Monthly Archives: August 2009

Author : Everette Jamison

If the axle seal on your car is worn or broken, you’ll be able to tell easily You’ll notice an oil spot on your driveway that gets larger day by day However, leaking oil can spell trouble for a differential and more importantly, your transmission In this article, we’ll explore what happens when this part develops a problem I’ll describe how to identify it and fix it

Differentials: An Overview

Your vehicle’s differential is the part that takes the power coming from the transmission and drive shaft, and splits it between two wheels In doing so, each wheel is allowed to turn at different speeds with equal torque

In any car, the gears within the differential are required to mesh at very high speeds, thus the fabrication tolerances are extremely small and the lubricants are well-suited to “high shock” environments Secondly, since the differential is connected to the transmission, the axle seal and gear oil function to keep rocks, dirt, and other debris from entering and causing serious damage

Signs Of A Faulty Axle Seal

Many fluids can drip from your car and should be inspected accordingly, but a broken axle seal causes gear oil to drip Gear oil has a distinct smell similar to rotten eggs (because of the sulfur content) In addition, gear oil is much thicker than similar lubricants in order to protect the gears as they move at high speeds The viscous fluid is engineered to stick to the gears, providing maximum coverage and lubrication

In many cases, a seal break isn’t the product of driver error or carelessness, but rather the actions of a mechanic or someone on the assembly line in the factory If the axle is improperly removed or replaced, the seal is likely to rip in the process

Replacement Of The Unit

To replace the torn seal, first pry it out of the differential You can accomplish this by hand, but the better solution is to use a seal removal tool Once you remove it, grab the replacement part and installation tool Each installation tool will come with a set of rings; choose the one that is able to fit snugly into the mount point and slightly smaller than the seal itself Finally, insert the tool into the mount on the differential and firmly tap with a hammer to fix the part If you accidentally tap it too hard, the replacement could become deformed or tear a second time

Depending on your vehicle, test the differential movement after the install to ensure everything is meshing properly Then, replace the differential cover and reinstall the axle As a final precaution, take the car for a quick drive to make sure everything is working correctly

If you have worked on cars before, you should be able to perform this job easily Of course, as I always suggest, take your vehicle to a trained mechanic if you’re uncertain of your ability When it comes to this part, spending a few dollars is worth the peace of mind

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Author : kenneth kwan

These days everyone is fixing up their car to be the best it can be Emissions laws get stricter every year; high gas prices mean keeping the engine, tires, and body in tip top shape; and the struggling economy means maintaining vehicles for as long as possible before taking out loans to purchase a new one

One part that’s commonly ignored, though, is the headlights As headlights gradually get yellow and begin to droop, people don’t notice that anything’s changing, and then suddenly there’s a dear right in front of them that they couldn’t spot when it walked out onto the side of the road Don’t let this happen to you!

With more and more deadly accidents caused by poor headlight maintenance, there are a few cheap things you can do that will probably dramatically improve your nighttime driving vision First off you can try cleaning the front of your headlights yourself There are a lot of cleaners out there that will do a remarkable job brightening up the plastic without the need to open up anything Many police vehicles are maintained in this way

If that’s not enough, try taking your car into the shop and asking them to re-aim your lights This won’t be very expensive, since it’s quick and there are no new parts needed, and it can help the power of your lights to go farther This process also involves cleaning out the reflectors inside the headlights, which will improve the functionality of your headlights even further

If it comes down to it and you need new bulbs, it can be expensive Sometimes it costs hundreds of dollars to replace headlight bulbs, which can be quite daunting Original bulbs can be replaced with xenon lights, which go for around $10 and are much brighter

This option can be fantastic if you need the extra brightness or the extra pocket change And if you’re lazy, it can mean that you don’t have to worry about cleaning a thing because the xenon lights will outshine that dirt and match the quality of your original lights in their factory-fresh hay-day

Ensuring that your headlights function properly takes a little bit of time and a little bit of money, but really the price isn’t so unreasonable If you don’t do it, you might be paying for a whole new car, or a whole new hospital bill very soon, especially since a lot of reckless driving happens at night when people assume no one’s going to get in their way Don’t be roadkill, don’t make roadkill, don’t put off servicing your headlights!

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Author : Thomas Jones

With all the high gas prices out there, hybrid vehicles are continuing to become more popular among drivers There are a few hybrid choices out there, but the Mazda Tribute Hybrid seems to be the most popular of those choices Several distinct features make up the interior and exterior of the Mazda Tribute Hybrid

The Mazda Tribute SUV hybrid looks similar to its siblings and is boxier than it is sleek That doesn’t mean it’s not a sharp looking vehicle The classic look it has didn’t appeal to a lot of hybrid drivers, and they were less than enthused with the aesthetic features But that hasn’t stopped consumers from swooping these up in droves They like the clean lines and familiar look

And you have to love the ‘it looks like an Escape’ no, it looks like a Mariner’ conversations among hybrid consumers Face it, people, it looks like both, meaning it looks like a Mazda Tribute Fanatics will tell you that their hybrid is individual Their grilles do not have crossbars The tail and headlights are designed well and elegantly And their logo says ‘Mazda’

The fog lights that come equipped on the Tribute are stock and good for trim levels of fog, good for touring and grand touring The windows are nicely tapered with an ascent towards the back This is pretty standard shaping for hybrid SUVs big or small that is currently on the market

Consumers really like the driving position in this vehicle, enjoying the ability of having good ground clearance and excellent visibility all around This makes it easy to take and park just about anywhere There is plenty of head room so you won’t knock your noggin and the cargo space is large The doors are dressed well and the wheels will rock your world Plus, you can buy this hybrid SUV in a variety of colors

The Inside:

Convinced to go out and buy one yet? Then go Run Get it before they run out of your favorite color Otherwise keep reading You’re going to want to know more about the interior of the Mazda Tribute Hybrid Considering that most SUVs are pretty roomy, the Tribute won’t let you down

The driver’s seat is in an elevated position so that the driver has ample visibility all the way around This is one of the things that driver’s are raving about because they are discovering they can see the road better and still be extremely comfortable This visibility factor is especially good when the weather is inclement with snow and rain This is also a big factor safety advocates like as well

Five adults can sit comfortably in the Tribute and it’s perfect for the family trip Everyone will be comfortable during long drives thanks to the spacious inside and little storage compartments that hold a variety of things It’s amazing what children will hide in them and parents will enjoy the small compartments in the front to hide stuff as well

The center console is nice too with more little compartments for things such as change, cup holders, sunglasses if it fits in the cubby holes, you can put it in there Some of the cubbies even have removable pieces to expand or shrink the holes The cargo area behind the rear seat is 29 2 cubic-feet that expand to 66 cubic-feet when the seats are folded down The seats split 60:40 which still allows two more people to sit in back when carrying long cargo And the rear window will open separately so that you can access the cargo area without opening the entire back hatch

Do you want to check out more hybrid car reviews? Then visit hybridcarchat.com and check out the latest free information regarding hybrid cars.

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Author : Garry Neale

Auto shipping may seem like a gigantic task, but if you know what to do beforehand, you should be able to pull it off rather easily

With auto transport, one of the major hassles you have to deal with is preparing the car before it s shipped First, you must wash the car well, even if it s going to be shipped on an open trailer This will make it easier to identify any chips, dings, or damage that occurs en route, if it occurs The next rule of car shipping is to take all personal items out of the vehicle You don t want to leave anything behind while the car is traveling to its destination

Make sure the car alarm is disabled and ensure that the gas tank isn t full It s recommended to keep the tank between 1/8 and 1/4 full so that the car weighs as little as possible With car transport, the weight may affect the price, so keep this in mind when preparing the car

Remove or secure anything in the car that can come loose, such as ground effects, spoilers, and fog lights Wide mirrors should be folded back, and move antennae out of the way as well With auto transport, the more that stays out of the way, the better

When prepping your vehicle for car transport, ensure that the car battery is charged, the tires are inflated properly, and you top off all fluids If anything is wrong with the car or it has any quirks, write them down for the driver, as well as all the information needed to start, stop, and drive the car onto the trailer Details are important with car shipping

It s also a good idea to write down any damage that your vehicle already has, if any, before auto shipping This is so you have a record of the condition of the vehicle prior to auto shipping You can even take pictures if it makes you feel better about the process

So what are the different ways you can go about car shipping? The first option is an open trailer This type of auto transport is uncovered and is the most popular option due to the price This is the inexpensive way to go about car transport, so if you want to save money, this is the choice for you Keep in mind that your car will be open to the elements with this type of auto transport

Your second option is a closed trailer that consists of a covered freight area People shipping expensive cars or a classic car tend to use this type of car shipping, for obvious reasons Another reason to use this type of car transport is to protect your vehicle if you will be shipping it through dry areas This means your car will be safe from wind, sand, and heat Of course, covered auto shipping is more expensive

The cost of auto transport essentially depends on the distance the car will travel, as well as how busy that particular route is

It s always a good idea to find a car transport service that is well known and trustworthy When car shipping, you don t want to put your vehicle in the hands of a car transport company that doesn t know how to handle car transportation properly

Before selecting an auto shipping company, ask a lot of questions and make sure you feel comfortable with the driver ahead of time Talk about price so that it s clear what you will be paying from the start A car transport service, when shipping a car, should be clear on price Shipping a car is a big investment for you, so it pays to be informed

Vehicle shipping and car transportation companies that have credibility in the industry and a good reputation are the best choices to make Auto shippers that have a bad name should be avoided because vehicle shipping is not a game you can t afford to damage your car due to negligent auto shippers Shop around until you find the best company for you

To learn more about shipping a car, check out the Auto Transport Web Site @ http://www.freeconsumerreview.com/Auto-Transport/auto_transport.htm.

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Author : Jack Carlson

Any used car you want to purchase should run smoothly when you turn it on If the engine of a used car sounds like a horse of a donkey braying when you turn it on, then it means that it has some problems

There are several places that you can go to, to find used cars The internet is the most popular source of used cars these days Both buyers and sellers alike patronize the internet to either sell or buy used cars successfully

Government auctions are an excellent source of good used cars for a used car buyer Government auctions feature cars that are still in very good shape You can be sure of getting quality cars for affordable rates at government auctions

Used cars are sold in large numbers online and therefore it demands that you search extensively for the type of car that you are looking for It may take a while to get the used car of your dreams but continued persistence is bound to pay off someday You have more chances of getting the type of cars that you desire online than offline

Banks as well as government agencies tend to organize auctions for used cars Banks auction cars that have been repossessed from people who are unable to pay back the loan on their cars Keeping an open ear about auctions being organized by reputable bodies can open door ways to the used car of your dreams

Brands such as Chevrolet and Ford are excellent second hand cars You can obtain a wide range of second hand car choices depending on the type of manufacturer that you favor Second hand cars range from mini-vans to family salon cars; it all depends on what you want

If you are importing cars from other countries, you should ensure that you meet the regulations of your country regarding used cars Used cars are exported all over from Europe to Japan People love importing used cars from Japan because they are cheaper

Don’t settle for second best even with a second hand car; always search long and hard to find the right car before you make a choice

This wonderful author writes about interesting resources about used cars , and even used car on the site –> http://www.usedcarsclassroom.com/

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Author : Sean Patrick

What does zero percent financing really cost? Car dealers have been very successful with their zero percent financing campaigns – so successful that the concept has been repeated in other industries such as electronics, furniture sales and credit card companies

According to CNW Research, only one-third of buyers who apply for zero percent auto financing actually qualify and only 10% of those deals actually close according to the National Automobile Dealers Association CNW Research goes on to state that many zero percent qualifiers overpay for their cars, since they assume they’re getting the best deal available and they fail to negotiate price Automotive manufacturers use their own financing companies to underwrite these zero percent loans, each of which have their own credit qualifications Generally speaking an applicant must have close to perfect credit to qualify for zero percent financing

If you have been one of the fortunate ones that didn’t get lured in with the 0% financing offers only to get switched to a higher rate because of “blemishes” on your credit and the dealer is now offering you that “free” money, here are some drawbacks you should be aware of before signing that deal

Shorter Loan Terms Some dealers offer 60 month terms, but 36 months is average This means your monthly payments will be much higher

Limited Inventory The zero percent offers are generally reserved for models that are suffering lower sales and is almost never offered on pre-owned inventory

Cash Back Have you every noticed the “or” clause in those zero percent advertising ads “0% or $10,000 cash back?” That $10,000 you lose by opting for the zero percent financing is the actual cost of borrowing This often equates to an interest rate much higher than a traditional car loan

Adding up the Numbers A recent search of the website of one of the Big 3 automakers shows an offer of zero-percent financing on a 2005 mid size sedan This is how the numbers work out

Annual Percentage Rate

0%

6 95

$29,999

$29,999

Less Rebate

$0

$5000

Amount to Finance

$29,999

$24,988

Monthly Payment

$625

$596

Total Cost

$29,999

$28,608

Savings

$0

$1,391 Based on 48 months Does not include taxes, administration or other fees dealer may charge

This comparison doesn’t take into account the fact that you are forced to purchase a new vehicle Let’s take a look at the same vehicle, same model year with approximately 10,000 km on it that was found by doing a quick search on the Internet

Annual Percentage Rate

0%

6 95% pre owned

Cost of Car

$29,999

$19,999

Less Rebate

$0

N/A

Amount to Finance

$29,999

$19,999

Monthly Payment

$625

$478

Total Cost

$29,999

$22,944

Savings

$0

$7,055

By financing at a low rate and choosing a slightly used vehicle over new, a consumer would save over $7000 in this instance

Online Credit Applications One of the most streamlined ways to secure financing for a new vehicle is to use one of the many online Canadian car loan services These companies allow car buyers to fill out car loan applications free of charge

This method is recommended for car buyers with all types of credit ratings It can certainly help people with poor credit ratings secure the loans that they need, but buyers with good credit can benefit from them as well Oftentimes, more than one dealership or lending partner will vie for your business, which enables you to choose the financing that is best suited to your budget

Having a service arrange your financing also affords you the opportunity to spend your time focusing on other aspects of the car buying process This time could be wisely spent researching what cars you can afford, and determining what your needs are Armed with that information, and a loan secured at a dealership or from a lending partner, you’re ready to begin shopping for a new car as a prepared and knowledgeable consumer

Sean Patrick is an automotive finance specialist with over 5 years experience in the Auto Finance world. Currently he is working with the company Car Loan Today. You may view his web site and tips here:
Canadian Bad Credit Car Loans

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Author : kenneth kwan

There many reasons that carbon fiber has taken off in the past few years: it is lightweight, rigid, and visually appealing with a unique textured look and a smooth finish A lot of tuners like to add a carbon fiber hood on their cars because these carbon fiber hoods can reduce the weight of the vehicle by as much as 40 or 50 pounds compared to steel hoods

Carbon fiber hoods, along with other weight reducing modifications, can improve 0-60 times and handling and acceleration Another reason is the cool looking finish Adding a few carbon fiber touches as a theme all along a car can score some major style points Although carbon fiber hoods are fairly expensive, they add a lot of style for the money

Now that you have purchased the hood you want, you need to install it Because the factory hood will be heavy you should get a few friends to help you But once the factory hood is off, you should be able to handle the much lighter carbon fiber hood Here is a quick guide to help you install it

Your installation begins by removing the windshield washer jets from the factory hood Unclip or unscrew their tubing to remove them If there is a light attached to the hood, remove it to use on your new hood With washer jets and the light removed, prop the hood up with the hood prop if you have one If you bought one of those carbon fiber hoods with gas shocks, remove them before removing the four bolts that hold hood to the hinges Be careful to support the hood when removing the hinge bolts so you don’t damage the fenders or the windshield

Carefully remove the factory carbon fiber hood from the hinges by pulling it away from the windshield Place the new carbon fiber hood by lining up the bolts on the hinges and tightening them down Reattach the gas shocks or set the hood prop in place and reattach your windshield washer jets You can now reattach your saved light using some 3M adhesive double sided tape, or carefully screwing it into place, as long as the screws are small enough to not come up through the top of the hood

Now, put the hood down to check for alignment If the alignment needs to be adjusted, lift the hood and loosen the hinge bolts just enough to make small adjustments Congratulations, carbon fiber hood owner, your car is now equipped with one of the most treasured of carbon fiber hoods!

Andy’s Auto Sport Carbon Fiber Hoods: The leading resource for Quality Carbon Fiber Hoods. For expert Advice, Tips, and Quality parts, it’s all here:

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Author : faye bautista

MotorAuthority tell us that thanks to Fiat, SpA’s miraculous fiscal turn around, Alfa Romeo now is officially slated to return to these United States in the spring of 2009

Sure, we’ve heard these tempting declarations before from the Italian marque that’s given the automotive world some of the most beautiful cars we’ve ever known But with the solid return of Maserati, it just might be so Let’s hope that the 8C (shown) is one of the first Alfas to arrive on these eager shores

The iconic Alfa Romeo spider – the model as a brand, specifically – has lived through days of glory (think as everyone does, The Graduate) and days that will live in infamy (the bubble-met-rectangle late 90′s variant)

The latest spider – we’ve been promised – will bless the American public with her gorgeous presence sometime this decade But the car is currently on offer in Europe And now on that side of The Pond, as on option, Alfa will offer a 200 horsepower 2 4 liter diesel engine

Say what?

That’s right, an oil burner True, this is not exactly out of lane with most of Europe’s motoring trends After all, the majority of Europeans drive diesels wedded to manual transmissions

Still, it seems neither right nor proper that the sexiest of everyday Italian boulevardiers should speak not with the suggestive tones of petrol infused engine, but with the dull, clattering accent of any Euro taxi?

Alfa can keep the diesel Spider on that side of The Pond

Also, according to the MotorAuthority, Alfa Romeo (and its parent company Fiat, SpA) is considering a partnership with China’s Chery Automobile in an effort to break into the PRC’s explosive car market The only thing that worries Alfa’s management and the world’s Alfisiti is the spectre of an Alfa-Chery partnership that ends up producing some real lemons

“[W]e have to be sure the Chery plant produces real Alfas and this requires a great commitment on our side both in terms of quality and engineering ” Fiat CEO Sergio Marchionne said

Of course were this 20+ years ago, worries over reliability would likely not have come from the prospect of manufacturing Alfas in China, but the danger of keeping production in Italy! Ah well, how times change Still, the concept of non-Italian made Alfas provides a disturbing insight to globalization realities

In an event the “‘Made In Italy’ excellence,” is the catch phrase being tossed around by the public relations heads of world renowned designer Giorgio Armani and sportscar icon Alfa Romeo This bit of “Proud to be Italian” comes on the heels of Fiat mulling over the controversial idea of manufacturing Alfas in China for the Chinese market

Together at the Triennale in Milan, Alfa Romeo is sponsoring the Giorgio Armani exhibit that showcases 30 years of the designer’s work And, like any good sponsor, Alfa has thrown in the new Brera to display for good measure

“Sponsorship of the ‘Giorgio Armani Exhibition’ is part of a strategy aimed at forging a permanent link between Alfa Romeo and the world of culture, in the sense of artistic expression highlighting creativity and innovation,” Alfa Romeo CEO Antonio Baravalle said

The author writes about Audi A7 and blogs at http://www.4driversonly.com/.

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