Category Archives: Tips & Tricks

Mechanic working on tires

5 Signs that Your Car Wheels Are Misaligned

What are the Signs of a Bad Wheel Alignment? 

Does your car pull to one side while driving? Are you noticing a sudden decrease in your car’s fuel efficiency? These are tell-tale signs that your car wheels are misaligned. Most drivers don’t understand the importance of proper wheel alignment. So, how do you know when your car needs wheel alignments? In this Motors Northwest blog post, we have listed the signs of a bad wheel alignment. Keep reading! 

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2015 Ford Used Trucks

Top 5 Warning Signs to Check Before Buying a Used Car

What are Warning Signs to Check Before Buying a Used Car?

Buying a used car can be a daunting task for most people. It requires full-fledged research to get the health condition and history of a vehicle before you buy it. However, there are a few key factors to take into consideration that can help you determine certain used vehicles to avoid. Watch this video to understand the top 5 warning signs to check before buying a used car right here at Motors Northwest! 

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Front ends of used cars

How Many Miles Are Too Many When Buying Used Cars?

What’s Good Mileage on a Used Car? 

Nowadays, the cost of buying a new car is twice as much as a used car would, and the depreciation of a new car happens very fast. For most drivers, purchasing a used car is the best option considering getting auto financing. There’s no hard-and-fast rule that says how many miles are too many when buying used cars. On average, a car can travel 12,000 miles/year approximately. So, to determine whether a car has good mileage, simply multiply miles/year by its age. That means good mileage for a car that’s 8 years old is 96,000 miles. In general, considering a used car with low mileage is a good choice. Continue reading the Motors Northwest blog post to learn the general guidelines to keep in mind when opting for used cars. 

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Mechanic with his tool standiing

The Dos and Don’ts When Your Car Overheats

Things to Do If Your Car Engine is Overheating 

Smoke coming from under the hood of your car while driving? It is one of the signs of car overheating. The engine can overheat for many reasons. Some of the possible causes of car overheating – improperly circulating coolant, leakage in the cooling system, less coolant and oil, a broken water pump, issues in radiator, belts, and hoses, thermostat failure, and plugged up heater core. Motors Northwest is here to help you learn the common causes, steps to take, and dos and don’ts when your car overheats. Continue reading! 

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2021 Ford Superduty front view

Free Car Valuation: How Much is My Car Worth in and around Tacoma, WA?

Check Value of Your Car for Free at Motors Northwest

Looking for a free car valuation tool? Whether you are a buyer or a seller, get your vehicle’s fair market value online in less than a minute at Motors Northwest! We have Edmunds True Market Value (TMV®) tool in place to help you identify a true value for your vehicle. This tool is an AI-driven pricing engine developed by expert statisticians, data collection/processing experts, and pricing analysts. The best thing about this free car valuation tool is that it is in sync with the latest market developments and provides real-time data. Let’s find out how much is your car worth in and around Tacoma, WA. 

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a man driving a car

6 Tips You Should Know for Test Driving a Vehicle: A Checklist

What to Look for When You Take a Test Drive? 

Made up your mind on buying a car? But not sure that you have shortlisted the right one for you? Test drive is the solution! Whether you’re buying new or used, it’s one of the crucial factors before you purchase your car. It gives you a sense of the car’s comfort, space, and overall car handling. In this Motors Northwest blog post, you’ll find a few tips you should know for test driving a vehicle.

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battery inspection

10 Warning Signs Your Car Battery is Dying: What Should You Look for?

What Are the Warning Signs of a Dying Battery? 

The engine is the heart of your car. It helps convert heat energy generated by gasoline into motion so that the car can move. These are the things everyone knows. Right? But do you know what are the warning signs of a dying battery? In this Motors Northwest blog post, we’ve put together the top warning signs that will help drivers identify if they need an engine replacement. 

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tire pressure

6 Essential Tire-Changing Tools to Make Your Tire Switch Easier

List of Tools You Need to Change a Flat Tire on Your Car

No matter how much you prepare for a car journey, a flat tire can hit anytime. That’s why it is always a good idea to have essential tire-changing tools in your car. These tools could help to avoid getting stranded on the side of the road until you can get to your local expert in and around the Seattle area. We, at Motor Northwest, recommend that your automobile should be properly equipped with essential tools to make your tire switch easier in case of an emergency. 

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a couple of a road trip

What Should Vehicle Owners Do Before Going on a Road Trip?

How to Prepare Your Vehicle for Long Road Trips

There are few things more taxing on a vehicle than a long road trip. Because of this, it’s important for vehicle owners in Tacoma, WA to prepare their vehicle adequately for the open road. Wondering how to prepare your vehicle for long road trips? Below, we’ve put together a list of recommendations for vehicle preparation before embarking on a long trip with your vehicle of choice.

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