Monday, March 09, 2009

Dodge Sprinter - The Perfect Vehicle For Maneuvering on Any Type of Road

The Dodge Sprinter is one of the best full-sized vans available in the new vehicle market. It has versatility and several options that make this vehicle the perfect choice for any commercial or private purchase. The design options allow the vehicle to be designed for the maximum seating capacity of 12 individuals or for maximum hauling capacity with only the front two cab seats.

It is even available in a chassis cab, for more specialization of the vehicle. With amazing safety features and customizable options including a choice in seat covers and colors, this vehicle is a smart option for all buyers. The manufacturer's suggested retail price starts around $37,000. This not only makes this van a smart, but an affordable option.

There are several options that the Dodge Sprinter offers to make this vehicle more convenient. For instance, the Sprinter can come with an extended roof package with raises the roof to 6-feet, 4 inches. This makes it nice and roomy for passengers and provides more hauling space for cargo vans. Also, this vehicle offers lighted entry ways. This is especially convenient at night time to help passengers see the steps to get into the van.

Additional lighting includes overhead target lighting throughout the passenger and cargo space. This makes it easy for passengers to maneuver inside the van without tripping over one another and other objects on the floor. It is convenient in the cargo vans, so you do not need a flashlight to locate packages or other small cargo that you may be hauling.

When carrying several passengers or climate-sensitive cargo, it is important to have a proper ventilation and climate control system. The Dodger Sprinter comes with dual air conditioners (one for the front and one for the back) providing better comfort for both the driver and the passengers. It can also come with an under-floor foot air duct, which provides warm air to the passengers in the cargo space. This allows for better comfort of the rear passengers.

Traveling is also made easier when multi-media is available. The Dodge Sprinter comes with options to install the state-of-the-art features. Standard features include a quality AM/FM tuner radio with a single CD port and MP3 jack. Other multimedia functions include phone-in connection to hook up your cell phone with a touch pad for dialing and a mute button.

Also, an interface module is available for your iPod. Best yet, the Dodge Sprinter offers a Garmin navigation system. The nuvi 760 offers a wide, colored screen with preloaded maps for easy directions to any destination you need to go. This is the perfect device for both private and commercial use. There is no more stopping for directions with this GPS system available at your finger tips.

Other features that make the Dodge Sprinter stand out from the competition is the fuel efficient Diesel engine, which has been proven to outperform both its Chevrolet and Ford counterparts. It also has the best turning radius in its class, so it is the perfect vehicle for maneuvering on any type of road or conditions. Plus, the cargo capacity and accessibility is second to none. All of these features add up to a magnificent full-sized vehicle suited for all of your transportation needs.

Need a magnificent full-sized vehicle suited for all of your transportation needs? Choose a van that has been proven to outperform its competition. Contact Dodge Sprinter dealers at http://www.sprinterdealer.net for great deals on Sprinter vans.

Professional Tyre Changers - Change Flat Tyres Effortlessly

With the advancement in the tyre technology, wheels have become very specialized objects heavy in size and difficult to change. Professional tyre machines like wheel balancing and wheel changing machines have assumed substantial amount of importance.

Due to specialized tyre changing machines and tyre racking machines - wheel alignment, wheel balancing and wheel changing have become quite an easy task. Due to professional tyre changing machines, you no longer require a jack to change flat tyres, but they are sophisticated equipments, which can change your tyres in a fraction of seconds.

There are many kinds of machines that are available today, from the simple wheel balancers, wheel changers with backlit display, tyre changers with assist arms and pneumatic arms; tyre changing has completely been facilitated for people. Imported machines are now available in this regard that can help you with your flat tyres at any place and you can repair your car in any kind of emergency also.

You can also make use of tyre racking machines where you can easily store a large number of tyres up to 30. You can easily put your tyres and that too in tiers in these tyre-racking machines. Professional 30 inch tyre changing machines with automatic one touch machines can very easily simplify the mounting and demounting of tyres and can easily expedite the removal of tyres.

This kind of machine includes a centrally controlled bead breaker system, which can help with the removal of tyres from both the upper and lower sides.

During this process, the rotation speed of the tyre is automatically controlled. You can also make use of the advanced fully automatic 24 inch tyre changer with quick release tooling which comes equipped with a full set of mounting heads also allowing you to alleviate the friction caused during the changing of tyres with their automatic angle adjustment mechanisms.

With this machine, you can easily change the flat tyre of any size and rim with the least of efforts and with least damage caused to tyres and rims. Fully automatic tyre changing machine with 26-inch pneumatic arm can easily facilitate tyre changing for you with its pneumatic three function assist arm with which you can remove and mount a tyre with the simple touch of a fingertip.

You can achieve a very hassle-free mounting and dismounting of tyres even with the most lower quality of tyres. This machine is equipped with an advanced mounting head which provides total protection of the rims and the wheels from friction during mounting and dismounting. It can easily make adjustments for the rotation and the angular movements which are caused during the process.

The automatic 26 inch wheel balancer with colored LCD display can also simplify the task of tyre changing with its multi-faceted monochrome display which can easily guide the user through all the necessary stages of the wheel changing process. This machine possesses a very low rotation speed which can easily minimize friction.

Due to this speed, this machine minimizes your losses, offering full usage for your money. This machine can guide extensively through all the stages of wheel balancing with four specialized user settings.

Tyre Bay Direct supply a wide range of tyre changers and wheel balancing equipment. The Tyre Bay Direct range of tyre changers are suitable for small independent garages through to large international chains of tyre shops.

MazdaSpeed 3 - Insane Performance For the Buck

There are cars with lots of hype on the market and then there are cars that are subtle monsters. The MazdaSpeed 3 is a huge monster with a pedestrian price that makes it an absolute steal in these tough economic times.

Okay, let's get something out of the way. The name of the car is the "MazdaSpeed 3", not "Mazda Speed 3". I have no idea why. Perhaps someone missed the space key when titling the project. It doesn't really matter, but people bring the subject up over and over.

If you could describe the perfect car these days, what would it be? You would want some serious performance, but you would want to avoid tickets. You would want something you could haul people and stuff around in, but have a blast while doing it. The MazdaSpeed 3 is all this and more.

The MazdaSpeed 3 looks extremely close to the basic Mazda 3. It is a hatchback without much refinement. You find some minor body work, a slightly lowered profile and larger 18 inch rims. The inside of the car is extremely basic in my opinion. In short, this is a car that really is not going to attract any attention except from those who see the name on the car.

This anonymity is a good thing, particularly as far as your friendly police officers are involved. Why? The MazdaSpeed 3 is basically an engine with seats. What the designers did not spend on the exterior and interior, they put into the performance. The Godzilla design has a 2.3 liter four cylinder engine with a direct-injection turbo. It produces a whopping 263 horsepower at 5,500 rpm and a ton of torque.

Driving around in the car if a fairly hilarious prospect. You can pull up too much more exotic and expensive cars at a light and then just crush them off the line. The only time you'll get any looks is when some kids who know about the car pull up next to you. It is somewhat like driving around in an old station wagon with a Ferrari engine in it. Don't get me wrong. The car doesn't look bad. The looks just don't match the performance at all.

Watching every dollar you spend is pretty much the key to life these days. The MazdaSpeed 3 performs here as well. The cost is a paltry and stunning $21,000 to $22,000 for a car that will crush most cars priced twice as much. Even better, you can write off the sales tax you pay on the purchase thanks to President Obama's stimulus bill.

In these dire times, that is a deal you are going to have a hard time beating.

Dirk Gibson writes articles about cars, auto parts and accessories for DCJAutoParts.com - your online resource for parts.

Get a Big Tax Break When Buying a Car

The government is famous for modifying our behavior through financial incentives. With this in mind, you can now get a big tax break if you buy a new car. On the off hand chance you've been in a coma the last year or so, let me mention that the economy has seen its shadow, screamed in terror and crawled down into a hole in the ground where it is hiding and refusing to come out! Yep, things are bad.

In an effort to get the economy to come out of that hole, President Obama has pushed various fiscal stimulus packages through Congress. The largest package included a host of financial incentives to get people to start spending again. One has to do with buying a new car and it is a very nice incentive indeed.

GM, Ford, Chrysler and other car brands are getting crushed in the current economic turmoil. Car sales are dead in the water. To help these companies out, the government is giving you and me an incentive to get out there and buy a car. As long as we buy a new car before the end of the 2009 year, we can deduct the sales tax we pay on our federal taxes.

Sales tax generally isn't a big deal with most purchases, but vehicles are different. The reason? The price involved. When you buy a car, you are paying tens of thousands of dollars. Depending on the sales tax rate in your state, this means the cost can add up very quickly. That makes for a very nice deduction.

As with most tax subjects, there are some limitations you need to know. First, you can only deduct sales tax up to $49,500 of the sales price. If the car costs $60,000, only the sales tax applicable to the first $49,500 can be written off. There is also a limit on the amount of money you make. You can claim the deduction so long as you have an adjusted gross income of less than $125,000 as a single filer. The figure pops up to $250,000 for joint filers. If your adjusted gross income is above these figures, then deduction slowly phases out depending on how much you actually make.

It is a great time to buy a car if you can afford it. The dealers are desperate to move them, so there are some incredibly deals to be had. Add the sales tax deduction to this and you have one heck of a deal!

Dirk Gibson writes about high performance car parts for the online parts site DCJAutoParts.com.

Diecast Cars Trucks - Paint Striping

There are two basic types of paint strippers, solvents or caustics. The caustics are lye based and are generally used to strip paint from wood. The solvent strippers range from some of the "green" ones based on the chemicals in citrus (oranges) to the most aggressive, usually containing methylene chloride. Methylene Chloride will burn skin almost instantly. You must wear eye protection, have adequate ventilation and wear protective clothing when using Methylene Chloride strippers.

Automotive brake fluid is another alternative although maybe not as fast as conventional strippers, it is one of the safest. Not only is it less likely to harm skin, it won't hurt most plastics. Model railroaders have used it for years to remove the paint from their diecast model trains and accessories. It is important to thoroughly wash the stripped casting before repainting or any remaining residue could hinder future paint projects.

Acetone is another commercially available stripper that can be found with the paint thinners at any paint store or with the paint products at Wal-Mart, Home Depot, etc. Although flammable and the concentrated vapors can be toxic, it is safer than most of the commercial strippers. Store it in a glass jar with a metal screw top. Acetone will dissolve will dissolve some plastics and tends to evaporate through the plastics it doesn't dissolve. It should be noted that a safety label should be affected to the container and the container should be stored in a safe place. Even though you know what is in the jar, others may not. After carefully dissembling your model put metal parts in the jar and let them soak. The paint will usually slough off in a few minutes. You can snake the casting out of the jar using a wire hook or pick it out with tweezers or forceps Although using a metal screen to pour through is faster and removes more of the paint residue. Light brushing with an old toothbrush will usually remove any stubborn spots. Use a wooden toothpick to get any remaining paint out of door and hood lines. If the paint is stubborn, you can just keep repeating the soaking. One advantage of acetone is that it completely evaporates and won't leave any residue to interfere with repainting. The primary problem with acetone and skin is that it removes the natural oils. Just avoid skin contact as much as possible. Keep the acetone away from windshields and other plastic parts as it will destroy them.

As a final thought I would like to stress the importance of safety when stripping diecast cars trucks or any type of metal model. If you are unsure of whether or not the solvent you are using will cause harm to yourself or the model then it is recommended to use brake fluid.


Is This the Greatest Car in the World?

Recently hailed as the best car in the world at the World Car of the Year Awards 2008, the Mazda2 excelled in every category to edge out the Ford Mondeo and the Mercedes-Benz C-Class.

Starting with the exterior the Mazda2 puts other so-called 'hot-hatches' to shame. The sleek and stylish curves make this award winning Mazda youthful and dynamic. This is not surprising seeing as the chief designer was also in charge of the sporty Mazda RX-8. The contours and lines in the body shape suggest that the Mazda2 is ready for action; the sports version is even better with its 16 inch alloys and stylish body kit.

The interior keeps on form with the sporty theme and smart layout although it has been suggested that the plastic used for the dash could be better. The designers have made sure that there is plenty of space inside the 2 which is another plus with this supermini.

The new Mazda2 is light and agile which is great for fuel consumption and for lowering your CO2 emissions. Out of all the cars entered into the World Car of the Year awards the Mazda2 received the highest environment score of them all. This car is a great choice then if you are looking for a new engine that is friendly on the environment.

The Mazda may be light but safety is not compromised. The use of high-tensile steel is the reason behind this and has resulted in the Mazda2 being awarded a 5-star NCAP rating. The light-weight Mazda also means that it is easy to drive and is great for nipping aro

Honda Hybrid Cars

Modern buyers and car owners are getting brighter through the years. That is because there are lots of car models and car makes out in car market today.

Every car brand and car model is shooting to get to the highest level of support and patronage that would sustain for a very profitable and profitable revenues and sales not just currently but also in the future.

Car buyers have become more and more demanding as years goes by. Hybrid car buyers expect car makers to address the concerns and issues they raise against the current cars they own.

Car buyers anticipate upcoming new car models to eliminate the unlikely traits and restrictions of the current car types.

It is in this manner that hybrid cars came to become the most interesting and most wanted cars of the next generation.

Giant car makers Toyota, Ford, General Motors and Honda have all at the same time embarked on a tight and pressuring race to become the best hybrid car manufacturer and distributor.

Honda cars

Out of scrap, Japans Honda has been highly productive in building their niche in the global car business. Two decades ago, Honda was nothing. It was an unknown Japanese car maker that seemed to hang around on its prototype cars.

As the years have gone by, Honda emerged hard to win the battle. Its perseverance has paid greatly, and now, it is competing head on against fellow Japanese car manufacturer Toyota in the worldwide number one spot for car producers.

In the United States alone, gross revenue of Honda hybrid cars have been constantly been on the climb in the past few years, and rivals , particularly the local based Ford and General Motors, are starting to feel the grind in their individual gross revenue.

Honda has become areal threat to other car manufacturers. There are more than enough reasons for that.

Hybrid cars

When the tight race for hybrid cars started a few years ago, Honda was among the first few car makers to have really stood up and take the subject seriously.

Over the years, Honda has made a patient, determined and capable confident team to set up R & D efforts for the brands own hybrid cars lines.

With their massive effort. Now, the most modern and most wanted hybrid car models are displaying the brand trade mark of Honda.

The Accord hybrid

One of the most popular Honda hybrid cars is the Accord hybrid vehicle that is now out in the market and loving a huge and warm support from hybrid car drivers.

Honda claims that their hybrid car is zero-emission, but at the same time, the driver and car purchaser will get to know once again the exhilaration and feeling of driving a hot high-performance car.

This hybrid car model by Honda is labeled as the makers most environmentally friendly. The costs are high, though, in the higher premium to the most priced traditional or conventional car model in the market today.

The honda civic hybrid car

Honda has recently released its 2006 Civic Hybrids. This Honda hybrid car features of a capacity to importantly reduce on gasoline consumption while at the same time savoring the same old, well-loved characteristics of the traditional Honda Civic cars.

It is understood that hybrid cars are somehow more inferior and fall well behind compared to the traditional counterparts, because maybe of the limitations rising from the consolidation of electricity and gasoline burning inside its engine.

The honda Civic hybrid boasts that it has broke that limitation. The Honda Civic hybrid is currently available on the market at not so reasonable prices.

But do not let it set a setback for you to own one of these hybrid cars. The features and benefits of owning and driving the Honda Civic hybrid for sure would outpace or break the disadvantages.

Dave Leonard writes many articles on different topics. Find out more about Hybrid Cars at http://www.thehybridcarsite.com

Dismiss Your Traffic Ticket Through Customized Defensive Driving Courses

When someone receives a moving violation and gets a traffic ticket, they can often take defensive driving courses to have those tickets dismissed and penalty points on their licenses reduced. While this once meant doing an extensive amount of research to find a school that was located somewhat near the person's home or work, find a meeting time that was acceptable, and rearrange schedules in order to attend the class, in many areas it is now possible to take an approved defensive driving online course.

Not all states and municipalities have approved the concept of taking traffic school over the Internet. In most cases, a lack of approval is primarily due to the technology being too new to be addressed within local regulations, and new areas are adding online defensive driving courses to their approved lists all the time.

If you are looking to take an approved defensive driving online course, the first thing you need to do is find out whether or not your area allows drivers to take their traffic school over the web. If you can, you need to find the provider that is right for you. Much like with classroom-taught courses, the core material is similar as required by law, but one school to the next can have big differences.

Sometimes, an online school requires a student to log on at a particular time of day. This can help students who feel that they are not disciplined enough to log on and get the course done on their own, but other courses provide the freedom to come and go as the student pleases. If you're the sort of student who needs to be told to show up or log on at a specific time in order to get things done, you don't need to look for a restrictive course in a classroom to make your deadline. All you need is to find an online school that lets you come and go from the course as often as you like, then find a classroom course with a schedule system you like and copy that. Log on when you would otherwise be sitting in traffic trying to get to the school. Log on whenever they would meet, and you'll be done faster and easier but with the same schedule.

Another thing some online schools provide is customer service to match their always-on mentality. Not every online school does this, but some have 24-hour customer service departments staffed with live agents waiting to assist you regardless of when you have a question or concern. This can be extremely helpful for those who work at odd hours or want to take the class when traditional offices would normally be closed. It is highly recommended to find a school with this feature, because if you log on at 7:30 on a Friday evening, you might have a quick question that could be resolved in five minutes... if the school had customer support available, but if they did not, you'd be waiting until Monday morning to continue. You never know when you might need help.

Bill Derrick is the author for state approved online defensive driving course , the professional online defensive driving resource which provides quality elements of traffic and driving safety programs to dismiss traffic ticket and to refresh your driving abilities. Visit : http://www.defensivedrivingus.com/ for more information.

Most Common Problems With Automobile Electrical System

An integrated part of any vehicle, the automobile electrical system has definitely made driving a lot more easier over the decades. Frequent innovations in electrical system has helped us in a comfortable and easy drive. But friends, no coin comes with a single side. If there are advantages, there are problems or hassles that accompany them. Very often, you face problems while starting up your car and notice other problems with the electrical system. Are you aware of the problems that actually affect your electrical system. Some of the hassles that you face with your vehicle's electrical system are:

Common Automobile Electrical System Problems Are :

Car's Battery Is Dead - This is the most common problem. Your car's battery might be dead, thus inviting troubles for your vehicle.

No Power Stored in the Battery - This is possible that your car's battery does not have ample power so that it can spin the engine.

Alternator is Not Working - At times, a damaged alternator might be the cause for the hassle. Such an alternator will not charge the battery.

Problem with Starter or Solenoid - These bad auto parts will affect the functioning of a braking system.

Battery Cables Might Be The Problem - A loose cable might be the root of the problem.

Electrical Fuses - If there are any damaged electrical fuse or loose wire, it might affect the smooth functioning

Buy Cheap Cars For Sale - Cheap Car Buying Tips

These days, our society has become more prone to the luxurious life. People want to live with all the comforts, big houses, bungalows, good food and wine, and most of all nice cars.

Cars have become so easy to buy these days that every person can own one. It is no more considered a status symbol of the rich and wealthy. There are many companies who sell cars at a low price. These may be second-hand, but still they are worth the price.

There are many places you can look for to buy cheap cars for sale. Car dealerships, car auctions, and classifieds all do this business. Usually, cheap cars are used cars. One way to buy cheap used cars is through the internet.

There are a lot of resources available and only little knowledge is required. Another place to find cheap cars is government seized car auctions. Here, most of the cars are cheap and it depends on the other customers. The person with the highest bid will get the car.

However, regardless of where you are buying the cheap car, it is very important to do the necessary research first. The dealership should be a reliable one and make sure to ask around to find out if there was any fraud associated with that specific dealership.

Also, the car should be economical to you and profitable. All the paperwork should be done to avoid any surprises later.

There are many important things to be kept in mind when buying a cheap car. The major concerns to watch out for are the equipment inside the car, mileage, and warranty. To avoid having any regrets later, a thorough research must be done before buying a cheap car.

There are several questions to ask yourself when buying a cheap used car.

Firstly, how much is the budget? Under this, insurance, any repairs, maintenance costs should be included.

Secondly, what type of car do you wish to buy? The car should suit your lifestyle and image. It's important to gather information from friends, family, and colleagues.

Next, how much mileage is on the car? Many used car dealers do fraud by manipulating the odometer to read lesser number of miles. Also, make sure to take the car on a test drive.

Make sure the engine starts immediately without any weird sounds and test out the steering, brakes etc. All these tips must be kept in mind when buying cheap cars on sale.

If you want to learn how to buy discount cars, check out Dr Suzanne Gudakunst Top Secret Car Secret guide. You will learn how she managed to buy luxury cars consistently at 30 to 50% off the market price.

Make a Hydrogen Fuel Cell Car and Cut Your Trips to the Gas Station in Half!

I hate going to the gas station. Where I live there are only two that are really close by. The best one is always busy and sometimes I have to wait 20 minutes or more before I get a chance to fill up. You can tell I'm not noted for my patience.

To add insult to injury I almost have to take out a second mortgage these days to pay for the tank of gas I just spent so long waiting for.

That's why I decided to find out how I could avoid having to go through that every week. Here are my findings

90% of my fuel cost is wasted

Have you ever looked into how much of the cost of fuel is actually tax? You might want to be sitting down when you do find out. It's staggering. I won't scare you with the numbers here because I don't want to give you nightmares. But check it out sometime.

If that wasn't bad enough, a normal internal combustion engine only runs at about 20% efficiency. This means that for each buck paid out of my wallet, less tax plus running at only 20% efficiency I get about a dime worth or energy to power my car. What a rip off!

What's a guy to do?

Well, I thought it best to avoid the subject of the tax rip offs. I didn't want to go up against the Inland Revenue on that one. I might still grumble about it though.

But what I did find is that there are a ton of products on the market that claim to be able to cut your fuel bills in half or even more.

The best of these are the ones that show you how to make a hydrogen fuel cell car kit.

Hydrogen fuel cell scams

The only problem is there are so many guides on how to make a hydrogen fuel cell car it's hard to tell which ones are good and which are the scams? I tried so many ebooks and guides to find a home made hydrogen fuel cell car kit and I finally nailed it.

Now I am a much more patient man as I don't have to make so many trips to the gas station. I can kick back and have a beer and be thankful I learned how to make a hydrogen fuel cell for my car.

I recommend it!

Getting started is the biggest hurdle

Don't worry. I have reviewed the top hydrogen fuel cell products on the market for your convenience. All of my recommendations are easy to follow and give great support. That way you know you can have your fuel cell built in no time. Click Here Now

Don't forget to download my free ebook to start saving money right away and beat the gas pump monster

How to Go About Buying a Used Car

When buying a used car, you will find that satisfaction is not that easy to achieve. We all know that a car is a long-term investment for all of us, so buying one requires a lot of thinking and inspection. This becomes especially more difficult if you have specific preferences and feature on the car. Looking for your ideal car would become more demanding and require more time and attention.

It is important to assess your financial situation first before venturing out to look for a used car to buy. After all, how can you buy car if you don't have the money for it? You should make sure your budget fits with your lifestyle and other financial concerns. You should also look into your long-term goals in life, and whether buying a used car now will be worth it or not. If you can see that you'll still be using your car in the future, then there's no problem. Remember that a car is a long-term investment. Buying a car and only using it for a short while is not exactly a practical solution.

You should also assess your current lifestyle if a car is really needed or not. For example, if you have a family and you like going out to shop or travel together, then it's a good idea to buy a car. Same goes if your office is far from home and a car is a more practical choice than taking the bus or a taxi. But if you live alone and your office is near enough, you might do well without a car.

When you've finally gotten around to a decision that you need a car, then it's time to choose one. Take note of what you want and need in a car. Research on the kinds of cars and consider your choices according to your wants and needs. You can make a list if you want to. If you find that your list of desired features has made your options too limited, ten you can always try to expand to other cars that you haven't considered but can offer more than what you're looking for.

Once you've narrowed your prospects to a few cars, you can start going around your area to look at the used cars for sale. Look into used car outlets and dealerships. You can also ask your friends and relatives if they know of someone who is selling their car. Buying a car from a private party is better most of the time since this will be from someone you know and you can know more about the history of car and its value.

The Internet is also a great source nowadays. A lot of used car outlets have websites put up so that potential buyers can search for a car without too much trouble in going around the town. If you see a car online that appeals to you, call the car outlet and ask about the car. Take a look at the car personally, too, and make the necessary inspections and research.

When you've finally found a great choice for you, then it's time to settle the papers. Remember to ask about the car's history, and consult with experienced buyers of used cars as to how to make a good choice and how to get about the sale.

To find and buy used cars in Utah, visit Utah Used Cars and look into the custom car search. To upgrade your engine, visit High Performance Custom Engine Feel free to contact her at keywriterm@gmail.com for any inquiries or concerns with the article.

Chevrolet Camaro Specs

Chevy Camaro is one of the most successful car models ever produced by Chevrolet which still ranks extremely high on the sale quotient. Chevrolet has even introduced its latest model for Chevy Camaro which will be available in the markets in the early 2009. This is a car which has been in production and on the roads since a long time now.

What is it?
Chevy Camaro is basically a sporty rear-drive hatchback coupe which comprises of some of the familiar, trademark cues of Chevrolet. However, it comes with a slightly more curvy body which is made largely of dent resistant composite material. Chevy Camaro was also popularly known as the "pony car" which was available in "base trim". This model of the car was fitted with a V6 engine and its successor was Z28 which had an engine of V8. The base and other premium models of Chevy Camaro, Z28 are believed to be similar to the Pontiac Firebird.

History of changes
However, over the years, several changes took place in this car, although they were made on a very slightly basis each time. The latest model of Chevy Camaro has been designed in a manner which gives it a little more weight and improved engine power as compared to all the previous models.

Some of the most common features of Chevy Camaro which are available even in its basic model of every version include dual airbags and antilock braking. The dashboard of the car, however, is reworked. It has been designed in a semi circular fashion accommodating all the controls on it which are hence, easier to view and operate.

The Chevy Camaro which was introduced in 1994 had a power top. This version was Z28 with a 6 speed gear box and another computer aided gear selection tool. This tool allowed the driver to take the car from first to fifth gear while accelerating from a stop. Later in 1995, the option of 3.8 liter V6 engine was optional in the base model of Chevy Camaro.

The 3.8 liter V6 engine which was introduced as an option was standardized in 1996. Another option of Z28's 5.7 liter V8 engine with horsepower which was 10 times more was introduced in the market. The engine horsepower rose to 305 with the introduction of super sport option.

In 1998, the super sport versions of Chevy Camaro got a facelift again. Their engine power was boosted from 305 to 320 horsepower.

Got Engines Inc. specializes in used engines, and transmissions


Auto Bargain Sites Revealed

Car auctions are a great place to get the car of your dreams for a fraction of the cost you would normally pay at your local car dealer. Car auctions are also a great place to make a couple hundred bucks or if you have the skills and knowledge of auctions you could make quite a substantial amount of money by buying a car at the auction and selling it for a profit in local area or maybe over the internet.

So what is a Car Auction?

A car auction is an event where cars and other vehicles are sold at unbelievably low prices to the public. If a person at the car auction is interested in buying a vehicle they will place a bid on it and then someone else might come along and place a higher bid on that same vehicle and then someone else might place a bid and whoever as the highest bid wins that vehicle.

Why are the cars so cheap?

The vehicles that are being auctioned off have usually either been seized or are ex-service vehicles and the reason prices being so low is because there are so many cars being seized, that they need some way of getting rid of them fast. Selling the vehicles to the public at low prices is the fastest way to get rid of them.

Is there are way to bid on the cars online?

Yes there are many websites for online car auctions but not all can be trusted. These websites are usually very easy to use show you step by step on how buy your first car from an online car auction.

For more information please visit: Auto Bargains


What Can You Expect When You Convert Your Car to Run on Water?

With the gas price being expensive as it is, many car drivers wants to convert their car to run on water. The technology for an automobile hydrogen conversion is now used by thousands of drivers and offered by many companies through books, plans, diagrams and kits that are tested and reliable. Hydrogen hybrid cars a.k.a. water powered cars utilize a HHO fuel generator to supplement the engine with brown's gas.

This HHO fuel cleans the carbon deposits out of the car engine and also keeps the engine cooler. A clean engine is a more powerful engine. HHO combustion results in water as the only by-product. This creates less and cleaner exhaust fumes. That is really good for the environment and contributes to the reduction of the green house effect.

The HHO fuel generator is a little kit that converts water to hydrogen using electric power from the car's battery. Brown's gas fuel is very efficient. Many car drivers report a boost between 50-70% in gas millage per gallon. This is the main reason why people convert their car to run on water. Can you imagine how much more money you will have in your pockets at the end of the year? The cost of conversion to hydrogen hybrid car is only a few hundred dollars assuming that you do it yourself. It is definitively a good investment for your wallet and the environment.

By driving a hydrogen gas car, you will be at the forefront of a new exploding trend. You will lead by example and motivate many other drivers to convert their car to run on water and help save the planet while saving a lot of money!

Click on the link to find the best products available to make your car run on water using brown's gas. Learn how to make a homemade hydrogen HHO fuel cell vehicle with complete plans, kits and diagrams.

The Psychology of Having Your Car Run FOREVER - 6 Tips!

You are right! Nothing lasts forever but bear with me for just a moment. If you tell people you have over 200km on your car, they look at you as if your car has indeed run forever! But I just said it didn't! Oh, so confusing. What is psychology anyway?

So, let us assume for the sake of this article that you do indeed have the goal of getting your car to go that far. What then? How can you maximize the possibility that you can realize this goal with the variables in your control?

A big part of the answer is how you think about your car. If you can work it such that you never want to get rid of your car, then you are very likely to reach that goal. So lets explore some of these factors.

First, lets manage the positive thoughts

Tip #1 : Like the car you get!

If you are going to sit in your car for 153 days, you really have to like it or you'll go find something else to sit in. So, the first tip is to buy a car you like to be in.

Now this does not mean that you have to buy a Porsche(tho some will and many Porsches go over 200k miles) but you should buy a car that you feel reflects you in whatever way you think is important. For instance, if you're the stylish type of person, a subcompact Hyundai may not be the right car. Or if you are an environmentalist, a SUV shouldn't be on your list even if it is cheap. These examples are obvious but the idea is that it is important and should be a factor in your automotive decisions.

Tip #2 : Be comfortable in your car!

Furthering your goal of liking your car, you need to make sure your very comfortable in your car. So, the seat should fit you well. If you are into music, then it should have a good stereo. If you have a family, it should be roomy. If you have a sensitive back make sure the seat has good support.

Tip #3 : Care about your car!

For you to continue the positive motivation, you at the very least have to maintain the first two tips. That is, if you no longer like your car then you'll fail your quest. So do what you have to do to keep liking your car. Keep it clean. Spiff it up once in a while. Give it a treat. Keep it running perfectly. Customize it.

Here are some ways of doing this.

  • Upgrade the stereo.
  • Wash and Wax it.
  • Buy new rims.
  • Get aftermarket lights.
  • Any other customization you like.

You can do whatever you like here. If the option is to go get a new car, then any of them are cheap. (This helps with spouses too)

Then, prevent the negative thoughts
Tip #4 : Prevent big tickets by following regular maintenance.

Nothing demotivates like unexpected big expenses that do nothing to improve your lot in life. However, as humans, we're quite comfortable with regular expenditures like paying for insurance etc. Use this psychological principle to your advantage.

Replacing transmissions and engines falls into that unexpected big expense. Amazingly these are some of the most reliable parts of the car if you do the basic maintenance - which happens to be dirt cheap! That is. Change the fluids as required for both the engine and for the transmission on the low end of the recommended interval. Most people are pretty good with the engine but fail with the transmission. Check your manual for both and follow those directions to the T.

If you fail with either of these, you are guaranteed to not make the 200k goal.

Tip #5 : Fix things right away - Don't let anything go!

Similar in scope to the above single point of failure catastrophe is the multiple-cost-at-once demotivator.

Here is an example. If you notice your tires starting to go but wait for the shocks to get tired so you can do it all at once, you'll have a bill over 1000$ which is a terrible blow to the psyche of your relationship to your car. However, if you did them separately over 4 months, you'd have two much smaller blows spaced out such that they will seem less significant.

Another example is if you get into a small fender bender. You'll likely get a check from the insurance company which you might be tempted to cash and keep. Don't do it. The next expense decision will then be "Should I spend the 2000$ to fix the fender and get new tires or get a new car?" This is a reasonable dilemma. It can go either way.

This is as opposed to "Should I get new tires for 500$ or get a new car?" which is a much easier dillema. Just get the new tires - it is much less stressful.

Tip # 6 : Maintain the experience!

Next on the scale of motivation destroyers are things more subtle.

For instance, the condition of your tires and of your suspension makes a big difference on the day to day enjoy ability of your car. So keep them maintained aggressively. (This could also save your live if you have the opportunity to avoid an accident)

Similarly, if your seat is completely caved in or has rips and no longer comfortable, you can either get your seat reupholstered or replaced. It may cost a bit but it is cheaper than buying a new car.

Remember, if you don't like your car, it is not likely you'll get to 200k.

So, that's it. It is pretty simple and really requires no additional cost or time. You'll have aligned your behaviors to make it easy to own your car for a long time.

Here are the tips again:

  1. Like the car you get!
  2. Be comfortable in your car!
  3. Care about your car!
  4. Prevent big pain by following regular maintenance.
  5. Fix things right away - Don't let anything go!
  6. Maintain the experience!

Andre Turrettini is a dabbler in many things. He does most of his own car maintenance including that on a classic 911. The day job is that of web software programmer. See his side project here http://itestcars.com - A place for the car enthusiast to read about cars and automotive news (note the articles section of the site) and his personal blog http://theanticool.com - mostly on movies and software here.

Acura Body Kits - The Key to Customization

I've long been a fan of Acuras. I remember when my best friend bought an Acura Integra. I thought he was a rock star. Little did I know, I had only seen the beginning. It wasn't long before that simple, plain looking Acura Integra would morph into a high performance, customized work of art.

The biggest transformation to the car came when my friend added a body kit. What a difference a body kit can make! Before the body kit, his biggest frustration with the car was the fact that so many other people at his college had Acura Integras. You really run into this with just about any Acura. The body kit really made his car stand out by giving it a very sporty and clean look that no one else had.

While I'm a big fan of buying a full body kit of one style, my buddy went another route. He chose to mix and match bumpers to really create his own custom look. I was apprehensive about this approach at first, but the end result put that to rest. The front bumper that he chose blended perfectly with the side skirts. The rear bumper was just a tiny bit more aggressive but gave the back end a high performance look that complimented the front end beautifully.

Once the body kit was installed, my friend's Acura went from "just another Acura Integra" to the only Acura that stood out at his college. People took notice when he drove onto campus as his bright red Integra was fully customized. His Acura Body Kit was a real one of a kind. He styled his car from the ground up, personalizing his car with the parts that he felt suited his personality.

They say that most people do not feel that their car reflects who they are. Well, if you feel this way about your ride, then it may be time to consider adding a body kit and creating that one of a kind look that you've always known you deserve.

When I Had to Sell My Lamborghini - Here's What I Did

To sell my Lamborghini is something I thought I would never have to do. My Lamborghini Gallardo was one of the dearest possessions I had, and the idea of parting with it was, quite simply, very disheartening. But life can be harder than we expect it to be. After my marriage last year, I had to take out a new personal loan and I was sure I could handle it: after all, my wife and I were in well paid careers.

Nonetheless, neither of us had thought that the current recession would be this daunting. I lost my job, in fact the management decided to pull down the shutters. That was four months ago, and despite a gruelling job search, I had not been able to find a job that suited my qualifications. Anyway, no point moaning about it. I made the decision that I had to sell my Lamborghini.

To sell my Lamborghini I found it was easier said than done. I had thought deciding to sell my Lamborghini would be the most difficult call, but as it turned out, the process of finding a suitable buyer proved even more difficult. I was just simply clueless about which direction I should go; after all a Lamborghini is a prestige car and needs a specialist buyer. I felt I needed a magic navigator to point me in the right direction. But there were no supernatural powers to guide me, so I had to undertake the research and find out how to sell my Lamborghini by myself. I have now completed the legwork, and have actually managed to sell my Lamborghini for a good price, and I would like to pen the process for others who are contemplating selling their car.

Considering all available options, it was the online route that appealed to me at first. With the online option there would be more enquiries, easier communication options and therefore better chances of getting the price I wanted to sell my Lamborghini for. Online advertisement option is also cheaper than the print option, and it is easier for buyers, as they can have a look in detail at all the photos of the car that have been uploaded.

The next step was figuring out a respectable channel for posting the advert. There were various specific motoring website that enable postings. I then had to select which one I wanted to sell my Lamborghini. The websites usually charge listing fees and other charges such as a commission fee, a fee for formatting, etc. The motoring websites also offer handy tips and suggestions which, help to place the advert successfully, and there are online tools to assist with the endeavour. While searching for a motoring website, do check the advert modification clauses and get an idea of the website's popularity and number of hits a day the website receives. Ensure that the advert includes detailed vehicle description, along with photographs, and if possible a video clip to support the advert.

However, while I was doing the research on how to sell my Lamborghini, I came across some very interesting websites, that basically did all the legwork for me. They were companies that specialised in buying and selling prestige cars and knew what they were talking about. They gave me a good quote over the phone, pending on the condition of the Lamborghini, when they collected my pride and joy from my home address. It was just a matter of deciding which company to go for.

Although selling a car through online advertising is a good option, I'm glad I decided to sell my Lamborghini with a prestige car buyer and seller, as they made the experience as painless and hassle free as possible.

David Barber wrote the Article 'When I Had to Sell my Lamborghini Here's What I Did' and recommends you visit http://www.iainmutch.co.uk if you need a Lamborghini buyer.

New Ford Fiesta - The Slumdog Millionaire of the Car World?

So a British filmmaker who embraced Mumbai has swept all before him in the film award stakes. Slumdog Millionaire has amassed a staggering eight Oscars, seven BAFTAS and four Golden Globes. All from Danny Boyle the man who presented us the heroin induced Ewan McGregor from Trainspotting in the mid nineties. Still to this day there are no trains. It's safe to say that if any car is the equivalent of Slumdog Millionaire in awards terms it'd be the new Ford Fiesta, which since being launched in October 2008 has had its boot full of gongs and accolades.

Having sold 12 million Fiestas worldwide, when Ford proclaimed the new Fiesta range was "the most significant global vehicle project since the Model T" I'm not ashamed to say I wet myself laughing. I just couldn't see how Ford could back up this statement with results. If you produce the world's first production car and then go on to sell 12 million of Europe's best selling hatchback since it was first made 32 years ago, you've every right to be sceptical as to just how they'll top it.

Plus if you are selling that volume of cars why would you change the design significantly and risk your millions of customers nipping over the road to another dealership? No, I think what Ford really meant was "the most significant global vehicle project since the Model T, because in these times of economic crisis if we don't shift many we're broke". After all the gigantic billboards they had surrounding the London docklands at the British Motorshow last year must've blown Kia's yearly budget away instantly.

The awards are proof that whilst it's debatable whether or not Ford has unveiled a groundbreaking project, the new car is up to the task of being a good hatchback. Now there's an even newer, er, new Ford Fiesta, the ECOnetic. It's clear from the capitalisation of 'ECO' that this car intends to be green whichever colour you choose. The old Fiesta was from the 'New Edge' school of design and the ECOnetic showcases what Ford is dubbing as 'Kinetic' styling. Another grandiose claim backed up with results, the Fiesta really does look like it's moving when sitting at the kerbside.

A large front grill only interrupted by the number plate greets you head on, whilst the side profile shows off large slashes that sweep from bonnet to boot and give the car a handsome stance. It all goes slightly awry at the back though. The high boot line is fine, as is the subtle roof spoiler and combination of metal and black plastics. Unfortunately if you don't look at the rear face-on it looks as though an elephant has run into the back of you and you've not fixed it. No such concerns with the interior styling where everything is very space-age and well located. The centre console inspired by mobile phone keypads is my favourite touch and is easy to use.

But what of the ECO bit I hear you cry. It's actually a trim level within the range, like the Ghia or Zetec of old. In this case the suspension has been lowered, wind deflectors added and low rolling resistance tyres fitted - all in the name of boosting fuel economy and reducing emissions. There's also a green shift indicator light which blinks when it's most efficient to change gear. Boy racers need not apply. A 1.6 TDC Duratorg engine can be found under the bonnet, but unlike the version found in other Fiestas in the range, this one returns a whopping 76.3mpg combined fuel consumption. Emissions are measly too with just 99g/km CO2 escaping the car. The ECOnetic has been branded the UK's greenest five door family car and with figures like this who am I to argue? Oh and thanks to those emissions, road tax is a thing of the past with this car too.

The best thing to recommend this car however is that it drives like a 'normal' Fiesta, despite the engine fettling, lowered suspension and special tyres. If you hadn't guessed already, handling like the other Fiestas in the range is a very good thing hence the wealth of awards bestowed on it. Around town it's light and maneuverable and despite only hitting 111mph, it doesn't feel uneasy in the outside lane of the motorway.

When you think about it, this car is pretty groundbreaking so maybe Ford was telling the truth after all. Either way, they should have no problem selling them, even with elephant damage.

Mark Creese is a writer and a car enthusiast. He currently writes for the automotive industry. Here he discusses the Brand New Ford Fiesta

The Volkswagen Polo - Reassuringly Expensive

If there is one lesson that life has taught me repeatedly in my time, it would be this; you get what you pay for. This extends to every consumer item available and is exclusive to no one particular product. I can give you some choice examples from my own existence if you like.

A cheap hi-fi might seem like a good idea when browsing through the electronics store; an affordable way to listen to all your favourite music in the comfort of your own home. Then when you get it home, fumble your way through the Korean-only manual and finally wire everything up, you have an ugly, plastic monstrosity that produces the kind of sound quality you would expect from an ancient gramophone. I made this mistake once and found that all the Hi-fi could do was to convert my pristine sounding CD collection into a muffled, hollow, distorted mess that sounded like it was being amplified from 50 miles away.

Another example would be the time I rather foolishly invested in a 'heavily discounted' mobile phone. What I mean by heavily discounted is that it was the cheapest, ugliest, plastic brick available from the phone shop, but the price was right. Needless to say the phone was terrible; a complete aberration of standard technological procedure. Whenever anybody called me, the phone would transform my voice into a gurgling, faint whisper in the distance. Add to that the fact that the text function rarely worked and what I had was a useless, plastic pile of rubbish.

This you get what you pay for ethos transfers perfectly to the car industry. Literally hundreds of car manufacturers are releasing small and inexpensive hatchbacks in an attempt to capitalise on the lucrative Supermini market, but as with any product; if you buy cheap, you are going to get cheap. It is reassuring then to find one car manufacturer who are unashamedly NOT competing for the lowest price possible and have stood up and said, "yeah, we're a bit more expensive, but trust us, you'll notice the difference."

The manufacturer I speak of is Volkswagen and the car of choice is their inimitable Polo.

The Volkswagen Polo has been around for what seems like centuries, always displaying the kind of elegant cool that has become synonymous with the VW brand. VW have maintained this credence with the buying public by never stooping to the lowest common denominator and releasing an edition of the Polo that is cheap and nasty (to be honest the Fox has filled that gap now). The Polo has retained a kind of grip on the hatchback market that is only rivalled by the Ford Fiesta.

One of the more popular models available is the basic 1.2Litre Polo Match. This is available for around £10,000, which puts it almost £2,000 more expensive than a similarly specced Vauxhall Corsa or Ford Fiesta. So how come the Volkswagen Polo is so popular amongst the buying public?

Quality. Quality is the answer. Consumers around the world are aware of Volkswagen's commendable reputation for reliability, performance and safety. VW's economical and ecological credentials aren't going to do the Polo's sales any harm either; it produces highly impressive Miles per gallon ratios and low CO2 emissions.

With cash to buy luxury items like cars not exactly being abundant in recent times, it's important to ensure your investment is going to pay dividends in the long run. The Volkswagen Polo will ensure cost-friendly motoring and a lifespan considerably longer than many of its cheaper competitors.

Pete J Ridgard is a writer for the automotive industry. Here he discusses the Volkswagen Polo.

Camaro Chip - Performance Chips For Enhancing the Performance

Camaro is a fine vehicle on the road. It is manufactured by Chevy. There are many people in this world who wish to install a new programmable chip in the electronic control unit of their car engines for getting a feeling of more horsepower and also an ultimately enjoyable and a smoother drive. These custom-designed Camaro chips are also available for various Chevrolet which can turn it into a high performing vehicle. It is a very easy thing to do. All you have to do is to buy and install a performance chip and then you will have to specify some parameters which will be according to your drive requirements. After installing the chips, you will notice a huge change in the speed and efficiency of your car and the gas mileage will also increase significantly. It is like a great modification to install a performance chip in the vehicle. And it is also a cost-effective option for customizing any vehicle.

With the help of a programmable performance chip, the engine's hidden potential can be invoked efficiently. Performance chips are meant to give certain features which are needed to be specified according to any engine's capability and it also includes fuel injection system. An optimized and calculated air-fuel-ratio is good for the productive environment of the internal combustion engine and due to this the car runs better in all different types of situations. It is very much necessary that the fuel utilization should be in highly controlled manner and by this the gas mileage of the vehicle also increases. And all these things can be obtained only by using a powerful computer chip only. In this system the parameters are set digitally just to make sure that they remain suitable for a longer as well as shorter drives too.

There are many cars which come with equipped computer chips such as Camaro. But they do not work as efficiently as the aftermarket chips work. These aftermarket car parts are made as direct replacements of these factory-installed chips. These performance chips are meant for various purposes as they do not come only for turning data which are responsible for controlling engine's air-fuel-ratio but it also manages its spark plugs and oxygen sensors. There is no need for upgrading any Camaro engine completely but the enhanced features can be obtained just by installing a tiny Camaro chip which will handle everything for you and it can tune the engine in a few minutes. The most beneficial thing is that there is no need of mechanic for tuning your car engine at home.

In the market, a complete series of Chevy performance chips are available. One can get these specially made performance chips very easily because these are made for different car models according to their engine specifications and various other factors also. Many people call them plug-n-play chips also because of the easiness of installing them. These performance chips are made for various Chevy models which includes Caprice, Cavalier, Corsica, Chevelle, Tracker, Kodiak, Corvette, Impala, Camaro and Corvair. There are mainly two types of chips available for Camaro and it are called Oxygen sensor power chip and surge performance chip.

The main benefit of buying these performance chips is that they are totally affordable. If anyone wants to buy an oxygen sensor chip then he can buy it easily for just $100 from a reputed manufacturer. This oxygen sensor chip can improve the engine output by 20% and it is also responsible for enhancing the throttle response. If anyone wants to improve the performance of their Chevy without upgrading its entire engine then he will need a new Camaro chip.


Tips on Removing Window Tinting

Removal of window tinting may be a complicated and messy process if one does not identify the best and easiest way to go about it. Although there are different procedures to go about it, the process can be summarized in three easy steps. These include gathering materials, removal of tint and cleaning of the windows after the process. The materials required in the removal of tint from the window usually differ and depend on the procedure that is looking to use to remove the tint. If one opts to steam the tint off, the list of materials could be rather short. This is because one is required to purchase a clothing steamer the number will depend on the amount of space from which the tint is removed.

Other tools or materials involved will include a long extension cord, a number of rags, a cup or bottle full of water and Windex. If one is looking to use razor blades one may need a number of other items apart from Windex which is also required. Ammonia that is not diluted, tarp, fine steel wool, paper towels and a garbage bag are also needed. However, one will need to carry this out on a sunny day. To use the soak and scrape approach one needs a razor blade, some water and glass cleaner and paper towels. The soak and scrape method is the easiest as it can be completed in a number of easy steps though it could take more time as compared to other methods. Once the materials are ready, one needs to cut a small part with razor blade to create a tab from where they can be able to pull.

The tint is then peeled off and the adhesive is sprayed using water. It is then scraped off using the razor blade and the window is eventually cleaned to finish the process. Since the razor can become blunt, one may have to use several before the process is over. The steaming approach is also pretty simple as one begins by steaming a section of the tint. The steamers should be held at least five centimeters way from the tint. This is enough for one to pick the tint yet far enough to help avoid injury from the steam. One is expected to peel while they steam. Even then the peeling should be done slowly repeatedly so as to have both layers come off intact hence avoid complicating the process. After this is done, any remaining tint or glue could be wiped off using a towel. If the glue is too hard it could be steamed and then removed.

This should be done over the whole area after which the surface should be cleaned thoroughly. In the Ammonia and sun method, one usually begins by spraying a section of the tint using ammonia. This is consequently covered by a garbage bag preferably plastic. The tarp is used to cover and thus protect the other parts around the area from Ammonia.

Enjoy your car and find the best deal on the insurance coverage you need. Visit us for money-saving tips, free auto insurance comparisons and affordable insurance advice at Auto Insurance Rates Direct.

Recharging the Car's Air Conditioner

On an extremely hot sunny day the last thing that one wants is the air conditioning system in the car to fail. When the air conditioning is faulty then it does not cool the inside of the car as it is supposed to. One major reason why the air conditioning may not cool the interior of the car effectively could be because it may have run low or out of refrigerant. It is possible to recharge the air conditioner on a car. It is even possible for car owners to perform this task themselves. If the car owner is proactive and pays attention to detail, then they do not have to take the car to the service shop for this to be done. For a car owner that has never had to recharge the air conditioner, reading through the car owner's manual or the repair manual will provide the necessary insight. Prior to one attempting to carry any sort of repair or maintenance work on the car, one should make sure they have the relevant information on what they are required to do on the car.

Manuals are extremely important as they provide step by step instructions on what to do in the event that some relatively small and simple part of the car requires to be replaced. This means that when the car user is looking to recharge the air conditioner on the car they have to read through their car manuals. One of the most important information that the manual may provide is the type of the refrigerant that is used in the car. There is nothing as frustrating as going to the car shop and buying refrigerant only to realize much later that it is the wrong one and therefore cannot work on the car. Recharging the car's air conditioner is a relatively easy task. It is possible for most people to carry out the task effectively by following the instructions provided on the manual. Nonetheless, the task requires the use of a few tools. First and most important of all is eye protection. The eyes need to be protected. Good protective eyewear should be purchased if one is not in possession of these.

This comes in handy at the point where the car owner has to check the system if there is any refrigerant left. Another very important tool is the recharge kit. Car owners should make sure that they purchase recharge kits that come with pressure gauges. The pressure gauges are important as they help to ensure that overcharging does not occur. Obviously, no recharging would take place if the refrigerant was not available. Thus, it is important to buy the recommended refrigerant required. It is important for the car owners to note that they should always buy the right kind of refrigerant for their cars. Refrigerants should never be mixed. Moreover, the mixing of refrigerants is illegal. However, if one is not up to the task of carrying out the task they should get a professional to do this for them.

Have a fun and safe time on the road, and visit us to find the best deal on the insurance coverage you need. Get money-saving tips, affordable auto insurance rates and helpful advice about automotive coverage from Auto Insurance Rates Direct today.

Choosing Between the Base Mini Cooper and the "S" Model

When it comes to a fun car to drive, the Mini Cooper is hard to drive. Often described as similar to driving a go-kart, the hardest decision you may face is whether to go with the base model or the "S" version.

The Mini Cooper was thought to be a great car whose time had passed long ago. Built in England, the car was popular with enthusiasts, but disappeared over time for a host of reason. Then someone at BMW hit upon the idea of buying the brand. After spending a bit of money to do just that, BMW started building the cars and they are an undisputed hit these days. They are so popular that a recent study found that the Mini Cooper has the highest value retention rate of any car on the road with the models retaining a staggering 67 percent of their value after three years.

Most Mini Cooper owners tell you that you'll be hooked the first time you drive the car. They're telling the truth! This is a seriously fun car to drive because it handles like it is on rails. It also is unique and quirky in a definite attempt to avoid the cookie cutter style of most cars today.

The biggest issue you will face when buying a Cooper is which model to go with? There is a longer body Clubman and a hatchback version. We're going to focus on the popular hatchback you see everywhere. The hatchback comes in a base model and an "S" model. The basic difference is the "S" is turbocharged these days. When the car first came out, a supercharger was used instead of the turbo. Regardless, the "S" is a major step up in pep from the base body and costs a couple thousand dollars more.

At this point, we would have a conversation regarding how fast you like to drive if we were talking about some other type of car. We can skip that conversation with the Mini Cooper. Regardless of how you drive, you want to buy the "S" version with the turbocharger. Why? The size of the car is a huge issue. The Mini Cooper is small. This means many SUVs and such driving around you will have problems seeing you. The turbocharged version of the car has immense and immediate pickup. This allows you to avoid collisions with people that don't see you before they make lane changes and such. It won't happen often, but you'll be glad you have the extra power when it does.

Is there a downside to the turbocharged version of the Mini Cooper? Yes. It is easy to fall in love with the performance provided by the turbo. This can lead to undesired discussions with officers of the law - repeatedly. The car is cheap and fun to drive. Wish I could say the same thing for my insurance!

Dirk Gibson writes for DCJAutoParts.com - find car parts online for your car that won't cost an arm and a leg.

Two Ways to Get Car Sales Back Up

The current economic climate is about as gloomy as it gets. With economic gurus arguing over whether we are in a really bad recession or depression, the time for some inspiring ideas has come. Here are two to get car sales fired back up again.

The news out of Detroit is staggeringly bad. Sales for February 2009 were down 41 percent compared to February 2008. Less we start badmouthing American companies, it should be clear that this is a world wide problem. Toyota sales are way down. Honda sales are plummeting. BMW sales figures make that sound a bomb did in old movies as it fell to the ground. It is bad all over, which means we need an effective plan to get things moving again.

The one thing we don't need to do is give companies like GM money. Pushing money into these companies keeps them afloat, but it doesn't solve the problem. It is like giving a gunshot victim repeated shots of morphine. Yes, they feel better, but they are still bleeding!

The way to solve the crisis in the car market is to create irresistible incentives for people to go and buy cars. President Obama started down this road by including a tax deduction for any sales tax paid on a car purchase in the stimulus bill. While being allowed to deduct sales tax is nice, it isn't nearly enough.

The first step that should be taken is to modify the tax code to state that the interest paid on car loans is tax deductible. This is exactly what we do with the interest on mortgages. Creating such a sizeable deduction would definitely entice a lot of buyers back to the dealers' showrooms.

The second step that should be taken is to create a trade in tax credit or deduction. If a person trades in a car over "x" years old to buy a new car, they should get a tax benefit. Again, we are getting people back into the dealers. The more this occurs, the more the companies will begin to heal.

Finally, we need to back companies that provide car loans. Getting people interested in buying doesn't mean much if they can't get loans for cars. The government can set the minimum requirements that must be met for car loans and then agree to guarantee anything above that. This will get the banks and lenders back into the game since the risk will be gone.

If we take these three steps, we motivate people to buy cars again and provide them with the money to do it. Instead of throwing good money after bad to keep the car companies afloat, we actually spend money fixing the problem. Once the car market is healthy again, we pull back on some of the more costly aspects of this plan down the road.

Dirk Gibson is with http://www.dcjautoparts.com - get inexpensive auto parts and accessories for your car.

Public Auction Car - Savings on Wheels

Have you ever wondered what happens to those cars that the police confiscate from criminals? Or those cars that have been abandoned at the side of the road and have to be towed away at public expense? Well, typically they end up at public car auctions, where people can pick up some good deals for not a lot of money. Welcome to the world of the public auction car a.k.a savings on wheels.

But that's not the only kinds of cars that will be for sale at these auctions! You'll also find cars that have been repossessed because the former owner couldn't keep up the payments, cars that used to form the fleet of rental car companies, and best of all, cars that used to form the fleet of the police and government workers.

A public auction car needs to be sold quickly and efficiently, and the way to do that is to hold an auction where people can come and kick the tires, take a look under the hood, and then drive away in a nice new ride (or be towed away by someone just looking for a place to cannibalize parts!)

You can attend these auctions in person - there are about 40 sites around the country where these are held - or you can attend them at home, from the comfort of your own computer.

If you're looking for an inexpensive public auction car, check out the web for these auction sites. You'll find photos of the car, their specs, and their minimum bid price - which can be pretty low. Of course you'll be competing against other people so sometimes that bid can go up pretty high - you'll need to be patient and know when to fold and walk away. Don't get caught up in the adrenalin rush of outbidding someone who is trying to take 'your' car - although that happens more at live auctions than online ones, it's a definite danger for overly competitive types.

Wally Salem writes for popular website GovernmentSeizedCarAuctionHelp.Com. He is an expert on government auctions and his articles contains stacks of information on things like public auction car and much more. Find out how you can get luxury cars for peanuts when you check out the site today!

Sunday, March 08, 2009

Finding The Truck Accessories Distributor

Truck accessories distributor

It wasn't too long ago that finding a truck accessories distributor meant a lot of work, miles and effort. These folks are the lifeblood for most of our truck needs. There was a time we could drive the street and see them all over but finding what we needed may have taken more than a few stops. Today, most of the small and even specialty shops have fallen by the wayside as the truck accessories distributor most likely swallowed up by the big chain stores.

The new kid on the block today are the outstanding internet website for general or specialty truck parts, supplies and accessories. The fun is now back in shopping as we grab our favorite drink, kick off our shoes and let the click of the mouse do the work. We can purchase online anything you could possibly conceive. From pickups to atv's there's the product we're looking for.

Not only are we going to enjoy our experience but we'll find good bargains and generally wholesale pricing with good money back guarantees. In just a few short days our order lands up on the front door with no muss no fuss.

We don't need to hunt help and deal with the total lack of interest we've become exposed too today in the store front. Anymore I feel that I’m intruding when I go for help. Enough of that nonsense. So much for the mighty chain stores marketing – it's simply the bottom line but we've lost that people feeling.

No wonder the internet has become rapidly our choice in shopping. Accessories for Toyota, Dodge, Chevy, Ford, GMC and Nissan trucks are now easy to find, at the right price, shipped normally the same day fro m major manufactures through the truck accessories distributor. So enjoy your shopping experience.

For your automotive accessory needs at http://www.lift-kits-4u.com

Volvo XC90 2006 - The Weekly Driver

Driving from Northern California to Oregon is seemingly a simple task.
Find Interstate 5 and progress north for five hours or so. The road is
largely well-maintained, and the normal flow of traffic is brisk.

But good roads, a fast pace and few navigational tasks don't necessarily
make a long drive easy. Changing weather, drivers' strange habits,
elevation gains and the overall challenge of enduring a 300-mile drive
from Sacramento can all provide obstacles.

Of course, comfort, efficiency and enjoyment of the trip can also vary
greatly, depending upon the vehicle used.

In one recent instance, the journey was made appreciably easier and
enjoyable in a 2006 Volvo XC90, the first and only sports utility vehicle
offered by the Swedish manufacturer.

The XC90 provides an exceedingly smooth and comfortable ride,
particularly on the open road. My test vehicle was the 4.4-liter, 8-
cylinder, 311-horsepower model with a six-speed automatic
transmission.

The 32-valve V8 engine is transversely mounted, and the vehicle is the
most powerful car Volvo has ever made. It's also the first V8 to meet the
Ultra-Low Emission Vehicle (ULEV) level II standards.

From acceleration to ride quality and maneuverability to comfort, the
XC90 couldn't have been any better. During a four-day mini-vacation,
my wife and I traveled more than 1,000 miles.

Since much of the trip comprised freeway miles, the vehicle's most
noticeable attribute was its smooth ride. And while certainly impressive,
the ride quality of the XC90 can also be a potential issue. On more than
one occasion, I exceeded 80 mph on the interstate with no inkling of my
speed.

Introduced in mid-2005 as a competitor with the Acura MDX and the
Lexus RX 330, the new XC90 has several improvements for 2006.

All-wheel drive now includes a trademarked feature called Instant
Traction. It delivers an increase of up to 50 percent more torque to the
rear axle when appropriate.

Also new is a convenience package. It includes rear park assist, power
retractable mirrors, power child door locks and a cargo security cover
and protection net.

This option further complements an already impressive list of standard
features and options: Leather seats in all three rows, power moonroof,
an audio system with a six CD in-dash changer and rear-seat audio
controls, automatic dimming mirrors, climate control, combined wooden
and leather steering wheel, heated front seats, and rear-seat audio
controls were included on my test vehicle.

The options don't come cheap. The climate package (heated seats and
headlamp washers) adds $675 and the Touring Package (18-inch alloy
wheels, sound system wooden inlay, wooden steering wheel and
leather shift knob) are a $1,795 addition. Metallic paint contributes
another $475 to the price. Factor in the $695 destination charge and the
vehicle approaches the $50,000 plateau — a restrictive price barrier for
buyers.

Despite its size, the XC90 has a impressively short turning radius. Its
exterior design is sleek, not the more standard box-like SUV look.
Instrumentation is attractive, although the clock is small and nearly
hidden. The vehicle also has a full list of stability and traction features,
and it's big on cargo space, offering 93.2 cubic feet of cargo capacity.

Another small but appreciably functional feature is a rotational digital
read out of the estimated remaining miles left in the gas tank as well as
the estimated average speed during and gas mileage per tank. In our
1,000-mile voyage, we averaged 20.4 mpg.

All things considered, the XC90 is a fine choice. It's Volvo longest and
biggest vehicle, and it could also soon be among the most popular
luxury SUVs on the market.

2006 Volvo XC 90

Safety features – Driver and front passenger side-impact and
dual-impact supplemental airbags and inflatable curtain airbags on all
three rows.

Fuel Mileage (estimates) – 15 (city), 21 (highway).

Warranty – Bumper to bumper, 4 years/50,000 miles;
Corrosion, 8 years, limited mileage; 4-year, unlimited mileage roadside
assistance.

Base price – $45,840.00

James Raia is a syndicated columnist, author and publisher in
Sacramento, Calif. To read more of his car reviews or other articles or to
subscribe to his free newsletters, visit his web site: http://www.ByJamesRaia.com

Snow Blowers - 8 Steps to Keep Yours Running Smoothly

Your snowblower is perhaps your most valubale piece of mechanized machinery that you own (besides your car of course!) - so it requires regular servicing to ensure that it will perform just when you need it. If you look after your snow blower correctly you will enjoy several winters of excellent response and performance from your blower. Well worth that additional investment if you do not want to be left stranded. Here are some basic and practical ways that you can help prolong the life of your snowblower.

1. Tires. You need to ensure that your tires have aqequate thread and that they have enough pressure. If you have chains then you need to ensure that they are in good conditions and stored somewhere convenient.

2. Two Cylinder Engine. If you have a two cylinder/two stroke engine that uses a mix of gas and oil then you will need to periodialcally replace the spark plug.

3. 4 cylinder engine. You snowblower engine will need to be maintained and serviced just like any other engine. For four cyliner engines with separate oil and gas, you will need to change the oil, filter, and spark plug. Oil levels should ideally be checked every time you use your snow blower. A four cylinder engine will typically use 5W30 oil and take around 20 ounces. It is best to keep a stock decent supply of oil.

4. Rubber Paddles.You need to regularly check the rubber paddles and the rubber on the auger. The space between the augur and the housing should be less than the width of your finger. If more, then you should replace the rubber to allow your snowblower to run more efficiently.

5. Scrapebar. Check out the condition of the scraperbar. To do this you need to turn your snowblower on it's side. The scraper bar does the work of moving the snow and so is likely to wear quickly and will often need replacing. It is imperative that you replace the bar before if gets too worn. If the bar is worn you can damage the housing on your blower and you will end up with far bigger problems and expense. Depending on how often you use your snowblower, I would recommend regualr checks.

6. Drive and Chassis. It is important that you lube the drive and chassis. If you have a 2 stage snowblower you will need to Your owners manual will confirm which type of snowthrower you have and tell you which type of lubricant to use.

7. Belts and Bolts. Check all the belts, bolts and moving parts. Over the Summer bolts can become worn or loose. Belts can become frayed or cracked. Belts may also need to be tightened. Check out your owners manual on how to do this and always adhere to the safety guidelines.

8. Fuel. It is best practice to ensure that there is no fuel left in the tank from the previos year. It is recommended to siphon off the old gaseoline and fill up with a fresh tank. To prevent the carburetor from freezing it is also recommended to add some methanol to your gaseoline once every few months.

Keith Kingston is a professional web publisher who is an authority on a wide variety of subjects. Find out more about his reviews on snow blowers

Considering a Car - Car Buying Tips

As one of the "major purchases" in life, car buying is one to be carefully considered. Your first task will be to determine exactly what market you're going for.

  • New or Used?

    There are a lot of choices to consider when buying a car. Your choices will depend on your situation. Even the climate you live in can pay an important role in this decision.

    Important information about cars and fuel economy should always be considered. Guidelines for purchasing a car can be found at the Federal Information Center, as well as a wealth of other money related issues. Check it out, you’ll be surprised at the valuable information you’ll find there.

    They even have a government site for kids at FirstGov For Kids . It’s kid friendly and contains everything from Arts to Transportation. Even has a careers page! Well, not to get off track but wanted to make sure check out all the great stuff there!

    Back on track……. You know my philosophy……. Informed Consumer - More Savings! So. Of course your first order of business is to RESEARCH!
    Always check several resources to get the best price and the best value.

  • Don't fall into the Keep up with the Joneses trap - "You are what you drive?" I don’t think so. What about that next door millionaire riding around in the weathered family car. They’re not wasting their money trying keep up with the Joneses!

    More than likely the $40,000 they wouldn’t spend on that nice fancy car is sitting in a profitable investment earning an income or interest. And I bet they’re not losing sleep over their huge outstanding debts!

    This should give you an idea how they got to be millionaires. Not by spending their money, but rather managing it first.

    A good financial plan that allows for proper upkeep and maintenance of your family car will payoff in the end. Cars that are maintained properly require less repair and last a lot longer. The next rule in purchasing an automobile is therefore….

  • Don’t buy a new automobile if you don’t really need it! -
    Well that’s simple enough, but sooner or later you’re bound to need one. One thing we know for sure. No matter how well you take care of the treasured family car, eventually you’ll need to replace it.

    Cars just don’t last forever! Or, you may want to pass a still usable car to a young newly licensed family member and invest in another for the main family car.

    This is always a great way to recycle automobiles and save money at the same time. Plus, it’ll make your young driver happy to have their own wheels.

    Or, maybe it won’t when they find out all the responsibilities that come with ownership. And I strongly encourage that you teach them and give them that responsibility right from the start.

    Teens who are responsible for their own automobile expenses, such as maintenance, repair, insurance, and gasoline are almost always more responsible drivers.

    They will develop pride in their ownership and responsibility and therefore a more caring attitude. Besides, it‘s a good way to teach yet another financial lesson.

  • Buying a used car? Know the Truth... Before You Buy! - Truth is, buying a used car can be risky. How do you know what you're getting? well, if you don't have an expert friend or family member, you may be able to use an online source (some will charge a small fee, but it may be worth it in the long run) to find out if the car has...

    • hidden accident damage?

    • false odometer readings?

    • been in a major car crash?

    • had a car theft report filed?

    • flood damage?

    • been labeled a lemon?

    Whatever you choose, be careful out there.
    It seems shopping for the family car can be just as hazardous as driving it!

    Cheryl Johnson is a mother of four helping herself and others become and remain debt free. Publisher of Simple Debt Free Living at http://www.simpledebtfreeliving.com - A self-help plan, ideas, and resources for debt management, household budget planning, frugal and debt free living, and extra income opportunities. Including money saving tips for groceries, clothing, bills, home decorating, gifts, weddings, buying a car, and much more.

  • Buy Truck Lift Kits Online

    Suspension and truck lift kits combine for your great off road rides. With such a large variety you can't but help having some fun. Grab your favorite drink and that mouse to go shopping for your truck lift kits. Whether serious off-roading or just some aggressive fun great auto accessories makes all the difference.

    Dodge lifts, Ford lifts, Gm, Chevy, 4x4 lift parts, adjustable coil lift, shocks all combine for some great shopping items to enhance that truck experience in your life. It's no longer hard or annoying to find those truck items you're looking for. Isn't it neat to grab your favorite drink, sit back and relax, click the mouse and let you index finger do all the work.

    Your new goodies will be drop shipped to your front porch with a great money back 100% satisfaction guarantee. Most all the online products are manufactured by outstanding reputable well experienced companies that have been in the business for years. They can also equipment you with the knowledge you need along with instructions. Try getting that type of help at the dirt world store.

    Keep in mind that off-road suspension packages also will provide greater suspension travel. Again, this allows you to negotiate rutted trails more easily and travel over bigger rocks. Plus, increased suspension travels makes your vehicle's ride more comfortable when it's going over the tough stuff--even if the tough stuff is a road full of potholes. You can buy your truck lift kits wholesale online.

    Visit us at http://www.lift-kits-4u.com for all your accessory automotive needs.