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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.
About The
Author
Courtesy ARA Content, www.ARAcontent.com;
e-mail: info@ARAcontent.com
EDITOR'S NOTE: Sears, Roebuck and Co. is
a leading U.S. retailer of apparel, home and automotive products and
services, with annual revenue of more than $40 billion. The company
serves families through 860 full-line stores nationwide.
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