Buying a car is a big financial decision, even if you’re buying a used car. While some people insist on a brand new car fresh off the lot, price-savvy consumers know that you can save a lot of money buying your car used and still end up with a beautiful, clean, high quality vehicle. You can also save money on insurance, depreciation, and even taxes and registration by purchasing a used car. But how do you know that you’re getting a good deal and not a lemon? Below, we share some tips on how to buy a used car. 

Choose the right used car model

Some models are more reliable than others, so do your research and find out what type of cars have the best track records for longevity and maintenance. When looking for a reliable used car, keep in mind the prevalence of that model. If you choose a model that is more common, it will be easier to find used auto parts for any repairs you may need down the road. 

Run a background check

Look, you wouldn’t hire someone off the street without running a background check on them, so why would you purchase a car you know nothing about? After all, you’re auditioning this car to be your ride-or-die, your constant companion, your home-away-from-home! There are lots of ways to get the backstory on a car these days using the VIN number found on the driver side door jamb, like CarFax. 

Don’t judge a book by its cover

If you’re looking for a good deal on a used car, keep an eye out for cars that just need a little TLC to achieve their potential. If you’re interested or experienced in DIY car repairs, you may be able to fix up your new-to-you ride for very little money by shopping for used auto parts at U Wrench It in Norcross. 

Most of us spend a lot of time in our cars; in fact, your car can start to feel like a mobile second home, especially if you have a long commute. Unfortunately, that also means that your car can pick up the aromas of whatever you’ve brought into it, be it greasy french fries or sweaty gym clothes. Read on to learn how to get smells out of your car from the team at U Wrench It. 

The best cure is prevention. The second best cure? Baking soda. 

The best way to keep your car from smelling is to not give smells the chance to enter in the first place – no eating, smoking, sweaty clothes, wet dogs, etc. But hey, life happens! Step one is to remove whatever caused the smell in the first place, whether it’s french fries under the seat or a gym bag in the trunk. 

Next up, give the car a good and thorough vacuuming. Remove the floor mats and really get in there with the detailing attachments on your vacuum cleaner. Then, sprinkle the carpet and upholstery with baking soda and let it sit for thirty minutes to an hour. It should absorb most of the odor, and you can simply vacuum it up and enjoy a fresher-smelling car. 

How to get smoke smells out of your car

Whether you smoke, you purchased a car from a smoker, or maybe you just salvaged a used auto part that smells like smoke, it can be annoying and challenging to get the smoke smell out of your car. Fortunately, there are several things you can try. 

• Spray unscented Lysol in the AC vents while your car is on, with the AC blowing at full blast with recirculation OFF. 
• Shampoo carpet and upholstery with carpet cleaner.
• Leave a box of baking soda or charcoal in the car to absorb odors.
• Use an ozone generator.

Replace your air filter.

If you’ve detailed the inside of your car and it still smells funky, there’s one more simple fix you can try – replacing your air filter!

Whatever your DIY car repair goals may be, you can find a huge selection of used auto parts in Atlanta at U Wrench It. Check out our inventory online or stop by to chat with our friendly team. 

From flash floods to high tides, there are lots of ways to end up with a flooded car, and they all spell bad news. Find out when (and if) you should repair a flooded vehicle from your source for used auto parts in Atlanta – U Wrench It. 

When to give up on your flooded car

For most modern cars, even brief flooding can cause major issues that your car might not be able to come back from. After all, there’s a reason insurance companies usually write flooded cars off as unsalvageable. 

If your car was submerged in salt water or sat in any type of water for days at a time, it’s almost certainly a lost cause. Not only will the interior be ruined, but the electronic and computerized systems, as well as the powertrain, are likely shot. 

When to repair your flooded car

Whether or not your flooded car can be repaired depends on many factors, from the type of water and the extent of flooding to the length of exposure and local weather conditions. If your car was briefly flooded by fresh water and then dried out quickly, if you accidentally drove into a flooded street, or even if you left your windows down and the interior was soaked in a torrential storm, your flooded car might be salvageable. 

How to fix a flooded car

• First and foremost, DO NOT TURN THE ENGINE ON. A flooded engine can become “hydrolocked,” meaning that water has entered the combustion chambers of the engine. If you attempt to turn the car on while watered-down oil is in the engine, it will not be properly lubricated and can self-destruct before you know it. 
• Next, dry it out! In addition to opening the doors, windows, and trunk, you should also pop the hood, disconnect any electrical connections, and dry them before they can rust or corrode. 
• Empty and replace fluids if there’s any chance water was introduced during the flooding. Brake pads, rotors, and other parts may be particularly vulnerable to rust. If there is damage to these or other components, you should replace them with quality used auto parts. 

Whether you decide to repair your flooded car or sell it for parts, U Wrench It is here to help. Give us a call, stop by, or check out our website to learn more.

It’s never fun when your car key gets stuck in the ignition, but don’t panic – there are several easy fixes that you can try before assuming a larger mechanical problem. Check out some tips for fixing a stuck ignition key from your friendly neighborhood auto junkyard, U Wrench It.

Evaluate the key position. 

Is the key in the locked position? You may be able to see if the key has been turned too far, which is a common problem as ignition cylinders age. If you have a lot of heavy keys or keychains, their weight could be pulling on the cylinder and causing more than the usual wear and tear. 

Unlock the steering wheel. 

Sometimes it’s actually a locked steering wheel causing a stuck ignition key. If the steering wheel locks up, it can cause the ignition switch to hold your key in place until the steering wheel is unlocked. Try moving the wheel side to side while gently turning the key. Do not force the key or you could end up breaking it off in the ignition!

Make sure the vehicle is actually in park. 

If you’re able to move the gearshift out of park after the car is off, you may have a problem with your gearshift linkage. If the car is not locked into the park position, you won’t be able to remove the key. 

Check the battery. 

In today’s computerized cars, a dead battery can be the cause of a locked ignition key. If the lights won’t come on, your battery is likely dead and your car’s theft-deterrent features are kicking in because it can’t verify the chip in your key. 

If you still can’t get the key out, even after jumping or replacing the battery, you may need a more extensive repair, like replacing a worn out wheel lock cylinder. Check our inventory of used auto parts online, or come visit us to find the right part for your DIY auto repairs.