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If you live in a state where snow and ice covers the ground each winter, you’re probably well aware of just how necessary it is to de-ice the roads. Since the 1930s, when salt was originally realized to work for this purpose, agencies have been using this tried and true method to keep roads safe for driving. Salt works because of its natural ability to melt ice without adding too many harsh chemicals to the environment. But salt is, as we’ve all seen evidence of, quite corrosive and over time, it can cause vehicles to rust, shortening their life spans.Beginning in 1976, NACE International (formerly the National Association of Corrosion Engineers), based in

When something goes wrong in your car, you have two options: one is to attack the problem yourself; and the other is to have a car diagnostics specialist take a look at it.As recently as twenty years ago, tackling the problem yourself was a viable option if you knew your way around a car. Unfortunately, the downside to this option was that it took time. More often than not, it was a case of trial and error, checking and re-checking. Then there was the waiting for the replacement parts, followed by their installation.Nowadays however, most cars have complex electronic control systems installed, sometimes with as many as 10 units in the one car! Checking these complicated systems yourself could prove dangerous or in the case of airbags, even fatal, should you not know exactly what you are doing.The car diagnostic system is usually situated near the dashboard area or around the central console and is accessed by a port, known as a European On Board Diagnostics or EOBD, port. It is designed to reduce the emissions released into the atmosphere in an attempt to make vehicle fuel consumption more efficient and therefore more economical.The design of the EOBD means that a car-diagnostics technician can plug in specialist equipment to an EOBD port, and locate the problem in a matter of minutes for the majority of problems. Although the EOBD tool does not cover every single car on the market, its model range is fairly impressive covering a wide selection of cars from

For those of you who are unsure what constitutes a Car’s diagnostic problem, they are listed here and can include the systems of Engine Management, Airbag / SRS, ABS / Traction Control, Air Conditioning, Automatic Transmission, Chassis Network, Diesel Management, Immobiliser, Key encode, and Service Light Resetting. and CANbus Systems.CANbus is a fairly new system and internationally standardised: ISO 11898. Originally developed by Bosch, it consists of only two cables, making the likelihood of error very remote. In order to read the data, which is transferred at speeds of up to 1MB per second, an adapter is required. Experienced car diagnostic technicians carry one of these on them. It is not advised for car owners not experienced in diagnostics to attempt to access this system in any other way.Even if there is no problem with your motorcar, you might still need the services of a diagnostic technician if, for example, you want to turn off the airbag facility, due to small babies, elderly or sick people being put at risk by traveling in a seat where a front-facing airbag is active. A diagnostic technician can help you do this.In some countries where extreme weather conditions prevail, it is worthwhile having a diagnostic technician check over your vehicle on a regular basis. In this way you can prevent potentially life-threatening problems from occurring.Probably the greatest difference between diagnostics twenty years ago and car diagnostics today is that there are diagnostic technicians who are completely mobile now, saving the consumer, time, money and inconvenience.

By Peter C Johnson.

I remember a few years back, sitting around with my friends talking about my idea to run a car on water. Boy did they laugh at me, they thought I was insane to think a car or truck could run on water. One of them was actually a mechanic, and he was the one who was laughing the loudest. He took great pleasure in explaining how a car or truck could never run on water- not even a small amount such as 30%.Well, guess who is laughing now. If only I could see his face as I demonstrate this amazing technology. The rest of my buddies who were there that day, don’t exactly like to recall their initial attitude to my idea.IF you know any critic of water car technology, I can assure you that you can inform them that the day has arrived where a car can run safely and efficiently on a mixture of water and gasoline. No longer will we all be slaves to the gasoline pump, and contributor’s to a greedy oil race that our government insists we be a part of. Not only has the technology arrived, but it can be created in the comfort of your own home.You hear me correct, anyone with access to the information and the basic parts required, can get started with their water car system today.How It WorksAt the core of the system is the separation of water into a gas called HHO (2 Hydrogen + 1 Oxygen). The separation occurs by getting power (12 Volts) from the engine and creating this HHO gas, which is also known as Browns Gas or Hydroxy. This gas burns extremely well, and will save money on gasoline costs. Further to this it is approximately 3 times more potent than gasoline, so your car or truck is going to receive a significant increase in power and efficiency.Effectively the use of Gasoline in a car or truck engine basically wears down the mechanics, as the process of combustion is extremely aggressive and taxing on engine parts. HHO gas however is much cleaner burning, and much less damaging on your engine, so you are going to notice an increase in engine life and wear and tear.ConclusionHopefully this article has given you a new perspective on water car technology. All you have to do now is some basic research on the Internet to see which systems are available. Just be sure that which ever blueprint you follow is reputable and easy to demonstrate.

When you’re in the market for a new automobile, the likelihood that you don’t have enough cash on hand is fairly high, to say the least. As such, some manner of financing is going to be involved. With the technology available today at one’s fingertips, the simplest way to go about getting financing is to go apply for online car financing. While there are a slew of other options, like banks and financing organizations, very few of them offer the versatility and speed that online car financing deals are known for.The first thing that you, or any buyer, should understand is that the companies you’ll be dealing with are still out to make a profit off of you. While the above statement holds true for even online car financing institutions, at the very least, you can be sure that the people lending you the money will bide their time but still take your money. Thus, dealing with an organization willing to make available the car loan you need is often the most cost-effective way to go about financing a car. Many believe the previous statement because of the fact that dealerships, while often tempting places to get financing deals, tend to tack on a variety of additional items such as extended service agreements.In place of the car dealership, you have the alternative of going on the Internet to try and find an online car financing deal which suits you. While it may take you a little bit longer than it would have if you’d gotten the deal off the dealership, going online will allow you to save more of your hard-earned money in the long run. Another advantage is that because you can shop around for good alternatives online, you can try and find a deal which looks like a better fit for your financial situation and doesn’t have interest rates and loan terms that you would be uncomfortable with.One other, major advantage of getting online car financing is that you will be getting the financing ahead of time, which opens up some interesting options. Chief among these options is the chance to just buy the car directly with cash. There are some online financing institutions that will allow you to do so, which means you have a better bargaining position to ask for a lower price. Primarily, this is because the dealership you will be buying from will get their payment in one lump sum, eliminating their chance to add additional costs through interest rates. It also saves you, the buyer, time since the option of purchasing in cash eliminates the need to negotiate interest rates, financing terms, and the like.A final, big advantage that an online car financing deal can afford you is the ability to choose the dealership you buy from. If the dealership you’ve gone to is not giving you a price that you are satisfied with, or is charging you too much for the car you want, you can just leave and go to another one without losing your car financing. You can leave that dealership and go for one that is more open to agreeing with your view on how much the car should be without worrying about the online car financing deal that you’ve arranged.

By spending a little time, effort and money one can easily prolong their cars life and also make it look its best. You can also cheat by taking your car to a detail shop and have it professionally cleaned, washed and waxed for over $100. Most of us can not afford to pay $100 every month for professional detailers, so here is what to do.1) Thoroughly clean the car. First spray the car and get it wet. This will lubricate the dirt on the car and make it less likely to scratch the paint when you wash it off. Then, using car wash soap, wash the car one section at a time and then rinse. This will ensure the soap does not dry on the car and removes more dirt. Make sure you clean your tires and wheels also. Brake dust can be tough to remove. Use a clean towel to get in all the grooves. Let the car completely dry before proceeding to the polish or wax.2) Use a car polish for good, lasting protection. Car polishes are polymer blends with out any wax and can last for a full year and dozens of car washes. Apply the polish in circular motions and let dry to a haze. Car polish is always in liquid form and is very easy to apply. Use a clean terry cloth for application. Apply only one section at a time. Use a clean towel then to buff dry the finish. It is a good idea to use 2 to 3 coats of car polish for maximum protection.3) Follow up the car polish with a good car wax. Car wax is not as strong as car polish and must be reapplied more often, but it gives a much deeper and glossier shine and finish. When applied after car polish it even multiplies the shine and becomes almost unbelievable. Apply in the same fashion as the car polish. Car wax may come in a paste or liquid form. The paste is a little more difficult to use. Let it dry to a haze and then buff dry. For the best shine you have ever seen use 2 to 3 applications of wax on top of the 2 to 3 coats of car polish. This is a top trade secret detailers use to get that showroom shine on almost any car.4) Do not forget to protect your tires and wheels. Tires can easily be brushed with some Armor All protectant and they will shine and look great. Wheels will be better protected with a polish or wax. The same car polish you used on your paint will work great and will last longer.5) Do not neglect dings and dents. You can easily have a paintless dent removal company remove these and improve the appearance of your car. The average cost is $30 to $90 per ding or dent. Far less than a body shop would charge. Another good idea is to use a headlight cleaning and restoration kit like the ones professionals use to make ugly, cloudy and worn headlights look like new. This will save you from costly replacements, give you better night time driving safety, and just make your car look that much better.6) Don’t forget the interior. Vacuum it out and remove all the garbage from under your seats. You would not believe the amount of garbage that can accumulate in some peoples cars. Treat leather seats so they will not dry out and crack. This is as simple as a spray on and wipe off treatment.7) Last, but not least, clean the glass inside and out. The glass is what you have to see through and if it is not clean you are not safe, it is that simple. Forget about how good it makes your car look to have perfectly clear windows. Just remember the fact that 50% of accidents resulting in serious injury are due to poor visibility and you will clean your windows more often than you do now.There you have it, how to completely makeover your car inside and out. With a little time and proper car care your car will shine like never before.

There are over a thousand and one different websites that a person can advertise their vehicle on. The nature of the Internet has made it possible for any random person to look up used car classifieds, find a particular ad that catches his fancy, and contact the seller. Used car classifieds on the Internet have made selling one’s auto a far simpler process than before, though some people have not yet come to take full advantage of it. Here are some bits of advice to help a seller maximize the benefits of selling on the Internet.The first major benefit of used car classifieds on the Internet would be in terms of research. Most people fail to realize that the Internet can also be utilized in checking a particular model’s market, which can help in determining the degree of interest people have in a particular vehicle. While some do understand this fact, most people fail to realize that advertising and selling their used auto is best done once someone has assessed whether or not a market for the model of vehicle being sold exists. By checking for interest in a particular model, a seller can determine where and when it would be best to actually sell the vehicle to get the best price.Another benefit of online used car classifieds would be the number of people the ad can reach. Any interested buyer with Internet access can find the ad, check the car out, and contact the seller if the potential buyer has become interested. In line with the above idea, it is generally acceptable to advertise a car on as many websites as possible, to ensure that the maximum number of potential buyers is reached. Among the number of people who will end up checking out the ad, a few of them are guaranteed to be potential buyers. If nothing else, the exposure alone should help in getting the seller a few offers. Of course, that situation assumes that the ad has been properly done, as a poorly designed ad can actually drive away potential buyers.The online used car classifieds also have the added benefit of helping a seller, determine an appropriate price for the vehicle for sale. Assuming that the seller has determined that a market exists for a used car, the next step would be to set a price for it. The larger the market for the car’s make and model, the higher the price a seller can ask for, especially if the model in question is not one that has much competition. Though the price ranges for some models are fairly consistent, other models fluctuate in price, which makes the Internet the best place to get an updated price on any particular vehicle.Regardless of how one chooses to slice it, there is little doubt that used car classifieds on the Internet are excellent tools for anyone who wishes to sell their vehicle. Whether the purpose is for research or for selling the vehicle, online used car classifieds are the best option. However, the choice to make full use of the Internet and the classifieds falls entirely on the seller.

Car auctions are a great way to look for a vehicle if you know what you’re looking for, and you understand the rules. Just like any purchase situation, auctions have their own set of rules and standards that differ from a private sale. Though each auction house may have different or additional guidelines, most follow the basic set of guidelines listed below. First, the FAQs:What are the benefits of a Car Auction?In most cases, you’ll get a drivable vehicle with a pink slip that you can take home that day, or the following day depending on payment schedules.Where do the cars come from?You’ll find lots of different vehicles for sale at an auction. Ex-government vehicles, leasing companies, fleet operators, finance companies, and even general auctions with privately owned vehicles. Check around the various auction houses often to see if they have what you’re looking to buy. They get different vehicles in every day.Can you inspect the vehicles?Yes, in most cases, you can inspect the interior and exterior before the auction begins. However, you won’t be able to test drive the vehicle before purchase. You’ll want to check the times with the auction house and arrive in plenty of time to inspect prospective vehicles.Are there warranties?The cars are sold ‘as is’, meaning what you see is what you get. Some auction houses will do a pre-auction inspection and verify problems and damage. However, some auction houses don’t provide this service, so you’ll want to be prepared. Be sure you’re knowledgeable about cars and understand the vehicle’s problems before making the purchase. If you have little car knowledge, bring someone with you that knows what they’re doing.The Bidding ProcessIf you’ve never been to a car auction before, you might want to go and visit one before actually bidding to see how it works. Once you register for a bidding number, you’ll be able to get in on the action. Auctions can happen very quickly, so be prepared when the vehicle of choice is announced. Double check the lot or engine number for verification.When the auctioneer brings a vehicle up for bid, he’ll start at an amount and raise it at different monetary increments, such as $100. When you bid, raise your number and make sure the auctioneer acknowledges your bid. He’ll look to you as the bidding increases for your nod to raise your bid. When the bidding is done, he’ll knock down (bang the gavel) the vehicle to the highest bidder and record their bidding number.Bidding RulesAuction houses take bidding very seriously, and you don’t want to end up wasting your money on something you don’t want. Make sure you understand what the auctioneer is offering, and the price. Once you make a bid you cannot withdraw it. So by bidding, you’re making a commitment to purchase that vehicle or item.How to PrepareMake sure you get your finances in order before the auction. You’ll be expected to give a deposit (usually $500 to $1000). You’ll also want to know what your budget is, so you don’t get carried away during the bidding. If you can, research what kind of car or truck you’re looking for, and get a price range of what that car sells for to help you make bidding decisions.What Do You NeedYou’ll need to show a valid driver’s license or passport (they want a photo ID) and have either cash or a bank check to cover your deposit.Now that you know the rules to car auctions, you’ll be on your way to owning a vehicle in no time. Just be careful to follow the bidding rules, and you’ll end up with the title on a vehicle you’re happy to drive!

They work like most other auctions: You have an auctioneer and bidders. Sellers of auctioned cars can be anyone from car dealers to car lease companies to credit lenders to law enforcement agencies. The bidders in the auctions are usually car dealers, car collectors, and private individuals. In some cases, private auctions are held just for dealers or collectors who are invited. The person with the highest bid wins the auction for the item being bid on at the time. All bids form a binding agreement. All auction sales are final, unless otherwise stated.One of the most common types of car auctions are the ones held by car lease companies. Once a car becomes one to five years old, depending on the car model and the lease company, the car lease company will typically stop leasing the car and instead try to sell it. In many cases, the car lease company chooses to auction the car off because it does not specialize in car sales and it is inefficient for the lease company to try to put the car out on a lot and try to sell it themselves. A car lease company’s best buyers at these are typically car dealers who do specialize in selling cars. In these cases, the car lease company benefits by getting quick cash for the car and not having to pay for storage, upkeep and sales people. The car dealer benefits by getting a relatively new car that has been well-maintained that it can sell at a decent markup.However, sometimes it is the car dealers themselves who hold car auctions. This generally occurs when they are running out of space on their sales lots and they want to use that space for cars that sell either more quickly or at a higher profit margin. In these situations, the car dealer will be able to get rid of the car quickly by putting it in an auction and use the cash flow to put more current inventory on the car lot. It is not uncommon for the seller and bidders to all be car dealers.The most talked about types among the general public are government car auctions. That is because the government regularly seizes vehicles involved in felony offenses. These cars come in more varying conditions than cars from other types of auctions. Many of these cars have been highly customized and tweaked. These are the auctions you hear about where a bidder shows up and puts in a small bid and suddenly finds himself with a new car. While this is not the normal situation anymore, it does still frequently occur.For a variety of reasons, increasingly larger vehicles are showing up in car auctions. It is not so unexpected to see a large diesel truck or recreational vehicle auctioned off these days. These often provide a much better deal than small cars as there are fewer bidders there for these types of vehicles.Before you go to a car auction, make sure you find out what the rules are for that auction. Some allow you to inspect the cars before the auction takes place. You should take advantage of this or you will get fleeced because other bidders will have a mechanic look them over in most cases. Other auctions do not allow pre-inspection. Be wary of how much you bid in these auctions as good cars usually aren’t put in these types of auctions. Much of the information about various auctions and their rules and schedules is posted on the Internet.

Car-leasing has been lauded as a more attractive alternative to buying, offering in the process the flexibility to drive a new car for less. The reality, however, is that leasing is an option that is fraught with many pitfalls for the average customer. Leasing regulation does not require as much disclosure as buying a vehicle. This has given rise to many leasing scams that trick the customer into believing they are into a good deal when, in effect, all he is getting is a rough deal on the dealer’s terms.Here we look at some of these common scams and how to avoid themArtificially low interest rates:Some dealers quote a lower interest rate when in reality it’s much higher. They do this by either purposefully quoting the money factor as the interest rate or calculating the loan without amortizing some closing fees, like the security deposit, into the loan lease. Take the money factor for example: this is typically expressed as a four decimal digit, something like 0.004. Some dealers quote this as a 4% interest rate when in fact you need to multiply it by 24 to get a rough idea of the interest rate on your loan. In this example, the interest rate is a much higher 9.6% than the “quoted” rate of 4%. Make sure you crunch the numbers and understand the formula they use to calculate their interest rate. Look out for any fees not factored into the calculation. If you are not satisfied, do not enter into the lease agreement.Terminate your lease early for a low penaltyThis is an all-time leasing scam. You ask your dealer how much you will pay if you want to terminate your lease and he tells you: “You want to get out early? Sure thing, you only pay an early termination fee of $300″. What he is quoting is only the small administrative penalty of early termination, there is a much stiffer penalty called early termination fee and this runs into thousands of dollars. Do not confuse the early termination administrative penalty with the termination fee. Read the small print carefully and know exactly how much you will get charged should you terminate your lease before its scheduled end.Pay for an extended warranty you don’t needThis is another shell game to inflate the dealer’s profit at your expense. The dealer slides an extended-warranty into the deal whilst it’s already factored into the monthly payments, or he tricks you into buying a 36-month warranty on a 24-month lease. You do not have to pay extra money for a warranty already built into your payments or for one that goes well beyond your lease term. They might slip an extended warranty in. Don’t be fooled, the warranty is already factored in.No security depositAny dealer who advertises a $0 security deposit is not telling you the whole story. A security deposit is always factored in the lease under the provision for disposition fees.

Even so-called ‘hot’ areas of the world like