 Internet
Provides Wealth of Information on Car Maintenance
(ARA) - A thorough check of your vehicle's major systems is a good
idea before the snow flies, and checking your tires, brakes and
battery is a good start. But if you're like many drivers, you may
not know enough to recognize a problem when you see one.
For instance, do you know the telltale signs of a weakening battery?
Do you know the difference between all-season tires and performance
tires, or which one is right for your vehicle?
The Internet can provide a wealth of information for the car maintenance
novice who is looking for tips on how to winterize a vehicle or
make a specific purchase. Online resources, such as motorist.org
and some manufacturer Web sites, can provide basic information on
how systems such as brakes, shock absorbers and batteries work,
why they're important, and what car owners should be aware of when
preparing their vehicles for winter conditions.
For example, if your car cranks slowly when you try to start it,
has trouble starting in cold weather, or if your headlights dim
when the car is idling, have that battery checked. And if you're
buying tires, all season radials are designed to handle dry and
wet surfaces as well as some snow, while performance tires provide
more grip and a sportier feel.
A new Web site, sears.com/auto, lets drivers compare features and
prices of batteries and tires, gather information about automotive
maintenance, and find answers to commonly asked questions and definitions
for useful terms related to vehicle maintenance.
On the site, car owners can enter the year, make and model of their
car to receive a list of tires and batteries designed to fit their
vehicle. Items can be sorted by price, brand or product name, and
car owners can compare as many as four similar items side by side.
By entering their ZIP code, car owners can then find the nearest
Sears Auto Center, where they can discuss questions and options
with the experts on staff.
"With
the information they gather online, car owners gain a better understanding
of what they need and why, before they even begin comparison shopping,"
says Bill White, president of Sears Automotive. "Savvy consumers
frequently come into their local Sears store with their printout
of side-by-side comparisons when they are looking to purchase major
appliances, lawn tractors, home theatre and other big-dollar items,"
he says. "Now, automotive tires and batteries are two more areas
where sears.com can help consumers make fact-based decisions for
major purchases."
The "Automotive Advisor" section of the site offers information
on buying, maintenance, safety and more -- ideal as owners prepare
their vehicles for winter driving. Common questions, ranging from
how and when to check tire pressure to why "cold cranking amps"
in your car battery are important, are answered in this section
of the site.
The site also provides information on services Sears Auto Centers
offer, such as alignments, brake service and wheel balancing, as
well as a list of what is included with each service. All information
from the site can be printed for quick reference. Because the products
offered on the site must be installed on a vehicle, they are not
available for online purchase, but can be obtained at Sears Auto
Centers nationwide.
"On
the Internet, auto owners can research the advantages of various
products, compare prices and make decisions in the comfort of their
own home," says White.
Sears also offers a wide variety of merchandise and services through
its Web site, www.sears.com.
Courtesy ARA Content, www.ARAcontent.com;
e-mail: info@ARAcontent.com
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