You’ve done your research, shopped around, requested a vehicle history report if you’re looking at pre-owned cars and finally found “the one” at a price that, on the surface, seems right. That’s just the first step in buying a car. Once you’ve made your decision, the poker game begins. It takes place not at a table surrounded by your friends, but at a desk face to face with someone whose desired end game is opposite of yours. He wants to sell you a car at the highest price he can and you want to buy that car at the lowest price possible. Have you perfected your poker face?

With each model year, car manufacturers try to add bells and whistles to entice consumers to buy their vehicles. In recent years, one innovation that has become popular and touted as a luxury feature is a technology called direct injection. If you’re like many car buyers, you probably assume any innovation in vehicle technology is a good one. Sometimes, though, new technologies have unintended negative repercussions. The evidence is mounting that direct injection may be an example of such a technology. So, is direct injection helping or hurting your car? That depends on how diligent you are about maintaining your car.

As with most vehicle parts, car batteries have limited lifespans. Even the best batteries eventually fail and need to be replaced. Before you assume your best bet is to head to the local auto parts store to buy a car battery, think again. There are several key advantages of having an auto technician replace your battery.

The purchase of a new or pre-owned vehicle is one of the biggest financial investments you’ll make. Deciding which car to buy will also affect your safety and comfort, and that of your passengers, for years to come. Before you buy a car, do your homework and ask yourself what features are most important to you in a vehicle. Read on for three steps to take when selecting the ideal car for you and your family.

When it comes to necessary yet affordable preventive maintenance for your vehicle, you may rank an oil change service at the top of your list. Unless, that is, you have brought your car in for an oil change recently and discovered the recommended oil most vehicle manufacturers are moving toward is not exactly “cheap.” Before you shun the recommendations, though, take time to learn why car makers recommend pricier oil. It will save you money in the long run.

When you’re ready for a new car, you have plenty of options. Among the cheapest is leasing a new vehicle or buying an older car. However, many people ask themselves, “Is leasing a new car the best idea?” In short, everyone loves having something new, but when it comes to new versus used cars, it’s important to carefully weigh the pros and cons to ensure you make the smart choice.

You may be under the impression occasionally adding antifreeze and water to your radiator to replace evaporated fluid is all the maintenance your car’s cooling system needs. If so, you’re wrong. Like all vehicle components, the cooling system needs preventive maintenance. This important service is called a coolant flush. Your engine relies on a steady flow of antifreeze to keep it at optimal operating temperature. Your car’s cooling system is what protects it from temperature extremes so it will run as reliably in subzero temperatures and in triple-digit temperatures as it does on a balmy spring day. Even if you live in an area not typically subject to extreme temperatures, your vehicle’s cooling system still needs regular service to keep your engine operating as intended.

Most people are aware updating their homes can increase value, but did you know there are ways to improve comfort and safety to your vehicle, as well as improve its resale value? Whether you intend to sell your car soon or you plan to keep it for the foreseeable future, these tips for selling your used car can be useful in helping you boost the amount of money you can expect.

Despite the fact half the drivers on the road are women, there’s a huge disparity in women’s car knowledge compared to men’s. We could speculate and debate about the reasons why that’s the case. Instead, we at DeBoer's Auto understood the importance of educating women about their cars and decided to do something to help change that. When it comes to any subject, the more you know, the more confident you are. On Saturday, October 17th, we presented a two-hour seminar designed to familiarize women with their cars so they’ll be more confident drivers and consumers.

For most people, the process of buying a new car is both exciting and a bit stressful. Test driving cars and finally finding “the one” is the fun part. But making sure you are getting your new or new-to-you vehicle at the best price can often cause stress. So can dealing with the financing and insurance aspects of the car-buying equation. Choosing the right car-insurance policy is especially important considering the fact that the moment you drive your new car off the lot, it depreciates by 10% to 13%, according to data from the Kelley Blue Book.