Savvy car owners know that we’re the best place to go for used auto parts in Atlanta. Here at our Norcross salvage yard, we buy junk cars and sell the oftentimes gently used parts to customers for use in DIY car repairs, restoring classic cars, etc. But while many home mechanics know the benefits of buying used auto parts, not as many people know that when you buy tires at a salvage yard, you can get great tires for a fraction of the price of new ones! 

Just as a car depreciates the moment you drive it off the lot, buying brand new tires at retail prices means you’re paying a huge markup. If, like many folks, you do DIY car repairs and maintenance to save money, that’s probably not what you want to hear. So, ready to learn why you should buy tires at a salvage yard? Here we go! 

Should you buy used tires from a salvage yard? 

The treads on tires are what create traction on the road; however, those treads wear down over time and tires will eventually need to be replaced. When treads are worn down too low (aka “bald”), your tires have less traction, which puts you at risk of a tire blowout, hydroplaning, or loss of control. 

Typically, the tread on tires will wear down in about three years, but there are many factors that can affect the wear and tear on tires, from inflation level (Driving with low air pressure can cause uneven wear and cause your tires to fail more quickly!) to miles driven and even road conditions. To see if your tires are still good to go, use this simple trick. 

1. Grab a penny.
2. Place the penny into the groove of your tire, upside down with Abraham Lincoln facing you. 
3. If the ridge of the tire tread blocks the top of Abe’s head, your tires still have enough tread left. If you can see the top of his head, your tires are worn out and it’s definitely time to replace them! 

So, should you buy tires from a salvage yard? Only if you want a great deal! Keep in mind that tires are designed to withstand harsh conditions, from road surfaces to temperature fluctuations to severe weather, not to mention the weight of your vehicle itself. Sitting outside in a salvage yard is no problem for them, because it’s really no different than sitting in a driveway or parking lot. 

Oftentimes a car is sold to us because it was totaled in an accident or needs costly repairs, from dead transmissions to crumpled body panels. The tires are rarely the problem, which means someone else’s misfortune can be your lucky day. You can find gently-used tires with hardly any miles on them if you know what to look for, so use the penny trick above and hunt down a deal at U Wrench It! Search our inventory to see what makes and models we have on the lot, and good luck with your DIY car repairs. 

Is your car classic, or just old? If you’re wondering whether your “vintage” vehicle is worth anything, read on for some tips from your fellow car enthusiasts here at U Wrench It, your source for used auto parts in metro Atlanta. 

How to Tell If an Old Car Is Valuable

According to some insurers, cars made between 1900 and 1979 can be considered “Antique” or “Classic,” while cars made in or after 1980 are called “Collector” cars. Regardless of the label, here are some ways to tell if your old car is valuable.

• It was expensive when first purchased; especially if it was produced in limited quantities. If you have an old vehicle that was high end back in the day, it’s very likely that there are still collectors around who would love to get their hands on it. Even if it’s not in perfect condition, you may still be able to get a pretty penny by selling it for parts. Antique/classic/collector car enthusiasts often look to scrap yards and auto salvage yards for hard-to-find used auto parts. 
• It is distinctive, unique, or has cultural cachet. Not all classic or collector cars were considered luxury vehicles at the time of launch. Some cars have cult followings, like the Mazda RX-7, Subaru SVX, or the AMC AMX. Others, like VW Beetles and Buses, are iconic even today and as such are still sought after by collectors, who may be looking for project cars or even just parts. 
• It’s in perfect condition and/or the mileage is extremely low. Even if your old car is not particularly sought-after, if it’s in great shape and the mileage is low it almost certainly has value. 

Whether you’re looking to get what you can out of an old junker or want to rid your garage of a classic vehicle that’s just going to waste, U Wrench It can help you convert your car into cash. Give us a call today if you’re looking to sell old cars in Atlanta! 

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.