Mechanics Veto Extending Oil Changes

The nation's top mechanics are rejecting the recommendation by some in the auto field that cars can go 5,000 miles or more before oil is changed. National Institute for Auto-motive Service Excellence (ASE)-certified Master Automobile technicians weighed in on this and other issues in a survey conducted by Valvoline. The survey covered the controversial recommendation and trend toward longer intervals between oil changes, as well as the costs to car owners of delayed maintenance. "Certified Master Automobile Technicians are the best of the best," said ASE President Ron Weiner. "They are on the front lines of taking care of today's vehicles and they have definite thoughts on how motorists can participate in making their cars and trucks run better and last longer." Oil Change Frequency Mechanics...

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What Can I Do To Get An Accurate Car Value?

The need to find out an appropriate car value is common and very necessary to make wise financial decisions. Buyers want to know what to list their car’s price at. Sellers want to get an idea about how much a car is worth so they can limit their search and so that they can make sure that the price of a car is legitimate and that they aren’t getting cheated when they decide to purchase a car. Other examples would include insurance claims where it is important to get the value of a car back from the insurance company and to make decisions on how to proceed with damage repair. All in an effort to make sure that the repairs aren’t going to be more than the car is actually worth or anywhere close really. So how do you get an accurate estimate of car value? Well there are a number of ways many...

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Protect Your Wheels From An Insidious Fiend!

A few years back, a friend of mine brought over his newly purchased and “gently used” 325i to my home. I was nearly as excited for him as he was for himself as this was the car that he had always wanted. A recent promotion and raise at work meant he could ditch his LeSabre for something a bit more classier and a bit more expensive. As he rolled into my driveway I gave the car a good “once over” before my eyes rested on his front left wheel. While the rest of his car looked showroom new, his front wheels were absolutely filthy. So, what was the culprit that messed up my friend’s wheels? Please read on to find out all the sordid details! Brake dust. Yes, something as simple as dust from the 325i’s brakes messed up my friend John’s wheels. I handed him a sponge and a towel with some lukewarm...

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You Can Install A Performance Exhaust System

If you are considering replacing your vehicle’s exhaust system, a performance exhaust system can be an ideal choice, offering to you many benefits over a stock exhaust system. Let’s examine the benefits of installing a performance exhaust system versus a stock exhaust system. 1. More Power – One of the obvious benefits of a performance exhaust system is more power for your car. Using catalyst back [cat-back] technology, additional horsepower is freed up, with horsepower increases of 5%, 10%, and even 15% possible. Exactly how does a cat-back system work? By keeping all the key emissions components in place, a cat-back system brings in large width exhaust pipes and low restriction performance mufflers for your car resulting in a lowering of exhaust back pressure. One nice side benefit is the...

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Pioneer Car Audio Mp3 What To Look For When Purchasing

When choosing a pioneer car audio MP3 it’s important to address a few key questions. How much do you want to spend? What features are most important to you? An MP3 is a way to encode audio that compresses data so it can store a lot more of it while keeping a high standard of quality. Pioneer has a long-standing reputation for quality and also for being one of the easiest car audio systems to install and use. They make a range of car audio that can play MP3’s, including the lower end DEH-P3700MP for a little over $100 to the AVICD1 navigation system for about $1,600. If you are looking for a basic system to play CD’s and MP3’s, a simpler system will be fine. But, if you want more features like navigation or a DVD player you will pay a lot more for a higher end system. One of the most...

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Save Gas With A Hybrid: 2006 Honda Civic Hybrid

Starting at $22,150, the 2006 Honda Civic hybrid is a great choice for any car buyer who seeks a safe, attractive, environmentally-friendly vehicle at an affordable price. Honda retooled the Civic hybrid to make it even better than before. Standard features include an 8-valve 4-cylinder gasoline engine, anti-lock brakes, front and side cushion airbags, a sleek, multi-tier panel and a top-notch audio system. Like all hybrids, the 2006 Civic combines a gas engine, powerful battery and electric motor to achieve maximum mileage and reduced emissions. The 2006 Honda Civic hybrid can cruise using only its electric motor in particular driving conditions. This makes it a “full hybrid” vehicle. As far as gas mileage goes, the Civic hybrid gets 49 mpg in the city and 51 mpg on the highway. This is...

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Women 'More Concerned About Fuel Increases'

The results of a poll held in Australia have found that women drivers are more concerned about the costs of fuel than men. Women, whose greater consideration for safe driving in many cases results in much lower car insurance premiums, also appear to be more considerate when it comes to the costs of petrol, according to the survey from NEWS.com.au and Coredata. Some 86 per cent of women motorists said they were worried about the ever rising price of petrol, compared with a slightly lower 80 per cent of men. Furthermore, 66 per cent of women surveyed said they were trying to economise on their overall petrol usage, while only 59 per cent of their male counterparts, who will generally pay higher car insurance premiums, said the same. Almost half of women drivers revealed that they were looking...

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Where To Find Top Accessories For Hummers

Most people find HUMMERs really eye catching, but your vehicle will be even more attention-grabbing if you opt for additional accessories. Finding top-of-the-line goodies for your HUMMER is easy, with many companies are now selling accessories for all HUMMER models on the Internet. In searching for top HUMMER accessories on the Internet, you can find a wide range to choose from. Many websites offer special deals on brand-names accessories and even sell parts for H1s, H2s and H3. These sites will tell you which accessories are suitable for your model HUMMER – accessories like tire covers, upper and lower nerf bars, mudguards, stainless steel side molding, floor and cargo liners, tail-light bars, break dust covers, storage boxes, console vaults, styling kits, and more. In addition to selling...

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The Hidden Costs Of Car Leases

Be honest- are you one of those people who just loves new cars? I knew it. That’s OK, we are in the same boat. I love new cars just as much as you do. But I like not overpaying just as much if not more than you do. That’s why, when it comes to car leases, I make sure and really get to know my options and whether I should be leasing or buying my vehicles. As I’ve learned (the hard way) a few times, there are all sorts of hidden costs involved in leasing a new car. And they aren’t what you think they are. Lets look at a few of them. 1) The monthly lease payment. Did you know that there are unscrupulous car dealers out there who will blindly rip you off if you let them. That’s right. And your monthly payment might have been arbitrarily made up by one of these dealers on the spot just by looking...

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Replacing Ford Headlights

How horrible would it be one day to wake up and realize you don’t have any headlights? I think it would be pretty bad, it would not be safe to even drive your car if your headlights are broken or don’t work. Your lights are one of the parts that will last you a long while. But since they are on the exterior they are exposed to elements that can be damaging. They can loose their original luster. You can give your Ford vehicle a new fresh look by changing the grille, mirror, taillights, Ford hood and spoiler. It is really simple and easy to replace Ford parts, especially the lights. The reason for that is Fords popularity. A good place to look for the parts is Ford Parts Online; they are one of the most trusted auto parts dealers on the internet. So check them out if you need to replace...

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So You Want To Buy A New Car

Replacing a vehicle can be a long, tedious process. With so many possibilities available to you, it can often seem overwhelming to pick one that will stay with you for years and years. For every dealership you visit, you’ll receive many offers. Some will be a better deal than others. During the whole search you should always remember that price isn’t the only thing to consider. You want to know the entire history of the vehicle you’re thinking about buying. It’s a good idea to make sure you do plenty of research. Your first step should be to narrow down your search to the top 5 cars you would like to drive. Once you have done that task, gather as much information as you can regarding each vehicle. Learn about the warranties for every car. Learn what is covered in the warranties. Take in...

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Tips On Selecting Your Custom Car Cover

If you take extended trips away from home, one of your concerns is the care and protection of your car while away. Unless it is garaged, it is subject to damaging rays from the sun, bug splatter, bird droppings, falling branches, nicks, scrapes, and more. Upon returning from your trip the damage is evident and not easily reversed. You can prevent problems in the first place by installing a custom fit car cover to protect your investment. Not all car covers are created equal, so here are some things you should consider before making your purchase. Car covers are basically all the same, right? Absolutely not! There are car covers which are anything from what is essentially a loose fitting tarp to those like the BMW car cover which are custom designed for the particular make and model of the...

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Tireless Servant Protects Your Car While You Sleep...

So here I am at the dealer about to purchase a brand new vehicle. My old car was a good one, but after being having it’s frame and axle bent in a car accident, (that by the way wasn’t my fault, but that’s another story...) my old car was just never the same. It was about time I moved on, and got myself a brand new vehicle. So I’m going through the usual list of standard options, and things I just got to have in this new car, when a guy car browsing next to me says, “Nice vehicle. Going to keep it on the street, or in your garage?”. I said “Well, in my development, we have assigned parking spots, so I will keep it as close to my unit as I’m able”. He replied back “You better consider a custom car cover then, you want to protect your investment.” A car cover, I thought to myself, I wouldn’t...

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Looking For Antique Car Part?

Finally you are able to own that antique car you’ve always dreamed of. You can be the talk of the town and get all the attention you want. For many, restoring the classic car is also one of the reasons they purchased it. They don’t mind about all the time and money spent on it, because it’s one of the charms of owning an antique car. First you’ll have to look around and figure out where indeed you’ll find the parts. This is when a bit of research is involved. It can be quite difficult to find all the parts you’re looking for. The best place to look for the part is on the internet. Just type in “antique car part” and your city and see what you get. But if you don’t find anything much you research for, online stores and purchase the parts online, they will then be delivered to you. This...

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Toyota's Prius to be Built in China

The Toyota Prius, a car built on hybrid gas-electric technology, will soon receive a major production boost. Toyota and an undisclosed Chinese based manufacturing company have sealed a deal where the two companies will be working together to produce the Prius for worldwide export. This bodes well for the American consumer who has to endure long waits for an all new Prius. More importantly, the move signals a sea change in the way Japanese cars are built and marketed. Ultimately, you may be the biggest winner; please read on for all the scintillating details! If you wait nine months for a car, it means you must really want that model. This is exactly what future owners of the Prius have been doing as well as owners of other hybrid cars including some Honda models. No manufacturer has been...

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Proper Tire Care Means Safety, Fuel Savings

Before hitting the road, take a few minutes to check the condition of your tires. Well-maintained tires keep your car safer, help it last longer and save you money at the gas pump, too. These tips from the National Automobile Dealers Association (NADA) will help to keep your tires in good shape and your travels safe all year long: • Choose your tires carefully. Tire selection should be based on the correct size recommended for the vehicle and its loading recommendations. Consult with a knowledgeable tire or automobile dealer about selecting the proper tire for your typical driving patterns. • Buy a tire gauge and keep it handy in your car at all times. It will inform you if you need to add more air to your tires. • Check your tire pressure at least once per month, and especially before...

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Resurface-Don't Replace-Your Worn Driveway

Your driveway is your home's first impression to the neighborhood. As the trend of remodeling older homes continues to grow; a cracked, chipped driveway is often a neglected improvement project due to the effort and expense of removing and replacing the concrete or asphalt. A more cost-effective solution is to repair-and strengthen-a driveway by resurfacing the concrete. Resurface With A Squeegee • With a simple squeegee application, the Quikrete Concrete Resurfacer provides a durable, wear-resistant surface designed to withstand heavy traffic on driveways, walkways, sidewalks and patios. In order to resurface a driveway, homeowners will need only a long handled squeegee, a five-gallon bucket and the concrete resurfacer, available in 20-pound pails, 40-pound bags and 80-pound bags. One 40-pound...

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Tips to Keep You Rolling Into Fall

Recent research by the Rubber Manufacturers Association tells us that more people wash their cars each month than properly check their tire pressure. But a clean car is not going to do much to keep us safe on the roads. Adding a few minutes to your fall car care routine to check your tires will help keep you safer this season. Here are some simple tips: * Examine the tread on your tires once per month and before every long trip. Your tires should have at least one-sixteenth of an inch of tread depth, which is the legal limit in most states. Perform the "penny test" by inserting a penny in the tread at several points on the tire, with Lincoln's head pointed down. If you can see the top of Lincoln's head, the tread is worn and the tire probably needs to be replaced. * Take a good look at...

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Protecting Vehicles From Theft

What does DNA have in common with vehicle etching? More than you might think. Both have a unique code and both can be used to fight crime. Vehicle etching and DNA labels refer to a system that applies a car owner's specific and unique code to a vehicle in a number of apparent or concealed places (the corners of windows, on doors, etc.). Once a car is etched, a highly visible label is applied, letting potential thieves know it has been etched and the car's code is registered with a security company. Doing so makes it easier to track the car down if it is stolen-but it also makes the car less likely to be stolen in the first place. Here's how it works: • Owners apply an etching stencil to the outside, lower corners of windows and add an etch cream. After five minutes, owners peel the etching...

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Los 7 Mejores Musicales

Aquí te presento una lista de las películas mas destacadas en la sección de musicales para que disfrutes y entretengas. La novicia rebelde (The Sound of Music): La clásica historia de la familia Van Trapp en Austria y la niñera, protagonizada por Julie Andrews en 1965, todavía sigue siendo entretenida ya tractiva para la educación de los niños. La trama, la música, las visuales y el mensaje son parte de la niñez de muchos de mi generación. Chicago: Del musical teatral protagonizado en cine por Renée Zellweger, Catherine Zeta-Jones y Richard Gere es otro de los recomendados. Su más reciente estreno en los 2000 es de una excelente actuación, baile y sonido que ha ganado un premio tras otro. Vale la pena! Mouline Rouge: Protagonizada por Nicole Kidman y Ewan McGregor , dirigida por Baz Luhrmann...

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Looking After Your Cars Tires

A piece of advice that I've always taken to heart when looking after a car was 'always look after your breaks and tires'. Sound advice as these are obviously two of the most important pieces of safety equipment on any vehicle, and are relatively inexpensive to care for. To ensure that your tires are always in tip-top condition I suggest you check your tire pressure regularly. It is important that tires are inflated to the correct pressure to ensure the best grip on the road. Remember over-inflated tires will wear more in the center of the tire, whereas under-inflated tires have a tendency to wear more on the outside of the tire. Always check your tire pressure before long trips and make sure the spare tire is in good condition and properly inflated in case of an emergency. It is also advisable...

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You Can Replace Your Car's EGR Valve

Located smack dab on your car’s intake manifold, an EGR [Exhaust Gas Recirculation] valve functions by sending exhaust gas back into the combustion chamber as “exhausted air” is much hotter than intake air. By bringing warmer gas into the combustion chamber, your engine operates much more cleanly and efficiently. Like any part, your Ford EGR valve or Toyota EGR valve is subject to getting clogged with dirt or crud. A clogged unit may cause your car to stall, hesitate, or idle roughly. Sometimes, simply cleaning the EGR valve with a product like STP carburetor cleaner will resolve the problem. Still, if you take your car in for its MV inspection and the diagnostic tests shows that your EGR valve is not working, you will fail inspection and be forced to swap out the device before bringing...

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Tracking Tractor Ease For Farmers To Lower Costs For You

How much and what kind of food is at the store-and how much the store has to charge for it-depends on how well America's farmers can do their work. That can depend on how comfortable and efficient our great growers can be on the job. After all, the modern farmer spends much of the 1,200 to 3,100 hours a year it takes to run a farm in the seat of a tractor. In fact, farmers are often in the tractor for 12 hours or more at a stretch during busy planting and harvesting seasons. Tractors today not only have to be rugged and dependable, they have to be as comfortable as possible to keep farmers safe and productive. Many have air conditioning, stereo, on-board computers, GPS tracking, automatic transmission and a way to smooth out shocks from rocks in the ground or rough soil. The "torsional vibration...

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Tools Women Can Use to Impress Their Auto Technician

Trust, reliability and good communication are not just key ingredients to a healthy and successful relationship with your significant other. They are also instrumental to a balanced and sound relationship with your automobile and its technician. At some point in a vehicle's life, most women will have to take their automobile to a repair shop because it has, unfortunately, let them down. AAA, North America's largest motoring and leisure travel organization, is helping women motorists jump-start their awareness in automotive maintenance with a checklist they can use to boost their car care confidence and automotive self-reliance. "If women put off visiting an auto repair shop because of fear, it could be a recipe for disaster," said John Nielson, director of AAA's Approved Auto Repair program....

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Understanding Your Auto Warranty

The auto warranty is something everyone thinks about when they are purchasing a car, but few of these people realize that they need to think about it after that as well. You go into a dealership, which convinces you to purchase an auto that is perfect for you. What seals the deal, in many cases, is the fact that the auto has an auto warranty on it. You think that they could not or would not offer a warranty on a product that wasn’t up to standards. So, you purchase your car and get your auto warranty. Regardless of the car, the make or model number, you simply shove that auto warranty into the glove box and call it done. But, what you need to do is to know what is covered on that warranty, what you need to do to get those services, and what you need to do to keep that warranty up to date....

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Speeding Ticket – The Legal Basics You Need To Know

If you have chosen to fight your speeding ticket in court, then you’ll need to know the basics of how to act while you’re in court. With this in mind, I’ve prepared for you some basics of how to behave in court. Here they are: Make sure you are well dressed. If you are dressed inappropriately, it will be seen as an insult to the court…and this is NOT going to help your case. ALWAYS be polite and courteous to everyone there. This includes the judge, the prosecutor, and the police officer. Also, remember that these people know each other very well. Always be nice to these people. The idea of innocent until proven guilty is for the movies. It doesn’t work like this in real life. Remember the only thing separating you and a conviction is evidence. If you admit to anything in the court room,...

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Tire Tips to Keep You Rolling Into Fall

Recent research by the Rubber Manufacturers Association tells us that more people wash their cars each month than properly check their tire pressure. But a clean car is not going to do much to keep us safe on the roads. Adding a few minutes to your fall car care routine to check your tires will help keep you safer this season. Here are some simple tips: * Examine the tread on your tires once per month and before every long trip. Your tires should have at least one-sixteenth of an inch of tread depth, which is the legal limit in most states. Perform the "penny test" by inserting a penny in the tread at several points on the tire, with Lincoln's head pointed down. If you can see the top of Lincoln's head, the tread is worn and the tire probably needs to be replaced. * Take a good look at...

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Shopping For Scooters

Once you start shopping around for scooters, you realise that there are so many selections. Even though it’s a good thing there are so many selections, it’s hard to figure out which one is good for you with all the different brands, styles and models out there. That’s why the internet is a good tool to help you in your search. There are scooter retailers and personal websites that can help you find the information that you need. Shopping for motor scooters at the store can have you running around and wasting time, because there are many sales and deals. But using the internet helps you figure out what exactly you’re looking for and where to find it, before you go to the store. And you could even purchase it online if you wanted too. But be cautious as there are sites with inaccurate information...

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Look Over the 2008 Range Rover Sport

Whether it is off-road driving or oft-traveled routes, the 2008 Range Rover Sport lives up to the legacy of the Land Rover brand impeccably. The rugged yet refined SUV offers unparalleled luxury and performance. The RRS has eight-way electric-powered front seats and a 4.2-liter 390-horsepower V8 engine. It comfortably seats five adults. Standard features on the RRS Supercharged version include a six-speed automatic adaptive transmission, a touch-screen DVD-based satellite navigation system, an electronic four-corner air suspension, a front-and-rear park distance control, and an adaptive cruise-control system. The technology and entertainment sources are superb, as it has a Sirius satellite radio, a personal telephone with Bluetooth technology, and an optional rear-seat DVD entertainment...

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Speaking Up About Vehicle Safety

If you think there's no use in complaining, think again. Consumer complaints about vehicle safety have sparked a number of auto recalls that have helped keep American roads safe. How many complaints does it take to initiate a recall investigation? There is no set number. However, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), every consumer complaint counts. The NHTSA is perhaps most recognized for its "5-star government crash test ratings." However, the agency also oversees and manages the recall of defective vehicles. While most recalls are initiated by manufacturers, NHTSA-influenced or -initiated recalls typically result in a greater number of individual vehicles being recalled each year. To encourage consumer input, the agency uses every available avenue....

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