Whether you dread it or look forward to the challenge, there will come a point when you realize it’s time to update your budget or maybe create one for the first time. You resolutely gather up the bills and bank statements and settle in for the long haul. As you figure out your budget, you make sure to set aside money each month for the bills, groceries, doctor’s visits and other regular expenses you’ve come to expect. The time finally comes to put the budget in action and everything seems to work like it is supposed to. That changes, however, when you get ready to leave for work one morning and discover that your vehicle won’t start. After getting a repair estimate on what it will take to get the vehicle running, your well worked budget suddenly seems to be lacking. Unfortunately, vehicle repair is often overlooked because it is not thought of as a normal monthly expense. But although it is not needed every month, your vehicle’s maintenance does follow a regular pattern. Take a minute to look through the maintenance schedule in your owner’s manual. The maintenance your vehicle needs is broken down by mileage. If your driving habits stay consistent throughout the year, it will be easy to see where the services need to be placed in your budget. While all vehicles typically need the same maintenance, the intervals between each service can vary. For this reason, it’s important to make sure the maintenance schedule you are looking at is designed for your vehicle. If you can’t find your owner’s manual, we can provide you with a schedule that is right for your vehicle.
That’s all for now. Check back next week for more tips from Autotrend Diagnostics, or visit www.AutotrendDiagnostics.com and click the Monday Morning Mechanic link for other automotive service tips.
Wednesday, November 4, 2009
Thursday, October 29, 2009
PASSWORD SECURITY
Stolen Hotmail Passwords Demonstrate Need for Stronger Passwords
I borrowed this from my friend Mike. It is not auto related but I think important for us all to be aware of.
By now, you've probably heard that 30,000 passwords for Hotmail and Gmail accounts were stolen earlier this month
But did you know that a security group analyzed those passwords and found that the most commonly used password was 123456? If that wasn't bad enough, the second most common password that was used...yep, you guessed it...123456789.
In today's electronic environment, that's unbelievable. We no longer live in a world where we can use a simple string of numbers or a child's name as a password. They're just too easy to hack...and the results can be much more devastating than merely finding your emails made public.
The problem is that we all have so many passwords. So how do we make strong passwords that we can actually remember for every account?
The tips below can help you avoid the most common password pitfalls and even implement a few new ideas that will make your passwords easy to remember...and hard to break!
Don't Use a Password that's Easy to Guess
There's no way around it...a well-protected password is hard for other people to guess. How do you do that? It's pretty simple really. Just follow this advice:
· Use a random string of characters. That means no sequential letters or numbers, like those Hotmail accounts that used 123456!
· Make it looooong. The longer the better--even up to as many as 10 to 14 characters if space allows.
· Switch things up. Use a combination of upper and lower case letters, along with a few numbers mixed in the middle or end.
· Don't use substitute symbols in common words. Using "@" for "a" or "1" for "I" may look good to you, but most hackers are smart enough to break those substitutes rather quickly when the password consists of a common word.
· For that matter, avoid easy targets like words straight out of the dictionary or things like family names and birthdays.
Don't Use the Same Password for All Accounts!
Most of us cheat when it comes to passwords. We have trouble remembering our passwords, so we come up with two or three that we can remember and use them everywhere.
But...you should avoid the temptation! That's because all of your accounts will be vulnerable if even one account is compromised. The reality is, you need to create and remember multiple passwords--a different one for each account! Fortunately, it's easier than you think. Just follow the steps below.
4 Simple Steps to Memorable, Yet Unique Passwords
Good passwords come down to two things: (1) they're easy for you to remember and (2) they're hard for others to break. Here's a sure-fire tip that can help you achieve both!
Think up a phrase. Instead of a common word or family member's name, think up a unique phrase that only you know. For example, you may think up something off the wall such as "I Like Short Hair Too."
Make it an acronym. In our example, "I Like Short Hair Too" would become ILSHT.
Add Complexity. Remember those substitutes you're not supposed to use with common dictionary words? Well, you CAN use them with your acronym. For example, "I Like Short Hair Too" can become "1 Like $hort Hair 2" which makes: 1L$H2. You can also use upper and lower letters to make it 1L$h2. The point is to be creative, but in a way that you can easily remember it.
Make it unique. A password is only really unique if you use it for one account and one account only. So you can't just use 1L$h2 for every account. And, in reality it's still too short. Here's the key to the whole process: Mix in additional letters and numbers that are unique to each account. For example, if you're logging into a "gmail account" you can use the "gm" and "@cct" (for acct) to make: 1L$h2gM@cct. Then, for a Netflix account, you may use: 1L$h2Nf@cct. That way, you're passwords will be hard for others to guess and unique to each account, but also easy for you to remember!
Of course, these are just examples. You'll want to be creative and think up your own acronym and ways to add unique characters for each account. And then keep that little secret to yourself so no one will be able to guess your account passwords.
Follow these simple steps and you'll have passwords that are tough to break, unique to every account, and easy to remember. And if you have children in your house who are starting to use passwords for email and IM accounts, teach them these steps to help educate them on the importance of strong passwords - they'll thank you later in life!
Check back next week for more info about your vehicles.
I borrowed this from my friend Mike. It is not auto related but I think important for us all to be aware of.
By now, you've probably heard that 30,000 passwords for Hotmail and Gmail accounts were stolen earlier this month
But did you know that a security group analyzed those passwords and found that the most commonly used password was 123456? If that wasn't bad enough, the second most common password that was used...yep, you guessed it...123456789.
In today's electronic environment, that's unbelievable. We no longer live in a world where we can use a simple string of numbers or a child's name as a password. They're just too easy to hack...and the results can be much more devastating than merely finding your emails made public.
The problem is that we all have so many passwords. So how do we make strong passwords that we can actually remember for every account?
The tips below can help you avoid the most common password pitfalls and even implement a few new ideas that will make your passwords easy to remember...and hard to break!
Don't Use a Password that's Easy to Guess
There's no way around it...a well-protected password is hard for other people to guess. How do you do that? It's pretty simple really. Just follow this advice:
· Use a random string of characters. That means no sequential letters or numbers, like those Hotmail accounts that used 123456!
· Make it looooong. The longer the better--even up to as many as 10 to 14 characters if space allows.
· Switch things up. Use a combination of upper and lower case letters, along with a few numbers mixed in the middle or end.
· Don't use substitute symbols in common words. Using "@" for "a" or "1" for "I" may look good to you, but most hackers are smart enough to break those substitutes rather quickly when the password consists of a common word.
· For that matter, avoid easy targets like words straight out of the dictionary or things like family names and birthdays.
Don't Use the Same Password for All Accounts!
Most of us cheat when it comes to passwords. We have trouble remembering our passwords, so we come up with two or three that we can remember and use them everywhere.
But...you should avoid the temptation! That's because all of your accounts will be vulnerable if even one account is compromised. The reality is, you need to create and remember multiple passwords--a different one for each account! Fortunately, it's easier than you think. Just follow the steps below.
4 Simple Steps to Memorable, Yet Unique Passwords
Good passwords come down to two things: (1) they're easy for you to remember and (2) they're hard for others to break. Here's a sure-fire tip that can help you achieve both!
Think up a phrase. Instead of a common word or family member's name, think up a unique phrase that only you know. For example, you may think up something off the wall such as "I Like Short Hair Too."
Make it an acronym. In our example, "I Like Short Hair Too" would become ILSHT.
Add Complexity. Remember those substitutes you're not supposed to use with common dictionary words? Well, you CAN use them with your acronym. For example, "I Like Short Hair Too" can become "1 Like $hort Hair 2" which makes: 1L$H2. You can also use upper and lower letters to make it 1L$h2. The point is to be creative, but in a way that you can easily remember it.
Make it unique. A password is only really unique if you use it for one account and one account only. So you can't just use 1L$h2 for every account. And, in reality it's still too short. Here's the key to the whole process: Mix in additional letters and numbers that are unique to each account. For example, if you're logging into a "gmail account" you can use the "gm" and "@cct" (for acct) to make: 1L$h2gM@cct. Then, for a Netflix account, you may use: 1L$h2Nf@cct. That way, you're passwords will be hard for others to guess and unique to each account, but also easy for you to remember!
Of course, these are just examples. You'll want to be creative and think up your own acronym and ways to add unique characters for each account. And then keep that little secret to yourself so no one will be able to guess your account passwords.
Follow these simple steps and you'll have passwords that are tough to break, unique to every account, and easy to remember. And if you have children in your house who are starting to use passwords for email and IM accounts, teach them these steps to help educate them on the importance of strong passwords - they'll thank you later in life!
Check back next week for more info about your vehicles.
Wednesday, October 21, 2009
Buy a new car, or fix the old?
WITH THE ECONOMY in maximum “underdrive,” a new car may not be the top priority on some motorists’ lists. Instead, they’re looking to squeeze more miles out of the car they have. Driving an older car longer does save
money—about $11,000 if you keep your four-year-old car another four years instead of trading it, according to a recent study by management consulting firm Runzheimer International. And modern cars are so durable, easily reaching 150,000 miles before becoming too tired to drive, that buying a new car is sometimes more a matter of desire
than necessity. Instead, consider investing some of those savings in a minor makeover and Old Faithful could become almost as good as new, as well as safer and more reliable. Here are some suggestions.
First, fix it. Ask Autotrend Diagnsotics to give your car a thorough inspection. If the inspection uncovers a cracked cooling system hose, frayed windshield wiper or broken shock absorber, replace it. Remember that annoying power window that seems to work only during a full moon? Repair it. And if the odometer shows between 60,000 and 90,000
miles, renew the engine timing belt before it breaks, demolishing both the engine and your bank account. Perform whatever routine service is due, as listed in the owner’s manual. During last October’s Car Care Month campaign, the Car Care Council, an automotive-repair trade group (www.carcare.org), found that one third of the vehicles inspected had low, overfull or dirty motor oil; a fifth had low, leaking or dirty coolant; a sixth had low, overfull or burnt transmission fluid.
Re-tire it. “New tires are the easiest, quickest and most cost-effective way to make an older car feel like new,” says Doug Kott, senior feature editor of Road & Track magazine. Tires with deep tread better grip the pavement, enhancing cornering ability. Thick tread adds to ride comfort because it absorbs irregularities in the pavement. And unworn
tires are less apt to aquaplane in the rain, a safety advantage. New tires also may reduce
interior noise and, when properly inflated, improve fuel economy. A tire pro can help you select tires that
will provide the attributes you deem most important. Tires fitted to new cars typically are optimized for long tread life and low noise levels, according to Kott. But if, say, responsive handling is more important to you, you might
choose high-performance tires, though they may wear quicker. Whatever you select, have the wheels aligned and the tires balanced.
Shine it “It’s psychological, but when I clean my car it seems to run better,” says Rich White, Executive Director
of the Car Care Council. It’s amazing how a professional detailing can make an older car look spanking new. Or do it yourself, beginning with a wash. Dish soaps strip wax from the paint; use soap made for cars. Dry with
pure cotton or special microfiber towels— they won’t leave swirl marks. If the paint doesn’t feel baby-bottom smooth, use cleaning clay on the surface. Follow with wax to protect the paint. Touch-up paints that exactly match your
car’s color are available from your dealer. A “paintless” dent-removal service can quickly
remove parking-lot dings. Vacuum the interior and use automotive vinyl or leather treatments, or cloth shampoo, on the upholstery.
Accessorize it. Seat covers and a fresh set of floor mats will spiff up the interior. Install a set of fancy wheels, a GPS, an aftermarket sound system, Bluetooth hands-free kit or an iPod adapter and your old car will really seem special again. Then …
Enjoy it!
Check back next week for more information from Autotrend Diagnostics.
money—about $11,000 if you keep your four-year-old car another four years instead of trading it, according to a recent study by management consulting firm Runzheimer International. And modern cars are so durable, easily reaching 150,000 miles before becoming too tired to drive, that buying a new car is sometimes more a matter of desire
than necessity. Instead, consider investing some of those savings in a minor makeover and Old Faithful could become almost as good as new, as well as safer and more reliable. Here are some suggestions.
First, fix it. Ask Autotrend Diagnsotics to give your car a thorough inspection. If the inspection uncovers a cracked cooling system hose, frayed windshield wiper or broken shock absorber, replace it. Remember that annoying power window that seems to work only during a full moon? Repair it. And if the odometer shows between 60,000 and 90,000
miles, renew the engine timing belt before it breaks, demolishing both the engine and your bank account. Perform whatever routine service is due, as listed in the owner’s manual. During last October’s Car Care Month campaign, the Car Care Council, an automotive-repair trade group (www.carcare.org), found that one third of the vehicles inspected had low, overfull or dirty motor oil; a fifth had low, leaking or dirty coolant; a sixth had low, overfull or burnt transmission fluid.
Re-tire it. “New tires are the easiest, quickest and most cost-effective way to make an older car feel like new,” says Doug Kott, senior feature editor of Road & Track magazine. Tires with deep tread better grip the pavement, enhancing cornering ability. Thick tread adds to ride comfort because it absorbs irregularities in the pavement. And unworn
tires are less apt to aquaplane in the rain, a safety advantage. New tires also may reduce
interior noise and, when properly inflated, improve fuel economy. A tire pro can help you select tires that
will provide the attributes you deem most important. Tires fitted to new cars typically are optimized for long tread life and low noise levels, according to Kott. But if, say, responsive handling is more important to you, you might
choose high-performance tires, though they may wear quicker. Whatever you select, have the wheels aligned and the tires balanced.
Shine it “It’s psychological, but when I clean my car it seems to run better,” says Rich White, Executive Director
of the Car Care Council. It’s amazing how a professional detailing can make an older car look spanking new. Or do it yourself, beginning with a wash. Dish soaps strip wax from the paint; use soap made for cars. Dry with
pure cotton or special microfiber towels— they won’t leave swirl marks. If the paint doesn’t feel baby-bottom smooth, use cleaning clay on the surface. Follow with wax to protect the paint. Touch-up paints that exactly match your
car’s color are available from your dealer. A “paintless” dent-removal service can quickly
remove parking-lot dings. Vacuum the interior and use automotive vinyl or leather treatments, or cloth shampoo, on the upholstery.
Accessorize it. Seat covers and a fresh set of floor mats will spiff up the interior. Install a set of fancy wheels, a GPS, an aftermarket sound system, Bluetooth hands-free kit or an iPod adapter and your old car will really seem special again. Then …
Enjoy it!
Check back next week for more information from Autotrend Diagnostics.
Wednesday, October 14, 2009
CAN YOUR CAR LAST FOR 200,000 MILES?
CAN YOUR CAR LAST FOR 200,000 MILES?
Yes it can!! According to the Annual Auto Online Survey conducted by Consumer Reports, a vehicle owner can potentially SAVE thousands of dollars by properly maintaining their existing vehicle rather than trading it in for a newer model. When comparing the cost of buying and keeping a car for 225,000 miles over 15 years to buying an identical model every five years, Consumer Reports found the savings could be more than the original purchase price of the vehicle – and even greater if the savings were invested. As an example, their research revealed that maintaining a Civic EX over 15 years would be approximately $30,800 less than the cost of buying a new Civic EX every five years.
WHAT IS MORE EXPENSIVE, MAINTAINING OR REPAIRING MY VEHICLE?
Proper vehicle maintenance and inspections will help to prevent costly and inconvenient breakdowns. When your vehicle is completely inspected by a full service shop at each maintenance service any items that may be near the end of its useful life can be addressed, greatly reducing the chance of a breakdown. While the quickie oil changers may be convenient, they do not perform such repairs as brakes or fluid leaks, so they may not call your attention to such problems as these which means you may not know of the problem until it is too late to prevent a breakdown.
Autotrend Diagnostics can keep your vehicle in top condition. We have access to the latest factory information for your vehicle and proper repair parts that meet or exceed factory specifications to ensure a safe, reliable, worry free, and long life for your vehicle!!
That’s all for now. Check back next week for more tips from Autotrend Diagnostics, or visit www.AutotrendDiagnostics.com and click the Monday Morning Mechanic link for other automotive service tips.
Yes it can!! According to the Annual Auto Online Survey conducted by Consumer Reports, a vehicle owner can potentially SAVE thousands of dollars by properly maintaining their existing vehicle rather than trading it in for a newer model. When comparing the cost of buying and keeping a car for 225,000 miles over 15 years to buying an identical model every five years, Consumer Reports found the savings could be more than the original purchase price of the vehicle – and even greater if the savings were invested. As an example, their research revealed that maintaining a Civic EX over 15 years would be approximately $30,800 less than the cost of buying a new Civic EX every five years.
WHAT IS MORE EXPENSIVE, MAINTAINING OR REPAIRING MY VEHICLE?
Proper vehicle maintenance and inspections will help to prevent costly and inconvenient breakdowns. When your vehicle is completely inspected by a full service shop at each maintenance service any items that may be near the end of its useful life can be addressed, greatly reducing the chance of a breakdown. While the quickie oil changers may be convenient, they do not perform such repairs as brakes or fluid leaks, so they may not call your attention to such problems as these which means you may not know of the problem until it is too late to prevent a breakdown.
Autotrend Diagnostics can keep your vehicle in top condition. We have access to the latest factory information for your vehicle and proper repair parts that meet or exceed factory specifications to ensure a safe, reliable, worry free, and long life for your vehicle!!
That’s all for now. Check back next week for more tips from Autotrend Diagnostics, or visit www.AutotrendDiagnostics.com and click the Monday Morning Mechanic link for other automotive service tips.
Tuesday, October 6, 2009
PREVENTIVE MAINTENANCE
I hear it all the time. “I really like my car but it is getting close to 100,000 miles so I have to start looking for another one.” NOT TRUE!! With proper care and preventive maintenance, some cars have gone way past 400,000 miles. Many of the 1966 Ford Mustangs that collectors cherish so much are still going strong and there are many other models out there doing the same. All it takes is some TLC.
A car is highly complex with many moving components and each of these components has a lifespan. If taken care of, the lifespan can be extended. Many cars have exceeded 400,000 miles and according to Wikipedia.org, some have even reached 1,000,000 miles. For many of these, the efforts at maintenance have not been excessively costly. Here is a list by Joseph Yonger, author of “How to keep your car going…..and going” from AAA’s Car & Travel Magazine:
“10 Secrets” for Long Car Life
Do regular oil changes
Monitor key fluids
Maintain the transmission
Change spark plugs as recommended
Watch and care for the timing belt
Don’t forget the radiator
Remember the filters
Fight rust
Know and use your maintenance manual
Drive with habits that don’t take years off the car
The author of “Drive it Forever,” Bob Sikorsky, sponsors a “High Mileage” club (www.theautochannel.com) with over 4000 members. He says the “family car can last 1,500,000 miles.
That’s all for now. Check back next week for more tips from Autotrend Diagnostics, or visit www.AutotrendDiagnostics.com and click the Monday Moring Mechanic link for other automotive service tips.
I hear it all the time. “I really like my car but it is getting close to 100,000 miles so I have to start looking for another one.” NOT TRUE!! With proper care and preventive maintenance, some cars have gone way past 400,000 miles. Many of the 1966 Ford Mustangs that collectors cherish so much are still going strong and there are many other models out there doing the same. All it takes is some TLC.
A car is highly complex with many moving components and each of these components has a lifespan. If taken care of, the lifespan can be extended. Many cars have exceeded 400,000 miles and according to Wikipedia.org, some have even reached 1,000,000 miles. For many of these, the efforts at maintenance have not been excessively costly. Here is a list by Joseph Yonger, author of “How to keep your car going…..and going” from AAA’s Car & Travel Magazine:
“10 Secrets” for Long Car Life
Do regular oil changes
Monitor key fluids
Maintain the transmission
Change spark plugs as recommended
Watch and care for the timing belt
Don’t forget the radiator
Remember the filters
Fight rust
Know and use your maintenance manual
Drive with habits that don’t take years off the car
The author of “Drive it Forever,” Bob Sikorsky, sponsors a “High Mileage” club (www.theautochannel.com) with over 4000 members. He says the “family car can last 1,500,000 miles.
That’s all for now. Check back next week for more tips from Autotrend Diagnostics, or visit www.AutotrendDiagnostics.com and click the Monday Moring Mechanic link for other automotive service tips.
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