips from our experience installers. You will need a few tools to do the job right, so start by collecting some screwdrivers (flat head and phillips head), a socket set, wire cutters, wire splitters, butt connectors or heat shrinking sleeves, electrical tape, zip ties, solder and a soldering iron, and some patience. The first thing I would do before installing I would suggest buying the stereo wiring harness for your vehicle application. This will make the installation easier for you if you are a beginner, and it allows for easier replacement of the stock radio (if you choose to sell the vehicle in the future) and swapping or upgrading to a different aftermarket head unit. Begin by disconnecting the negative battery cable from the battery. This will ensure that you don’t accidentally cross any wires and burn out a new piece of equipment. Next, remove the old head unit. If you need to see how this is done on your specific vehicle, you can look up your vehicles application on installdr.com. This is a great resource for seeing pictures of how to remove the head unit. Once it is loose, disconnect the wiring harness and the antenna from the head unit and remove it completely. There are two types of wiring harnesses you can get. There is the universal wiring harness that connects to your vehicles existing wiring harness, and has the unfinished wire ends that connect to the color coded wires of your new head unit. There is also a wiring harness that has a harness on both ends, and just clicks in place on both sides. These are the easiest to install, but can be harder ot find to match your vehicle to the head unit. Most wiring harnesses are the universal type, so we will focus on those. If you have obtained the wiring harness, you will notice the color coded wires in the back of the head unit. The wires on the head unit and wiring harness should match. The head unit wires and the wiring harness wires will be partially spliced for easy installation. There are several good ways to connect the wires. One way is to use butt connectors, which crimp the wires within a connector. These can be picked up almost anywhere that sells/installs head units, or at Walmart, etc. My favorite way requires a soldering iron and heat shrinking sleeves. Twist the wires together tightly. Apply just enough solder to weld the two wires together. Now fold them over parallel to one of the wires. Slide the sleeve over the connection and heat it with a heat gun or good hair dryer. I have had to rewire or repair systems where butt connectors were used, but this could be installer error, and not a problem with the connectors themselves. I have never had any of the soldered connections fail. Once all the connections are made, and the sleeves heated and shrunk in place, I like to take a zip tie and tie them all together. Clip the excess zip tie for a clean finished look. Connect the wiring harness of the head unit to the wiring harness connected to the vehicle. Plug in the antenna (you may find you need an antenna adapter in some applications). Now slide the head unit in place, but don’t attach it yet. Reconnect the negative battery cable and turn on the head unit (make sure the key is turned to the ACC position). It should be functioning properly at this point. If you plan on adding an amp, or have purchased one for this setup, turn the unit off and connect the RCA cables. Run them through the dash to the floorboard and to the amp (more on how to successfully do this in future articles). If you encounter problems, you can email <A HREF="mailto:support@majesticmodifications.com">support@majesticmodifications.com</A> for help. Brought to you by <A HREF="http://www.majesticmodifications.com" TARGET="_blank">http://www.majesticmodifications.com</A>. Majestic Modifications is your online source for auto parts and accessories, installations advice and technical support.
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Used Auto Warranty Warning: Beware Dealer-Issued Extended Auto Warranty Coverage
Buying a used car? You need an extended auto warranty to protect you from expensive surprises down the road. But be careful when your dealer tries to sell you used auto extended warranty coverage. Usually, the dealer is simply reselling used auto warranties issued by a used auto warranty company, with a markup of up to $1000. You could just as easily have bought the extended warranty directly from the auto warranty company. But overpaying for a third-party used car extended auto warranty is certainly not the worst used auto warranty deal you can get. The worst auto extended warranty deal is to buy one that isn’t issued by a third party at all. Dealer-Issued Extended Auto Warranties Explained Yes, some dealers actually sell extended auto warranties they’ve created themselves. These dealer-issued auto warranties typically only allow you to get service at the dealership. They either don’t cover repairs done anywhere else at all, or they only cover emergency repairs for breakdowns. Often, a dealer-issued used auto extended warranty even restricts you to getting maintenance at the dealership only. With a captive clientele, the dealerships often charge much more than local mechanics. There are some other big problems with a dealer-issued used auto extended warranty: What happens if you move far away? Answer: you’d have to buy another auto warranty. What if you’re driving somewhere far away when your car breaks down? Answer: if the used auto warranty doesn’t cover reimbursements for emergency service, you’re in trouble. Even if it does cover reimbursements, you’d better hope your credit card or checking account can handle the damage in the meantime. What if the dealership goes bankrupt? Answer: get in line behind the banks, the car manufacturer, the dealership’s vendors, and everyone else trying to get money out of the business. What if you just aren’t satisfied with the dealer’s work? Answer: complain very, very nicely. You can’t take your business elsewhere unless you’re willing to pay for it. If you comparison shopped the dealer-issued extended auto warranty, you’d realize it wasn’t worth it. But most people never do a used auto extended warranties comparison. There is simply so much ignorance about auto warranties. Your best hope is to learn more. Dealer-Issued Used Auto Warranties: Why Does Anyone Buy Them? Most often, the buyer simply never thought about an extended auto warranty before going to the dealership. When the salesperson explains how important extended auto warranty coverage is, the buyer just thanks him for the tip and buys it. The buyer doesn’t realize how expensive the warranty is. Of course, car repairs can potentially be so expensive that even an overpriced dealer-issued warranty can pay for itself several times over. Meanwhile, next to a $15,000 car, even an overpriced $2500 dealer-issued warranty seems cheap. But if you’re going to buy a warranty, why not buy a really good one? Many buyers mistake dealer-issued warranties for manufacturers’ warranties. In some cases, the salesperson may even try to let you think the warranty will cover repairs at any of the dealerships affiliated with that manufacturer (say, any Chrysler or Mitsubishi dealership). Of course, such warranties do exist, but they’re more common for new cars than used cars. In short, if a used car dealer ever tries to sell you an extended auto warranty, make sure to ask flat out: will this warranty cover repairs done anywhere, or just this dealership? Double-check the warranty itself to make sure it has a third-party company’s name on it, not the dealership’s. Better yet, why not just buy the extended warranty directly from the warranty company rather than pay the dealer hundreds of dollars of markup on it? That way, you can also research the warranty thoroughly, without pressure. In fact, you should start investigating extended auto warranties even before you go to the dealership. You’ll certainly like the salesperson’s face when you tell him you know what the original warranty company charges for the warranty they’re trying to sell you. You’ll also know in advance how much total the car purchase really will cost you. Don’t wait. Start looking at extended auto warranties now, before the dealerships’ salespeople ever have a chance to breathe down your neck.<p>Joel Walsh, a freelance automotive writer recommends Auto Service Warranty, Inc. where you can get an <a href="http://www.autoservicewarranty.com/">auto extended warranty</a> quote online in seconds: http://www.AutoServiceWarranty.com/<p>
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How To Negotiate Car Repairs
Everything is negotiable, it just comes down to if you want to put forth the effort to negotiate. In my life I have owned no less than 15 cars , that means car repairs. When your car is in the shop for repairs it’s a unique situation, you have no control or true knowledge of what REALLY is needed and what isn’t. There have been several special reports on news programs with undercover cameras showing mechanics damaging or lying to customers about repairs that are needed. The fact that it is even possible creates a situation that should also be taken advantage of by the consumer. Chances are pretty good that your mechanic is over charging you for something, if you take a good look at your invoice after you have had a major repair it has to be somewhat of a surprise that the gizmo that controls your anti lock brakes is $1700.00. There has to be a huge mark-up on the price of an item that is a must have, and you can only get it from the dealer. Car repairs can be negotiated just like anything else, more so even. Your mechanic or service manager at the dealer, knows for a fact that you are being over charged, that means that all you have to do is ask for a discount. If your mechanic is worth his salt he calls you before he does any work on your car, that is when the negotiation should start. When your mechanic tells you that you need a new flex capacitor and it cost around $800, your first reaction should be Can you give me a better price? Or better yet Can you do it for $700 . You need to make it clear from the very beginning that you want a discount. A ten percent discount is always a good starting point, you are only trying to get a small discount, which is better than nothing. The biggest mistake you can make is to wait until your car repair is finished. At that point he basically is holding your car hostage until you pay him, so that means he is in full control of the negotiation. The very little control we do have is before any work is done, because we still have the ability to say no thanks I’ll take it somewhere else. Most people want a discount, but most people don’t like negotiating. Let’s face it, it’s not for everybody. The reason car repair is set up for negotiation is because your mechanic or service manager knows that he can give you a discount but he certainly is not going to offer it. You’ll be surprised to see how easy they will give you 10% just for asking. The next time your you need a car repair follow these steps to get a 10% discount:: 1. Make sure you tell the service manager or mechanic to call you BEFORE he does any work to your car. 2. Always ask for an estimate when he tells you what repairs you need. 3 What ever amount he says, ask for at least for a 10% discount. It’s much better saying a specific price instead of 10%, so make sure you have your math ready. That’s it. No one said it was complicated, you just have to be willing to ask. Your’e going to be surprised how easy it is, and wonder why you didn’t do it sooner. Now take your 10% and do something for yourself,…. you earned it. http://www.ClickForInfo.netTodd C. Robinson is webmaster for www.ClickForInfo.net
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