If your car stereo looks like this, it may be time to consider upgrading. Learn how to install a new car stereo yourself.

There’s nothing like driving down the street and listening to music with the windows down.

One of the easiest ways to save money on car stereo systems is to install them yourself.

Car stereo installation is actually very easy if you follow these simple steps:

1. Carefully measure your current sound system to make sure that your new purchase will easily fit into the slot.
2. Purchase a car stereo that will fit your car. It’s also a good idea to look for a system that is wired specifically for your make and model if you can find one. It will save you a lot of time and effort.
3. For the installation, you’ll need your owner’s manual, a screwdriver and/or socket wrench set, and wire strippers.
4. Disconnect the negative battery cable so that you can work safely.
5. Remove the front dash panel according to the directions in your owner’s manual. Consider putting all of the screws into a small plastic baggie to make sure that they don’t get lost during the car stereo installation process.
6. Unscrew and pull out your car stereo unit and look at the back. You will either see one plug that is attached to all of the wires or a bunch of wires that are individually attached to the stereo. If you have a plug, all you need to do is remove it and plug in the new one.
7. If you don’t have a plug, you’ll need to wire it manually. Don’t remove all of the wires now. You need them as a map to help you attach the new car stereo system. Remove and reattach the wires in the following order: the positive wires, then the negative wires, then the ground (black) wire. The ground wire should be attached to metal. Then attach the constant and ignition power wires. Your manual should show exactly how to do this.
8. Slide the new car stereo into the mounting bracket. Attach the antenna wire.
9. Slide the stereo into place but don’t screw it in until you’ve tested it. When testing the stereo, use the balance features to listen to each car stereo speaker and make sure that it’s working properly.
10. If everything’s working right, go ahead and screw in your new stereo, put on some music, and enjoy!

How to change the oil in your car.

By performing your own oil changes, topping off fluid levels, and checking your tires periodically, you can maintain peak performance and make the most out of your gas mileage.

Follow these tips to learn how to change the oil in your car and avoid another trip to your maintenance mechanic.

Get all of your materials together first. One of the most important things you may not realize you need is a pair of jack stands. These help to stabilize the car before you get underneath. It’s not safe to get under a car that’s only supported by a jack, so don’t do it!

You’ll need the following materials:

• About 6 quarts of oil (check your manual for the correct amount)
• A replacement oil filter
• A wrench
• Something to drain the oil into. Yes, you can use an old bucket or pan, but consider what you’re going to do with the oil once it’s drained. You can buy oil drainage pans that will seal so that you can properly discard the oil.
• A rag
• A funnel

Instructions for changing your car’s oil:

1. Run the car for at least ten minutes to get the oil hot and ensure better drainage.
2. Locate the oil drain plug. It’s usually found right at the front of the car, on the bottom of the engine. Put down your oil receptacle and remove the plug. Remember that the oil that comes out is going to be hot. Clean off the plug and the plug opening, and then replace the plug.
3. Locate the oil filter. It’s usually right on the side of the engine. Put your oil receptacle under the filter to catch any oil still remaining in the system, and then remove the filter. Clean off the exposed area where the filter attaches. Use a little oil to lubricate the rubber seal on the new filter, and then screw it into place.
4. Locate the oil filler cap, which should be right on top of the engine. Open it and put your funnel into the opening. Pour in your new oil and replace the cap.
5. Turn the car on and let it run for a minute or so. Turn it off, remove the keys just to be safe, and check the oil level with the dipstick. Add more oil if necessary. Check the plug and filter to make sure that there are no leaks and adjust them if necessary.
6. Clean up. Use a rag to wipe away any oil that may have spilled and make sure to discard the old oil safely at your local recycling center; never dump oil in the sewage drain!

Buying a sports car may be the best thrill you ever get to have shopping! Learn a few tips on how to buy your sports car.

When you’re in the market for a high performance sport vehicle like a corvette or a mustang convertible, you’re looking for different things than a soccer mom who’s shopping for a minivan.

Sports cars have some special elements that you’ll need to consider.

Consider the following tips when you’re looking for a sports car.

• When it comes to sports cars, you’ve got a wide range of models and accessories. This means that you can get a lower end model for about the same price as your average sedan, or you can pile on the bells and whistles and spend a boatload. Take the time to figure out a comfortable budget before you start looking. This helps you to avoid getting your heart set on something that you can’t really afford. And don’t forget to account for insurance in your calculations. You’ll find that insuring a high-cost sports car is going to cost a lot more than you’re used to.
• Sports cars are some of the only cars out there that come in two-seater models. Carefully think through how you’ll use the car, how many passengers will be riding in it, and how much space you’ll need for storage before you go for the two-seater. It might also be a poor option for you if you’re particularly tall, since they tend to have very little headroom.
• You also have more roofing options in comparison to most other automobile types. You can go for a sunroof or a convertible. If you get a convertible, you’ll need to consider whether you want a hardtop, which is more durable but generally more difficult to open and close, or a soft top.
• Consider whether you want a sports car for the look, the performance, or a combination of both. If performance is lower on your list, or if you can’t drive a stick, then an automatic is probably a better choice. But if performance is higher on your list, then you’ll probably want a six-speed model with a lot of torque. You might also consider getting a mid-engine model. You’ll get some of the best handling out there, but you’ll sacrifice some storage space and legroom to get there.
• When you’re ready to start shopping and make the purchase, review our How to Buy a New Car article to make sure that you get the best deal possible.

Learn how to save money on a new car in our how to guide.

Your first new car purchase can be smooth and worry-free, but as with any other major purchase, you can get scammed if you’re not smart.

Play it safe and follow these simple steps when it comes to your new car search and find the right new car at the right price on your own terms.

1. Select the Right Time to Buy

If you can plan your purchase ahead of time, choose the right time to buy and you’ll save money. You can get the best deals if you buy a new car in late December or from July through October.

At the end of December, dealers are trying to break their year-end sales records, so prices are at a low. Starting in July, dealers are looking to clear out space for new models, so sale prices start popping up then. So it’s in your best interest to plan ahead and start shopping before your current car is on its deathbed. If you wait until you’re in desperate need of a new car, you probably won’t get the best price possible.

Try to time your new car purchase at the very end of the month, when dealers are trying to meet their quota and may be more willing to negotiate prices!

2. Take the Time to Research

Once you know what kind of car you’re interested in, take the time to research it online. Find out their Kelley Blue Book value, and then look up actual sales prices from online car sales websites such as Cars.com, Yahoo! Autos, Edmunds.com, and Autos.com.

Print out the best prices and put them in a folder to take with you when you go to the dealership. This gives you bargaining power for your visit. If the dealer can’t beat the prices you have from the online vendors, then you have the choice to order online.

It’s also a good idea to research the dealership. See if you can find a dealer that pays all of its employees a salary rather than a commission. You’ll be more likely to get a better deal.

3. Consider Your Credit Score

Credit scores can keep you from getting the car of your dreams or increase your car payments astronomically. Many of the terrific prices that you see in commercials are only valid for “qualifying customers,” and in most cases that means customers with pristine credit. When you’re getting ready to buy a new car, get a copy of your credit report.

Take the opportunity to check it over for any mistakes, and if you see something on there that’s not right, take care of it immediately. But even more importantly, take a copy with you. If your score is low (usually under 680), you may want to apply for a loan in advance from a place that specializes in high-risk auto loans. This will save you a lot of headaches and loan refusals.

Your other option is to pay with cash if you have low credit, but that robs you of the ability to pay on time and improve your credit score.

4. Think Through Your Trade-In

Trading in an old car can certainly save you cash, but you should take as much time preparing for the trade in as you do for the new purchase. Know how much your current car is worth and how much money, if any, you still owe. If the amount owed is relatively little, it’s in your best interest to take the time to pay it off before you trade it in. Yes, the dealership may be willing to pay it off for you, but remember that the loan is still your responsibility. If they don’t pay on time (and what incentive do they have to do so?), the late fees are yours to pay.

5. Order What You Want

If your dream car isn’t on the lot, you can have the dealer order one to your specifications from the factory. You might think that this would cost extra, but there’s no reason that it should. They’ll just integrate your car into their weekly order, and the car won’t be sitting around on their lot taking up space and generating interest fees for the dealer.

Generally, you’ll have to pay a deposit. It’s a good idea to put this deposit on a credit card. That way, if you’re unhappy with the car when it arrives, or if the dealer attempts to increase the amount of the deposit after the car arrives, you have some protection from the credit card company. If you’ve paid with a check, you’re probably out of luck.

6. Check Your Warranty

When you buy a car, you want a good warranty. If you buy it from the dealer, you will almost always pay more, because not only are you paying for the warranty package, but you’re also paying a markup from the dealership.

Consider getting a warranty direct from a vendor that has an A rating from Standard and Poor’s or A.M. Best. Carefully check the deductible to make sure that you won’t be charged per part repaired rather than per repair. And make sure there’s a money back guarantee in case you’re not happy.

7. To haggle or Not to Haggle

For some people, negotiating is easy, but for others it’s like pulling teeth. The best thing that you can do to protect yourself and get the best price possible is to walk into the dealership with copies of your research from Step 2. This allows you to prove that you can get a better price elsewhere. If the dealer won’t meet or beat the price, then you can just leave. No haggling required.

Watch this video tutorial on buying a new car for more great tips on getting the right car and the best value for your money:

Selling your used car may not be fun, but knowing these tips will help you sell your car quickly and get a fair price.

Or you’ve decided to lease a car from here on out and don’t need a trade in.

Whatever your reason, you’ve got a used car that you need to unload.

It’s possible to sell your car with a minimum of fuss and trouble if you take the time to research and do it right.

You don’t need to be an automotive expert to sell a car; you just need to be well informed.

Once you think, “I need to sell my car,” then follow these simple steps to get it done right.

1. Get the Car Ready

You want to present the best product possible when you’re trying to sell a used car. You’ll be more likely to get offers if the car looks well cared for and in good condition.

Start off by cleaning the car out. Remove all of the junk, vacuum up the gunk on the floor, and give everything a thorough cleaning. Have the oil changed if it’s time. Check the air levels on the tires and top off all of the fluids.

Consider having a mechanic take a look at it and make any minor repairs. Run a car history report from a vendor like Carfax.com. Put all of the paperwork, including the mechanic’s evaluation if you get one, into a folder for prospective buyers to look at.

2. Set your Asking Price

When selling your car, you’ll need to know how much it’s worth. Kelley Blue Book is an easy way to do this. Asking price is also influenced by factors such as the season, the number of similar cars on the market, and your local market.

Look for similar cars for sale in your area. Note how many there are and how much they cost. The more competition you have, the lower your price will go. You want to be competitive. However, you also want to take into account how much you’re willing to negotiate.

Consider setting your asking price above your minimum and putting “OBO” (or best offer) or “negotiable” into your ads.

3. Advertise!

Now, it’s time to advertise that you have a car for sale. By all means, put signs in the windows and park the car where it can be seen from the road, but unless you live on a main thoroughfare, this probably isn’t going to be enough.

Consider newspaper or online ads to bring in buyers. Post on local bulletin boards or through local newsletters. Do all you can to get the word out to potential buyers.

4. Show the Car

When it’s time to show the car, be prepared and polite. You want your potential buyers to see that you’re trustworthy and easy to deal with. They will probably want to test drive the car if they are genuinely interested.

Make sure that they have a current driver’s license, and be prepared to ride with them to answer questions and help them find their way around. They may also want to have the car evaluated by a mechanic, although you might be able to avoid this request by having the mechanic’s evaluation mentioned in Step 1.

5. Complete the Sale

Once you’ve negotiated a sale price, it’s time to complete the transaction. There are a few key things that you need to do to protect yourself when selling a car.

Get your payment in a certified check or in cash. You are not legally protected if you take a personal check or if you make a verbal agreement to get paid in installments.

Before the buyer drives away, fill out a bill of sale and a release of liability. You can get both of these forms from the DMV; pick them up early in the process and keep them on hand.

Don’t forget to cancel your insurance too. Your state may have additional requirements; check them out in advance so you don’t get burnt.

Watch this video tutorial for some good tips on how to sell your used car on eBay:

Especially if your car is stored outside, where rain, snow and direct sun will fade and deteriorate your paint finish, waxing your car at least twice a year will protect and restore the luster and keep your car looking shiny and new!

Car waxing is a very simple process you can do yourself in an hour or two.

Learn how to wax your car quickly and effectively in this simple, step by step guide.

Waxing your car a couple times a year will help keep it looking shiny and protect the finish from road tar, bugs and scratches. Be sure to wax your car in a cool, shaded place and apply car wax using small circular motions.

1. Start by thoroughly washing and drying your car; you want to get all the dirt and grime off before you begin waxing. If your car’s paint has tar, bugs and other sticky spots, use a bug and tar remover, being sure to wipe it off well before waxing.
2. Use a non-abrasive wax product; some abrasive car wax products can harm your car’s finish, especially if the color is dark. If your car’s paint is in need of buffing with an abrasive, then that should do it with caution, following the product directions carefully or else you might want to have a body shop or professional car detailer do the job.
3. It’s best to avoid waxing a car in direct sunlight. Park it in the garage or a cool, shady spot if possible or wait until late afternoon when the sunlight is not so direct that it bakes the wax onto your car’s paint when applied. Also, you should not wax a car in extremely hot or cold weather.
4. Using a damp wax sponge, gather a clump about the size of a half-dollar on the sponge to apply to your car’s finish; it is best to apply wax in small areas of no more than two or three square feet at a time, dipping the sponge to get more wax as you complete each application.
5. Rub the wax onto the car paint with a small circular motion, trying not to get wax in door jambs and seams. You can use a soft brush to remove wax that does manage to get into seams.
6. Continue applying the wax in small sections until you have applied wax to all painted surfaces. If you start in one place and work your way around the car it will be easier to remember which sections you have completed. One easy way is to star with the front of the car, then the hood, roof and trunk and back of the car, then each side.
7. Let the wax set until it is dry and a visible coat of chalky, white can be seen. If you are working in the sun, you may need to wipe areas clean before finishing all areas, but it is ideal to apply wax to the entire car first.
8. Use cloth diapers or very soft terry cloth towels to wipe the wax off the paint in the same sequence in which you applied it.
9. Change towels often as you begin to see wax and dirt build up; while you can shake the towels to remove wax, it is better to change towels more often than less in order to prevent streaking and buildup of wax.
10. Once you have removed the wax, inspect closely for any spots you may have missed and remove any residual wax you find, and then give the entire car one final wipe down with a clean cloth or towel.
11. Apply a spray on detailing product like Zaino Z-6 Ultra Clean Gloss Enhancer Spray to give your vehicle a show car quality luster. You can also use this product to detail car paint periodically after washing your car to detail the paint.
12. Machine wash your towels, cloths and pads, using a liquid fabric softener, which will ensure they don’t scratch the car’s paint when you reuse them!