So your Honda radio display says “CODE”, don’t be alarmed. Hondas and a few other manufacturers have an anti-theft code for your factory installed radio system. It is meant to deter thieves. However it is more of a hassle for us, the consumer. The radio code is a five digit code on a card, like a library card, which is usually put in a booklet with the owner’s manual.

If your Honda was purchased brand new, your salesperson should have gone through the details of your radio code with you during the delivery. However, if you purchased your Honda pre-owned you may have to learn the hard way. Hopefully the person you bought your Honda from still has the radio code and transfers this information to you. If you bought your Honda from a dealer, make sure you get the radio code. If all fails, don’t waste your time by going to your closest dealership, because the radio code is given only to the original selling dealer. Some dealerships may delete the cars information from their system if it is not active in their database.

You are in luck if your car is a 2003 model or newer. This new feature was added making it easier for the owner to retrieve the radio code themselves. The first step is to hold down on the first and last buttons of your radio pre-settings for 10 seconds. This will then generate a code on the display, please note that this is not your radio code. Take this code to a Honda dealership of your choice where the service or parts department can take this information and help you to retrieve your radio code. Unfortunately if your car is older, then it is a little more difficult. You will need to remove the radio from the deck and get the serial number printed on the back of the radio. This may be an expensive approach as pulling the radio out should be done by a technician, which could cost up to $90 to $120.

As minor as this may seem, you will surely need this information if your car battery should die. It can be as easy as calling your original selling dealer and talking to the service department to help you retrieve it over the phone. However be prepared to answer a series of security questions. Once you have your radio code, be sure to keep this information in a safe place.

This article is brought to you by Selected Fine Cars, Toronto’s leading bad credit used car dealership, for more information and our complete inventory please go to http://www.soscarloans.com or http://www.nocreditcheckcarloans.ca

If you are looking for a quality used car then Honda is definitely a good choice of brand due to its high resale value, as well as the reliability of a Honda. There are few things you should be aware of before making a purchase, making you an educated buyer so you can ensure you are getting a quality product. In the last article we discussed about Honda’s timing belt and water pump replacement schedule. If you missed that information please refer to the previous article in this series. In this article we will be discussing the issues of check engine light. If you are looking to purchase a 2001 or newer Honda and you noticed a “check engine” light on the dashboard you should first remain calm. 90% of the time check engine light is triggered by the owner themselves filling up gas and not tighten the gas cap properly. The on board computer may think the vehicle is losing pressure in the gas tank and trigger the check engine light to come on. The other common cause of your check engine light can include clogged PCV valve which serves the purpose of emission control on your vehicle. PCV valve stands for Positive Crankcase Ventilation valve; it is a one-way valve that assists with the continual evacuation of gases from inside a gasoline/petrol internal combustion engine’s crankcase.

If your PCV valve is faulty the solution is relatively simple, you can either clean the passage by using compressed air to blow into the valve it self, or changing the valve is also relatively cheap. The sure way of telling the exact cause of your check engine light is to visit your local mechanic and ask them to hook up the diagnostic tools which will decode the warning light and point you to the right direction. If the vehicle you are purchasing runs relatively smooth with the check engine light on, chances are it is not related to internal engine components. If the engine idles rough, shakes and vibrates, then you may have a much serious problem with your engine. Make sure the vehicle you are about to purchase has some kind of warranty on the power train itself to protect you from expensive engine or transmission repairs. If you are buying this vehicle through a private seller, ask them to remove the check engine light and print you a diagnostic report as the part of your purchase agreement.

In Ontario every vehicle must pass the safety and emission test before you can transfer the ownership, if the check engine light is related to the exhaust system, i.e.: oxygen sensors or PCV valves, you will notice very high CO2 readings on your emission test papers. If you are not sure about the check engine light never commit to the purchase without consult your local Honda dealership.

Thank you for reading this article it is brought to you by Used Honda Toronto, you can find us online at or http://www.usedhondatoronto.ca or  http://www.usedbmwtoronto.ca

If you are looking for a quality used car then Honda is definitely a good choice of brand due to its high resale value, as well as the reliability of a Honda. There are few things you should be aware before making a purchase, making you an educated buyer so you can ensure you are getting a quality product. In the last article we discussed about Honda’s body panel VIN etching practice that can easily showcase if the vehicle body panel has been replaced or not. If you missed that information please refer to the first part of this article series. In this article we will be discussing the issues of timing belt and water pump replacement. Timing belt and water pump on any vehicle is a standard maintenance issue; it is not related to the quality or the accident history of the vehicle in any way. The reason to understand this service schedule is to save you potential headaches down the road and potentially save you some money on your next service bill. It shouldn’t be the deciding factor when it comes to your Honda, but just good information to have.

So what is the guide line for changing the water pump and timing belt you ask? Well in a nut shell any Honda that is older than 1998 should change its timing belt and water pump around the 100,000 km mark in Canada according to the owner’s manual. If it is newer than 1998 including the 98 models, the timing belt changing interval will be set to 160,000 km. But there are some models of Hondas such as the 2.4 liter I-VTEC engines used on 2003 Accords and up, as well as 2002 CRVs and up that is running on a metal timing chain. This will not require a timing chain replacement because it suppose to last life time of the vehicle. Some of the V6 engines Honda is using including the 3.0 liter Single Overhead Cam engine mainly used on Odysseys, Accord V6, and Pilot will require the timing belt changed at the 160,000 km interval.

Since the timing belt is internal, there is really no way for you to tell from the exterior if it has been changed or not. If the job was performed at a Honda dealer, you will most likely have a sticker close to the engine cover area that will indicate the job has been done. But if it was performed by a private mechanic, you may not be able to tell. If you are unsure if the work has been done or not, I would recommend you to assume it has not been done. Since to replace an engine can cost you between $3000 – $5000 timing belt replacements cost of $400 – $600 is relatively cheap and essential to the engine.

Unless other makes the Honda engine is very well designed with very little room to spare, due to this high tech precision engineering if the timing belt snaps the engine cylinders will crash into each other. This is what we called the “interference” engine design; it is always safe to make sure all the repairs are done before it’s too late.

Thank you for reading this article it is brought to you by Used Honda Toronto, you can find us online at http://www.usedhondatoronto.ca or http://www.usedbmwtoronto.ca

If you are looking to purchase a used Honda, you are making the right choice. Not only Honda has one of the highest resale values in the market, but this particular brand is also very reliable. Since Honda Civic is the number one selling vehicle in Canada, there will be lots of choices when you are searching for your next Honda. However price should not be the only deciding factor when it comes to your purchase, remember the old saying of “you get what you pay for”? If you are a typical consumer, the most logical route you will take is to search on Autotrader.com, because of Auto Trader’s popularity majority of your local inventory can be found online that way. Bear in mind the Civic will have many different models, trims, transmission setups, km, equipment, modifications. The list goes on and on when it comes to why the two Civics are priced out differently. The rule of the thumb is the dealer will usually ask more for a Civic versus a private seller, or a small independent dealer. While it is true the smaller guys will have less overhead, but that is not the only reason why their product is cheaper. Many smaller dealers will purchase their vehicle through auction, or other wholesalers. Auctions usually don’t have the best selection when it comes to the vehicle quality, because when the lease expires on a Honda, the head office may dump all the undesirable vehicles through auctions.

Vehicles with minor cosmetic damages abused and mechanically damaged vehicles, even vehicles with major accident repairs. The best Honda you can possibly purchase is straight from the dealership’s existing customer. These vehicles will usually have a service history, and the dealers usually will keep the best vehicles for themselves to resale, and dump the rest to the auctions. So the cleanest, most accident free and well maintained vehicles are usually found from the dealership’s existing customers. Haven said that, how can you tell if the car you are buying is accident free or well maintained? Simple, now days with the dealer disclosure laws in place, a reputable dealership is obligated to tell you if there are any damages exceeding $3000 in repairs. Usually a simple cosmetic repair will cost you about $1000, so $3000 is not a lot when you look at it from the body shop’s perspective. Ask your local dealer to provide you with a Car Proof report which will list all the insurance claims or any recorded accident history.

Although Car Proof report is a great tool to determine if your vehicle has been involved in a previous accident, it may not be 100% accurate all the time. There can be repairs that was done to the vehicle and paid by customer themselves, leaving virtually no paper trail. Another simple method to quickly check if your vehicle has been involved in a major accident is to look for VIN etching stickers through out the body panels. Honda been one of the earliest manufactures to adopt this practice, all Hondas since 2001 and newer will have the vehicle VIN number sticker to every panel. If you find a panel with missing VIN stickers that usually indicate that particular part has been changed.

Thank you for reading this article it is brought to you by Used Honda Toronto, you can find us online at or http://www.usedhondatoronto.ca or   http://www.usedmazdatoronto.ca

The world of finance is intimidating and down right confusing at times! With phrases such as “strong co-signer required”, “require proof of income”, or “D.T.S ratio too high”, there is enough financial jargon to fill a dictionary. For the average consumer the credit application and the approval process itself seem like rolling dice on the craps table, the outcome of your interest rate and your financial future is unpredictable. Don’t let the situation overwhelm you, here is a quick and simple explanation.

When your credit score falls below 640, you are automatically been considered as a sub prime applicant. This means your credit rating is preventing you from borrowing through the normal channels such as your local bank or the vehicle’s manufacturer. The next logical move is to apply to the sub prime car loan services. Because they accept lower credit score, in return they will want a higher return on their investment in the form of higher interest rates. Since these loans are still generated from the local banks, there will be stipulations attached such as “proof of income”.

To overcome this problem you will need to find a “no credit” car loan provider, this type of loans are generated from private sources hence they will not require any proof of income. Some small dealerships today are offering such services, but you will need to do some research and home work before you commit to sign the dotted line. Make sure you are dealing with a reliable and trust worthy source before you hand over your hard earned money.

These “no credit” car loans are rare but they do exist. Think of them as your financial “rock bottom” but if you are in need of a car this maybe your last resort. Typical interest rates attached to these loans are similar to sub prime car loans, but if you default on a payment your vehicle maybe repossessed within 48 hours.

Author Rick Tao Li, for more useful articles please visit me online at http://www.usedcarsscarborough.com or http://www.usedmazdatoronto.ca

You have probably made a purchase online recently not evening thinking twice about the process, if you can trust to purchase everyday items online would you trust purchase a vehicle without seeing it in person? The allure of U.S vehicles is obvious, not only the are priced cheaper right from the manufacture but due to recent rise of Canadian dollar it is a very attractive option to consider. There is nothing wrong with purchasing an U.S vehicle imported to Canada, there are few things you should consider before making this decision though. First of all is this imported vehicle been modified up to Canadian standard? Due to different regulations between the two countries, U.S vehicle does not require to have day time running light, rear child seat anchors, and different speedometer. To modify the vehicle is relatively easy by changing few small parts, and you can do it even at your local Canadian Tire store.

It doesn’t make sense for you to buy an U.S vehicle if you are purchasing a vehicle less than $30,000, the price discrepancy between the two countries doesn’t offer enough incentive for you to go through all the trouble. U.S vehicles are typically 30-40% cheaper compare to their Canadian counter part; it makes sense for you to purchase something expensive and exotic so you can benefit from the savings. If you currently own an U.S vehicle you may encounter a problem when you are trying to sell the vehicle in the future. Generally speaking an U.S vehicle will be re-sold for lot less when it comes to re-sale value.

If you are looking to make a profit from importing U.S vehicles it may not be as simple as it sounds. Canadian dealers will typically offer only 50% of the trade in value once they know the vehicle came from U.S. If you are trying to profit from importing vehicles for resale purposes you should definitely reconsider before investing your hard earned money foolishly. If you are able to find a good deal on an U.S vehicle with required modifications already done, you will save yourself valuable time and effort. In conclusion if you are trying to purchase an U.S vehicle it is better for you to buy it from a dealer where you can go back to if a problem ever come up.

Thank you for reading this article it is brought to you by No Credit Check Car Loans Toronto, and you can find us online for more information at http://www.nocreditcheckcarloans.ca or http://www.usedbmwtoronto.ca

You may have heard of this service before, yes it is true! Surprising to many there is actually a loan service called “no credit check” car loans. With today’s ailing economy and rising unemployment rate, many Canadians are falling behind on their financial obligations. It is only natural for many Canadian’s credit score to slide, and with enough credit score drop you will pretty soon be facing with a credit crisis. If you have bad credit score, the one that is below 640, you should stay away from the big dealerships or any manufacture’s promotional programs. Don’t be caught up on the promotional rates of 0% financing, because once you apply for credit from the manufacture they will pull a credit bureau on your name. This is considered a “hard hit” the one that will drop your credit score slightly, few points at a time. If you know you will be declined, you shouldn’t risk credit score any further. Instead apply for a loan provider that specializes in bad credit car loan services.

The standard car loan from the bank or the manufacture will usually offer the most attractive interest rate and financing program, but the requirement is much higher to obtain the loan. They are what the financing industry refers to as the “A” class lenders. When you apply to the bad credit loan providers their requirement will drop significantly, since they are the “B” class lenders. The catch is the “B” class lenders will charge a higher interest rate compare to the “A” class. But if you still got declined for a bad credit car loan, there is very little resources left. But one solution is to get a car loan from the “C” lenders; the “C” lenders or the no credit check required car loans are the rock bottom in the credit world.

The interest rate is similar to the bad credit loan providers, but usually there will be strict stipulations on the contract and some dealers may install GPS based vehicle locators just in case of you defaulting the loan. There are few no credit car loan providers in the Toronto area, one source is “No Credit Check Car Loans” located in Toronto area, you can find them online.

Thank you for reading this article it is brought to you by Bad Credit Car Loans Toronto, the latest online credit processing center for city of Toronto. Visit us online for more information at http://www.badcreditcarloanstoronto.ca or http://www.usedbmwtoronto.ca

If you are desperately seeking a car loan but you don’t have the required credit or income to get approved where can you turn to? Well there are loan services in the Toronto area that will offer you a no credit check car loan. Just like the name suggested these types of loans are available to anyone with or without credit. Sounds too good to be true? Well it is not. There are credit services that wouldn’t require a credit check, proof of income, or co-signer. These types of loans services are hard to find in the city, but few small used car dealerships are financing the vehicle through their own pocket. Of course the interest rate is higher than normal, but if you are some one who needs a vehicle and can’t find any other solution this maybe your best bet.

Proof of income is a condition traditional bank loan or the bad credit car loan providers require. Just like the name suggest, it is to proof to the lender you are making sufficient income to support a vehicle on your own. This is due to a factor called “debt to income” ratio, it is a mathematical formula used to calculate your affordability in life. The magic number for debt to income ratio is generally 25-30 percent, this means if the vehicle you are financing cost you $500 per month, you need to make at least $1500 per month for the bank to consider your loan application. Some times if your income stated on your credit application seems questionable, the lender will ask for “proof of income” to verify your income is what you stated in the application.

It is a merely formality for the banks to make sure they are making a sound investment on you, but if you don’t have the proof of income whether you have lost your recent pay stub, or your employer refuses to write you a letter then it is almost impossible for you to be approved for a car loan. But not all hopes are lost; you can apply for “no credit check” car loans where a credit check or proof of income are not required. The only requirement is a small amount of down payment usually less than $500 in total.

There are few loan providers in the Toronto area that is currently offering this kind of service; you can find No Credit Check Car Loans at http://www.nocreditcheckcarloans.ca or http://www.usedbenztoronto.com

With today’s slowing economy there are numerous promotions coming from the vehicle’s manufacturers, if you are in the market for a new car you may want to take advantage of these generous offers before the inventory is depleted. Before you sign on the dotted line you should understand some of the pros and cons when it comes to lease or finance your next vehicle. Here we will begin with the lease option first:

What is a lease on a vehicle – a lease is essentially a long term rental, the monthly payment you are making equates to the depreciation of the vehicle over time. “Buy out” or residual value on the vehicle is the predicted resale value in 24, 36 or 48 months.

Pros:

-         Lease is generally cheaper in monthly payment because of the residual value will be paid separately which is not calculated within your monthly payment. Lease offers better cash flow, or cheaper monthly payment therefore increasing the affordability.

-         You can claim the lease as your business expense if you have your own business registered.

-         If you don’t want to deal with any vehicle repairs lease is the best option, since majority of lease programs fall within the manufacturer’s warranty period, leaving you with hassle free driving for years.

-         If you can’t make up your mind about a vehicle, lease is a great way to really try out the vehicle for the 3 or 4 years term, and the ultimate decision to buy out the car is still in your hands.

Cons:

-         You don’t actually have any equity in the vehicle, since you are paying the depreciation on the vehicle there is no real equity by the end of your lease term.

-         You are responsible for the vehicle if you are planning to return it at the end of your lease term. Normal wear and tear is expected by any noticeable damage to the vehicle will have to be covered by you.

-         You are restricted on your kilometer allowance if you a lot of driving, you will face still penalties when returning the lease.

-         Title of the vehicle remains in the manufacturer’s or the lien holder’s name not yours. It is no considered to be your asset; therefore the vehicle can not be sold without a lien release letter from the lien holder.

Financing a vehicle explained – Financing a vehicle is paying back on a car loan over period of time, the amount borrowed is the “capital cost” on a vehicle. A.P.R or your annual interest rate is calculated based on your capital cost. Once you have signed the bill of sale the title of the vehicle will be in your name. The vehicle will become your asset and you will be solely responsible for resale or repairs on your car.

Pros:

-         When your finance term ends there is no residual or buy out value, the vehicle will be free of lien and in your name.

-         Negative equity rarely occurs when you are financing your vehicle, at any given time when you are trying to sell your car, you should be able to walk away from your loan.

-         You pay less interest overall, when you calculated every penny spent on that particular vehicle, your total amount spent including interest will be less compare to you buying out your lease.

Cons:

-         Monthly payments are much higher compare to a lease, usually double your lease payment, this is because the residual value on a lease payment is also been calculated into your monthly payment.

-         Cash flow becomes an issue when financing since monthly payment is much higher, if you miss or default on your payment you maybe risking your credit score been lowered.

Now you have a comprehensive understanding with both options, you can use your best judgment when it comes to your next new car.

Author Rick Tao Li, for more useful articles related to this topic please visit me online at http://www.soscarloans.com or http://www.usedbmwtoronto.ca

If you are driving an older vehicle in Canada you will be required to do an emission test once every two years. Passing this test will allow you to renewal your license plate sticker or to transfer your ownership in case you are selling the vehicle. The test is relatively straight forward with your vehicle running on a treadmill for about 20 minutes hooked up to a monitoring system. Many 10 years or older vehicles you may need to do a tune up before been tested for a better chance of passing. Typically an older vehicle will require change of its spark plugs, oxygen sensors, maybe even a throttle body cleaning. If you don’t want to dish out hundreds of dollars to do a tune up for your vehicle, there are few cheaper solutions to solve your problem. The first and foremost thing you can do is to fill up your car with premium gas; the higher octane in the gas will have a cleaner burn, hence producing less pollution.

The second thing you can try for your car is to make sure it is running hot, drive the vehicle on the highway for an extended period of time, make sure your coolant temperature has reached the optimal operational temperature. A hotter engine will once again produce a cleaner burn and better result on your test papers. Many people combine these methods together to maximize their chance of pass. Noted these methods will only be beneficial if your vehicle has failed the emissions test marginally. If your pollution control system has obvious deficiencies, you should consider repairing your vehicle before the test.

If you are handy with tools and mechanical systems, you may be able to attempt to change your own spark plugs. That in turn will increase the burning efficiency of your engine, and if you can find a fuel system cleaner you should add that to the gas as well and take your vehicle on the highway for a good run.

Author Rick Tao Li, you can find more articles on my website at http://www.usedcarsscarborough.com or http://www.usedminitoronto.com