A tonneau cover is an important tool for people who drive their trucks on a daily basis. It will protect your cargo, and will also help you conserve fuel. A locking tailgate is a device which helps keep the cover closed. In this article I will show you the first steps for installing a cover. In this example we will be using a Ford F-350, but the same basic rule applies to most trucks. Your cover is likely to come with a manual, and you will want to refer to it also.
The first thing you want to do is remove the cover and the accessories from the package. You want to make sure you follow the instructions of the manufacturer when doing this. You may also want to use a soft cloth in order to keep the rolled top from moving back and forth while inside the container. Connect the lock arm onto the bottom of tonneau handle. Once you have installed it the lock should be able to reach over the edge in order to lock the top. You can test the lock by using a key to make sure it works.
Now you want to take the cannister and place it on the rail of the truck. Place it in the area where you want it to be, but make sure you don't connect it right now. Take off the side channels and other things from the packaging to insure it is the correct length and will fit on the side rails. When you unroll the cover, it will move back inside channels that are attached to the side rails of the truck. This stops the cover from becoming loose due to wind. Take a measurement of your truck bed to make sure the channels will fit.
If the channels are too long, you may need to cut off the parts you don't need. Once you've attached them you want to make sure the tailgate has enough space to close. You will need to mark the spots on the rails where you will be placing the screws. You can add a clamp to the track while you are taking your measurements to make sure they are accurate. A grease pencil can be used to mark the locations. After this you will want to take off the clamps and get ready to drill the holes. Make sure you drill them in the correct location.
After this you will want to attach the track onto the truck bed rail. You will need to use screws for this. These are the basic steps for installing a tonneau cover, and should give you a good idea of what you will need to do.
Tuesday, August 31, 2010
How to improve the Looks of Your Car with Personalized Emblems
Most people simply love their car more than anything! Regardless of brand, size and horse power, more and more people are constantly looking for new ways of making their car stand out. Car lovers know that any car has potential and in the hands of a professional, any piece of junk can become a work of art! Whether you own a sports model, a family car or an all terrain vehicle, it’s great to change the aspect of your car so that it better matches your personality and style.
When you have a passion for cars, you would do anything to prove it. Many car owners love to show their ingenuity and originality by personalizing their car. To get a complete makeover of your car is very fashionable these days and many young people would do anything to get the best out of their cars’ aspect. However, it can be very costly to completely modify the exterior of your car.
If your budget doesn’t allow you to make a complete makeover of your car, there are many cheaper ways of improving its aspect. Emblems, logos and spray-painted models are cheaper, easy to make and they can give your car a stylish, modern look. It’s very cool to have an embossed car emblem or logo! You can choose a catchy logo or emblem from a catalog, or, better yet, order your own, personalized car emblem! Car emblems are cheap and they can be easily personalized. They are a cheap, simple way to really make your car stand out from the rest!
Chromed car emblems and stylized logos are very popular these days. It’s really simple to get your own car emblem or logo! All you have to do is choose the car emblem that you find appealing, order and it will be quickly shifted to your home. Once you have received the car emblem of your choice, you can easily apply it on your car. Emblems and logos can be applied virtually anywhere on your car and they can last for a lifetime!
Whether you want a simple or a complex car emblem, they are a great means of making your car look more fashionable. You can choose an emblem that contains the letters of your name, the name of your car, the date of your birthday, your star sign or many other symbols! Emblems and logos are very cool ways of transforming your car into a reflection of your imagination and personality!
When you have a passion for cars, you would do anything to prove it. Many car owners love to show their ingenuity and originality by personalizing their car. To get a complete makeover of your car is very fashionable these days and many young people would do anything to get the best out of their cars’ aspect. However, it can be very costly to completely modify the exterior of your car.
If your budget doesn’t allow you to make a complete makeover of your car, there are many cheaper ways of improving its aspect. Emblems, logos and spray-painted models are cheaper, easy to make and they can give your car a stylish, modern look. It’s very cool to have an embossed car emblem or logo! You can choose a catchy logo or emblem from a catalog, or, better yet, order your own, personalized car emblem! Car emblems are cheap and they can be easily personalized. They are a cheap, simple way to really make your car stand out from the rest!
Chromed car emblems and stylized logos are very popular these days. It’s really simple to get your own car emblem or logo! All you have to do is choose the car emblem that you find appealing, order and it will be quickly shifted to your home. Once you have received the car emblem of your choice, you can easily apply it on your car. Emblems and logos can be applied virtually anywhere on your car and they can last for a lifetime!
Whether you want a simple or a complex car emblem, they are a great means of making your car look more fashionable. You can choose an emblem that contains the letters of your name, the name of your car, the date of your birthday, your star sign or many other symbols! Emblems and logos are very cool ways of transforming your car into a reflection of your imagination and personality!
How To Get Your Car's Engine To Temperature
One of the most common mistakes made by a lot of people is to put a lot of stress on a cold engine. It's always best to leave the car running for about a minute or so, before applying some throttle. Don't let your engine run to optimum temperature, DRIVE your car to get on temperature. If you start the engine on a cold winter day and wait inside your house for it to warm up, the gearbox and drivetrain is still untouched and cold. Only five minutes of normal driving is what it takes to get to the normal running temperature, and your car's components will live a lot longer.
In cold temperatures it will take a little longer but it's essential that you have a good working battery installed. Moving all the cold parts requires greater energy, so a 3 year old battery can give you trouble in the winter. Don't run the electric defroster if it's not needed anymore. The battery transforms electricity to heat and while this is comfortable in the winter, it drains extra energy from your battery. It won't do any harm to use it when needed, but when the window is clear simply turn it off. Winter is hard enough already for the battery. The car only regenerates some power back to the battery, it will not fully charge it. Also a common misconception.
As a last tip for the freezing weather, when you want to start your car, refrain from using your wipers to wipe away the last snow. Instead wait until the glass is defrosted so you won't tear up the blades, the wipers are resting on the glass and the blades will probably have frozen up onto your windshield. Winter is hell for cars so if you have any appreciation for your vehicle you'll put it somewhere inside, away from the rough elements.
In cold temperatures it will take a little longer but it's essential that you have a good working battery installed. Moving all the cold parts requires greater energy, so a 3 year old battery can give you trouble in the winter. Don't run the electric defroster if it's not needed anymore. The battery transforms electricity to heat and while this is comfortable in the winter, it drains extra energy from your battery. It won't do any harm to use it when needed, but when the window is clear simply turn it off. Winter is hard enough already for the battery. The car only regenerates some power back to the battery, it will not fully charge it. Also a common misconception.
As a last tip for the freezing weather, when you want to start your car, refrain from using your wipers to wipe away the last snow. Instead wait until the glass is defrosted so you won't tear up the blades, the wipers are resting on the glass and the blades will probably have frozen up onto your windshield. Winter is hell for cars so if you have any appreciation for your vehicle you'll put it somewhere inside, away from the rough elements.
Monday, August 30, 2010
How To Get Super Glue Of A Car
Many cars now come with the option to have super protective coatings applied, often called clear coats and "bras". These are a great help in keeping such things as acidic bird droppings and rock chips from damaging your car's exterior paint job. But when someone spills Super Glue on it, that's a much stickier situation.
We wish this was good news and bad news, but there is no good news to Super Glue and painted surfaces. The basic ingredient in most removers for Super Glue and Crazy Glue, is acetone. This chemical is also found in nail polish, which is highly popular for removing little drips and drabs around the home, as long as they are on skin, wood, glass, and surfaces that aren't going to be stained or leached of their color.
Acetone can even be used on a finished table or cupboard top, but chances are, it will damage the shine/finish, and should always be tested on a hidden area, first.
There really is no safe way to get this kind of bonding material off the painted metal surface of a car, without removing an area of paint. The one method you can try, which is by no means guaranteed, is also used on skin and that's a combination of heavy hand cream, with some powdered or liquid soap. First, soak the spill with warm water by laying a dripping rag on it. Then take a cloth, dip it in your mixture, and apply it to the glue and rub. The combination of grease and sliding of the petroleum ingredients in soap, can ease glue off skin, but on a car, given that the glue is bonded to the paint and not a permanent surface, you may be able to shift the glue, but it will take the paint off with it.
We wish this was good news and bad news, but there is no good news to Super Glue and painted surfaces. The basic ingredient in most removers for Super Glue and Crazy Glue, is acetone. This chemical is also found in nail polish, which is highly popular for removing little drips and drabs around the home, as long as they are on skin, wood, glass, and surfaces that aren't going to be stained or leached of their color.
Acetone can even be used on a finished table or cupboard top, but chances are, it will damage the shine/finish, and should always be tested on a hidden area, first.
There really is no safe way to get this kind of bonding material off the painted metal surface of a car, without removing an area of paint. The one method you can try, which is by no means guaranteed, is also used on skin and that's a combination of heavy hand cream, with some powdered or liquid soap. First, soak the spill with warm water by laying a dripping rag on it. Then take a cloth, dip it in your mixture, and apply it to the glue and rub. The combination of grease and sliding of the petroleum ingredients in soap, can ease glue off skin, but on a car, given that the glue is bonded to the paint and not a permanent surface, you may be able to shift the glue, but it will take the paint off with it.
How To Find The Best Deals On A Car Rental
You’re headed out on vacation and are debating whether to rent a car for your time away from home. Even if you’re driving to your vacation spot, a car rental can be a prudent investment, but there are some steps you can take to make the most of your car rental dollar.
Shop, shop, shop. The Internet is one of the best things that could ever have happened to comparison shopping. It takes only a little time and effort to get prices, terms and conditions for almost any product or service you can imagine, and a car rental is no exception. Start your shopping as early as possible because some car rental services will give you discounts for early reservations.
Shopping early will also help you plan your trip because you’ll have an accurate idea of what you’re going to be spending on your car rental. That’s much better than being blindsided by a price you can’t afford that will put your entire trip in jeopardy.
Beware of contracts and terms. Any car rental company is going to require a contract. This is equally true of the legitimate companies and those that are less-than-scrupulous. But you should never sign a contract without reading it carefully. Yes, it will take some time. Take it to a chair, sit down and read.
You may think there’s really no need to read the entire contract. After all, the nice sales clerk has assured you that you’ll owe only $29 when you return the car, and that IS what the company advertises on television. But the reality is that the contract overrides both the advertisement and the contract. If the contract calls for a $29 base fee with a surcharge of $2 per mile for every mile you drive, that’s what you’ll owe at the end of your trip.
When you pick up your car, check the odometer. Even though they’ll assure you that they read the odometer and that this is the mileage indicated, you should check for yourself. If you’re paying a “per mile” fee, even a few miles difference could be costly.
Be wary of handing out personal information to a car rental company online. Taking care of the business online is convenient and often a great way to save time. Just the same, take time to read the company’s privacy policy and beware of handing out personal information such as credit card numbers and bank account numbers to companies that you’ve never heard of. Be sure you’re dealing with a legitimate car rental company before you pay.
Shop, shop, shop. The Internet is one of the best things that could ever have happened to comparison shopping. It takes only a little time and effort to get prices, terms and conditions for almost any product or service you can imagine, and a car rental is no exception. Start your shopping as early as possible because some car rental services will give you discounts for early reservations.
Shopping early will also help you plan your trip because you’ll have an accurate idea of what you’re going to be spending on your car rental. That’s much better than being blindsided by a price you can’t afford that will put your entire trip in jeopardy.
Beware of contracts and terms. Any car rental company is going to require a contract. This is equally true of the legitimate companies and those that are less-than-scrupulous. But you should never sign a contract without reading it carefully. Yes, it will take some time. Take it to a chair, sit down and read.
You may think there’s really no need to read the entire contract. After all, the nice sales clerk has assured you that you’ll owe only $29 when you return the car, and that IS what the company advertises on television. But the reality is that the contract overrides both the advertisement and the contract. If the contract calls for a $29 base fee with a surcharge of $2 per mile for every mile you drive, that’s what you’ll owe at the end of your trip.
When you pick up your car, check the odometer. Even though they’ll assure you that they read the odometer and that this is the mileage indicated, you should check for yourself. If you’re paying a “per mile” fee, even a few miles difference could be costly.
Be wary of handing out personal information to a car rental company online. Taking care of the business online is convenient and often a great way to save time. Just the same, take time to read the company’s privacy policy and beware of handing out personal information such as credit card numbers and bank account numbers to companies that you’ve never heard of. Be sure you’re dealing with a legitimate car rental company before you pay.
How to Find a Good, Clean, Used Car and Pay Less
How to buy a Car
Buying a car is usually our second biggest investment after our home purchase and most of us will do it more than once in our life.
There is something emotional about cars, it represents our taste and style, our economic status and our character. Some women even claim that a car is a man’s extension of his reproductive organ. One the other hand (the good hand :-) there are women out there that might express their exhibitionism and extravagance by choosing to drive a red flashy car for the whole world to notice them. Both sexes would agree they sometimes feel they ”fall in love” with a certain car model.
There are people who get very existed from a small scratch on the cars lower side, as if it were their own skin. The beauty of the car, its aerodynamics shape, the gadgets inside, the seats the feel of it all play a major part in our decision making.
In our modern life it’s almost impossible to function without one and it’s expensive to acquire, to finance and to maintain.
Buying a Used Car
The question I would like to bring up here is whether it’s wise to buy a used car or to make an additional effort and buy a new car.
If you look at it purely from an economical stand point then it’s quiet obvious that due to the fact that you miss out on the heaviest depreciation hit the average car absorbs in the first two and three years it’s wise to buy a used car. A car of two or even three years on the road is basically a new car and in some cases didn’t even finished the manufacturers original bumper to bumper warranty. (Not included labor :-(
On the average you might save on a used car anywhere between
$3,000 to $8,000. In case you know how to do it via a car dealer that will buy the car for you at a car auction limited to car dealers only (for a couple of hundreds of Dollars commission(you might even get a real bargain. Search: carbuyingtips.com/auto-auctions
Another good reason to buy a used car is the fact you can put your hands on a bigger or better or in other words more car for the same budget as the new smaller car would have cost you.
More and more manufacturers offer "certified pre-owned" programs. Cars sold as certified pre-owned (CPO) bridge the gap between new and used. They are subject to a rigorous inspection and repair process, and usually are covered by a warranty from the manufacturer. CPO cars will usually cost a bit more, but the added warranty and peace of mind makes them a good value.
If you want to get extended warranty look at: carbuyingtips.com/warranty
Where do you get the market value of the cars, that’s pretty easy, all you have to do is follow this link: Blue Book - Used Car Values at: cars.com/go/index
When purchasing a used car you should protect yourself from buying a flood damaged vehicle by doing a little research and by having the vehicle thoroughly checked by a mechanic. Rain, thunderstorms, swelling rivers and seasonal hurricanes hitting the coastlines all contribute to flooding disasters that can mean serious water damage to vehicles in those areas.
Water damage from 1999's Hurricane Floyd ruined approximately 75,000 vehicles and more than half of those ended up back on the road. Tropical Storm Allison damaged another 95,000 in 2001 and Hurricane Ivan left more than 100,000 vehicles water-logged. The numbers for Hurricane Katrina are expected to skyrocket above half-a-million and safety experts warn that many of these flood damaged vehicles also will be dried out and offered for sale. Hurricanes and tropical storms, however, are only part of the problem.
Flooding can occur throughout the year and in any part of the country; however, auto industry analysts caution consumers that the risk of buying a flood damaged car is not limited to these areas. Flood damaged cars are often repaired cosmetically, and moved to adjacent states or even across the country where they are sold to unsuspecting consumers. These floodwaters can cause damage to vehicle computer and electrical systems, as well as potentially causing anti-lock braking and airbag systems to malfunction . World Trade Center Damaged Cars, thousands of cars were damaged in New York City on 9/11/2001. It's a prime example of disasters having long term effects other than the initial death and destruction. These cars will no doubt be salvaged, rebuilt, sold at car auctions and have their titles rebuilt, most likely out of state.
An important help is the nationwide history data base of the cars in terms of damages, salvaged, lemon, flooded, fraud, accidents, rental etc’ you can look it up at: carfax.com
In addition it’s recommended you have a mechanic check it out – A certified, trusted mechanic will test the electrical and safety systems, two of the major components that water can affect. They can also look for signs of water damage that may not be visible to the untrained eye.
Car Donation
It is estimated that every year, more than a million Americans donated their cars. Why do they donate their car? Well, few reasons: A. The proceeds go to charity organizations and it provides for the donor a good feeling of contributing to society. B. its tax deductible (Less than it used to). C. The car is being towed or driven away by the company who arranged the deal.
Unfortunately, whether through ignorance, confusion or greed, a substantial percentage of car donors have been deducting the full "suggested retail price" - what a dealer would get for reselling your trade-in instead of the fair market value. That's far more than the IRS had intended, costing the government millions in lost tax revenue.
The charities weren't making much, either. Most of the donated cars were sold by the charities for a pittance at auction, and middlemen who administered the programs on behalf of the charities took a large percentage of those meager profits.
So IRS changed the rules last year. From now on, if your car is valued more than $500, the deduction is limited to the charity's actual selling price. The donor must attach a statement of sale to the tax return in order to receive the deduction. (The charity is obligated to provide the statement within 30 days.) You are not entitled to know the deduction amount before donating your car. Although the IRS has closed the loophole in the law, there is still a way to deduct full market value of your vehicle: If the charity uses the car itself to further its specific purpose.
Buying a car is usually our second biggest investment after our home purchase and most of us will do it more than once in our life.
There is something emotional about cars, it represents our taste and style, our economic status and our character. Some women even claim that a car is a man’s extension of his reproductive organ. One the other hand (the good hand :-) there are women out there that might express their exhibitionism and extravagance by choosing to drive a red flashy car for the whole world to notice them. Both sexes would agree they sometimes feel they ”fall in love” with a certain car model.
There are people who get very existed from a small scratch on the cars lower side, as if it were their own skin. The beauty of the car, its aerodynamics shape, the gadgets inside, the seats the feel of it all play a major part in our decision making.
In our modern life it’s almost impossible to function without one and it’s expensive to acquire, to finance and to maintain.
Buying a Used Car
The question I would like to bring up here is whether it’s wise to buy a used car or to make an additional effort and buy a new car.
If you look at it purely from an economical stand point then it’s quiet obvious that due to the fact that you miss out on the heaviest depreciation hit the average car absorbs in the first two and three years it’s wise to buy a used car. A car of two or even three years on the road is basically a new car and in some cases didn’t even finished the manufacturers original bumper to bumper warranty. (Not included labor :-(
On the average you might save on a used car anywhere between
$3,000 to $8,000. In case you know how to do it via a car dealer that will buy the car for you at a car auction limited to car dealers only (for a couple of hundreds of Dollars commission(you might even get a real bargain. Search: carbuyingtips.com/auto-auctions
Another good reason to buy a used car is the fact you can put your hands on a bigger or better or in other words more car for the same budget as the new smaller car would have cost you.
More and more manufacturers offer "certified pre-owned" programs. Cars sold as certified pre-owned (CPO) bridge the gap between new and used. They are subject to a rigorous inspection and repair process, and usually are covered by a warranty from the manufacturer. CPO cars will usually cost a bit more, but the added warranty and peace of mind makes them a good value.
If you want to get extended warranty look at: carbuyingtips.com/warranty
Where do you get the market value of the cars, that’s pretty easy, all you have to do is follow this link: Blue Book - Used Car Values at: cars.com/go/index
When purchasing a used car you should protect yourself from buying a flood damaged vehicle by doing a little research and by having the vehicle thoroughly checked by a mechanic. Rain, thunderstorms, swelling rivers and seasonal hurricanes hitting the coastlines all contribute to flooding disasters that can mean serious water damage to vehicles in those areas.
Water damage from 1999's Hurricane Floyd ruined approximately 75,000 vehicles and more than half of those ended up back on the road. Tropical Storm Allison damaged another 95,000 in 2001 and Hurricane Ivan left more than 100,000 vehicles water-logged. The numbers for Hurricane Katrina are expected to skyrocket above half-a-million and safety experts warn that many of these flood damaged vehicles also will be dried out and offered for sale. Hurricanes and tropical storms, however, are only part of the problem.
Flooding can occur throughout the year and in any part of the country; however, auto industry analysts caution consumers that the risk of buying a flood damaged car is not limited to these areas. Flood damaged cars are often repaired cosmetically, and moved to adjacent states or even across the country where they are sold to unsuspecting consumers. These floodwaters can cause damage to vehicle computer and electrical systems, as well as potentially causing anti-lock braking and airbag systems to malfunction . World Trade Center Damaged Cars, thousands of cars were damaged in New York City on 9/11/2001. It's a prime example of disasters having long term effects other than the initial death and destruction. These cars will no doubt be salvaged, rebuilt, sold at car auctions and have their titles rebuilt, most likely out of state.
An important help is the nationwide history data base of the cars in terms of damages, salvaged, lemon, flooded, fraud, accidents, rental etc’ you can look it up at: carfax.com
In addition it’s recommended you have a mechanic check it out – A certified, trusted mechanic will test the electrical and safety systems, two of the major components that water can affect. They can also look for signs of water damage that may not be visible to the untrained eye.
Car Donation
It is estimated that every year, more than a million Americans donated their cars. Why do they donate their car? Well, few reasons: A. The proceeds go to charity organizations and it provides for the donor a good feeling of contributing to society. B. its tax deductible (Less than it used to). C. The car is being towed or driven away by the company who arranged the deal.
Unfortunately, whether through ignorance, confusion or greed, a substantial percentage of car donors have been deducting the full "suggested retail price" - what a dealer would get for reselling your trade-in instead of the fair market value. That's far more than the IRS had intended, costing the government millions in lost tax revenue.
The charities weren't making much, either. Most of the donated cars were sold by the charities for a pittance at auction, and middlemen who administered the programs on behalf of the charities took a large percentage of those meager profits.
So IRS changed the rules last year. From now on, if your car is valued more than $500, the deduction is limited to the charity's actual selling price. The donor must attach a statement of sale to the tax return in order to receive the deduction. (The charity is obligated to provide the statement within 30 days.) You are not entitled to know the deduction amount before donating your car. Although the IRS has closed the loophole in the law, there is still a way to deduct full market value of your vehicle: If the charity uses the car itself to further its specific purpose.
How To File A Report In Case Of A Car Accident
If you have been in a car accident, you must immediately file a report to your insurance company. Accidents have been increasing but some people do not have enough knowledge on how to deal with these cases the right way. You may have encountered an accident or you may just be part of the accident. Either way, you should know what to do after the accident has happened.
If you witnessed a car accident, the first thing you should do is to seek aid for the injured. After the ambulance has arrived or first aid has been provided, you should call the police and state what happened. You should answer all questions given by the police officer. Make sure that your answers are correct because the details given are written on a report, which will be used for assessing the case. All information given to the police officer must be accurate so that the fault will not be used against you.
In making a report, make sure that you don’t change your statements after every court proceeding or investigation. The police officer may ask you questions about the case repeatedly. Make sure that you don’t change your statements because it will not match with the previous story. You can do this simply by telling the truth.
Also make sure that you don’t leave out any information.
If a police officer is not present, you can take down important details yourself so you will not forget it later. When the police officer is present, you can present your notes and report and he will further investigate. In making your report, you should include the specific time, location, area, position and you can also ask for witnesses to back up the accident scene.
People in the accident area may be very curious about what happened. If they ask for information, you should not share it with them especially your notes. You must first present it to the police so that the information is safe. If you spread the information, there might be inaccurate reports and some people might disseminate wrong information which will make the case puzzling.
Make sure that you stay on the scene after the accident has happened. If you leave the scene, there might be complications that will make the case very confusing. If you have been involved in a hit and run, try and get down the license number of the other vehicle.
If you have a camera with you or a camera cell phone, take some photos of the accident. This can provide strong proof and evidence which can be very helpful.
If you have a car accident, you need to know how to deal with it so you can make a report completely and have all required information for both the police and your insurance company.
If you witnessed a car accident, the first thing you should do is to seek aid for the injured. After the ambulance has arrived or first aid has been provided, you should call the police and state what happened. You should answer all questions given by the police officer. Make sure that your answers are correct because the details given are written on a report, which will be used for assessing the case. All information given to the police officer must be accurate so that the fault will not be used against you.
In making a report, make sure that you don’t change your statements after every court proceeding or investigation. The police officer may ask you questions about the case repeatedly. Make sure that you don’t change your statements because it will not match with the previous story. You can do this simply by telling the truth.
Also make sure that you don’t leave out any information.
If a police officer is not present, you can take down important details yourself so you will not forget it later. When the police officer is present, you can present your notes and report and he will further investigate. In making your report, you should include the specific time, location, area, position and you can also ask for witnesses to back up the accident scene.
People in the accident area may be very curious about what happened. If they ask for information, you should not share it with them especially your notes. You must first present it to the police so that the information is safe. If you spread the information, there might be inaccurate reports and some people might disseminate wrong information which will make the case puzzling.
Make sure that you stay on the scene after the accident has happened. If you leave the scene, there might be complications that will make the case very confusing. If you have been involved in a hit and run, try and get down the license number of the other vehicle.
If you have a camera with you or a camera cell phone, take some photos of the accident. This can provide strong proof and evidence which can be very helpful.
If you have a car accident, you need to know how to deal with it so you can make a report completely and have all required information for both the police and your insurance company.
How To Do A U-Turn
First of all, what is a U-turn?
Well, a U-turn is a term used in driving. It actually refers to that move or maneuver that drivers do when doing a 180 degree rotation. This move is done so as to change directions. To put it simply, you might be on the left lane when you realized that you do need to go the other way. That’s when you make a U-turn. And this maneuver is called such because the whole deal looks like the letter U.
It is important to note thought that there are some areas where this move is considered to be illegal. If you would notice while you drive through various roads and streets that there are some areas which have signs that proclaim that they are for U-turn maneuvers only. These signs are often put in areas which are quite busy.
So how do you exactly make a U-turn?
Just simply keep in mind to always be cool and calm while doing this move. That way, despite the high number of motorists and vehicles speeding past you, you would still have good control over yourself and your car.
You switch on the turn signal. This turn signal would be the one that would show other people and motorists the direction of the turn that you are taking. As you do so, check for oncoming traffic. Also, make sure that the location where you would be doing your U-turn allows this maneuver. Keep in mind that U-turns should not be attempted across a double yellow line as well as areas where there are signs that indicate that this move should not be done there.
Make sure that you have enough room to make the complete turn. See to it that you would have enough space without hitting the curb or any other vehicle. Then, press lightly on the gas while turning the steering wheel as far as it will go in the direction you would like to turn to. Next, lift your foot off the gas and then go through the turn. You now are in your new lane. You can continue your driving.
Well, a U-turn is a term used in driving. It actually refers to that move or maneuver that drivers do when doing a 180 degree rotation. This move is done so as to change directions. To put it simply, you might be on the left lane when you realized that you do need to go the other way. That’s when you make a U-turn. And this maneuver is called such because the whole deal looks like the letter U.
It is important to note thought that there are some areas where this move is considered to be illegal. If you would notice while you drive through various roads and streets that there are some areas which have signs that proclaim that they are for U-turn maneuvers only. These signs are often put in areas which are quite busy.
So how do you exactly make a U-turn?
Just simply keep in mind to always be cool and calm while doing this move. That way, despite the high number of motorists and vehicles speeding past you, you would still have good control over yourself and your car.
You switch on the turn signal. This turn signal would be the one that would show other people and motorists the direction of the turn that you are taking. As you do so, check for oncoming traffic. Also, make sure that the location where you would be doing your U-turn allows this maneuver. Keep in mind that U-turns should not be attempted across a double yellow line as well as areas where there are signs that indicate that this move should not be done there.
Make sure that you have enough room to make the complete turn. See to it that you would have enough space without hitting the curb or any other vehicle. Then, press lightly on the gas while turning the steering wheel as far as it will go in the direction you would like to turn to. Next, lift your foot off the gas and then go through the turn. You now are in your new lane. You can continue your driving.
Friday, August 27, 2010
How To Dispose Of Your Old ATV Tires
When it comes time to replace your old and worn ATV tires, many riders are eager to purchase new tires, but many are unaware what to do with the old ones. Regardless where you live, throwing old tires in a body or water or natural environment is improper—and in many cases illegal—since the tires can corrupt nature. When disposing of your old ATV tires, be sure to do so in a proper and legal manner that will not negatively impact the environment for future generations.
More and more often, tires are being recycled and formed into all sorts of new products. From park benches to carpets, recycled rubber is a durable and economical product. When you are faced with the decision what to do with your old ATV tires, look to your local recycling company to see if rubber is accepted. Although you may not be able to place your tires to the curb if you community is involved with curbside recycling, the recycling plant may be able to take the tires off your hands. Look to the phonebook or internet to find a recycling facility near you and make a quick visit or telephone call to see if your tires are able to be recycled.
Most tire stores that provide you with new tires for your ATV will be able to take your old ones. Before you make the change, be sure to ask the tire center what they do with old tires if you are concerned about the environmental impact unused rubber causes. Also, there may be a slight fee involved with properly disposing of your old tires, so know this amount upfront in order to prevent any surprises at the cash register. The state in which you live may have certain regulations or fees involving tire disposal, and this is often incorporated into your bill and is listed separately from the cost of the new tires or the labor to install the tires on your ATV.
If your old tires still have life in them, consider giving them to a friend or family member with an ATV. Keep in mind that old tires should only be used if they still have ample tread and are able to ensure the vehicle can be driven safely. Also, consider selling your old ATV tires so that you can use the profits to buy a new set. Look to your local newspaper and list a classified advertisement or turn to the internet with sites like Ebay or Craigslist to sell your tires. These are great resources and you may even find a new set of ATV tires listed at a more economical price than offered at your local tire store.
More and more often, tires are being recycled and formed into all sorts of new products. From park benches to carpets, recycled rubber is a durable and economical product. When you are faced with the decision what to do with your old ATV tires, look to your local recycling company to see if rubber is accepted. Although you may not be able to place your tires to the curb if you community is involved with curbside recycling, the recycling plant may be able to take the tires off your hands. Look to the phonebook or internet to find a recycling facility near you and make a quick visit or telephone call to see if your tires are able to be recycled.
Most tire stores that provide you with new tires for your ATV will be able to take your old ones. Before you make the change, be sure to ask the tire center what they do with old tires if you are concerned about the environmental impact unused rubber causes. Also, there may be a slight fee involved with properly disposing of your old tires, so know this amount upfront in order to prevent any surprises at the cash register. The state in which you live may have certain regulations or fees involving tire disposal, and this is often incorporated into your bill and is listed separately from the cost of the new tires or the labor to install the tires on your ATV.
If your old tires still have life in them, consider giving them to a friend or family member with an ATV. Keep in mind that old tires should only be used if they still have ample tread and are able to ensure the vehicle can be driven safely. Also, consider selling your old ATV tires so that you can use the profits to buy a new set. Look to your local newspaper and list a classified advertisement or turn to the internet with sites like Ebay or Craigslist to sell your tires. These are great resources and you may even find a new set of ATV tires listed at a more economical price than offered at your local tire store.
How to Create Your Own Vanity Plates
Vanity plates, for some people, are just an added expense, for in some states, they do charge people with vanity plates an annual fee for them. However, there are some people who would opt to have vanity plates so as to show off and tell people more about themselves. Aside from telling people what kind of person they are, vanity plates also serve as channels and media for people to shout out to the rest of the driving world some messages that they would like to get across.
Creating your own vanity plates could prove to be quite a challenge. After all, you only have a limited number of characters (either numbers or letters), and spaces to work on. And of course, you would like to have a striking yet true message on your vanity plate. You would also love to have to work on the premise that the message that you may have thought of is no longer available at the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV). It may be challenging but it could also prove to be fun.
The first thing that you would have to do if you are interesting in acquiring a vanity plate for your vehicle would be to contact the DMV. Inquire about the rules on the number of characters that the department allows. Also inquire about taboo words or messages. That way, you would know your limits and you would be able to start working on your message.
Decide then what kind of activity, business, person, or message you would like to share to the rest of the world using your vanity plate. It could be your name. It could be your car. It could be your business. It could be your hobby. It could also be your hubby, your pastime, your favorite food, your favorite color, your obsession, or it could be simply your message to the rest of the world.
Write down this message. Then, take out letters that could be replaced with phonetics or with shorter characters. For example, “to” could be shortened to “2”, “love” to “LV”, “trip” to “3P”, and “easy” to “EZ”. The thing here is to be creative.
Vanity plates are one way of accessorizing and personalizing your vehicle. Other accessories for Volvo vehicles are actually offered at low prices at Volvo Parts and Used Volvo Parts. They specializes in Volvo parts and accessories especially Volvo 760 parts.
Creating your own vanity plates could prove to be quite a challenge. After all, you only have a limited number of characters (either numbers or letters), and spaces to work on. And of course, you would like to have a striking yet true message on your vanity plate. You would also love to have to work on the premise that the message that you may have thought of is no longer available at the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV). It may be challenging but it could also prove to be fun.
The first thing that you would have to do if you are interesting in acquiring a vanity plate for your vehicle would be to contact the DMV. Inquire about the rules on the number of characters that the department allows. Also inquire about taboo words or messages. That way, you would know your limits and you would be able to start working on your message.
Decide then what kind of activity, business, person, or message you would like to share to the rest of the world using your vanity plate. It could be your name. It could be your car. It could be your business. It could be your hobby. It could also be your hubby, your pastime, your favorite food, your favorite color, your obsession, or it could be simply your message to the rest of the world.
Write down this message. Then, take out letters that could be replaced with phonetics or with shorter characters. For example, “to” could be shortened to “2”, “love” to “LV”, “trip” to “3P”, and “easy” to “EZ”. The thing here is to be creative.
Vanity plates are one way of accessorizing and personalizing your vehicle. Other accessories for Volvo vehicles are actually offered at low prices at Volvo Parts and Used Volvo Parts. They specializes in Volvo parts and accessories especially Volvo 760 parts.
How To Choose Good Floor Mats For Your Car
If you are in the market for good floor mats for your car, consider the after market options instead of those available for purchase through your automobile dealership. In most instances, these after market additions are much cheaper than those items sold directly through your automobile dealership and they have more options for quality products. Typically, there are many different manufacturers of after market accessories for cars, including floor mats that make products specific for different makes and models of cars. For this reason, you are sure to find a floor mat the best fits the exact dimension of your car without having to go through the dealership.
For starters, look to a well constructed floor mat that properly fits into your vehicle. Choosing a floor mat that is too small will not properly protect the floorboard, while choosing a floor mat too large can potentially cause a slipping hazard when entering or exiting the vehicle, or even cause the driver to have an accident if the mat becomes bunched underneath the pedals. Be sure to know the make and model of your car and look to a manufacturer that uses this information in their product development.
Next, choose a floor mat out of an appropriate material. Generally, the choices range between floor mats made of carpet and those made of rubber. If you are looking for style, then choose a carpeted floor mat, but ensure the mat has a stain resistant coating like StainMaster or a similar protective product. Also, choose a carpet color that matches or coordinates well with the interior of your vehicle. Choose a rubber floor mat for hauling or for easy clean up. Especially for truck beds and trunks, having a rubber floor mat can prevent your load from moving when the car breaks or accelerates.
Finally, choose a floor mat that best goes with the interior of your car. The car customization field has grown to dramatic proportions, so consider choosing a mat that is customized to fit your style. These customized mats can include everything from your name to the number of your favorite race car driver so that your car is unique and individual. For example, have a carpeted floor mat embroidered with a specific design or some other customized element to make your vehicle stand out from the rest of the crowd. Also along this customizable line, most manufacturers produce floor mats in a wide variety of colors that can match or coordinate well with the interior of your car and allow you to create a specific look. Whatever your needs and desired look, be sure to first ensure your floor mats are made of high quality materials that will hold up to the wear and tear of constant use and periodical cleaning.
For starters, look to a well constructed floor mat that properly fits into your vehicle. Choosing a floor mat that is too small will not properly protect the floorboard, while choosing a floor mat too large can potentially cause a slipping hazard when entering or exiting the vehicle, or even cause the driver to have an accident if the mat becomes bunched underneath the pedals. Be sure to know the make and model of your car and look to a manufacturer that uses this information in their product development.
Next, choose a floor mat out of an appropriate material. Generally, the choices range between floor mats made of carpet and those made of rubber. If you are looking for style, then choose a carpeted floor mat, but ensure the mat has a stain resistant coating like StainMaster or a similar protective product. Also, choose a carpet color that matches or coordinates well with the interior of your vehicle. Choose a rubber floor mat for hauling or for easy clean up. Especially for truck beds and trunks, having a rubber floor mat can prevent your load from moving when the car breaks or accelerates.
Finally, choose a floor mat that best goes with the interior of your car. The car customization field has grown to dramatic proportions, so consider choosing a mat that is customized to fit your style. These customized mats can include everything from your name to the number of your favorite race car driver so that your car is unique and individual. For example, have a carpeted floor mat embroidered with a specific design or some other customized element to make your vehicle stand out from the rest of the crowd. Also along this customizable line, most manufacturers produce floor mats in a wide variety of colors that can match or coordinate well with the interior of your car and allow you to create a specific look. Whatever your needs and desired look, be sure to first ensure your floor mats are made of high quality materials that will hold up to the wear and tear of constant use and periodical cleaning.
How To Choose A Car Transport Company
People who want to ship their old and new vehicles from different locations are faced with the problem of how to ship these vehicles efficiently. There are various cart shipping companies that take responsibility for shipping vehicles from one state to another and they are easily found in the yellow pages or even in the internet.
Before choosing a car transport company, it is important to take note of the reputation of the company particularly with respect to its efficiency in delivering vehicles at the agreed schedule. It is also important to note the accident rate of the trucking services owned by the said company y.
It is important to know that shipping vehicles through a cart shipping company is not like shipping any document via the regular postal or Fed-Ex services. Unlike documents which are generally –predictable, the shipping of vehicles can be more complicated because of the many factors involved.
When a car shipping company commits on a date for the delivery of the vehicle, it should not be taken as an exact delivery date schedule but more probably a mere estimate of the delivery schedule. Car shipping companies are faced with several factors that can cause delay in delivery such as mechanical problems. However, delay in the delivery of vehicles is most often caused by the clients themselves.
Clients can choose to have their vehicles transported either through an open or enclosed trailer or truck. Shipping your vehicles through an open trailer can be less expensive than having it shipped through an enclosed trailer. However, the client should be prepared for any damage that can be caused due to the exposure of the vehicle to the elements like heat and rain. If you are shipping a valuable vehicle then better choose an enclosed trailer to keep it safe.
Safety is a primordial concern so you should choose a shipping company that can present you a shipping package including insurance on your vehicle against theft and unexpected damage. To avoid trouble for the shipping company, better disable any car alarm system before having your car shipped.
Clients who opt for door to door delivery should know that this does not mean the delivery of he vehicle right in your front doors. This means that the shipping company will deliver the vehicle at the nearest pick up point on you end. Do not expect a ten wheeler truck to traverse your area just to keep their door to door delivery promise.
Trucking companies usually require cash or even just an initial payment before delivery is made. Make sure that you are prepared with cash to pay the balance at the time the vehicle is delivered to you since most companies do not accept credit card payments.
To avoid delays in the delivery, make sure you instruct the company in writing as to the exact location of your pick up point. Be there before the expected arrival of your vehicle to make delivery easier and more efficient for the company.
Before choosing a car transport company, it is important to take note of the reputation of the company particularly with respect to its efficiency in delivering vehicles at the agreed schedule. It is also important to note the accident rate of the trucking services owned by the said company y.
It is important to know that shipping vehicles through a cart shipping company is not like shipping any document via the regular postal or Fed-Ex services. Unlike documents which are generally –predictable, the shipping of vehicles can be more complicated because of the many factors involved.
When a car shipping company commits on a date for the delivery of the vehicle, it should not be taken as an exact delivery date schedule but more probably a mere estimate of the delivery schedule. Car shipping companies are faced with several factors that can cause delay in delivery such as mechanical problems. However, delay in the delivery of vehicles is most often caused by the clients themselves.
Clients can choose to have their vehicles transported either through an open or enclosed trailer or truck. Shipping your vehicles through an open trailer can be less expensive than having it shipped through an enclosed trailer. However, the client should be prepared for any damage that can be caused due to the exposure of the vehicle to the elements like heat and rain. If you are shipping a valuable vehicle then better choose an enclosed trailer to keep it safe.
Safety is a primordial concern so you should choose a shipping company that can present you a shipping package including insurance on your vehicle against theft and unexpected damage. To avoid trouble for the shipping company, better disable any car alarm system before having your car shipped.
Clients who opt for door to door delivery should know that this does not mean the delivery of he vehicle right in your front doors. This means that the shipping company will deliver the vehicle at the nearest pick up point on you end. Do not expect a ten wheeler truck to traverse your area just to keep their door to door delivery promise.
Trucking companies usually require cash or even just an initial payment before delivery is made. Make sure that you are prepared with cash to pay the balance at the time the vehicle is delivered to you since most companies do not accept credit card payments.
To avoid delays in the delivery, make sure you instruct the company in writing as to the exact location of your pick up point. Be there before the expected arrival of your vehicle to make delivery easier and more efficient for the company.
Thursday, August 26, 2010
How to Buy Your New Car- A Methodological Approach
Choosing a car is an important decision that merits careful planning. One should take number of things into consideration before buying a car. Following these steps can make the task easier and make you choose the right car for you: Decide what you intend to use the car for daily commuting; recreation; weekends and evenings out; carrying things; towing a trailer; carrying more than one passenger; driving in the city, suburbs or country. Consider factors that are important to you, such as looks, fuel efficiency, performance, reliability and safety features. Come up with a realistic budget, based on what you can afford (consider the monthly payment and cost of upkeep).
Locate a town or an area near your home with several car dealerships; check Sunday newspaper advertisements and the yellow pages. But the best option would be to locate an easy and good site for buying and selling cars online which will involve less effort and energy. Sites like http://www.indimoto.com are a great help.
Find a car that interests you and hop in it. Adjust the seat and mirrors, and check leg room in each part of the car. Ask to take a test drive. Start out on city streets and then head out to the highway. Pay attention to steering ease, turning radius, braking response and acceleration. Adjust the mirrors and radio while you're driving to test convenience. Return to the dealership and thank the dealer. If you like the car, ask for a business card and say you will return later. Head to the next dealership and investigate other car models as described above. Ask dealers which car most closely resembles the one you previously test-drove, providing the make and model and explaining which features you liked. Test a number of models until you decide on a car, and compare these prices with those at other dealerships.
Some important tips:
• Inquire about availability and delivery time, especially if you're interested in a popular model or want special features
• Factor the dealership and its sales staff into your choice. A dealership you can trust, especially one with a competent service centre on site, is worth more than money in your long future with the vehicle. You can, of course, have your car serviced at any dealer authorized by your new car's warranty.
• Start negotiations on polite and friendly terms. Comment on what you like about the car and ask questions. The intent is to make the seller comfortable.
• Make your first offer. It should be lower than what you're willing to pay, but not an insulting figure. Use the list price as a reference, remembering that dealer profit (often around 10 percent) is built into this figure.
• Allow the seller to make a counteroffer. If the price is too high, say you're not able to afford that and ask him to talk to his manager.
• If the salesperson balks at your first offer, make a slightly higher one. Continue negotiating until you can agree on a price within your budget. If you can't agree on a price, seek out another dealer. You may be able to go back and get the first dealer to underbid the second dealer
• Avoid setting your heart on one particular model or make. There are hundreds of excellent vehicles on the market, and becoming attached to one of them may make you less hard-headed in your bargaining.
Locate a town or an area near your home with several car dealerships; check Sunday newspaper advertisements and the yellow pages. But the best option would be to locate an easy and good site for buying and selling cars online which will involve less effort and energy. Sites like http://www.indimoto.com are a great help.
Find a car that interests you and hop in it. Adjust the seat and mirrors, and check leg room in each part of the car. Ask to take a test drive. Start out on city streets and then head out to the highway. Pay attention to steering ease, turning radius, braking response and acceleration. Adjust the mirrors and radio while you're driving to test convenience. Return to the dealership and thank the dealer. If you like the car, ask for a business card and say you will return later. Head to the next dealership and investigate other car models as described above. Ask dealers which car most closely resembles the one you previously test-drove, providing the make and model and explaining which features you liked. Test a number of models until you decide on a car, and compare these prices with those at other dealerships.
Some important tips:
• Inquire about availability and delivery time, especially if you're interested in a popular model or want special features
• Factor the dealership and its sales staff into your choice. A dealership you can trust, especially one with a competent service centre on site, is worth more than money in your long future with the vehicle. You can, of course, have your car serviced at any dealer authorized by your new car's warranty.
• Start negotiations on polite and friendly terms. Comment on what you like about the car and ask questions. The intent is to make the seller comfortable.
• Make your first offer. It should be lower than what you're willing to pay, but not an insulting figure. Use the list price as a reference, remembering that dealer profit (often around 10 percent) is built into this figure.
• Allow the seller to make a counteroffer. If the price is too high, say you're not able to afford that and ask him to talk to his manager.
• If the salesperson balks at your first offer, make a slightly higher one. Continue negotiating until you can agree on a price within your budget. If you can't agree on a price, seek out another dealer. You may be able to go back and get the first dealer to underbid the second dealer
• Avoid setting your heart on one particular model or make. There are hundreds of excellent vehicles on the market, and becoming attached to one of them may make you less hard-headed in your bargaining.
How To Buy Your Dream Car And Avoid Car Dealers' Dirty Tricks
How to buy a new Car
Buying a car is usually our second biggest investment after our home purchase and most of us will do it more than once in our life.
There is something emotional about cars, it represents our taste and style, our economic status and our character. Some women even claim that a car is a man’s extension of his reproductive organ. One the other hand (the good hand) there are women out there that might express their exhibitionism and extravagance by choosing to drive a red flashy car for the whole world to notice them. Both sexes would agree they sometimes feel they ”fall in love” with a certain car model.
There are people who get very existed from a small scratch on the cars lower side, as if it were their own skin. The beauty of the car, its aerodynamics shape, the gadgets inside, the seats the feel of it all play a major part in our decision making.
In our modern life it’s almost impossible to function without one and it’s expensive to acquire, to finance and to maintain.
Buying a new car is a lot of fun, the new car has its unique smell no doubt about it, the very fact you can afford to own a brand new car is a great feeling.
When is the best time to buy a new car?
There are two "best times" to buy a car. The end of December is a good time for car buyers to buy a new car. Everyone is out buying Christmas gifts, leaving new car dealer lots void of customers, motivating dealers to cut costs, and break year end sales records. Another good time to buy a car is July to October as new car dealers sell off cars at low prices to clear space for new car models. Secret factory to dealer incentives can be $1000-$6000 in addition to new car consumer rebates!
How and where to search for prices:
Invoice price – what the dealer pays the manufacturer – has become the real negotiating point. Allowing for the dealer's need to make a profit, the price you pay should be somewhere between sticker and invoice.
Virtually all car buying sites on the Internet show invoice and in most cases their buying tools automatically add option/package invoice amounts as you work your way through the process.
Any car buyer, with very little effort, can get an accurate summation of a car's value, which immediately puts him or her in a stronger negotiating position.
Happily for the consumer, the Internet now allows a prospective buyer to uncover market conditions at any moment in various parts of the country. Search for Edmunds.com on the web.
for example, reveals the True Market Value: CarsDirect.com, which sells cars online, has its own version called Guaranteed CarsDirect price Intellichoice.com sorts out the Best Deals of the Month.
The negotiation phase and the dirty tricks:
After you made your research via the Internet, it’s important you make some phone calls to car dealers and ask for some written offers to be sent to you via the fax or email for the car of your dreams. That way, you can compare prices between several dealers without being pressured by a salesperson.
You would be much better off selling your old car yourself rather than to trade it in through the dealer because the dealer will have to earn some money on it as well.
Remember, everything is a negotiable, car too. Buying a new car is tricky from the moment you step into the car dealership arena, you might be manipulated by scam artists, well trained sales persons that will use every trick in their fat book of tricks to extort every last Dollar out of your bank account.
There is one well known trick they teach in car dealers sales courses, it’s called “throwing a lowball”, in this tactic a customer is offered a very good price on a car, Perhaps as much as $500 below competitors prices. The good deal, however, is not genuine, its only purpose is to cause a prospect to decide to buy at this dealership and not from the other dealers. Once the decision is made a raft of purchase forms are filled out, extensive financial terms are arranged. The dealer knows, customers develop a range of new reasons to support the choice they have now made.
Then something happens. All of a sudden an “error” in the calculations is discovered, It might be the salesman forgot to add in the cost of the air conditioner and if the customer insists on having it, then $500 must be added to the price...
The cover up operation is played sophistically, some times they let the bank handling the financing find the “mistake”, other times the boss is not approving the deal because “we’d be losing money”. They make it look as if it’s not that big mistake as it’s a relatively small percentage of the price of the car and as they stress out it only brings it to be equal to competitors.
The impressive thing about the lowball tactic is its ability to make a person feel pleased with a poor choice. If anyone tries to change the originally-quoted terms or talk you into buying a different vehicle, just say "no" and go somewhere else.
If you are interested to learn about many others car dealers scams and how to avoid them go to: carbuyingtips.com/scams
Until all the papers have been signed there are still ways in which a shrewd dealer may add to his profit by talking you into extras you don't want and probably don't need. These can include added and overpriced insurance, extended warranties, rust proofing (absolutely unnecessary), paint or fabric protection, anti-theft plans, and more. Smile and firmly turn them all down.
Finally, before you drive away, do a careful inspection of the car, looking for scratches or dents; anything that mars the perfect finish. If you're not happy, get a written agreement (known as a Due Bill). It means you have the right to later return the vehicle in order that flaws can be corrected.
Buying a car is usually our second biggest investment after our home purchase and most of us will do it more than once in our life.
There is something emotional about cars, it represents our taste and style, our economic status and our character. Some women even claim that a car is a man’s extension of his reproductive organ. One the other hand (the good hand) there are women out there that might express their exhibitionism and extravagance by choosing to drive a red flashy car for the whole world to notice them. Both sexes would agree they sometimes feel they ”fall in love” with a certain car model.
There are people who get very existed from a small scratch on the cars lower side, as if it were their own skin. The beauty of the car, its aerodynamics shape, the gadgets inside, the seats the feel of it all play a major part in our decision making.
In our modern life it’s almost impossible to function without one and it’s expensive to acquire, to finance and to maintain.
Buying a new car is a lot of fun, the new car has its unique smell no doubt about it, the very fact you can afford to own a brand new car is a great feeling.
When is the best time to buy a new car?
There are two "best times" to buy a car. The end of December is a good time for car buyers to buy a new car. Everyone is out buying Christmas gifts, leaving new car dealer lots void of customers, motivating dealers to cut costs, and break year end sales records. Another good time to buy a car is July to October as new car dealers sell off cars at low prices to clear space for new car models. Secret factory to dealer incentives can be $1000-$6000 in addition to new car consumer rebates!
How and where to search for prices:
Invoice price – what the dealer pays the manufacturer – has become the real negotiating point. Allowing for the dealer's need to make a profit, the price you pay should be somewhere between sticker and invoice.
Virtually all car buying sites on the Internet show invoice and in most cases their buying tools automatically add option/package invoice amounts as you work your way through the process.
Any car buyer, with very little effort, can get an accurate summation of a car's value, which immediately puts him or her in a stronger negotiating position.
Happily for the consumer, the Internet now allows a prospective buyer to uncover market conditions at any moment in various parts of the country. Search for Edmunds.com on the web.
for example, reveals the True Market Value: CarsDirect.com, which sells cars online, has its own version called Guaranteed CarsDirect price Intellichoice.com sorts out the Best Deals of the Month.
The negotiation phase and the dirty tricks:
After you made your research via the Internet, it’s important you make some phone calls to car dealers and ask for some written offers to be sent to you via the fax or email for the car of your dreams. That way, you can compare prices between several dealers without being pressured by a salesperson.
You would be much better off selling your old car yourself rather than to trade it in through the dealer because the dealer will have to earn some money on it as well.
Remember, everything is a negotiable, car too. Buying a new car is tricky from the moment you step into the car dealership arena, you might be manipulated by scam artists, well trained sales persons that will use every trick in their fat book of tricks to extort every last Dollar out of your bank account.
There is one well known trick they teach in car dealers sales courses, it’s called “throwing a lowball”, in this tactic a customer is offered a very good price on a car, Perhaps as much as $500 below competitors prices. The good deal, however, is not genuine, its only purpose is to cause a prospect to decide to buy at this dealership and not from the other dealers. Once the decision is made a raft of purchase forms are filled out, extensive financial terms are arranged. The dealer knows, customers develop a range of new reasons to support the choice they have now made.
Then something happens. All of a sudden an “error” in the calculations is discovered, It might be the salesman forgot to add in the cost of the air conditioner and if the customer insists on having it, then $500 must be added to the price...
The cover up operation is played sophistically, some times they let the bank handling the financing find the “mistake”, other times the boss is not approving the deal because “we’d be losing money”. They make it look as if it’s not that big mistake as it’s a relatively small percentage of the price of the car and as they stress out it only brings it to be equal to competitors.
The impressive thing about the lowball tactic is its ability to make a person feel pleased with a poor choice. If anyone tries to change the originally-quoted terms or talk you into buying a different vehicle, just say "no" and go somewhere else.
If you are interested to learn about many others car dealers scams and how to avoid them go to: carbuyingtips.com/scams
Until all the papers have been signed there are still ways in which a shrewd dealer may add to his profit by talking you into extras you don't want and probably don't need. These can include added and overpriced insurance, extended warranties, rust proofing (absolutely unnecessary), paint or fabric protection, anti-theft plans, and more. Smile and firmly turn them all down.
Finally, before you drive away, do a careful inspection of the car, looking for scratches or dents; anything that mars the perfect finish. If you're not happy, get a written agreement (known as a Due Bill). It means you have the right to later return the vehicle in order that flaws can be corrected.
Wednesday, August 25, 2010
How To Buy A New Car
Car buying is not a task to be taken lightly. The cost of a new car equals almost what my parents paid for their first home. It's imperative to do behind the scenes research to ensure you get a great deal.
Do not be in a hurry. Car dealers can detect the scent of desperation a mile away! If you are totally without transportation, rent a vehicle until you find the right car. If you rush your purchase, you will usually end up on the bad end of the deal.
You can uncover the typical retail cost of a specific make and model right on the internet. With a little extra research, you can discover the wholesale cost as well. These two pieces of information give you an edge when it comes to negotiation.
It's best to work toward a win-win situation with the car salesperson. They need to make some money on the deal, and you want to pay a fair price. You can often negotiate a price that is $500 above dealer cost, or about 20% off the sticker price. Make sure you take your calculator with you when car hunting.
You can often order a car with *custom* option choices. This could save you hundreds of dollars. You might wait a couple of weeks, but why pay for options that you do not need?
Always check with the dealership to see if you can return the car if you do not like it. Many dealerships now offer this option. Some dealerships will give you a three day trial period in which to try the car.
It is a good idea to wait until the end of the month to go car hunting. Salespersons who want to meet a certain quota will be eager to strike a deal.
Knowing the value of your old car makes it easier to negotiate a better price for it. Try not to talk about a trade-in possibility until you get a purchase price. Sometimes this is difficult, as most salespeople will ask upfront about a trade in.
I took my car to one lot, and was told the trade in value was $1,200. Another dealership said they would give me $3,500 for the same car! So do your research to make sure you receive a fair price on your used vehicle. Stick to your guns when it comes to getting the value of your trade-in, especially if you've had your car serviced regularly.
A service contract will likely be brought into the negotiation. Most consumer information shows no need to buy an extra contract on a new car, as it's not likely a problem will occur during the first months of use.
Whatever you do, always read the fine print of any contract before signing it. Ask questions about what certain phrases mean if and when you do not understand something.
Also, just because a car is brand new doesn't mean you should buy it without asking questions. New cars can land in the lemon category as well as used ones. Keep on your toes during the negotiation process. You will enjoy both getting a new car, AND creating a win-win situation for yourself and the dealer.
Do not be in a hurry. Car dealers can detect the scent of desperation a mile away! If you are totally without transportation, rent a vehicle until you find the right car. If you rush your purchase, you will usually end up on the bad end of the deal.
You can uncover the typical retail cost of a specific make and model right on the internet. With a little extra research, you can discover the wholesale cost as well. These two pieces of information give you an edge when it comes to negotiation.
It's best to work toward a win-win situation with the car salesperson. They need to make some money on the deal, and you want to pay a fair price. You can often negotiate a price that is $500 above dealer cost, or about 20% off the sticker price. Make sure you take your calculator with you when car hunting.
You can often order a car with *custom* option choices. This could save you hundreds of dollars. You might wait a couple of weeks, but why pay for options that you do not need?
Always check with the dealership to see if you can return the car if you do not like it. Many dealerships now offer this option. Some dealerships will give you a three day trial period in which to try the car.
It is a good idea to wait until the end of the month to go car hunting. Salespersons who want to meet a certain quota will be eager to strike a deal.
Knowing the value of your old car makes it easier to negotiate a better price for it. Try not to talk about a trade-in possibility until you get a purchase price. Sometimes this is difficult, as most salespeople will ask upfront about a trade in.
I took my car to one lot, and was told the trade in value was $1,200. Another dealership said they would give me $3,500 for the same car! So do your research to make sure you receive a fair price on your used vehicle. Stick to your guns when it comes to getting the value of your trade-in, especially if you've had your car serviced regularly.
A service contract will likely be brought into the negotiation. Most consumer information shows no need to buy an extra contract on a new car, as it's not likely a problem will occur during the first months of use.
Whatever you do, always read the fine print of any contract before signing it. Ask questions about what certain phrases mean if and when you do not understand something.
Also, just because a car is brand new doesn't mean you should buy it without asking questions. New cars can land in the lemon category as well as used ones. Keep on your toes during the negotiation process. You will enjoy both getting a new car, AND creating a win-win situation for yourself and the dealer.
How To Beat The On Going High Gas Prices
The problem of high gas prices has come and refused to leave. Most people are under the constant pressure applied by the oil cartel at whose mercy everyone seems destined nowadays. But the question is, must the situation go on unchallenged? This article is aimed at showing you how to beat the on going high gas prices without resorting to using biofuel, which is about taking food from the tables of the average family. There is presently a global shortage of grains as the production of ethanol increases in a bit to ameliorate the scarcity of gasoline.
Point Blank!
Straight to the point. I recently took a close look at the erstwhile water for gas technology that enables you to run your cars and engines on more water than gas. And what I found is that the technology works. It is a 90 year technology for turning water to additive hho gas. I was surprised, to say the least, how people have not shown much interest in hho gas untill recently.
What Is Water For Gas Technology?
Water for gas technology is the conversion of a little quantity of water into hho gas. Your car is usually converted with parts you can get dead cheap from your neighborhood hardware store. The manual for carrying out the conversion is available online.
How Is Hho gas made?
Simply put, your car battery is connected to a contraption containing water which is turned into hho gas via the Lysis of the bond produced by the passage of electric current from your car battery through the water. The hho gas thus produced is then burned by your car as additive gas making it possible for you to burn more water than gas. It is so cheap to run your car on more water than gas. For 365 days, you will need only 4 gallons of water while running at more than 57% water than gas.
What About Storage?
There is no need for storage. The one quart of water required for running your car at every given time remains in the bottle. You only have to top the water up from time to time.
How Much Does It Cost To Convert A average Car?
It does not cost anything near buying a an electric hybrid car that sells for thousands of dollars. A water for gas hybrid car can be converted for a couple hundred dollars.
Check out the authenticity of all I have said above about water for gas or hho gas technology. If you really need to save money on gas and also help in reducing the harmful tail end emission that result from burning fossil fuel, then you have to take a look at the genuineness of water for gas technology.
Point Blank!
Straight to the point. I recently took a close look at the erstwhile water for gas technology that enables you to run your cars and engines on more water than gas. And what I found is that the technology works. It is a 90 year technology for turning water to additive hho gas. I was surprised, to say the least, how people have not shown much interest in hho gas untill recently.
What Is Water For Gas Technology?
Water for gas technology is the conversion of a little quantity of water into hho gas. Your car is usually converted with parts you can get dead cheap from your neighborhood hardware store. The manual for carrying out the conversion is available online.
How Is Hho gas made?
Simply put, your car battery is connected to a contraption containing water which is turned into hho gas via the Lysis of the bond produced by the passage of electric current from your car battery through the water. The hho gas thus produced is then burned by your car as additive gas making it possible for you to burn more water than gas. It is so cheap to run your car on more water than gas. For 365 days, you will need only 4 gallons of water while running at more than 57% water than gas.
What About Storage?
There is no need for storage. The one quart of water required for running your car at every given time remains in the bottle. You only have to top the water up from time to time.
How Much Does It Cost To Convert A average Car?
It does not cost anything near buying a an electric hybrid car that sells for thousands of dollars. A water for gas hybrid car can be converted for a couple hundred dollars.
Check out the authenticity of all I have said above about water for gas or hho gas technology. If you really need to save money on gas and also help in reducing the harmful tail end emission that result from burning fossil fuel, then you have to take a look at the genuineness of water for gas technology.
Tuesday, August 24, 2010
How To Avoid Speeding Tickets
Speeding tickets could cost you much money and additional points on your record. That is why it is encouraged that you do try to keep your speed within the limit. This not only decreases your chances of getting pulled over by a traffic enforcer. This also helps you out in decreasing your chances of meeting accidents, crashes, or collisions that could be the result of driving beyond the given speed.
You should first learn the three types of speed limits which are the absolute, the presumed, and the basic. The absolute speed limit means that if you drive a mile over the posted limit, you are speed. If you can legally exceed the posted limit as long as you drive safely pertains to the presumed speed limit law. As per the basic limit, it actually allows you and other drivers to drive only as fast as conditions allow, no matter what the limit is posted.
You should also be cautious for you should always be on the alert. You should also be able to note that all states have a basic speed limit. Study your state laws. You see, in California, Arizona, Colorado, and Connecticut, the speed limits are absolute either on highways and everywhere else.
In general, the most basic thing to keep in mind is that you should always drive at or below the posted limit on interstates and state highways. This is generally just to be on the safe side.
Here are the speed limits in the states in the US: Alabama – 70, Alaska – 65, Arizona – 75, Arkansas – 70, California – 70, Colorado – 75, Connecticut – 65, Delaware – 65, District of Columbia – 50, Florida – 70, Georgia – 70, Hawaii – 60, Idaho – 75, Illinois – 65, Indiana – 70, Iowa – 70, Kansas – 70, Kentucky – 65, Louisiana – 70, Maine – 65, Maryland – 65, Massachusetts – 65, Michigan – 70, Minnesota – 70, Mississippi – 70, Missouri – 70, Montana – 75, Nebraska – 75, Nevada – 75, New Hampshire – 65, New Jersey – 65, New Mexico – 75, New York – 65, North Carolina – 70, North Dakota – 75, Ohio – 65, Oklahoma – 75, Oregon – 65, Pennsylvania – 65, Rhode Island – 65, South Carolina – 70, South Dakota – 75, Tennessee – 70, Texas – 70, Utah – 75, Vermont – 65, Virginia – 65, Washington – 70, West Virginia – 70, Wisconsin – 65, and Wyoming – 75.
You should first learn the three types of speed limits which are the absolute, the presumed, and the basic. The absolute speed limit means that if you drive a mile over the posted limit, you are speed. If you can legally exceed the posted limit as long as you drive safely pertains to the presumed speed limit law. As per the basic limit, it actually allows you and other drivers to drive only as fast as conditions allow, no matter what the limit is posted.
You should also be cautious for you should always be on the alert. You should also be able to note that all states have a basic speed limit. Study your state laws. You see, in California, Arizona, Colorado, and Connecticut, the speed limits are absolute either on highways and everywhere else.
In general, the most basic thing to keep in mind is that you should always drive at or below the posted limit on interstates and state highways. This is generally just to be on the safe side.
Here are the speed limits in the states in the US: Alabama – 70, Alaska – 65, Arizona – 75, Arkansas – 70, California – 70, Colorado – 75, Connecticut – 65, Delaware – 65, District of Columbia – 50, Florida – 70, Georgia – 70, Hawaii – 60, Idaho – 75, Illinois – 65, Indiana – 70, Iowa – 70, Kansas – 70, Kentucky – 65, Louisiana – 70, Maine – 65, Maryland – 65, Massachusetts – 65, Michigan – 70, Minnesota – 70, Mississippi – 70, Missouri – 70, Montana – 75, Nebraska – 75, Nevada – 75, New Hampshire – 65, New Jersey – 65, New Mexico – 75, New York – 65, North Carolina – 70, North Dakota – 75, Ohio – 65, Oklahoma – 75, Oregon – 65, Pennsylvania – 65, Rhode Island – 65, South Carolina – 70, South Dakota – 75, Tennessee – 70, Texas – 70, Utah – 75, Vermont – 65, Virginia – 65, Washington – 70, West Virginia – 70, Wisconsin – 65, and Wyoming – 75.
How Do You Parallel Park?
Most drivers would attest that parallel parking is possibly one of the hardest parts that they would have to learn in driving. Even experienced drivers would even share that this kind of move actually still brings some sweat out. On the other hand, automobile experts suggest that if you would really like to do parallel parking with ease, it is best if you practice much. By doing so, you become used to the whole drill and everything comes as second nature to you.
Keeping your mind and concentration on the whole task ahead would help you out do parallel parking. Also, it is important that you are calm and collected as to go through the whole experience.
Now, to parallel park, you should use your turn signal. This would indicate exactly the direction of the parking spot or area that you are intending to park on. On the other hand, if the space is not yet vacant but you notice that the car occupying that spot is about to leave, wait behind the spot so that you can park there.
When the spot is already vacant, pull ahead of it. Pull up until you have actually found your car beside the car parked in front of the space you are planning on occupying. Make sure that your rear bumper should be even with that other car’s rear bumper. You should have about two feet of road between your car and the car you pulled up beside.
Start putting your car in reverse and begin backing up slowly. As soon as you get the start moving, turn the steering wheel as far as it will go towards the curb. Then, back slowly into the space. When you see that the back of your car’s front door is already even with the rear bumper of the car beside you, you should start turning the wheel away from the curb. Keep on turning the wheel away from the curb while backing slowly into the space.
Then, straighten out the wheel. You should pull forward or back into the space. You should do this to actually center your car between the cars in front of you and behind you. Remember that your car should be around six to eight inches from the curb when you are already parked on the spot you chose.
Keeping your mind and concentration on the whole task ahead would help you out do parallel parking. Also, it is important that you are calm and collected as to go through the whole experience.
Now, to parallel park, you should use your turn signal. This would indicate exactly the direction of the parking spot or area that you are intending to park on. On the other hand, if the space is not yet vacant but you notice that the car occupying that spot is about to leave, wait behind the spot so that you can park there.
When the spot is already vacant, pull ahead of it. Pull up until you have actually found your car beside the car parked in front of the space you are planning on occupying. Make sure that your rear bumper should be even with that other car’s rear bumper. You should have about two feet of road between your car and the car you pulled up beside.
Start putting your car in reverse and begin backing up slowly. As soon as you get the start moving, turn the steering wheel as far as it will go towards the curb. Then, back slowly into the space. When you see that the back of your car’s front door is already even with the rear bumper of the car beside you, you should start turning the wheel away from the curb. Keep on turning the wheel away from the curb while backing slowly into the space.
Then, straighten out the wheel. You should pull forward or back into the space. You should do this to actually center your car between the cars in front of you and behind you. Remember that your car should be around six to eight inches from the curb when you are already parked on the spot you chose.
How to Buy Your New Car- A Methodological Approach
Choosing a car is an important decision that merits careful planning. One should take number of things into consideration before buying a car. Following these steps can make the task easier and make you choose the right car for you: Decide what you intend to use the car for daily commuting; recreation; weekends and evenings out; carrying things; towing a trailer; carrying more than one passenger; driving in the city, suburbs or country. Consider factors that are important to you, such as looks, fuel efficiency, performance, reliability and safety features. Come up with a realistic budget, based on what you can afford (consider the monthly payment and cost of upkeep).
Locate a town or an area near your home with several car dealerships; check Sunday newspaper advertisements and the yellow pages. But the best option would be to locate an easy and good site for buying and selling cars online which will involve less effort and energy. Sites like http://www.indimoto.com are a great help.
Find a car that interests you and hop in it. Adjust the seat and mirrors, and check leg room in each part of the car. Ask to take a test drive. Start out on city streets and then head out to the highway. Pay attention to steering ease, turning radius, braking response and acceleration. Adjust the mirrors and radio while you're driving to test convenience. Return to the dealership and thank the dealer. If you like the car, ask for a business card and say you will return later. Head to the next dealership and investigate other car models as described above. Ask dealers which car most closely resembles the one you previously test-drove, providing the make and model and explaining which features you liked. Test a number of models until you decide on a car, and compare these prices with those at other dealerships.
Some important tips:
• Inquire about availability and delivery time, especially if you're interested in a popular model or want special features
• Factor the dealership and its sales staff into your choice. A dealership you can trust, especially one with a competent service centre on site, is worth more than money in your long future with the vehicle. You can, of course, have your car serviced at any dealer authorized by your new car's warranty.
• Start negotiations on polite and friendly terms. Comment on what you like about the car and ask questions. The intent is to make the seller comfortable.
• Make your first offer. It should be lower than what you're willing to pay, but not an insulting figure. Use the list price as a reference, remembering that dealer profit (often around 10 percent) is built into this figure.
• Allow the seller to make a counteroffer. If the price is too high, say you're not able to afford that and ask him to talk to his manager.
• If the salesperson balks at your first offer, make a slightly higher one. Continue negotiating until you can agree on a price within your budget. If you can't agree on a price, seek out another dealer. You may be able to go back and get the first dealer to underbid the second dealer
• Avoid setting your heart on one particular model or make. There are hundreds of excellent vehicles on the market, and becoming attached to one of them may make you less hard-headed in your bargaining.
Locate a town or an area near your home with several car dealerships; check Sunday newspaper advertisements and the yellow pages. But the best option would be to locate an easy and good site for buying and selling cars online which will involve less effort and energy. Sites like http://www.indimoto.com are a great help.
Find a car that interests you and hop in it. Adjust the seat and mirrors, and check leg room in each part of the car. Ask to take a test drive. Start out on city streets and then head out to the highway. Pay attention to steering ease, turning radius, braking response and acceleration. Adjust the mirrors and radio while you're driving to test convenience. Return to the dealership and thank the dealer. If you like the car, ask for a business card and say you will return later. Head to the next dealership and investigate other car models as described above. Ask dealers which car most closely resembles the one you previously test-drove, providing the make and model and explaining which features you liked. Test a number of models until you decide on a car, and compare these prices with those at other dealerships.
Some important tips:
• Inquire about availability and delivery time, especially if you're interested in a popular model or want special features
• Factor the dealership and its sales staff into your choice. A dealership you can trust, especially one with a competent service centre on site, is worth more than money in your long future with the vehicle. You can, of course, have your car serviced at any dealer authorized by your new car's warranty.
• Start negotiations on polite and friendly terms. Comment on what you like about the car and ask questions. The intent is to make the seller comfortable.
• Make your first offer. It should be lower than what you're willing to pay, but not an insulting figure. Use the list price as a reference, remembering that dealer profit (often around 10 percent) is built into this figure.
• Allow the seller to make a counteroffer. If the price is too high, say you're not able to afford that and ask him to talk to his manager.
• If the salesperson balks at your first offer, make a slightly higher one. Continue negotiating until you can agree on a price within your budget. If you can't agree on a price, seek out another dealer. You may be able to go back and get the first dealer to underbid the second dealer
• Avoid setting your heart on one particular model or make. There are hundreds of excellent vehicles on the market, and becoming attached to one of them may make you less hard-headed in your bargaining.
How Cost Effective Are Hybrid Cars?
There seems to be no stopping the oil companies, as the price at the pumps continues to rise to astronomical heights for a myriad of reasons, valid or not. Civil wars in Nigeria, international conflicts in Iraq, hurricanes and other storms at home and abroad are all reasons gas companies posit to defend their outrageous gouging.
In the face of rising gas costs, many consumers are beginning to consider the option of a hybrid vehicle- one which operates on both gas and electricity. All of the models of hybrid car will save money in terms of gas expenditures, but are they really effective when all of the costs of maintenance and other considerations are factored in?
Right off the bat, consider the cost of buying a hybrid vehicle. Depending on the model, hybrid vehicles can cost anywhere from $2,000 to $5,000 more than the equivalent non-hybrid model. These prices need to be stacked up against the savings that a hybrid car owner would gain in gas, factoring in the mileage needed. One report by Edmunds, for example, shows that huge price increases in the cost of gas would need to take place, or the vehicle owner would need to put on some serious mileage, in order for the hybrid models to gain a sufficient price saving advantage when stacked up against initial purchases. The one exception in the study was the Toyota Prius, which compared very effectively in terms of initial cost with the Camry model. The consumer watchdog points out, however, that as the hybrid cars become increasingly more available as a reflection of demand the prices can be expected to drop, making them more cost effective when it comes to an initial investment.
Also important to keep in mind is the fact that the hybrid cars have a much more specialized system than the standard vehicle, and will therefore require a more specialized mechanic when it comes time for any repairs. Most consumer report features consider hybrid cars to require an investment of at least five years in order to break even as far as initial costs go, and do not take into account the possibilities of damage that requires fixing to the power train of the vehicles.
It seems as though, at least for the time being, the purchase of a hybrid vehicle for the average consumer may not be the best option when it comes to saving money. It is important to keep several things in mind, however, when considering purchasing a hybrid model. Many consumers are choosing to purchase these cars because they represent a significant development in terms of environmental concerns over standard models. They also mean that as a whole, Western nations will become less dependent on oil as the sole means of power.
Finally, it is imperative to keep in mind that the hybrid car is a very new technology. Developed only within the last few years, the technology is still in the infant stages, where costs will continue to be high. Hybrid cars also have only a small percentage of the market right now as well. As time passes, the development of the hybrid technology will begin to push prices down to the point where hybrids are more than competitive with the traditionally fueled models of the past.
In the face of rising gas costs, many consumers are beginning to consider the option of a hybrid vehicle- one which operates on both gas and electricity. All of the models of hybrid car will save money in terms of gas expenditures, but are they really effective when all of the costs of maintenance and other considerations are factored in?
Right off the bat, consider the cost of buying a hybrid vehicle. Depending on the model, hybrid vehicles can cost anywhere from $2,000 to $5,000 more than the equivalent non-hybrid model. These prices need to be stacked up against the savings that a hybrid car owner would gain in gas, factoring in the mileage needed. One report by Edmunds, for example, shows that huge price increases in the cost of gas would need to take place, or the vehicle owner would need to put on some serious mileage, in order for the hybrid models to gain a sufficient price saving advantage when stacked up against initial purchases. The one exception in the study was the Toyota Prius, which compared very effectively in terms of initial cost with the Camry model. The consumer watchdog points out, however, that as the hybrid cars become increasingly more available as a reflection of demand the prices can be expected to drop, making them more cost effective when it comes to an initial investment.
Also important to keep in mind is the fact that the hybrid cars have a much more specialized system than the standard vehicle, and will therefore require a more specialized mechanic when it comes time for any repairs. Most consumer report features consider hybrid cars to require an investment of at least five years in order to break even as far as initial costs go, and do not take into account the possibilities of damage that requires fixing to the power train of the vehicles.
It seems as though, at least for the time being, the purchase of a hybrid vehicle for the average consumer may not be the best option when it comes to saving money. It is important to keep several things in mind, however, when considering purchasing a hybrid model. Many consumers are choosing to purchase these cars because they represent a significant development in terms of environmental concerns over standard models. They also mean that as a whole, Western nations will become less dependent on oil as the sole means of power.
Finally, it is imperative to keep in mind that the hybrid car is a very new technology. Developed only within the last few years, the technology is still in the infant stages, where costs will continue to be high. Hybrid cars also have only a small percentage of the market right now as well. As time passes, the development of the hybrid technology will begin to push prices down to the point where hybrids are more than competitive with the traditionally fueled models of the past.
How Chris Bangle Saved The World: The 2006 BMW 5 Series
He’s mad, they all said. Then they all started copying the BMW design chief’s ideas. Whether you like his work or loathe it, Chris Bangle is the most influential car designer of the 21st century. His ‘visual energy’ was a hallmark of many of the new cars at the recent Frankfurt and Tokyo motor shows. Before Bangle, premium cars followed the lead of Mercedes and more recently Audi – were organic, clean, simple designs. Modern cars are fussier, busier, multi-angled, sharper edged. That’s the Bangle influence.
Bangle himself won’t comment on his favorite BMW, but claims the new 5-Series “is the most avant-garde product we have ever done.” The previous BMW 5 Series was an elegant car, surmising the evolution of the classic BMW look. However, it was not penetrating the luxury car market. With the changing demographic of China and Asia emerging as major car buyers, BMW needed to do something new, something big. Under Bangle’s tutelage, BMW’s design philosophy has encompassed the modernistic approach: form should always follow function. Such philosophy is not something new to BMW – it has been the brand hallmark since the beginning 90 years ago when the infamous “kidney” grille was introduced at the 1933 Geneva Auto Show.
The essential shape of the 2006 BMW 5 Series, with its long snout and short overhang, is the result of the quest for perfect harmony in design, to achieve an ideal 50:50 weight distribution for better road performance. Even the battery is placed towards the rear to distribute the weight more evenly. Look beneath the surface and you won’t be disappointed. The 2006 BMW 5 Series has an all aluminum front end and suspension, rather than steel. As a result, this spacious 4-door, 5-passenger sedan with an assortment of comfort features weighs just 3428 lbs. (165 lbs. lighter than the previous model). The resulting performance gives better fuel efficiency: 20 mpg city and 30 mpg highway, while offering a degree of athletic agility not usually associated with larger luxury cars.
The unsullied splendor of the 2006 BMW 5 Series is found inside the car. The easily visible dials and the uncluttered cabin enhance the art of driving. The car also features an improved iDrive control panel which has been upgraded for easier personalization of comfort and convenience features. The wheelbase is longer at 113.7 inches (2.3” increase) and length is up by 2.6 inches. This translates into a larger trunk, and a roomier cabin, especially in the rear where two adults can peacefully sit. The two front seats are equally supportive and can be adjusted in 20 directions. The lumbar enhancement and thigh support on both the front passenger and driver seats will keep you comfortably focused as you enjoy the joy of driving.
Passion fuels success in the 2006 BMW 5 Series. The all-new engine is 40% lighter than last year’s model. Made from a magnesium block with hydro-foamed camshaft, it’s equipped with 215 horsepower in 525i and 255 horsepower in the 530i. The resulting 0-60 times are 7.3 seconds and 6.4 seconds for 525i and 530i, respectively. Additionally, the 550i features a 4.8-liter V8 power plant with 360 horsepower. The 550i can cover 0-60 mph in a scant 5.4 seconds. At the top of the BMW 5 Series lineup is the sensational M5, featuring the refined Formula 1, V10 engine with 500 horsepower. The engine is mated to a 7 speed sequential manual transmission producing a gargantuan 409 pound-feet of torque at 6100 rpm, redlining at 8250 rpm.
Going fast is only half the battle; the car must also protect the inhabitants in case of an accident, and maintain its composure in all sorts of road conditions. As such, there are numerous safety innovations integral to the 2006 BMW 5 Series. For example, the Xenon Adaptive headlights automatically swivel to follow the curves of the road. Data from light sensors determine the car’s direction and projects the light so the driver can see the road ahead with less strain. For enhanced handling, BMW’s xDrive™ distributes varying power between the front and rear axles, ensuring agile, neutral and forgiving handling during spirited driving. Additionally, the Dynamic Stability Control™ provides further tenacity on slippery road surfaces.
Sales and profits at Bayerische Motoren Werke AG have grown as the Bangle cars, including the 3 Series, Z4 and the 7 Series, have come on stream. Rival design chiefs, who were once Chris Bangle’s most vociferous critics, have tempered their language. Renault’s Partick Le Quement, possibly the world’s most respected car designer, says: “There are some really strong designs;” Nissan’s Shiro Nakamura prefers BMW 5 Series clear design language: “It’s challenging and unconventional.” The combination of strong visual sensibility, sublime engine technology, a luxurious cabin, and advanced safety features have contributed to making the 2006 BMW 5 Series the benchmark in the mid-luxury market. Of the six iterations of the new 5 Series, the MSRP ranges from $41,800 for the 525i sedan; $51,100 for the 530xi wagon; and $81,200 for M5. Like the madness of a misunderstood artist, Christopher Bangle has indeed improved on BMW’s bottom line.
Bangle himself won’t comment on his favorite BMW, but claims the new 5-Series “is the most avant-garde product we have ever done.” The previous BMW 5 Series was an elegant car, surmising the evolution of the classic BMW look. However, it was not penetrating the luxury car market. With the changing demographic of China and Asia emerging as major car buyers, BMW needed to do something new, something big. Under Bangle’s tutelage, BMW’s design philosophy has encompassed the modernistic approach: form should always follow function. Such philosophy is not something new to BMW – it has been the brand hallmark since the beginning 90 years ago when the infamous “kidney” grille was introduced at the 1933 Geneva Auto Show.
The essential shape of the 2006 BMW 5 Series, with its long snout and short overhang, is the result of the quest for perfect harmony in design, to achieve an ideal 50:50 weight distribution for better road performance. Even the battery is placed towards the rear to distribute the weight more evenly. Look beneath the surface and you won’t be disappointed. The 2006 BMW 5 Series has an all aluminum front end and suspension, rather than steel. As a result, this spacious 4-door, 5-passenger sedan with an assortment of comfort features weighs just 3428 lbs. (165 lbs. lighter than the previous model). The resulting performance gives better fuel efficiency: 20 mpg city and 30 mpg highway, while offering a degree of athletic agility not usually associated with larger luxury cars.
The unsullied splendor of the 2006 BMW 5 Series is found inside the car. The easily visible dials and the uncluttered cabin enhance the art of driving. The car also features an improved iDrive control panel which has been upgraded for easier personalization of comfort and convenience features. The wheelbase is longer at 113.7 inches (2.3” increase) and length is up by 2.6 inches. This translates into a larger trunk, and a roomier cabin, especially in the rear where two adults can peacefully sit. The two front seats are equally supportive and can be adjusted in 20 directions. The lumbar enhancement and thigh support on both the front passenger and driver seats will keep you comfortably focused as you enjoy the joy of driving.
Passion fuels success in the 2006 BMW 5 Series. The all-new engine is 40% lighter than last year’s model. Made from a magnesium block with hydro-foamed camshaft, it’s equipped with 215 horsepower in 525i and 255 horsepower in the 530i. The resulting 0-60 times are 7.3 seconds and 6.4 seconds for 525i and 530i, respectively. Additionally, the 550i features a 4.8-liter V8 power plant with 360 horsepower. The 550i can cover 0-60 mph in a scant 5.4 seconds. At the top of the BMW 5 Series lineup is the sensational M5, featuring the refined Formula 1, V10 engine with 500 horsepower. The engine is mated to a 7 speed sequential manual transmission producing a gargantuan 409 pound-feet of torque at 6100 rpm, redlining at 8250 rpm.
Going fast is only half the battle; the car must also protect the inhabitants in case of an accident, and maintain its composure in all sorts of road conditions. As such, there are numerous safety innovations integral to the 2006 BMW 5 Series. For example, the Xenon Adaptive headlights automatically swivel to follow the curves of the road. Data from light sensors determine the car’s direction and projects the light so the driver can see the road ahead with less strain. For enhanced handling, BMW’s xDrive™ distributes varying power between the front and rear axles, ensuring agile, neutral and forgiving handling during spirited driving. Additionally, the Dynamic Stability Control™ provides further tenacity on slippery road surfaces.
Sales and profits at Bayerische Motoren Werke AG have grown as the Bangle cars, including the 3 Series, Z4 and the 7 Series, have come on stream. Rival design chiefs, who were once Chris Bangle’s most vociferous critics, have tempered their language. Renault’s Partick Le Quement, possibly the world’s most respected car designer, says: “There are some really strong designs;” Nissan’s Shiro Nakamura prefers BMW 5 Series clear design language: “It’s challenging and unconventional.” The combination of strong visual sensibility, sublime engine technology, a luxurious cabin, and advanced safety features have contributed to making the 2006 BMW 5 Series the benchmark in the mid-luxury market. Of the six iterations of the new 5 Series, the MSRP ranges from $41,800 for the 525i sedan; $51,100 for the 530xi wagon; and $81,200 for M5. Like the madness of a misunderstood artist, Christopher Bangle has indeed improved on BMW’s bottom line.
How a Woman In Cleveland Paid 89 Cents For a Gallon Of Gas and How You Can Too.
In August of 2005 the price listed as the price for a gallon of regular unleaded gas was $2.29. That same day Kellie Courtney of Cleveland paid only 89 cents a gallon. Marion Charvat paid $1.09 a gallon. Marion filled her Volkswagen Jetta for only $12.45. How could they buy gas so cheap? They did it because they are smart consumers. Here's how they did it.
The reason that Kellie and Marion were able to purchase gas at such a low price is that they treated gas like it was any other item that they would go to a store to buy. They shopped around and they found a way to purchase their gas at the store that they found had the absolute lowest cost. They found a frequent shopper program that allowed them to lower their gas cost. They found it at a grocery chain called Giant Eagle.
Giant Eagle does business in Ohio, Pennsylvania, Maryland and West Virginia. Recently Giant Eagle added a new component to their frequent shopper program. It is called Fuelperks. It is a program that offers discounts on gas at Giant Eagle's own stations for shopping at Giant Eagle using their frequent shopper card.
For every $50.00 of purchases using the frequent shopper card the consumer will get a 10 cent reduction in the price of gas for one tank fill up. Purchase $100.00 worth; get 20 cents off a gallon. Purchase $500.00 worth and get $1.00 off a gallon. Buy enough groceries and you can get gasoline for free.
A large family that has to buy a lot of groceries every week will very quickly earn large discounts at the gas pump. The prices at Giant Eagle are in line with most of the other groceries in the area and their regular price on gas is in line with other gas stations so you really are getting a legitimate discount on gas.
You have to buy groceries somewhere; you might as well buy it a store that gives you a substantial discount on gas while you are at it. That is one way to beat the gas pump.
Treat gas like anything else that you buy. Look for the best deals. Look for frequent shopper programs in your neighborhood that allow you to build up discounts you can use towards gas. Look for gas discounts and incentives anywhere you see a gas pump. Look for stores that may be branching out into the frequent shopper area or stores that now sell gas that didn't before.
In order to compete with the new grocery gas stations many gas convenience stores are beginning to implement frequent shopper programs that will result in lower gas costs. But more and more traditional stores that never sold gas before are realizing that discount gas is a big incentive to get shoppers. Giant Eagle is one example of a traditional grocery store branching out to sell gas at a discount.
According to the Food Marketing Institute, just 18% of grocery stores built in 2003 had gas pumps; last year, more than 60% of new stores were built with gas stations. They have seen the value of offering gas to their customers as a loss leader.
The mega retailers are another place you should look for bargains. As in many areas Wal-Mart / Sam's Club are jumping into the gas business big time. The VP in charge of fuel for Wal-Mart says he is looking to extend Sam Walton's marketing strategy to gasoline by building gas stations at every Sam's Club throughout the country. In his view, putting in pumps should be "standard practice. It just fits our business model: we want to bring everything [to consumers] at the lowest price."
So how can you lower your gas costs? Treat gas like any other item you purchase. Look for deals, discounts and low prices. Comparison shop. Find the retailers that offer the best program for you. Look for gas bargains at some of the non traditional outlets like grocery stores or mega stores. Then maybe you will be able to buy that tank of gas for 89 cents a gallon like Kellie Courtney did.
The reason that Kellie and Marion were able to purchase gas at such a low price is that they treated gas like it was any other item that they would go to a store to buy. They shopped around and they found a way to purchase their gas at the store that they found had the absolute lowest cost. They found a frequent shopper program that allowed them to lower their gas cost. They found it at a grocery chain called Giant Eagle.
Giant Eagle does business in Ohio, Pennsylvania, Maryland and West Virginia. Recently Giant Eagle added a new component to their frequent shopper program. It is called Fuelperks. It is a program that offers discounts on gas at Giant Eagle's own stations for shopping at Giant Eagle using their frequent shopper card.
For every $50.00 of purchases using the frequent shopper card the consumer will get a 10 cent reduction in the price of gas for one tank fill up. Purchase $100.00 worth; get 20 cents off a gallon. Purchase $500.00 worth and get $1.00 off a gallon. Buy enough groceries and you can get gasoline for free.
A large family that has to buy a lot of groceries every week will very quickly earn large discounts at the gas pump. The prices at Giant Eagle are in line with most of the other groceries in the area and their regular price on gas is in line with other gas stations so you really are getting a legitimate discount on gas.
You have to buy groceries somewhere; you might as well buy it a store that gives you a substantial discount on gas while you are at it. That is one way to beat the gas pump.
Treat gas like anything else that you buy. Look for the best deals. Look for frequent shopper programs in your neighborhood that allow you to build up discounts you can use towards gas. Look for gas discounts and incentives anywhere you see a gas pump. Look for stores that may be branching out into the frequent shopper area or stores that now sell gas that didn't before.
In order to compete with the new grocery gas stations many gas convenience stores are beginning to implement frequent shopper programs that will result in lower gas costs. But more and more traditional stores that never sold gas before are realizing that discount gas is a big incentive to get shoppers. Giant Eagle is one example of a traditional grocery store branching out to sell gas at a discount.
According to the Food Marketing Institute, just 18% of grocery stores built in 2003 had gas pumps; last year, more than 60% of new stores were built with gas stations. They have seen the value of offering gas to their customers as a loss leader.
The mega retailers are another place you should look for bargains. As in many areas Wal-Mart / Sam's Club are jumping into the gas business big time. The VP in charge of fuel for Wal-Mart says he is looking to extend Sam Walton's marketing strategy to gasoline by building gas stations at every Sam's Club throughout the country. In his view, putting in pumps should be "standard practice. It just fits our business model: we want to bring everything [to consumers] at the lowest price."
So how can you lower your gas costs? Treat gas like any other item you purchase. Look for deals, discounts and low prices. Comparison shop. Find the retailers that offer the best program for you. Look for gas bargains at some of the non traditional outlets like grocery stores or mega stores. Then maybe you will be able to buy that tank of gas for 89 cents a gallon like Kellie Courtney did.
Friday, August 20, 2010
How a GPS device can make your trip more efficient and worthwhile
I pretty much use my portable GPS navigator in my car every day, like when I’m going to visit my relatives in Mississippi. I usually like to drive out there since I’m up here in Chicago, and I’d rather not take a plane. If I took a plane I couldn’t stop anywhere and look at any of the interesting things along the way – I usually plan my course so that I can see as many things as possible on the way there, but without my portable GPS navigator I would be stranded on taking just one of the interstates south. It’s just not fun driving so long without seeing anything, and I really hate airplanes – so I use mine and its map to make sure I am where I should be.
When I do go to my aunts or grandmother’s house down in Mississippi I have to use the darn thing an awful lot so I don’t get lost on the back roads. They live a bit out of the way, so it can be very confusing, and since I don’t visit but once or twice a year it’s hard for me to remember where I am at or which way I am going. If I didn’t have the portable GPS I probably wouldn’t be able to find it for hours on end, but thankfully I have the portable GPS navigator in my car. It also helped me when my cousin, Jake, had appendicitis over Thanksgiving when I drove down there.
He’d been complaining about pain in his stomach for a while, and we all thought he was being dramatic, until we realized something was wrong – so instead of waiting on an ambulance trying to find the house out there in the backwoods, I threw him in the back of the car and brought Uncle Zachariah with us, he’d never seen something like the portable GPS navigator before. I punched in to go to the nearest hospital and we were there in about twenty minutes without one single wrong turn. Later on, after Jake had his appendix removed he made me drive him and Zachariah back to the house (this was much later on after they did their quick operation – they said if it had been any later his appendix may have burst) and they both sat there quietly watching the little screen do its work on the GPS navigator. When we got back to the house I heard Jake begging to get one, and then I heard Zachariah begging his wife to allow it – because they were impressed.
The rest of that weekend turned into me giving everyone a ride in the car just so they could see how it worked. Later on I showed them my cell phone, which also has a GPS locator in it and I can display maps of where I am on it. They were impressed, all of their cell phones did the whole instant messaging thing, but none of them had known about the portable GPS abilities that you could also get in a cellular. Well, that’s pretty much how I use mine.
When I do go to my aunts or grandmother’s house down in Mississippi I have to use the darn thing an awful lot so I don’t get lost on the back roads. They live a bit out of the way, so it can be very confusing, and since I don’t visit but once or twice a year it’s hard for me to remember where I am at or which way I am going. If I didn’t have the portable GPS I probably wouldn’t be able to find it for hours on end, but thankfully I have the portable GPS navigator in my car. It also helped me when my cousin, Jake, had appendicitis over Thanksgiving when I drove down there.
He’d been complaining about pain in his stomach for a while, and we all thought he was being dramatic, until we realized something was wrong – so instead of waiting on an ambulance trying to find the house out there in the backwoods, I threw him in the back of the car and brought Uncle Zachariah with us, he’d never seen something like the portable GPS navigator before. I punched in to go to the nearest hospital and we were there in about twenty minutes without one single wrong turn. Later on, after Jake had his appendix removed he made me drive him and Zachariah back to the house (this was much later on after they did their quick operation – they said if it had been any later his appendix may have burst) and they both sat there quietly watching the little screen do its work on the GPS navigator. When we got back to the house I heard Jake begging to get one, and then I heard Zachariah begging his wife to allow it – because they were impressed.
The rest of that weekend turned into me giving everyone a ride in the car just so they could see how it worked. Later on I showed them my cell phone, which also has a GPS locator in it and I can display maps of where I am on it. They were impressed, all of their cell phones did the whole instant messaging thing, but none of them had known about the portable GPS abilities that you could also get in a cellular. Well, that’s pretty much how I use mine.
Hot Weather: The Culprit Behind Car Battery Woes
Summer is the season for major car battery problems.
Heat, not cold, shortens battery life, says the Car Care Council. The average life of a battery is three and a half years, and even shorter in warmer climates.
Excessive heat and overcharging are the two main reasons for shortened battery life. Heat causes battery fluid to evaporate, which damages the internal structure of the battery. A malfunctioning component in the charging system, usually the voltage regulator, allows too high a charging rate. That's slow death for a battery.
Statistics from the 2005 National Car Care Month inspection campaign show battery cables, clamps and terminals were found to need maintenance in 13 percent of vehicles, and 7 percent of batteries were not properly held down.
To get the most life out of a battery, the Car Care Council suggests the following:
* Be sure the electrical system is charging at the correct rate; overcharging can damage a battery as easily as undercharging.
* If your battery is the type that needs to be topped off, check it regularly, especially in hot weather. Add distilled water when necessary.
* Always replace a battery with one that's rated at least as high as the one originally specified.
* Keep the top of the battery clean. Dirt becomes a conductor, which drains battery power. Further, as corrosion accumulates on battery terminals it becomes an insulator, inhibiting current flow.
The Car Care Council is the source of information for the Be Car Care Aware consumer education campaign promoting the benefits of regular vehicle maintenance and repair to consumers.
Heat, not cold, shortens battery life, says the Car Care Council. The average life of a battery is three and a half years, and even shorter in warmer climates.
Excessive heat and overcharging are the two main reasons for shortened battery life. Heat causes battery fluid to evaporate, which damages the internal structure of the battery. A malfunctioning component in the charging system, usually the voltage regulator, allows too high a charging rate. That's slow death for a battery.
Statistics from the 2005 National Car Care Month inspection campaign show battery cables, clamps and terminals were found to need maintenance in 13 percent of vehicles, and 7 percent of batteries were not properly held down.
To get the most life out of a battery, the Car Care Council suggests the following:
* Be sure the electrical system is charging at the correct rate; overcharging can damage a battery as easily as undercharging.
* If your battery is the type that needs to be topped off, check it regularly, especially in hot weather. Add distilled water when necessary.
* Always replace a battery with one that's rated at least as high as the one originally specified.
* Keep the top of the battery clean. Dirt becomes a conductor, which drains battery power. Further, as corrosion accumulates on battery terminals it becomes an insulator, inhibiting current flow.
The Car Care Council is the source of information for the Be Car Care Aware consumer education campaign promoting the benefits of regular vehicle maintenance and repair to consumers.
Hot Cars Take Time and Effort
Auto show hobbyists find themselves meting new challenges as they begin the process of preparing their entries, whether they are working on an antique, a classic, or a new vehicle. Finding how to use the best automobile detailing supplies to achieve the wanted results is a matter of trial and error. Proper planning helps find the logical sequences for the best results. Also, the hobbyist must become an expert in many areas, knowing how to detail the tires and wheels of their cars as well as knowing how to clean automotive upholstery. (See the article, “Automotive Detailing: How to Clean Automotive Upholstery.”)
Preparing the wheels, wheel wells, tires, spokes, and hubcaps of a vehicle for a show demands consistent time and effort – and the proper auto detailing cleaning products. Detailing on a regular schedule (for instance, once a month) prevents a final detailing before a show from being an overwhelming task. Working on this area first also saves time and effort. Tires, wheels, etc., should be detailed before the rest of the car because the products that are most efficient for this job can be harmful to the finish of the car’s paint and can, at the least, spoil the polish job. You won’t be accidentally splashing the just waxed body of your car with the tire cleaner. Perfection in the tire area truly gives the look of “showroom” condition.
Be sure to work in the shade and not in the heat or full sun. This is not the kind of hot car you are aiming for. Full sun can cause streaks. Have your automobile detailing supplies laid out and ready. Remove your hubcaps or any other part of your wheel area that can be taken off. This way, you can really get at the tires, and also wash all sides of the removable parts. Some serious detailers will even remove the tires. Take the time to wash, rinse, and dry each tire before moving on to the next one. Completing each in turn will prevent any water spots from drying on the surface of the wheel.
Begin by carefully rinsing away any dirt or mud that might have coated the underbelly of the car or wheel wells. A second type of soil that is found on the tire area is brake dust. This material is gray in color and caused by the wear and tear on the brake pads. Do not use an excessively forceful water stream to rinse your tire area, since small rocks or sand could spin with the force of the water and scratch the surface of the car. You may use a soft brush to dislodge soil as you rinse. Try a soft bristled brush like Fuller Brush’s Vehicle Wash Brush. Mix a mild degreaser with water in a large bucket. Gently wash each tire and wheel with a soft wash mitt (or sponge. Each time you are ready to dip your mitt in the bucket of degreaser, remember to first rinse off your mitt so any particles of rock or sand will be removed. That way, you won’t be simply moving the soil around, and you won’t risk scratches to the wheel surfaces. (Also, to avoid scratches to the finish on the body of the car, use a different mitt for that area.) Finish with a detailing brush like Fuller’s Wheel and Spoke Detailing Brush. You will be able to thoroughly clean every bit of dirt from your tires without a scratch, and you will be ready for the next step, dressing and polishing the surfaces. Pay special attention to your manufacturer’s directions when you choose a treatment or polish for this part of your car. The wheel area and hubcaps can be painted or non-painted, and be made of a variety of different materials. Choose automobile detailing supplies that will be most effective for the materials in your car. Don’t worry about treating the tread of the tire. It will just rub off. Treating it may also affect your warrantee.
As soon as the tire area is completely detailed, you are ready to move on to work on the rest of the car. Before you know it, others will be noticing your “hot car.”
Preparing the wheels, wheel wells, tires, spokes, and hubcaps of a vehicle for a show demands consistent time and effort – and the proper auto detailing cleaning products. Detailing on a regular schedule (for instance, once a month) prevents a final detailing before a show from being an overwhelming task. Working on this area first also saves time and effort. Tires, wheels, etc., should be detailed before the rest of the car because the products that are most efficient for this job can be harmful to the finish of the car’s paint and can, at the least, spoil the polish job. You won’t be accidentally splashing the just waxed body of your car with the tire cleaner. Perfection in the tire area truly gives the look of “showroom” condition.
Be sure to work in the shade and not in the heat or full sun. This is not the kind of hot car you are aiming for. Full sun can cause streaks. Have your automobile detailing supplies laid out and ready. Remove your hubcaps or any other part of your wheel area that can be taken off. This way, you can really get at the tires, and also wash all sides of the removable parts. Some serious detailers will even remove the tires. Take the time to wash, rinse, and dry each tire before moving on to the next one. Completing each in turn will prevent any water spots from drying on the surface of the wheel.
Begin by carefully rinsing away any dirt or mud that might have coated the underbelly of the car or wheel wells. A second type of soil that is found on the tire area is brake dust. This material is gray in color and caused by the wear and tear on the brake pads. Do not use an excessively forceful water stream to rinse your tire area, since small rocks or sand could spin with the force of the water and scratch the surface of the car. You may use a soft brush to dislodge soil as you rinse. Try a soft bristled brush like Fuller Brush’s Vehicle Wash Brush. Mix a mild degreaser with water in a large bucket. Gently wash each tire and wheel with a soft wash mitt (or sponge. Each time you are ready to dip your mitt in the bucket of degreaser, remember to first rinse off your mitt so any particles of rock or sand will be removed. That way, you won’t be simply moving the soil around, and you won’t risk scratches to the wheel surfaces. (Also, to avoid scratches to the finish on the body of the car, use a different mitt for that area.) Finish with a detailing brush like Fuller’s Wheel and Spoke Detailing Brush. You will be able to thoroughly clean every bit of dirt from your tires without a scratch, and you will be ready for the next step, dressing and polishing the surfaces. Pay special attention to your manufacturer’s directions when you choose a treatment or polish for this part of your car. The wheel area and hubcaps can be painted or non-painted, and be made of a variety of different materials. Choose automobile detailing supplies that will be most effective for the materials in your car. Don’t worry about treating the tread of the tire. It will just rub off. Treating it may also affect your warrantee.
As soon as the tire area is completely detailed, you are ready to move on to work on the rest of the car. Before you know it, others will be noticing your “hot car.”
Honda Sneak Peek: The Fit?
Credit Honda with not giving up easily in what will certainly become a big fight: the sub $15,000 price range category of new automobiles. Currently, only a stripped down Civic competes in this area and I mean stripped: no a/c, basic tranny, no radio! With Toyota's Scion brand catching on Honda is looking to fight back. A tiny car now on sale in Japan may soon find its way to a dealership in your neighborhood helping to turn the tide for the revered automaker.
So, why the big push in this "cheap" category? Chiefly because automakers know that if young and first time buyers have a very good experience with their entry level cars then more than likely they will stay with the brand as their lives change, i.e., get married, start a family, make more money, etc. This practice has been in place for years, although not as widely emphasized by all manufacturers and to their detriment.
Honda's long time low price leader has always been the Civic. Introduced to the North American market in 1971, the Civic was the original Honda for the western hemisphere and has been a value leader in its class for some time. However, like the Toyota Corolla, the Civic has been gradually creeping up market becoming better equipped and more expensive. At least Toyota slipped in a new entry level car a few years back, the Echo, but Honda has been without one. In addition, Toyota launched an all new brand, Scion, in 2003 to capture a bigger chunk of the youth market. So far, Scion has been a runaway success story.
Enter the Fit. Say, what?! Yes, a tiny Scion-like car sporting a 1.5L engine is already navigating Japanese streets. Unfortunately, the name isn't catchy and likely will have to be changed once the car is imported to the US and Canada. Let's just say that some of the names that rhyme with Fit are not exactly favorable. At least it isn't as obvious as Daewoo's Charade a car that really lived up to its name!
We don't know a lot yet about the Fit other than to say that Honda knows that they need to respond to Toyota and soon. Honda doesn't appear willing to create a separate brand to take on Scion, but a car in the class of the Fit will help Honda capture a bigger chunk of the all important youth market. With styling cues reportedly similar to the Scion xA, the "Fit" will likely be fitted into the bottom of the Honda line up. Paired with the Element, both vehicles will be perceived as true Scion fighters. At least Honda hopes that you do.
So, why the big push in this "cheap" category? Chiefly because automakers know that if young and first time buyers have a very good experience with their entry level cars then more than likely they will stay with the brand as their lives change, i.e., get married, start a family, make more money, etc. This practice has been in place for years, although not as widely emphasized by all manufacturers and to their detriment.
Honda's long time low price leader has always been the Civic. Introduced to the North American market in 1971, the Civic was the original Honda for the western hemisphere and has been a value leader in its class for some time. However, like the Toyota Corolla, the Civic has been gradually creeping up market becoming better equipped and more expensive. At least Toyota slipped in a new entry level car a few years back, the Echo, but Honda has been without one. In addition, Toyota launched an all new brand, Scion, in 2003 to capture a bigger chunk of the youth market. So far, Scion has been a runaway success story.
Enter the Fit. Say, what?! Yes, a tiny Scion-like car sporting a 1.5L engine is already navigating Japanese streets. Unfortunately, the name isn't catchy and likely will have to be changed once the car is imported to the US and Canada. Let's just say that some of the names that rhyme with Fit are not exactly favorable. At least it isn't as obvious as Daewoo's Charade a car that really lived up to its name!
We don't know a lot yet about the Fit other than to say that Honda knows that they need to respond to Toyota and soon. Honda doesn't appear willing to create a separate brand to take on Scion, but a car in the class of the Fit will help Honda capture a bigger chunk of the all important youth market. With styling cues reportedly similar to the Scion xA, the "Fit" will likely be fitted into the bottom of the Honda line up. Paired with the Element, both vehicles will be perceived as true Scion fighters. At least Honda hopes that you do.
Honda Fit: Made To Fit Lifestyles
Honda is launching yet another vehicle in the United States and the rest of North America. And this time around, it would be called the Honda Fit.
The Honda Fit has already been making its rounds in Europe and Asia. And it has already been reaping in success for it is already one of the huge and biggest sellers in those areas. According to Chuck Schifsky, who is the manager of the regional public relations operations of American Honda, “The Fit comes to America with several attributes for those customers who want an attractive, efficient, and safe small car.” Aside from this, the Fit is also claiming to be a huge potential for the American market.
Despite it being physically small, it still holds a gigantic amount of features. This new vehicle holds a 1.5 liter VTEC engine that can actually produce some 109 horsepower. Features that it holds include front air bags, front side air bags, side curtain air bags, steering wheel-mounted paddle shifters, air conditioning, air filtration, power windows, power side mirrors, a 60/40 split Magic Seat, anti lock ABS brakes, four interior configurations, a stick transmission system or an automatic transmission system, and it also comes as a hatchback.
The Honda Fit would be joining the ranks wherein the Chevy Aveo, Toyota Yaris, Kia Rio, Nissan Versa, and Mini Coopers are competing with each other. Just like these other vehicles, the Fit is promising not only efficiency and performance despite its small stature. It is also promising
The Honda Fit has already been making its rounds in Europe and Asia. And it has already been reaping in success for it is already one of the huge and biggest sellers in those areas. According to Chuck Schifsky, who is the manager of the regional public relations operations of American Honda, “The Fit comes to America with several attributes for those customers who want an attractive, efficient, and safe small car.” Aside from this, the Fit is also claiming to be a huge potential for the American market.
Despite it being physically small, it still holds a gigantic amount of features. This new vehicle holds a 1.5 liter VTEC engine that can actually produce some 109 horsepower. Features that it holds include front air bags, front side air bags, side curtain air bags, steering wheel-mounted paddle shifters, air conditioning, air filtration, power windows, power side mirrors, a 60/40 split Magic Seat, anti lock ABS brakes, four interior configurations, a stick transmission system or an automatic transmission system, and it also comes as a hatchback.
The Honda Fit would be joining the ranks wherein the Chevy Aveo, Toyota Yaris, Kia Rio, Nissan Versa, and Mini Coopers are competing with each other. Just like these other vehicles, the Fit is promising not only efficiency and performance despite its small stature. It is also promising
Thursday, August 19, 2010
History Of Porsche
The history of Porsche began in 1948, June 8th to be exact. That is when the first two seater 356 was produced. There were 51 hand built Porsche 356/2 automobiles built in Austria. This model had a 40 hp 1.1 liter center engine.
The Porsche 911 rear engine automobile was introduced in 1963. It has been one of the biggest selling sports cars in the world. Over one million have been sold.
Porsche has a new offering for the sports car enthusiast in 2006. Positioned between the Boxster S and 911 Carrera, and marketed as an alternative to the BMW Z4 and the Mercedes SLK, the Cayman S is to start appearing in showrooms in January 2006 and will carry a price tag of $58,900.00. Porsche is only offering this hot-rod Cayman S and will not say when they will offer an entry level model.
The Cayman S is a two seater modified version of the Boxster convertible. The Cayman has a 295 hp 3.4 liter six cylinder mid-engine that goes from 0-60 mph in an impressive 5.1 seconds. Similar to the Boxster S, the Cayman S has a precise six speed manual gearbox with a double inertia flywheel and hydraulic clutch and power rear wheels. The Porsche Active Suspension Management is an electronic damping control system that is an option on the Cayman S. Switched on this system assures a smooth ride and it improves stability and grip for sharper steering responses.
Inside the Cayman S offers an on-board computer system with continuous indication of mileage, time and speed, automatic climate control, digital radio with in dash CD and a 7 speaker Bose Surround Sound System.
Porsche expects the new Cayman S to attract the upwardly mobile market. The company expects that Cayman buyers will be customers moving up from the Porsche Boxster.
The Porsche 911 rear engine automobile was introduced in 1963. It has been one of the biggest selling sports cars in the world. Over one million have been sold.
Porsche has a new offering for the sports car enthusiast in 2006. Positioned between the Boxster S and 911 Carrera, and marketed as an alternative to the BMW Z4 and the Mercedes SLK, the Cayman S is to start appearing in showrooms in January 2006 and will carry a price tag of $58,900.00. Porsche is only offering this hot-rod Cayman S and will not say when they will offer an entry level model.
The Cayman S is a two seater modified version of the Boxster convertible. The Cayman has a 295 hp 3.4 liter six cylinder mid-engine that goes from 0-60 mph in an impressive 5.1 seconds. Similar to the Boxster S, the Cayman S has a precise six speed manual gearbox with a double inertia flywheel and hydraulic clutch and power rear wheels. The Porsche Active Suspension Management is an electronic damping control system that is an option on the Cayman S. Switched on this system assures a smooth ride and it improves stability and grip for sharper steering responses.
Inside the Cayman S offers an on-board computer system with continuous indication of mileage, time and speed, automatic climate control, digital radio with in dash CD and a 7 speaker Bose Surround Sound System.
Porsche expects the new Cayman S to attract the upwardly mobile market. The company expects that Cayman buyers will be customers moving up from the Porsche Boxster.
High Gas Prices Can Be Countered With Smart Use
The price of gas continues to climb, and with continued uncertainty in the Middle East, they will probably continue to do so. In California and elsewhere, prices for some grades of gas have long passed the previously unthinkable threshold of three dollars a gallon. Granted, that is lower than the inflation-adjusted prices of early 1981, but that doesn't make anyone feel better when they've just paid nearly $100 to fill the tank of their sport utility vehicle.
In a previous article, we offered some solutions as to how the average consumer can either save on gas prices or use less gas. These tips included using credit cards with cashback rebates, keeping your car tuned and tires inflated, and keeping the car washed and waxed, which reduces drag. Here are a few additional tips which will help ease the strain of filling your tank.
Empty your trunk. Some people drive around with their trunks nearly full with things that just don't need to be there. Sure, you need a jack and a spare, but do you really need a toolbox, golf clubs, and that pile of old clothes you've been meaning to drop off at the Salvation Army? Any extra weight you carry requires additional energy to make your car or SUV move. Lighten the load and your engine won't work as hard or use as much fuel.
Drive efficiently. That means accelerating gradually, rather than speeding out of an intersection. Your car uses fuel more effectively when you gradually accelerate. Once you achieve your desired speed, keep it steady, using cruise control if you have it. Speeding up and slowing down only uses more gas.
Take mass transit. No, it isn't sexy to take the bus to work, but it can save a lot of money if your commute is more than five miles or so. If you can't take mass transit, you might consider a carpool.
Shift appropriately if you're driving a car with a manual transmission. Shift at the factory recommended shift points, rather than running your tachometer all the way up before shifting. Your car runs best within a fairly narrow RPM range.
Each of these tips offers a small saving in fuel consumption. When combined with others, they add up and can produce significant savings. If you can increase your fuel consumption by just two miles per gallon, you can save $30-40 on a 1000-mile trip in your SUV. When you're paying $3.09 per gallon, every penny counts.
In a previous article, we offered some solutions as to how the average consumer can either save on gas prices or use less gas. These tips included using credit cards with cashback rebates, keeping your car tuned and tires inflated, and keeping the car washed and waxed, which reduces drag. Here are a few additional tips which will help ease the strain of filling your tank.
Empty your trunk. Some people drive around with their trunks nearly full with things that just don't need to be there. Sure, you need a jack and a spare, but do you really need a toolbox, golf clubs, and that pile of old clothes you've been meaning to drop off at the Salvation Army? Any extra weight you carry requires additional energy to make your car or SUV move. Lighten the load and your engine won't work as hard or use as much fuel.
Drive efficiently. That means accelerating gradually, rather than speeding out of an intersection. Your car uses fuel more effectively when you gradually accelerate. Once you achieve your desired speed, keep it steady, using cruise control if you have it. Speeding up and slowing down only uses more gas.
Take mass transit. No, it isn't sexy to take the bus to work, but it can save a lot of money if your commute is more than five miles or so. If you can't take mass transit, you might consider a carpool.
Shift appropriately if you're driving a car with a manual transmission. Shift at the factory recommended shift points, rather than running your tachometer all the way up before shifting. Your car runs best within a fairly narrow RPM range.
Each of these tips offers a small saving in fuel consumption. When combined with others, they add up and can produce significant savings. If you can increase your fuel consumption by just two miles per gallon, you can save $30-40 on a 1000-mile trip in your SUV. When you're paying $3.09 per gallon, every penny counts.
High Caliber Challenge Awaiting Boston College Students
College students from the Boston area are invited to join the “Dodge High Caliber Challenge”. Of course, this type of competition is open for college students who are attending a university of college located in Boston. Also, it is important to note that people who are interested in joining should be interested in taking long drives and in taking road trips.
Tom Loveless who is a member of the Dodge’s marketing and global communications department states, “The Dodge High Caliber Challenge gives college students a chance to experience and win the boldest new compact car on the market today, while raising awareness and money for the Global Music Project. Equipped with a Chill Zone beverage storage bin, Music Gate Power liftgate speakers, available MP3 jack, and a self-charging removable flashlight, the all-new Dodge Caliber has all the essentials for a road trip.”
To join, interested college students should first submit an essay. They would be dwelling on the reasons they have why they want to take this road trip. They would also have to discuss how they will be using the all-new Dodge Caliber to raise awareness for the Global Music Project during the road trip which will be done in a duration of five days. Of course, these students must be full-time college students. They should be 18 years old to 25 years old only and should be completely enrolled in an accredited college or university during the 2006 spring semester. More information about this could be accessed through the Internet at www.DodgeHighCaliberChallenge.com.
Tom Loveless who is a member of the Dodge’s marketing and global communications department states, “The Dodge High Caliber Challenge gives college students a chance to experience and win the boldest new compact car on the market today, while raising awareness and money for the Global Music Project. Equipped with a Chill Zone beverage storage bin, Music Gate Power liftgate speakers, available MP3 jack, and a self-charging removable flashlight, the all-new Dodge Caliber has all the essentials for a road trip.”
To join, interested college students should first submit an essay. They would be dwelling on the reasons they have why they want to take this road trip. They would also have to discuss how they will be using the all-new Dodge Caliber to raise awareness for the Global Music Project during the road trip which will be done in a duration of five days. Of course, these students must be full-time college students. They should be 18 years old to 25 years old only and should be completely enrolled in an accredited college or university during the 2006 spring semester. More information about this could be accessed through the Internet at www.DodgeHighCaliberChallenge.com.
Hidden Expenses Of Corvettes
There is more to consider in terms of expense when you are thinking about purchasing a classic corvette than the price tag. As with any other major vehicle purchase, there are several other items that must be considered when analyzing if a classic car can fit into your budget. With these collector’s items, it is important to remember that the traditional vehicle expenses can be a lot more on a collector item.
Insurance: Insurance on a classic corvette is going to be a lot more pricy than on a regular vehicle. The car will not come with devices considered safety standards in the industry today, and the price of the insurance will reflect that. Custom classic cars are also ripe targets for auto theft, as they are not compatible with anti-theft devices. This too will be reflected in the insurance costs. Auto insurers know that owners of classic cars are only going to insure their vehicles for driving during the good seasons, and seasonal insurance carries rates reflecting this reality.
Safety: As touched on above, there are many safety features that are taken for granted in the modern car that are not available in a classic corvette. No corvette comes with air bags, child seat anchors, reinforced structure, or impact-resistant siding material. Many corvettes do not even have seat belts in the back seats. It is not too likely that you are going to be shipping your babies or grandbabies around in your classic car, but driving without seatbelts and other standard safety features may prove an expensive prospect in the event of an accident.
Accessories: One of the big purchases for a corvette owner besides the car is a place to store the car during the winter and also in transportation. Big trailers suitable for your corvette do not come cheap, and are an expense to factor in when considering your budget.
Gas: Make no mistake, the corvette was designed in an age where materials were abundant and the horizon was limitless. These cars were built for power and speed, and anyone who suggested economy in the corvette era would have had his horn-rims shoved into his face by a fist at the end of a leather-clad arm. Times have changed, and the corvette is still designed for mid-century pump prices. Driving your classic around at today’s prices is going to be a very pricy prospect.
Insurance: Insurance on a classic corvette is going to be a lot more pricy than on a regular vehicle. The car will not come with devices considered safety standards in the industry today, and the price of the insurance will reflect that. Custom classic cars are also ripe targets for auto theft, as they are not compatible with anti-theft devices. This too will be reflected in the insurance costs. Auto insurers know that owners of classic cars are only going to insure their vehicles for driving during the good seasons, and seasonal insurance carries rates reflecting this reality.
Safety: As touched on above, there are many safety features that are taken for granted in the modern car that are not available in a classic corvette. No corvette comes with air bags, child seat anchors, reinforced structure, or impact-resistant siding material. Many corvettes do not even have seat belts in the back seats. It is not too likely that you are going to be shipping your babies or grandbabies around in your classic car, but driving without seatbelts and other standard safety features may prove an expensive prospect in the event of an accident.
Accessories: One of the big purchases for a corvette owner besides the car is a place to store the car during the winter and also in transportation. Big trailers suitable for your corvette do not come cheap, and are an expense to factor in when considering your budget.
Gas: Make no mistake, the corvette was designed in an age where materials were abundant and the horizon was limitless. These cars were built for power and speed, and anyone who suggested economy in the corvette era would have had his horn-rims shoved into his face by a fist at the end of a leather-clad arm. Times have changed, and the corvette is still designed for mid-century pump prices. Driving your classic around at today’s prices is going to be a very pricy prospect.
Honda Accord: Midsize Division’s Best Selling Car
Welcome the new 2006 Honda Accord. This vehicle is a family sedan that holds four doors. It has the maximum passenger capacity of holding five people. It also comes available in 17 various trims that ranges from the VP 5 Spd MT to the EX V6 5 Spd AT with Nav System and XM Radio. Standard for all trim levels is a 5 speed automatic transmission system with overdrive. This vehicle is freshened for 2006.
This vehicle is considered to be the best midsize car in the United States at present. The 2006 Honda Accord has been redesigned and totally reengineered. Because of this very fact, this car has now become one of the best selling midsize cars. It comes with a combination and concoction of high technology, high quality, and everyday economy of operation. It offers a lifetime of comfort as well as amazing convenience features. Its main competitor is most likely the Toyota Camry.
For this year, the 2006 Honda Accord offers several new features and these include a powerful and responsive VTEC engine with four cylinders. This engine is responsible for producing and providing the car with a strong acceleration performance. For the EX-L and EX V6 trims, an XM Satellite Radio is made standard. Added in are side curtain airbags, a climate control system, an MP3 player, a Windows Media player, a DVD rear seat entertainment system, as well as a hands-free cellular phone. It has also been designed and crafted to be highly fuel efficient with low emissions and partial zero emissions, or PZEV. The 2006 Honda Accord has angular headlamps and sharpened noses. It actually reminds people of the Acura RSX. It boasts of a muscular and agile look that is due to its carefully sculpted body that holds a combination of concave and convex surfaces on its corners and sides. As per its interior, it is especially smooth, firm, and very quiet. It holds wide seats that are comfortable because of the added springs and urethane padding that reduces vibration.
In a nutshell, the 2006 Honda Accord holds a color choice for its exterior that includes desert mist metallic (ivory), graphite pearl (gray), premium white pearl (ivory), Redondo red pearl (gray), and silver frost metallic (gray). The features for this vehicle line include wheel locks, a removable roof rack, a ski attachment, a snowboard attachment, a bike attachment, a car cover, a half nose mask, a full nose mask, a Fenderwell trim, door visors, splash guards, door edge guards, a gold exhaust finisher, fog lights, a cargo net, a trunk tray, an auto day and night mirror with compass, a cassette player, an MP3 player, a Honda music link (for iPod), anti-lock braking system (ABS), dual-stage and dual-threshold front airbags (SRS), front and rear crush zones, front side airbags with passenger side occupant position detection system (OPDS), the LATCH system, child seat tether anchors, seat belts with pretensioners, side curtain airbags, side impact door beams, and a wave key and immobilizer system.
For Honda Accord parts and Honda auto parts needs, customers and interested parties can visit Auto Parts Go. Auto Parts Go is an online store that holds a wide array of quality and durable Honda parts and accessories.
Wednesday, August 18, 2010
HID kits
The HID conversion kit is to upgrade now to same lighting system as seen on cars such as BMW, Lexus or a Porsche. The HID conversion kit is a revolutionary concept in automotive lighting which provides 3 times more light on the road rather then the traditional halogen head lights. Each of these light uses a tube of Xenon gas, and a smaller amount of other noble gases which is been placed between two high voltage electrodes. When these electrodes are been activated it starts omitting either a bright blue or a white light. These are used to regulate the flow of the electricity which provides a high intensity beam which will never fluctuate.
HID conversion kits use internal igniter technology which is almost similar to other products which are produced in Germany. These kits come with 2 * ballasts to fit the car headlights and if you are planning to go for a cheaper one it will only contain only 1* HID bulb and 1* ballast. The bulb would be brighter, whiter light, stretching the meters ahead of the car which ensures the improved clarity of the vision in comparison to halogen lighting systems and it makes the driving less tiring in the evening and at night and therefore it is been considered as safer.
Once you have driven with the HID conversion kit you would never like to drive a car with any other dim dirty yellow halogen head lamps. It is 300% brighter than the average equivalent 60 watt halogen lighting. It has a 6000 k day light colour temperature and has a 3000 hours of life too, and comes with high quality kits and it is absolutely CE approved and it would draw only a 35 watts which would be simple to install, plug and play wiring harness, and it has waterproof connections for external uses also, and it is juts simple to use and install and they are fully and magnetically EM shielded so that no interference will happen with on board electronics etc. unlike the other cheaper HID systems. And these HID conversion kits are completely suitable for use on dipped and high beam applications and it is completely unlike any other systems on the market.
The advantages of the conversion kit are longer life; safety; appearance; and it comes right from 3500 k to 10000 k and these kits can be easily upgraded with no other additional equipment.
HID conversion kits use internal igniter technology which is almost similar to other products which are produced in Germany. These kits come with 2 * ballasts to fit the car headlights and if you are planning to go for a cheaper one it will only contain only 1* HID bulb and 1* ballast. The bulb would be brighter, whiter light, stretching the meters ahead of the car which ensures the improved clarity of the vision in comparison to halogen lighting systems and it makes the driving less tiring in the evening and at night and therefore it is been considered as safer.
Once you have driven with the HID conversion kit you would never like to drive a car with any other dim dirty yellow halogen head lamps. It is 300% brighter than the average equivalent 60 watt halogen lighting. It has a 6000 k day light colour temperature and has a 3000 hours of life too, and comes with high quality kits and it is absolutely CE approved and it would draw only a 35 watts which would be simple to install, plug and play wiring harness, and it has waterproof connections for external uses also, and it is juts simple to use and install and they are fully and magnetically EM shielded so that no interference will happen with on board electronics etc. unlike the other cheaper HID systems. And these HID conversion kits are completely suitable for use on dipped and high beam applications and it is completely unlike any other systems on the market.
The advantages of the conversion kit are longer life; safety; appearance; and it comes right from 3500 k to 10000 k and these kits can be easily upgraded with no other additional equipment.
Tuesday, August 17, 2010
Helpful Car Buying Tips
Purchasing a new vehicle is a stressful chore for many people. Ask the average person what they dread most and they will tell you that “price haggling” is the worst aspect of negotiating a price. Few people come away from the deal believing that they got a fair shake; a significant minority will admit that they got ripped off if you press the issue with them. Besides shopping at a “no haggle” dealer – Saturn, for example – how can you avoid an unpleasant experience? Better put, can you? Let’s take a look at some ways you can gain better control over the car buying experience so that you can save yourself some time, money, and a whole lot of aggravation.
Stay away from the hot sellers. Many Japanese brands are sold at full price and bargains are hard to come by. Still, if you do a little bit of research you should be able to shave several hundred dollars off of the sticker price or secure a very low loan rate should you choose to finance your vehicle. If your dealer doesn’t want to deal with you, go to another Toyota, Honda, Nissan, etc. dealer to find a better deal.
Buy a left over. On the other hand, not all cars are hot sellers and many models do not sell out when the model year ends. If there is a particular car that you want, you should be able to realize significant savings off of the sticker price. Don’t be “wowed” by an already reduced price touted by the dealership. Likely, they are getting a secret rebate from the manufacturer; learn what that rebate is and get as much of it as you can. Remember: you are already buying a car that is a year old. If it is a discontinued model or the latest version of that model is significantly changed, you have additional leverage.
Arrange your own financing. When purchasing a car, negotiate the lowest possible price before financing is discussed. If you come into the negotiation with your financing already covered, then you have additional leverage. If you are paying cash for the vehicle, demand an even greater discount.
Go in equipped. Consumer Reports will sell to you a print out of exactly how much a car should sell for. Purchase a report on the model you want to find out what the dealer likely paid for your car. The price you pay should be much closer to that amount than to the sticker price.
Buy through a car club. Car clubs, including those through warehouse clubs such as BJ’s, can be an alternative way to buying a car at a discounted rate without paying full price. Each club has their own way operating, but in all cases you should be able to pay less and leave the haggling out of the equation.
If you are the type of person who enjoys haggling, then your experience is not likely to be as bad. You know how to play the game and winning for you is simply securing the lowest possible price. For everyone else, a little outside help can save you money. Do not let your emotions tell you, “I must have this car,” or you are likely to pay much more than you should. Remember: dealer sob stories are just that; if they can’t figure out a way to make money off of a sale, then they shouldn’t be in business.
Stay away from the hot sellers. Many Japanese brands are sold at full price and bargains are hard to come by. Still, if you do a little bit of research you should be able to shave several hundred dollars off of the sticker price or secure a very low loan rate should you choose to finance your vehicle. If your dealer doesn’t want to deal with you, go to another Toyota, Honda, Nissan, etc. dealer to find a better deal.
Buy a left over. On the other hand, not all cars are hot sellers and many models do not sell out when the model year ends. If there is a particular car that you want, you should be able to realize significant savings off of the sticker price. Don’t be “wowed” by an already reduced price touted by the dealership. Likely, they are getting a secret rebate from the manufacturer; learn what that rebate is and get as much of it as you can. Remember: you are already buying a car that is a year old. If it is a discontinued model or the latest version of that model is significantly changed, you have additional leverage.
Arrange your own financing. When purchasing a car, negotiate the lowest possible price before financing is discussed. If you come into the negotiation with your financing already covered, then you have additional leverage. If you are paying cash for the vehicle, demand an even greater discount.
Go in equipped. Consumer Reports will sell to you a print out of exactly how much a car should sell for. Purchase a report on the model you want to find out what the dealer likely paid for your car. The price you pay should be much closer to that amount than to the sticker price.
Buy through a car club. Car clubs, including those through warehouse clubs such as BJ’s, can be an alternative way to buying a car at a discounted rate without paying full price. Each club has their own way operating, but in all cases you should be able to pay less and leave the haggling out of the equation.
If you are the type of person who enjoys haggling, then your experience is not likely to be as bad. You know how to play the game and winning for you is simply securing the lowest possible price. For everyone else, a little outside help can save you money. Do not let your emotions tell you, “I must have this car,” or you are likely to pay much more than you should. Remember: dealer sob stories are just that; if they can’t figure out a way to make money off of a sale, then they shouldn’t be in business.
Helpful Tips For Buying A Used Car
Each year hundreds of thousands of used cars change hands. Some deals are great buys; others are not so good. Follow these tips for buying a used car to help you get the best value for your money.
It is always better to find out what’s wrong with a used car before you buy it rather than after you own it. Carfax vehicle history reports are a great way to get this information. Carfax collects information from around 5,000 different sources. But, remember the report is only as good as the information reported. If the car is in an accident but the accident is not reported, the information isn’t going to be in Carfax. That’s why you still should have the vehicle inspected before purchasing it.
A mechanical inspection is the surest way to find obvious problems with the vehicle. The mechanic will easily be able to tell if there are leaks, corrosion, frame damage, hidden damage, brake or suspension problems, engine problems, and other obvious mechanical issues. The mechanics report however, will not tell you anything about the history of the car such as whether it has been in an accident.
Always take the car for a test drive. Make sure you don’t just drive it on city roads. Take it out on the highway and get up to highway speeds to make sure you like the ride, how quiet the car runs, steering, and other elements like how good your visibility is and blind spots. Decide whether you are comfortable driving the car. If you aren’t comfortable, then it’s not the car for you.
You can save a great deal of money on your used car by shopping around for good financing. Some lending institutes offer better rates than others. There are many institutes that offer a hassle free online service that’s as simple as filling out an online application. Once your financing is approved, they will send you the check to take to the dealer.
If you have the opportunity to purchase an extended warranty for your car, it can be a good investment. An extended warranty can protect you from breakdowns and save your pocketbook from some serious strain.
There are two types of coverage; bumper to bumper and powertrain. Bumper to bumper covers almost everything, while a powertrain warranty covers major breakdowns like engine and transmission. The cost between the two types of coverage can be significant, but depending on the age of the car and type of car bumper to bumper coverage can be worth the extra money.
There are several good website resources for finding out what a vehicle is worth. You can search by category, make, model, and price. If you do an Internet search for “used vehicle prices,” you’ll find several good resources.
If you can’t find the car you want locally, buying a car online is another option. Just do your research to make sure the dealer is reputable. It’s always a good idea to only put a deposit down and then pay the balance once you’ve inspected the car and it meets your expectations.
These tips for buying a used car will keep you stress free and help you make the best buy possible.
It is always better to find out what’s wrong with a used car before you buy it rather than after you own it. Carfax vehicle history reports are a great way to get this information. Carfax collects information from around 5,000 different sources. But, remember the report is only as good as the information reported. If the car is in an accident but the accident is not reported, the information isn’t going to be in Carfax. That’s why you still should have the vehicle inspected before purchasing it.
A mechanical inspection is the surest way to find obvious problems with the vehicle. The mechanic will easily be able to tell if there are leaks, corrosion, frame damage, hidden damage, brake or suspension problems, engine problems, and other obvious mechanical issues. The mechanics report however, will not tell you anything about the history of the car such as whether it has been in an accident.
Always take the car for a test drive. Make sure you don’t just drive it on city roads. Take it out on the highway and get up to highway speeds to make sure you like the ride, how quiet the car runs, steering, and other elements like how good your visibility is and blind spots. Decide whether you are comfortable driving the car. If you aren’t comfortable, then it’s not the car for you.
You can save a great deal of money on your used car by shopping around for good financing. Some lending institutes offer better rates than others. There are many institutes that offer a hassle free online service that’s as simple as filling out an online application. Once your financing is approved, they will send you the check to take to the dealer.
If you have the opportunity to purchase an extended warranty for your car, it can be a good investment. An extended warranty can protect you from breakdowns and save your pocketbook from some serious strain.
There are two types of coverage; bumper to bumper and powertrain. Bumper to bumper covers almost everything, while a powertrain warranty covers major breakdowns like engine and transmission. The cost between the two types of coverage can be significant, but depending on the age of the car and type of car bumper to bumper coverage can be worth the extra money.
There are several good website resources for finding out what a vehicle is worth. You can search by category, make, model, and price. If you do an Internet search for “used vehicle prices,” you’ll find several good resources.
If you can’t find the car you want locally, buying a car online is another option. Just do your research to make sure the dealer is reputable. It’s always a good idea to only put a deposit down and then pay the balance once you’ve inspected the car and it meets your expectations.
These tips for buying a used car will keep you stress free and help you make the best buy possible.
Help Me, Honda!
So, you need a new car, do you? Have you considered Honda? Not too long ago your choices were the Civic, Accord, or Prelude. Today, Honda has expanded their line up to cover just about every segment going. Let’s take a look at their current line up and see how Honda stacks up against the competition.
Accord – Soon after the Civic entered the North American market, the Accord was introduced. The car has been so well received that it routinely battles with the Toyota Camry for the top spot in the American market. Every few years the Accord receives a complete makeover; today’s Accord is available in three models: coupe, sedan, and hybrid
Civic – When Honda entered the US market in the early 1970s, it was the Civic that led the way. The reason? High fuel economy. At that time, Detroit was primarily building gas guzzling behemoths and the American market was ripe for an affordable and economical compact car. Despite being derided by some – pregnant roller skate was one of the terms given to the Civic – the car proved to be the toehold Honda needed to get established in the North American market. Today’s Civic bears no resemblance to the original and it is available in three models: coupe, sedan, and hybrid.
CR-V – Available in either FWD or 4WD, the CR-V is Honda’s compact SUV with seating for as many as five adults.
Element – The Element defies easy characterization. Some call it a bread box on wheels. Available as a FWD or 4WD vehicle, the Element is targeted to the youth set and is an alternative to Toyota’s Scion brand.
Insight – The first gasoline-electric hybrid sold in the US was the Insight. Five years later it still commands an important part of the Honda line up.
Odyssey – The new benchmark for minivans is the Honda Odyssey. In just a few short years, Honda transformed a Plain Jane people mover into a van with pizzazz. The Odyssey routinely competes with the Toyota Sienna for top honors in the North American market.
Pilot – A 7 passenger SUV, the Pilot is Honda’s first large SUV. Competing against the Ford Explorer, Chevrolet TrailBlazer, GMC Envoy, and Toyota 4Runner, the Pilot has performed well and has gained respect in the tough, competitive American market.
Ridgeline – A four door AWD truck, the Ridgeline goes where no Honda has gone before: off the road. Sure, other Hondas come equipped with AWD or 4WD, but the Ridgeline was built expressly to handle hill as well as highway. The unique five foot long bed has a trunk built into it; certainly the Ridgeline defies easy comparison.
S2000 Roadster – Honda’s race car capabilities are displayed with the S2000 Roadster a two seat coupe that compares favorably with the BMW Z4 Roadster. Ranked as one of the best wanted car by consumers with several leading automobile magazines and web sites including Edmunds.com.
Honda’s top competitor is Toyota and both now have luxury brands from which motorists can purchase more upscale versions of their vehicles. Toyota’s Lexus division and Honda’s Acura division offer to consumers vehicles that go beyond their standard brands. Still, you can’t go wrong if you buy a Honda, an automotive line which continues to expand and grow because of high quality and consumer loyalty.
Accord – Soon after the Civic entered the North American market, the Accord was introduced. The car has been so well received that it routinely battles with the Toyota Camry for the top spot in the American market. Every few years the Accord receives a complete makeover; today’s Accord is available in three models: coupe, sedan, and hybrid
Civic – When Honda entered the US market in the early 1970s, it was the Civic that led the way. The reason? High fuel economy. At that time, Detroit was primarily building gas guzzling behemoths and the American market was ripe for an affordable and economical compact car. Despite being derided by some – pregnant roller skate was one of the terms given to the Civic – the car proved to be the toehold Honda needed to get established in the North American market. Today’s Civic bears no resemblance to the original and it is available in three models: coupe, sedan, and hybrid.
CR-V – Available in either FWD or 4WD, the CR-V is Honda’s compact SUV with seating for as many as five adults.
Element – The Element defies easy characterization. Some call it a bread box on wheels. Available as a FWD or 4WD vehicle, the Element is targeted to the youth set and is an alternative to Toyota’s Scion brand.
Insight – The first gasoline-electric hybrid sold in the US was the Insight. Five years later it still commands an important part of the Honda line up.
Odyssey – The new benchmark for minivans is the Honda Odyssey. In just a few short years, Honda transformed a Plain Jane people mover into a van with pizzazz. The Odyssey routinely competes with the Toyota Sienna for top honors in the North American market.
Pilot – A 7 passenger SUV, the Pilot is Honda’s first large SUV. Competing against the Ford Explorer, Chevrolet TrailBlazer, GMC Envoy, and Toyota 4Runner, the Pilot has performed well and has gained respect in the tough, competitive American market.
Ridgeline – A four door AWD truck, the Ridgeline goes where no Honda has gone before: off the road. Sure, other Hondas come equipped with AWD or 4WD, but the Ridgeline was built expressly to handle hill as well as highway. The unique five foot long bed has a trunk built into it; certainly the Ridgeline defies easy comparison.
S2000 Roadster – Honda’s race car capabilities are displayed with the S2000 Roadster a two seat coupe that compares favorably with the BMW Z4 Roadster. Ranked as one of the best wanted car by consumers with several leading automobile magazines and web sites including Edmunds.com.
Honda’s top competitor is Toyota and both now have luxury brands from which motorists can purchase more upscale versions of their vehicles. Toyota’s Lexus division and Honda’s Acura division offer to consumers vehicles that go beyond their standard brands. Still, you can’t go wrong if you buy a Honda, an automotive line which continues to expand and grow because of high quality and consumer loyalty.
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