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.

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.

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/

18 Tips for Saving Money on Gasoline

Gas prices are on the rise again!  Here are some tips to help you conserve gas and save money as we approach summer gas prices.
1. Keep your car tuned up.  Cars in poor running condition use more gasoline.
2. Plan trips well to avoid unnecessary driving.
3. When you run your air conditioner you get much worse gas mileage.  Use your air conditioner sparingly.  If you have a lower setting, use it.  Turn it on until the car gets cool, then turn it off and let the fan circulate the cool air.  Never run your air conditioner with your windows open!
4. Keep your windows closed when traveling at high speeds.  Open windows cause additional drag and lower your gas mileage.  At high speeds, an open window can use more gas than many air conditioners (especially if they are on a low setting).

5. Check your tire pressure.  Over-inflated tires can actually reduce your fuel efficiency, so don't overfill.
6. If at all possible, change your work start time to avoid gridlock.  Stop and go traffic hurts your gas mileage.
7. Take unneeded items out of the car.  You don't need to carry snow chains around with you in the summertime.  Just make sure to put them back in when winter comes around.
8. Try not to idle your engine for long periods of time.  If you are stuck in traffic and you don't think you are going to go anywhere in the next five minutes, you may want to turn your car off.
9. You no longer need to warm your car up for long periods of time, especially new cars.  New cars are made to run when cold.
10. Don't travel at fast speeds in low gears unless you need the compression to slow down.
11. Try to drive the speed limit.
12. Try to accelerate slowly when leaving the stop light.  It's not a competition with the driver in the lane next to you.  The fastest person through the intersection just gets to spend more on gas.
13. No need to buy the highest priced gasoline.  Most cars are built to run on regular unleaded.  Check you owners manual or consult a mechanic.  I have had many tell me that the more expensive gas is a waste of money.
14. Revving the engine needlessly wastes gas.  There is no need to rev before you turn your vehicle off.
15. If at all possible, try to arrange car pools with co-workers to share the cost of commuting to work.
16. Walk, bike or run to your intended location whenever possible.
17. When the price is sky high, don't fill up.  Wait for the price to go down before you fill up your tank.  Filling up your tank when the price is peaking lets gas companies know that you are willing to pay ridiculous prices for gasoline.
18. And last, the biggest and most important step towards saving money on gas is always try to purchase vehicles that get good gas mileage.  The difference between 20 miles-per-gallon and 40 miles-per-gallon is huge.
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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/

Did Your Detailer Remember? Commonly Overlooked Areas in Car Detailing

If you have recently taken the time to have your car detailed . It's likely, You may NOT be getting all that you paid to have done. Yes, its true we detailers do fail to perform the professional looking car detail you deserve.
I must admit in the early going, I fractured a sacred detailing law or two. In an effort to make more MONEY I cut a few corners to get done faster.
Now that I have confessed my Sin
I Will attempt to redeem myself, by helping you to spot some commonly overlooked areas that are missed when detailing a car.
So that you, the do it yourself car enthusiast. Even if you chose to let someone else clean your car, can get the best possible look.
Under the hood

Either out of haste or inexperience detailers do not properly clean the
Firewall
This can be easily handled during the engine compartment cleanup. By using a good degreaser, small brush, and a strong burst of water. Making sure all the visible nooks and crannies are clean.
(Always cover any parts that can hinder the smooth running of your car)
If you were to look up, at the inside of the hood you would see painted areas running along the inside of your hood, with a padding in the center.
Always check to see if this area is clean as well. Basically when you drop your dough, or chose to do it yourself this should all be clean.
This can be handled by using the same method as the fire wall, but follow up with a hand mit and soapy water.
(I will assume the engine is dressed afterwards to enhance the final appearance of your now clean engine compartment.)
Door Jams
At first glance all seems well, right? Or is it.
Look at the door real close. Now you see it don't you, Many times the bottom of the door panel is still dirty. If you look at the rubber seal in the door at the top when you pull that up is it clean?
This should be cleaned and a rubber dressing applied to it as well. The whole of the door way should be free of any grease or dirt period.
Trim and Moldings
Are the moldings restored to look fresh, and rejuvenated in relation to the rest of the car? Again these are things that can be and should be addressed in order to justify the price.
Due to the fact that all cars are different in this regards, a simple close look at the trim and moldings, will tell you what you need to do next. (But hopefully you will not have to.)
Trunk
Like under the hood, you want to make sure that all the painted areas on the inside of the lid are clean. Also the rubber is dressed with a protectant. Cleaning this is easy with a wash mit and soapy water. Be sure the groove that outlines the trunk is cleaned also.
Though this is not a comprehensive list of everything that could be missed, in my experience these are the more common ones. If you like more information on how to spot overlooked areas, You can recieve the Free Auto Detailing Tips Newsletter at your request. Come visit us at http://www.auto-detailings.com/


About The Author

K.M.Dodd is a car enthusiast, and an experienced auto detailer with over twelve years in the field of automotive detailing. Auto-detailings.com is a growing compilation of his knowledge and expertise. Written for the Do It Yourself Detailer, at Auto-detailings.com you can read up to date content-rich quality information in an easy to understand style.
kdodd1@alltel.net

Buying A Used Car - The Wise Way!

I have always purchased my cars used. And each time, I got a great deal. Don't think I counted on luck, though - no siree. There are a few "musts" for making sure you don't end up drinking "lemon"-ade.
Spending a little time now may save you serious money later. Check Consumer Reports on the safest cars out there. Looks are one thing, but don't ignore safety.
Go to a reputable car repair shop and ask if you can bring the vehicle by for a look-over. While you're there, ask what cars they have to repair most often. Take heed. Also, ask what the inspection includes, how long it takes, and the price. Always get this information in writing - just to be safe.

Once the vehicle has been inspected, ask the mechanic for a written report with a cost estimate for all necessary repairs. Be sure the report includes the vehicle’s make, model and VIN. Go over it with a fine-toothed comb and make sure you understand every item. If you decide to make an offer to the dealer after approving the inspection, you can use the estimated repair costs to negotiate the price of the vehicle.
Are you going to purchase from an individual?
Remember, private sellers generally are not covered by the Used Car Rule and don’t have to use the Buyers Guide. However, you can use the Guide’s list of an auto’s major systems as a shopping tool. You also can ask the seller if you can have the vehicle inspected by your mechanic. If he/she says no... beware. No matter how nice the car appears, something fishy is going on.
Now, a private sale likely will be on an "as is" basis, unless your purchase agreement with the seller specifically states otherwise. If you have a written contract, the seller has to live up to the contract. The car also may be covered by a manufacturer’s warranty or a separately purchased service contract. But that doesn't mean that the warranty and service contract are transferable. Plus, other limits or costs may apply. Before you buy the car, ask if it's still under warranty or service contract, and review that baby carefully.
Some states will require vehicle sellers to pass a vehicle inspection before a sale is made. That's not always the case, though. To find out what your state requires, contact your state Attorney General's office or a local consumer protection agency. Hey, it's just a phone call. And it could save you a real headache later!
Whether you end up buying a used car from a dealer, a co-worker, or a neighbor, follow these tips to learn as much as you can about the car:
Examine the car carefully yourself using an inspection checklist. You can find a checklist in many of the magazine articles, books and Internet sites that deal with buying a used car. My favorite book that I've used several times is How to Buy and Maintain a Used Car by Brad Crouch.
Once I bought a used car in August, and never thought to test the rear defroster. Guess what? Come November, I found out it didn't work. If you're shopping in the summer, don't forget to check the heater. And if it's cold as ice outside, still turn that air on full blast and make sure it works!
Test drive the car under varied road conditions—on hills, highways, and in stop-and-go traffic.
Ask for the car’s maintenance record. If the owner doesn’t have copies, contact the dealership or repair shop where most of the work was done. They may share their files with you.
Talk to the previous owner, especially if the present owner is unfamiliar with the car’s history.
Have the car inspected by a mechanic you hire.
There you go. Do your homework, and it's very likely that, like me, you'll find yourself buying used every time!


About The Author

Ryan Larson
This article courtesy of http://www.auto-warranty-shopper.com/
support@arundel.net

Negotiating Tips When You Buy A Car

Negotiating a good deal can be very profitable when you buy a car.
Being a good negotiator doesn't have to be difficult. And when you consider that negotiating will almost always get you a better deal, you'll be more inclined to try it.
When you are trying to negotiate with a car dealer, you're dealing with an expert. You will need to know how to get through their "car speak" in order to be successful.
Once you learn to calculate your offer and know what the dealer paid for it, you should get a copy of the paperwork from a friend that recently bought a car, so that you can become familiar with what you will see on your paperwork. They are all generally the same.

If you've followed these tips, and are pre-approved for a loan, you must next focus on getting in and out of the dealership as quickly as possible. Otherwise, the salesman will certainly find more loopholes to hike up your costs if you stay.
Here are a few tips to successful negotiating.
- Remain positive and confident
- Don't talk down to your opponent
- Show up prepared and ready to counter anything that may come up
- Bring ads from other dealerships with you
- Finance your loan before you arrive at the dealership so as to avoid paying unnecessary extra fees
- Bring a friend with you for extra support


About The Author

Pete Lance is the founder of http://www.usgastracker.org/, a premier company which helps the consumer save money on gasoline. Thousands or gas stations across the nation are contacted daily to guarantee the lowest prices on gasoline anywhere in the United States.Go get your cheaper gas now!
http://www.usgastracker.org/
petelance1@yahoo.com

Helping Your Car Run The Extra Mile

A little extra care here and there when it comes to your car, and you'll find yourself saving loads of money - not just on repairs, but on fuel as well!
Keep your engine tuned up. A misfiring spark plug can reduce fuel efficiency as much as 30 percent. This means less money in your wallet. Follow the service schedules listed in your owner's manual. Replace filters and fluids as recommended.
I know it doesn't always fit into your schedule. You just have to make yourself do it. If the dealer is charging an arm and a leg for a tune-up, get a second opinion at a local reputable car repair shop. They can do the same service schedule, usually at a greater savings to you.

These tune-ups not only keep your car running smoothly, but they’ll help when you’re ready for a newer vehicle. A smooth running car means a better trade in value for you.
Check your tires for proper inflation. Under-inflation actually wastes fuel. It causes your engine to work harder to push the vehicle. Wheels that are out-of-line (as evidenced by uneven tread wear or vehicle pulling) make the engine work harder, too. Keep those tires inflated properly, and you will save when you fill up.
Drive gently. Avoid sudden accelerations and the jerky stop-and-go routine. (Pass the barf bag, please!) Use cruise-control on open highways to keep your speed as steady as possible.
Avoid excessive idling. Shut off the engine while waiting for friends and family. Today's vehicles are designed to "warm up" fast, so there's no need to warm your car up for half an hour on cold winter mornings.
Keep your air conditioner in top condition.
Remove extra items from the vehicle. Less weight means better mileage. Storing luggage in the trunk rather than on the roof reduces air drag. All these little things add up.
Plan your daily errands to eliminate unnecessary driving. Try to travel when traffic is light to avoid stop-and-go conditions.
Join a car pool. At least, ask if someone wants to share a ride if you're just headed one place and then back.
Remember, how you drive your car, and how its fluids, old parts, and tires are disposed of all affect the environment. So take good care of your baby! Go the extra mile for it, and it will run the extra miles for you!


About The Author

John Sanderson
This article provided courtesy of http://www.car-audio-shopper.com/
support@arundel.net