Maserati Car | Maserati GranTurismo MC Stradale

Maserati - Maserati Gran Turismo MC to brand Stradale, a car that has a very luxurious impression, both exterior and interior of the car. There Trident logo is made of chrome, and is at the front (the symbol itself). This car has the aerodynamic down force is very large, also has a high speed. Very light weight and this car is a sedan with two doors. Rear bumper and diffusernya similar to the 430 Scuderia.

Maserati is a hard core car from Gran Turismo displayed on the exhibition at the Paris Motor Show in early October before. This car is made by looking at the Trofeo cars and the GranTurismo MC GT4 race car, making this car into a car that has high speed but is allowed down to the highway.It can be said or similar sports cars. Maserati GranTurismo MC Stradale has a very luxurious interior. This car seat is made of carbon fiber that is its Trident logo, this logo is stitched dibagaian seat headrests. Front seats are made electronically, so it can be designed to provide driver comfort and convenience for rear passengers.Has a 4.2-liter V8 engine, while the energy gained 433hp - 445hp. Speed ​​of 00-60 mph can be reached in 4.6 seconds, a very fast car. While top speed of 186 mph. Fuel is very envious.

Spirra car 2011 | Oullim Motor Supercar

A first concession in Korea called Qullim Motors, has launched a car supercar named Spirra car 2011 . This car is preceded by a husband istrii named Han-Chul Kim and his wife Choi Ji-Sun. Producer oullim Motors admitted Spirra car able to compete with Ferrari and Lamborghini supercars (because it uses the latest technology).

Spirra car 2011 cars have the light weight of 1320 kg. Since many uses material from carbon fiber intact, and made ​​of tubular space frame. Spirra car has an interesting shape and look very luxurious, with a choice of color adds to the car lovers are more interested. With a slightly elongated shape almost resembles a sedan.

With the shape that resembles the curves are apparent, making the car more beautiful shape (curve section was a lot of front and rear side).
Spirra car 2011 has an interior that combines carbon fiber and the use of leather for the seats (the chosen selection of quality leather is best, to add a luxurious). LCO There is a touch screen used for navigation and have some equipment for entertainment.

Spirra car 2011 , a car has an engine capable of producing power 175 hp with 245 Nm torsin. Achieved speeds between 000-100 km / hour can be passed only manggunakan 3.4 seconds (a car that has an incredible speed). With the kit components are supported by the strut tubular chassis, making the car when driving at high speed will be stable.

Grand Avega | Hyundai 2011

Hyundai Grand Avega 2011 is the car that can be said medium hatchback city car. Form that almost resembles a car with a Hyundai Verna car RB.

2011 Hyundai Grand Avega bentu the front headlamp has a capacity of 1400 cc and dynamic fog lamp (fog lights) is clear. This car also has a very clear form of indentations, so that makes this car look more beautiful and dynamic.

Hyundai Grand Avega 2011 have colors that are very attractive, with 6 color options available, including: Color cystal White, Phantom Black, Carbon Gray, Volester Red, Silver Sleck, and Clean Blue. And the back of the car shape almost resembling a BMW X1.
While the interior of the Hyundai Grand Avega, have a seat with a curve model semibucket (makes us comfortable to stay the night sitting in the car). Having the front cabin is spacious, equipped with a compatible for the iPhone and Blacberry comfortable with audio controls. And the garage area, making us nyamaan to bring a lot of luggage.

Grand Avega 2011 has a capacity of 1400 cc engine DOHC. This car is also fuel efficient, have the two options for the transmission of Grand Avega 2011 Hyundai car with 4 speed Automatic shiftronik and Hyundai Grand Avega 2011 Manual 5 speed.

Mazda 2 | mini car and simple

Mazda 2 is a car designed with a touch of green color, looks interesting. Mazda 2 was honored on the "Work Car of the Year" by the main director of PT Mazda Motor Indonesia (MMI) is Yoshiya Horigome.Some of the exterior of the Mazda 2, among others, has an interesting Fender that looks like a car Sport (Fender front of the car slightly prominent with a line that looks interesting). The roof of the car has a line (groove) that looks down to the front. Mazda 2 cars have the sufficient size mini length 3903 mm, width 1670mm and height 1485mm, enabling the driver to feel comfortable with this car body is simple.

Being the interior mazda 2 has several advantages, among others, the door trim, gear lever and steering parts are made of aluminum. There is a speedometer, the AC, have a seat with a height of 55 mm. And the seats can be adjusted forward or backward, the rear seat for three passengers (the seat is very comfortable, because it has sandarang own head). Has a circumference of the wheel 50 mm, there is an audio button. Each part of the car door to have a place to drink bottles.
Mazda 2 has MZR 1.5-liter DOHC engine with S-VT technologist, by relying on four-cylinder engine with torque reaching 135 Nm at 6000 rpm. Mazda 2 provides comfort for drivers and passengers, because every seat is equipped with airbags (with Advanced Impact Distribution Absorption System is able to protect from collisions in the car)

Geely Panda car

Geely Panda - This car is a car named Geely Panda because of this car resembles an animal panda face on the front, while the back legs built like pandas. And the shape is round and short car, Geely Panda cars are cars made ​​in China. Geely Panda has an extremely attractive colors and various options, such as silver, green, red (pink), white and yellow.

Geely Panda cars around 178 cm tall, with four-cylinder engine that produces power capacity aakan 85 hp. To set the position for the driver so the car is equipped with a tilt steering has the advantage to suit the driver's position. And the steering dilengkapin with power steering, electric mirrors and GPS.

Having a reliable security system, for example, the car will sound an alarm, if the speed is achieved over 120 km / h, but it does not bother us while driving (because it's just a warning only), the alarm will stop itself if the speed has been reduced. Geely Panda car also has tools for setting an automatic car rearview mirror, also has ac mopobil a fairly comfortable, well equipped with air pockets in the front (for safety, in case of collision).

Geely Panda car with a tiny form that makes a lot of car lovers to buy it. This car can be said citycar that does not require a lot of room for parking.

Nissan Juke 2011

Nissan Juke 2011 is the car that has a very nice design. This car was first shown at an event at the Geneva Motor Show in 2009. Juke Nissan Europe was created in London and the car was completed at Nissan Design Center (NDC) in the State of Japan. Nissan Juke is widely marketed in Europe, Japan and the United States.

Nissan Juke has a 1.6 liter turbocharged engine as much as 4 that produces 188 hp and 177 pound feet of torque to the front wheels. This car also has a good security system with use of ABS disc brakes and stability control traction. With an extensive baggage, memudahan us to bring the goods.

Design used on Nissan Juke is a combination of two genres that are used to make the crossover to the small size. While the bottom of the Nissan Juke 2011 as an SUV with chunky wheels (tires are widened). With a ground clearance that has the properties is very strong and long. And the top of Nissan Juke 2011 made similar to the sports car in general, with the side a bit high. Have buttons that are used for audio settings are provided in the Bluetooth system.

Nissan Juke 2011 is the car that has its own charm, with a front that resembles a sports car and the status lights that support makes this car has a tremendous opportunity, for car lovers. And size is not so big, make it easier for drivers to be able to put the car in an area that is not so wide.

Range Rover 2011 | Evoque

Range Rover 2011 Range Rover Evoque type was designed by a famous named Gerry McGovern (the leadership of renowned designers Land Rover). This car has an almost similar concept to the concept of LRX. Range Rover Evoque've got a very light weight with a lighter weight is expected to menggurangi the exhaust gas emissions and more efficient.

Range Rover 2011 Range Rover Evoque in particular has an engine with two mechanical specification of 2.2-liter turbodiesel that produces power of 145 hp and 183 hp. Equipped also with a stop-start system and ERAD system combined with an electric motor mounted on both rear wheels only (resulting in kecepan at 20 mph).

Rover2011 Ranger uses the components of the electronic power steering, which means the front entirely new locker. The inside of this car has a very luxurious interior. In which there is a place for TV screens, audio with elevation reaching 1200 watts and is equipped with loudspeakers as many as 17 of the meridian. Having a garage with a capacity of 487 liters.

Inside the roof of the front with a touch of aluminum, this car add more sparkle like Baby Rangie, also covered with material from the skin, making more elegen kelihat. Likewise, the Range Rover 2011 combines white and black colors, and with a unique shape with carvings that are made ​​Evoque Rover Rover cars look very luxurious and elegen.

Sedan Carbon 2011 | Carbon E7

Sedan Carbon 2011 | Sedan is a car that can be said to be a luxury car, with a very large pengemar. Sedan not only owned sekalangan ordinary people, but the sedan is also in demand by the law enforcers (police). Like the car Sedan Carbon 2011, particularly brands Carbon E7 is designed according to the needs of police duties. This car was founded by a former police officer (Stacy Dean Stephens) with an executive of Ford Motor Company named William Santana Li, who founded diConnersville, Indiana USA.

Sedan Carbon 2011 or Carbon E7 with 420 pounds of feed torque makes this car has a speed that can be reached in time in the long stitch 6.5 0-60 mph, while the maximum speed of around 155 mph. Carbon E7 cars have higher ground clearance than the other sedan models are over 20 cm tall (this makes the car comfortably in a state road which, however, means going way high or way down).Sedan Carbon E7 have the form of a very unique, as an example: if a police car in general will have lights siren which is located above the car, but for car E & it lights sirens placed in the interior of the roof of the car around it (thus making the look more rapid's perfect) . The rear door of the car created by opening rearward for easy task. The inside of the car complete with berbegai equipment for the police, among others: available tool for communication between police and peralatang very sophisticated, there is a laptop, where weapons.

Sedan Carbon 2011 Carbon E7 brand has been tested can rotate up to 360 degrees and has a tool that can detect the events around it by using a super-sophisticated audio, making police work more closely. E7 perpaduaan car designed with black and white, add this cool car.

Congratulations on duty, with a 2011 Sedan Carbon 2011 or Carbon E7, hopefully with the sophistication of experts can help car makers the task of the police in combating crime and enforcing laws that exist on earth.

Jaguar | Jaguar C-X75

JAGUAR cars, especially JAGUAR C-X75 is a car that is very unique in design and luxurious look with a form that makes us who saw it must have enchanted (as we start viewing the artwork of renowned art experts).JAGUAR is a car that has a very high speed, so it can be said JAGUAR C - X75 is a car which is equivalent to an electric-powered supercar car. The resulting speed of 330 kph, or it can be said with a distance of 000-100 kph can be reached only by 3.3 seconds.

For type JAGUAR C-X75 has the speed to get ahead of another very fast car that is 2.3 seconds per 80-145 kph. So the overall speed is 780 hp with a torque of 1600 Nm is achieved, making the car more and more are sure to be a Jaguar car that has the speed to be proud of.

Due JAGUAR cars, especially cars JAGUAR C-X75 is an electric car, then dipasand hybrit turbine-based novel that has a range extender like the powertrain. And using a system of four electric motors mounted on each wheel (each electric motor produces 195 hp). With this the car JAGUAR, JAGUAR C-X75 in particular can generate power that can travel approximately 500 mill, faster than other electric cars (that's what makes the car JAGUAR C-X75 is superior).

Car JAGUAR, JAGUAR C-X75 in particular, at the age of 75 years can be proud of themselves, with very unique design so much demand. JAGUAR own named director Ian Callum, was satisfied with his creation.

Bugatti 2011 | Bugatti Veyron

Bugatti 2011 - Cars Bugatti Veyron or brands, is a car designed to form a very nice mix of colors that attract everyone who saw him (ie white color mixed with blue color). This car was first diperlihatan in California at the Pebble Beach Concours weekend, also shown at The Quail, Monterey Historic Races at Laguna also at Pebble Beach event.Bugatti 2011 Bugatti Veyron has a particular power of 1001 hp, with a 8.0 liter engine. Speed ​​of a sedan that can be achieved only by 2.3 seconds with a distance of 000-100 km / hour (maximum speed 400 km / h). This car can also be said as the car supercar, due to the speed gained.
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Interior Bugatti 2011 Bugatti Veyron atan chose to use porcelain, shaped like a sculpture created by Rembrandt Bugatti (make the car look more attractive Bugatti). This car is equipped with four turbochanger intercooler that is able to increase the strength of a 16-cylinder engine. Has a seven-speed dual clutch which is used for all-wheel system for the driver.

In the alloy wheels and tires are designed such that could be used to drive it at high speed, thereby providing comfort for the driver. This car also gives a sense of confidence if the number on a sharp bend, as it comes with a sophisticated braking system

RACING CAR 2011 | Ariel Atom

RACING CAR 2011 - Ariel Atom race car like this v8 pengemar designed for motorists with high speed (for drivers). Atom v8 earned the nickname ROAD LEGAL artinyan race car that can or diperbolehlan down to the highway. Car weighing 550kg, which means it has a ratio of approximately 845 hp per ton.

V8 racing car ariel atom has two versions for power generated, the power to walk on the highway sebesar465 hp while the race power of 490 hp. Atom V8 cars can also be an uphill road to walk, even very quickly, even without the help of the steering wheel with electric technology. We only work the front of the car, while the car serves as the driving force behind the car (giving the energy to go faster).

Atom V8 can go about 100 kph, gearnya taken from the car rally controlled pneumatic. So Atom V8 believe that within 2.5 seconds to achieve speeds of 0 to 100 kph, while in 5.4 seconds can achieve speeds of 0 to 60 kph.

Arrangement of serrations on the car is structured such that mamsimal able to reach speeds of 272 kph.RACING CAR Condition of front tires sometimes feels hot, but it is not, but that ehat the rear tires, because if the car reaches a certain speed of about 10 500 rpm will be driven by the delivery of power from the rear tires.

City Car 2011 | Lotus

City Car 2011 - City Car 2011 or other types of small family cars in urban areas, are now attracted many people. There are many brands citi car, among others, of products of Honda, Suzuki, Mitsubisi and others.



City Car brands Lotus, have doors and seats as many as 3 pieces 4 pieces complete with front-mountnya.Mobil has drivetrain technologies that have extraordinary abilities, and special design of the Lotus. Having a car like the carvings are beautiful, with chic shapes and bright colors on the bodywork gives the car a very sophisticated concept.

City Car has a weight of 1400 kg. While the pace achieved during the 4.5 seconds range from 0-50 km / h and the speed range for 9 seconds 0-100 km / hour. If this car diopersikan with EV using battery power. Batteries installed in the passenger compartment.

In a dramatic glass roof is made with a design that highlights the high visibility. While at the bottom of the glass roof is made fabrics such as city-boxes in green and yellow. City car 2011 concept in 2011 has a mix of carbon fiber, and the equipment used has a very good quality. Mouth parts very distinctive lotus car, which has a wide track, while the wheels are in very great wear used to enlarge the sports car styling.

Lamborghini 2011 | Sesto Elemento

Lamborghini 2011 - Residents marveled at the Paris Motor Show held in October before. There is shown a car that can be said to be an elite car enthusiasts, the Lamborghini Sesto Elemento.Lamborghini 2011, such as Sesto Elemento lamboghini ciantara have some others:
• Has a very light weight of 999 kg, due to the use of material carbon fiber reinforced plastic (CFRP). Which has the natural properties of carbon fiber is very strong but has a lighter weight. The use of carbon fiber parts are as in as coupling, body panels, the main component palind as in suspension, damper area in the event of an accident, the framework of the front of the car. Heart on Sesto Elemento Lamborghini V10 has the same mechanics used directly on the Lamborghini Gallardo LP570-4 Superleggera ie generate power of 570 hp.

• The color of the original body of the CFRP-Shimmer Matte coated with Clear Coat to make it look more lustrous. His appearance as likely futuristic body shape that such fractures are very prominent, the back of the pointy shape and short overhangs, has wings that are behind, the water intake is at the muzzle.

You could say as Lamborghini 2011,Lamborghini Sesto Elemento is a car that is very much demand. In addition to the unique shape, also has a maximum speed of 300 kph. With very light weight and very fast speed, but no word was afraid if this car will fly.

NEW CAR CITY 2011

ASTON MARTIN Cygnet city car 2011- Now in urban areas, private car users very much. While conditions in very dense urban areas, with residential buildings and shops that continue to grow.

Then formed with the idea of ​​designing a car with a small size (mini). So it takes a large place to the parking lot for example.

Aston Martin Cygnet
Aston Martin Cygnet is a small city car 2011, look luxurious and have a base Toyota IQ, but not all the same as the Toyota IQ. There are some that changed, like the interior on this car is made more luxurious, the grill and grill peleknya replaced with American-made.

Characteristics city car Aston Martin Cygnet Other:
• Supported with 1.3-liter engine, using a machine that is equivalent to having an IQ of 97 hp power. The capacity of 1300 cc, speed maxsimum Aston Martin Cygnet city car for 169 km / hour.
• Have vents found on the letterhead resembles machine-style Aston Martin Vantage. While the combination of lights to imitate the style of Rapide.

This is one of the city car that can satisfy us, if you use it. Visible form of luxury, with an attractive color car. This city car 2011 is the answer for more efficient in the use of in urban areas, very densely populated, as it saves the parking.

Harley Davidson 2011 | Harley CVO

Harley Davidson 2011 - the CVO or commonly known by kustum vehicle operation. Harley Davidson CVO 2011 gives customers who want the satisfaction of certain kustum accessories, paint combined with certain items.
There are four kinds of Harley Davidson 2011 CVO , among others:
1. CVO Softail Convertible
In this type has a Harley Davidson leather saddlebags, and the pillion for a passenger backrest upright.
Having a convenient handlebar with 1.25 inches of handlebar welded to the mini-apes. Saddle leather as locking. Music with a pad nano 8 GB and stored in a protective bag. Have audio integration at 3.5 inches, with 2 children speakers, and amplifiers at 30 watts per channel into which the redesign of the fairing.

2. CVO Road Glide ULTRA
In this type have Bagger speakers with iPad nano 8 Gb. And with the dock and seating that has a suspended two-up touring with dual heat control. Having a wind tunnel for testing in that is used to attach the glass front with a size of 16 inches. Kardon audio system uses advanced on BUM. This type is an example of the way with technology ZUMO with 660 GPS navigation system.

3. CVO ULRA CLASSIC 2011
Technology is the way with 660 ZUMO GPS navigation system. Equipped with a lock that has a remote control at the Tour-Pak. To saddlebags and ignition using standard equipment. For the rider and passenger backrest adjusted with 2 up seat that has leather inserts. In the mirror is coated with chrome, chrome dual mufflers use the new features, but its billet end up with lances black.
4. CVO Glide path
Having a Pad audio system with 8 GB nano dock and the handle is located at kantomg saddle. The roll out on wheels for 19 inch front and have a new agitator with a large diameter wheels. In place of the fuel tank to fill the upper side with a flush-mount Led cap and gauge. Having a seat that is located rather low and the seat has a stylish leather inserts.

In the version of the CVO Harley Davidson 2011 has the same base with a Harley Davidson that is, by adding certain parts, like some mechanics with 1803 cc (110 cubic inches). This version of the sales increase, in because Harley Davidson does not increase the amount of production in America.

Understanding How Your Credit History May Affect Your Car Insurance Coverage

Many personal auto insurance companies consider your credit information when determining how much premium to charge for your insurance. So if you are calling around for new insurance, keep in mind that many insurers are looking at your credit history. I hope that we will be able to let you know why and how they do this.
The reason that some insurance companies use credit information is because they feel there is a direct correlation between consumer's credit history behaviors and expected claims that may occur. Therefore, they feel that people with better credit behavior are less likely to severe insurance losses.
Many insurance companies still use your age, driving history, type of vehicle, where you live in determining how much you should pay for your insurance.
 Therefore, if you have not established a credit history yet, the companies that use credit history may not be best for you. They may not allow you to be eligible for certain discounts, which could result in higher premiums.
The companies that do use credit scoring will still use other factors in determining your premium. They will also use your age, driving history, type of vehicle, where you live in determining how much you should pay for your insurance.
Is it fair for an insurance company even look at my credit information without my permission? The answer is yes. The Federal Fair credit-reporting act says "Reasonable procedures. It is the purpose of this title to require that consumer reporting agencies adopt reasonable procedures for meeting the needs of commerce for consumer credit, personnel, insurance, and other information in a manner which is fair and equitable to the consumer, with regard to the confidentiality, accuracy, relevancy, and proper utilization of such information in accordance with the requirements of this title." This can be found at http://www.ftc.gov/os/statutes/fcra.htm
If you feel that your credit history is better then the insurer can find, make sure the insurer has your correct name, address, social security number, and date of birth.
Some insurance companies will look directly at your actual credit reports when determining your rate, however most will use what is called an "insurance credit score." An insurance credit score is developed by using statistical techniques and methods to predict the likelihood a consumer will have a higher than anticipated losses. These are similar to what lenders use to predict the reliability of an applicant repaying a loan.
Insurance companies use many factors in determining your credit score. Here are some examples of those factors:
 Public records: bankruptcy, collections, foreclosures, liens, charge-offs, etc.
 Past payment history: the number and frequency of late payments and the days between the due date and late payment date.
 Length of credit history: the amount of time you have been in the credit system.
 Inquiries for credit: the number of times you have recently applied for new credit, including mortgage loans, utility accounts, and credit card accounts.
 Number of open lines of credit: the number of credit cards, whether you use them or not.
 Type of credit in use: major credit cards, store credit cards, finance company loans, etc.
 Unused credit: how much you owe compared to how much credit is available to you.
Your insurance credit score may differ from company to company, as they will use different factors in determining your premium. Notice that we call it an insurance credit score. This means that it encompasses many factors including credit.
Since each insurance company uses different techniques to determine your credit score it is hard to tell you what a good credit score is. Usually a good credit score will result in lower premiums.
Your agent or company is not obligated to tell you your credit score. In fact, they might not even know what it is. All they usually know is that your credit score qualifies you for a specific rate or policy. Some companies also offer better rates under each qualifying tier.
If you feel that there is incorrect information on your credit report, you should tell the credit bureau. If you report and error, the credit bureau must investigate the error and get back to you within 30 days. You can ask the credit bureau to send a notice of the correction to any creditor or insurer that has checked your file in the past six months. Once the errors are corrected, it is a good idea to get a new copy of your credit report several months later to make sure the wrong information has not been reported again.
The three national credit bureaus are:
 Trans Union (http://www.transunion.com/ or 800-888-4213)
 Equifax (http://www.credit.equifax.com/ or 800-685-1111)
 Experian (http://www.experian.com/ or 888-397-3742)
Tell your insurance company. Do not wait until the credit bureau investigates the errors to contact your insurer. Tell your insurance company right away and ask if the errors will make a difference in your insurance. If the errors are big, tell your insurer that you are disputing the information and ask if they will wait to use your credit information until the errors are corrected. Small errors may not have much affect on your insurance credit score. If the errors are big, it can make a significant difference in your premium. Some companies are unable to adjust the premiums until the score is corrected, but it does not hurt to ask.
If you have taken the steps to improve your credit, score you should ask your insurance company to re-evaluate your credit score at renewal.
Visit http://www.carinsurance.com/ For Lowest Rates Available


About The Author

Jon Register is a representative of CarInsurance.com. You can visit CarInsurance.com at http://www.carinsurance.com/ or contact them at 1-877-327-8728.
CarInsurance.com's online insurance marketplace gives an opportunity to consumers and to insurance companies. We offer the ability to shop for car insurance online.
Consumers can receive quotes from many insurance companies, in some states you are able to purchase your insurance instantly, online. You don't have to drive your car to buy car insurance. Buy online...anytime!

Is A Classic Car Right For You?

There are several things to consider when thinking about the purchase of a classic car.

 Can you afford this purchase? Then think about repairs, if you can't do them yourself it will be expensive as will the parts needed to fix the car.
 Speaking of parts, they are often hard to find so your car may be out of commission for long periods of time. Do you have the patience to deal with these delays? If you won't be doing the repairs yourself do you know of a good mechanic who is qualified to work on the classic car you want to buy?
 You should have at least $3000 put away for repairs. That sounds like a lot but is actually the minimum suggested by classic car experts.
 Are you thinking about doing restoration work? If you plan to do it yourself remember to have enough space allotted for the job. You will need room to take the classic car apart and store it during the restoration.
 Will you drive your classic car on public roads? If you are planning to remember that driving situations have changed. Brakes and steering systems were made for a different time. You will need to make adjustments when driving the classic car in today's traffic.

 You will need classic car insurance. The classic cars did not come equipped with the anti-theft devices or serial number database of today's cars. The classic cars were not made with security devices.
 If you have a "partner" are they supporting you in this endeavor? It will take time and money to make this dream a realization so make sure you have the backing you need. Some couples enjoy this hobby together.
 Take time and find the car that is right for you. You may have dreamed about a certain car but now realize that it is too expensive and prone to breakdowns. Modify your search and buy only when you have everything in order. Make certain that this is a decision you can afford.
Buying a classic car can be a great hobby and a dream-come-true but make sure you know what you're doing before you buy!


About The Author

Jeff Anderson knows his cars. He knows what to look for and what pitfalls to avoid. Let him guide you to finding out more about classic cars. Contact him at Jeff@triumphclassiccars.com or visit the blog at his site http://www.triumphclassiccars.com/.

Finding Your Dream Car

Thinking about buying a used car?  How do you know which car is right for you?  It’s all in asking the right questions.
First, ask yourself what you really need in a car.  Who will be driving it most of the time?  Where will you be driving in?  Over what sort of terrain?  Do you need a lot of storage space and lots of seating?  Are you going to be traveling back and forth over long distances?
What features are an absolute must?  Air conditioning, adjustable controls, cruise control?
What safety features you are looking for?  Anti-lock brake systems, head injury protection, or child protection equipment?

How much are you willing to spend?
What kind of down payment can you make?
Realistically, what can you afford to pay monthly?
It’s important to know this amount before you even start looking.  Then do your research. Check websites, dealerships, and Consumer Reports magazine.  Look for reliability and repair ratings as well as safety advice. The website http://www.edmunds.com/ offers pricing information and advice on buying a used car.
Go exploring for that perfect car. Gather as much info as you can on the different makes and models. Check out the retail value, available options, performance, and track record for repairs. 
No matter where you buy your used car, be prepared to stand firm.  There are a bazillion other cars you could fall in love with. Be willing to walk away from the car if the deal doesn't meet the criteria you laid out earlier. Your ability to negotiate a great deal will increase by leaps and bounds. 
Always know the market value of any car you're considering and make your first offer lower.  You want a little room to negotiate.
Ask for a detailed vehicle history report and service records from the seller. This report can identify major problems including past accidents, flood damage, and odometer discrepancies. When you decide to buy a car, make sure you get it checked out by a trusted mechanic before you hand over any money.  That’s absolutely crucial.
Buying a used car can be one of the most exciting purchases you ever make.  Following a few guidelines will ensure that it’s also one of the wisest!


About The Author

Contributed by TheCarSites.com. Visit http://www.thecarsites.com/ for auto articles and news pertaining to the auto industry.

In the Nick of Time: Your Car’s Serpentine Belt

Recently, my friend called me from a roadside Dairy Queen in frenzy. His dad had been driving his Ford car down the highway and heard and awful noise. First, there was a squeal and then what sounded like a whip smacking the underneath of his hood. They weren’t sure what was happening, but after investigating, found that a black rubber belt was half-eaten off its pulleys.
“Is the belt still on there?” I asked.
“Well, half of it is,” he continued as if the world were ending. “My dad ripped the part that was hanging off and now only half remains!”
“Have you driven it? How many miles are on that thing?” I questioned.
“Yeah. We drove it into the parking lot here. I think it’s got ninety thousand.” He said flabbergasted.

After a couple more minutes of my friend’s ranting about his dad’s mechanical shortcomings, I took a risk and told them to slowly drive it over to my house (which was only five minutes away).
This problem seems all too common with owners of modern cars. The serpentine belt, both black and cracked, which had half-shredded itself under my friend’s hood should have been replaced long before. The problem could have been prevented.
Before this problem happens to you, you should be sure to check the belts when you do a regular check-up on your car. If you’re a do-it-yourself kind of person, then when you change the oil, be sure that you check the serpentine belt with each and every oil change (or if you use synthetic oil that doesn’t need changed as often, check your belt every 3,000 to 5,000 miles).
The serpentine belt is so called because it looks like a snake as it curves around various drive pulleys. As stated, many modern automobiles have this sort of belt because it’s a lot easier (and less expensive) to install than older “V” belts; plus they last about 50% longer.
A serpentine belt maintains its tension via a spring-loaded pulley. The belt connects to and helps function your alternator, power steering, air conditioning and water pump. You should never break down on the side of the road due to this belt breaking from wear and tear. The problem is easily preventable. Simply check the belt for cracking, fraying or if it looks aged. However, even if the belt looks excellent, it may be time to change it. The time interval will depend upon the recommendation from the manufacturer (see your car's manual), but it’s safe to say that it should be replaced every 60,000 miles, or every two to three years.
If the problem persists and you find yourself having to change the serpentine belt every few months, then it’s another issue. Most likely, there is a problem with the alignment of one of the pulleys. Many times, there could be a problem with what’s called the harmonic balancer. While this sounds nice, this part is located on the front of the crankshaft. It’s made up of an inner steel section, a rubber sleeve, and a pulley with grooves that the belt fits over. If there’s a problem with this, you’ll most definitely have to check to see if it’s in alignment with a straightedge. If you notice it’s not aligned with the other pulleys, then take the car to a professional. They may have to move the entire engine over to work on it.
If you take your car to a mechanic for an oil change, ask about the serpentine belt at that time. Be sure that s/he has inspected all the belts thoroughly. If they recommend changing the belt, be sure that they use a high-quality one. It’s recommended to use the best made, and most likely, the most expensive (usually around 18 to 45 bucks). And, be sure to buy your belt from a respectable auto-parts store as different stores carry different brands and types. Ask your mechanic if they properly dispose of the belt. If it’s some person’s home business, you may want to take the belt to a professional mechanics shop and ask them if they can dispose of it properly. It’s a good idea to keep Mother Nature in tune too! Finally, ask your mechanic if s/he did a test of the belt while the car was in operation.
However, if you’re doing research on a serpentine belt, you’ve already won half the battle. Why not try and change it yourself? If you got some tools and a place to work, then you might feel quite “handy” once you see that it’s not that hard of a job!
First, you’ll want to buy a new high-quality belt. And, be sure to buy a pulley ratchet made for your car. This will allow you to loosen the tension pulley later. So, hopefully your belt hasn’t come off on its own yet. If not, go ahead and draw a little schematic of how the belt goes around each and every pulley. I like to draw it with as much detail as possible. If the belt has already shredded off, then I recommend searching the Internet for a schematic of how the new belt should be placed. It can seem baffling at first. Be sure you find a drawing for the exact date, year and model of your car.
With my friend’s car, we drew a schematic, but still became a bit confused once we had snapped the belt off. So, we went to the Internet for a back-up check.
Next, we took cutters and snapped off the remaining shredded belt. This isn’t recommended. It’s better to locate the tension pulley (the pulley that keeps the belt snug on all the other pulley’s and pumps), take the pulley ratchet and push it counter clockwise. You might have to use another tool (i.e. a hollow bar) for added leverage, as sometimes the tension pulley is difficult to budge. Remove the old belt.
Next, check the old belt and new belt together. Are they the same length? Is there the same amount of grooves on each? If so, continue.
Put the new belt around the other pulleys according to your schematic. Be sure that the grooves in the pulleys match-up to the grooves on the belt. You don’t want it slipping off while driving!
Finally, if the tension pulley is underneath the car, you may have a difficult time holding the pulley loose and putting on the belt. Perhaps there is a friend who could help you. During the aforementioned replacement of my friend’s belt, I held the pulley while he made sure the belt was in-line with the grooves and that it looked good according to our schematic. Now, be sure all fingers are moved out of the way and slowly allow the pulley to draw itself tight again, thereby causing the serpentine belt to tighten around as whole.
Check to make sure the belt is aligned on each and every pulley, especially if there are grooves for the belt to fit into. If so, start it up and see if it runs smoothly.
So, instead of ending up on the side of the road in a parking lot at Dairy Queen learning a lesson, check the serpentine belt on your car often.


About The Author

Michael Walker is a freelance author providing tips and hints on engine related topics in his website http://www.enginestar.com/, including: http://www.enginestar.com/jdm-engines.html and http://www.enginestar.com/used-nissan-engines.html.  His articles are a valuable source of information for the auto enthusiast.

Auto Accident Collecting For Your Lost Wages

A couple months ago you were toolin' on down the avenue, minding your own business, when out of nowhere, this fumbling, stumbling man by the name of Freddie Fuddle flew through a Stop Sign and plowed into you with a gigantic, rip-roaring, screeching broadside. You were wearing your seat belt but it was still a thundering crash that wrenched and whipped you around the inside of your motor vehicle something fierce!
Now, after a long recovery period, Fuddle’s carrier, Granite Mountain Insurance is clamoring to close the case and they've assigned Claims Adjuster I. M. Strong, to handle your case. You and Strong are sitting at your kitchen table talking about your settlement dollars.  It turns out he’s got some hang-up’s regarding your lost income. Well, here are some things you need to know:

Lost wages are one of the most important element's of your damages. Listen to me carefully when I say, "You should not think about the days you missed from work as Lost Time and Earnings. It's not Lost Time and Earnings - - it’s Lost Earning Capacity“
You ask, “What‘s Lost Earning Capacity all about? I thought I could only collect for my Lost Income?”  The answer to that is,  “In many situations you can claim lost income EVEN IF YOU HAVEN'T LOST ONE SINGLE PENNY  “. For example, this can happen when your salary is paid because you've elected to apply for the sick leave that‘s due you, or because of an Accident and Health Policy available for you to take advantage of, or some other such arrangement.
In most instances - - even if you were paid while out of work - - you should still get that money routinely identified as Lost Wages. Why? Because that's your Lost Earning Capacity. Your Lost Earning Capacity is what’s called a Compensatory Damage. Don't let Strong swindle you out of that Compensatory Damage. Even if you’ve received an income, in some other way, you're still entitled to it. Strong will do everything he can to take advantage of you, especially when it comes to getting paid for your Lost Earning Capacity.  During the course of every settlement negotiation he gets involved in, he‘ll try that tactic on for size, and it’s mind-boggling how often he gets away with it.
The typical statement made at that point, by the unsuspecting claimant is, “Hey, I understand I’m to be paid for my lost wages.”
Strong answers, “You collected $200.00 a week from your Accident and Health Policy didn’t you?”
“Yeah, but my average weekly income last year was $275.00 a week.”
“Okay”, I. M. Strong  flashes a well practiced, winning smile, that tells you he’s a fair insurance claim adjuster, when in his black heart, he knows he's not! “We’ll pay you that $75.00 a week difference. Let’s see, you were laid up and unable to work for 5 weeks. 5 times $75.00 is $375.00. Don’t worry my friend, I’ll see to it you’re paid that $375.00.”
“Wow!” you think, “that’s terrific !.”  You’re thrilled to death with this great turn of events.  But what you don’t know is that the $200.00 a week you’ve received from your Accident and Health Policy has absolutely nothing to do with your lost income.  The bottom line is that Smart has just cheated you out of one thousand dollars!  And, worse than that, the $275.00 a week income you lost (for a total of $1,375.00) would have (in a court of law) given your case $4,000.00 to $5,000.00 more value in settlement dollars.
DOCUMENTING LOST INCOME: Ask the company you work for to write a letter on their official stationary declaring your gross salary income and the days you lost from work.
GROSS PAY VS. NET PAY: You should collect the "gross" wage's you lost, not the "net".
TOTAL DISABILITY and/or PARTIAL DISABILITY: For every week of Total Disability (a fact which must be stated in your doctors Final Medical Report) you should use your gross weekly income - - even if you were paid! (For every week of Partial Disability your doctor states in that Final Medical Report, you have the right to claim a  substantial percentage of your income, during that period, even if you didn't lose any).
Because the following five points give value to your claim be ready to talk with Smart about and, wherever possible, prove:
(1)  If your work demands heavy labor and/or lifting. (2)  If you lost any vacation time or sick leave. (3) If there was any possible loss of money you could have earned in the future - - either with your company or maybe other income you've got bubbling and boiling on the side. (4) If you had to forgo any bonuses. (5)  If you lost an opportunity that would have led to a better job.
If any of the above five points are true than your claim is worth more money!
THE CRUCIAL MEDICAL REPORT: The Granite Mountain Insurance Company and Adjuster I. M. Strong know that the longer your recovery period, the greater your "pain and suffering", therefore the higher the settlement value of your bodily injury claim. Your Chiropractor or Attending Physician must also note this in his Final Medical Report. Tell him to state exactly how long it will be, before you can get back to routine activities like golf, hunting, fishing and/or rockin' and rollin' with your lady friends.
As long as you have problems keep right on going back to see your doctor, again and again, even if it drives the poor bugger nuts! Do this because the fact that your records show a visit to him, four, eight, or twelve weeks after the accident, proves your injury needed constant attention, therefore you were unable to work. Also because, when you visit your doctor and tell him there's no let-up of your pain, discomfort, stiffness or immobility - - those continuing problems must be written into the Medical Report he'll provide for you when you've finished treatment. That's the one you'll hand to Adjuster Smart when the two of you begin to talk turkey. As he reads it you’ll watch him frown, then blanch as that cocky smile disappears from his face. When you see him do that you‘ll know, "ya got him"!
DISCLAIMER: The only purpose of this claim tip is to help people understand the motor vehicle accident claim process. Dan Baldyga makes no guarantee of any kind whatsoever; NOR does he purport to engage in rendering any professional or legal service; NOR to substitute for a lawyer, an insurance adjuster, or claims consultant, or the like.  Where such professional help is desired it is the INDIVIDUAL’S RESPONSIBILITY to obtain said services.
Dan Badyga’s latest book Auto Accident Personal Injury Insurance Claim (How To Evaluate And Settle Your Loss) can be found on the internet at http://www.autoaccidentclaims.com/ or visit your favorite bookstore.
Copyright (c) 2003 by Daniel G. Baldyga All Rights Reserved


About The Author

For 30 years Dan Baldyga was a claims adjuster, supervisor, manager and also a trial assistant.  He is now retired and spends his time attempting to assist those involved in motor vehicle accident claims so they will not be taken advantage of.
dbpaw@attbi.com

Hybrid Hype and a Small Price Hike

Drive by any car lot in the United States and ask to see the latest hybrid car models. Don’t be stupefied if eight out of ten tell you that they can’t seem to keep them on the lot—that they’re just selling too fast! There is reasoning behind the hype: consumers believe in one (or all) of three things, that they’re going to be getting a better deal once gas prices hit $2.50 a gallon, that they’re not sacrificing performance and that they’re helping the environment.
Let’s first take a look at how these cars are put together. First, we have to understand the concept of “hybrid”. A hybrid car might be defined as any vehicle that uses two or more sources of energy to propel itself. Seems simple enough. Hybrid machinery is all around us in the form of
 diesel-electric, such as city buses, and nuclear-electric, such as those used on many US submarines. So, the idea and the technology have been around awhile—it’s just now that another energy scare like that of the 1970s, that we start becoming resourceful and a little ingenious. Hybrid power is on the up-rise (and in-demand) only because the two different types of propulsion possibilities (gasoline/diesel and electric) standing alone have proven an ineffective means to get both power and efficiency in one package. But, working together, there is promise.
A hybrid car, in modern terminology, is usually referring to any car that has a combination of an electric and a gasoline (or diesel) motors. These cars use kinetic energy (referred to as regenerative breaking), absorbed by your breaks when you slow down to a stop, to recharge batteries that in turn push the electric motor. All of this is combined into one finely tuned schematic—the result being power to the transmission and propulsion power (i.e. wheel movement).
All hybrids contain a gasoline engine, an electric engine, a generator (mostly on series hybrids), fuel storage container, batteries and a transmission.
There are basically two different types of hybrid engines. The first is a parallel hybrid. This sort of hybrid actually contains both a gasoline and electric motor that both operate independently to propel the car forward. It’s designed to have two power sources working with one goal in mind. In many ways, they are still “connected”.
The second hybrid is often referred to as a series hybrid. In a series hybrid, the gas or diesel powered engine doesn’t connect to the transmission directly, meaning that it doesn’t actually propel the car by itself. It actually works indirectly, powering a generator, which in turn (controlled by computer monitoring systems) either feeds power to the batteries or directly feeds power to an electric motor that connects to the transmission.
As stated above, hybrid buyers are looking for the combination (and compromise) of power and energy that these cars seem to provide. Many gas-powered cars have a lot of horsepower. This is useful for modern driving experiences. No one wants to be doing the minimum 45 mph on the interstate and stopping to “refuel,” as with purely electric motors. Plus, there’s no need to feel like you should have placed your slow-moving reflective magnet on the trunk. However, many gas-powered cars are truly “wasteful” resources because out of those 175 horses, you’ll only have to use less than half that power for everyday driving. We don’t even have to get into the harmful environmental factors of pure gasoline engines. We are just now starting to see the results of our apathetic attitudes on this subject.
The engines in hybrid automobiles are usually much smaller (except in some brand new V-6 models). While this reduces fuel consumption, it means that for the extra “power” that drivers are looking for has to come from somewhere else. That’s where the electric motor and batteries come into play. In some models, sensors detect that the car is in need of extra energy for going up hill, for example. That’s when the “hybrid” half of the engine kicks in. It will do a dandy job of giving the engine that extra oomph or boost that it needs, without using any more gasoline.
Newer hybrid models do a lot of extra tricks so that your car gets as many miles to the gallon as possible. For example, when you’re stopped at a traffic light, another sensor will trigger the gasoline engine to idle down to a complete stop, while the car stays “running” solely on its electric power. Did I mention ingenious?
Since the idea behind the hybrid powered car is reduced fuel consumption without the loss of speed or power, many cars are being designed to move through the streets with the utmost in aerodynamic form; meaning that a hybrid will create less “drag,” simply due to its body structure. Many also use much lighter building materials, reducing weight and pull. Some models even have wheel covers and no mirrors (replaced with cameras and navigation equipment), which saves an enormous amount of energy.
Hybrids don’t seem to be a fad or some social experiment. Consumers and car enthusiasts alike are enjoying what they’re seeing in the market. Everyday it seems a better designed, lighter; more fuel-efficient and powerful hybrid enters. Recently released models are even beating their gas-powered counterparts. One boasts a 255 hp engine with other capabilities such as being able to shut down half the cylinders (without notice) while in motion to conserve fuel and energy.
Hybrid-engineered cars cost a bit more too. Usually the price difference is around 3,000 bucks. And, it may take a few years (depending on gas prices) for you to actually make the savings in fuel worthwhile. However, it’s still better for the environment, and that lingers (and makes it worthwhile) in some consumers’ minds.
And, if you are still one to wholeheartedly grip the stick of your V-8 without budging, you might take into mind that newer hybrid models are gaining on those petal-to-the-metal peelers of yesteryear. Hybrid models are inching nearer to (and even beating!) gas powered cars in 0 to 60 mph road tests.
So, when you decide that a new car might be a viable option in the near future, don’t expect to see too many hybrids in dealers’ lots. You may have to do some across-the-state driving to find a choice. Do some preliminary searching on the Internet and find out what model may benefit you and your lifestyle the most. Keep in mind all that we’ve mentioned and perhaps—in the future—you’ll have no other choice than a hybrid, which at this time seems to be by far the best choice around.


About The Author

Michael Walker is a freelance author providing tips and hints on engine related topics in his website http://www.enginestar.com/, including: http://www.enginestar.com/jdm-engines.html and http://www.enginestar.com/used-nissan-engines.html.  His articles are a valuable source of information for the auto enthusiast.

Gas Pump Money Saving Tips

Gas prices are zooming sky high with no ceiling in sight. Do you remember when a gallon of unleaded cost $1.25?
These days, it’s more important than ever to stretch your dollars at the gas pump.
Here are ten gasoline buying tips to help you do that.
1. Shop Around
Prices vary among stations that sell the same brand. Find a station that sells your favorite brand cheaper. Prices between brands can vary. You can save money by switching brands.
2. Use a Gasoline Credit Card
Some give a 5 to 10 percent rebate on purchases.
3. Buy Gasoline in the Morning
Gasoline is denser during the morning when temperatures are colder. Gas pumps measure and charge by volume, not density. You’ll be getting more solid fuel rather than vapors for your money.

4. Buy Gas from a Busy Station
Busy gas stations refill their underground tanks often. Slower stations don’t. Therefore, their tanks may have stale contaminated gas. Older fuel is poorer on fuel economy and performance.
5. Turn the Nozzle
Twist the gas pump nozzle 180 degrees when done. This can add up to an extra four ounces to your tank.
6. Stop Using High-Octane Gas
High-octane gas costs more than regular. If you car isn’t pinging, use regular unleaded. You’ll save up to 20 cents per gallon.
7. Avoid Topping-Off
The pump needs time to draw out the full amount. It doesn’t get it when you Top-off. You pay extra for these short- burst of fuel. Wait until your tank is at least half-full before you fill it up.
8. Avoid Stations That Just Refilled Their Tanks
The refilling of underground tanks stirs up particles that lay at the bottom. If these particles get in to your gas tank, they can cut the fuel efficiency of your car.
9. Pump Your Own Gas
Use the self-serve rather than the full-serve pump. Full- serve gasoline costs more. You save money pumping gas yourself.
10. Tighten the Gas Cap
Twist the cap until you hear it click. This prevents gasoline from evaporating and escaping.
Final Thought
These ten tips are easy to apply. Remember to use them each time at the gas pump. You’ll be stretching your gas dollars.


About The Author

Leroy Chan makes available a special report that exposes the tricks drivers must learn to avoid paying too much for a tank of gas. Information on this and more can be found on his site:
http://www.gaspumpmoneysavingtips.com/

Toyota Announces Partner Robots

An overview of the project to develop partner robots designed to function as personal assistants for humans is being carried out by Toyota for its corporate activities based on the spirit of “contributing to society through making things and making automobiles.”
Toyota is promoting the development of human-assisting partner robots using the collective experience cultivated by the Toyota Group in automotive development and production engineering.
In response to Japan's rapidly aging population and dwindling birth rates Toyota starts to develop robots in a need to secure a stable labor force for the future in order for its people to be able to enjoy comfortable standards of living. This is also true around the globe as people crave for better, more diversified lifestyles.

Possessing human characteristics, Toyota's partner robots are agile, warm and kind and also intelligent enough to skillfully operate a variety of devices in the areas of personal assistance care for the elderly, manufacturing, and mobility.
Since each area requires a special set of skills, Toyota is focusing on the development of three different types of partner robots (walking, rolling, and mountable), each with its own areas of expertise.
Advanced technology used in the “Toyota Partner Robot” enable its robots to play musical instruments. Toyota developed artificial lips that move with the same finesse as human lips, which, together with robots’ hands, enables the robots to play trumpets like humans do.
Toyota came up with the new stabilizing technologies for robots as it has Mobility control technology through the expanded development of the driving control technologies for automobiles. A small, lightweight and low-cost high precision sensors, developed based upon automotive sensor technology, is used as an attitude sensor that detects a tilt of a robot.
Wire-operation system is also being developed. The actuators as power sources are located on its torso, and wires are used to move the arms and legs. The weight of the arms and legs can be reduced, adding limberness and speed to the motion.
Toyota’s announcement of the development of partner robots is followed by an exhibition of the results as part of the entertainment lineup for the Toyota Group Pavilion at the Expo 2005, Aichi, Japan.
Toyota plans to continue focusing the energy of the Toyota Group to further utilize their wealth of technical experience in automotive development and production to expand the usefulness of these robots while broadening their functions and areas of application.
At Partstrain, we stock thousands of Toyota Parts right at your fingertips. Just browse on http://www.partstrain.com/ShopByVehicle/TOYOTA and you can now search for your own Toyota car parts, order them, and have it delivered directly to your door at half the cost other competitors charge. If your search for your Toyota auto parts comes up short, just call one of our sales professionals to help assist you in finding the Toyota car parts you need. Our Toyota parts online catalog is the largest state of the art catalog to use for looking up Toyota auto parts


About The Author

Jenny McLane is a 36 year old native of Iowa and has a knack for research on cars and anything and everything about it.  She works full time as a Market Analyst for one of the leading car parts suppliers in the country today.
jenny@partstrain.com

Popular Toyota Prius Now Runs on Goodyear Tires

North America's largest tire maker was selected to provide its Goodyear Integrity tires for the 2005 Prius.  The tires are designed to offer a smooth ride -- essential to the fuel efficiency targets of the vehicle.
The Prius, which qualifies as a "hybrid" vehicle, powered by both an electric motor and a gasoline engine, has an EPA-estimated combined city/highway average rating of 55 miles per gallon.
Driving the car at low speeds and by assisting the gas engine during acceleration the battery-powered motor helps save fuel and reduce emissions. No plug-in is required as coasting and decelerating recharge the motor's batteries.
The Prius, now has a decent set of tires -- P185/65R15 Goodyear Integrity.  Built to favor fuel economy over luxurious touring or sporty auto crossing, the Goodyear tires roll quietly down the road and generate 0.76 g of sideways stick in the corners and 0.89 g in a straight line under braking.

To draw attention to the increasing performance capabilities of today's hybrid vehicles a specially designed Prius set a hybrid vehicle land speed record at the legendary Bonneville Salt Flats in Utah, topping 130 miles per hour.
I t must be noted that Prius used unique 26-inch front and 25-inch rear Goodyear Eagle race tires to accomplish the high speed mark. Goodyear tires are original equipment on many vehicles from Cadillac, Chrysler, Ford, GMC, Honda, Hummer, Infiniti, Jeep, Isuzu, Lexus, Acura, Mazda, Mercury, Chevrolet, Nissan, Land Rover and Toyota. 
The Prius-Goodyear connection also has worked well in an application far different from what drivers of the hybrid car will experience on normal streets and highways.
At Partstrain, we carry Toyota Prius aftermarket parts and Toyota Prius performance parts to service all of our customers needs. Just click on http://www.partstrain.com/ShopByVehicle/TOYOTA to browse on all our top of the line Toyota Prius parts. All our Toyota Prius auto parts are new and guaranteed to fit. We offer only the highest quality Toyota Prius replacement parts available. Our Toyota Prius auto parts are engineered to meet or exceed OEM specifications.


About The Author

Jenny McLane is a 36 year old native of Iowa and has a knack for research on cars and anything and everything about it.  She works full time as a Market Analyst for one of the leading car parts suppliers in the country today.
jenny@partstrain.com

What To Do When a Hot Engine Is Hard To Start

Although usually engines exposed to cold weather is the most known problem related to car starting difficulties, hot engines might bring obstacles as well. Many people realize that the car do not start as easily as it should when the engine is hot and do not know what to do about it. In order to be able to overcome this problem, it is important to start by learning why it happens.
Most of the reasons by which a hot engine would be hard to start are based on problems related to the fuel. When the engine is too hot, fuel can't circulate properly due to the way in which vapor obstructs it and therefore the engine wouldn't start as easily as it should or it wouldn't start at all.

A car engine would keep on gaining temperature until a while after it was shut off. During this period of time is when the highest amount of vapor would be circulating around and therefore that is when the chances it obstructs the engine are bigger as well. This way, if you are driving in hot weather and you have just turned off the car in which you experience start problems, you should wait for a few minutes until starting it back.
Fuel injected engines do not experience this problem as much as others do due to the fact that the fuel remains inside the injectors by being under a very high pressure. This way, fuel injected engines would not become so easily obtruded by vapors as other engines would and therefore the car would not have the same problems to start as another would.
Also, engines might become hard to start while being hot if it coincides with the season in which refiners change from a fuel blend to another. Sometimes gasoline refiners change from a higher volatility fuel to a lower one when summer approaches due to the way in which hot weather causes fuel to evaporate easier. If refiners change back to a higher volatility fuel while the engine is still exposed to days of high temperatures, this could cause the fuel to evaporate too much creating too much vapor and therefore obtruding the engine.


About The Author

Jakob Jelling is the founder of http://www.autorized.com/. Please visit his website to learn about auto maintenance, auto insurance, auto safety and much more!

Consider Fuel Efficiency When Buying a Car

When you need to buy your next automobile make sure that fuel economy doesn't get lost in the shuffle.  Buying a compact car with good gas mileage is both friendly to the environment and your pocket book.  You will enjoy the savings throughout the life of the vehicle.
There is a lot to consider when buying a car.  If you are buying a used car the condition of the clutch, brakes, engine and transmission will play a huge role in how much that car will cost to operate.  Even minor problems can result in $300 repairs.
With new cars you need to find the make and model that has a proven track record and fits your needs.  Make sure that fuel efficiency plays a role in your decision making. If you emerge from the car buying process with a fuel efficient car you will burn up less cash in your tank and have more money to spend on things that matter.
Take advantage of what is known.

When it comes to vehicle maintenance, the one thing you can easily and accurately predict is how much gas you are going to use.  Gas prices may fluctuate but most people can spend a week or two logging their gas consumption and get a good idea of how many gallons they use.  If you don't already, track your gas consumption so you can use this information when purchasing a car.
Make it the #1 priority.
One way to make sure that fuel efficiency is considered is to start by looking at cars that get good gas mileage.  Make it the #1 priority and see where that leads you.  The problem with today's car market is car manufacturers know that gas mileage is not a major consideration when purchasing a new vehicle for many U.S. customers.
Crunching the numbers.
When you are evaluating a car's fuel efficiency, ask yourself how long you think you will be driving the car and determine how much gas will cost.
Let's say you want to get a used car for $5,000 and hope to drive it for 5 years.  Below are some 5 year gas cost estimates based on driving 15,000 miles per year and buying gas for $1.40 per gallon.  If gasoline is more expensive than $1.40, the costs will be even higher.
A Sampling of Used Cars:

 1994 Ford Explorer SUV (2WD)

5 year gas estimate = $5525
 1994 Honda Accord Sedan

5 year gas estimate = $3885
 1994 Honda Civic DX Sedan

5 year gas estimate = $2385

A Sampling of New Cars:

 2004 Ford Explorer 2WD

5 year gas estimate = $6175
 2004 Honda Accord

5 year gas estimate = $3750
 2004 Honda Civic Hybrid

5 year gas estimate = $2235
 2004 Toyota Prius Hybrid

5 year gas estimate = $1910

This is a small sampling of cars but you get the picture.  Unless you really need an SUV or large truck, you can save a lot of money by buying a fuel efficient compact car.  You will sacrifice size and sometimes luxury when choosing fuel economy first. Part of this is because bigger cars and trucks are heavier and will naturally get worse gas mileage.  But it is also a function of consumers not worrying about gas mileage when they make a decision on purchasing a new or used car.
A great site for comparing cars fuel economy is http://www.fueleconomy.org/.  At http://www.fueleconomy.org/ you can compare numerous makes and models of both new and used cars and set the default gas costs to reflect the current prices.  The numbers above are based on a $1.40 regular gas price which is really hard to find right now.  In the case of the 1994 Ford Explorer you likely pay as much in gas over a 5 year span as you payed for the vehicle in the first place.
Put fuel economy first and you will find yourself with more money in your pocket.



About The Author

Fisher Swanson is a regular contributer to The ThriftyFun.com News. ThriftyFun publishes information about thrifty living. Send an email to thriftyfunnews-on@thriftyfun.com to subscribe to The ThriftyFun.com News.
http://www.thriftyfun.com/
fisher@thriftyfun.com

Your Money, Your Life, or Your Seat Belt

A seat belt is one of those things in life that just doesn't make sense to about 40,000,000 people in the United States.  After all, freedom of choice is the Free World cornerstone and when it comes to our automobiles, we want to ride them any way we choose.
“Liberty or death!” shouts a protestor on the nightly news.  He values his God-given Freedoms to drive without fear of an illegal search and seizure.  “The people,” he contends, “aren’t idiots and can govern their own safety.”  Courts determine whether driving without a seat belt is a Right or a Privilege, but “by God we will defend our freedoms ‘till our dying breath.”
Unfortunately, that’s just what happens each year.
What these people don’t realize is just what choice they are making when they drive without a seat belt wrapped around everyone in the car.

Government and industry have sponsored multi-million dollar safety seat belt awareness campaigns for decades. Usage has climbed, but only slowly through the years until recently.
It’s easy to recognize at least one popular national slogan:
 Buckle Up For Safety
 Seat Belts Save Lives
 Buckle Up America
Officer Friendly would appear in class to teach all about car safety.  He didn’t come into every room, so some of us were indoctrinated with second hand playground news.
State sponsored campaigns are less well known.
Missouri had the lowest state seat belt usage as the year 2000 approached according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Association (NHTSA). Only 60% of Missourians wore seat belts, so in a $300,000 concerted research effort, the State of Missouri studied advertising strategies that would appeal to all age groups.  Radio stations received Public Service Announcements, 64 local newspapers printed press releases while two carefully selected slogans were printed on 26 billboards that read:
 It takes 3 seconds to buckle up. Dead is Forever
 You think a zit is bad? Try a windshield.
Did the State of Missouri reach the target audience?
Results:  Seat belt usage among all age groups … 
 Escalated to nearly 68% about equal to the national average at the time.
What was the real success?
Hundreds of lives were saved yearly and serious injuries were avoided.
“Click It…Or Ticket” kicked off in May of 2003 as the latest national seat belt campaign with a starting advertising budget of $25 million paid for by the US Government.    That’s a lot of money to begin an advertising campaign about seat belt usage.  Was the purpose to really save lives, build up local treasuries, or just advertise?   The results easily speak for themselves…
Safety belt use in the United States rose to almost 80% in 2004(the highest single year increase) up from 58% in 1994.   An additional 10% rise in safety seat belt use could save an estimated 8,000 more lives per year and prevent more than 100,000 traffic related accident injuries.
It’s estimated that more than 14,000 lives had been saved with seat belt use in data compiled by the NHTSA for 2002.   And of the almost 33,000 passenger vehicle occupants who were killed during the same period 59% weren’t wearing a safety seat belt. (NHTSA).  
This isn’t a near 50:50 chance that you’ll be killed with or without a seat belt.  Serious injuries far exceed deaths. There are almost 7,000,000 car accidents in the USA alone each year. Almost 3 million people are injured.  Thousands of those injuries are preventable with proper seat belts.  See statistics:  http://www.car-accident-advice.com/
The NHTSA estimates that had all vehicle occupants over the age of 4 been wearing safety seat belts,
7153 more people would be alive.
Those are brothers, sisters, mothers, and fathers.
Statistics are people.
Does it really sound that simple? 
Wear a seat belt to significantly increase the chance of surviving a car accident.
People are creatures of reminded habits who participate when threatened with economic loss.   The Click It…Or Ticket campaign primarily advertised an aggressive ticketing effort by local police departments.
The campaign doesn’t include shocking video footage showing ejected car accident victims.   There aren’t many hard-hitting statistics such as:
In 2002, 73 percent of passenger car occupants who were totally ejected from the vehicle were killed.
-NHTSA
The primary cause of death for people aged 4 to 34 is car accidents.
-National Center for Health Statistics
In 2000 total economic cost of motor vehicle accidents in the US is equal to 2.3% of Gross Domestic Product or almost $820 per US resident.
-NHTSA
We all pay.
Yet the “shock & awe” techniques have been used over and over in previous education campaigns.
The choice a person has to wear a seat belt without threat of economic loss is a luxury because statistics bear it out.   The chances of receiving major injuries during a serious impact without a seat belt increase twenty-five times.
There must be other reasons why a person would gamble life and money over the use of a seat belt.  Most adults have heard all this before.
“Seat Belts are uncomfortable”  - Complaint 1
Today’s seat belts are adjustable.  Read your car documentation to make sure you’re wearing them properly.  The shoulder belt should never be worn under the arm or behind the head.  That position almost guarantees injury in an accident.   Seat belts are positioned to give you a range of useful movement and then to hold you in place should you exceed that range.  However, a person still has freedom of choice:  Wear a seat belt or become 1 of the 73% who is ejected.  Comfort vs Risk.
“I’m a careful driver and have never been in an accident.” – Complaint 2
Eight out of ten drivers will be in a car accident within the next 10 years.
Choosing to wear a seatbelt makes a lot of sense, because the facts explain the risk to your own life.  Playing the odds in Vegas is better than playing the odds with your life.
“I have air bags all around my car. Why do I need a seat belt.”
Air bags cushion impact. It’s better to strike the deflating air bag than the immovable dashboard. However, a seat belt protects you from the air bag. 
Airbags explode in front of you at 200mph.
An airbag deploys so fast that it seems to inflate and deflate before the explosive sound is over.  When you move abruptly forward in a car accident, the safety seat belt stops you quickly as the air bag approaches your chest.  Even with the seat belt on you may feel like someone punched you hard in the sternum a day or two after the accident.  However, without the seat belt on, you risk serious injury from the air bag alone. 
I was wearing my seat belt in a car accident when the air bag exploded into my chest.  It took a dozen X-Rays to prove my sternum wasn’t fractured, but the pain lasted for a month.   Without the seat belt…
I’ll let you use your imagination, but without the seat belt and the air bag?
I wouldn’t be here.  The car accident  story is at http://www.car-accident-advice.com/
'I don’t drive far.' – Complaint 3
80% of traffic fatalities occur within 25 miles of home and under 40mph
'I just can’t be bothered.'  - Complaint 4
'I can’t tell other people in my car to wear them.' - Complaint 5
'Seat belts rumple my clothes.' - Complaint 6
The list of complaints could fill this page, because a person’s ability to rationalize what not to do has no bounds.
For those who don’t wear seat belts, look to see if it’s simply because you don’t want to be told what to do by a police officer who is writing a ticket or by statistics that have been shouting the same message for decades. 
Statistics in the use of safety seat belts, injury prevention, and lives lost are as clear as day.
 You have a high chance of being in a car accident.
 A seat belt provides tremendous protection.
People don’t want to lose freedoms, so some create lawsuits to rescind primary enforcement laws.   There is definitely merit to protecting the loss of the simplest freedoms and merit in getting the word out about preserve our lives with simple changes.
While we talk about it, 1000’s of people die each year because they don’t wear a seat belt.  Those people don’t need to worry about losing any of their freedoms.
I love freedom, but I don’t want to lose a loved one either.
Learn the right lessons from Buckle Up America
That  sounds a lot easier than being forced to Click It…or Ticket.
It’s a choice:  Your money, your life, or your seat belt.
By Mike Oliver
http://www.car-accident-advice.com/
Free to distribute by any media as long as links are maintained


About The Author

Mike Oliver is a programmer/analyst who survived injuries from a serious multiple car accident.   After speaking with attorneys who looked to create a case and then take up to 50% of any settlement, Mike Oliver knew there must be another way to get the legal help he needed, conquer the insurance nightmares, and keep 100% of his settlement without fear of a do-it-yourself-kit.  He found it and saved thousands of $$$. You can, too. Get the lessons Mike paid to learn Free at http://www.car-accident-advice.com/