Wednesday, March 10, 2010

You Can Protect Your Car From Mother Nature

Mother Nature has it out for you…your car, that is. The moment you bring your vehicle home from the dealership, the assault has begun. Sun, rain, snow, hail, dust, birds, debris, pollution, and a host of other elements and items can doom your “new car” look in no time. What can you do? Fight back, that’s how. Let’s take a look at some smart ways you can protect your vehicle’s finish and keep it from looking old before its time.

Wash and wax. Okay, so you don’t have a hose handy. If you go to the car wash, make sure that it is brushless, otherwise the circular marks on your finish will certainly do a number on your car’s appearance in no time. As far as waxing your vehicle, polishes made by popular brands including Turtle Wax should do the trick. Yes, I know, a friend recommended a particular brand that can give your car a look that is better than new. Go ahead and use it…just follow the directions on the bottle precisely!

Keep it covered. Yes, driving down the street with a car cover on your car will certainly get you some attention! I do not recommend that you do that, but having a car cover available for your vehicle makes sense even if you keep your prized possession garaged. Dust and indoor pollution can take its toll even when your car sits in your garage while bird crap, moisture, hail, tree sap, the sun, and small impacts can hurt your car’s finish when parked outside. The more layers your car cover has, the better the protection it will offer too. Select one that has mirror pockets for the best fit.

Minor details. Other accessories that offer protection for your vehicle include: floor mats and liners, seat covers, vent shades, hood protectors, and brake dust shields. If you carry pets regularly then a pet pad or pet box can protect your interior like nothing else.

When purchasing cleaning products make sure you read all labels carefully. That cleaner you use may not be the best thing for your wheels and the interior of your car should have its own type of cleaner. Check manufacturer’s recommendations to make sure that the product you use is the right one; some cars come with an initial supply of cleaning materials to help you properly treat your brushed aluminum or burl wood interior.

thehealers
myfacenetworking

You Can Save Money On Car Expenses

Gas prices remain at historically high levels and the long term trend is indicating that they will stay high. If you own one or more cars, you understand that saving cash somewhere, somehow is important to helping you preserve your budget. The following are some important tips to help you manage your car expenses.

Look over your insurance. If your car is between two and three thousand dollars, consider canceling your collision coverage. The money you save could then be set aside by you toward a down payment on your next vehicle.

Keep your tires suitably inflated. Your gas mileage will fall if your tires are under inflated. Keep your tires at the suggested pressure amounts and your gas mileage should stay stable.

Do not change your oil too often. Unless you drive entirely in the city you do not need to change your oil every 3000 miles. Most cars can last up to 7500 miles between changes. You will, however, still need to change your oil twice yearly even if you drive infrequently.

Do some minor maintenance yourself. You can change your wipers, the air filter, battery, and replace a tire yourself. If you rely on others, your costs will climb considerably.

Use regular gas. If your car requires regular gas, do not indulge in premium. Your car probably will not run any better and you will have paid as much as 25 cents extra per gallon extra.

Don't purchase an comprehensive warranty. The amount of money you pay for an extended warranty is usually more than what the warranty is worth. If you feel that a particular car model requires an extended warranty, perhaps you should consider shopping for a vehicle that is much more dependable.

You can save plenty of money by washing and waxing your car yourself. Treat yourself to the services of a car wash no more than 2-3 times per year.

Follow the manufacturer's recommendations. The manufacturer of your vehicle will know how long parts should last. Change your timing belt before it becomes a problem, your fuel filter as required, and keep an eye on your brakes, tires, and shocks. Most cars built today do not need a complete tune up for as long as one hundred thousand miles, so do not put down the $250 for a tune up before one becomes a necessity.

Use a private garage. No, you do not have to take your Chevy to the Chevrolet dealership for service. If you have a decent, local garage that knows your make and model you can typically save money by using them instead.

We aren’t likely to see gas prices below $2 per gallon again, while $3 per gallon may soon be the rule. Supply and demand cannot be controlled, but you can take the above steps to make certain that your car does not cost you more than it should.

jaman
myface

Your Auto Warranty: What To Look For

When deciding which car to buy, make sure you check the auto warranty that comes with the vehicle. In this article we will help you sort through all the auto warranty-related issues. After all, not every new car warranty is created equally. Some will cover all the non-wear items on the car up to only three years or 36,000 miles. Others will cover repairs all the way up to 10 years or 100,000 miles. The strength of the coverage that is included will help you decide whether to buy an extended auto warranty.

It's important to understand the different parts of an auto warranty as it is good to know the difference between a new car warranty and an extended auto warranty.

A typical new car warranty has two parts: the "bumper to bumper" warranty, which covers everything except the "wear" items such as brakes and tires; and the power-train warranty that covers all the parts that make the car move, such as the engine and transmission.

Bumper to Bumper

Few extended vehicle warranty plans cover absolutely everything on a vehicle. Read the warranty contract and find out exactly what is and what is not covered. If the contract says it covers everything except for X, Y, and Z; that's a lot more coverage than a contract which lists 10 or 20 items which are covered. Keep in mind your own history with vehicles and what repair/maintenance you expect to have in the next few years to your car.

Wear and Tear

Many extended vehicle warranty plans cover parts that break, just as they cover those that wear out. Once again, read the contract to understand the differences and how they may affect your final cost.

An extended auto warranty can be purchased to prolong the coverage of the bumper-to-bumper warranty. Most people are familiar with the extended warranty that is sold at dealerships. This is sometimes called a "factory warranty" because factory-trained technicians perform the required work on the car. There are also "third-party" warranties, which can save consumers money but are generally less convenient to use. Many third-party warranties require out-of-pocket payment for repairs before reimbursement. Weigh all these factors carefully before you make your choice.

By looking carefully at your auto warranty before you buy, you will save yourself much potential future problems.

glasgowstudent
thepoint

Your Guide To Towing – Know Before You Tow

If you love to camp, hike, fish, water ski and enjoy the great outdoors; chances are there will come a time when you want to tow a boat or camping trailer. Know before you tow with this guide to towing.

Here are some terms you should be familiar with and what you need to check. The Base Curb Weight + Cargo Weight + Passenger Weight = GVW or Gross Vehicle Weight. The GVW + Loaded Trailer Weight = GCW or Gross Combination Weight.

The GVW must not exceed the GVWR which can be found on the safety Compliance Certification label. The GVWR is the maximum weight allowed on a fully loaded vehicle. This includes passengers and cargo. Once you have this information, you will be able to figure out what size trailer a vehicle can tow.

There are two different types of hitches on the market. A weight carrying hitch is common for small to medium size trailers. Use a good weight carrying hitch that properly distributes the weight. You’ll find a label on the hitch that provides the weight carrying and weight distributing capacity of the hitch. Don’t exceed the rating.

The weight distributing hitch uses a hitch platform to distribute the tongue load to all the wheels of the towing vehicle and trailer. It is the required type of hitch for most Class III and IV trailers. This type of hitch is welded or bolted to the frame of the vehicle and it has equalizing arms that are connected from the hitch to the trailer’s frame.

Besides the GVWR and the correct type of hitch, you also need to make sure your braking system is adequate. If your load is more than 1500 pounds, the law requires a separate braking system. There are two types on the market.

Electronically controlled brakes provide both automatic and manual control of the trailer brakes. The tow vehicle needs to be equipped with a controlling device and requires some wiring. Surge brakes are independent and are activated by a master cylinder that is located at the junction of the trailer tongue and hitch. Make sure your braking system conforms with all legal requirements.

The trailer will also need to be equipped with trailer lights that meet government regulations. Do not connect the trailer lights directly to the vehicle’s lighting system. They need to be installed with a proper wiring harness. See your dealer to ensure you have the correct wiring harness for your vehicle.

Safety chains should always be used when towing. They provide a connection between the trailer and the vehicle should the hitch fail. Cross the chains under the trailer tongue to stop the tongue from connecting with the ground if the hitch fails, and leave only enough slack to allow for a full turn.

A trailer is a great investment. It will take you from the mountains to the valleys and from the river to the lakes. If you haven’t towed before it’s natural to feel overwhelmed about choosing a vehicle and trailer to tow safely. This guide to towing will have you confidently towing in no time!

tugzip.com
gothamcenter

Friday, February 26, 2010

The Best Ways To Test Out A Luxury Car

Luxury cars offer drivers the smoothest, most comfortable rides and have some of the most advanced engineering of any vehicles on the road. Many drivers and passengers alike wish that they could experience these beautiful driving machines, but only a select few people can count themselves lucky enough to own these exquisite cars that cost quite a pretty penny. If you are contemplating the purchase of a luxury car, you will want to be certain that your money is well spent.

Although there are plenty of consumer guides to luxury cars that can give you important information about things like safety statistics and gas mileage for various models of cars, there are a few things that no guide can tell you. Some of those things include which luxury car’s design is most suited to your driving style; which car’s controls will be the most intuitive for you to use; and which car will be the most satisfying for you to drive. This means that you will want to spend some time behind the wheel of your luxury car of choice before you sign on the dotted line.

There are two ways to try out a luxury car before you buy. One is to take a test drive, and the other is to take out a short term rental on the car you are considering purchasing. Each of these choices has its own advantages and disadvantages. A test drive is free, which makes it more attractive to many drivers. A rental can cost quite a bit of money, even if you only rent the luxury car in question for a week or a few days. However, a test drive is rarely more than half an hour long, which can severely limit the kind of experience you can have in the car you are considering the purchase of. A rental offers a longer time frame that will allow you to really get to know the ins and outs of your potential car, allowing you to make a truly informed decision. With a rental, you will be able to travel the streets you normally traverse through the course of your day. This will give you a realistic picture of what it would be like to navigate and park with the luxury car you are contemplating.

Although in this way a rental is highly preferable to a test drive, a rental isn’t always a practical or possible choice. Often, consumers who are comparing different luxury cars are interested in the hottest, newest cars on the market. These kinds of vehicles are often in great demand, which means that they are not likely to make it onto the lot at your local rental outlet. In these cases, try to get your dealer to allow you a longer test drive than the average customer. Occasionally, a salesperson will be willing to let you try a luxury car for up to twenty four hours. So even if a rental isn’t an option, you may still be able to give the car a thorough spin around your neighborhood.

communitywalk

The Benefits Of Radar Detector

If you are anything like me, then your life is really busy and there is not enough time in the day to get everything accomplished. Busyness may be reflected in many ways in your life, such as choosing fast food over a home cooked meal or not getting enough sleep. One thing that my busy lifestyle has meant for me is fast driving. I know, it isn't safe, and I've really been working on my schedule to allow enough time for safe driving, but in the meantime I've discovered the best thing of all: a radar detector.

Basically, a radar detector is something you can buy and install in your vehicle that allows you to be made aware of when their is a police car near you. Why is this helpful, you ask? Well, for those of us who drive even a little bit over the legal speed limit, a radar detector allows us to be warned whenever there is a cop that could potentially pull us over for our bad behavior.

I know, it sounds horrible to use a radar detector because it basically allows you to break the law without getting caught for it. I have learned, however, that inspite all of my efforts to just slow down, that life is going to continue at a fast pace and hence that I need to rely on a tool like a radar detector if I have any hope of keeping my driving record clear. There have been probably fifteen instances in the past year alone where I have been speeding along from one activity to the next and my radar detector has suddenly alarmed me that their is a cop near me. I can immediately slow down to the speed limit and remove the risk that I might get caught.

Obviously, if having a radar detector were legal than every driver would have one and no one would ever get caught speeding on the roads. Not everyone has learned the secret of the radar detector yet, so that is why I am trying to enlighten other fast drivers and make it possible for a few more of us to get by without tickets. Yes, radar detectors cost money, and so not everyone will be able to purchase one. The way I look at it is that a one time purchase of a radar detector is much more reasonable than paying for an endless number of speeding tickets. So here are your options: either slow down and drive the speed limit or purchase a radar detector to protect you from getting caught in your bad habit.

Avotone

Test Driving Tips

Are you thinking of getting a used car? Are you searching for tips on what to check and look for when considering buying a car? It is of utmost importance to have a thorough knowledge of the car that you are going to acquire. This will ensure your enjoyment and contentment for the years to come using your car.

The proper mind set

First of all, you must keep in mind that test driving a car is not a simple procedure. It will determine the claimed performance of the car you want by the dealer and contrast it with the performance in real conditions. This is the time wherein you can see if the car that you have always wanted measures up with your ideals and standards.

Prepare a checklist of criteria

It is important to make a checklist of criteria by which you will be able to judge a car's performance without having any problems regarding objectivity. It will help you see the car's advantages and disadvantages without the influence of other factors that are not as important. This will also enable you to conduct the test drive faster since you already have a set list of the things that you are looking for in a car.

Explore other weather conditions

You should consider test driving a car in inclement weather conditions to have a better feel of the car's overall performance regardless of the type of weather it will be used in. It is good to know the car's feel when driving in rainy conditions or at night. If the dealer requires that a representative accompany you on the test drive, let the person know what you are planning to do and what route you will be taking.

Drive in different kinds of terrain

When test driving a car, outline a route that will take you to different kinds of terrain like bumpy roads and steep hills. When checking a car's turning capabilities and braking power, consider doing it in a side street that has very little traffic. If you are going to evaluate the car's acceleration and speed, then taking it to the open highway or the interstate is a good idea. You should also do a lot of driving on the types of roads that you encounter in everyday driving like your route from work going to your house or vice-versa.

Inside the car

When you are inside the car and behind the wheel, some of the things that you should check are the following:

Look to see if the gauges are working properly and are easy to read. Make certain you can easily see beyond the steering wheel and it does not in any way obstruct your view.

On the dashboard

After checking the gauges and steering wheel, the next thing to look at is the dashboard. Check that all the dashboard controls are within easy reach and you do not need to significantly move out of a comfortable driving position. Search for any extensions on the dashboard that may potentially cause injury to the driver or passenger during sudden stops or when surging forward.

Visibility

Check that windshield wipers are working properly. Use the squirting mechanism that applies the wiper fluid onto the windshield and find areas that may not be reached by it. This is critical since it may affect your night time driving and when driving during bad weather conditions. Does the car have a tint? If the tint is too thick, it will impair night visibility and cause you to have a hard time driving at night. There are also laws that prevent the windshield from being tinted. Check the rules and regulations in your state to determine if that applies.

On the road

While driving, check for blind spots by looking closely at the side mirrors as well as the rear view mirror. Evaluate the performance of the car's suspension by checking if it offers a comfortable ride and you feel that you are in control at all times. Look for a parking lot without too much vehicles and conduct a few sharp turns as well as a U-turn. Does the suspension work well or does the car wobble too much?

Steering performance

Observe that the car has a responsive steering mechanism. A little turn of the steering wheel should be enough for the car to respond efficiently. The steering should be balanced enough so as to have enough power for easy steering and at the same time it should correctly render the feel of the road to the driver.

These are some of the things to consider when taking a car for a road test. Remember to put a car's performance first in your priority before its other aspects.

mybookface