Monthly Archives: March 2009

Author : Brenda Williams

The DMV, also known as the Department of Motor Vehicles, is where everything takes place that has to do with driving Driver s licenses are made there, learner s permits are made there, registering a vehicle happens there and sometimes vehicle inspections are done there but not all the time The DMV is different from state to state in name and in what services they offer to their customers Each state s government handles the operations of the DMV except for the state of Hawaii In Hawaii, each different county is responsible for DMV functions In the District of Columbia the DMV functions are handled as part of the city government

The DMV usually issues vehicle inspections Vehicle inspections are done to ensure the safety of the vehicle and that if conforms to certain rules and regulations stipulated by the government Some of those rules and regulations involve safety issues, emissions and that the vehicle is running properly without any problems that could affect performance

Car safety is extremely important today These inspections help to avoid accidents by making sure there aren t any loose parts that could fall off while driving, making sure the seat belts are intact and can still buckle, they test the airbags to make sure they will still deploy during an accident and they make sure the headlights and horn still works

Emissions are what the car lets out into the air when it runs Exhaust emissions control systems were first introduced into American life in 1966 in the state of California where all cars made in 1966 were required to have them It became a nationwide practice in 1968 These certain exhaust systems help to alleviate the amount of pollutants sent into the atmosphere There are six types of emissions They are hydrocarbons, nitrogen oxides, carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide, particulates and sulfur oxide

Vehicles in the United States are required to be inspected either every year or every two years A brand new vehicle, purchased from a dealership, does not have to be inspected until four years after the purchase Because it is a new car it will rarely have safety or emission problems It has yet to go through the wear and tear of thousands of miles of use All of these measures are used to ensure the safety and well being of not only the people in that certain car but also the other drivers on the roadway around it

Any driver who is a long term resident of a state, living there for longer than 30 days, must have a valid driver s license issued by that state of residence Their vehicles must also have license plates and registrations issued by that state s DMV There are exceptions to these rules Anyone attending college in a state they don t reside in and anyone serving in the military at a base in a state they don t reside in is exempt from these policies The DMV provides licenses to people that want to drive or that need a form of identification The driver s license in the United States has become the country s universal form of identification because there was never a set form of I D prior to the onset of the driver s license

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Author : Jeffrey Fang

When things get good in your life, or when you needed a new car, you will then decide to buy a new one What are the things you need to know in selling a used car There are lots of ways to sell a car, either to sell it up front or trading it in So which one would you choose? This article will clear all that so lets get cracking

You’ve decided to buy a new car The natural question is what to do with your current car You’ve got a couple options, so you need to understand the relative value of selling a used car versus trading it in when you buy

The good news is that understanding the trade-in math can help put a nice chunk of change in your pocket The bad news is that the math is not quite as straightforward as you might think

Let’s say you have a car that you can sell for privately for $5,000 And let’s say you’re in the market for a $25,000 new car Should you sell your car yourself, or should you trade it in when you buy the new one?

You might put more cash in your pocket by selling it yourself, but your net gain on the sale might be lower than if you traded it in That might sound strange, but it’s really not The missing piece of the puzzle is the impact of sales tax

When you buy a new car, you have to pay sales tax only on the difference between the purchase price of the car and the trade-in amount

So if you can find a dealer who will give you $10,000 for your trade-in (and he very well might in order to move a car off of his lot), you’ll owe tax on $15,000 If the tax rate is six percent, that’s $900 Consider that savings when you’re deciding whether to sell your used car on your own

If you sold your car on your own, you’d have to sell it for $10,000 plus $900 (your tax savings) to equal what your dealer was going to give you That’s a pretty high hurdle

But that’s really only one consideration

The other big thing to consider is the hassle of selling on your own, or to look at the other side of the coin, the convenience of letting your dealer handle the entire transaction

If you sell on your own, you have to advertise the vehicle and try to market it in your area Do you know the right price to charge? What sells where you are, and what does not? You’ll also have to show it to interested parties, wait while people let their mechanic look at it, and so on You’ll have to handle all of the paperwork yourself, transfer the title appropriately and meet any requirements your state has for people who sell vehicles

If you trade in your car, you’re pretty much selling your car to the dealer He does all the paperwork, and he’s very likely to offer you more for the car than you’d get from a private buyer You could have the entire transaction done the day you buy your new car, and never have to deal with another headache

Selling your own used car and trading it in are both good strategies, and you can make out pretty well with either But before jump into the seller pool, consider very carefully whether it’s worth the bother, or whether trading will net you more money

The author’s web site http://carfinderphilippines.net/ provides information about buy and sell cars Philippines.

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Author : Gregg Hall

It can pay dividends, literally, to keep your car’s tires in good shape If you don’t make sure that your car’s tires have the proper air pressure, are rotated regularly and in good alignment, then you harm your car’s fuel efficiency Given the way fuel prices are, that can add up pretty quickly So, learn what you need to do to keep your four rubber tires working their best to keep your fuel bill to a minimum, and get the added benefit of doing your part to protect the environment

One of the easiest things related to tire maintenance to keep under control is inflation Your tires have to have a certain amount of air pressure to work properly, and you need to check them every so often to see if they are in the proper range Each pound of pressure that your tires are under inflated will cost you 4% of your fuel economy, so make sure that your tires are properly inflated! If you don’t know what the proper PSI of your tires are, you will be able to find one listed in your glove compartment Also, make sure that all your tires are evenly inflated Unevenly inflated tires will lessen fuel efficiency almost as much as under inflated tires Make sure that you keep track of your tires’ pressure It’s as easy as checking a gauge every now and then, so do it

During the colder winter months, you will have to pay special heed to your tires’ pressure That is because as the air cools, the air pressure in your tires will drop In fact, it is one pound of pressure for every 10 degrees Fahrenheit So, during the winter, you will likely have to add a bit of air during the colder months, which in turn will help your tires cut through the slushy, snowy muck that can form them

Keeping your tires properly rotated can also greatly improve your fuel economy Tire rotation ensures that no one area of your tires gets excessive wear If you are not sure of the right way to rotate your tires, check your car’s owner’s manual You should have your tires rotated twice per year

When you are ready for a replacement tire, make sure that you purchase the right tire for your car Check your owner’s manual for the right size and type Desirable characteristics for fuel efficiency include low rolling resistance, and long tire life When you are purchasing your tires, tell the dealer that you are interested in maximizing fuel economy, and they will help you choose the right tire to do so

Finally, make sure that your car’s tires are all correctly in alignment This needs to be checked once every year; probably one of the times you have your tires rotated Tires that are misaligned do not roll freely, and so will consume more fuel, shorten your tires’ lifespan, and also impede a vehicle’s handling ability

Also remember that poorly kept tires can be a safety hazard Racing slicks are good for a track, but not a wet road Saving fuel money may also save your life

Keeping your car’s tires in good repair is a sound, economical investment You pocketbook will thank you when you are filling up Keeping your tires in good condition may even pay for itself

Gregg Hall is an author living in Navarre Beach, Florida. Find more about this as well as custom wheels at http://www.vintagewheelsplus.com

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Author : Everette Jamison

Decades ago, there weren’t nearly as many choices When your car’s brake pads needed to be replaced, you’d find a mechanic and he would swap out the old ones with identical replacements Back then, there were only 2 options: those made from asbestos and those comprised of a semi-metallic material Unlike today, suppliers didn’t offer a range of different models with varying resiliency and prices Those simpler times have passed, of course Asbestos models are all but gone and several other options are now offered by suppliers It’s not easy to tell which type you should use Today, I’ll give you a quick primer on choosing the right brake pads for your vehicle

Do You Even Need Them?

First, you’ll need to decide whether they’re even necessary Just because your mechanic recommends them (“Sir, by tomorrow, you won’t be able to stop your vehicle “) doesn’t mean there’s a need Remember, they’re getting paid for the job Fortunately, there are a lot of warning signs that suggest your braking system needs to be serviced

If you hear a banshee-like squeal when applying the brake pedal, that’s a problem If your vehicle pulls to the side when stopping, or you feel a “sticking” sensation, your pads probably need to be replaced Also, when you hear that distinctive grind when braking, that usually means the pads are rubbing against the rotors That’s not a good sign, by the way

Knowing Your Options

There are 4 basic types from which to choose: ceramic, semi-metallic, “organic,” and low-metallic organics Ceramic is the best option, if you can afford it Not only are they quieter than other types of brakes, but there’s less chance that they’ll damage the rotors Of course, enjoying higher quality means spending more money

Semi-metallics are designed with anywhere from 25% to 60% metal composites They can withstand heat well and they tend to last a long time, but may not perform as well during cold weather Plus, over time, they can damage your car’s rotors if you don’t replace them when they wear down

Organics are constructed from a number of non-metallic materials such as rubber, Kevlar, and glass They’re quieter, but don’t last as long – as you can imagine, metal composites are more durable Finally, low-metallic organics include up to 35% metal composites in order to provide better heat resistance They’re not as quiet as full organics, but last a little longer

Choosing The Right Option

So, which type of brake pads should you choose for your vehicle? Well, a standard set (for 2 wheels) of semi-metallics should be sufficient for normal city street and highway driving If you’re towing heavy loads, invest in upgrades; otherwise, upgrades are unnecessary My favorite choice are the ceramics As noted, they’re more expensive, but entirely worth the extra cost If your budget allows, I recommend that you invest in ceramic brake pads for your vehicle

Find your used auto parts and used engines from the leader in parts, http://www.everdrive.com

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Author : Brenda Williams

There was a time that when you filled your gasoline tank, a friendly, knowledgeable and efficient attendant cheerfully checked your oil, coolant, and transmission fluid He cleaned your windshield, checked your wiper blades and sometimes even your tires But with the advent of the self service gas station, this person has slowly become extinct At most stations, the only available human is the cashier whose knowledge is limited to the price of the gasoline

Although checking fluid levels is not something you want to take your car to the repair shop to have done, it is a very important task and if neglected, can result in major maintenance problems So it has now become something you need to do yourself Fortunately it isn t difficult

To check the engine oil, first park your car on a level surface and be sure the parking brake is engaged Wait for a while, and then raise the hood Look for the dipstick It normally reads, engine oil Your owner s manual should have a picture, if you have difficulty

Pull the dipstick and wipe it with a clean rag or paper towel Then replace it; ensuring it goes all the way back down Now pull the dipstick again At the very bottom you see a series of marks and the word full Your oil should be on the full mark

Look at the color It should be transparent If it is black, you need an oil change immediately When it is dark brown, you don t need to change it right away but you will need to do so very soon If it has the appearance of coffee laced with milk, you have a problem Your coolant is mixing with your engine oil due to a mechanical mal function You need to take the car to a repair shop

If your oil is low, you need to add more oil Do this a little at a time, waiting for the oil to go down, and checking the dipstick after each addition Be very careful not to overfill it as this can damage your engine

On most cars you check your transmission fluid with the shift in park and the engine idling However, you should first check your owner s manual to be sure this procedure is proper for your car The owner s manual will also show you where the transmission dipstick is located

Pull the dipstick and wipe it with a clean rag free of lint Then replace it ensuring that it settles all the way down into place Pull it again and check If your car has just been driven and is warm, the fluid will register at the upper end of the hot mark If the engine is cold, then the fluid level should be within the cold marks

If you have to add fluid, be sure you use the fluid recommended in the owner s manual If you don t do this, you can damage your transmission If adding fluid, add only a small amount, wait a few minutes and check the dipstick Do not overfill

To check coolant, look at your coolant overflow tank If the level is between the low and full marks, it is okay If it is low, pour some coolant into the overflow tank until you reach the full mark Be careful not to open the coolant overflow tank or the radiator when the engine is warm Wait for it to cool off completely

Maintaining proper levels of all fluids is essential to prevent costly mechanical problems

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Author : Everette Jamison

Nothing lasts forever Your car, once a gleaming beauty of a driving machine sitting in your garage, will slowly lose its value over time That’s called depreciation Some makes and models are known to hold their value better than others But, here’s a secret that a lot of drivers seem to forget: the things you do to your car (or, fail to do, as the case may be) can cause its resale value to plummet In fact, they can cause it to drop more quickly than the stock market in a recession Today, I’ll list 3 things that you should avoid doing if you want to squeeze as much value from your vehicle as possible

1 – Throwing Away Garage Receipts

Consider what it’s like to shop for a used car If the seller can show you documentation for every oil change, brake job, and repair work performed, you’ll feel more comfortable that the vehicle has been maintained properly, right? That’s how others are going to feel about your car Even if you’re trading it into the dealer when buying a new vehicle, having the receipts will support its resale value

2 – Eating Meals While Driving

For a lot of motorists, eating behind the wheel seems to have turned into a case of “what can you get away with ” Enjoying a donut is one thing; trying to drive while holding a triple-decker burger in 1 hand and a soft drink in the other is a different ballgame Not only is it dangerous, but it can damage the interior of your vehicle, dropping its resale valuation After all, ketchup and mustard is tough to get out of the upholstery

3 – Letting Dents Go Unattended

Getting dings and dents is a foregone conclusion Remember, grocery store baskets are attracted to flawless exteriors The problem is that a dent or ding can lay the groundwork for rust to set in Over time, that rust can slowly spread As you can imagine, that will hurt your car’s valuation If you notice a dent, get it repaired

4 – Not Thinking About Future Buyers

You may love the idea of having a bass-pounding stereo system, but will the future owner of your vehicle feel the same? When you buy your car, try to include options that other drivers will find appealing For example, keyless entry, GPS navigation, anti-lock brakes, and traction control are important Heated seats? They’re nice to have, but not critical

Squeezing Every Dollar

No matter how gorgeous your vehicle looks today, you’re going to get rid of it eventually Remember, there’s a lot you can do to preserve its resale value If you want to squeeze every last dollar from it, keep your garage receipts, put the food and drinks away, fix the dents, and go for popular options When the time comes to trade it in or sell it, your bank account will thank you

For all your used auto parts and used transmissions needs the leader in parts is http://www.everdrive.com

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Author : Gregg Hall

Used cars are not regulated as well as the new car industry is which leaves a lot of room for unscrupulous snake oil salesmen to enter the business There is no lemon law for used cars so in most cases if you buy a vehicle with problems you are out of luck With that said there are things that you can do to avoid problems

First off, doing some research first and have an idea of what you want to begin with You should have it down to at least a certain category of vehicle and preferably down to maybe three or four models Check the approximate values at a site like kbb com so you have at least some idea of what the vehicle should sell for

When shopping for a used car it is even more crucial that you shop in the daytime and in clear sunny weather so that you can see any blemishes I have seen many cars that looked good in the rain only to reveal faded paint and blemishes in the sunlight

One thing you must realize is that there is no used car factory so you may have to make some compromises Do not compromise on safety and don’t by a vehicle that has a laundry list of issues that you will have to repair yourself

You should always take the vehicle for a road test and if at all possible take it overnight You should then take it to your mechanic and have them check the vehicle out and let you know what they think of it If it has too many problems pass on it

Make safety a primary concern Buy a vehicle that is new enough to include airbags and if possible anti-lock brakes as well

Another big thing to watch out for especially after the flooding in Louisiana and Mississippi last year from Hurricane Katrina is flood damage There are many crooks who will buy flood damaged vehicles and have them detailed and cleaned up and sell them as perfect A flood damaged vehicle will be fraught with problems from engine problems to the electrical system and more One area that is often overlooked by these crooks is the seat belt retainer cover If you pull the seat belt all the way out you may find evidence of mildew or even mud!

One of the best things to do also is to go to a dealer who uses the new Carfax system which reports any major issues that vehicle has ever had

Gregg Hall is a business consultant and author for many online and offline businesses and lives in Navarre Florida with his 16 year old son. For the quality car care products,/a> to care for your car go to http://www.stopwaxing.com

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Author : Ed Terran

If you have decided to begin an automobile engine overhaul, there are a number of steps required in order to prepare your engine and your workspace for this extensive task When looking at an entire engine overhaul, typically the engine is removed from the vehicle chassis, rebuilding and/or replacing internal components in order to optimize engine performance

You will need to find an appropriate place to work when performing any engine overhauling procedures A level surface that has adequate space to move around in as well as storage for components and additional tools and parts is essential for smooth workings An engine hoist is necessary to draw the engine out of your vehicle chassis and is typically on an A frame that has portability for lifting and moving your engine in order to work on it

Be sure to have all of the necessary tools required for any replacing or rebuilding of parts that you wish to do during your overhaul Having separate drain pans and containers are essential for any fluids that you will need to drain and store during this process Cleaning solvents, masking tape and even extra rags or paper towel should also be part of your tools and supplies list to help clean up any rebuilt engine parts or spills that may occur during your overhaul

If you are new to engine overhauling, there are many places that provide complete engine overhaul kits pre made and ready to use on your specific make and model of vehicle Gasket kits, including valve cover gaskets, oil pan gaskets and even exhaust and intake manifold kits are just a few of the options available for pre made automobile engine overhaul kits Depending on your expertise, there are basic engine overhaul kits, Master and Deluxe kits available to cover any number of replacement parts or rebuilding for your engine

Basic engine overhaul kits will typically include gaskets, piston rings and bearings sets, rod, cam and timing gear and chain sets, valve lifters, oil pump kits, and other oil and lube options Master kits can add additional options to the Basic kit such as rocker arms, camshaft and oil pumps If you are advanced, the Deluxe kit can expand your automobile engine overhauling capabilities to include piston pins, pushrods, intake and exhaust valves, as well as valve guides and springs You may have the option to add additional components as needed, but you will have to check with your parts supplier for what is available

Many common engine overhaul activities include replacing or grinding valves, inspecting or changing the camshaft or the crankshaft, inspecting the intake and exhaust manifolds as well as removing and replacing oil seals for smoother operation You may be able to complete a number of engine overhaul procedures on your own, while others may require you to seek help with removal or replacement and rebuilding of parts for your automobile engine If you are new to engine overhauling, it is always a good idea to have someone who has previous experience with replacement or rebuilding engine parts help you out when you are unsure of any necessary steps or actions

Ed Terran is the pen name for the editor of a auto parts directory http://www.myautospares.com/ http://www.autosalvagelist.com/ http://www.autosalvagelist.co.uk/

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