27th
March
2008
A trunk organizer in the back of your car can be godsend when you have gone grocery shopping or golfing and bitten off more than you can chew. In other words, you won’t have any more cramped car trunks with everything stuffed until nothing else will fit. This is where one of these pieces of equipment can come in and help restore order to your cars trunk quickly and easily.When most people think about purchasing organizers, they think of the organizer wallet, a coupon organizer, a purse organizer, an electronic pocket organizer. Rarely do they think of one for their trunk, but these are still incredibly important.One of these handy devices can make it easy for storing groceries, sports equipment and other items in the trunk and utilize the storage space of the trunk in a more efficient way. These can be of many types, although some of the more popular ones are foldable.These things can either be made out of softer material like canvas or can be more firm. Either way, they can add some features to the car trunk that can make it easy for anyone to make the optimal use of their car’s trunk space.They can also come with additional benefits like wet pack carriers and partitions to hold grocery bags, boxes and other items. A removable organizer can easily be put in to any car and can hold a large amount of items easily.They can either have 4 pockets or 6 or more according to your needs. One of these devices in your trunk can make shopping a joy because you will never have to pick up spilled groceries from your trunk again, and can keep your grocery bags upright and all the contents of grocery bags intact within them.If you are a sports enthusiast, especially a golf aficionado, you will love a sports trunk organizer. Store your golf equipment in an organized and easy to access manner in the back of your car. Now you can be ready to play a game of golf easily and anywhere without having to dig inside a golf kit.Take what you need and keep the rest for later neatly organized in the trunk of the car. A trunk organizer is one of the best ways to keep the boot of your car organized and clutter free.So where can you find these important pieces of equipment? You can either go down to the local department store or check the internet. I would recommend going online at first, because there are many sites that sell trunk organizers, and you certainly won’t have a hard time finding a good one for your cars trunk, regardless of the size.Also, you can generally save quite a bit of cash by purchasing on the internet at discount websites such as eBay, Amazon, etc. The bottom line is, purchasing one of these utilities will prevent you from losing things in your trunk again, because you can simply group related items together, such as in the case of grocery shopping or anything else.All too many people overlook the importance of keeping their trunk in order in their efforts to organize the rest of their life. Don’t let this happen to you. Take pride in a car that reflects your neat and clean personality, and get yourself a trunk organizer that will change the way you think of trunk storage forever.
posted in Maintenance |
26th
March
2008
Sean Stewart, President of yourautomarket.com, offers some practical tips on preparing your vehicle to sell. “A good first impression goes along way and when it comes to vehicles the first impression is vital”. Before batteries are put into your camera it is a good idea to read the following and implement all or some of these tips.The Exterior:A buyer will usually look at the exterior first. They have already made the decision that the style and color is acceptable, now they want to look further. During this period they will be assessing if there is anything wrong with the paint, the body, major scratches and so on. Take the time to wash the vehicle if weather permitting. The worst thing you can do is hide your well-maintained car under an inch of road dirt. You know you have road dirt when you see finger smears on the trunk and doors, and the always comical “wash me” on the back. How about a nice coat of wax? This would give your vehicle that showroom look and help buff out small scratches. Check the tires for air and shine the rims. “What really attracts my attention is a set of polished rims. It’s stylish and tells me that the owner takes good care of the vehicle”. “You can buy foam sprays for the rubber and rims at any Automotive Retailer that make them look wet and shiny”. If the exterior passes inspection then the buyer will move onto the interior.The Interior:“No one wants to open the door and see potato chips ground into the carpet”. A few dollars for the vacuum at the car wash is simple and easy. “The suction is usually better than a home vacuum and while cleaning you may just find enough loose change for a Tim Horton’s coffee”. “I like a wet look to my dashboards so I frequently use a treatment to the vinyl”. But be careful not to put too much treatment on the steering wheel, Sean warns, as this can make it quite slippery and dangerous for driving. Is there a story there for some other time? For a quick clean a damp cloth can do wonders for wiping the dust off the dashboard and all components. Remove any fuel receipts, ice scrapers, and other items that take up real estate in the interior. Give your inside a total overhaul of clutter. Clean out all compartments and most of all the glove box. “If you are like me you will use your glove box as a temporary garbage bin” Sean states. “It sounds funny to remind people to empty out compartments and glove boxes but being in the industry I have seen many interesting items inside vehicles for sale”. The trunk needs attention too during your cleaning. Ensure the spare is accessible and ready for use.The Engine:An engine shampoo would do wonders if you feel it is required but for some this may be un-chartered water. “Shampooing an engine can be intimidating. Most do it your-selfers will spray the engine using a $10 bottle of engine shampoo, let it soak and then hose off. Some say it is good to wipe off the major parts of the engine and either air dry or use an air hose”. It is best to follow the instructions that come with the engine shampoo or get it done professionally if you prefer.Now that the vehicle is photo ready, think about the location. “A nice landscape is ideal but most people don’t have access to a beach with a windsurfer in the background. Ideally try to get as much of the vehicle in the photo to minimize background noise”. Sean explains background noise as visual objects that take the viewer away from the vehicle. For photos Sean has always liked the front 45-degree shot from a height just above the bumper. “What we try to do is get a low shot on an angle of the front as the first shot. This to me is classy and also stylish”. “I really enjoy seeing vehicles posted on our site where the photo taker has put effort into their photos”. “I can’t stress enough how a clean vehicle with a really good photo can make a difference”. If you find that you are not able to get your vehicle ready for sale then seek out local professionals. Most retailers are about $100 for a detailed clean of a family sedan sized vehicle with engine shampoos extra.
posted in Maintenance |
13th
March
2008
A trunk organizer in the back of your car can be godsend when you have gone grocery shopping or golfing and bitten off more than you can chew. In other words, you won’t have any more cramped car trunks with everything stuffed until nothing else will fit. This is where one of these pieces of equipment can come in and help restore order to your cars trunk quickly and easily.When most people think about purchasing organizers, they think of the organizer wallet, a coupon organizer, a purse organizer, an electronic pocket organizer. Rarely do they think of one for their trunk, but these are still incredibly important.One of these handy devices can make it easy for storing groceries, sports equipment and other items in the trunk and utilize the storage space of the trunk in a more efficient way. These can be of many types, although some of the more popular ones are foldable.These things can either be made out of softer material like canvas or can be more firm. Either way, they can add some features to the car trunk that can make it easy for anyone to make the optimal use of their car’s trunk space.They can also come with additional benefits like wet pack carriers and partitions to hold grocery bags, boxes and other items. A removable organizer can easily be put in to any car and can hold a large amount of items easily.They can either have 4 pockets or 6 or more according to your needs. One of these devices in your trunk can make shopping a joy because you will never have to pick up spilled groceries from your trunk again, and can keep your grocery bags upright and all the contents of grocery bags intact within them.If you are a sports enthusiast, especially a golf aficionado, you will love a sports trunk organizer. Store your golf equipment in an organized and easy to access manner in the back of your car. Now you can be ready to play a game of golf easily and anywhere without having to dig inside a golf kit.Take what you need and keep the rest for later neatly organized in the trunk of the car. A trunk organizer is one of the best ways to keep the boot of your car organized and clutter free.So where can you find these important pieces of equipment? You can either go down to the local department store or check the internet. I would recommend going online at first, because there are many sites that sell trunk organizers, and you certainly won’t have a hard time finding a good one for your cars trunk, regardless of the size.Also, you can generally save quite a bit of cash by purchasing on the internet at discount websites such as eBay, Amazon, etc. The bottom line is, purchasing one of these utilities will prevent you from losing things in your trunk again, because you can simply group related items together, such as in the case of grocery shopping or anything else.All too many people overlook the importance of keeping their trunk in order in their efforts to organize the rest of their life. Don’t let this happen to you. Take pride in a car that reflects your neat and clean personality, and get yourself a trunk organizer that will change the way you think of trunk storage forever.
posted in Maintenance |
13th
March
2008
Buying an automotive product is a major ordeal – what with selection, car salesman, negotiation tactics, car finance or lease options as well as auto product finance rates either from the dealer or your local financial institution. On top of that most people only buy a new vehicle only when their current one breaks down or is costing them a fortune in repairs. As such they are in a rush in terms of selection for their purchase, their finances may be limited. As a result they are not in the best negotiating position to buy that newer vehicle from a seller – whether they are a retail car dealer or private auto seller. If you can prevent or at least prolong that hassle from occurring – why not make life easier for yourself.Some people seem to have no trouble with their cars. Others seem to have a regular, almost predictable battle, with their cars breaking down and needing costly repairs. Why is this so? In some cases it may be plain luck. In other cases it may factors at the assembly line – it used to be that it was recommended not to purchase a car that was made on certain days, usually before or after a weekend or major holiday. As a car buyer it was recommended to inspect the sticker on the car door for date of manufacture. Lots of luck. However with quality levels being maintained in a more consistent manner now this does not seem to be such an issue.The major and overriding reason that some people don’t have a string of car and car repair problems and others do comes down very simply in most cases to basic car maintenance. A car does not just run by itself forever. It needs routine maintenance.It’s fairly simple. In most cases all you have to do is refer to your owner’s manual for maintained information specific to your car. If your glove box does not contain an owner or owner’s maintenance manual, this information can easily be located either online, or by contacting the car dealer or manufacturer. At the worst you can buy these manuals online on eBay in a cd disc format. Well worth the cost…Routine automobile eminence includes - regular oil changes, checking your car tire pressures and tire tread wear. From time to time the tires should be rotated as well.Fluid levels should be checked on an ongoing basis – this includes oil, transmission, power steering and brake fluids. Of course windshield washer fluid should be topped up for safety. Radiator coolant levels should be inspected as well. A professional can inspect your hoses, pipes and wiring for wear and tear which necessitates replacement.Your battery and transmission should be inspected and tested on a regular basis – especially if you do winter driving. Finally the car depends on its transmission, which is often the most unappreciated mechanical component of the car. Have a specialized transmission shop inspect and test the transmission on its recommended basis.In the end it’s all very simple. Car drivers who do not seem to have “car trouble” and a string of mechanical failures and expensive repairs are the ones who take the time to conduct routine regular maintenance on their vehicles. Its all in the automobile manufactures manuals- the owner’s manual and service manual. On top of that when you do go shopping for a new car, truck, van or S.U.V. your car will be more desirable as well as worth more cash as a trade in.
posted in Maintenance |
11th
March
2008
Despite this fact, many people refuse to perform preventive maintenance on their vehicles. Some have little knowledge of cars and are intimidated from doing such maintenance.Others avoid doing such maintenance because they prefer to avoid the work and effort involved. Still others simply lack the time or resources to perform preventive maintenance on their cars. Whatever the reasons, there are many benefits to checking and maintaining the performance of your vehicles’ brakes, tires and other parts.Benefits Of Performing Preventive MaintenanceThere are many benefits to taking proper care of your vehicle. First, you can easily prolong the life of your car if you take time to have critical parts maintained. Like your body, your car can become “unhealthy” to the point where it simply stops performing.By maintaining your vehicle’s health, you can help ensure that you will be able to drive it for many years.Second, you will likely end up selling your car at some point. Few people retire cars. Instead, when they grow tired of them or want a newer model, they will sell the car to another party.A properly-maintained vehicle will attract a higher selling price than a vehicle that is in disrepair. Usually, the small amount of time and effort it takes to maintain your car is well-compensated by the higher resale value you will enjoy when you sell it.Third, performing preventive maintenance on their vehicle can save you money over the years. For example, having the oil changed every 4,000 miles often helps your car use fuel more efficiently. This increased efficiency can help you get better gas mileage.If you use a lot of gas, this can save you money. Similarly, checking your tires for bald spots and pressure can prevent a tire from blowing while on the road. This helps you avoid costly tow trucks and repairs.Also, keeping your suspension and steering well-maintained can prevent them from falling into such disrepair that repairing them becomes cost-prohibitive.What Should You Have Maintained In Your Car?As mentioned, regular oil changes every 4,000 miles should be at the top of your list of preventive maintenance items.Also, be sure to have your cooling system flushed and antifreeze levels maintained. Have coolants added to your car to help maintain the integrity of your water pump and radiator. Be sure to also have your car’s belts and hoses inspected every 40,000 miles. If they need to be replaced, do so.Your car’s brake system needs an inspection each year. If you drive a lot, you may want to have your brakes checked more often (every 12,000 miles is a good idea). Regularly inspect your tires for bald spots and pressure. Make sure the pressure levels are maintained as this will extend the life of your tires. Have them rotated twice a year.Also, make certain your filters are working properly. Their ability to keep contaminants from harming your car’s engine and transmission is critical. If new filters are required, have them replaced.There is a lot you can do to ensure you car lasts a long time, maintains a higher resale value and doesn’t leave you stranded at the side of the road or on the highway.Doing a little preventive maintenance regularly can pay big dividends in both time and money each year.For the small amount of time and effort required to do this maintenance, it is definitely a worthwhile investment.
posted in Maintenance |
11th
March
2008
Fleet maintenance is very important. It ensures that all vehicles within a fleet are performing as they should. If any maintenance problem arises, the fleet operations manager or fleet management employee can arrange for those problems to be addressed before they become larger issues that may negatively impact the business’ performance. But we need to note that it is also important to perform regular maintenance on the vehicles within a fleet to improve fuel efficiency. Many wonder how this is possible, but there are a number of factors that can help determine fuel efficiency. In the next few minutes, we will look at the various factors that can potentially impact your fleets fuel efficiency.The air filterWhen an air filter is clogged, it negatively impacts a vehicle’s fuel efficiency by 10%. The air filter also prevents impurities from damaging the inside of the vehicle’s engine, so there are a couple of benefits to making sure a clogged air filter is replaced.The actual savings that a business can experience by making sure the air filters in their vehicles are properly maintained is around $0.31 per gallon per vehicle. If you have ten vehicles that need new air filters and each holds 25 gallons of gasoline, then that is a total gasoline savings of $77.50. If trucks need to be filled twice a week, that is a weekly savings of $155 a week or $620 per month. All of those savings really adds up. A simple air filter translates into savings of around $7,500 per year, which is a significant amount of money that will impact a business’s revenue.TiresImproperly inflated tires can negatively impact gas mileage. For every psi drop in pressure, gas mileage is lowered by 0.4 percent. Properly inflated tires, on the other hand, can improve gas mileage by around 3.3%
The savings that a business can experience by making sure tires are properly inflated is around $0.09 per gallon per vehicle. So once again, you have ten vehicles with underinflated tires and each holds 25 gallons of gasoline, then that is a total savings of $22.50 in gas. Although the amount doesn’t seem high, keeping tires inflated can prevent premature replacement, which can save money.Motor oilUsing the recommended grade of motor oil for the vehicles in your fleet will improve gas mileage by 1 to 2% by using the grade that is recommended by the manufacturer. That is the grade of oil the engine was made to take. Using the wrong grade of oil can reduce the vehicle’s gas mileage by 1 to 2%. Also, oils that are marked “energy conserving” are especially helpful .The savings a business can experience by using recommended grade of oil is $.03 to $.06 per gallon per vehicle. If you have the same ten vehicles mentioned in the above sections that hold 25 gallons of gasoline and they are not using the right grade motor oil, but you change to the right grade of motor oil, the gas savings is a total of $7.50 to $15.00 per 3,000 miles on the truck, which translates to a yearly savings of anywhere between $85 and $200 per year in gas.A few remindersThe above examples are simple ways that can improve gas mileage. As a fleet manager, you may also want to consider how quickly the driver accelerates and how well the driver adheres to the speed limit. While these things have nothing to do with fleet maintenance, they do have an enormous impact on how much fuel is used on the road, which therefore impacts how fuel costs impact the business. By keeping these things in mind, thousands of dollars in fuel costs can be saved.
posted in Maintenance |
10th
March
2008
Hydrogen can appear to be the answer to our fuel problem, unless we’ve looked at the big picture. I saw a comment to an article I was reading about BMW and a hydrogen car they were supposedly going to market next year. The person asked why we didn’t have a full-on hydrogen car in the
US. I guess my question is: where are you going to get fuel? The infrastructure for hydrogen, as a stand alone system, is beyond the horizon. We should be looking for alternatives, in fact we should have started doing that in the 1970’s with the first energy crisis. Hydrogen, even small amounts, increases the efficiency of other fuels. Most automotive hydrogen is produced by splitting hydrogen and oxygen from a water source that includes a catalyst. The overall gain, from working with various systems of that type, is 5% to 8%. Any gain is good, but that’s a long ways from stand alone.
The key is efficiency, which brings us to other items that aren’t as difficult to obtain, like octane. A simplified explanation follows. The higher the octane, the more efficient the combustion. The slower the burn, to a certain point, the higher the octane. Water vapor slows the burn and increases octane. On a foggy day there is a higher percentage of water vapor in the air, increasing horsepower. The horsepower increase on a foggy day is due to increased efficiency which is due in a round about way to the octane increase. When octane is increased, the timing can be advanced, which contributes to an earlier spark and the opportunity for a longer burn.Computerized cars, after 1996, have OBDll, and later, compliant computers. Computers, if matched to the right system, will due all the changes. You don’t have to advance and retard the timing or reject the carburetor for different altitudes and conditions because the computer does that for you. With the right system you don’t have to do anything to the computer. The computer sensors monitor the exhaust and lean the mixture if the engine is running cool enough. 60% to 80% of the fuel that goes into the engine is used to cool internal parts. Water is about 200 times more efficient at cooling than gasoline or diesel.I was watching a NASCAR race and one of the commentators made the statement that “all the horsepower is in the camshaft and cylinder head(s).” That statement, in the way it was worded, in not correct. A large percentage of the horsepower is in the camshaft and cylinder head(s), but not all. There’s a reason the fuel they burn is rated at 99 octane. The slower the burn, the more complete the combustion.A engine has to “breathe” to be efficient. Like the human body, if the airways are fouled or restricted, the human body and the engine aren’t capable of reaching maximum efficiency. Water vapor steam cleans internal engine parts. It breaks carbon off the valves and pistons and flushes it out the exhaust while cleaning the exhaust system in the process. If water vapor is introduced at the right place in the intake system, it cleans the passages, mixes with the fuel and increases octane. Higher efficiency results in more HP and better fuel economy.Going back to hydrogen, there is a hydrogen producing system that’s as close to free energy as you can get. It seems to make sense to use what’s already available, as opposed to wasting it and expending other energy to produce more. A high priced, high tech vehicle isn’t necessary. But, to make everything work at the optimum, you need to have all the information and not just one piece of the puzzle.
posted in Maintenance |
6th
March
2008
Vehicles driven daily are typically driven 15,000 miles a year. But there are situations where cars put on even fewer miles. This includes: being driven only on the weekends, never driving in the rain, “show” cars, and cars that are stored for extended periods of time. So, some tires on these types of cars put on less than 100,000. But it doesn’t mean that they are safe tires. Tires deteriorate over time and can “age out” wear out before they wear out. In a statement from the British Rubber Manufacturers Association (BRMA) issued on June 5, 2001 regarding the age of tires they state, “BRMA members strongly recommend that unused tires should not be put into service if they are over 6 years old and that all tires should be replaced 10 years from the date of their manufacture.” Tire age can be accelerated by a variety of environmental factors, such as sunlight exposure and coastal climates. Poor storage and infrequent use of your vehicle are other things that can accelerate tire age.If you keep your tires in ideal conditions, the tire age can go as high as 10 years from its manufacture date. But ideal conditions are the exception rather than the rule. And the worst part is that you cannot tell the safety of an old tire just by looking at it since there are no conclusive tests for the safety of tires without destroying the tire itself!Due to this, some European car manufacturers of high performance sports cars, coupes and sedans have hedged their bets, stating in their owners manuals that the tire age should reach no higher than 6 years.How Better Rubber Makes Tires That Are SafeThere have been a lot of changes in rubber compounds since Charles Goodyear discovered how to cure rubber when he baked a combination of natural rubber and sulfur on his family’s kitchen stove. Thus, he would convert an unappreciated raw material into many useful products. Goodyear cross-linked sulfur with polymers that, when exposed to heat, would help make rubber durable and at the same time maintain its elasticity. The main focus of new research has been finding tire age inhibitors. Sulfur molecules are one such tire age inhibitor that is reactivated every time they are exposed to heat, making the rubber harder.Nowadays, rubber in tires has oil in it that tends to migrate into the tires’ under tread/casing and evaporate into the air. In the process of this, the tire compound releases oil and gets harder. If you can’t quite visualize this, go into any tire store and take a big whiff. You’ll smell the oil there.Before curing, most tires are coated with a mold release agent that is makes it easier to remove from their mold after curing. If it’s a little hard to visualize, think about spraying “Pam” on a fry pan before pouring on the batter for pancakes. This increases the safety of tires because some of the mold release agent gets “cooked” onto the surface of the cured tire, which prevents all the oil from evaporating. What Is The Right Tire Age?In most cases, most street tires are good for 6-8 years if maintained properly. Don’t forget though that this includes the time the tires spent from the manufacturer’s plant to the dealer to you. So, keep this in mind when you are determining tire age.Most tires get to you anywhere between 3-6 months. Some stay longer with the tire manufacturer, but generally all tires that go on your car are less than a year old. So, you should not get an old tire from any tire manufacturer.Which Tires Last Longest?If you want to buy a tire based on how long it will last, you have to consider thread compound. The more aggressive its compound … the shorter tire life. Below is a list of tires from longest-lasting to shortest-lasting:
- Max Performance
- Ultra High Performance tires
- DOT-legal competition tires
Bottom line: if you want to avoid safe tire issues go with tires that last long and properly maintain them.
posted in Maintenance |
5th
March
2008
1. Support the vehicle properly – Don’t go cheap and use some homemade jack to raise your car up off the ground and don’t use the bottle jack that comes with your car to lift it up and then crawl under it. First use a good floor jack that can support at least 1 ½ tons. Once your car is in the air, use some good jack stands to keep it there. Never crawl under a raised automobile weighing several tons without the proper support. 2. Wear proper safety gear – This one seems obvious, but most mechanics just grab some air tools and go to work. Safety glasses are cheap and will save your eyes from falling debris. It only takes a little metal shaving to stick in your eye and cause a lot of damage. Mechanic’s gloves are also becoming very popular. They are thin enough to allow a mechanic to feel bolts and tools and they still provide protection. How many bloody knuckles have you gotten from smashing your hand on the engine block?3. Use the right tools – It is very tempting to just improvise with what you have on hand in your garage. Beg, borrow or purchase the right tools for your auto project. A good example, is not using a good torque wrench. You can easily damage an expensive cylinder head on your engine if they are not torqued properly. Also, use a good transmission jack. Transmissions are made of soft aluminum and can be easily damaged.4. Buy a good manual – This one will save you a lot of headaches, frustration and money. The old adage “when all else fails, read the instructions” definitely applies to the automotive shop and garage mechanic. Chiltons produces great manuals and will more than pay for itself5. Common sense is not that common – Use your brain too. It is all too common to see people working a gas tank on their car with a cigarette hanging in their mouth or working on a running engine with their neck tie hanging down over the fan blade.
posted in Maintenance |
5th
March
2008
Although driving fast during extreme weathers is not really a good idea, there are times when circumstances would push us to test the limits of our very fast cars. If you happen to be one of those people who are always in a hurry to get somewhere even during bad weathers, you should make sure that your car is in top shape all the time. Always remember that very fast cars can be quite difficult to control during extreme conditions and if you are not prepared for these things, you could end up in a hospital a bed. To help you keep your very fast car in top shape, here are some things that you need to consider.Buy The Right TiresWhen it comes to very fast cars, changing tires regularly is a must. Never take the tires of your very fast car for granted or you will pay for your negligence dearly. Aside from changing tires regularly, you should make sure that you have the right type of tires for your car. According to experts, you need to use different types of tires to match with the season. For instance, during the summer, you need to install summer performance tires that provides good grip during warm weather. After the summer, you need to switch to another type of tires that are suitable for snow and ice. Always remember that summer performance tires perform really badly during the winter so you should never use them during this season. If you are not very familiar with these types of tires, go to your favorite tire dealer and ask about these types of tires.Check Your Engine PowerIf you are planning to drive very fast cars in extreme weather conditions, you better check the engine power first. Although powerful engine can be a lot of fun to have on very fast cars, they are not really very safe especially on slick roads. According to experts, high powered engines can make your very fast car skid on the ice causing you to lose control of the vehicle. This situation can be very dangerous especially if you are driving on the express lane. There have been a number of recorded cases of pile ups in the fast lane due to skidding vehicles so be very careful. You do not really want to risk hurting yourself and others. To help you control the power of your very fast car, look for a feature in the car that gives you more traction control.
posted in Maintenance |