Author : Harvey Ong
So you've come to the decision that you need to sell your classic automobile. Assuming you already have a good idea of the price that your car goes for and that you've kept in, at least, good condition, the question becomes where to go next. Well, one could always go to a classic car trader. A classic car trader, in essence, is something -- be it an individual, organization or company -- that helps buyers of classic machines get in contact with the people selling said machines.For buyers, a classic car trader is one of the best places to go to find that particular make and model that will complete their priceless little collection. Whether they are online or on paper, the average trader will have a listing of various ads placed by sellers. The usual details are the ones that you, as a buyer, would expect. Information like the make and model of the car, when it was originally manufactured, the asking price of the seller, and the seller's contact information are all required for a typical ad. Some other traders will go the extra mile and require at least one photo of the car being sold. Online traders provide the additional flexibility of a search system that can be customized with details like the price range, the specific year the model was made, or the models made by a specific manufacturer.For sellers, classic car traders provide just another potential avenue for them to get their car off their hands, for whatever reason. For you, as a seller, a trader could actually be your best option, especially the online ones. Both paper and online traders offer the advantage of reaching more people than other advertising methods, unless you can afford to pay for a TV ad and can find a station willing to broadcast that ad. If you're selling your car, these traders can do most of the leg work of getting people to notice that machine you've put up for sale. However, once that part is done, negotiating and hammering out the details with the buyer is entirely in your hands.However, there are risks present in using a classic car trader, for both the buyers and the sellers. For buyers, there is the slight risk that the ad is not legitimate. Being scammed through a trader, though rare, does happen and oftentimes, all the trader can provide the buyer is what little information they have on the supposed seller. The few traders out there that verify the information put into an ad is low and most of the bigger ones don't even bother, going by a "buy at your own risk" stance. For sellers, the risk of putting up your contact information for the whole world to see is one that you have to assume. While not exactly a road to identity theft, it could lead to such, or to annoyance from telemarketers. Sellers have also, on rare occasions, been scammed out of their cars and, sadly, the traders take a similar "not our responsibility" stance when this happens.A classic car trader, despite the risks, is still the best option for you if you really want to sell your old but nostalgia-inducing automobile. There are other options, such as relying on word-of-mouth advertising, or having your car put up for auction, but when it all comes down to it, a classic car trader can get your car noticed by the most number of potential buyers. In the end, if you're selling something, you would want it to be noticed by as many interested people as possible.For more valuable information on Classic Car Trader, please visit http://classifieds.itrustmotors.com//cgi-bin/classifieds.cgi?db=classic
Keyword : classic car trader
วันเสาร์ที่ 1 มีนาคม พ.ศ. 2551
What’s Your Favorite Car?
Author : Jonathon Hardcastle
Have you ever wondered about the differences in the tastes of men and women when it comes to cars? Clearly, men prefer cars that look tough and masculine and ooze power while women prefer cars that are "cute" and stylish, right? Well, that's true to a certain extent, according to a recent study on car ownership between the sexes. However, what may be surprising to some is that there are areas of common interest between men and women and that both actually share a liking for the same favorite cars.According to registration records for new 2005 and 2006 car models (January 2006 to the present), men love luxurious, high performance cars, preferably with a horsepower of 367 or more. On the other hand, women prefer cars that are affordable, practical and safe. They also put a premium on design flair in their cars as evidenced by the popularity of the Eclipse Spyder convertible, which had the highest percentage of female registrants of any car on the market. The preferred horsepower for the women's cars were way below the standards of men, with the top five models having only an average 172 hp compared to 367 hp in the men's favorites. It was just like you expected, right?It was interesting to see the Mitsubishi Eclipse Spyder on top of the list of women's favorite cars. If you take a good look at it, it does somehow seem like a feminine-looking car. But hold it. The Eclipse Spyder also happens to be the car of choice among 34.2% of male registrants. In fact, the study showed that registration records indicate that men sometimes buy feminine cars but women rarely purchase male-oriented, testosterone-fueled sports and luxury cars.The thing is, what really makes a feminine car? I mean, I always considered the Mitsubishi Eclipse Spyder to be a masculine car ever since I first saw it in the 2003 movie "2 Fast 2 Furious," particularly since it belonged to the angry, muscular ex-convict played by Tyrese Gibson.The next popular cars for women were the Toyota RAV4 sport utility vehicle (SUV) and another Mitsubishi favorite, the hardtop Eclipse coupe. The men's favorites were the Honda Acura NSX sports car and DaimlerChrysler's Mercedes-Benz S55 AMG performance sedan.Jonathon Hardcastle writes articles on many topics including Automotive, Outdoors, and Recreation
Keyword : Car, Automotive, vehicle
Have you ever wondered about the differences in the tastes of men and women when it comes to cars? Clearly, men prefer cars that look tough and masculine and ooze power while women prefer cars that are "cute" and stylish, right? Well, that's true to a certain extent, according to a recent study on car ownership between the sexes. However, what may be surprising to some is that there are areas of common interest between men and women and that both actually share a liking for the same favorite cars.According to registration records for new 2005 and 2006 car models (January 2006 to the present), men love luxurious, high performance cars, preferably with a horsepower of 367 or more. On the other hand, women prefer cars that are affordable, practical and safe. They also put a premium on design flair in their cars as evidenced by the popularity of the Eclipse Spyder convertible, which had the highest percentage of female registrants of any car on the market. The preferred horsepower for the women's cars were way below the standards of men, with the top five models having only an average 172 hp compared to 367 hp in the men's favorites. It was just like you expected, right?It was interesting to see the Mitsubishi Eclipse Spyder on top of the list of women's favorite cars. If you take a good look at it, it does somehow seem like a feminine-looking car. But hold it. The Eclipse Spyder also happens to be the car of choice among 34.2% of male registrants. In fact, the study showed that registration records indicate that men sometimes buy feminine cars but women rarely purchase male-oriented, testosterone-fueled sports and luxury cars.The thing is, what really makes a feminine car? I mean, I always considered the Mitsubishi Eclipse Spyder to be a masculine car ever since I first saw it in the 2003 movie "2 Fast 2 Furious," particularly since it belonged to the angry, muscular ex-convict played by Tyrese Gibson.The next popular cars for women were the Toyota RAV4 sport utility vehicle (SUV) and another Mitsubishi favorite, the hardtop Eclipse coupe. The men's favorites were the Honda Acura NSX sports car and DaimlerChrysler's Mercedes-Benz S55 AMG performance sedan.Jonathon Hardcastle writes articles on many topics including Automotive, Outdoors, and Recreation
Keyword : Car, Automotive, vehicle
Legal Tips For Buying A Car
Author : Kum Martin
When buying a car, one should keep the following things in mind. Firstly, when negotiating the price of the car, be sure to negotiate the price rather than monthly payments. Often the dealer will try to sneak in a higher interest rate or longer contract than you may be aware. Blue book values very greatly, and the actual value of the vehicle could be radically different. Unless you are yourself a mechanic, be sure to have the vehicle thoroughly inspected before purchase. Never assume that the dealer is being candid about the vehicle. He may not even know about a particularly defect. Beware of extras that may be very dear, and are often available elsewhere either cheaper then the dealer is offering or even free.Extended warranties are one example. They are often pricey and unnecessary as the might duplicate the manufacturers warranty. To find out about manufacturers warranties, contact the manufacturer directly rather than by speaking to your dealer. "Doc fees" are not required by law, and many dealers gouge their customers here. Legally, the most a dealer can charge for document processing is 5$ before signing the paperwork, make sure you really want the vehicle. There is no "cooling off" period for car contracts and once you sign for the vehicle, the deal is closed immediately. Check with your local Better Business Bureau to find out if any complaints have been lodged against the dealer. As with buying anything else, it pays to do your homework as best you can.Check Out More Articles:attorney job search attorney job search , boston business attorney ,
Are Frivolous Lawsuits Legal
Keyword : laws, legal, lawyer, business law, custody laws, law tips
When buying a car, one should keep the following things in mind. Firstly, when negotiating the price of the car, be sure to negotiate the price rather than monthly payments. Often the dealer will try to sneak in a higher interest rate or longer contract than you may be aware. Blue book values very greatly, and the actual value of the vehicle could be radically different. Unless you are yourself a mechanic, be sure to have the vehicle thoroughly inspected before purchase. Never assume that the dealer is being candid about the vehicle. He may not even know about a particularly defect. Beware of extras that may be very dear, and are often available elsewhere either cheaper then the dealer is offering or even free.Extended warranties are one example. They are often pricey and unnecessary as the might duplicate the manufacturers warranty. To find out about manufacturers warranties, contact the manufacturer directly rather than by speaking to your dealer. "Doc fees" are not required by law, and many dealers gouge their customers here. Legally, the most a dealer can charge for document processing is 5$ before signing the paperwork, make sure you really want the vehicle. There is no "cooling off" period for car contracts and once you sign for the vehicle, the deal is closed immediately. Check with your local Better Business Bureau to find out if any complaints have been lodged against the dealer. As with buying anything else, it pays to do your homework as best you can.Check Out More Articles:attorney job search attorney job search , boston business attorney ,
Are Frivolous Lawsuits Legal
Keyword : laws, legal, lawyer, business law, custody laws, law tips
Before You Buy a Chinese ATV
Author : Richard Keir
Let's face it, not everybody has the cash to put out for a top of the line Honda or Yamaha ATV, an Artic Cat, Bombardier or Polaris. And even the smaller models are relatively expensive. But you still want a ride so you keep looking around.There are used ATVs and you can save some serious coin by picking up a used model, if you're able to determine why it's being sold and what it's condition really is. The nature of ATV trekking and racing isn't the gentlest of activities and an ATV can age remarkably rapidly because of extreme stresses. Maybe the seller is telling you the truth when he says he only did some flat trail and sand riding a couple times and never ever went muddy or airborne. Or maybe not.You need a competent mechanic to check out a used ATV and even then he or she isn't going to be able just how stressed and close to the breaking point some parts may be. So while you may be getting a great deal you may also be looking at some unanticipated repairs, real soon now.Recently a variety of Chinese manufactured ATVs have become available. These ATVs are generally much cheaper than comparable well known brands. Usually there are fewer models and smaller engine sizes. The smaller ones may be ideal for a child's first ATV and the low cost makes it more practical in that sense. There are also now some bigger models suitable for adults.A plus is that the engines tend to be cloned versions of Japanese engines which means that the designs are basically decent.There are some problems however. Quality control can be a major issue with products from some Chinese factories, so you need to be very clear on what kind of warranty you're getting. Generally you'll also need to accept that these machines are not as well-finished as the big name brand machines.The major kicker, however, is parts availability. With any kind of a machine which is subject to rugged conditions of use - that is why you want an ATV after all - things will break. No matter how hot the name, how good the quality control, how high the price, when you bounce off rocks and slam the ground, launch a quad airborne, run through mud and sand and generally have a really good time, you are going to get breakage and plain old mechanical wear, tear, fatigue and eventual parts failure.Getting parts to fix up your Chinese ATV could be a nightmare. Maybe they'll come in six weeks, six months, maybe never. So before you put down one cent, do your absolute best to ensure that the dealer - or some dealer you can get to easily - really and truly has parts. Ask him to show you what he keeps in stock. They want to sell you a quad so they may stretch the truth some. Check on the internet, see if you can find other people who've bought the model you're thinking of and find out what their experiences have been.Buy a model that you know is being sold fairly widely. That doesn't mean every seller will have parts, but there's a better chance that a supply chain will exist and that you will be able to get parts relatively quickly. If you are going to be an occasional rider, a Chinese ATV may offer you a whole lot of machine for a lot lower price and the parts and service issue would be slightly less important. However, if you are going to be using it daily, if it's essential to your work, then you need to be very very sure of the quality, the warranty and service and parts availability.Doing your research first can make the difference between getting yourself a great deal versus sliding into a no-ride nightmare.ATV trekking is a multi-faceted sport with something for everyone. Visit ATVTrekker.com for more ATV articles and information
Keyword : chinese atv
Let's face it, not everybody has the cash to put out for a top of the line Honda or Yamaha ATV, an Artic Cat, Bombardier or Polaris. And even the smaller models are relatively expensive. But you still want a ride so you keep looking around.There are used ATVs and you can save some serious coin by picking up a used model, if you're able to determine why it's being sold and what it's condition really is. The nature of ATV trekking and racing isn't the gentlest of activities and an ATV can age remarkably rapidly because of extreme stresses. Maybe the seller is telling you the truth when he says he only did some flat trail and sand riding a couple times and never ever went muddy or airborne. Or maybe not.You need a competent mechanic to check out a used ATV and even then he or she isn't going to be able just how stressed and close to the breaking point some parts may be. So while you may be getting a great deal you may also be looking at some unanticipated repairs, real soon now.Recently a variety of Chinese manufactured ATVs have become available. These ATVs are generally much cheaper than comparable well known brands. Usually there are fewer models and smaller engine sizes. The smaller ones may be ideal for a child's first ATV and the low cost makes it more practical in that sense. There are also now some bigger models suitable for adults.A plus is that the engines tend to be cloned versions of Japanese engines which means that the designs are basically decent.There are some problems however. Quality control can be a major issue with products from some Chinese factories, so you need to be very clear on what kind of warranty you're getting. Generally you'll also need to accept that these machines are not as well-finished as the big name brand machines.The major kicker, however, is parts availability. With any kind of a machine which is subject to rugged conditions of use - that is why you want an ATV after all - things will break. No matter how hot the name, how good the quality control, how high the price, when you bounce off rocks and slam the ground, launch a quad airborne, run through mud and sand and generally have a really good time, you are going to get breakage and plain old mechanical wear, tear, fatigue and eventual parts failure.Getting parts to fix up your Chinese ATV could be a nightmare. Maybe they'll come in six weeks, six months, maybe never. So before you put down one cent, do your absolute best to ensure that the dealer - or some dealer you can get to easily - really and truly has parts. Ask him to show you what he keeps in stock. They want to sell you a quad so they may stretch the truth some. Check on the internet, see if you can find other people who've bought the model you're thinking of and find out what their experiences have been.Buy a model that you know is being sold fairly widely. That doesn't mean every seller will have parts, but there's a better chance that a supply chain will exist and that you will be able to get parts relatively quickly. If you are going to be an occasional rider, a Chinese ATV may offer you a whole lot of machine for a lot lower price and the parts and service issue would be slightly less important. However, if you are going to be using it daily, if it's essential to your work, then you need to be very very sure of the quality, the warranty and service and parts availability.Doing your research first can make the difference between getting yourself a great deal versus sliding into a no-ride nightmare.ATV trekking is a multi-faceted sport with something for everyone. Visit ATVTrekker.com for more ATV articles and information
Keyword : chinese atv
Passing Your Driving Test First Time - How about Starting with Parents
Author : Robin Piggott
While it is a great achievement to pass your Driving Test first time it is only the beginning of a life long process and does not confer immortality rights! So many young drivers are blissfully unaware of what is facing them in the first few years of Driving after passing the Driving Test.This time is generally recognised as the most dangerous in a driver's career since the euphoria of passing the Driving Test, whether first time or not, seems to completely blur the reality of driving in today's environment. Today's Driving Environment is very different to that of twenty five years ago or in Ireland's case just ten years ago when roads were quieter and there were fewer untrained Learner Drivers on the road.Today in 2006 not only do we have a huge increase in the number of vehicles on the road but an exponential increase of Learner Drivers who in the case of Ireland are cavorting merrily (and not so merrily!) around the countryside with little or no skills to back them up. A booming economy with plenty of jobs for everyone has placed cars within the reach of every 20 year old and some even younger drivers. Not for long, however, will this free for all continue, since the newly established Road Safety Authority has come out of the Kennel in the back yard and is beginning to bark. Bark it must do because the more noise that is made, the sooner the whole Motoring public will sit up and take notice.What has the general motoring public got to do with Learner Drivers and their very obvious poor skills base you might ask? Since each generation of new drivers gets the first exposure to Driving and Road Sense in a Parent's car, at a very early age, then it seems obvious that Parents can play a very key role in instilling good road safety skills.Most Drivers are Parents or will be at some stage and so there is a strong link between the Driving Skills of Parents and those of their children. Setting a strong example from the first day a child is strapped into the car seat is an essential part of the long slow educational process. This will ensure that ultimately a new Driver goes out into the world with some good skills and an understanding of what is involved in owning and running a car.In a nutshell Driver Education begins when we are in nappies and continues throughout life. The ability to pass the Driving Test first time is definitely influenced by the early years in your Parent's car and the example they set for you. Bad driving habits and behaviour are easily noticed by young passengers and since the kids of today seldom go more than a few hours without being transported several times at least, they are constantly exposed to driver behaviour be it good or bad!It may seem a bit of a chore to start training a child at such a young age but you can do it in stages and integrate the lessons to be learnt on a gradual basis. Keeping the car tidy is a good start and is no different to instilling a sense of pride in your nice tidy bedroom. As we all know keeping bedrooms tidy is tiresome but well worth it in the end.
Passing the Driving Test First time can begin with your first time in the car but saving your life and that of another Driver can also begin at this time! Strange but True! Could it be worth the effort?Copyright Robin Piggott 2006Robin Piggott is a Driving Instructor in Ireland who brings four decades of experience to his Astral Driving School based in Limerick. His newly refurbed web site can be found at www.astraldrivingschool.ie
While it is a great achievement to pass your Driving Test first time it is only the beginning of a life long process and does not confer immortality rights! So many young drivers are blissfully unaware of what is facing them in the first few years of Driving after passing the Driving Test.This time is generally recognised as the most dangerous in a driver's career since the euphoria of passing the Driving Test, whether first time or not, seems to completely blur the reality of driving in today's environment. Today's Driving Environment is very different to that of twenty five years ago or in Ireland's case just ten years ago when roads were quieter and there were fewer untrained Learner Drivers on the road.Today in 2006 not only do we have a huge increase in the number of vehicles on the road but an exponential increase of Learner Drivers who in the case of Ireland are cavorting merrily (and not so merrily!) around the countryside with little or no skills to back them up. A booming economy with plenty of jobs for everyone has placed cars within the reach of every 20 year old and some even younger drivers. Not for long, however, will this free for all continue, since the newly established Road Safety Authority has come out of the Kennel in the back yard and is beginning to bark. Bark it must do because the more noise that is made, the sooner the whole Motoring public will sit up and take notice.What has the general motoring public got to do with Learner Drivers and their very obvious poor skills base you might ask? Since each generation of new drivers gets the first exposure to Driving and Road Sense in a Parent's car, at a very early age, then it seems obvious that Parents can play a very key role in instilling good road safety skills.Most Drivers are Parents or will be at some stage and so there is a strong link between the Driving Skills of Parents and those of their children. Setting a strong example from the first day a child is strapped into the car seat is an essential part of the long slow educational process. This will ensure that ultimately a new Driver goes out into the world with some good skills and an understanding of what is involved in owning and running a car.In a nutshell Driver Education begins when we are in nappies and continues throughout life. The ability to pass the Driving Test first time is definitely influenced by the early years in your Parent's car and the example they set for you. Bad driving habits and behaviour are easily noticed by young passengers and since the kids of today seldom go more than a few hours without being transported several times at least, they are constantly exposed to driver behaviour be it good or bad!It may seem a bit of a chore to start training a child at such a young age but you can do it in stages and integrate the lessons to be learnt on a gradual basis. Keeping the car tidy is a good start and is no different to instilling a sense of pride in your nice tidy bedroom. As we all know keeping bedrooms tidy is tiresome but well worth it in the end.
Passing the Driving Test First time can begin with your first time in the car but saving your life and that of another Driver can also begin at this time! Strange but True! Could it be worth the effort?Copyright Robin Piggott 2006Robin Piggott is a Driving Instructor in Ireland who brings four decades of experience to his Astral Driving School based in Limerick. His newly refurbed web site can be found at www.astraldrivingschool.ie
Here you can find a treasure trove of everything for the Learner Driver and also pages for the visitor who is contemplating Touring Ireland by Car. Pick up a free seven part mini course"Passing the Driving Test First Time" and stack the cards in your favour.
Keyword : Parents,Passing the Driving Test,Passing the Driving Test first time,Learner Drivers,Driving habits,
Don't Add To The Gore This Halloween By Being Safe Behind The Wheel
Author : Tracy Dawson
"From ghoulies and ghosties
And long-leggedy beasties
And things that go bump in the night,
Good Lord, deliver us!"This is an old Scottish saying on one of the events that children and teenagers look forward to year after year. Halloween. And this is the time when people who would love to be what they really wanted to be can dress up the part. You can most certainly see various versions of Frankenstein monsters, Darth Vaders, faeries, princesses, goblins, ghosts, and other creatures.However, it is also very important to note that during such an event, many people also do get involved in car crashes, collisions, or accidents. After all, you should keep in mind that when Halloween night is on, many children who are going trick or treating usually choose to wear black and scare other kids. And the Michigan American Automobile Association, or AAA, does remind parents and guardians to be extra cautious about where their children are going. With that, Jack Peet, the manager of Community Safety Services for Michigan's AAA, says, "The risk of becoming a pedestrian fatality increases four times during Halloween."As a motorist, it is important that one should go through neighborhoods much slowly than usual. Being on the alert for small children in black darting about shadows would also do you much good. Sure enough, if you would take much notice, these children would be running from house to house if they can all because they are excited about the thought that they are getting more candy. However, what they do not seem to remember is the fact that by crossing the street, they could get hit by oncoming vehicles.Now if you are a parent or a guardian of a little kid screaming to go trick or treating with his or her friends, the best way would be for you to actually go with your little one as he takes in the Halloween fun. That way, you yourself could check about his safety and make sure that he does not get struck by Dodge auto parts on careening down the street on its wheels.Tracy is a 29 year old researcher and writer from Dallas, Texas with extensive experience in writing auto-related articles and covering automotive related events. She is currently a contributing writer for a leading automotive e-zine. You can visit Dodge auto parts for more information.
Keyword : auto parts, Dodge parts, Dodge truck parts, Dodge auto parts, Dodge Neon performance parts, Dodge Ra
"From ghoulies and ghosties
And long-leggedy beasties
And things that go bump in the night,
Good Lord, deliver us!"This is an old Scottish saying on one of the events that children and teenagers look forward to year after year. Halloween. And this is the time when people who would love to be what they really wanted to be can dress up the part. You can most certainly see various versions of Frankenstein monsters, Darth Vaders, faeries, princesses, goblins, ghosts, and other creatures.However, it is also very important to note that during such an event, many people also do get involved in car crashes, collisions, or accidents. After all, you should keep in mind that when Halloween night is on, many children who are going trick or treating usually choose to wear black and scare other kids. And the Michigan American Automobile Association, or AAA, does remind parents and guardians to be extra cautious about where their children are going. With that, Jack Peet, the manager of Community Safety Services for Michigan's AAA, says, "The risk of becoming a pedestrian fatality increases four times during Halloween."As a motorist, it is important that one should go through neighborhoods much slowly than usual. Being on the alert for small children in black darting about shadows would also do you much good. Sure enough, if you would take much notice, these children would be running from house to house if they can all because they are excited about the thought that they are getting more candy. However, what they do not seem to remember is the fact that by crossing the street, they could get hit by oncoming vehicles.Now if you are a parent or a guardian of a little kid screaming to go trick or treating with his or her friends, the best way would be for you to actually go with your little one as he takes in the Halloween fun. That way, you yourself could check about his safety and make sure that he does not get struck by Dodge auto parts on careening down the street on its wheels.Tracy is a 29 year old researcher and writer from Dallas, Texas with extensive experience in writing auto-related articles and covering automotive related events. She is currently a contributing writer for a leading automotive e-zine. You can visit Dodge auto parts for more information.
Keyword : auto parts, Dodge parts, Dodge truck parts, Dodge auto parts, Dodge Neon performance parts, Dodge Ra
Stop Getting Lost, Allow Technology to Help
Author : Jason Montag
Years ago when you had to get somewhere you had to spend all day pulling out the map and checking and double checking where you have to go and where you are at the moment. I will never forget having to look around for an intersection that was large enough to be shown on the map. I got really sick of having to update the maps of the cities that I travel too. The bad thing is that no matter how recent the map is by the time it makes it through the processes and production and hits the shelves to be bought by the general public, there have already been dozens of roads and places developed since the map was planned out.Technology is amazing because the typical paper map is completely obsolete. Now we have electronic devices that can tell you down to a few feet where in the world you are and where you need to go. Actually these machines can figure out on the spot what your movements have done to the original route planned. These really cool devices have perfectly scaled representations of the land you are on at the given time. Many of them have some voices so that you do not even have to look at the screen. The machine will tell you how far away your next turn is and whether it is a right or left. If you pass the place you have to turn the machine will tell you in a polite voice that you must turn around and go the other way.Electronics have really come a long way over the recent years. The scary thing is that as perfect as the technology is now it will grow leaps and bound in the upcoming years. I cannot wait to see what the geniuses at the electronic companies come up with next.For more information about tom tom gps or other ones like garmin gps systems, visit http://www.electronicbrilliance.com.
Keyword : gps
Years ago when you had to get somewhere you had to spend all day pulling out the map and checking and double checking where you have to go and where you are at the moment. I will never forget having to look around for an intersection that was large enough to be shown on the map. I got really sick of having to update the maps of the cities that I travel too. The bad thing is that no matter how recent the map is by the time it makes it through the processes and production and hits the shelves to be bought by the general public, there have already been dozens of roads and places developed since the map was planned out.Technology is amazing because the typical paper map is completely obsolete. Now we have electronic devices that can tell you down to a few feet where in the world you are and where you need to go. Actually these machines can figure out on the spot what your movements have done to the original route planned. These really cool devices have perfectly scaled representations of the land you are on at the given time. Many of them have some voices so that you do not even have to look at the screen. The machine will tell you how far away your next turn is and whether it is a right or left. If you pass the place you have to turn the machine will tell you in a polite voice that you must turn around and go the other way.Electronics have really come a long way over the recent years. The scary thing is that as perfect as the technology is now it will grow leaps and bound in the upcoming years. I cannot wait to see what the geniuses at the electronic companies come up with next.For more information about tom tom gps or other ones like garmin gps systems, visit http://www.electronicbrilliance.com.
Keyword : gps
First Toyota Camry Hybrid Built In Kentucky Plant
Author : Mark Clarkson
The very first hybrid version of the very popular Toyota Camry has already been built and it has also already rolled off the Toyota Motors Corporation's manufacturing plant which is located in Kentucky. This plant took in the task of creating and producing such a vehicle over a year ago and they have just recently completed the challenge. The Toyota plant in Kentucky is currently the largest factory of the company in area of North America.Lonnie Miller, one of R. L. Polk & Co.'s industry analysts, interprets such an event by saying, "It just reinforces the fact that hybrids can go into any type of body style, and you can appeal to a broad market by putting it into a body style such as this." R. L. Polk & Co. is actually a firm based in Michigan that works by collecting data from the automotive industry and later on analyzes and interprets them. Of course, with the industry now having another version of the high selling Toyota Camry, the Toyota Sienna parts manufacturer, Toyota, would also certainly be reaping in more sales. And it would also not be surprising if the hybrid version of the Camry would also be taking home a huge share of the hybrid vehicles market in the United States.Steve St. Angelo is the current president of the Toyota plant in Kentucky. He does say, "To build Toyota's first North American-made hybrid is quite an honor, and is a real tribute to our Kentucky work force." Going back to the history of the company, the head honchos of Toyota had announced that they had chosen the Kentucky plant as the place to build the Toyota Camry hybrid. Aside from this, they have also informed the public that they are targeting to create 48,000 units of the previously mentioned hybrid vehicle per year. After all, the plant does have some 7,000 workers and employees plus its facilities and equipment is quite capable of producing 500,000 vehicles a year.If you are interested in purchasing this hybrid version of the Toyota Camry, you would have to set aside some $25,900 to own one. This one has been created as a 2007 model year unit.Mark Clarkson is a 35 year old marketing consultant for a leading auto parts store. This native of Denver is also an offroad enthusiast. You can visit Toyota Sienna parts for more information.
Keyword : auto parts, Toyota car parts, Toyota parts, Toyota Sienna parts, body parts used auto part 2000 Toyo
The very first hybrid version of the very popular Toyota Camry has already been built and it has also already rolled off the Toyota Motors Corporation's manufacturing plant which is located in Kentucky. This plant took in the task of creating and producing such a vehicle over a year ago and they have just recently completed the challenge. The Toyota plant in Kentucky is currently the largest factory of the company in area of North America.Lonnie Miller, one of R. L. Polk & Co.'s industry analysts, interprets such an event by saying, "It just reinforces the fact that hybrids can go into any type of body style, and you can appeal to a broad market by putting it into a body style such as this." R. L. Polk & Co. is actually a firm based in Michigan that works by collecting data from the automotive industry and later on analyzes and interprets them. Of course, with the industry now having another version of the high selling Toyota Camry, the Toyota Sienna parts manufacturer, Toyota, would also certainly be reaping in more sales. And it would also not be surprising if the hybrid version of the Camry would also be taking home a huge share of the hybrid vehicles market in the United States.Steve St. Angelo is the current president of the Toyota plant in Kentucky. He does say, "To build Toyota's first North American-made hybrid is quite an honor, and is a real tribute to our Kentucky work force." Going back to the history of the company, the head honchos of Toyota had announced that they had chosen the Kentucky plant as the place to build the Toyota Camry hybrid. Aside from this, they have also informed the public that they are targeting to create 48,000 units of the previously mentioned hybrid vehicle per year. After all, the plant does have some 7,000 workers and employees plus its facilities and equipment is quite capable of producing 500,000 vehicles a year.If you are interested in purchasing this hybrid version of the Toyota Camry, you would have to set aside some $25,900 to own one. This one has been created as a 2007 model year unit.Mark Clarkson is a 35 year old marketing consultant for a leading auto parts store. This native of Denver is also an offroad enthusiast. You can visit Toyota Sienna parts for more information.
Keyword : auto parts, Toyota car parts, Toyota parts, Toyota Sienna parts, body parts used auto part 2000 Toyo
Winter Is Coming So Make Sure you Have Your Winter Automobile Tires
Author : Tim Gorman
If you are in an area, or drive through an area, where there is a lot of snow in winter, then it might be worth getting some winter automobile tires. If you only have snow occasionally then you much not think that it is worth it, just for the occasional bad weather. But bad weather can still make your car slip even if it is only a few times a year. If there is a lot of snow then it is a good idea to get some winter tires for your car. If they are only going to be used occasionally then you could just get an extra set of wheels so that you can easily swap them over when the weather is bad.Using winter tires when there is a lot of snow on the ground is very important and you need to make sure that you get the right winter automobile tires for your car. If you are not sure then it is a good idea to look in the manufacturer handbook. If this is not in the book, then you can just ring the manufacturers to ask them. The local tire place should also know and be able to supply them for you and this way you will know that you are getting the right tires. Unless you need them it is not a good idea to get the metal studded tires as this limits where you can use them. If you are not sure what is best for your area then ask your local tire fitters.If you would like to buy your tires cheaper, then there are a lot of discount stores that will do them by mail order or through the Internet. Of course you will still need to get them fitted by a local garage, but you might be able to save a lot of money. If you are replacing a tire that has worn more than the others are, you need to make sure that the new tire matches the other ones. If they do not matched then the tires might not work so well and the car might slip. If you are buying winter tires then you need to make sure that you are buying the right ones, then you can be sure that your car will be much easier to drive and if you look around a bit then you could save money as well.For more information on winter automobile tires please visit Automobile-Tires.info where you will find a variety of information on mud tires, truck tires, Goodyear tires, Dunlop tires and Goodrich tires
Keyword : winter tires, winter automobile tires, car, buy your tires cheaper, snow, set of wheels,local garage
If you are in an area, or drive through an area, where there is a lot of snow in winter, then it might be worth getting some winter automobile tires. If you only have snow occasionally then you much not think that it is worth it, just for the occasional bad weather. But bad weather can still make your car slip even if it is only a few times a year. If there is a lot of snow then it is a good idea to get some winter tires for your car. If they are only going to be used occasionally then you could just get an extra set of wheels so that you can easily swap them over when the weather is bad.Using winter tires when there is a lot of snow on the ground is very important and you need to make sure that you get the right winter automobile tires for your car. If you are not sure then it is a good idea to look in the manufacturer handbook. If this is not in the book, then you can just ring the manufacturers to ask them. The local tire place should also know and be able to supply them for you and this way you will know that you are getting the right tires. Unless you need them it is not a good idea to get the metal studded tires as this limits where you can use them. If you are not sure what is best for your area then ask your local tire fitters.If you would like to buy your tires cheaper, then there are a lot of discount stores that will do them by mail order or through the Internet. Of course you will still need to get them fitted by a local garage, but you might be able to save a lot of money. If you are replacing a tire that has worn more than the others are, you need to make sure that the new tire matches the other ones. If they do not matched then the tires might not work so well and the car might slip. If you are buying winter tires then you need to make sure that you are buying the right ones, then you can be sure that your car will be much easier to drive and if you look around a bit then you could save money as well.For more information on winter automobile tires please visit Automobile-Tires.info where you will find a variety of information on mud tires, truck tires, Goodyear tires, Dunlop tires and Goodrich tires
Keyword : winter tires, winter automobile tires, car, buy your tires cheaper, snow, set of wheels,local garage
Is a Hard Tail Frame Right for Your Motorcycle?
Author : Tyler Powers
If you are considering building a custom bike, you'll need to determine whether to select a hard tail frame (also called a rigid frame), or a swing arm frame. Deciding on a frame is not to be taken lightly because there are some significant differences in the frame styles.The hard tail frame is a single piece frame. The rear motorcycle wheel assembly attaches directly to the frame, as opposed to a soft tail frame which is made of two pieces of tubing connected at a pivot joint. That is the source of the nomenclature; the frame really does have a hard tail. The result is that there is no rear suspension to give that 'floating' feel to the ride.Initially, all motorcycles were hard tails. The bent tubing frames allowed the rear hub to be attached through the one piece frame. That is still the way hard tails are put together today.The Harley-Davidson Duo-Glide, released in 1958, gave riders the first option of purchasing a bike with rear suspension. Purists, however, still love the ride and feel of the hard tail frame.Jesse James custom bike builder and owner of West Coast Chopper, in a recent documentary about the history or motorcycles, stated that he loves the hard tail ride because it allows the rider to truly become part of the road. There is no 'bounce' and the road vibrations are not absorbed by shocks, providing a hardcore sensation unlike the swing arm motorcycle frames.Hard tail frames provide a somewhat rougher ride; people that experience back pain during long rides almost always avoid this frame style. Kidney-jarring jolts can result from hitting bumps. Yet in this modern day, most roads are relatively smooth.Some people simply love the ride provided by the rigid hard tail frame. Others really hate the differences in ride. The bottom line is that you want to select the right frame for your motorcycle based on your personal needs, expectations, and planned use.If you want a cross-country touring cycle, a hard tail may not the right choice be for you. If you want to build the ultimate custom show chopper, this frame style could be perfect for you. If you are young, have lots of stamina, are in great physical condition and don't mind a bit of kidney jolting, the hard frame is a viable option. However, if you want to ride from New York to California when you retire, most likely you'll be much happier riding a soft tail.The choice of hard tail frame or soft tail frame is entirely a personal choice. Just remember, it takes a lot of work to change frames, so think through exactly what you expect from your motorcycle before making a decision about whether a hard tail frame is the best solution for your custom motorcycle.Copyright 2006 Tyler PowersTyler Powers is a contributing author and webmaster for http://www.custom-choppers-guide.com
If you are considering building a custom bike, you'll need to determine whether to select a hard tail frame (also called a rigid frame), or a swing arm frame. Deciding on a frame is not to be taken lightly because there are some significant differences in the frame styles.The hard tail frame is a single piece frame. The rear motorcycle wheel assembly attaches directly to the frame, as opposed to a soft tail frame which is made of two pieces of tubing connected at a pivot joint. That is the source of the nomenclature; the frame really does have a hard tail. The result is that there is no rear suspension to give that 'floating' feel to the ride.Initially, all motorcycles were hard tails. The bent tubing frames allowed the rear hub to be attached through the one piece frame. That is still the way hard tails are put together today.The Harley-Davidson Duo-Glide, released in 1958, gave riders the first option of purchasing a bike with rear suspension. Purists, however, still love the ride and feel of the hard tail frame.Jesse James custom bike builder and owner of West Coast Chopper, in a recent documentary about the history or motorcycles, stated that he loves the hard tail ride because it allows the rider to truly become part of the road. There is no 'bounce' and the road vibrations are not absorbed by shocks, providing a hardcore sensation unlike the swing arm motorcycle frames.Hard tail frames provide a somewhat rougher ride; people that experience back pain during long rides almost always avoid this frame style. Kidney-jarring jolts can result from hitting bumps. Yet in this modern day, most roads are relatively smooth.Some people simply love the ride provided by the rigid hard tail frame. Others really hate the differences in ride. The bottom line is that you want to select the right frame for your motorcycle based on your personal needs, expectations, and planned use.If you want a cross-country touring cycle, a hard tail may not the right choice be for you. If you want to build the ultimate custom show chopper, this frame style could be perfect for you. If you are young, have lots of stamina, are in great physical condition and don't mind a bit of kidney jolting, the hard frame is a viable option. However, if you want to ride from New York to California when you retire, most likely you'll be much happier riding a soft tail.The choice of hard tail frame or soft tail frame is entirely a personal choice. Just remember, it takes a lot of work to change frames, so think through exactly what you expect from your motorcycle before making a decision about whether a hard tail frame is the best solution for your custom motorcycle.Copyright 2006 Tyler PowersTyler Powers is a contributing author and webmaster for http://www.custom-choppers-guide.com
Here is where you can find quality information on motorcycle frames and custom chopper frames http://www.custom-choppers-guide.com/custom-chopper-frames.html
Keyword : hard tail frame
Trailering your Motorcycle to Riding Destinations
Author : Lance Winslow
In trailering a motorcycle you must be very careful, because motorcycles bounce around and even if they do not fall down if you have more than one motorcycle on the trailer they might bump into each other and scratch the paint. And that is exactly what you do not want to have happen.The best way I have found to strap-down motorcycles is to let a little bit of the air out of the tires once they are in place and then you have strap them as tight as possible and to ratchet down straps a little bit more. Then fill the tires back up with air while the motorcycles are on the trailer.Now once you get to your destination and on your way home you may not be able to do the same thing but at least it will be trouble-free one-way because those straps will be as tight as possible. Sometimes on a long haul it makes sense to go to a gas station near by and use their air.You must remember when trailering a motorcycle that the motorcycles move from front to back and they bounce up and down when the trailer goes over bumps. They also move side to side if the straps get loose. If the straps work themselves loose because they go forward and backwards than they have more latitude to bounce up and down and this is why you must tighten straps from front to back and holding them down.And still you must remember they can move side to side. If you do not have wheel holders on your trailer you need to also consider the side-to-side movement, which many people do not do. Please be careful when trailering your motorcycle and you'll be glad you did."Lance Winslow" - Online Think Tank forum board. If you have innovative thoughts and unique perspectives, come think with Lance; http://www.WorldThinkTank.net/wttbbs/
Keyword : Trailering your Motorcycle, Riding Destinations
In trailering a motorcycle you must be very careful, because motorcycles bounce around and even if they do not fall down if you have more than one motorcycle on the trailer they might bump into each other and scratch the paint. And that is exactly what you do not want to have happen.The best way I have found to strap-down motorcycles is to let a little bit of the air out of the tires once they are in place and then you have strap them as tight as possible and to ratchet down straps a little bit more. Then fill the tires back up with air while the motorcycles are on the trailer.Now once you get to your destination and on your way home you may not be able to do the same thing but at least it will be trouble-free one-way because those straps will be as tight as possible. Sometimes on a long haul it makes sense to go to a gas station near by and use their air.You must remember when trailering a motorcycle that the motorcycles move from front to back and they bounce up and down when the trailer goes over bumps. They also move side to side if the straps get loose. If the straps work themselves loose because they go forward and backwards than they have more latitude to bounce up and down and this is why you must tighten straps from front to back and holding them down.And still you must remember they can move side to side. If you do not have wheel holders on your trailer you need to also consider the side-to-side movement, which many people do not do. Please be careful when trailering your motorcycle and you'll be glad you did."Lance Winslow" - Online Think Tank forum board. If you have innovative thoughts and unique perspectives, come think with Lance; http://www.WorldThinkTank.net/wttbbs/
Keyword : Trailering your Motorcycle, Riding Destinations
Why You Should Have a Limousine Service in San Jose
Author : Mads Phican
San Jose, California is one of the biggest cities in the United States with a population of nearly a million people. The city is located close to San Francisco, so the area really has enough potential customers to make almost any business sound attractive. Still, the population is not the only reason that San Jose is also one of most attractive places for opening a limousine service.There are lots of limousine services in San Jose, more than I would have expected when I looked at the population of the city. The main reason for the abundance of limousines is Silicon Valley, the hearth of high tech and electronics in United States and home of many famous Internet companies. The people in Silicon Valley have a very high average salary which gives them enough money to do whatever they want. Some of the people in Silicon Valley spend all the money on electronic devices, but others choose to enjoy the good things like for example limousine transportation.Some of the people in Silicon Valley do of course own their own limousines, but most of them only use limousine transportation once in a while. The frequent need for limousine transportation creates an enormous demand for limousine services and thereby makes it a very attractive place for opening a limousine service.In addition to transporting people around in San Jose, the owner of a limousine service might also find himself transporting clients to Mexico. An outstanding date in San Jose could very well include visiting an excellent restaurant in Mexico and limousine transportation is always desirable in such cases. The owner of a limousine service might also choose to transport people to wine yards in Mexico. Usually he will then transport a couple or a small group in each of his limousines.Information about the current market can be found in this short guide to San Jose limousine services. The guide describes the current top limousine services, their vehicles and average prices.
Keyword : limousine, limousines, limo, limos, limousine service, limousine services, san jose
San Jose, California is one of the biggest cities in the United States with a population of nearly a million people. The city is located close to San Francisco, so the area really has enough potential customers to make almost any business sound attractive. Still, the population is not the only reason that San Jose is also one of most attractive places for opening a limousine service.There are lots of limousine services in San Jose, more than I would have expected when I looked at the population of the city. The main reason for the abundance of limousines is Silicon Valley, the hearth of high tech and electronics in United States and home of many famous Internet companies. The people in Silicon Valley have a very high average salary which gives them enough money to do whatever they want. Some of the people in Silicon Valley spend all the money on electronic devices, but others choose to enjoy the good things like for example limousine transportation.Some of the people in Silicon Valley do of course own their own limousines, but most of them only use limousine transportation once in a while. The frequent need for limousine transportation creates an enormous demand for limousine services and thereby makes it a very attractive place for opening a limousine service.In addition to transporting people around in San Jose, the owner of a limousine service might also find himself transporting clients to Mexico. An outstanding date in San Jose could very well include visiting an excellent restaurant in Mexico and limousine transportation is always desirable in such cases. The owner of a limousine service might also choose to transport people to wine yards in Mexico. Usually he will then transport a couple or a small group in each of his limousines.Information about the current market can be found in this short guide to San Jose limousine services. The guide describes the current top limousine services, their vehicles and average prices.
Keyword : limousine, limousines, limo, limos, limousine service, limousine services, san jose
Used Car Inspection - Inspecting the Body
Author : Jerry Rowan
The main things to look for in a car body inspection are collision and care. How well the car body was cared for and are there indications that the car was in a collision.Consider the general appearance of the car. People who care for their car properly care for the obvious things first; this indicates how well the entire car was cared for. Record any defects you find. After inspecting five cars you won't even remember what color your own car is.Look for windshield dings and cracks, worn out wiper blades, missmatched or missing wheel covers, fender damage and dents, cracked headlight or tail light lenses and damaged mirrors. Later on you can use these to negotiate a lower price or get the dealer to repair them.Look for corrosion and collision. Both are bad. Corrosion never heals itself; it only corrodes more with time. The problem with collision is you have no idea how well the repair was made. Sometimes the repair shop cuts corners on the quality; sometimes it is the previous owner. You should avoid a car that has obviously been involved in a major collision. The potential future problems include early corrosion, air conditioning problems and bad tire wear.Don't rush through the car body inspection, a small thing undetected now can grow into a major problem later. Look down the side from about 10 feet in front and behind the car for each side. The lines on adjacent panels should be straight. Look in the paint for a smooth reflection. Look especially for ripples. They didn't make the car with sides like a rippled potato chip.Look at the color of the paint from near and far and various angles. The color should be uniform and similar in smoothness if it was all painted at the same time (when the car was new). If not it may have a repainted section.When the car was new, the gaps between body panels were straight and all the gaps were the same size. Check for corrosion. Corrosion only gets worse. If you can see surface corrosion, there is probably much that you can't see.Frame parts and many other components that are hidden under the car corrode also. Use a magnet to find body filler. The Magnet won't be attractive to body filler only metal. The car wasn't built with any body filler.As soon as you determine the car has been in a major collision, it's time to move on to the next car. Sometimes the repair is done with non-OEM substitute parts to save money. In a front end collision the air conditioner condenser can be damaged. It will only work for a while and fail later on, a costly repair. Some front end collisions cause frame damage which will impact the structural integrity of the car and can adversely affect tire wear.What is the best way to keep from buying a car that has been in a major collision? People don't volunteer information about collisions involving the car.Get a Car History Report on the car. Copy the VIN (Vehicle ID Number) and go online to a Vehicle History Report site.This article is by Jerry Rowan. Jerry provides information about car buying, selling. About to buy a new or used car? About to sell a used car? You will find information on how to make the transaction as painless as possible Here.
Keyword : Used car inspection, Body
The main things to look for in a car body inspection are collision and care. How well the car body was cared for and are there indications that the car was in a collision.Consider the general appearance of the car. People who care for their car properly care for the obvious things first; this indicates how well the entire car was cared for. Record any defects you find. After inspecting five cars you won't even remember what color your own car is.Look for windshield dings and cracks, worn out wiper blades, missmatched or missing wheel covers, fender damage and dents, cracked headlight or tail light lenses and damaged mirrors. Later on you can use these to negotiate a lower price or get the dealer to repair them.Look for corrosion and collision. Both are bad. Corrosion never heals itself; it only corrodes more with time. The problem with collision is you have no idea how well the repair was made. Sometimes the repair shop cuts corners on the quality; sometimes it is the previous owner. You should avoid a car that has obviously been involved in a major collision. The potential future problems include early corrosion, air conditioning problems and bad tire wear.Don't rush through the car body inspection, a small thing undetected now can grow into a major problem later. Look down the side from about 10 feet in front and behind the car for each side. The lines on adjacent panels should be straight. Look in the paint for a smooth reflection. Look especially for ripples. They didn't make the car with sides like a rippled potato chip.Look at the color of the paint from near and far and various angles. The color should be uniform and similar in smoothness if it was all painted at the same time (when the car was new). If not it may have a repainted section.When the car was new, the gaps between body panels were straight and all the gaps were the same size. Check for corrosion. Corrosion only gets worse. If you can see surface corrosion, there is probably much that you can't see.Frame parts and many other components that are hidden under the car corrode also. Use a magnet to find body filler. The Magnet won't be attractive to body filler only metal. The car wasn't built with any body filler.As soon as you determine the car has been in a major collision, it's time to move on to the next car. Sometimes the repair is done with non-OEM substitute parts to save money. In a front end collision the air conditioner condenser can be damaged. It will only work for a while and fail later on, a costly repair. Some front end collisions cause frame damage which will impact the structural integrity of the car and can adversely affect tire wear.What is the best way to keep from buying a car that has been in a major collision? People don't volunteer information about collisions involving the car.Get a Car History Report on the car. Copy the VIN (Vehicle ID Number) and go online to a Vehicle History Report site.This article is by Jerry Rowan. Jerry provides information about car buying, selling. About to buy a new or used car? About to sell a used car? You will find information on how to make the transaction as painless as possible Here.
Keyword : Used car inspection, Body
Selling Automobile Dealerships to Public Companies - Effect of Framework Agreements
Author : John Pico
A framework agreement provides the basis for the business relationship between a factory and a public company (Public). It includes the terms and standards for a Public's acquisition and ownership of new car automobile dealerships. Each factory has its own restrictions on a Public's ability to acquire and operate its dealerships.Most framework agreements are, by their own terms confidential. However, if one is anticipating selling a dealership to a Public, it would be wise to become familiar with its framework agreement and how it might affect a potential sale.When I was negotiating the sale Lexus of Stevens Creek, a Public indicated it wanted to purchase the dealership, but it already owned 4 Lexus stores (the maximum allowed nationwide at the time). The Public told the factory it would sell one if it entered into a buy-sell with my dealer; however, the factory told them it had to sell one before it put a deal together.The relationship between Publics and factories has been an interesting metamorphosis to observe. When Publics first came on the scene the factories kicked and screamed. Lawsuits were filed and the concept of public ownership of automobile dealerships was vigorously opposed by the manufacturers.Later, the confrontational attitude subsided and the factories embraced the Publics as a way to replace certain dealers and as a means to have new facilities built. The glow came off the relationships when a number of the Publics did not perform the way the factory wanted: poor CSI, broken promises, poor sales performance.For the factories and the Publics, the drafting of the original framework agreements was like composing pre-nuptial agreements without ever having been married or divorced. As the factories learned from experience, the agreements were massaged and modified.Several years ago while helping obtain the first factory approval for an Indian Nation to become a dealer, a generic Sales and Service Agreement was not adequate to cover the uniqueness of the tribes and modifications had to be made.The factory knew how to deal with large dealership groups, both public and private, but how does one transact business with a Sovereign Nation (a Native American tribe) that has immunity from lawsuits and does not have to pay taxes? These were some of the issues that had to be addressed (with the factory, the state dealer association and the selling dealer). In hindsight, similar to the Publics' framework agreements, some of the anticipated problems were imaginary and some were missed.Publics are rated daily according to the market value of their stock, which value, when they first began buying dealerships, was affected dramatically by increasing the sales volume of the companies through the acquisition of new dealerships.Dealers, on the other hand, are rated by how things turn out when the game is over and they sell their stores. Consequently, while it might be good for a Public to sell a hypothetical dealership property to a REIT (Real Estate Investment Trust), it may or may not be wise for a private dealer to sell that same property even if given the same terms, or vice-versa.Privates and Publics have different rules and different motives and, in my opinion, until recently, some Publics did not think they had to act very much like dealers. With the slow-down in their acquisitions, however, Publics have had to act more like dealers and get the most out of each store. As most dealers would agree, the task of successfully operating an automobile dealership is substantially more difficult than buying one with someone else's money.In the long-run I believe framework agreements are good because they keep the Publics from controlling too great a percentage of the distribution channels of manufacturers, while simultaneously forcing them to operate more like car dealers.Although framework agreements are redefined at times, at one time or another the following factories had the following requirements:TOYOTA/LEXUS1. Had a limit on the number of Toyota and Lexus dealerships that a Public may own: (a) on a national level; (b) in each Toyota-defined geographic region or distributor area; and (c) in each Toyota or Lexus-defined metropolitan market.
2. Prohibited ownership of contiguous dealerships in the same market.
3. Nationally, the limitations on dealerships owned were for specific time periods and based on certain percentages of total Toyota unit sales in the United States.
4. In geographic regions or distributor areas, the limitations on dealerships owned by Publics were specified by the applicable Toyota regional limitations policy or distributor's policy in effect at such time.
5. In metropolitan markets, the limitations on dealerships owned by Publics were based on Toyota's metro markets limitation policy then in effect, which provided a limitation based on the total number of Toyota dealerships in the particular market. With respect to Lexus, a Public could own no more than one Lexus dealership in any one Lexus-defined metropolitan market and no more than five Lexus dealerships nationally.HONDA1. Honda limited the number of Honda and Acura dealerships a Public could own (a) on a national level; (b) in each Honda and Acura-defined geographic zone; and (c) in each Honda-defined metropolitan market.
2. Nationally, the limitations on Honda dealerships owned by Publics were based on specified percentages of total Honda unit sales in the United States.
3. In Honda-defined geographic zones, the limitations on Honda dealerships owned by Publics were based on specified percentages of total Honda unit sales in each of 10 Honda-defined geographic zones.
4. In Honda-defined metropolitan markets, the limitations on Honda dealerships owned by Publics were specified numbers of dealerships in each market, which numerical limits varied based mainly on the total number of Honda dealerships in a particular market.
5. With respect to Acura, Publics could own no more than (a) two Acura dealerships in a Honda-defined metropolitan market, (b) three Acura dealerships in any one of six Honda-defined geographic zones and (c) five Acura dealerships nationally.
6. Honda also prohibited ownership of contiguous dealerships.MERCEDES-BENZMercedes restricted any company from owning Mercedes dealerships with sales of more than 3% of total sales of Mercedes vehicles in the U.S. during the previous calendar year.FORD MOTOR COMPANY1. 80% of the Public's Ford dealerships had to meet Ford's performance criteria.
2. Could not make an acquisition that would result in owning Ford or Lincoln Mercury dealerships with sales exceeding 5% of the total Ford or total Lincoln Mercury retail sales of new vehicles in the United States for the preceding calendar year.
3. Could not acquire additional Ford or Lincoln Mercury dealerships in a particular state if such an acquisition would result in the public company owning Ford or Lincoln Mercury dealerships with sales exceeding 5% of the total Ford or total Lincoln Mercury retail sales of new vehicles in that state for the preceding calendar year.
4. Could not acquire additional Ford dealerships in a Ford-defined market area if such an acquisition would result in the Public owning more than one Ford dealership in a market having a total of three or less Ford dealerships or owning more than 25% of the Ford dealerships in a market having a total of four or more Ford dealerships. An identical market area restriction applies for Lincoln Mercury dealerships.
5. The factory could impose conditions, such as requiring facilities improvements at the acquired dealership.GENERAL MOTORSGeneral Motors limited the maximum number of General Motors dealerships that a Public could acquire to 50% of the General Motors dealerships, by brand line, in a General Motors-defined geographic market area having multiple General Motors dealers.SUBARUSubaru limited Publics to (a) no more than two Subaru dealerships within certain designated market areas; (b) four Subaru dealerships within its Mid-America region; and (c) 12 dealerships within Subaru's entire area of distribution.BMWBMW prohibited publicly held companies from owning BMW dealerships representing (a) more than 10% of all BMW sales in the U.S. or (b) more than 50% of BMW dealerships in a given metropolitan market. Other manufacturers may impose different restrictions and conditions which may or may not be more stringent.As a condition to granting their consent to acquisitions, a number of manufacturers required additional restrictions or conditions, such as prohibiting:1. Material changes in the Public, or extraordinary corporate transactions such as a merger, sale of a material amount of assets or change in the Public's board of directors or management that could have a material adverse effect on the manufacturer's image or reputation or could be materially incompatible with the manufacturer's interests.
2. The removal of a dealership general manager without the consent of the manufacturer.
3. Dualing with another brand without the factory's consent.If a buyer cannot comply with the restrictions of its framework agreement with the factory, it will not be approved. Consequently, if one intends to sell a dealership to a Public it would be wise to know the requirements to of its framework agreement before investing a substantial amount of time and energy into negotiating with the Public.John Pico is a vice president of Automotive Advisors. Before retiring from the active practice of law in 1980 he represented numerous automotive dealers in the reorganizations, purchases, and sales of dealerships. He both tried cases as the attorney for the dealerships and arbitrated and mediated dealer related cases. He has completed over 1,000 dealership transactions. Mr. Pico became a student of the industry by receiving training and attending seminars with respect to the various departments in new car dealerships, participating in National Automobile Dealer Association (NADA) Management Education Program, having "hands-on "experience" operating a store by filling in as General Manager on an "interim" bases. In 1986, after five years of research and two years of writing, Mr. Pico authored and National Legal Publishing Company published the nation's first book on Buying and Selling Automobile Dealerships. You can obtain his biography and more information, sources and references at http://www.automotiveadvisors.com/johnpico.asp
Keyword : Buying, Selling, Automobile, Dealerships, Framework, Public Companies, UAG, AutoNation, Penske
A framework agreement provides the basis for the business relationship between a factory and a public company (Public). It includes the terms and standards for a Public's acquisition and ownership of new car automobile dealerships. Each factory has its own restrictions on a Public's ability to acquire and operate its dealerships.Most framework agreements are, by their own terms confidential. However, if one is anticipating selling a dealership to a Public, it would be wise to become familiar with its framework agreement and how it might affect a potential sale.When I was negotiating the sale Lexus of Stevens Creek, a Public indicated it wanted to purchase the dealership, but it already owned 4 Lexus stores (the maximum allowed nationwide at the time). The Public told the factory it would sell one if it entered into a buy-sell with my dealer; however, the factory told them it had to sell one before it put a deal together.The relationship between Publics and factories has been an interesting metamorphosis to observe. When Publics first came on the scene the factories kicked and screamed. Lawsuits were filed and the concept of public ownership of automobile dealerships was vigorously opposed by the manufacturers.Later, the confrontational attitude subsided and the factories embraced the Publics as a way to replace certain dealers and as a means to have new facilities built. The glow came off the relationships when a number of the Publics did not perform the way the factory wanted: poor CSI, broken promises, poor sales performance.For the factories and the Publics, the drafting of the original framework agreements was like composing pre-nuptial agreements without ever having been married or divorced. As the factories learned from experience, the agreements were massaged and modified.Several years ago while helping obtain the first factory approval for an Indian Nation to become a dealer, a generic Sales and Service Agreement was not adequate to cover the uniqueness of the tribes and modifications had to be made.The factory knew how to deal with large dealership groups, both public and private, but how does one transact business with a Sovereign Nation (a Native American tribe) that has immunity from lawsuits and does not have to pay taxes? These were some of the issues that had to be addressed (with the factory, the state dealer association and the selling dealer). In hindsight, similar to the Publics' framework agreements, some of the anticipated problems were imaginary and some were missed.Publics are rated daily according to the market value of their stock, which value, when they first began buying dealerships, was affected dramatically by increasing the sales volume of the companies through the acquisition of new dealerships.Dealers, on the other hand, are rated by how things turn out when the game is over and they sell their stores. Consequently, while it might be good for a Public to sell a hypothetical dealership property to a REIT (Real Estate Investment Trust), it may or may not be wise for a private dealer to sell that same property even if given the same terms, or vice-versa.Privates and Publics have different rules and different motives and, in my opinion, until recently, some Publics did not think they had to act very much like dealers. With the slow-down in their acquisitions, however, Publics have had to act more like dealers and get the most out of each store. As most dealers would agree, the task of successfully operating an automobile dealership is substantially more difficult than buying one with someone else's money.In the long-run I believe framework agreements are good because they keep the Publics from controlling too great a percentage of the distribution channels of manufacturers, while simultaneously forcing them to operate more like car dealers.Although framework agreements are redefined at times, at one time or another the following factories had the following requirements:TOYOTA/LEXUS1. Had a limit on the number of Toyota and Lexus dealerships that a Public may own: (a) on a national level; (b) in each Toyota-defined geographic region or distributor area; and (c) in each Toyota or Lexus-defined metropolitan market.
2. Prohibited ownership of contiguous dealerships in the same market.
3. Nationally, the limitations on dealerships owned were for specific time periods and based on certain percentages of total Toyota unit sales in the United States.
4. In geographic regions or distributor areas, the limitations on dealerships owned by Publics were specified by the applicable Toyota regional limitations policy or distributor's policy in effect at such time.
5. In metropolitan markets, the limitations on dealerships owned by Publics were based on Toyota's metro markets limitation policy then in effect, which provided a limitation based on the total number of Toyota dealerships in the particular market. With respect to Lexus, a Public could own no more than one Lexus dealership in any one Lexus-defined metropolitan market and no more than five Lexus dealerships nationally.HONDA1. Honda limited the number of Honda and Acura dealerships a Public could own (a) on a national level; (b) in each Honda and Acura-defined geographic zone; and (c) in each Honda-defined metropolitan market.
2. Nationally, the limitations on Honda dealerships owned by Publics were based on specified percentages of total Honda unit sales in the United States.
3. In Honda-defined geographic zones, the limitations on Honda dealerships owned by Publics were based on specified percentages of total Honda unit sales in each of 10 Honda-defined geographic zones.
4. In Honda-defined metropolitan markets, the limitations on Honda dealerships owned by Publics were specified numbers of dealerships in each market, which numerical limits varied based mainly on the total number of Honda dealerships in a particular market.
5. With respect to Acura, Publics could own no more than (a) two Acura dealerships in a Honda-defined metropolitan market, (b) three Acura dealerships in any one of six Honda-defined geographic zones and (c) five Acura dealerships nationally.
6. Honda also prohibited ownership of contiguous dealerships.MERCEDES-BENZMercedes restricted any company from owning Mercedes dealerships with sales of more than 3% of total sales of Mercedes vehicles in the U.S. during the previous calendar year.FORD MOTOR COMPANY1. 80% of the Public's Ford dealerships had to meet Ford's performance criteria.
2. Could not make an acquisition that would result in owning Ford or Lincoln Mercury dealerships with sales exceeding 5% of the total Ford or total Lincoln Mercury retail sales of new vehicles in the United States for the preceding calendar year.
3. Could not acquire additional Ford or Lincoln Mercury dealerships in a particular state if such an acquisition would result in the public company owning Ford or Lincoln Mercury dealerships with sales exceeding 5% of the total Ford or total Lincoln Mercury retail sales of new vehicles in that state for the preceding calendar year.
4. Could not acquire additional Ford dealerships in a Ford-defined market area if such an acquisition would result in the Public owning more than one Ford dealership in a market having a total of three or less Ford dealerships or owning more than 25% of the Ford dealerships in a market having a total of four or more Ford dealerships. An identical market area restriction applies for Lincoln Mercury dealerships.
5. The factory could impose conditions, such as requiring facilities improvements at the acquired dealership.GENERAL MOTORSGeneral Motors limited the maximum number of General Motors dealerships that a Public could acquire to 50% of the General Motors dealerships, by brand line, in a General Motors-defined geographic market area having multiple General Motors dealers.SUBARUSubaru limited Publics to (a) no more than two Subaru dealerships within certain designated market areas; (b) four Subaru dealerships within its Mid-America region; and (c) 12 dealerships within Subaru's entire area of distribution.BMWBMW prohibited publicly held companies from owning BMW dealerships representing (a) more than 10% of all BMW sales in the U.S. or (b) more than 50% of BMW dealerships in a given metropolitan market. Other manufacturers may impose different restrictions and conditions which may or may not be more stringent.As a condition to granting their consent to acquisitions, a number of manufacturers required additional restrictions or conditions, such as prohibiting:1. Material changes in the Public, or extraordinary corporate transactions such as a merger, sale of a material amount of assets or change in the Public's board of directors or management that could have a material adverse effect on the manufacturer's image or reputation or could be materially incompatible with the manufacturer's interests.
2. The removal of a dealership general manager without the consent of the manufacturer.
3. Dualing with another brand without the factory's consent.If a buyer cannot comply with the restrictions of its framework agreement with the factory, it will not be approved. Consequently, if one intends to sell a dealership to a Public it would be wise to know the requirements to of its framework agreement before investing a substantial amount of time and energy into negotiating with the Public.John Pico is a vice president of Automotive Advisors. Before retiring from the active practice of law in 1980 he represented numerous automotive dealers in the reorganizations, purchases, and sales of dealerships. He both tried cases as the attorney for the dealerships and arbitrated and mediated dealer related cases. He has completed over 1,000 dealership transactions. Mr. Pico became a student of the industry by receiving training and attending seminars with respect to the various departments in new car dealerships, participating in National Automobile Dealer Association (NADA) Management Education Program, having "hands-on "experience" operating a store by filling in as General Manager on an "interim" bases. In 1986, after five years of research and two years of writing, Mr. Pico authored and National Legal Publishing Company published the nation's first book on Buying and Selling Automobile Dealerships. You can obtain his biography and more information, sources and references at http://www.automotiveadvisors.com/johnpico.asp
Keyword : Buying, Selling, Automobile, Dealerships, Framework, Public Companies, UAG, AutoNation, Penske
Nemesis: The Mazda RX-8’s Third Special Ed
Author : Margaret Adams
The Nemesis is the name given to the Mazda RX-8 vehicle's third special edition vehicle. Why third? Well, simply because this is the third special edition vehicle that has been built using the Mazda RX-8 which has been mainly known for its rotary powered engines.According to the Mazda 808 parts manufacturer, this new Mazda RX-8 Nemesis special edition vehicle would still be created as a sports coupe that models four doors. They do further maintain that they had decided to build yet another special version because of the success of the two previous special edition vehicles for the Mazda RX-8 – the Evolve and the PZ.So what should one expect from the Mazda RX-8? Mazda says that this vehicle would be coming with unique paint colors. The interior trim would also be colored in unique hues. Not too unique perhaps but simply unique enough in the world of automobiles. The Nemesis would also be having an exclusive accessory package which also comes with a really low price knowing that it is a special vehicle. How much? Well let us say that it is only priced at £22,995. And by looking at its price tag, you would now see that it is only some £330 less than the current Mazda RX-8 model.Leather seats come as a natural for the Mazda RX-8 Nemesis. This vehicle also has been mounted with a five speed transmission system for a further boost in performance. Mazda even boasts that the Mazda RX-8 Nemesis has got a unique exterior and an even more unique interior. You can choose from two exclusive colors for the vehicle's exterior. There is the Copper Red Mica and the Stormy Blue Mica. These are the only two color choices offered.Alongside with that, you would find on the vehicle's front air dam a polished aluminum Rotary crest. There are also aluminum side air outlet trims that have been thoroughly polished right behind the front wheel arches.Inside the vehicle's interior, the Nemesis comes with special edition and very unique stone leather seat trims. There are also special and Nemesis branded luxury carpet mats.Margaret Adams is the present manager of the largest auto manufacturing in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. This 35 year old maiden is a certified car enthusiast. You can visit Mazda 808 parts for more information.
Keyword : auto parts,Mazda,Mazda 808 parts,Mazda parts,Mazda accessories
The Nemesis is the name given to the Mazda RX-8 vehicle's third special edition vehicle. Why third? Well, simply because this is the third special edition vehicle that has been built using the Mazda RX-8 which has been mainly known for its rotary powered engines.According to the Mazda 808 parts manufacturer, this new Mazda RX-8 Nemesis special edition vehicle would still be created as a sports coupe that models four doors. They do further maintain that they had decided to build yet another special version because of the success of the two previous special edition vehicles for the Mazda RX-8 – the Evolve and the PZ.So what should one expect from the Mazda RX-8? Mazda says that this vehicle would be coming with unique paint colors. The interior trim would also be colored in unique hues. Not too unique perhaps but simply unique enough in the world of automobiles. The Nemesis would also be having an exclusive accessory package which also comes with a really low price knowing that it is a special vehicle. How much? Well let us say that it is only priced at £22,995. And by looking at its price tag, you would now see that it is only some £330 less than the current Mazda RX-8 model.Leather seats come as a natural for the Mazda RX-8 Nemesis. This vehicle also has been mounted with a five speed transmission system for a further boost in performance. Mazda even boasts that the Mazda RX-8 Nemesis has got a unique exterior and an even more unique interior. You can choose from two exclusive colors for the vehicle's exterior. There is the Copper Red Mica and the Stormy Blue Mica. These are the only two color choices offered.Alongside with that, you would find on the vehicle's front air dam a polished aluminum Rotary crest. There are also aluminum side air outlet trims that have been thoroughly polished right behind the front wheel arches.Inside the vehicle's interior, the Nemesis comes with special edition and very unique stone leather seat trims. There are also special and Nemesis branded luxury carpet mats.Margaret Adams is the present manager of the largest auto manufacturing in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. This 35 year old maiden is a certified car enthusiast. You can visit Mazda 808 parts for more information.
Keyword : auto parts,Mazda,Mazda 808 parts,Mazda parts,Mazda accessories
UnderCover Tonneau Cover Review
Author : Ken Bishop
Would you buy an Undercover tonneau cover after a review like this?
The undercover tonneau cover is custom-made to fit your make, model and year of your vehicle. This particular truck bed cover is a low profile, weather tight tonneau cover. You would class it as a hard tonneau cover, but being constructed of ABS keeps it light weight and easy to handle. It has quick release hardware to enable you to put it on or take off quickly. The cover is constructed to prevent warping in direct sunlight. It can be painted but because of the texture there may be a slight difference in the color of your truck if your using a metallic paint. It seems a solid color paint is fine. It comes at a very descent price as far as hard tonneau covers go.You may be able add accessories to your undercover tonneau cover but you best consult the factory to avoid losing your warranty. Your Undercover Tonneau Cover is backed by a limited 3-year warranty.There is no need for drilling to install it. It is easy to install. If you have a bed liner you may have to trim down the sides to accommodate the truck cover. They say you can install it in 15 minutes but in my opinion that would only happen if you had done it before. I would say any where between 25 minutes to one hour depending how much of a knack you have of doing this type of thing. Even at one hour, I think would be pretty good for something your going to get great use out of. I mean it will keep your cargo dry and out of sight of people who like to take things that don't belong to them. It will also add to the look of your pickup truck.To help you protect your cargo it comes with two stainless steel locks. It comes with wall mount hardware so you can hang the tonneau cover up and out of the way in your garage. This is a very convenient accessory that undercover offers. The cover opens easily with the aid of two struts one on either side of the cover.Out of all the reviews I've read on tonneau covers the undercover tonneau cover seems to have the least negative items. It seems most people are very, very satisfied with this tonneau cover and how great it is at keeping the rain off their cargo.In my opinion, if your looking for a hard tonneau cover that looks great , is very strong, easy to install and worth every cent you paid for it. Look no further. No cover is absolutely rain proof but this cover is as close as you can get. I searched for bad reviews on this tonneau cover but I couldn't find anything that was worth mentioning. Most covers people buy they may love them but they still find minor defaults they mention, but as weird as it seems this Undercover tonneau cover seems to pass all tests.If you have some negative feedback on this cover please let me know through my website.Ken Bishop is the author of this article. You are more than welcome to add your comments about tonneau covers by email through my websites. I will use these comment about any tonneau covers in my reviews. www.truckbedtonneau.com
Keyword : undercover tonneau cover, tonneau cover, tonneau covers, truck bed cover
Would you buy an Undercover tonneau cover after a review like this?
The undercover tonneau cover is custom-made to fit your make, model and year of your vehicle. This particular truck bed cover is a low profile, weather tight tonneau cover. You would class it as a hard tonneau cover, but being constructed of ABS keeps it light weight and easy to handle. It has quick release hardware to enable you to put it on or take off quickly. The cover is constructed to prevent warping in direct sunlight. It can be painted but because of the texture there may be a slight difference in the color of your truck if your using a metallic paint. It seems a solid color paint is fine. It comes at a very descent price as far as hard tonneau covers go.You may be able add accessories to your undercover tonneau cover but you best consult the factory to avoid losing your warranty. Your Undercover Tonneau Cover is backed by a limited 3-year warranty.There is no need for drilling to install it. It is easy to install. If you have a bed liner you may have to trim down the sides to accommodate the truck cover. They say you can install it in 15 minutes but in my opinion that would only happen if you had done it before. I would say any where between 25 minutes to one hour depending how much of a knack you have of doing this type of thing. Even at one hour, I think would be pretty good for something your going to get great use out of. I mean it will keep your cargo dry and out of sight of people who like to take things that don't belong to them. It will also add to the look of your pickup truck.To help you protect your cargo it comes with two stainless steel locks. It comes with wall mount hardware so you can hang the tonneau cover up and out of the way in your garage. This is a very convenient accessory that undercover offers. The cover opens easily with the aid of two struts one on either side of the cover.Out of all the reviews I've read on tonneau covers the undercover tonneau cover seems to have the least negative items. It seems most people are very, very satisfied with this tonneau cover and how great it is at keeping the rain off their cargo.In my opinion, if your looking for a hard tonneau cover that looks great , is very strong, easy to install and worth every cent you paid for it. Look no further. No cover is absolutely rain proof but this cover is as close as you can get. I searched for bad reviews on this tonneau cover but I couldn't find anything that was worth mentioning. Most covers people buy they may love them but they still find minor defaults they mention, but as weird as it seems this Undercover tonneau cover seems to pass all tests.If you have some negative feedback on this cover please let me know through my website.Ken Bishop is the author of this article. You are more than welcome to add your comments about tonneau covers by email through my websites. I will use these comment about any tonneau covers in my reviews. www.truckbedtonneau.com
Keyword : undercover tonneau cover, tonneau cover, tonneau covers, truck bed cover
Pros and Cons of Hybrid Cars
Author : Kenneth C. Hoffman
All good citizens would like to support the idea of saving gas, reduce the country's dependence on oil and help keep our air pure and safe. One way we can do that is to make our next new car a hybrid.Of course it would be nice to have a pure electric car with zero emissions and one that gets three hundred miles to an overnight battery charge. Since that day is in the future, we have only the gas/electric hybrids available.In general, hybrid cars get twenty per cent better mileage than regular cars but cost $3000 more. It will take several years of driving to recoup the difference in better mileage but the overall quality of cars has made it possible for us to keep them five or ten years without major repairs . I have noticed that most hybrid cars are bought by highly educated people whose reasons for buying a hybrid include 1.- owning a high efficiency car, 2.- the latest in technology, 3. - owning something different, and 4.- doing something to help the oil problem.One concern of the prospective hybrid buyer is the cost of battery replacement when needed. While it would be nice to be able to top off the batteries in your garage with cheap electricity, the internal charging system in the hybrid cars will keep your batteries going for five or more years. NiMh and LiIon batteries have no memory and weigh far less than the equivalent lead acid batteries of a few years ago. Check out the separate battery warrantee supplied by the dealers.In many cases, the manufacturer will include special accessories that are not available on the regular models. Features like heated seats, ice free mirrors, automatic heat controls and steering wheel audio buttons. The government also entices us hybrid buyers with a hefty rebate of $1200 - $2000. If you want to take advantage of this offer, make sure you are within the time limit.Some of the ways that hybrids save gas are: The shutting down of some of the cylinders while coasting, the shutting down of the motor when stopped temporarily, and some hybrids even can be driven short distances on the batteries alone( Honda Civic, Toyota Prius) The availability of the CVT is a plus, since there is no evidence or lurch of shifting and the direct coupling of the engine with the wheels without an intervening torque converter rivals the efficiency of a manual shift.On the con side, most hybrids weigh slightly more than their gas cousins and most designers were forced to give up the folding rear seat backs for battery space. Nissan has solved that problem by putting the batteries in the space where the spare tire was kept, adding an air bottle instead for emergencies. I think that this is a good idea since flat tires are a thing of the past. AAA can get you to a repair station if necessary.The jack rabbit start drivers bemoaned the fact that the new hybrid vehicles were supplied with a comparatively small gas engine to accompany the electric motor. So some companies supplied some models with the regular powerful four or six cylinder engine (Honda Accord) in addition to the electric motor for powerful starts and quick highway passing. IMO, this may feel good to the racers but defeats the purpose of saving gas. The four cylinder engines are now sophisticated enough with high compression, fuel injection, high flow air intakes and exhaust manifolds, variable valves, and computer chips; all of which make them as powerful as the sixes of yore. Balance shafts, ball bearing surfaces, and extra insulation contribute to making them super smooth and quiet. Which one will be your next car?About the Author: A retired portrait and wedding photographer, I enjoy writing , how to articles, helpful articles on photography and many other subjects. My
hobbies include quartet singing, shop, bicycling and photography. Please visit my web site at photoartbyken.com [Articles, Digital Art, Poetry, Original sheet music.]
Keyword : Hybrid, Mileage
All good citizens would like to support the idea of saving gas, reduce the country's dependence on oil and help keep our air pure and safe. One way we can do that is to make our next new car a hybrid.Of course it would be nice to have a pure electric car with zero emissions and one that gets three hundred miles to an overnight battery charge. Since that day is in the future, we have only the gas/electric hybrids available.In general, hybrid cars get twenty per cent better mileage than regular cars but cost $3000 more. It will take several years of driving to recoup the difference in better mileage but the overall quality of cars has made it possible for us to keep them five or ten years without major repairs . I have noticed that most hybrid cars are bought by highly educated people whose reasons for buying a hybrid include 1.- owning a high efficiency car, 2.- the latest in technology, 3. - owning something different, and 4.- doing something to help the oil problem.One concern of the prospective hybrid buyer is the cost of battery replacement when needed. While it would be nice to be able to top off the batteries in your garage with cheap electricity, the internal charging system in the hybrid cars will keep your batteries going for five or more years. NiMh and LiIon batteries have no memory and weigh far less than the equivalent lead acid batteries of a few years ago. Check out the separate battery warrantee supplied by the dealers.In many cases, the manufacturer will include special accessories that are not available on the regular models. Features like heated seats, ice free mirrors, automatic heat controls and steering wheel audio buttons. The government also entices us hybrid buyers with a hefty rebate of $1200 - $2000. If you want to take advantage of this offer, make sure you are within the time limit.Some of the ways that hybrids save gas are: The shutting down of some of the cylinders while coasting, the shutting down of the motor when stopped temporarily, and some hybrids even can be driven short distances on the batteries alone( Honda Civic, Toyota Prius) The availability of the CVT is a plus, since there is no evidence or lurch of shifting and the direct coupling of the engine with the wheels without an intervening torque converter rivals the efficiency of a manual shift.On the con side, most hybrids weigh slightly more than their gas cousins and most designers were forced to give up the folding rear seat backs for battery space. Nissan has solved that problem by putting the batteries in the space where the spare tire was kept, adding an air bottle instead for emergencies. I think that this is a good idea since flat tires are a thing of the past. AAA can get you to a repair station if necessary.The jack rabbit start drivers bemoaned the fact that the new hybrid vehicles were supplied with a comparatively small gas engine to accompany the electric motor. So some companies supplied some models with the regular powerful four or six cylinder engine (Honda Accord) in addition to the electric motor for powerful starts and quick highway passing. IMO, this may feel good to the racers but defeats the purpose of saving gas. The four cylinder engines are now sophisticated enough with high compression, fuel injection, high flow air intakes and exhaust manifolds, variable valves, and computer chips; all of which make them as powerful as the sixes of yore. Balance shafts, ball bearing surfaces, and extra insulation contribute to making them super smooth and quiet. Which one will be your next car?About the Author: A retired portrait and wedding photographer, I enjoy writing , how to articles, helpful articles on photography and many other subjects. My
hobbies include quartet singing, shop, bicycling and photography. Please visit my web site at photoartbyken.com [Articles, Digital Art, Poetry, Original sheet music.]
Keyword : Hybrid, Mileage
How Your Auto Insurance Rates Are Determined
Author : A. Chris Tijerina
Your auto insurance rates are determined by a number of factors: -driving record -usage, how you are using the vehicle, work, pleasure, business -how many drivers you have and their ages -how many vehicles you have -what kind of coverage limits you want -what area you live in -your payment history -what color car you drive -your insurance credit score -your claims history -your occupation and how many years you have lived at your current residence -how fast you can solve a Rubix cube -your daily, weekly, annual mileage There is a lot of information about you that is used to determine your rates. You are grouped or pooled together with similar drives of the same background that way you are not paying for drivers that are much worse than you. Similar risks will pay similar rates. Your usage affects your rates because if you are driving to and from work or school 5 days a week, 15 miles one way you have a higher chance of getting in a accident than someone who only drives 1 mile 1 way 3 days a week or someone who works from home and only drives to get groceries. So business, work, and school usage is higher than pleasure usage. The area you live in affects your rates due to the fact that one area or town may have a higher incidence of claims than another area. One area may have higher lawsuit payouts or higher theft rates than another area. Even if you live in a affulent area your rates may be higher due to the higher value vehicles in your area cost more to fix than in an area with lower value vehicles. Although you may have heard that if you drive a red car you will pay higher rates but this is not true. It is a myth. GEICO, USAA (For Military Only), and Allstate, to name a few, don't even ask what color car you drive when you apply for a quote. And your VIN number doesn't give this info either. If you have one car and three drivers you will pay more because that car will get used alot more than if you had only 1 driver and 1 car. If you have had a poor payment history or your policy has cancelled due to non payment you will have higher rates when you try to reapply for insurance. The higher your insurance credit score the better. The insurance credit score is similar to your FICO credit score such that the higher your FICO score the lower your interest rate and the higher your insurance credit score the lower your insurance premium. Your claims history will affect you for a minimum of 3 years. If you have filed a claimed or if you even mentioned a claim to your insurance company it can and most likely will affect your rates.
A. Chris Tijerina has over 3 years of experience in the auto insurance industry and has seen many different people deal with auto insurance related problems. http://www.insurance-for-cars.com answers many of the questions facing drivers today.
Keyword : car insurance, auto insurance, auto insurance rates
Your auto insurance rates are determined by a number of factors: -driving record -usage, how you are using the vehicle, work, pleasure, business -how many drivers you have and their ages -how many vehicles you have -what kind of coverage limits you want -what area you live in -your payment history -what color car you drive -your insurance credit score -your claims history -your occupation and how many years you have lived at your current residence -how fast you can solve a Rubix cube -your daily, weekly, annual mileage There is a lot of information about you that is used to determine your rates. You are grouped or pooled together with similar drives of the same background that way you are not paying for drivers that are much worse than you. Similar risks will pay similar rates. Your usage affects your rates because if you are driving to and from work or school 5 days a week, 15 miles one way you have a higher chance of getting in a accident than someone who only drives 1 mile 1 way 3 days a week or someone who works from home and only drives to get groceries. So business, work, and school usage is higher than pleasure usage. The area you live in affects your rates due to the fact that one area or town may have a higher incidence of claims than another area. One area may have higher lawsuit payouts or higher theft rates than another area. Even if you live in a affulent area your rates may be higher due to the higher value vehicles in your area cost more to fix than in an area with lower value vehicles. Although you may have heard that if you drive a red car you will pay higher rates but this is not true. It is a myth. GEICO, USAA (For Military Only), and Allstate, to name a few, don't even ask what color car you drive when you apply for a quote. And your VIN number doesn't give this info either. If you have one car and three drivers you will pay more because that car will get used alot more than if you had only 1 driver and 1 car. If you have had a poor payment history or your policy has cancelled due to non payment you will have higher rates when you try to reapply for insurance. The higher your insurance credit score the better. The insurance credit score is similar to your FICO credit score such that the higher your FICO score the lower your interest rate and the higher your insurance credit score the lower your insurance premium. Your claims history will affect you for a minimum of 3 years. If you have filed a claimed or if you even mentioned a claim to your insurance company it can and most likely will affect your rates.
A. Chris Tijerina has over 3 years of experience in the auto insurance industry and has seen many different people deal with auto insurance related problems. http://www.insurance-for-cars.com answers many of the questions facing drivers today.
Keyword : car insurance, auto insurance, auto insurance rates
Honda Accord 2005: The Weekly Driver Review
Author : James Raia
The Honda Accord is arguably the most reliable, well-respected vehicle
on the road today. It's not the most luxurious or the fastest car. It doesn't
have luxury car status or solicit overt double-takes from passersby.But what it does is have is plenty of high marks in nearly every ranked
category – comfort to acceleration, instrument control efficiency to ride
quality. And what it's sure to earn via the public is its overwhelming best-
buy status in many consumer guides.The 240-horsepower, automatic V6 EX sedan was my weekly test
vehicle. The 350 miles I drove the car included a 200-mile trip to San
Francisco. The outbound ride was smooth, particularly considering
Honda's surprisingly easy-to-use navigation system.The return trip, unfortunately, began at the peak of rush-hour traffic. It
took nearly an hour to drive only a few miles out of the middle of the
financial district and onto the freeway.Gridlock is never a good thing, with perhaps only one exception - fodder
for a car review. During my hour in bumper-to-bumper traffic, a few
drivers lost their temper. A few bicyclists maneuvered through the slow-
moving maze a little too close to my car. A few pedestrians' patience
levels were tested in hustle-bustle of a big city at 4:30 p.m. And a guy
even got out of his car, walked across two lanes of standstill traffic,
tapped on my window and asked if I could move back slightly so he
could enter a parking lot.As a testament to the new Accord's comfort, with the windows rolled up,
the stereo on and no place to go, all was fine. Even a stranger knocking
on the window – a potential road rage scenario – wasn't a problem. The
guy asked nicely and I cordially obliged.Since the Accord was introduced in 1976, Honda has refined the model
nearly every year, with this year's offering no different.The 2005 Honda has all of the same qualities of the top-rated 2004
model, plus more. The V6 models now have the added standard safety
features of traction control as well as front torso and side curtain air
bags. Dual-zone automatic climate controls, leather upholstery, leather-
wrapped steering wheel, heated front seats, satellite race, outside-
temperature indicator, 6-disc CD changer, power sunroof and
navigation system with voice control are also standard features that
place the Accord close to a luxury classification, yet still under the
$30,000 price point.The aforementioned navigation system is one of the easiest and most
efficient systems I've tried. The directions are simple, including
destination address data entry. The system has straightforward, nicely
illuminated maps and a pleasant, clear direction-giver's voice.Through its nearly 30 years, the Accord's appeal has been its overall
presentation, not just the strength of some of its individual features. The
2005 Accord takes the vehicle's well-respected total package to a new
standard.Acceleration, quietness, ride quality, steering and handling and
instrumentation – the Accord gets high marks in all categories. All
gauges are keenly styled and legible and positioned well on the dash
and console. The car maneuvers moves well in and out of traffic. While
not a sports car, its testing rating of 0-60 mph in 7.0 seconds is hardly
pedestrian for the midsize car category.The only less-than-sterling marks for the new Accord are its fuel
economy and rear seat room. The EX model has a rating of 21 and 30
mph averages in city and highway driving, respectively. Those numbers
could be higher, particularly in the age of higher fuel costs.The Accord has plenty of headroom in the front and back seats. But the
rear seat is snug for three adults, despite its five-passenger designation.Regardless, reasons are aplenty why the Accord is so popular. And if all
is still well even when you're stuck in rush-hour traffic on a late weekday
afternoon, is there any higher praise?2005 Honda AccordSafety features -- Driver and front passenger and side curtain
airbags, anti-lock brakes., Traction control system.Fuel Mileage (estimates) -- 21 mpg (city), 30 mpg (highway).Warranty -- Bumper to bumper, 3 years/36,000 miles; Power
train, 3 years/36,000 miles; Corrosion, 5 years/unlimited miles.Base price -- $28,700James Raia is a journalist based in Sacramento, California. To read
more of his car reviews, visit: The Weekly Driver
Keyword : Honda Accord, Honda Accord 2005, Accord, 2005 Accord
The Honda Accord is arguably the most reliable, well-respected vehicle
on the road today. It's not the most luxurious or the fastest car. It doesn't
have luxury car status or solicit overt double-takes from passersby.But what it does is have is plenty of high marks in nearly every ranked
category – comfort to acceleration, instrument control efficiency to ride
quality. And what it's sure to earn via the public is its overwhelming best-
buy status in many consumer guides.The 240-horsepower, automatic V6 EX sedan was my weekly test
vehicle. The 350 miles I drove the car included a 200-mile trip to San
Francisco. The outbound ride was smooth, particularly considering
Honda's surprisingly easy-to-use navigation system.The return trip, unfortunately, began at the peak of rush-hour traffic. It
took nearly an hour to drive only a few miles out of the middle of the
financial district and onto the freeway.Gridlock is never a good thing, with perhaps only one exception - fodder
for a car review. During my hour in bumper-to-bumper traffic, a few
drivers lost their temper. A few bicyclists maneuvered through the slow-
moving maze a little too close to my car. A few pedestrians' patience
levels were tested in hustle-bustle of a big city at 4:30 p.m. And a guy
even got out of his car, walked across two lanes of standstill traffic,
tapped on my window and asked if I could move back slightly so he
could enter a parking lot.As a testament to the new Accord's comfort, with the windows rolled up,
the stereo on and no place to go, all was fine. Even a stranger knocking
on the window – a potential road rage scenario – wasn't a problem. The
guy asked nicely and I cordially obliged.Since the Accord was introduced in 1976, Honda has refined the model
nearly every year, with this year's offering no different.The 2005 Honda has all of the same qualities of the top-rated 2004
model, plus more. The V6 models now have the added standard safety
features of traction control as well as front torso and side curtain air
bags. Dual-zone automatic climate controls, leather upholstery, leather-
wrapped steering wheel, heated front seats, satellite race, outside-
temperature indicator, 6-disc CD changer, power sunroof and
navigation system with voice control are also standard features that
place the Accord close to a luxury classification, yet still under the
$30,000 price point.The aforementioned navigation system is one of the easiest and most
efficient systems I've tried. The directions are simple, including
destination address data entry. The system has straightforward, nicely
illuminated maps and a pleasant, clear direction-giver's voice.Through its nearly 30 years, the Accord's appeal has been its overall
presentation, not just the strength of some of its individual features. The
2005 Accord takes the vehicle's well-respected total package to a new
standard.Acceleration, quietness, ride quality, steering and handling and
instrumentation – the Accord gets high marks in all categories. All
gauges are keenly styled and legible and positioned well on the dash
and console. The car maneuvers moves well in and out of traffic. While
not a sports car, its testing rating of 0-60 mph in 7.0 seconds is hardly
pedestrian for the midsize car category.The only less-than-sterling marks for the new Accord are its fuel
economy and rear seat room. The EX model has a rating of 21 and 30
mph averages in city and highway driving, respectively. Those numbers
could be higher, particularly in the age of higher fuel costs.The Accord has plenty of headroom in the front and back seats. But the
rear seat is snug for three adults, despite its five-passenger designation.Regardless, reasons are aplenty why the Accord is so popular. And if all
is still well even when you're stuck in rush-hour traffic on a late weekday
afternoon, is there any higher praise?2005 Honda AccordSafety features -- Driver and front passenger and side curtain
airbags, anti-lock brakes., Traction control system.Fuel Mileage (estimates) -- 21 mpg (city), 30 mpg (highway).Warranty -- Bumper to bumper, 3 years/36,000 miles; Power
train, 3 years/36,000 miles; Corrosion, 5 years/unlimited miles.Base price -- $28,700James Raia is a journalist based in Sacramento, California. To read
more of his car reviews, visit: The Weekly Driver
Keyword : Honda Accord, Honda Accord 2005, Accord, 2005 Accord
Check The Brake Fluid
Author : Tommy Sessions
You can do some maintenance and minor repairs on your own vehicle.To check the brake fluid level, raise the hood.The master cylinder (mc) is located on the driver's side near the firewall, just under the windshield.Most master cylinders have two small round caps that you can twist off. Some have one rectangular cap that either snaps on or has a metal bar that clips over the cap.You can remove the metal clip by inserting a screwdriver under the clip and lifting up on the handle.The plastic rectangular cap can be removed by popping it off with your thumbs.Be very careful removing the caps.It's best to take a paper towel and clean around the filler caps before removing.Trash, dirt, or water can cause a lot of problems with your brake system...so, lets be cleaning-freaks when we work on the brake system, especially the master cylinder.If the brake fluid in the master cylinder with the small round caps is up to the ring at the base of the filler neck it is okay.In the master cylinder with the one cap the level should be at least one-quarter inch from the top.You don't want to fill the master cylinder too full, it needs room to expand when it gets hot.Look at the fluid. What color is it?Clean fluid will be clear with a slight shade of yellowish.If the fluid is dark, or blackish, you may have rubber hoses deteriorating inside.The front brakes have a rubber-like hose from the caliper to the metal line coming from the master cylinder...if you have rear disc, they have a rubber line also.Over a period of time, and heat, these lines will deteriorate inside.Disc brakes generate an excessive amount of heat.If it's where you can, poke your finger into the master cylinder and rub the bottom.Now then, look at the end of your finger.What is that?If you have black deposits on your finger you need to clean the master cylinder.A note about anti-lock brakes (ABS), just clean the master cylinder with paper towels the best you can.Be sure not to leave any paper particles inside, they could stop-up a line.It is recommended that you change these two rubber lines, because they will only contaminate the master cylinder again.When you remove the lines you will loose the fluid in the master cylinder: this would be the time to clean the master cylinder and flush the entire brake system.Some master cylinders have two compartments: one for the front brakes (the largest) and one for the rear brakes (the smallest).We will only consentrate on changing the front lines at this time.Remove the lid, or caps, from the master cylinder.Put a paper towel over the master cylinder to keep contaminates out.You may want to raise the vehicle and remove the front tires.If you do, be sure to block the rear tires, set the emergency brake, and put stands of some sort under the body of the vehicle just behind the front tires on front wheel drive vehicles.On rear wheel drives you can put your stand under the lower control arm (where the shock is bolted).You will need the proper tools to break the lines loose.Please don't use adjustable wrenches or pliers...you will ruin the shoulders on the nuts.It's best to use a "line" wrench to break the nuts loose and then use the open-end wrench.Don't get any brake fluid on the car body paint...it will peel the paint.Once you have the old lines off and the new lines on, open the bleeder valves on the calipers and fill the master cylinder with the proper brake fluid, most use Dot3.You may have to wait several minutes for the fluid to come through the lines and out the bleeders.Once the fluid has started running through the bleeders you can close the one on the driver's side and then the one on the passenger side.Check the fluid and add some if it is quite low--never let the master cylinder run out!You will have air in the line and sometimes it's a bugger to get it all out.After you check the level of the fluid, replace the covers, or caps.Crank the engine and apply pressure on the brake pedal.If the pedal feels spongy , you need to open the bleeder on the passenger side.If you have help, let them press the brake pedal down slowly.As they press the pedal, fluid will rush from the bleeder...tighten it.Did you see any air bubbles coming out?Try this two or three times, then go to the driver's side and bleed it in the same manner.Be sure to inform your helper not to let the pedal up until you have the bleeder closed, otherwise, you will get more air in it.Watch the fluid as it comes out, by standing away from it... it smarts the eyes when it gets into them, but fresh water will do the trick to get it out.In face, water is all you need to get it off your hands.Now, does the pedal go down about half-way to the floorboard and have a "solid" or "hard" feel to it? If it does, you're okay.You can replace the wheels and go shopping, for more tools, because we will discuss radiators, heater cores, and hoses next time.Oh, I'm sorry, all you wanted to do was 'check' the fluid in the Master Cylinder and make sure it was within a quarter inch from the top...oh, well, you got all this extra for the same nickle. :-)Tommy Sessions has been in auto repair since 1970. He publishes Auto Repair Answers Newsletter so you can learn how to keep your vehicle looking new, running safely and efficiently, while you save money and time...also, learn how to avoid shop rip offs. Don't be at the mercy of the dealerships and auto repair shops...they will have more respect for you.
http://www.auto-repair-answers.com
Keyword : brake fluid,check brake fluid,brake fluid low,add brake fluid
You can do some maintenance and minor repairs on your own vehicle.To check the brake fluid level, raise the hood.The master cylinder (mc) is located on the driver's side near the firewall, just under the windshield.Most master cylinders have two small round caps that you can twist off. Some have one rectangular cap that either snaps on or has a metal bar that clips over the cap.You can remove the metal clip by inserting a screwdriver under the clip and lifting up on the handle.The plastic rectangular cap can be removed by popping it off with your thumbs.Be very careful removing the caps.It's best to take a paper towel and clean around the filler caps before removing.Trash, dirt, or water can cause a lot of problems with your brake system...so, lets be cleaning-freaks when we work on the brake system, especially the master cylinder.If the brake fluid in the master cylinder with the small round caps is up to the ring at the base of the filler neck it is okay.In the master cylinder with the one cap the level should be at least one-quarter inch from the top.You don't want to fill the master cylinder too full, it needs room to expand when it gets hot.Look at the fluid. What color is it?Clean fluid will be clear with a slight shade of yellowish.If the fluid is dark, or blackish, you may have rubber hoses deteriorating inside.The front brakes have a rubber-like hose from the caliper to the metal line coming from the master cylinder...if you have rear disc, they have a rubber line also.Over a period of time, and heat, these lines will deteriorate inside.Disc brakes generate an excessive amount of heat.If it's where you can, poke your finger into the master cylinder and rub the bottom.Now then, look at the end of your finger.What is that?If you have black deposits on your finger you need to clean the master cylinder.A note about anti-lock brakes (ABS), just clean the master cylinder with paper towels the best you can.Be sure not to leave any paper particles inside, they could stop-up a line.It is recommended that you change these two rubber lines, because they will only contaminate the master cylinder again.When you remove the lines you will loose the fluid in the master cylinder: this would be the time to clean the master cylinder and flush the entire brake system.Some master cylinders have two compartments: one for the front brakes (the largest) and one for the rear brakes (the smallest).We will only consentrate on changing the front lines at this time.Remove the lid, or caps, from the master cylinder.Put a paper towel over the master cylinder to keep contaminates out.You may want to raise the vehicle and remove the front tires.If you do, be sure to block the rear tires, set the emergency brake, and put stands of some sort under the body of the vehicle just behind the front tires on front wheel drive vehicles.On rear wheel drives you can put your stand under the lower control arm (where the shock is bolted).You will need the proper tools to break the lines loose.Please don't use adjustable wrenches or pliers...you will ruin the shoulders on the nuts.It's best to use a "line" wrench to break the nuts loose and then use the open-end wrench.Don't get any brake fluid on the car body paint...it will peel the paint.Once you have the old lines off and the new lines on, open the bleeder valves on the calipers and fill the master cylinder with the proper brake fluid, most use Dot3.You may have to wait several minutes for the fluid to come through the lines and out the bleeders.Once the fluid has started running through the bleeders you can close the one on the driver's side and then the one on the passenger side.Check the fluid and add some if it is quite low--never let the master cylinder run out!You will have air in the line and sometimes it's a bugger to get it all out.After you check the level of the fluid, replace the covers, or caps.Crank the engine and apply pressure on the brake pedal.If the pedal feels spongy , you need to open the bleeder on the passenger side.If you have help, let them press the brake pedal down slowly.As they press the pedal, fluid will rush from the bleeder...tighten it.Did you see any air bubbles coming out?Try this two or three times, then go to the driver's side and bleed it in the same manner.Be sure to inform your helper not to let the pedal up until you have the bleeder closed, otherwise, you will get more air in it.Watch the fluid as it comes out, by standing away from it... it smarts the eyes when it gets into them, but fresh water will do the trick to get it out.In face, water is all you need to get it off your hands.Now, does the pedal go down about half-way to the floorboard and have a "solid" or "hard" feel to it? If it does, you're okay.You can replace the wheels and go shopping, for more tools, because we will discuss radiators, heater cores, and hoses next time.Oh, I'm sorry, all you wanted to do was 'check' the fluid in the Master Cylinder and make sure it was within a quarter inch from the top...oh, well, you got all this extra for the same nickle. :-)Tommy Sessions has been in auto repair since 1970. He publishes Auto Repair Answers Newsletter so you can learn how to keep your vehicle looking new, running safely and efficiently, while you save money and time...also, learn how to avoid shop rip offs. Don't be at the mercy of the dealerships and auto repair shops...they will have more respect for you.
http://www.auto-repair-answers.com
Keyword : brake fluid,check brake fluid,brake fluid low,add brake fluid
Save Thousands on Any New Car by Using the Internet
Author : Jeremy Brubaker
Failure to do your homework will prove costly when you purchase your next new vehicle. The internet makes all of the essential information accessible for free, so fire up your computer and get ready to save money.If you are unlucky enough to be trading in your old vehicle, brace yourself because it is going to be ugly. The price dealers offer to pay is always painfully low. Don't be fooled by minimum trade promotions, they will just charge you more for the new car to cover their losses. The only way to get a fair price for your trade is to sell it yourself. Here are a few good web sites to sell your automobile for a small fee.traderonline.com
dealsonwheels.com
autotrader.com
ebay.comIf you must trade in your old car, you can always find an independent appraisal online for free. I recommend looking up a few so that you can estimate a price range before you head out to make the trade. In addition to appraising your trade in, these sites provide estimates of how much you could expect to receive if you were to end up selling it yourself.nadaguides.com
kbb.com
edmunds.comA fairly new subject to address when preparing to purchase your next new automobile is the rebate, incentive, bonus cash, special offer or whatever they are calling the sale this week. The rebates are a popular tool used most frequently by American auto makers.For the consumer, an advantage of the incentives can be that banks are willing to loan retail price and even a little more. The sale price often ends up thousands of dollars less than the retail price. So if you owe slightly more than your car is worth, you may be able to roll that negative equity over into a shiny new car. I have seen rebates as high as $7000 on GM trucks and $5500 on GM cars. Whether you are upside down in your current vehicle or not, the rebate can save you money.Don't wait until you get to your local car dealer to ask about it. I found dealers reluctant to admit how big the rebate should have been on my last truck. The most accurate and up to date rebate information can be found on the manufacturer web sites.GM.com
Chevy.com
Pontiac.com
Buick.com
Oldsmobile.com
Saturn.com
Cadillac.com
Hummer.com
Ford.com
Lincoln.com
Mercuryvehicles.com
automobiles.honda.com
Acura.com
international.chryslercorp.com
Mercedes-benz.com
Jeep.com
Jaguar.com
Volkswagen.com
Porsche.com
Audi.com
Toyota.com
Lexus.com
Nissanusa.com
Infinity.com
Volvocars.com
LandRover.com
Bmw.com
Ferrari.com
Lamborghini.com
Lotuscars.com
Suzuki.com
Kia.com
Hyundai.comAfter researching available rebates, find the difference between the retail and invoice price. Unless you are trying to buy a limited production vehicle, you can usually negotiate a price of a few thousand dollars below the window sticker. The invoice price will give you an idea of how much the dealer paid for the car. I usually push for a price that is a couple hundred dollars over invoice, because I know the dealer will have expenses to cover. The difference between retail and invoice prices can be near $5000. You may have to visit a few different dealerships, but it is worth it. Information on invoice prices can be found at the following web sites.nadaguides.com
kbb.com
consumerguide.com
edmunds.comNow that you know how much to pay for your new vehicle, it is time to address financing. Most buyers need to obtain a loan and if you are not careful, the dealer will squeeze a few thousand dollars out of you here as well. With good credit, the best deal can probably be found at your local bank. Stop in and talk to a loan officer before you go to the car dealer. If you leave it up to the dealership, they will try to push you into the loan that works out best for them. That usually means a higher interest rate and payment for the consumer.If you have less than perfect credit and a current auto loan in good standing call them first and ask to get pre-approved for a new car. By using the internet, you can find banks that are a little more forgiving than your average local bank. Here are a few that I found during a recent search.Americredit.com
wfsfinancial.com
householdauto.comIt's easy to fight the price and win when you know where to look. Good luck and enjoy your new car!Jeremy Brubaker is a writer for
http://FightThePrice.com, a website dedicated to helping consumers save money.Feel free to reprint and distribute this article as you like. Please include the resource box with all it's active links.
Keyword : new car buying truck rebate trade in invoice financing discount save money cash back
Failure to do your homework will prove costly when you purchase your next new vehicle. The internet makes all of the essential information accessible for free, so fire up your computer and get ready to save money.If you are unlucky enough to be trading in your old vehicle, brace yourself because it is going to be ugly. The price dealers offer to pay is always painfully low. Don't be fooled by minimum trade promotions, they will just charge you more for the new car to cover their losses. The only way to get a fair price for your trade is to sell it yourself. Here are a few good web sites to sell your automobile for a small fee.traderonline.com
dealsonwheels.com
autotrader.com
ebay.comIf you must trade in your old car, you can always find an independent appraisal online for free. I recommend looking up a few so that you can estimate a price range before you head out to make the trade. In addition to appraising your trade in, these sites provide estimates of how much you could expect to receive if you were to end up selling it yourself.nadaguides.com
kbb.com
edmunds.comA fairly new subject to address when preparing to purchase your next new automobile is the rebate, incentive, bonus cash, special offer or whatever they are calling the sale this week. The rebates are a popular tool used most frequently by American auto makers.For the consumer, an advantage of the incentives can be that banks are willing to loan retail price and even a little more. The sale price often ends up thousands of dollars less than the retail price. So if you owe slightly more than your car is worth, you may be able to roll that negative equity over into a shiny new car. I have seen rebates as high as $7000 on GM trucks and $5500 on GM cars. Whether you are upside down in your current vehicle or not, the rebate can save you money.Don't wait until you get to your local car dealer to ask about it. I found dealers reluctant to admit how big the rebate should have been on my last truck. The most accurate and up to date rebate information can be found on the manufacturer web sites.GM.com
Chevy.com
Pontiac.com
Buick.com
Oldsmobile.com
Saturn.com
Cadillac.com
Hummer.com
Ford.com
Lincoln.com
Mercuryvehicles.com
automobiles.honda.com
Acura.com
international.chryslercorp.com
Mercedes-benz.com
Jeep.com
Jaguar.com
Volkswagen.com
Porsche.com
Audi.com
Toyota.com
Lexus.com
Nissanusa.com
Infinity.com
Volvocars.com
LandRover.com
Bmw.com
Ferrari.com
Lamborghini.com
Lotuscars.com
Suzuki.com
Kia.com
Hyundai.comAfter researching available rebates, find the difference between the retail and invoice price. Unless you are trying to buy a limited production vehicle, you can usually negotiate a price of a few thousand dollars below the window sticker. The invoice price will give you an idea of how much the dealer paid for the car. I usually push for a price that is a couple hundred dollars over invoice, because I know the dealer will have expenses to cover. The difference between retail and invoice prices can be near $5000. You may have to visit a few different dealerships, but it is worth it. Information on invoice prices can be found at the following web sites.nadaguides.com
kbb.com
consumerguide.com
edmunds.comNow that you know how much to pay for your new vehicle, it is time to address financing. Most buyers need to obtain a loan and if you are not careful, the dealer will squeeze a few thousand dollars out of you here as well. With good credit, the best deal can probably be found at your local bank. Stop in and talk to a loan officer before you go to the car dealer. If you leave it up to the dealership, they will try to push you into the loan that works out best for them. That usually means a higher interest rate and payment for the consumer.If you have less than perfect credit and a current auto loan in good standing call them first and ask to get pre-approved for a new car. By using the internet, you can find banks that are a little more forgiving than your average local bank. Here are a few that I found during a recent search.Americredit.com
wfsfinancial.com
householdauto.comIt's easy to fight the price and win when you know where to look. Good luck and enjoy your new car!Jeremy Brubaker is a writer for
http://FightThePrice.com, a website dedicated to helping consumers save money.Feel free to reprint and distribute this article as you like. Please include the resource box with all it's active links.
Keyword : new car buying truck rebate trade in invoice financing discount save money cash back
A Few Words On Turbocharging
Author : Duane Boodasingh
Well, I'm no expert on turbocharging, but in November 1998 I did purchase my own Sunny turbo engine and boy did I learn a lot. I have read a good bit on the topic in both on the net and in the popular import car publications. I have a reasonable knowledge of the theories and the equipment involved in turbocharging a small 4 cylinder engine.I would like to say first and foremost, turbocharging a naturally aspirated vehicle is not as simple as buying a kit or engine and bolting it up and driving. There is a lot more involved in this if you plan on having dependible transportation that will last longer than a few weeks.Bolt on Mods:First, the engine you want to turbocharge cannot have a high compression ratio. The traditional compression ratio for a four cylinder engine is 8.5 to 1. You can go a little higher with multi-point injection. Most non-turbo cars have 9 to 1 or higher compression ratios. You can get away with about 9 to 1 turboed but beyond that, and the boost you add with the turbocharger will cause pre-detonation and blow your engine. Also, the higher the compression ratio, the less boost you can pump into the engine.So you'll be rebuilding the engine with custom low compression pistons to lower the compression ratio, and at the same time, you'll be strengthining the block to take the additional stress of the turbocharger.Obviously the entire computer system in you car has to be changed over to the the system for the used engine. You will need to get the the ECU, the engine wiring harness, all of the engine sensors, all of the solenoids and actuators and additional electronics which control the turbo system. So ensure that a trained mechanic is with you when making the purchase.Next up , the fuel system delivery will have to be upgraded. You'll need higher flow rate injectors, a higher pressure fuel pump and sub-pump, and a rising rate fuel pressure regulator. Without the additional fuel, the engine will run too lean under the boost of the turbo, and will detonate, and blow.You have to convert the entire induction system, which includes intake manifold, exhaust manifold, air plenum, waste gate, intake piping, and intercooler.Now we're done with the engine up grade or replacement, it's time to look at all of the other changes you have to make.The clutch is the most obvious, the turbo needs a stronger clutch. You'll burn your stock one out in no time with the extra power . If it's a transmission, the stock tranny is not like the heavy duty tranny used on turbo models. You may be replacing cluster gears on an annual basis if you don't upgrade or change yours for a turbo model tranny.The crown wheel and pinion gears and differential in your stock application are most likely not as durable as those in the turbo models. You'll pop a few diffs until you upgrade to the turbo parts.The heat form the turbo can affect the engine's cooling, thus requiring you to upgrade radiator or fans. Also affected by the heat is the paint on you bonnet, please insulate the engine room.Do not forget the cash outlay for gauges, turbo timer, etc.So it becomes quite obvious that it is no small task to put a turbo onto a non-turbo car. I cannot imagine that installing the turbo and accompanying parts your car would cost less than $2000. Even though if you shop around in the scrap yards you could manage to get the parts to get you going for around $1500 including installation.There is another option though. There are several US companies who make custom turbocharging kits that work on non-turbo import cars even those whose compression ratio is a little too high for the stock system changeover. This will involve lots of custom piping and some electronics that will be piggybacked onto your ECU and sensors to trick the computer into thinking that your car is operating within normal parameters. This still doesn't solve the drive train durability issues, but the end product will likely out perform the stock turbo counterpart and additional tuning for more power will be easier, because you are starting out with more flexible equipment which won't need to be upgraded from OEM to work with.Duane Boodasingh
http://www.trinituner.com
Keyword : intake, manifold, exhaust, air plenum, wastegate, intake piping, intercooler, turbo, compression
Well, I'm no expert on turbocharging, but in November 1998 I did purchase my own Sunny turbo engine and boy did I learn a lot. I have read a good bit on the topic in both on the net and in the popular import car publications. I have a reasonable knowledge of the theories and the equipment involved in turbocharging a small 4 cylinder engine.I would like to say first and foremost, turbocharging a naturally aspirated vehicle is not as simple as buying a kit or engine and bolting it up and driving. There is a lot more involved in this if you plan on having dependible transportation that will last longer than a few weeks.Bolt on Mods:First, the engine you want to turbocharge cannot have a high compression ratio. The traditional compression ratio for a four cylinder engine is 8.5 to 1. You can go a little higher with multi-point injection. Most non-turbo cars have 9 to 1 or higher compression ratios. You can get away with about 9 to 1 turboed but beyond that, and the boost you add with the turbocharger will cause pre-detonation and blow your engine. Also, the higher the compression ratio, the less boost you can pump into the engine.So you'll be rebuilding the engine with custom low compression pistons to lower the compression ratio, and at the same time, you'll be strengthining the block to take the additional stress of the turbocharger.Obviously the entire computer system in you car has to be changed over to the the system for the used engine. You will need to get the the ECU, the engine wiring harness, all of the engine sensors, all of the solenoids and actuators and additional electronics which control the turbo system. So ensure that a trained mechanic is with you when making the purchase.Next up , the fuel system delivery will have to be upgraded. You'll need higher flow rate injectors, a higher pressure fuel pump and sub-pump, and a rising rate fuel pressure regulator. Without the additional fuel, the engine will run too lean under the boost of the turbo, and will detonate, and blow.You have to convert the entire induction system, which includes intake manifold, exhaust manifold, air plenum, waste gate, intake piping, and intercooler.Now we're done with the engine up grade or replacement, it's time to look at all of the other changes you have to make.The clutch is the most obvious, the turbo needs a stronger clutch. You'll burn your stock one out in no time with the extra power . If it's a transmission, the stock tranny is not like the heavy duty tranny used on turbo models. You may be replacing cluster gears on an annual basis if you don't upgrade or change yours for a turbo model tranny.The crown wheel and pinion gears and differential in your stock application are most likely not as durable as those in the turbo models. You'll pop a few diffs until you upgrade to the turbo parts.The heat form the turbo can affect the engine's cooling, thus requiring you to upgrade radiator or fans. Also affected by the heat is the paint on you bonnet, please insulate the engine room.Do not forget the cash outlay for gauges, turbo timer, etc.So it becomes quite obvious that it is no small task to put a turbo onto a non-turbo car. I cannot imagine that installing the turbo and accompanying parts your car would cost less than $2000. Even though if you shop around in the scrap yards you could manage to get the parts to get you going for around $1500 including installation.There is another option though. There are several US companies who make custom turbocharging kits that work on non-turbo import cars even those whose compression ratio is a little too high for the stock system changeover. This will involve lots of custom piping and some electronics that will be piggybacked onto your ECU and sensors to trick the computer into thinking that your car is operating within normal parameters. This still doesn't solve the drive train durability issues, but the end product will likely out perform the stock turbo counterpart and additional tuning for more power will be easier, because you are starting out with more flexible equipment which won't need to be upgraded from OEM to work with.Duane Boodasingh
http://www.trinituner.com
Keyword : intake, manifold, exhaust, air plenum, wastegate, intake piping, intercooler, turbo, compression
Practical Realities of Custom Bike Building
Author : Ma. Carla Ballatan
For some motorcycle enthusiasts, their ultimate dream is to build their very own custom motorcycle. But most have the dread of having to use up their life savings and feel overwhelmed by all the details of putting such project together. Let's say you're in the process of getting ready to start your bike building project. Know that a complete and determined understanding of the great undertaking you're going to face is what you need to become undaunted by the practical, if not harsh, realities of custom bike building.First of all, you need to consider your financial status before you begin the whole project. Aside from the financial point-of-view, you also need to have a full inkling of all the nitty-gritty details to be considered. Be very aware that the use of mismatched, inferior motorcycle parts and improper assembly techniques can send the cost of your project sky-high!Many online resources are offering book manuals and videos to guide you into making your masterpiece with less trouble, all in earnest. Just take care to find the most reliable source that would guarantee you results with a minimal investment. But here are several pointers in building your very own killer custom motorcycle.• Be alert in selecting the proper motorcycle parts in order that everything works and fits together as one complete unit. Wise up on used motorcycle parts and choosing between OEM and aftermarket parts. Get to know and study the tools you'll be needing for assembly• Don't be discouraged easily by the "real life" assembly roadblocks you'll encounter. Even the professionals have to deal with these things at one point of their bike building careers.• There's a correct procedure for each phase of your project – like "mocking up" your rolling chassis and properly fitting and prepping all of your sheet metal parts. This phase may cost you thousands of dollars if done incorrectly.• Research some tricks for installing front fork components that prevents damage to your show chrome finishes!• There's a correct way to prepare all the parts that are being sent out for paint.• Installing brake systems are important and it would help if you have an idea on what do and what not to do. There's also a proper way to install all of your brake and oil lines.• Know about setting up the proper engine and transmission alignment. And, how to be careful not to drive it too hard when installing and setting up a rear swing arm and shocks!• Installing a correct wiring system is a significant thing that should not be overlooked.• You must be aware that there is a correct series of tests that must be performed before running your new bike down the road. -30-Lala C. Ballatan is a 26 year-old Communication Arts graduate, with a major in Journalism. Right after graduating last 1999, she worked for one year as a clerk then became a Research, Publication and Documentation Program Director at a non-government organization, which focuses on the rights, interests and welfare of workers for about four years.Book reading has always been her greatest passion -- mysteries, horrors, psycho-thrillers, historical documentaries and classics. She got hooked into it way back when she was but a shy kid.Her writing prowess began as early as she was 10 years old in girlish diaries. With writing, she felt freedom – to express her viewpoints and assert it, to bring out all concerns -- imagined and observed, to bear witness.For comments and inquiries about the article visit http://www.motorcyclepartsbin.com
Keyword : article submission, articles, writers, writing, publishing, ezine, email marketing, email newsletter, email
For some motorcycle enthusiasts, their ultimate dream is to build their very own custom motorcycle. But most have the dread of having to use up their life savings and feel overwhelmed by all the details of putting such project together. Let's say you're in the process of getting ready to start your bike building project. Know that a complete and determined understanding of the great undertaking you're going to face is what you need to become undaunted by the practical, if not harsh, realities of custom bike building.First of all, you need to consider your financial status before you begin the whole project. Aside from the financial point-of-view, you also need to have a full inkling of all the nitty-gritty details to be considered. Be very aware that the use of mismatched, inferior motorcycle parts and improper assembly techniques can send the cost of your project sky-high!Many online resources are offering book manuals and videos to guide you into making your masterpiece with less trouble, all in earnest. Just take care to find the most reliable source that would guarantee you results with a minimal investment. But here are several pointers in building your very own killer custom motorcycle.• Be alert in selecting the proper motorcycle parts in order that everything works and fits together as one complete unit. Wise up on used motorcycle parts and choosing between OEM and aftermarket parts. Get to know and study the tools you'll be needing for assembly• Don't be discouraged easily by the "real life" assembly roadblocks you'll encounter. Even the professionals have to deal with these things at one point of their bike building careers.• There's a correct procedure for each phase of your project – like "mocking up" your rolling chassis and properly fitting and prepping all of your sheet metal parts. This phase may cost you thousands of dollars if done incorrectly.• Research some tricks for installing front fork components that prevents damage to your show chrome finishes!• There's a correct way to prepare all the parts that are being sent out for paint.• Installing brake systems are important and it would help if you have an idea on what do and what not to do. There's also a proper way to install all of your brake and oil lines.• Know about setting up the proper engine and transmission alignment. And, how to be careful not to drive it too hard when installing and setting up a rear swing arm and shocks!• Installing a correct wiring system is a significant thing that should not be overlooked.• You must be aware that there is a correct series of tests that must be performed before running your new bike down the road. -30-Lala C. Ballatan is a 26 year-old Communication Arts graduate, with a major in Journalism. Right after graduating last 1999, she worked for one year as a clerk then became a Research, Publication and Documentation Program Director at a non-government organization, which focuses on the rights, interests and welfare of workers for about four years.Book reading has always been her greatest passion -- mysteries, horrors, psycho-thrillers, historical documentaries and classics. She got hooked into it way back when she was but a shy kid.Her writing prowess began as early as she was 10 years old in girlish diaries. With writing, she felt freedom – to express her viewpoints and assert it, to bring out all concerns -- imagined and observed, to bear witness.For comments and inquiries about the article visit http://www.motorcyclepartsbin.com
Keyword : article submission, articles, writers, writing, publishing, ezine, email marketing, email newsletter, email
Auto Detailing - Choosing the Correct Buffing Pads for the Job
Author : Lance Winslow
It is important to have the correct backing plate and buffer pad. You should find a durable Velcro backing plate and Velcro foam pads and wool pads. Look for a backing plate with holes in it to redistribute heat from the surface of the paint. Another cool design is the three leaf clover design which has great gripping power and cooling capabilities.Make sure to buy foam pads that correspond to the holes on the backing plates. Look for a backing plate with a harder outer ring that is slightly beveled. This feature strengthens the plate and allows flexibility when buffing on the exterior step ribs of the hull.You will find that air circulation is much better on these types of pads than on 'waffle' type pads which tend to fling more product. This is wasteful and also makes a mess causing extra taping, clean-up and a slight environmental situation if working on a boat in a slip. These pads have a very 'tight' hook and loop system which can grab the Velcro on the back of the pad too tightly. If you are not careful, you will completely rip the felt back off the pad. This is why we recommend a backing plate that uses a looser or more spread out design.Unlike cars, which have a 1 to 3 micron thick clear coat, a gel coat on a boat is 10 to 15 times thicker and on more expensive boats as much as twenty times thicker than the clear coat on cars. For this reason a wool pad is preferable unless you are doing such light oxidation removal that you are simply trying to save hand motion. Double sided wool and synthetic fiber pads work great as well. They allow speedy change when you are on top of the boat and want to save time getting off the boat to change the pad. Just flip it over and go. They also have the right flex to allow proper buffing technique. S.M. Arnold is a place to get them.Now there are a variety of wool pads to choose from. The jobs they perform best range from heavy cutting and compounding to light cutting, polishing and finishing. When finishing you may wish to switch to a foam pad. But if you feel comfortable with it stay with the wool. The wool pad may be made of 100% wool or a blend of synthetic and wool or natural lamb's wool for finishing purposes. The colors of the wool pads tend to vary from company to company, so disregard the color of the pad since it's only a dye. The features that make a wool pad appropriate for different types of jobs are:Ply – Wool pads can be single ply, four ply, whatever. Ply is the number of twists per strand of yarn. The more twists the stronger and more aggressive the pad becomes.
Pile Height – This refers to how tall the yarn is. It can range from 1 1/4" to 2". The shorter the height the less it gives and the more aggressive it becomes.Description – Ply and pile height are important factors to determine how aggressive a pad will be but also the make-up of the type of wool is a significant factor. As you get away from 100% wool to synthetic and from four ply to one ply and increase height, the pad becomes softer and better for producing a finer finish.Take good care of your finishing wool pads. Keep them clean and use a spur tool to clean them not a screwdriver. If you have synthetic wool pads you can wash them, but 100% wool pads will knot up and shrink. Four plys are the worst for this. Whenever possible or practical replace the pads. Save old pads for the tug boats and things that are rough and might ruin a good pad. With foam pads, you can easily tell their aggressive nature by density. The more dense the more aggressive. Also, they have ratings. Parts per inch (PPI). Most range from 40 to 100 PP. The higher the number the softer they are. 40 to 50 PPI is for swirls in clear coats of cars and light cuts. Foam pads tend to stick and grip more than wool pads and can heat up quicker. At 1700 rpm's foam pads tend to max out in temperature unless they have heat holes. Cleaning foam pads is simple. Use warm soapy water, spur tool, tooth brush and wring them out to dry. Do not use real hot water because it delaminates the glue on the Velcro.Catalog for Pads
S. M. Arnold Inc.
1-314-544-4103Lance Winslow - Online Think Tank forum board. If you have innovative thoughts and unique perspectives, come think with Lance; www.WorldThinkTank.net/wttbbs/
Keyword : buffing pads, auto detailing
It is important to have the correct backing plate and buffer pad. You should find a durable Velcro backing plate and Velcro foam pads and wool pads. Look for a backing plate with holes in it to redistribute heat from the surface of the paint. Another cool design is the three leaf clover design which has great gripping power and cooling capabilities.Make sure to buy foam pads that correspond to the holes on the backing plates. Look for a backing plate with a harder outer ring that is slightly beveled. This feature strengthens the plate and allows flexibility when buffing on the exterior step ribs of the hull.You will find that air circulation is much better on these types of pads than on 'waffle' type pads which tend to fling more product. This is wasteful and also makes a mess causing extra taping, clean-up and a slight environmental situation if working on a boat in a slip. These pads have a very 'tight' hook and loop system which can grab the Velcro on the back of the pad too tightly. If you are not careful, you will completely rip the felt back off the pad. This is why we recommend a backing plate that uses a looser or more spread out design.Unlike cars, which have a 1 to 3 micron thick clear coat, a gel coat on a boat is 10 to 15 times thicker and on more expensive boats as much as twenty times thicker than the clear coat on cars. For this reason a wool pad is preferable unless you are doing such light oxidation removal that you are simply trying to save hand motion. Double sided wool and synthetic fiber pads work great as well. They allow speedy change when you are on top of the boat and want to save time getting off the boat to change the pad. Just flip it over and go. They also have the right flex to allow proper buffing technique. S.M. Arnold is a place to get them.Now there are a variety of wool pads to choose from. The jobs they perform best range from heavy cutting and compounding to light cutting, polishing and finishing. When finishing you may wish to switch to a foam pad. But if you feel comfortable with it stay with the wool. The wool pad may be made of 100% wool or a blend of synthetic and wool or natural lamb's wool for finishing purposes. The colors of the wool pads tend to vary from company to company, so disregard the color of the pad since it's only a dye. The features that make a wool pad appropriate for different types of jobs are:Ply – Wool pads can be single ply, four ply, whatever. Ply is the number of twists per strand of yarn. The more twists the stronger and more aggressive the pad becomes.
Pile Height – This refers to how tall the yarn is. It can range from 1 1/4" to 2". The shorter the height the less it gives and the more aggressive it becomes.Description – Ply and pile height are important factors to determine how aggressive a pad will be but also the make-up of the type of wool is a significant factor. As you get away from 100% wool to synthetic and from four ply to one ply and increase height, the pad becomes softer and better for producing a finer finish.Take good care of your finishing wool pads. Keep them clean and use a spur tool to clean them not a screwdriver. If you have synthetic wool pads you can wash them, but 100% wool pads will knot up and shrink. Four plys are the worst for this. Whenever possible or practical replace the pads. Save old pads for the tug boats and things that are rough and might ruin a good pad. With foam pads, you can easily tell their aggressive nature by density. The more dense the more aggressive. Also, they have ratings. Parts per inch (PPI). Most range from 40 to 100 PP. The higher the number the softer they are. 40 to 50 PPI is for swirls in clear coats of cars and light cuts. Foam pads tend to stick and grip more than wool pads and can heat up quicker. At 1700 rpm's foam pads tend to max out in temperature unless they have heat holes. Cleaning foam pads is simple. Use warm soapy water, spur tool, tooth brush and wring them out to dry. Do not use real hot water because it delaminates the glue on the Velcro.Catalog for Pads
S. M. Arnold Inc.
1-314-544-4103Lance Winslow - Online Think Tank forum board. If you have innovative thoughts and unique perspectives, come think with Lance; www.WorldThinkTank.net/wttbbs/
Keyword : buffing pads, auto detailing
Auto Technology - Audi and Volkswagon, Radar Following and Auto Safety
Author : Lance Winslow
Where is the new auto technology? Where is it? We have it now, shouldn't we use it to reduce the 42,000 deaths in automobiles per year? We seem to be getting the shaft on all this new technology which could save lives in automobiles and seem to be a little behind Germany even though much of the technology has come from our own MIT genius kids here.This is because the Big Three are trying to shave costs to compete and now we see with the dollar down and the Euro up that now the foreign car makers are also cutting their safety features on many models for instance: Volkswagen to cut costs and reduce investment. Volkswagen said it would cut costs and reduce investment after profits more than halved last year and sales of its latest Golf V hatchback got off to a weak start.Meanwhile it's parent company Audi is busy testing some new radar assisted driving and anti-collision products in proving grounds in AZ.I recently had the opportunity to have coffee with the head engineer from Audi and he explained the problem of getting the technology into American cars is that they were worried about class action lawsuits and cost so they were not going to put in the newest ECS devices:http://www.parthe.net/_oilchange0104/00000008.htmWhat is most unfortunate about this is that 42,000 people die a year in auto accidents in this country now. We can fix that, of course this new technology will become victim of class action law suits. We need to immediately kill all the attorneys, Shakespeare was right, Caesar said it best, then we can move forward to save lives.In Germany on many of the Audi models they have radar assisted following devices. For every 1 kilometer per hour the car is back half that distance so at 60 KPH the car is behind the car in front of it by 30 meters. Works great and several new cars have assisted white right line following also. Also they have a system that if a car is parked in front of you in the lane, your car lets off the accelerator and slightly tightens the seatbelts like the Honda SmartCar and then the steering wheel puts pressure to go around the obstacle, as your reflexes then take over.The new ESC also interfaces with this system but it needs to be an all-wheel drive car for it to all work. This would help in Winter Weather safety too. We have also seen the weather is changing consumer buying behavior for all wheel drive vehicles on passenger cars as well as SUVs, so people will not be bothered with putting on chains on their cars. Due to the desire by car buyers to have a "go-anywhere, do-anything" capable car after the recent SUV trend we see that consumers have developed an affinity for this freedom in all their car choices.Automakers are also seeing this it appears and are ready to satisfy the shift in preference by selling more cars that transfer engine power to all four corners - commonly called all-wheel drive, not four wheel drive although that too is way up in demand, all-wheel drive also shifts control around the car as you drive and is a SmartCar Technology. By 2006, car buyers who want All- wheel drive will have their choice of some 42 models, according to Industry Analysts and the website Gurus? This a 2/3 increase from the 2003-2004 model year. We have even heard estimates that by 2008, the number of all- wheel-drive cars on the road will double by today's count, well at least this is what Ford's Visteon Corp., unit is saying and of course they hope so since they are a supplier of all- wheel-drive technology and other SmartCar electronic systems. For automakers, the rising demand for all-wheel-drive cars means greater profits and higher costs on cars for such options. All-wheel-drive systems now cost up to $1,500 as optional equipment.The growing interest in all-wheel drive is obvious after checking out the Detroit Auto Show prototype cars. All these cars will have superior handling and better cornering for those 10 PM to midnight canyon burner runs at Mach 2, which if you are a real car lover you fully understand. Automakers with only rear-drive models cars may find this a challenge since the consumer now has a choice of All-wheel drive as well as manufacturers who have bee spending years convincing consumers that front-wheel drive is better on bad roads. Now consumers can have it all, those confused consumers will most likely opt for the both or All scenario. All-wheel drive essentially offers the best of both worlds.Just over 50 percent of American women and 55 percent of their male counterparts surveyed said they prefer All wheel for safety and/or performance, along with the obvious benefit of better traction. Smart Cars are making friends and influencing people and the safety benefit to all is very incredible. SmartCars and Intelligent transportation.If we look at the history of smart car type technologies we will see that this is always how it starts. It wasn't more than a decade or two ago that we sought and anti-locking braking systems, or ABS. At first, this was the safety benefit and only an option and only available on the high-end cars. Recently we've seen GPS navigation systems available as an option, now many the luxury cars, it comes standard. We're seeing this trend also on midrange cars and SUVs. It wasn't too long that airbags came onto the seen at first a safety item and an option later became standard on most of midrange and high-end vehicles, now airbags are on nearly every car, at least for the driver. About 50% of the models in Europe have the ESC options with all-wheel drive and in the US about 6% do to the need to cut the costs and still sell the cars.In 30 years fatalities in Germany are down about 70% in the US per mile driven about 20%, which is good, but we can still do better. Remember when th big news came out about Firestone? Well actually only 3% of fatal rollovers were from tire wear, the rest from driving conditions and pilot error. Loss of control of about 20% of these accidents could have been prevented by ESC and it will be mandatory on 8-15 passenger vans by 2006.http://www.parthe.net/_oilchangeguys/0000005c.htmThese figures from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety in Arlington, VA. In a German study Mercedes reduced the loss of control accidents by 21% by adding ESC to all their models. Interestingly enough you cannot get ESC on a Ford Explorer since that option does not exist until you get to the Expedition or Excursion SUVs. 4-Runner by Toyota has it available here in the US. There is an interesting article on this in Business Week, April 28 2003 by Christine Tierney which is true even more today than the day she put pen to paper.When we discussed these issues with our Audi Engineer friend; he said that on the A3 through A8 Audi there was an option for $3000-4000 for the radar following devices, and in Europe you can order your car your way. As a matter of fact on an A3 the most basic model there are 350 possible combinations for bumper configurations, between types of fog lights, color, design, etc. Also and unfortunately the German government has found a way to put infrared picture cameras which will send you a ticket in the mail for speeding, once again we did perfect the German radar in WWII and they have used their military technology for civil use to collect fines from speeders with this new infrared devices. We are seeing more and more camera red light unmanned devices on our road ways and automatic ticket cameras in the United States now.Luckily the radar assisted following auto-pilot does not work under 20 mph so in the city or stop and go on the Belt Way, Boston Tunnel, 405 FWY, I-5 in Seattle or I-10 in Houston it will not work. Also the hands free cell phone hooked to the radio is not an option but a must as the ticket is 80.00 Euros if you have your cell phone on while driving unless hooked-up. And for GM and all the wonderful hotshots that think they are going to own the China car market you might want to think again the Audi A6 for China market is already made there. Surely eventually once they ramp up it is highly likely they will emerge market winners, but at this early stage they are behind the gun. Also realize that in the larger cities, they cannot take anymore cars, the traffic is insane, better off to walk or bicycle around.In Beijing there is a 100% in one-year growth rate for additional cars. Talk about traffic you would be better off to catch a cart, moped or walk. Although the A6 in China is bare bones and nearly without suspension to save money, it is their foothold into the Chinese market. Currently being tested is a Diesel car is not connected to any drive train. It runs a steady 1800-2000 RPM and the most efficient for the least amount of pollution which charges batteries while driving or parked and runs 42 volts electrical system, which is hooked to each wheel with a motor to turn the wheels, likewise all the power steering, and other components runs on the electricity. They also have out now an Audi A8, which puts out 330 HP and an R56 which puts out 450 HP. The interesting thing getting back to the electric-diesel hybrid is the efficiency and cleanliness. It is a really good system. So Ford is also on the move lately: FORD LAUNCHES INTELLIGENT HIGHWAY REVOLUTION:Eventually, almost all municipal vehicles could be outfitted with the new wireless sensor technology.http://www.pressi.com/int/release/86700.htmlAll in all you have to be a little more impressed with what Audi is really doing than what Ford is planning on; I am not sure if this is of value to you, but I met the head engineer from Audi working on the A' series A4 A6 A8 etc. from Germany, I think he was on his way to the Proving Ground in AZ and he was talking about the radar assisted following devices they use in Germany. Had some interesting things and doing some secret tests. How these devises would be installed for $3,000 US as an option once the tort laws were reduced and they would be hitting the dealerships as soon as that happened. The car follows half the distance of the speed. 50 miles per hour 25 feet. Their all wheel drive system would hook up to it and if the car was stopped in the lane and no cars in beside it, it would go to the next lane providing there was no solid line. Also integrated was the auto-pilot technology of following the line on the right. Too many lawsuits for finish products liability has slowed progress but with partial class action lawsuit reform we may see more risk taking with these new technologies.Audi did some work in the United States in the ITS arena during not to long ago at DENSO - i.e. car navigation systems/GPS. Some of the thoughts of the programmers of these systems were that people fail to realize that if you keep a vehicle in motion it actually emits less tailpipe emissions. Constant idling, and stop and go are the worst conditions for emissions, so the savings is also to the health of the public and might even reduce health care insurance. Now then there are other companies working on this stuff in the US too. This is absolutely wonderful technology you are working on. An interactive SmartCar. The issues is with economies of scale and price. With the Big Three cutting costs, we are not getting the technology we should in the states. The problem I see is with ABS and All-wheel drive or ESC it is hard to get full value out of all the other technologies.I spoke with Honda about the seat belt tightening and letting off the accelerator and believe this is of value, I am glad you are working on this. Now, then as the Audi guy was telling me they are testing a car, which runs a certain speed all the time so it does not pollute at optimum. And then it charges batteries, which run all wheel drive on a system, which has all the best technologies. They are running this thing 7000 hours.The guy I met from Germany had been cruising the country talking to people. If the little and smaller engine runs at 1800 RPMs to 2000 and is quiet like an Onan Generator it could run quiet on diesel and charge the batteries and run at the 42-volt system? Power steering, ABS, each wheel has a motor. If a motor goes out you feather the props on the motor across from it and it becomes two-wheel drive until fixed by using a small centrical clutch. All runs net-centric. Works for me and is much better for all the HUD displays, portable business office WiFi, email, GPS, Internet Faxing, CD, DVD, movie and video systems. It is making a better and smarter car on a similar platform in looks but the guts are totally re done. Just building smarter, more efficient and better cars, it makes sense for the 42,000 who die each year in auto accidents.With stop and go traffic, Diamond car pool lanes, toll booths all messing up traffic flows the issues of environment are almost as good as the 15% less accidents that are fatal per year. Mercedes showed 15% with ESC alone, imagine all this technology we are speaking with now. But the price is the selling point to US Manufacturers and of course if people keep their cars 3.2 years on average but finance them for 8 years other issues ensue. Also long term rentals will need GPS and Satellite RFID ping finding devices; Enterprise Rent a Car rolls out long term rentals and we believe this may in fact be good.Let's face it cars are getting smarter and people are getting dumber. I guess Audi is going to do this on their Pasat, A4, A6 and later the A8. So the Smart US Big Three need to stay heads up. And you bet they will as the new technologies are sure to heat up the car sales competition amongst consumers. 40% of consumers are said to rank auto safety their number one or two priority in choosing their next car.Lance Winslow - Online Think Tank forum board. If you have innovative thoughts and unique perspectives, come think with Lance; www.WorldThinkTank.net/wttbbs/
Keyword : auto safety technology
Where is the new auto technology? Where is it? We have it now, shouldn't we use it to reduce the 42,000 deaths in automobiles per year? We seem to be getting the shaft on all this new technology which could save lives in automobiles and seem to be a little behind Germany even though much of the technology has come from our own MIT genius kids here.This is because the Big Three are trying to shave costs to compete and now we see with the dollar down and the Euro up that now the foreign car makers are also cutting their safety features on many models for instance: Volkswagen to cut costs and reduce investment. Volkswagen said it would cut costs and reduce investment after profits more than halved last year and sales of its latest Golf V hatchback got off to a weak start.Meanwhile it's parent company Audi is busy testing some new radar assisted driving and anti-collision products in proving grounds in AZ.I recently had the opportunity to have coffee with the head engineer from Audi and he explained the problem of getting the technology into American cars is that they were worried about class action lawsuits and cost so they were not going to put in the newest ECS devices:http://www.parthe.net/_oilchange0104/00000008.htmWhat is most unfortunate about this is that 42,000 people die a year in auto accidents in this country now. We can fix that, of course this new technology will become victim of class action law suits. We need to immediately kill all the attorneys, Shakespeare was right, Caesar said it best, then we can move forward to save lives.In Germany on many of the Audi models they have radar assisted following devices. For every 1 kilometer per hour the car is back half that distance so at 60 KPH the car is behind the car in front of it by 30 meters. Works great and several new cars have assisted white right line following also. Also they have a system that if a car is parked in front of you in the lane, your car lets off the accelerator and slightly tightens the seatbelts like the Honda SmartCar and then the steering wheel puts pressure to go around the obstacle, as your reflexes then take over.The new ESC also interfaces with this system but it needs to be an all-wheel drive car for it to all work. This would help in Winter Weather safety too. We have also seen the weather is changing consumer buying behavior for all wheel drive vehicles on passenger cars as well as SUVs, so people will not be bothered with putting on chains on their cars. Due to the desire by car buyers to have a "go-anywhere, do-anything" capable car after the recent SUV trend we see that consumers have developed an affinity for this freedom in all their car choices.Automakers are also seeing this it appears and are ready to satisfy the shift in preference by selling more cars that transfer engine power to all four corners - commonly called all-wheel drive, not four wheel drive although that too is way up in demand, all-wheel drive also shifts control around the car as you drive and is a SmartCar Technology. By 2006, car buyers who want All- wheel drive will have their choice of some 42 models, according to Industry Analysts and the website Gurus? This a 2/3 increase from the 2003-2004 model year. We have even heard estimates that by 2008, the number of all- wheel-drive cars on the road will double by today's count, well at least this is what Ford's Visteon Corp., unit is saying and of course they hope so since they are a supplier of all- wheel-drive technology and other SmartCar electronic systems. For automakers, the rising demand for all-wheel-drive cars means greater profits and higher costs on cars for such options. All-wheel-drive systems now cost up to $1,500 as optional equipment.The growing interest in all-wheel drive is obvious after checking out the Detroit Auto Show prototype cars. All these cars will have superior handling and better cornering for those 10 PM to midnight canyon burner runs at Mach 2, which if you are a real car lover you fully understand. Automakers with only rear-drive models cars may find this a challenge since the consumer now has a choice of All-wheel drive as well as manufacturers who have bee spending years convincing consumers that front-wheel drive is better on bad roads. Now consumers can have it all, those confused consumers will most likely opt for the both or All scenario. All-wheel drive essentially offers the best of both worlds.Just over 50 percent of American women and 55 percent of their male counterparts surveyed said they prefer All wheel for safety and/or performance, along with the obvious benefit of better traction. Smart Cars are making friends and influencing people and the safety benefit to all is very incredible. SmartCars and Intelligent transportation.If we look at the history of smart car type technologies we will see that this is always how it starts. It wasn't more than a decade or two ago that we sought and anti-locking braking systems, or ABS. At first, this was the safety benefit and only an option and only available on the high-end cars. Recently we've seen GPS navigation systems available as an option, now many the luxury cars, it comes standard. We're seeing this trend also on midrange cars and SUVs. It wasn't too long that airbags came onto the seen at first a safety item and an option later became standard on most of midrange and high-end vehicles, now airbags are on nearly every car, at least for the driver. About 50% of the models in Europe have the ESC options with all-wheel drive and in the US about 6% do to the need to cut the costs and still sell the cars.In 30 years fatalities in Germany are down about 70% in the US per mile driven about 20%, which is good, but we can still do better. Remember when th big news came out about Firestone? Well actually only 3% of fatal rollovers were from tire wear, the rest from driving conditions and pilot error. Loss of control of about 20% of these accidents could have been prevented by ESC and it will be mandatory on 8-15 passenger vans by 2006.http://www.parthe.net/_oilchangeguys/0000005c.htmThese figures from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety in Arlington, VA. In a German study Mercedes reduced the loss of control accidents by 21% by adding ESC to all their models. Interestingly enough you cannot get ESC on a Ford Explorer since that option does not exist until you get to the Expedition or Excursion SUVs. 4-Runner by Toyota has it available here in the US. There is an interesting article on this in Business Week, April 28 2003 by Christine Tierney which is true even more today than the day she put pen to paper.When we discussed these issues with our Audi Engineer friend; he said that on the A3 through A8 Audi there was an option for $3000-4000 for the radar following devices, and in Europe you can order your car your way. As a matter of fact on an A3 the most basic model there are 350 possible combinations for bumper configurations, between types of fog lights, color, design, etc. Also and unfortunately the German government has found a way to put infrared picture cameras which will send you a ticket in the mail for speeding, once again we did perfect the German radar in WWII and they have used their military technology for civil use to collect fines from speeders with this new infrared devices. We are seeing more and more camera red light unmanned devices on our road ways and automatic ticket cameras in the United States now.Luckily the radar assisted following auto-pilot does not work under 20 mph so in the city or stop and go on the Belt Way, Boston Tunnel, 405 FWY, I-5 in Seattle or I-10 in Houston it will not work. Also the hands free cell phone hooked to the radio is not an option but a must as the ticket is 80.00 Euros if you have your cell phone on while driving unless hooked-up. And for GM and all the wonderful hotshots that think they are going to own the China car market you might want to think again the Audi A6 for China market is already made there. Surely eventually once they ramp up it is highly likely they will emerge market winners, but at this early stage they are behind the gun. Also realize that in the larger cities, they cannot take anymore cars, the traffic is insane, better off to walk or bicycle around.In Beijing there is a 100% in one-year growth rate for additional cars. Talk about traffic you would be better off to catch a cart, moped or walk. Although the A6 in China is bare bones and nearly without suspension to save money, it is their foothold into the Chinese market. Currently being tested is a Diesel car is not connected to any drive train. It runs a steady 1800-2000 RPM and the most efficient for the least amount of pollution which charges batteries while driving or parked and runs 42 volts electrical system, which is hooked to each wheel with a motor to turn the wheels, likewise all the power steering, and other components runs on the electricity. They also have out now an Audi A8, which puts out 330 HP and an R56 which puts out 450 HP. The interesting thing getting back to the electric-diesel hybrid is the efficiency and cleanliness. It is a really good system. So Ford is also on the move lately: FORD LAUNCHES INTELLIGENT HIGHWAY REVOLUTION:Eventually, almost all municipal vehicles could be outfitted with the new wireless sensor technology.http://www.pressi.com/int/release/86700.htmlAll in all you have to be a little more impressed with what Audi is really doing than what Ford is planning on; I am not sure if this is of value to you, but I met the head engineer from Audi working on the A' series A4 A6 A8 etc. from Germany, I think he was on his way to the Proving Ground in AZ and he was talking about the radar assisted following devices they use in Germany. Had some interesting things and doing some secret tests. How these devises would be installed for $3,000 US as an option once the tort laws were reduced and they would be hitting the dealerships as soon as that happened. The car follows half the distance of the speed. 50 miles per hour 25 feet. Their all wheel drive system would hook up to it and if the car was stopped in the lane and no cars in beside it, it would go to the next lane providing there was no solid line. Also integrated was the auto-pilot technology of following the line on the right. Too many lawsuits for finish products liability has slowed progress but with partial class action lawsuit reform we may see more risk taking with these new technologies.Audi did some work in the United States in the ITS arena during not to long ago at DENSO - i.e. car navigation systems/GPS. Some of the thoughts of the programmers of these systems were that people fail to realize that if you keep a vehicle in motion it actually emits less tailpipe emissions. Constant idling, and stop and go are the worst conditions for emissions, so the savings is also to the health of the public and might even reduce health care insurance. Now then there are other companies working on this stuff in the US too. This is absolutely wonderful technology you are working on. An interactive SmartCar. The issues is with economies of scale and price. With the Big Three cutting costs, we are not getting the technology we should in the states. The problem I see is with ABS and All-wheel drive or ESC it is hard to get full value out of all the other technologies.I spoke with Honda about the seat belt tightening and letting off the accelerator and believe this is of value, I am glad you are working on this. Now, then as the Audi guy was telling me they are testing a car, which runs a certain speed all the time so it does not pollute at optimum. And then it charges batteries, which run all wheel drive on a system, which has all the best technologies. They are running this thing 7000 hours.The guy I met from Germany had been cruising the country talking to people. If the little and smaller engine runs at 1800 RPMs to 2000 and is quiet like an Onan Generator it could run quiet on diesel and charge the batteries and run at the 42-volt system? Power steering, ABS, each wheel has a motor. If a motor goes out you feather the props on the motor across from it and it becomes two-wheel drive until fixed by using a small centrical clutch. All runs net-centric. Works for me and is much better for all the HUD displays, portable business office WiFi, email, GPS, Internet Faxing, CD, DVD, movie and video systems. It is making a better and smarter car on a similar platform in looks but the guts are totally re done. Just building smarter, more efficient and better cars, it makes sense for the 42,000 who die each year in auto accidents.With stop and go traffic, Diamond car pool lanes, toll booths all messing up traffic flows the issues of environment are almost as good as the 15% less accidents that are fatal per year. Mercedes showed 15% with ESC alone, imagine all this technology we are speaking with now. But the price is the selling point to US Manufacturers and of course if people keep their cars 3.2 years on average but finance them for 8 years other issues ensue. Also long term rentals will need GPS and Satellite RFID ping finding devices; Enterprise Rent a Car rolls out long term rentals and we believe this may in fact be good.Let's face it cars are getting smarter and people are getting dumber. I guess Audi is going to do this on their Pasat, A4, A6 and later the A8. So the Smart US Big Three need to stay heads up. And you bet they will as the new technologies are sure to heat up the car sales competition amongst consumers. 40% of consumers are said to rank auto safety their number one or two priority in choosing their next car.Lance Winslow - Online Think Tank forum board. If you have innovative thoughts and unique perspectives, come think with Lance; www.WorldThinkTank.net/wttbbs/
Keyword : auto safety technology
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