Taming the Monster Under the Hood.

Author : Timoti Petera
With the price of fuel soaring every minute of the day, the thought of turning to alternative modes of transport seems more appealing to motorists worldwide. Are we seeing the resurgence of peddle power once more? Is the motorcycle industry going to benefit from the war on fuel prices? How about grandma, is she going to have to trade her trusty old ford for a sleek 250cc Yamaha?Funny as it may seem, it is certainly becoming a viable option. However before you go rushing out to trade the family wagon for a nifty fifty, let me tell you that there are ways to reduce your vehicle's fuel consumption without changing a thing, except the way you drive.While we all wish that our fuel would go a lot further than it does at the moment, we fail to see what we as drivers can do to get the most out of a tank of gas.Tune UpThe health of the vehicle needs to be considered and addressed in order to make a difference to fuel consumption.
The first thing to do is get your vehicle tuned so it is operating at the optimum performance level.A 6 cylinder vehicle that is running on 4 cylinders will have you digging deeper into your pocket than you really need to. It is worth the time and money to get your vehicle serviced at your local center or garage. It will save you $$$ in the end.The next thing to check is your tires. Check the tire pressure. A vehicle that is running on under inflated tires will have your engine working harder than it needs to and feeding the monster becomes more expensive. An engine that is under strain or under load will use a lot more fuel, so tire optimization is crucial.Check out the pre start up checks section at http://www.driving-defensive.com/Prestartupchecks.html

there is also some good information here. http://www.nhtsa.dot.gov/cars/testing/ncap/Tires/pages/TPandLoadingMaint.htmLook at the tread on your tires as well. Are they wearing evenly from the inside out?
(The websites above will give you more information about this.)Now, with your engine primed and running smoothly, and your tires in good shape, our next step is to take a look at the driver and how we can improve fuel consumption by changing the way we drive.There are many things that drivers do which cause them to use more fuel than necessary. Below are just a few of the most likely examples of how drivers waste fuel needlessly.1. When you take off from a stationary position. Do you press the accelerator flat to the floor?2. When you are sitting at a set of traffic lights, do you have a habit of revving the engine?
Just check yourself the next time you are at a set of traffic lights. It could be something that you do subconsciously.3. When traveling on the freeway, are you the type of driver that zips in and out of traffic, speeds up to the vehicle in front and then slams on the brakes?4. Do you brake heavily into a corner and then accelerate out?If you answered yes to any of these questions, then you are using more fuel than you need to.
All of the examples above can be put into one category.Speed Control.You will get the most economy out of any vehicle when you are able to maintain even power. Otherwise known as constant velocity. See the section on cornering at http://www.driving-defensive.com/cornering.html and on to the lateral weight transfer section.To rectify the problem in our first example about taking off.
Imagine that you have an egg under you accelerator when you take off. Your goal is not to break the egg. So instead of pressing the pedal straight to the floor as you take off, push the peddle gently down until you build up speed. Your take off will be smoother, and you will save more fuel.Revving the engine while waiting at the traffic lights.
This habit is costing you precious fuel every time you are at a set of traffic lights. Like I said, you may be doing this subconsciously. Ask one of your passengers to watch you over the next couple of days and see if they notice this habit in your driving.People who drive erratically will ultimately use more fuel than one who maintains a constant speed while driving. The answer to this is again constant velocity. Maintain an even overall speed. Try not to accelerate quickly and then stop.Cornering.Defensive cornering is a technique which combines speed control, lateral weight transfers and longitudinal weight transfers.
The section

http://www.driving-defensive.com/cornering.html explains it clearly and is worth reading.In conclusion the ultimate way to reduce fuel consumption on your vehicle is to have it well maintained and to identify what characteristics of your driving are costing you more money at the pumps.Happy motoring.
Keyword : Tune up, fuel,

Is a Carwash a Good Business?

Author : Lance Winslow
If I invest in a carwash what is my typical revenue that I should expect? Is there a typical average monthly revenue figure, which is standard for carwashes in the United States? How much money will a carwash make?Well, this of course depends on the type of carwash for instance a Self Serve Coin-op, Rollover, Touch-less Automatic, Full Serve Carwash, Hand Carwash or Mobile Car Wash. If you are talking about a fixed site location, it also depends on what is in your 10-mile radius, competition, traffic counts, number of single-family dwellings, town homes or apartments. And indeed demographics play a significant role as well.When answering such a question you also need to be talking about regional variation before it is safe to throw out numbers, different mind sets, price points, etc. Weather is also a huge issue and the seasonality of carwashes makes averaging tough, as it could be an El Nino year, harsh winter or bright and sunny? It would not be right to begin throwing out such numbers, however one can always go read the industry surveys int he trade journals. Realize the average privately owned car wash proprietors are probably skimming $2300 per week on top of sales. IRS knows it and they get one of the highest audit counts. So even the surveys maybe a little off. Think on these issues before opening a carwash of your own.Lance Winslow - Online Think Tank forum board. If you have innovative thoughts and unique perspectives, come think with Lance; www.WorldThinkTank.net/wttbbs/
Keyword : carwash revenue, average, US, United States, surveys, regional variation

The History of Lowriders

Author : Richard Gazzo
To quote the band War, "the lowrider is the one to meet". For almost one hundred years, lowriders have been not only the one to see, but the one to meet. Stemming from an old Mexican ritual called paseo which made horses the utmost symbol of prestige, lowering stock cars to almost sidewalk level and customizing them dramatically has evolved into the same sort of symbol of status.From Mexico to Los Angeles to Chicago to the rest of the world, the art of customizing a stock car into a lowrider has been an evolution. In the 1940's lowriders only graced the streets on Sundays. As their popularity began to grow lowriders not only became more plentiful but they became the vehicle of choice for anyone who wanted attention and accolades and cruised the highways on a daily basis.George Barris became the early face of lowriders by combining his creativity with his passion for cars and developing one of the first businesses to customize lowriders for sale. George and his brother, Sam, used their expertise in body work to straighten fenders, bolt on accessories, and use paint schemes that were unheard of during that time. Lowrider creations from the Barris brothers flourished into a very lucrative business. George used his business sense to introduce lowriders to Hollywood which resulted in not only the use of lowriders in many well known movies such as High School Confidential, but it also helped him "become the person" to contact when Hollywood stars wanted to transform their personal vehicles into lowriders.The original lowrider artists focused mainly on customizing Chevrolet cars because they were less expensive than other manufacturers' vehicles at the time. Today, any brand, make, or model vehicle is fair game to become a lowrider. The art of creating a lowrider has also evolved well beyond using heavy weights and chopping springs to bring the body close to the ground. Modern lowriders feature hydraulics which not only raise and lower the car, but also make it hop, and tilt it from side to side.By today's standards, the modifications the Barris Brothers made famous with their business Kustoms of America, look pretty minor. Today's lowrider can feature triple dipped chrome accessories, gold plating, spectacular paint schemes, twin side pipes, spot lights, and everything from wire wheels to spectacular spinners. The same pride which motivated early Mexican horse owners to sacrifice their own necessities in order to put more glitz into their horses, still drives modern day lowrider owners to spend a small fortune to craft a vehicle which is a tremendous source of gratification.Exploding from early Mexican-American Sunday cruising to become rap video stars and the utmost way to display cool-status with a car, lowriders have come a long way from their modest beginnings. Back then it only took a little effort and a little time to create a lowrider vehicle which would turn heads. Now lowrider enthusiasts spend thousands and thousands of dollars along with countless hours of body work and modifications to create their show-stopping lowrider masterpieces. The methods may have changed, but the madness is the same the lowrider is the one to meet!Richard Gazzo is a successful writer offering advice on where to buy cheap
rims, custom
wheels including custom
chrome wheels, spinning rims, wire wheels, car rims, alloy
wheels and more.
Keyword : custom wheels

Discount Auto Parts

Author : Terje Ellingsen
Where is it most convenient place to search when you need discount auto parts for your Toyota, Chevy or BMW? There are three requirements to a good source of such parts:
the discount car part selection
the cost of the auto part
a security that you'll get the particular vehicle part you need, and not a part that don't fit your vehicle make and model.
Most of us car owners have one or more times experienced the annoying feeling of receiving an incompatible car part that we were unable to use.There has been a shift in the aftermarket auto part market from the time where
the availability of such parts dependend largely on where you lived and whom you knew to
ordering the vehicle part you need from your own home in matter of minutes.
Why this shift?Because of the internet and some intelligent auto part company owners. In the older days some car owners were so lucky that they happend to live nearby a few cheap car parts suppliers. Though they had to pay the often exorbitant markups such suppliers commanded, lots of people didn't even have that option. So from being a sellers market a total change took place, thanks to a handful of top automotive aftermarket experts with an excellent understanding of e-commerce.The internet has definately become the number one place to find auto parts of all types. Everybody can reach it in matter of minutes and the prices have decreased significantly. These websites are global marketplaces for precisely the vehicle parts you need. This remarkable next-generation solutions stands in a huge contrast to the days when a few auto part dealers were able to treat their customers like puppets on a string.How to access the new auto part marketIt so simple that it's hard to believe:1. Find the discount automobile part's' website2. log on to the site3. order the auto parts you need4. receive a vast array of parts in a few minutes.And the only thing you need is an internet connection.Terje Brooks Ellingsen is a writer and internet publisher. He runs the website cheap-used-cars.w-eland.com.
Terje gives advice and helps people with automotive issues like
finding discount auto parts online and finding auto repair manuals on the internet.
Keyword : discount auto parts, discount car part, internet, Toyota, Chevy, BMW

Car Wash Tunnel Vibrational Effect Lighting

Author : Lance Winslow
Full service car washes are loved by consumers, yet today the other types of car washes such as; roll-over automatics, coin-op and touch-less systems are far out pacing the old conveyor type car wash models. This is due to a number of reasons really, one is because these the labor supply in the upswing of the economy is tight. Other reasons include or are due to lawsuits, competition and costs to build.Is there a way to bring back the good old days when you sent your car wash thru and watched it get a wash? Kids love carwashes and it is a meaningful experience indeed. With the future of the robotics era nearly upon us and almost in full swing now, nowhere else can you see so readily and first hand the mechanisms which brought pre-dated our current technologies. One thing car washes need to do is to bring back the customer service which is expected, keep the price low and allow the consumer to feel that experience again.I therefore propose bright colored lights to be incorporated into the motion of the robotic mechanisms and arms as they move. These lights will not be powered off of the power grid but be lit up using electromagnetic induction technology to charge a capacitor instead of the lights working off a power source or battery.Currently there are some nifty micro-flashlights being used which you can buy which use a similar technique and are available thanks to the Everlite Flashlight technology research lab. These smaller flashlights work by shaking them for about thirty seconds and shine for about 6 minutes and they shine quite bright since they use a very bright LED light. Here is a link to this home use flashlight:http://demo.physics.uiuc.edu/LectDemo/scripts/demo_descript.idc?DemoID=1138Such lights are very low wattage and are very bright indeed. By using some mirrors and the bright lights we can simulate the electronic eyes and sonar sound devices that the car wash uses to sense the car. Thus the kids will start to understand better how all this works and demand that parents get their cars washed the real way, the old fashion way. Of course this is not a substitute for shotty service, in fact it is just the opposite, it is a call to up grade the entire car wash experience from head to toe. Think on this.Lance Winslow - Online Think Tank forum board. If you have innovative thoughts and unique perspectives, come think with Lance; www.WorldThinkTank.net/wttbbs/
Keyword : car wash lighting, carwash lights

The Mystery of the Left Lane

Author : Remko Yntema
So, I have been on the road a lot, used to drive an 18 wheeler for a living, a Peterbilt I might say. In my truck driving days, we are going back about 19 years, I have dealt with a lot of traffic. It was reasonable at that time and people had respect for the other road user, well most of them did. That respect made it a whole lot easier to go to work every day. Work that mostly was 15 to 20 hours long. The majority was driving but a lot of time was spent loading and unloading in various weather conditions. In the summer time us truck drivers had to deal with vacationing tourists and in the winter time it was snow and ice. Quite challenging. Never had one accident and never cause one either. Did up a bunch of experience in regards to weather conditions and driving habits and most important courtesy and comradery. I always say every car driver should go drive an 18 wheeler for a year, it will teach them common sense.After about a million and a half miles and 7 years I said bye-bey to the road (long haul) and started driving locally so i
could be home with the wife and kids. Over the years I realized people were getting shorter nerves and bigger tempers when it
came to driving; not a good combination so I said bye-bye to the city driving after 6 years and traded my air ride seat for
an office chair with the same company.Well, that was really hard to get used to; no fresh air, no frozen fingers, no open road and less freedom, but I did get a
handle on it. By the way, never been a day sick in my life untill I started working in an office. Oh, most important thing
was that I quitt smoking, a very wise decision. But now we are getting of subject, this is about drivers and their sillyways.Still doing lots of miles, 30 each way back and forth to the office. This is when I noticed the change in driving habits and
the apparent inexperience of most drivers. And I must admit it really bothers me.
What I see drivers do on the road is unbelievable and I really do not know how they ever got their license.
The very first change that has to be made is making driving lessons by driving schools mandatory.
The second change is to make the minimum driving age 18 years old. Now I know I am hitting a sore bone here, but really there is no other way to get some sense in people and to save lives.I will do a little test for you drivers here. A common sense reality check if you'd like. Think what you would do in the
situation mentioned and answer the question honestly.

A. You are driving in the city on a 4 lane (2 each way) street at 10pm and coming up to a red light at an intersection. The
traffic is light. Which lane are you in when you come to a stop?

B. Same situation as above but now at 7 am. Which lane are you in when you come to a stop?

C. You are driving on a four lane road, which lane are you in?

D. You are driving on another four lane road, heading out of town. 5 miles ahead of you the four lane goes into a 2 lane.
What lane are you in now? (still 5 miles to go).

E. You are approaching the on ramp to the interstate, traffic is normal, and the on ramp is a mile long. Where did you join
the interstate traffic?

F: After you joined the traffic in question (E), which lane did you go into right away?

G. You are driving on the interstate (3 lanes 1 way) and your exit is coming up a 1/4 mile ahead of you. How many lanes do
you cross to get to the exit.

H. You are coming up to a red light, could be anywhere,
there is 2 lanes and the left lane has 6 cars stopped and the right lane none. Which lane do you stop in?

I. You are driving on a 2 lane road which goes into 4 lanes. Which lane do you change into?

J. You are coming home from work and park your car. You do not have a garage, but have a driveway. Where do you park your
car?You have read the 10 questions and you probably gave all the answers. The answers you gave on paper might be different then
the actual actions you take when driving. The answers listed below are the actual actions of over 70% of the driving public.
The percentage is made up of the behavior I see from the 10 cars I see nearest to me when driving to work.

A: LEFT
B: LEFT
C: LEFT
D: LEFT
E: The first 100 yards of the ramp
F: LEFT
G: At least 1, but probably 2
H: LEFt
I: You dont change lanes, you stay in the LEFT
J: In your driveway.

Is it ignorance, stupidity or just laziness? Or is it all 3? Maybe we should put up more signs that read: KEEP RIGHT EXCEPT TO PASS.Why would you choose a lane with 6 cars in it over one that has none? Why use 1/4 of the onramp when you can use the whole
lenght and join with the same speed? Why stay in the left lane when there is still 5 miles in the right? Why do you have to
cut over 1 or 2 lanes to make your exit? Why not change into the right lane when it is there and empty? Why do you park in
your driveway and not in your neighbours when you do everything else opposite?Why does this bother me so much. Hey I have the right lane all to my self, but it just puzzles me how people just do whatever
the other does and not even think for themselves, or even worse do not even notice what is going on around them. It bothers me because these "left laners" promote roadrage!So see, I would not want to be a professional driver anymore in todays zoo. Which brings me to my second last question: Why
do you DO go in the right lane just in front of a tractor trailer trying to stop for a light. Why? Stupidity
comes to mind here.My last question before closing is: Why do you stay behind 10 cars in the LEFT lane on the freeway when the right lane is
empty but do try to go around a tractor trailer in the LEFT lane who actually is passing somebody?Please people, do think about these questions and answers, it might just save a live or two.
And please do not drink and drive or phone and drive.Have a great trip!I used to be a professional driver, gave that up when my beautiful wife of 19 years had our first child. Now I work in an
office in a major truck dealer ship. I still love driving and like working with computers and html. My newest website is
http://www.milliondollarpay.com
Keyword : driving,traffic,roadrage,trucking,transportation

Police Radar Calibration - The Old Bait and Switch Game

Author : Richard Wallace II
Hi everybody, Richard Wallace here again with my latest article in the continuing series of articles. In this, the fourth article in the series, I am about to blow the lid off and truly reveal insider information on police radar calibration that will just leave you absolutely stunned and in complete disbelief. You will learn why I believe 3 out of every 5 speeding tickets has been written illegally or in error. Please read on.The Law Of Radar CalibrationEvery state here in the United States requires by law, every law enforcement agency be it local, city, state or federal, to either annually or semi-annually send out every police radar unit in that departments inventory to an independent laboratory for a complete inspection and certification. The purpose of this is quite obvious; we want to be sure that every piece of police radar being used be in proper working order so that mistakes are not made and speeding tickets not issued in error or unjustly. Ok, so how does all of this work and why does it matter?First, we want an independent inspection performed which will assure the integrity of the inspection. We do not want the police to police themselves, which is why state law requires an independent laboratory conduct the inspections. All states require the yearly or semi-yearly inspections. Secondly the law requires that each and every law enforcement agency deliver to any laboratory that has been government certified to conduct these inspections, their departments police radar units. Thirdly, the law requires that every police radar unit in that departments inventory be sent out within that states yearly guidelines. The majority of law enforcement agencies all across the United States fail to confirm to these standards as required by law. This is why I feel that 3 out of every 5 speeding tickets has been issued either unjustly or in error of some kind.I Conduct A Survey...In the summer of the year 2003 I began to conduct a survey of various local, city and state law enforcement agencies all across the United States. I interviewed either on the telephone or in person a department member of each of these law enforcement agencies, which totaled over 150 departments. The survey took months and months to complete but nonetheless it was finished late in 2004. The focus of this survey was quite simple actually; I was looking to find the answers to two questions in two subject areas. The first question revolved around finding out how many police radar units any given department had, followed up with did each and every radar unit get sent out for inspection as required by that states law. The second question was a follow-up question based on the answer to the first about the number of units any given department had in its inventory. What I attempted to elicit from the department official I interviewed was if that department sent an officer to court with calibration and inspection paperwork from a police radar unit that they knew not to be from the unit the police officer was operating at the time the speeding ticket he was going to court for was issued. The answers to these questions in these subject areas were just startling and left me in complete disbelief.The Survey Says...Out of the over 150 different local, city and state law enforcement agencies that I interviewed, I learned that 127 or the majority of these agencies had in their departments inventory police radar units that were routinely being used yet had not been sent out within the mandated annual or semi-annual inspection period. Further, 107 of these law enforcement agencies admitted that their officers went to court with calibration and inspection paperwork from a police radar unit that may have been different from the one they were operating when the speeding ticket they are now appearing in court on was issued. Many times I was told, the officers were not aware of what I called the "bait & switch" of the calibration and inspection paperwork. These officers would go into court and testify under oath that the paperwork they brought with them that day into court was in fact from the actual police radar unit they were using when they issued the speeding ticket that was the subject of the court case they were now testifying about. Let me explain how and what this information means to all of you who receive a speeding ticket and plan to fight back in court. This piece of information alone could be the one thing that makes your case and breaks the states case against you.The easiest way to sum up what I learned from this independent survey was to just use my own police department as an example. Many of you are well aware that I am a retired police officer from the State of Connecticut with over 14 years of loyal and faithful service. I was forced to retire in 1996 due to a line of duty injury, which caused me a permanent disability. My own department had about 6 radar units in our inventory. We would send out 1 or 2 of those 6 radar units to be inspected and certified by an independent laboratory each and every year as required by Connecticut Law, yet we would use all 6 of those radar units all the time. Many of our radar units had not been sent out for inspection in years. If and when we had to appear in court on a speeding ticket matter, my department provided to me paperwork from whatever radar unit had been sent out for calibration and certification that year, even though it may have not been the unit I was using when I stopped the motorist for speeding who was now appealing his ticket in court. Oftentimes I knew I had paperwork from a different unit and other times I did not. As is the case in most states, it takes months and months for a speeding ticket matter to be brought up in court for trial and by that time many officers forget which piece of police radar they were using when they made that traffic stop and issued the speeding ticket. It is this reason most officers are unaware they are going to court with paperwork that may not necessarily be from the unit they were using many months ago. So just using my own department for example, if we only calibrated 2 out of the 6 police radar units in our inventory each and every year as required by law, then every speeding ticket issued with those 4 police radar units that were never sent out for inspection and certification were issued either illegally or unjustly, thus bringing me back to why I believe that 3 out of 5 speeding tickets issued every day in the United States was issued unlawfully. This "bait & switch" practice did not just occur in my own department, based on the survey I conducted it appears as though it takes places in the majority of law enforcement agencies all across the United States and most likely everyday.How This Helps You Beat Your TicketOk, so now we know the truth, that the majority of law enforcement agencies are unlawfully using police radar every day. What does this mean to you, the motorist or to you, the operator who has received a speeding ticket and wants to fight back? It means that you are know armed with true insider information that you can use to help you beat a speeding ticket that was issued with police radar.Many of us have long suspected that the police do not play fair or by the rules, and the results of my survey clearly point this fact out. Let me tell you how we use this "bait & switch" against those law enforcement agencies who don't play fair or within the scope of the law. If you find yourself on the receiving end of a speeding ticket where police radar was used, the most important piece of information you need to obtain with your discovery request is a list of all models, makes and serial numbers of each and every police radar unit the arresting department has in its inventory along with the calibration and certification paperwork from each unit. You may be met with some resistance but you must be determined to obtain this important list. Seek the assistance of the trial court if you are having difficulty with the arresting law enforcement agency. The obvious reason you want this list is to check and be sure that this department has calibration and certification paperwork for each and every radar unit they have in the inventory. If you discover they have 20 pieces of police radar and only have calibration and certification paperwork for say 15 of those units, that means 5 of their radar units may or are being used in violation of state law guidelines. You want to bring this to the attention of the court. The point you want to make is to get the court to believe this law enforcement agency may have used a radar unit to stop and ticket you that had not been sent out for calibration and certification. You want the court to suspect the department may have used one of those 5 units unlawfully. This creates reasonable doubt in your case and you could easily win a complete dismissal of your speeding ticket.As I have explained to you in my other three articles as well as in my book entitled "An Educated Guide to Speeding Tickets - How to Beat & Avoid Them!", if you are unfortunate to find yourself on the receiving end of a speeding ticket you must remember to remain calm, be polite to the officer, cooperate without admitting any guilt, and do not be afraid to use a good excuse or ask for a written or oral warning from the officer. And always appeal each and every speeding ticket because the odds are in your favor if you fight back and go to court. Over 50% of those who appeal their speeding ticket win in some fashion, be it a compete dismissal or at least a reduction in either the fine or points on their driving record.For those of you who received a speeding ticket and police radar was used, you must follow my advice and first, appeal your ticket in court, and then request all calibration and certification records from each and every piece of police radar the arresting department has in its inventory. If you follow my advice as discussed in this article, you should be able to raise doubt if you have uncovered a department has not conformed to the calibration and certification laws in your state. You should also follow all of the tips, tactics and strategies I talk about In my book the "Educated Guide to Speeding Tickets." You should do your homework and prepare for your day in court. Feel free to contact me if you have any questions or need advice. You can contact me via my website or telephone number as found in the "Educated Guide to Speeding Tickets" book again which is available for purchase right here.I hope you found this article both revealing and easy to understand. Thank you for taking the time and interest in the reading of my articles. May God bless us all and keep us safe upon the highways and byways.Richard Wallace II is a former police officer and author of the book An Educated Guide to Speeding Tickets - How to Beat & Avoid Them! To read more articles from this series, or to find out more about speeding tickets or radar detectors, visit http://www.BuyRadarDetectors.com.
Keyword : speeding ticket, speeding tickets, beat a speeding ticket, radar detector, radar detectors

Nerf Bar Styles - Step Up While Dressing Up Your Vehicle

Author : Lou Berkowitz
Your selection of the nerf bars style best suited to your particular vehicle is usually influenced by two factors - the look of the side step bars, and what kind of functionality you need. Let's deal with the functionality issue first. We all know that the primary function of a nerf bar is to help us get in and out of our vehicle, but sometimes we need a bit more help. The following nerf bars styles provide additional functionality you may find of value.Double Bend Nerf Bars may be the answer to your step bar needs if you need a bar that is lower to the ground. These nerf bars not only bend back at both ends towards the vehicle, but they also bend down towards the road along the length that is parallel to the side of the truck. This lowers the stepping area allowing for easier access in and out of your vehicle. The only company that currently makes a nerf bar like this is Grizzly. However, N-fab also makes a nerf bar that has a lower step area welded to the outside edge of their nerf bar, which also provides a lowered step area.Wheel-to-Wheel Nerf Bars, like their name implies, have a total length that extends from just short of the rear of the front wheel well to the front of the rear wheel well. This provides for a step area helping you to reach items in the front section of your truck bed. If you have a cross-over toolbox in your truck bed, or you find yourself needing to get to the front of your truck bed on a rather frequent basis, then you might want to consider a wheel-to-wheel step bar.Add-a-Step, manufactured by Grizzly, is also of great use for those of us with limited mobility, or that are having trouble reaching the step of a nerf bar. This aftermarket accessory, constructed from 3" diameter tubing with flanges on the ends, bolts directly to existing nerf bars to provide an additional step that is lower than the nerf bar. Our elderly customers, as well as those with limited vertical movement in their legs have found this to be quite helpful in assisting them into their vehicles.If your nerf bars need doesn't require the additional functionality noted above, then your selection of step bars available to meet your stylistic requirements will probably fall into the following two categories. Let's examine each one in a bit more detail.Traditional Nerf Bars incorporate a 90-degree bend at both ends of the step bar. This is typically where the bar attaches to the vehicle frame using a mounting system unique to, and designed for a particular make, model and year vehicle configuration. These bars come in black powder coating, chrome plated, stainless steel and buffed aluminum. The vast majority of these step bars are manufactured using 3" diameter tubing, but you do have an option if you are looking for a bigger diameter step bar, as Putco makes one out of 4" diameter stainless steel.Oval Tube Steps provide a flatter and wider step area than do their round cousins. Because it is extremely difficult to bend an oval more than 45 degrees, these nerf bars mount with brackets that attach to the main body of the bar, rather than at its ends. The brackets are then fastened to the vehicle's frame or body mount holes. This is one of the reasons that most oval tube steps will have only limited bends at the ends, and in fact some may not bend at all. Also of importance is the width of the oval surface, with products available in 4" or 5" wide lengths. An oval tube step is a bit like a marriage between the traditional nerf bar and the running board with its wider step area. The one difference is that there still exists a space between the bar and the side of the vehicle, whereas a running board meets up to the vehicle's rocker panel.Hopefully, the preceding descriptions of nerf bar styles will help in your selecting the right fit for you. Remember your aftermarket truck accessories provider is a great resource for help in finding the right part for you, and in fact they may know of additional styles not mentioned in this article. Best of luck in you search!Lou Berkowitz is the chief products evaluator at US Truck Accessories Warehouse, LLC a major aftermarket truck accessories supplier providing a wide selection of nerf bars and other products to the consumer. He may be reached at 1.800.394.3881
Keyword : nerf bars, double bend nerf bars, side step bars, step bars, running boards, oval tube steps

Auto Auctions - Luxury Vehicles for Economy Budgets

Author : Cat Tobin
Auto auctions are making it easier than ever for consumers to get into the car of their dreams. Like most Americans, you probably have luxury taste, but live on an economy budget. With a little research and patience, however, that luxury vehicle you've been eyeing could be in your driveway sooner than you ever thought possible.Contrary to popular belief, auto auctions are not solely restricted to car dealers. This little known fact is what continuously drives Americans to purchase from car dealerships time and time again. Just imagine how much money you could save if you bypassed the dealer's huge markups and purchased directly from their sources. Consumers regularly report savings of 60% to over 90% off book value! That's an incredible savings that no dealer could ever offer you.The majority of these vehicles are late models with very low miles. Some are still even under their manufacturer's original warranty. So how did these great vehicles end up at auction, you ask? Well, it's really quite simple. A majority were repossessed by banks and other financial institutions for defaults on loans. And others were seized by local and federal government agencies. Because of the huge costs associated with storing these vehicles, it is necessary that they be auctioned off as quickly as possible.Auto auctions put you, the consumer, in control. When you go to a dealership the sticker price of the vehicle is either what you pay, or the dealer has a certain price in mind that they're willing to settle for. At an auto auction, however, there's usually a low starting bid of $100 to $500, and the bidders determine the final price. If you research and plan accordingly, you can probably attend an auction on a slow business day with very few competing bidders, and walk away with a great car at an incredible price.How Much Could Auto Auctions Save You? Begin Your Local Auto Auction Search at: http://www.autoauctionfinder.com
Keyword : auto auctions, luxury, vehicles, economy, budgets, dealers, consumers, cars, banks, loans

Clutch Kit Essentials

Author : Matthew Keegan
If your vehicle's clutch has failed, then you could be faced with an expensive repair bill depending on the make and model of your car and the garage doing the work. Between high parts prices and labor costs, you could easily face a bill of $500, $700, or even $1000 or more. Perhaps you should consider doing the job yourself? If so, let's take a look at clutch kits and the best way for you to obtain one at a reasonable price.All clutch kits come with three items standard, with a fourth item included with some kits.Your clutch kit will contain:Clutch friction plateClutch pressure plateRelease bearingSome clutch kits also come with pilot bearings or bushings.For the performance car driver, there are specialty kits available that contain superior friction materials, stronger springs, and more exact engagement than stock clutches. Without a doubt, a stock Acura clutch kit or BMW clutch kit would be adequate as they meet all stringent OEM requirements.Popular manufacturers of stock and performance clutch kits include: Valeo, Sachs, Centerforce, ACT, and Exedy. Most of these types of kits are what your garage will use for your vehicle and they are available through your dealer's auto parts department as well.To save money, you can also purchase clutch kits from wholesalers. A wholesaler deals directly with the manufacturer which ensures that you receive the best price without the mark ups and the parts you receive are genuine.Wherever you choose to purchase your parts, make sure that you can return them if there is a problem and, that the manufacturer stands by their product. Unfortunately, with counterfeit parts "industry" is a multi-billion dollar per year problem. It goes without saying that you should avoid generic or no name brands when shopping for any automotive replacement parts.Copyright 2005 -- Matt Keegan is a contributing writer for the Auto Parts Warehouse, a wholesaler of fine Acura clutch kits and BMW clutch kits.
Keyword : Acura clutch kits, BMW clutch kits, car parts, automatic transmission, manual transmission, brakes

Read This Article If You Are Tired Of Gasoline Prices

Author : Lance Winslow
Are you tired of the gasoline prices? Are you spending $85.00 to fill up your mini-van or $95 to $115.00 to fill up your SUV? Is this causing you to start having to charge this on your credit card rather than to pay for it out of your ATM Debit Card? Are you no longer volunteering to drive and letting someone else drive instead? Are you tired of the supply and demand of the market getting in the way of your quality of life? Do you feel helpless to it all?Have you considered different driving techniques? Have you noticed yourself using cruise control more and gently pulling away from stop signs? Have you noticed yourself punching the gas peddle a lot less now? Have you noticed yourself coasting more to the stop signs and signals? Have you noticed others no longer doing jack-rabbit starts as soon as the light turns green? Interesting how much difference the gasoline prices make in our daily decisions from the way we drive, what road trips we go on how often we decide to leave our homes isn't it.Indeed America has altered their lifestyles to make-up for the high gasoline prices. And you know what this is exactly what you can do to lower prices too. If the demand is less and the supply is there, then the price will come down a little. We must conserve fuel, if for no other reason than just to save a little money for the better things in life. Think on this.Lance Winslow - Online Think Tank forum board. If you have innovative thoughts and unique perspectives, come think with Lance; www.WorldThinkTank.net/wttbbs/
Keyword : gasoline prices, jack rabbit starts, coasting, supply and demand, conserve fuel, mini van, SUV

Nine Japanese Automakers

Author : Matthew Keegan
Japanese built and designed cars have flooded the North American market for over forty years now. Over time, many nameplates have come and gone, but Japanese cars continue to gain market share and acceptance with a growing number of motorists attracted to their high quality and durability. There are nine Japanese automobile manufacturing companies in existence. Can you name them? Let's take a look at the list:Toyota – The second largest automaker in the world is Toyota, maker of the Camry, the Corolla, and a host of SUVs, trucks, passenger cars, and a van. Toyota's Lexus division produces luxury cars, while its Scion division manufactures youth oriented vehicles.Honda – The Accord and the Civic are Honda's two most well known models, followed by the Odyssey minivan, the Ridgeline truck, the Element, and several other passenger vehicles. Acura is the name given to Honda's luxury car division.Nissan – Drive a Datsun and then decide. Up until the early 1980s, Nissan's North American nameplate was Datsun, but was switched to Nissan to give it a more global name. The Sentra, Maxima, and Pathfinder are amongst the division's best selling vehicles. Infiniti is Nissan's luxury car division. Renault Motors of France owns a controlling interest in Nissan.Mitsubishi – Originally imported exclusively by Chrysler, Mitsubishi began to sell cars under its own name in the 1980s. Top selling models include the Lancer, the Eclipse, and the Montero. DaimlerChrysler owns a chunk of the company.Mazda – The Tribute, Miata, and the "6" are some of the most well known Mazda models. The Mazda 6's platform also powers several Ford Motor Company cars including the Mercury Milan. Ford owns an important stake in the company.Subaru – Think all wheel drive and you may just think Subaru. The Forester, Outback, and Legacy are all top selling Subaru models. Fuji Heavy Industries [FHI] owns Subaru; General Motors has a 20 percent stake in FHI.Suzuki – 20% owned by General Motors, Suzuki is as noted for producing cars as it is for manufacturing motorcycles. The Grand Vitara is one of its most noted models.Isuzu – Did someone say General Motors? Again, GM owns a stake in Isuzu. At one time Isuzu imported cars to the US, but those days are over. Currently, Isuzu has a miniscule presence and the two vehicles they do sell – the Ascender SUV and I Series pick ups – are simply rebadged GMC vehicles.Daihatsu – The Charade and Rocky were two models introduced by Daihatsu when the car company started selling vehicles in North America in 1988; four years later its North American operations were closed. In 1999, Toyota assumed controlling interest over the company.So, there you have it: there are nine Japanese automakers, two of which are still independent. Much like the American market further consolidation is likely with nameplates disappearing entirely just like the Packard, Hudson, Oldsmobile, Plymouth, and a host of other North American nameplates have driven off into the history books.Copyright 2005 -- Matt Keegan is a contributing writer for the
Auto Parts Warehouse, a wholesaler of discount
Mazda parts and quality

Toyota parts for your vehicle.
Keyword : Toyota parts, Mazda parts, Acura parts, discount auto parts, car parts, Mitsubishi, Lexus,Infiniti

Car Tips 4 - Respect Traffic Lights

Author : Steven Wong
When you see the traffic light is red, bring your car to a stop slowly and smoothly. Don't be a hero. Heroes are only for cinemas. Do not cross over the pedestrian line when you are approaching a red traffic light.Start moving your car only when the traffic light is completed green. Do not move before it turns green.When the light is amber, it is an indication for the driver to start slowing down and come slowly to a halt. It is not an indication for the driver to speed faster! Accidents have been found to always occur during the amber time. Both parties from opposite directions does not want to give way, so they meet headon and such injuries are often fatal.The real purpose of the amber light is to clear the junction so that the traffic from the other cross roads can have a clear unobtrusive view and unhindered path for them to cross.In whatever the situation, you should never pass the amber light when you are in the position to stop in time.In many new junctions today, we are seeing an increasing use of countdown timers at the lights. This is a tremendous improvement to driver anticipation and has reduced many accidents and deaths. Respect the timer. Wait until they turn to zero before acceleration. We have seen many stubborn drivers still insisting on crossing the lights even though it is already red.Remember Prevention is Better than Cure.I have an interesting research done on fuel saving and power boosting for my product for petrol cars. Check it out at: http://motorspark.com/ and visit my blog at http://duriancapital.blogspot.com/
Keyword : car,fuel,saving,power,booster,money,rich,automobile,driver,spark,plug

Mercedes: Just How Low Should It Go?

Author : Matthew Keegan
Back during the 1980s when Mercedes introduced its first "baby" Mercedes, the car was received with mixed reviews. Motorists loved the car, now a "C" series model, as it made a Mercedes automobile affordable for the middle class. On the other hand, critics worried that the esteemed Mercedes-Benz name would suffer as a car touching the price level of many ordinary American models would soon become part of the line up. Today, even smaller Mercedes are planned for the US market. Will this be a huge mistake for the German automaker or is Mercedes incorporating smart thinking?To the surprise of many Americans, the Mercedes brand isn't as pompous or pretentious in Europe as it is in the U.S. Crafty Mercedes-Benz marketing over the years has presented an image of Mercedes as being an ultra-luxury automobile line, a truly superb benchmark from which all other cars are measured. In some respects this image is true, but in reality Mercedes goes well beyond such a narrow definition.In the European market, Mercedes is known for producing these same high quality luxury cars, but also for producing vehicles that are much more attainable for the masses. Even right now Mercedes sells four models in Europe that are uncharacteristically Mercedes type vehicles, at least for the American market:Viano – A minivan of sorts, the vehicle can hold as many as eight people and is powered by either a pair of inline four cylinder engines or a 3.5L I6.Vaneo – A compact van with seating for as many as seven adults. The Vaneo features a sloping roof that quickly drops off to a rear hatch. Powered by 1.6L or 1.9L I4 gasoline engines or a 1.7L diesel.B Series – Mercedes' answer to the Volkswagen Golf is its own "B" Series of automobiles. This five door hatchback, which also looks a lot like a Toyota Matrix, comes with six engine choices: four gas engines starting with a 1.5L I4 up to a 2.0L turbocharged four, and two diesels.A Series – Even smaller than the "B" Series is the "A" Series, three or five door hatchback models about the size of a Toyota Echo. That's right, a teeny tiny Mercedes! The same six engines offered with the "B" Series are offered in the "A" Series plus one additional diesel for a total of seven engine choices!Prices for the "A" Series starts around $23,000 when current British to American currency exchange figures are factored in to nearly $29,500 for the "B" Series. The Vaneo and Viano would sell at around $25,550 and $39,800 respectively if today's European prices were carried over to the U.S.So, what does Mercedes have in mind? They are hoping to introduce the "B" Series to the U.S. market by 2007. Is this a wise decision? In my opinion it has worked well in Europe, however it would be better for Mercedes to create a new make of cars to include the "B" Series. Much like Toyota has spun off both Lexus and Scion, Mercedes would be better served by creating a separate "down market" brand in order to uphold the Mercedes name.No, there isn't anything shameful about any of these small vehicles – in fact, they are a wise idea – however, decades of marketing in the U.S. can certainly be undone overnight by the introduction of any vehicle smaller than the "C" Series to the Mercedes line up. No car as small as the "B" Series would wear a Lexus nameplate, so why should a car of this type wear the Mercedes moniker?As I said, this is just my opinion. What are your thoughts?Matt Keegan is a writer as well as an automotive fan. For the best

Mercedes alternators, and other fine

Mercedes parts, or for discount priced

Akebono brake pads, shop the Race Pages today!
Keyword : Mercedes alternator, Mercedes parts, Akebono brake pads, Mercedes cars, Maybach, DaimlerChrysler

Tactical Driving Tips

Author : Joseph Garrio
The winter and driving shopping season is right around the corner. We need to remember that in the winter, with snow and freezing conditions, our driving tactics need to change. Accidents will occur on the snow and ice that wouldn't on dry pavement. This article will cover the important things to remember and how to drive safely.The most important thing that everyone needs to remember is
that you cannot stop as fast on icy or snow covered pavement.
You need to drive slower which will give you more time to slow
down. When you need to come to a stop anywhere give
yourself more time by starting to slow down earlier than usual.
When driving behind other vehicles make sure that you leave a
bigger distance between you and the vehicle in front. This way
you will have more time to slow down and also react to
unexpected stops.Slow down everywhere and anything that you do. Take turns
slower, drive on straight roads slower and slow down alittle even on slight curves in the road. Anytime you have to turn that steering wheel ease of the gas appropiately. You need to be
deliberate in all your actions. Anytime that you need to push
on the pedals, gas or brake, do it easily and steady. When
making a turn ease that steering wheel slowly and don't make
fast jerky movements.Always be aware of your road conditions. Even when it is not
snowing the road will ice up in places where there is moisture.
This will happen more during the overnight hours when it is
colder and there is no sunlight. Sometimes a spot will look just
wet but is is actually ice, "black ice" as we know it. Be aware of bridges and overpasses. These road surfaces are always
colder and therefore freezes up first. If you do find yourself
on ice just coast, don't brake or turn the wheel, until you pass
over it.Drive defensively. Always be on the lookout for other motorists
that are making all of the mistakes. Approach intersections
cautiously looking for other skidding vehicles. Keep an eye
in your rear view mirror for vehicles hitting you from behind.
Keep enough distance away from everyone so you don't
become part of their accident.Even after taking all your precautions you will eventually find
yourself involved in a sliding situation. When you do, DON'T
PANIC! Take your foot of the gas and don't hit the brakes.
You then want to steer your car into the skid. People always
hear that but don't know what to do anyway. If you are driving
straight and the rear of your vehicle is sliding to the left and the front of the vehicle to the right, then you need to countersteer your car to the left. If the car corrects itself then straighten the wheel back out. Sometimes the car will over correct itself and now it is sliding the other way. If this happens just countersteer again in the opposite direction.Follow these tips and hopefully you won't become the next
accident statistic. Remember not to drink and drive, stay off
of your cell phone and always wear your seatbelt.About the Author: Joseph Garrio works in law enforcement and
owns his own auction and shopping website where you can buy
or sell items from your home.
Visit it at http://www.onlineauctionandshopping.com
Keyword : winter,driving,car,vehicle,safety,skid,accident,cell phone,shopping,roads,gas,brake,ice

Driving School Check List: Are You Getting Ripped Off?

Author : Amy Metz
I've got a confession to make. Sometimes, I drive to fast and I speed. I've done it before and I'll probably do it again. And guess what? I've gotten speeding tickets. If you think that I'm a bad actor and as far as driving to fast is concerned, you'd be correct (though this isn't a normal occurrence for me. Really!). However, I haven't had to actually pay a speeding ticket recently due to the fact that (at least in the state of Texas), citizens can often take defensive driving instead of paying the fine (and the resulting insurance rate increase). This is often left up to the judge's discretion as to who is granted permission to take defensive driving and some states have requirements that you cannot take defensive driving more than once during a certain time period (say 1 year or 6 months).However, I've noticed that the different types of defensive driving school courses vary wildly in cost and type. If you're ticketed for speeding, by all means check your local laws to see if defensive driving is even offered in your state.
But, if you think defensive driving might be an option for you to pursue, use this quick checklist to make sure you are researching all of your potential options.1)Look at online options. Did you know that in some states, you don't even have to go to a physical classroom. You can take your defensive driving course entirely online. Do you really want to spend your time driving back and forth to some random training facility for 8 hours a day trying to pass a quiz and get relieved from your ticket? I sure don't. I've taken defensive driving courses online and they are really great. Usually there is a quiz at the end of a section and many of the educational scenes are displayed in graphics. It's almost like watching a cartoon. The cartoon might not be the funniest thing you've ever watched, but it's certainly nice to watch the entire course from the comfort of your home.2)Go for the comedy option. If you can't do it online, you might as well have a little comedic interlude in your driving school. Several cities' comedy clubs augment their incomes (I think) by having defensive driving school at their clubs when their regular business isn't in full session. Reports of the comedy option range from the sublime to the awful (much like comedians themselves), but if you can get a good recommendation of a place in your city, try it out. You might find it to be a delightfully funny experience.3)Locations are fine and dandy, but if you don't learn anything, you'll quickly find yourself being ticketed again. In fact, parts 1 and 2 are almost unimportant as compared to the meat of the defensive driving experience. Learn the important parts. It can save lives. And once you know all about driving correctly you'll save yourself a lot of time and money in the future.Amy Metz is the author of "Defensive Driving School Can Save Lives." Grab your free copy at http://www.drivingschoolzone.com
Keyword : driving school, truck driving school, defensive driving school

The Yenko Camaro

Author : David Atkin
Way back in the late 1960's a dealership named Yenko Chevrolet decided to partner with Chevrolet in a venture to build a car that was very special, Don Yenko came up with the sYc or
"Super Yenko Camaro".It was a specail order car and designed to impress those who would drive or own one of these cars, they were the cream of the crop of the Camaro world, next to the ZL1 these were the meanest Camaros ever built.These were nothing to take lightly, and if you did you might learn a hard lesson, this is no ordinary Camaro, it was a landmark in the history of the Camaro, and it could beat the best
of them with the right driver.1969For 1969, the dealership worked out a clever deal to have the L-72 engines installed on the factory assembly lines using a Central Office Production Order or COPO. The orders also included power disc brakes, a 4.10 Positraction rear end, a stronger front stabilizer, and a heavy-duty 4-core aluminum radiator. Buyers had the option of either the M-22 four speed or the Turbo Hydramatic 400 automatic transmission. A total of 201 cars were sold in 69: 171 four speeds and 30 automatics. Yenko rounded out the visual package with front and rear spoilers, a cowl-induction hood, special "Yenko 427" bagdes, and twin stripes down the flanks and hood.
Yenko Camaro StatsStanding 1/4 Mile Time
* 11.904 @ 115 MPH0-60 Performance
* 3.8 Seconds0-100
* 8.9 SecondsEngine
* 427 CID 425 HPPrice
* $3,895Transmission
* Muncy M-22 Rock Crusher 4 SpeedDavid C. Atkin
Muscle Car Information
Muscle Car Restoration
Keyword : muscle cars, car restoration, custom cars, ZL1 Camaro, ZL1 Corvette

Saving Money on Auto Insurance

Author : William Berg
Auto insurance can dig deep holes in your pockets and you can save substantial amounts of money each year by choosing the right auto insurance. Taking the time to check out different car insurance companies and comparing their quotes can be a very good investment. You can often save several hundred dollars by choosing a licensed low-price car insurance company instead of some of the more expensive insurance companies. Today, the Internet has made it easier than ever before to rapidly gather information about insurance coverage and insurance rates from a multitude of insurance companies. Some sites will even collect the information for you and display easy-to-read spread sheets where all vital factors can be easily weighed against each other.

You can usually lower your car insurance rate further by installing an air bag, since the medical part of your car insurance will be cheaper. The car insurance company knows that you are less likely to sustain sever injuries in a car equipped with air bags. Some car insurance companies will offer you an even lower insurance rate if you install air bags not only for the driver but for the passengers as well. The same risk analysis will make your insurance rate drop when you install an anti-theft system, if you have a car insurance policy that covers theft.

Many insurance companies will offer discounts for certain groups, such a mature drivers, multi car families and militaries. Members of the National Guard and the Reserves are usually offered the same discount as militaries. Mature drivers receive a discount since they are statistically less accident prone than younger drivers. If you have a young driver in your family, you can however lower your insurance cost with some insurance companies by showing that the young driver has completed a driver's education program. Such insurance companies will usually also offer discounts for mature drivers that have completed a course in defense driving. If you are a multi-car family you should always bring this up when you negotiate your insurance rate with the insurance company and ask how large the discount will be if you insure all your cars with the company. Sometimes the car insurance rate can be decreased even further by insuring your car with your home insurance company or health insurance company. It is common for insurance companies to offer a wide range of different insurance policies.

If you have been fortunate and skilled enough to stay accident free for many years, you should find out how different car insurance companies will award you for this. The discount for accident free drivers can vary significantly between different car insurance companies and you can therefore save substantial amounts of money by shopping around. A five year long period that has been free of accidents is usually long enough to make you qualified for some type of discount. With some car insurance companies you will be offered a "surcharge waiver". With a surcharge waiver, you will not loose your discount even if you are involved in one accident.The auto insurance is not the only thing you should look at to improve your auto economy. Lets for example say that you where to buy a hummer (lets dream for a minute) than you shouldn't just check the Hummer Price but also other factors that effect the total auto cost like the Hummer gas mileage - MPG. By doing this you might find that a more expensive car actually can be cheaper all things considered.
Keyword : car insurance, auto economy, car economy

Volkswagen, DaimlerChrysler Hook Up!

Author : Matthew Keegan
Volkswagen and DaimlerChrysler are getting hitched. Well, sort of. The two predominately German automakers are not merging, but are in the process of exploring building products for one another. What is coming? Who gets what vehicle? What can all this mean? Read on and I will tell you.It is official: Volkswagen has decided not to import its microbus "minivan" to the American market. Citing conversion costs and exchange rate differences, VW has elected instead to start selling its own version of Chrysler's popular minivans in the US. Based on the Chrysler Voyager, the new VW minivan has yet to be named but it will be nothing more than a rebadged Voyager. The minivan will fill a glaring hole in the VW line up and keep current owners from departing the company in search of a larger people mover.DaimlerChrysler [DCX] will benefit by maxing out production of its minivan fleet. In addition, DCX is also studying importing rebadged versions of VW's popular compact Polo to fill a glaring gap in its own line up. The tiny Polo will likely be sold as a Dodge and be the entry level vehicle just below the soon-to-be-released Caliber, a replacement for the Neon. Details are currently sketchy, but the new "Polo" could arrive as a 2007 model.Yes, VW and DCX aren't getting married, but the two automakers appear to be in the fortunate position to help each other out to the benefit of both. Now, let's just see how consumers react to the rebadged products!Copyright 2005 -- Matthew Keegan is The Article Writer who writes on a variety of topics including: advocacy, automobiles, aviation, business, Christian themes, family, news, product reviews, travel, writing, and more. Samples from his portfolio are available right online.
Keyword : Chrysler Voyager, VW Polo, Volkswagen, VW, DaimlerChrysler, DCX, minivan, Dodge, Chrysler, Mercedes

Tips On Tires

Author : Ali Moazami
Tire safety is very important. Here are some regular checks that you can perform on your tires to insure your safety:Lumps or swelling. Any lumps or swelling that appears on the sidewall are signs of tire weakness. If not attended to, it can lead to tire blow out.Irregular tread wear must be checked out immediately. One of the best ways to check your tread depth is to do a "Penny Test". Stick a penny into a tire groove by turning it upside down. If you can see the top of Lincoln's head, it's time to get new tires. You might want to check several tire grooves to determine whether one part of the tire is wearing faster than another. Inspect the sidewalls for any bulges, that indicate internal problems. Also, if you see any wires anywhere, it's not safe to drive, as the tire might explode at any moment.Sidewall fractures.Tires should be rotated every 6,000 miles.Balance your tires regularly.Buy and install tires in sets.Keep the steering and suspension aligned properly.Don't forget to check your tire pressure at least once a month. Change in temperature causes the tire pressure to drop. Use a tire-pressure gauge to set your tires to your manufacturer's recommended pressure. This information is almost always printed in your owner's manual.Copyright © 2005 AutoDiscover. All rights reserved. Ali Moazami owns and operates an auto consulting firm. The company was established to change the way the consumers buy and lease their cars by providing unbiased advice. For more information visit: http://www.autodiscover.com
Keyword : car buying service, new car, used car, price quote, lease, used car for sale, used car values

5 Tips to Picking the Best Radar Detector

Author : John Mancini
Do you remember the last speeding ticket that you received? Do you remember thinking that you should have had a radar detector? Do you remember thinking that you didn't even know how to start looking or what to look for when getting one? Well, life just got a little easier; follow these tips when you decide you don't want another speeding ticket to remember.The internet is the best source of information for most people. There are a number of sites that offer expert testimony regarding the options and models that will best suit your specific needs and budget.An interesting fact to keep in mind when deciding whether to purchase a radar detector, there are over 100,000 radar detectors in use by law enforcement everyday in this country. That number is steadily climbing by approximately 20,000 more every year. Are these odds that you want to be up against the next time you are speeding?Price is also a consideration for most people. However, the old adage, you get what you pay for, is incredibly true in the case of radar detectors. When you think about the money that is spent when you get a speeding ticket (the cost of the ticket, time away from work to pay for it, increased insurance costs, etc), it is worth it for most people to spend the extra money to buy a high quality radar detector. That being said, most detectors can be found starting at around $90.00.Do you remember the last speeding ticket that you received? Do you remember thinking that you should have had a radar detector? Do you remember thinking that you didn't even know how to start looking or what to look for when getting one? Well, life just got a little easier; follow these tips when you decide you don't want another speeding ticket to remember.John Mancini has been writing about radar detectors online and offline for a long time. Visit http://radardetectorsinfo.com or http://radar-detector-reviews.com to read more about matters like radar jammers and whistler radar detectors.
Keyword : radar jammers, radar detector reviews, cobra radar detectors, whistler radar detectors, escort radar

Reducing Gas Consumption

Author : David Maillie
The high prices at the pump have made more people start thinking about reducing gas consumption. Gone are the days when you filled up that SUV without a second thought. In addition to high fuel costs, more people are becoming concerned about emissions and the greenhouse effect they are believed to cause. Whether you are concerned about saving money or the environment, there are things you can do to burn less fuel in your vehicle.How you drive affects the amount of fuel you will consume. Drive at or below the speed limit, rather than going too fast. Driving at high speeds on a regular basis can increase your consumption by ten percent. Not only is speeding dangerous, but wastes gas. If you drive an automatic, shift as soon as possible. Revving the engine between gears increases your consumption as well.Don't accelerate unnecessarily. Braking repeatedly increases consumption considerably, especially when the practice is habitual. Keep a safe distance between you and the car in front of you and maintain a steady driving speed. Speeding up and braking repeatedly isn't only annoying and dangerous, but burns more fuel as well.Don't idle for a long period of time. Turn off the engine, rather than idling for long periods. Do this while waiting for your kids to get off the school bus or when stopped for a period of time for a traffic accident. One of the reasons hybrid automobiles are so fuel efficient is that the gas engine is automatically turned off when the brake is applied.Lighten the weight load you are carrying in your vehicle. The more the car weighs the more gas you will consume. Empty the trunk and back seat of all unnecessary baggage that adds weight. At the end of the winter, remove sand bags and other equipment you have been carrying in case you get stuck in the snow. You don't need these things in July.Minimize the number of trips in your vehicle. Run several errands all at once, rather than taking short, frequent trips to run one errand at a time. This saves not only gas, but time as well. If you are only going down the street, consider walking. Meditate on the beauty of God's world and say a prayer of thanks. This is great exercise and good for the soul as well as your pocketbook.The condition of your car affects how much gas it burns. Regular maintenance will keep your car running well and as a result, consume less fuel. Give it a regular tune up. Replace spark plugs and wires. Change the oil, oil filter, air filter and fuel filters as needed. Regular tune ups will help the car run better and stop wasting fuel.If you still think you are burning too much gas, have the car checked for leaks. Gas or oil leaks increase your consumption. While you are at it, check the fluid levels every month. You can do this yourself, or take the vehicle to a service station. Top off the fluid levels as needed. This will keep it running smoothly and efficiently.Inspect the tires regularly. Keep them inflated to the highest pressure recommended in your owner's manual. When you have the vehicle serviced, consider having the alignment checked. Have them rotated and replaced as needed. Excessive drag on the tires burns more gas. Regular tire maintenance can reduce this drag and save money.Use your air conditioning only when needed. Using the air all the time can increase your fuel consumption by ten percent. To keep the car cool, consider using a window shade and park in the shade. This can keep your vehicle from getting too hot. You may not need the air conditioning, and do use the air, it will cool down considerably faster.The aerodynamic design of the car can affect how much fuel you burn. The more aerodynamic the vehicle, the less drag that is created as it moves through the air. Less resistance amounts to less gas used. Extra features like roof racks and fancy spoilers can increase the drag and increase your consumption.Maintaining your car will help control your fuel consumption and increases safety. It also increases the resale value of your vehicle. People are more likely to purchase a used vehicle if it is in good condition. Regular washing and waxing protects the paint finish. Don't forget the headlights. New Lite Headlight Cleaner and Restorer will return the lights to like new condition. Learn more about this product at www.mdwholesale.comDavid Maillie is a chemist with over 12 years experience in biochemical research and clynical analysis. He is an alumni of Cornell University and specializes in biochemical synthesis for public, private, and governmental interests. He holds numerous patents including his recently awarded patent for headlight cleaner and restorer. He can be reached at M.D. Wholesale: http://www.mdwholesale.com
Keyword : gas consumption, gas, fuel, maintenance, speed, safety, meditate, prayer, exercise

You Can Improve Your Car's Power!

Author : Matthew Keegan
I can hear it now from the Prius loving, gas sipping, and bike riding crowds: a more powerful car is environmentally irresponsible. Balderdash! Not that anyone should care what others think of them, but this thought pattern is totally incorrect. Thanks to advances in automotive technology, virtually every performance part on the market will yield greater fuel mileage for your car as well as give you more power. A true win-win result; let's take a look at four powerful performance enhancing parts for your vehicle.1. Power chips and programmers. Whether your replace your car's computer chip or enhance it with a power programmer, in either case you will achieve noticeable gains in horsepower and thrust. By overriding the factory limitations imposed on your vehicle you can get more power for a small amount of money.2. Reusable air filters. Now this is a part that the tree huggers love: air filters which can be used over and over again. That's right, no need to clog up our landfills with paper filters once a year. Instead, air filters built for race cars can be put in your car and reused. Your engine breaths better and better breathing engine sucks up less fuel. Guess what? Your fuel economy improves!3. Cold air intakes. That growl coming from underneath your hood is your engine telling you that it loves its new air intake. Designed to suck up colder, denser air a cold air intake delivers the "fuel" that you engine wants. Again, your engine runs smoother and fuel economy increases. The best part? A cold air intake is an awesome looking addition to your engine bay!4. Performance exhausts. Yes, your stock exhaust system just doesn't cut it. For starters, it works against your engine and not with it. Specifically, power flow is inhibited and your engine works harder and sucks up more gas in the process. With the wider pipes found in a performance exhaust system you can get more horsepower, achieve greater torque, and watch your fuel economy rise as your engine and exhaust work in harmony.What many motorists do not understand is that some stock parts are not the best parts for your car. Manufacturers, in an ongoing bid to save money, will often opt for those parts that cost less to hold car prices down. Unfortunately, your car is the biggest loser as power is restricted and fuel economy drops. With the right parts installed by you the trend can be reversed without significant increases in exhaust pollution; your car will still pass its emissions test and it will runner faster and more efficiently.Of course, the big question is this: aren't performance parts expensive? They can be if you do not shop around. Visit the web site of a trusted online wholesaler and compare prices. Do the work yourself and your saving will more than cover the cost of having someone install stock parts for you.Copyright 2005 -- Matt Keegan is a contributing writing for PitStop Auto Parts covering
Hypertech Programmer;
K&N Filters; and
AEM Cold Air Intake.
Keyword : Hypertech programmer, K&N filters, AEM cold air intake, performance exhaust, Ford, Chevy, Dodge, GM

Diesel Versus Gasoline: Why a Diesel Powered Car Might be Your Better Choice

Author : Timothy Moore
The word "Diesel" should no longer make you picture semi-trucks, or loud, clunky broken down cars. Diesel over the past twenty years has changed by leaps and bounds and has become more popular now than ever.If you rode around in a diesel vehicle in the 80's, you are probably screaming "gasoline is better" at the top of your lungs. This is excusable due to the fact that twenty years ago
diesels were extremely loud and unreliable. Luckily for us, technology has come to the rescue in the form of reliability. Diesel cars are now commonly seen running with over 250,000 miles of use. Though gasoline engines can hang in there for quite a long time themselves, getting to the quarter million point, with proper maintenance, is unlikely.Life expectancy is definitely a plus when comparing diesel and gas cars. What about maintenance? Well, diesel engines don't use an ignition so you have no tune-up costs or worries. They use glow plugs rather than spark plugs which generally need to be changed every two years or so plus or minus a few months depending on the vehicle. As far as oil changes, they work the same as gas engines---change the oil every 3,000 miles and you'll be fine. Fuel and air filters should be changed regularly as needed, of course.Now, the all important numbers. If we start with upfront costs, the diesel seems more expensive, and a comparison of the same make and model car yields a cost difference of about three
thousand dollars between the diesel and gasoline versions. But is diesel really more expensive? Let's examine the question.Diesel fuel is almost always cheaper than unleaded gas, and how much cheaper varies of course with rising and falling gas prices. But The cost savings do not stop at the pump; they continue as you drive down the road and by this we are talking fuel economy. The diesel is the king of this domain. With some
diesels getting over 70 mpg, this is by far the best bang for the buck.So the diesel wins in fuel economy and maintenance. But are there disadvantages to diesel? Well, diesel engines aren't perfect. They can be a little noisier than gas engines, though this small amount of noise usually fades at cruising speed. They also lack a bit in acceleration compared to gas engines.However, despite these small shortcomings, diesels are certainly becoming more user friendly and more economical and each day more and more people are choosing to go this route. It's even quite possible that one day the majority of our motor vehicles will be diesel powered. However, until then you have the information needed to consider whether or not the diesel will be a contender for your next vehicle purchase.The author of this article is Tim Moore, who publishes a website on Fibromyalgia which features a section on Fibromyalgia and Social Security Disability
Keyword : diesel, gas, car, choice, versus, powered

Car Wash Industry Predictions in 2006

Author : Lance Winslow
The Car Wash Industry in 2005 had its shares of ups and downs. Previously water shortages were one of the biggest issues, yet the drought times have past for now. Not that there is any more water with the US growth, but better systems in water efficiency, reclaiming and recycling that took place in car wash systems has helped to over come that obstacle. Labor supply in 2005 was amongst the largest complaint and across the nation we have seen a crystal meth drug problem in workers between the ages of 18-32, which are generally the ages which car wash employees are drawn from. Quality labor supply will continue to be a large and problematic issue in 2006.Especially considering the crack down on illegal immigration labor and the enforcement actions on such practices. In 2005 we saw a further bettering of robotic systems and low-cost turnkey operations emerge as well. One notable franchise chain filed bankruptcy as well. Over regulations in the franchising sector are largely to blame. Car wash consolidators did not expand heavily in 2005 and we witnessed the largest car wash chain in Europe get bought out and they looked toward the US for expansion due to the differences between the Euro and dollar. High fuel prices also cut into total volume and sales as well as increased competition and over regulation forcing up costs and therefore passed onto the public all taking their toll on the bottom line. Old man Hanna of Hanna Car Wash Systems a pioneer in the Industry has passed on, yet his vision still lives on; that is to say high volume car washes at low and affordable prices.As we look at 2006 getting under way we see Wal-Mart look to fill some of its excess parking spaces into automated car wash tunnels, using pre-paid cards and Sam's Club cards. The prototypes are up an running in their test markets and they plan on rapidly expanding this concept. We will continue to see more robotic touch-less systems and use of flex service which are partially manned by day, yet one can kiosk pay after hours for an automatic only wash cycle. The car wash industry will finally see the slowing down of the use of Hydrofluoric Acid and its eventual stoppage, as no car wash chemical suppliers will dare to sell it for fear of lawsuits, OSHA and environmental risks.We will continue to see mobile car wash businesses flourish in many markets, as they learn to collect their waste wash water, those who don't will be shut down by enforcers of NPDES EPA guidelines, as fixed site car washes call in the violations to prevent the competition. We are sure to see more car dealerships offer free in-house washing to keep customers close to their service departments and possibly to generate sales of new cars by giving away lifetime car wash benefits. 2006 will be a notable year for the car wash industry indeed. Think on this.Lance Winslow - Online Think Tank forum board. If you have innovative thoughts and unique perspectives, come think with Lance; www.WorldThinkTank.net/wttbbs/
Keyword : Car Wash Industry Predictions in 2006

The Beetle: More Than Just a Bug

Author : Stacey Wilson
The people's car. This is what the Volkswagen literally means, and this vehicle has also been known as the VW. And Volkswagen is one of the world's four largest car producers, with its manufacturer based in Wolfsburg, Germany. Most people associate the brand, Volkswagen, or VW, with the Beetle, since it has been the vehicle that made the brand popular. And indeed, the Beetle was the company's bestseller and most probably the most popular car that the world has known.

The original shape of the Beetle had long outlasted predictions of its lifespan. It has been regarded as something of a "cult" car being that during the flowery 1960s, it had become associated with the hippie movement. Other than that, it has powerfully maintained a very strong following through out the world. Clubs and organizations currently have been formed which bears concern regarding the Beetle, with their members being a diverse crowd of sorts. The Beetle also has had different looks associated with it that included the resto-look, Cal look, German look, resto-Cal look, buggies, Baja's bug, old school, and rat look. Part of their cult status has been greatly attributed to being one of the few vehicles with an air-cooled engine design and the consequent ease of repair and modification, as compared to the more conventional and technically complex water-cooled engine design.

The Volkswagen Beetle has become so popular. It has been Volkswagen's baby that has been manufactured and sold for the longest time. Looking back at its history, Volkswagen could trace its foundation and roots to the Beetle. This vehicle has been designed by Ferdinand Porsche as per Hitler's desire that every German household has to own at least a car. At that time, it was called the KdF-Wagen, and the company had bore the name KdF-Stadt. The Beetle's production was cut short because of war. However, after the war, the company, Volkswagen, had grappled due to losses and damages done to the factory. Come the year 1948, the company was able to claim its status in the automobile industry – with the very same car designed by Porsche.

New Beetles, the latest and contemporary counterpart of the Beetle, is related to the original only in name and appearance. However, if you look more closely, under the hood, it is a modern car in every possible way, and has been based on the Volkswagen A platform. It has also been awarded best safety ratings in its class at the time of its launch by the Insurance Institute for Highway and Safety.Auto Parts FastVolkswagen partsVW radiators----------------As a former news correspondent for an auto-related website, Stacey has gathered extensive knowledge and experience in the automotive industry. This 34 year old mother of two from Memphis is a genuine car lover.
Keyword : auto parts,Volkswagen parts,Volkswagen radiators

What is Rust, Anyway?

Author : Rodger Busse
Rust is the result of a conversion process that takes place when oxygen and moisture come in contact with metal. The oxygen and water combine with iron to create a brown coating (hydrated ferric oxide) on the surface of the metal.The interaction between the water and iron is accelerated if salts are added to the mix. Because the oxide that is created is bulky and porous, it allows oxygen access to the iron below, causing additional oxidation. If allowed to continue, the iron metal will be completely converted to ferric oxide or solid rust, which is weak and flaky.Stopping metal from rustingThis chemical process can be stopped if water and moisture are not allowed to contact the metal surface. Typically, metal is coated with some substance to seal it off from oxygen and water. These coatings can be as simple as oil and grease or chemically complex primers and paint. Coatings are effective as long as the separation between the metal and oxygen and water is maintained.If the oil or grease is wiped off or dries out, rust begins to form. In the case of paints, they begin to shrink and crack over time. When this happens, cracks develop in the coating, allowing rust to start. Even a deep scratch in a painted surface will expose the metal. Once the rust starts, it travels under the paint forcing the paint away from the metal, allowing more moisture and oxygen to come in contact with the metal surface.Sealing the surfaceGenerally the only way to reseal the surface is to mechanically or chemically remove all the rust before the surface can be sealed again. If any rust remains, and paint is applied over the surface, enough moisture and oxygen will travel through the paint molecules to start the rusting process again. For this reason, most paints directions require you to remove all rust before you paint the surface.Non-toxic solutionAn interesting solution to treating rusty metal is a non-toxic paint that uses the chemical conversion process. An example of this type of rust treatment is the Rust Doctor (http://www.therustdoctor.com). Rust Doctor is non-toxic, non-flammable, and biodegradable. It does not have any strong or dangerous fumes and will not damage paint, glass or plastic. If you get it on your hands, merely wash them with soap and water.Rust Doctor includes a primer that creates an excellent base for top coating with any kind of paint. Rust Doctor converts the rust and primes the surface, all in one easy step. Once the conversion process is complete, the surface is left with a heavy coating of this latex primer. In one step, the rust is converted to magnetite and surface is primed. This primed surface will accept sanding primers, making it possible to create as smooth a surface as desired.Rodger Busse owns The Rust Doctor. This one-step non-toxic solution allows you to convet and paint over rusty metal in one easy step. Visit The Rust Doctor at http://www.therustdoctor.com It can be used on cars, trucks, boats, motorcycles, farm equipment, and household items.
Keyword : rust,rusty metal,removal rust,remover rust,rust stop,protection rust,metal rust,protection rust

Japan Killing US Automaker Manufacturing Jobs in America

Author : Lance Winslow
Many have noticed the out flow of American jobs to foreign shores. The outsourcing and manufacturing of products, which were once done in the United States are now being done in other nations like China, India, South Korea and Japan. Should we blame these other nations for their abilities to manufacture items cheaper and more efficient? Should we set tariffs to block the rush of imported goods into America, which is compounding our trade deficit?Some say that after WWII we should have never assisted in the rebuilding of Japan, yet we did that because history taught us a lesson after WWI with Germany and the treaty of Versailles. Regarding Japan; I am neither pro-Japan nor opposed to them. They have their own issues like Earthquakes and Typhoons to deal with as well as growing World Powers, which like their little island and are stationed in harbors within their region. Additionally Japan has to worry about their aging population and the issues, which economies deal with in that regard.The Japanese Automakers are kicking our butts because of our own follies, apparently we all believed that the huge profit margins associated with SUV manufacturing was going to last forever and pushed a bridge too far. That was a completely silly notion indeed. The Deming Years should not have to be a repeatable lesson; we are smarter than that. Honda in 2005 gained incredible market share with two of the top selling vehicles with for the car and light truck. Is it really Japan's fault for kicking the US Automakers butts into oblivion or is it our own fault for over regulation, incessant Union demands and taking our eye off the ball again? Think on this in 2006.Lance Winslow - Online Think Tank forum board. If you have innovative thoughts and unique perspectives, come think with Lance; www.WorldThinkTank.net/wttbbs/
Keyword : Japan Killing US Automaker, Manufacturing Jobs in America, auto workers, japanese automakers, honda

Geely Cars: Gotta Get One?

Author : Matthew Keegan
I mentioned in a related article that the first batch of Chinese built cars to be imported to the U.S. is only a few years away. In that article, I discussed Chery Automobiles and how the company has its designs on the American market, particularly in the entry level category. Well, now a second manufacturer – Geely Automotive Company – is also planning on bringing at least one model to the U.S. by 2008. Changes are in the wind, but lest you think that Detroit is the only one quivering don't be fooled: Japan's automakers and Korea's automakers all must take notice of what is about to happen.For certain, the U.S. automobile market is the most lucrative one in the world. It is also the largest with more than 17 million new vehicles sold annually. All automakers know that if you have a piece of the American market, you have a piece of big profits as long as what you are selling is what consumers want [Ford and GM, take notice].The Chinese automakers sense that Americans want low cost vehicles. With Korean cars improving sharply in quality and with their prices remaining very low there is room for more cars in the sub $20,000 category. As it stands now, both Geely and Chery have several models that fit the bill including a few that will likely retail for well under $10K! Chalk it up to extremely low wages and cheap components, even much lower than what Hyundai, Toyota, and Honda can produce at that.Quality is certain to be another thing, but if the Chinese automakers emulate Hyundai – originally known for selling cheaply built and cheaply made cars when first imported to the US in 1986 – this will only be a temporary phenomenon.Of course, getting each Chinese model to pass stringent U.S. safety and pollution control requirements will take time…and money. Still, should Geely and Chery overcome these obstacles American streets may be filled with cars bearing several Chinese name plates.The U.S. automotive industry is taking notice even as the Detroit auto show features its first Chinese built cars. For all automakers, the new makes are worth taking notice and for consumers each model will have to pass scrutiny and compare favorably with other budget brands.Copyright 2006 – For additional information regarding Matt Keegan, The Article Writer, please visit his blog for wit, quips, and freelance writing tips.
Keyword : Chery, Geely, Chinese cars, GM, Ford, Chrysler, VW, Honda, Toyota, Subaru, Hyundai, Kia, BMW, Nissan

Used Motor Homes for Sale-Find them at Local Dealers and Online

Author : Eriani Doyel
If you are a savvy RV shopper looking for used motor homes for sale there are several options, but some are better than others. However, before you even begin searching for used motor homes for sale you should take time to think about what your priorities are in a motor home. First, what Class appeals to you? Class A's are the motor coaches (diesel and gas) and are generally the most luxurious, roomy and expensive. Class B's are the camper vans which are practical, but can also be a good investment for beginning RVers. Class C's are the mini motor homes. They are also good starter RVs. Used motor homes for sale can be found for every lifestyle and budget.A used motor home benefits from the vehicle depreciation factor. As you know, as soon as a brand new vehicle leaves the lot it depreciates. This is not true for a used motor home when it leaves the dealer lot. It has already depreciated before you bought it making a used motor home a good bargain. However, you need to be careful when purchasing a motor home that is over 3 years old. It may be harder to get used RV financing.Local dealers can be a wonderful source for used motor homes for sale. You can visit the dealer and take a look at the different makes and models they have available and see what features you do and don't like. With a local dealer you will be able to get customer service after the sale very easily on any of the used motor homes for sale. You can also benefit from talking to other local RV owners who have purchased from the dealer to ask about their experiences.Online dealers of used motor homes for sale make it possible for buyers across the country to find the RV of their dreams. They can also find many tools available online to help with their purchase of used motor homes for sale including an online RV financing calculator to estimate monthly payments and lenders who will take your application online and get back to you within a few days.With a private seller you may be able to get the lowest price on used motor homes for sale, but you will need to exercise a great deal of trust in the seller for the maintenance and condition of the vehicle. You will have to find your own financing. You may not have the benefit of a warranty either. This is probably one of the riskiest ways of buying used motor homes for sale.Keep in mind that when you buy a used motor home, the lender will probably want to have someone come and inspect it to verify the value, just as they would with a home. If they don't approve you may not get the loan.Use good judgment and a used motor home can be a great buy.Eriani Doyel writes articles about RVs and Home and Family. If you would like more information about buying a used motor home visit dscrvs.com.
Keyword : used motor home, used RV, motor home, RV, recreational vehicle, motorhome

Proper Brake Maintenance

Author : Ryan Finney
Brakes should be considered one of the most important parts of your car. It is imperative you maintain the brake system on a regular basis. Consult your car's manual for maintenance intervals. One inspecting your brake system, there are a few items to consider.The first is the pads/shoes and rotors/drums. These are the parts of the car that create the friction needed to stop the car. A lot of new cars come with brake pad wear sensors. They will give you a warning once your pads are worn down to the point they need to be replaced. If you car does not have these sensors, you will need to remove the wheel and check for pad thickness. You never want to wear the pads down to the point the metal backing touches the rotor. To check brake shoes, you must remove the drum and check pad thickness on the shoe.On some cars, such as most European imports, rotors should be replaced every time you replace your pads. Most Japanese imports and domestic vehicles allow you to "turn" the rotors. When a shop turns the rotors, they resurface the rotors to remove any imperfections. A rotor should really only be turned once. After that, they should be replaced. Since most do-it-yourselfers do not have the equipment to turn the rotors, they usually replace the rotors. It can be less expensive to replace the rotors than take your vehicle to a shop to have the brakes done. Brake drums need to be measured to check if they need to be replaced. Consult with a repair manual or your local shop to determine what the thickness of the drum should be. If you want to be on the safe side, just replace the brake drum.In addition to those friction parts, the brake fluid needs to be replaced on a regular interval. Check your vehicle owner's manual for the interval to replace the fluid. When replacing your brake fluid, make sure to check what kind of fluid your car needs. If your car calls for DOT 4, do not put DOT 3 fluid in it. This will cause bigger problems later on. You can, on the other hand, put DOT 4 in a car that requires DOT 3. When you replace your fluid, it is a good idea to inspect the brake hoses at each wheel. They are usually rubber and will deteriorate over time. If the hoses are cracked or dried out, replace them. Most people will replace all the hoses at the same time. It is easier to do it all at once. In addition to the hoses, check for leaks at the brake cylinder. Some cars have a master and slave cylinder. If there are any leaks, replace any seals or the cylinders themselves.These are just a few of the maintenance requirements for your brake system. If you do not maintain your brakes, it can lead to disastrous problems like a vehicle crash. Doing your own brake maintenance can save a tremendous amount of money.Many online retailers such as Autohaus Arizona offer great prices on auto parts like brakes pads and rotors. Buying your parts from online and doing the work yourself can save you thousands over time.For more information about brakes, visit Auto Parts at BlogEasy.
Keyword : brakes, maintenance