Monthly Archives: September 2009

Author : Gregg Hall

The increase in gas prices as well as the effects of global warming believed to have been brought on by carbon emissions has driven the demand for hybrid vehicles that use less gas and run using a combination of gas and electricity

The hybrid vehicle was introduced in the U S in 1999 and has been gradually increasing in popularity with its battery assisted electric motor that works in tandem with the gas engine Because of the way they operate they consume less fuel and are very low in emitted pollutants that can harm the environment Many people wonder if they really live up to all of the expectations

For those who are interested in protecting the environment it is pretty much a no brainer to drive a hybrid since it has been proven through research that some of the better hybrid cars put off as much as 90% less harmful pollutants than that of a traditional gas powered vehicle The people who drive hybrids enjoy the fact that the electric motor offers cleaner energy and gives the security of having the power of the gas engine when it is needed This collaboration gives us a vehicle that not only has outstanding fuel economy but as stated before, dramatically reduces pollutants

Because hybrid cars are much smaller than conventional automobiles as a whole they also do not require as large and engine There are now some hybrid SUVs coming out but many hybrid purists feel that this is really defeating the purpose The smaller hybrids of course use smaller engines which while not having a lot of power do have great fuel economy

Now for the cons As for now, the hybrid vehicles cost quite a bit more than a comparable conventional vehicle You will pay on average around five thousand dollars more for the hybrid version of a particular car However, if you intend to keep the car for a long time you will recoup a great deal on fuel The cost of hybrids comes from the batteries that are currently used, as battery prices are reduced we can expect to see a reduction in the cost difference of Hybrids

There is already one car company that is producing a totally electric car called the Tesla that runs on laptop batteries The company is backed by some of the leaders of the internet industry and shows great promise as the first non gas powered vehicle that is also a true performance car as well with zero to sixty times under four seconds!

Gregg Hall is an author living in Navarre Beach, Florida. Find more about hybrid cars as well as car wax at http://www.waxyourauto.com

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Author : Andy West

Breaking into a field is difficult, especially when it is one that has as much competition as the automotive industry One of the best ways to get a job is to have a solid combination of education and experience Many individuals are unsure of the steps you need to take to land a job quickly and easily Below are a few ideas for getting the automotive training you need to be successful in the field

Attend an automotive school Although you will need more than just an education to be successful in your chosen career, school is a good place to start your automotive training Because many automotive schools offer student resources such as help getting internships and post-graduation job placement services, enrolling in a good school is the equivalent to taking the first step toward a successful career

Work as an intern Most automotive schools maintain ongoing working relationships with local automotive shops, garages, and dealerships These relationships mean that there are many internships available through the school Internships help you by giving you valuable on-the-job experience before graduation, giving you a better chance of being chosen for a job Some internships may also give you credit toward your degree

Work as an apprentice Apprenticeships are seen less frequently than they were in the early days of our country, but they still exist An apprenticeship is like an internship, except it is in lieu of a formal education Someone who cannot afford schooling works for an experienced member of the field, often for very little pay, in exchange for the opportunity to learn more about the field

Bust tires part-time Although busting tires, which means taking tires off and putting them on the wheels is considered by some to be a miserable job, it provides very valuable automotive training Many mechanics started out busting tires for an automotive garage or dealership as they learned the ropes, gradually moving on to more advanced maintenance

Change oil in a lube shop Oil and lube shops specialize in changing the oil and filters in a car very quickly, allowing people to get in and out and on with their day Although working in a lube shop may not offer many advancement opportunities, it allows you to learn your way around a car When applying for positions at an automotive garage or dealership, you will therefore be able to show that you have had on-the-job automotive training

Work behind a parts counter There are many parts stores and parts departments in dealerships, where the do-it-yourselfers buy parts to fix their own cars While working behind a parts counter does not offer experience working on cars directly, it does allow you to learn a lot about different cars Additionally, many parts stores offer company automotive training programs that you can apply to future jobs in the industry

All of these options are accessible to those with little or no automotive experience, allowing even the most novice worker to receive automotive training The best approach is always to combine a formal education with on-the-job experience, giving you a leg up over your classmates when you all start seeking jobs after graduation

Andy West is a freelance writer for VC Tech, The Automotive School. VC Tech is a world-class automotive training center, offering many exciting automotive programs. Please visit http://www.vctechnical.com to learn more.

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Author : Christine Harrell

The reasons for buying a used luxury car are plentiful The value is unparallel and the high quality materials and improved engineering of luxury cars today keep them running and looking like new for many years However, it’s easy to jump into an unwise choice by going through the buying process led by emotion instead of facts By keeping a few simple tips in mind, you can easily avoid unforeseen pitfalls

Research the dealership:

It’s common to get caught up in searching for a used luxury car online and to fall in love with a particular vehicle’s options, color, and mileage However, before getting emotionally attached to any one vehicle, do some research on the dealership Take a look at their standard warranty, their years in business, and their service ratings

Many of the large used luxury car shopping portals online are middlemen for a variety of dealerships By using these, you’re never quite sure who the seller is until you find a car that you’re already emotionally invested in Whether you’re shopping online or in person, it’s important to start by researching the dealership and then shop for vehicles from dealerships that meet your criteria

Dealership warranty:

The standards of the dealership and its buyers determine the quality of cars on any particular lot Some dealerships are interested in finding the best looking car for the lowest price, no matter the performance or history Others are focused on quality and the overall satisfaction of the new owner, not just a cheaply price vehicle that can be sold quickly to someone who doesn’t do their homework

One of the best ways to judge how much a dealership stands behind the cars on its lot is by looking at their standard warranty Dealerships that offer warranties lasting just a few days should be avoided The average standard warranty is between 30 and 45 days Some dealerships of used luxury cars like AG Select Imports offer a standard warranty of 90 days

Research vehicles:

Because cars are such an emotional purchase, it’s easy to choose a used luxury vehicle based on looks alone However, you can avoid future disappointment by doing a little bit of research online before starting your search Look at crash test data, customer reviews, resale values, performance reviews, gas mileage, cost to repair, etc

If safety is your biggest concern, you may want to choose the used Volvo SUV that leads its class in safety ratings If you’re concerned about gas mileage, take a look at the used Lexus SUV, which ranked first among luxury SUV’s for gas mileage

Finding the Vehicle:

Once you’ve narrowed down your selection of dealerships and identified the right car for you, it’s time to start shopping If the dealerships you’ve chosen don’t have your ideal used luxury car in stock, don’t settle for second best Among the dealerships you’ve chosen, look for those that have a vehicle locator service With this service, you can tell the dealership exactly what you’re looking for and they can use their buyer resources to find the used luxury car of your choice

Many times, the used luxury vehicles with the best options and mileage never make it to the showroom floor because savvy shoppers have already requested these models through a vehicle locator service When you’re buying a used luxury car, there is no reason to settle Being selective is part of the enjoyment of purchasing a used luxury car

Getting the value of buying a used vehicle doesn’t mean that you have to take chances with quality or sacrifice selection By first choosing the dealership and the vehicle and then shopping for the car, you can make a smart choice that you’ll feel great about during the course of your car ownership

Author is a writer for A&G Select Imports who specialize in used
luxury cars. For additional information you can visit http://www.AGSelectimports.com.

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Author : Gregg Hall

If you want to ruin your day, never take the time to property maintain your car’s engine This is a sure fire way to have your car breakdown in the most remote of areas Instead of tempting fate, why not learn how to keep your car well maintained and working properly

Check your oil levels every week Engines run at extremely high temperatures and some models will burn through oil at an alarming rate You do not want to run dry on oil This will damage the engine to cease Once this has happened, you either need a new engine or a new car Both of these issues are extremely costly Can you afford to be without your car for a lengthy amount of time?

Change your oil every 3,000 miles After driving for a certain amount of time, oil becomes dirty and sluggish Keeping the oil changed regularly reduces dirt circulating in the engine

Another troublesome issue is the belts With every oil change, you should have the fan belts and air hoses checked for wear and tear

Antifreeze should be changed every year Have a professional flush out the cooling system and replace the tanks with new coolant This can keep a radiator from developing leaks

Transmission fluid should be checked regularly The fluid should be changed every 36,000 miles If the head gasket leaks, your coolant will leak into the oil system This is an extremely costly repair, so have them checked regularly to prevent this issue Always stop first before shifting into drive

Look regularly in your driveway for leaks If you spot any, take not of the color of the fluid and then take the car in for servicing Transmission fluid is pinkish, antifreeze is green, oil is golden brown, and brake fluid is reddish Knowing which fluid is leaking can help a garage determine the severity of your problem They can fit you into a busy schedule if the leak is potentially hazardous

To keep your air conditioning system working properly, run the system every month, even in the winter The same is true with the heating system It should be run in the summer to prevent any seizing

Try to brake in advance Sudden stops wear down brake pads far more quickly Have your brakes checked regularly for wear and tear

Tires should be rotated every 7,000 miles Inspect them visually every month for tire wear, punctures, and bulges

Pay attention to your battery If you see white deposits forming on the terminals, clean them with a wire brush and then clean the battery with a mixture of baking soda and water

Keep your car rust free by keeping it waxed once per season Have the undercarriage washed at least twice a year

Use WD40 to keep door hinges well lubricated This keeps doors opening and closing properly

Follow your car manual’s recommended maintenance schedule This guarantees the warranty will cover costly repairs, but also prevents unexpected breakdowns

All it takes is a few simple checks every month, and you can protect yourself from breaking down in an unfamiliar or remote area Your safety is that important isn’t it?

Gregg Hall is an author living in Navarre Beach, Florida. Find more about this as well as a car care at http://www.carcarewizards.com

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Author : Mike Trudel,

Technology gurus are hiding in a variety of places these days Say, for instance, the automotive industry

The automotive industry has produced some of the most advanced and user friendly technologies publicly marketed in recent years We can now not only operate our cars without keys, but we can also map our next trip, download information from our desktops onto a carputer, assess the state of the vehicle, watch movies, arm a security system inside and out and be alerted when others are in our blind spots

Take, for instance, an entry level map based integrated navigation radio, which uses a flash based secure digital card color map database to provide high performance navigation A single, state of the art navigation kernel and map data compiler used in the European market help shorten Original Equipment (OE) innovation cycles, and a range of options allows for entertainment and ease of use features Integrated into a single unit, a map navigation system can be used in parallel to the audio system

Such a system can include AM/FM radio, navigation tools, playback mechanisms like compact discs and MP3s, and connectivity options for portable electronic devices Of course, customers can add nearly anything a techy heart could desire, like a digital tuner, USB, touch screen interface, voice recognition, steering wheel control and audio codec options

And that s just the basic model Touch screen navigation radios are full featured audio and navigation systems in one unit, using onboard computers that interact with the Global Positioning System (GPS), vehicle sensors and a DVD map database Such personal travel assistants minimize travel time, make travel more convenient and increase peace of mind Benefits include multiple functions in one compact unit, the ease of a touch screen, voice prompts, entertainment options, state of the art navigation, the ability to remap locations if the driver misses a turn and intersection views for detailed maneuvering guidance

Active safety systems, like active night vision, lane departure warning systems and infrared side (blind spot) alerts, are other excellent examples of automotive engineers ability to connect advanced technologies in a manner that makes the driving experience both safer and more enjoyable

Active night vision uses near infrared headlamps to illuminate the road scene ahead and displays an enhanced image in the vehicle This system provides high beam visibility without blinding oncoming traffic Components of the active night vision system can be shared with other safety features, such as a lane departure warning system

When lane departure warning systems utilize a camera, the camera can also be used for multiple features, such as active night vision, pedestrian recognition, rain sensing and intelligent headlight control The lane departure warning system uses a monocular camera mounted behind the windshield to track lanes in front of the vehicle Accompanying software estimates lane width and road curvature, and determines the vehicle s heading and lateral position within the lane When the driver strays from his or her own dotted lines, an audible, tactile or visual alert is issued According to an automotive magazine, ninety five percent of all vehicular accidents involve some degree of driver behavior such as swerving Systems like lane departure warning provide hope of reducing the approximately one hundred deaths that occur every day on American roadways, as reported by the Public Broadcasting Service in 1995

Side (blind spot) alerts provide the same hope These systems help drivers be aware of vehicles in side blind spots when changing lanes and making turns Sensors integrated into mirrors, taillights and side fascia measure the adjacent lane temperature over time to detect if vehicles are entering the side blind spot If detected, the system provides visual indications within the mirrors If this proves ineffective and a turn signal is activated anyway, an audible alert follows These warnings give drivers more time to react and, hopefully, help avoid the more than 200,000 lane change accidents that occur every year according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration

It s amazing how easily they hide those geniuses of technology We never hear their names, see their faces, or even, in most cases, acknowledge they exist Yet it is the knowledge, safety and connectivity solutions of automotive engineers that are helping save lives and helping make sure the rest of us don t get hopelessly lost on the way to that next great adventure at least not too often

Mike Trudel, Freelance Writer.
Delphi Corp. is poised to apply its expertise and know-how to provide vehicle manufacturers and consumers with in-vehicle connectivity. To learn more about Delphi Corp., please visit http://www.delphi.com/4connected.

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Author : Matthew Stanton

You own a fancy car and it is not just any regular vehicle It is of high-quality and it has cost you a fortune to own this type of car You have purchased several distinguished brands before and all these remain parked at your big garage You have passions for cars You have conformed to these collections as these are your treasured possessions and an indication to your status quo People have good feedback about you, having you classified as a successful person in your own field You are quite pleased with what you have presently and consider yourself somehow accomplished This could be a specific concept that is really happening in reality in the United States and everywhere else in the world

However, this calls for a situation on how to go about the regular maintenance of all these vehicles Gasoline, oil, vehicle tune-up and all aspects relevant to car maintenance have gone up With the rising prices of any commodities these days to include fuel, there has to be a way to keep up with the demands of your predilection These are times where you need to be a wise spender And one course of action would be to devise a plan that could be cost-effective yet of good quality This is for the sole purpose to keep your vehicle in good and running shape

To begin with, one step to sustain your passion for these cars is through patronizing discounted products and services You can start by focusing on your vehicles tires As you can see, these tires take you to places where you want to go so you need to have real, good ones Though tires are known to be expensive but there are some discount tires that come in handy and you can find these anywhere, everywhere

What could discount tires do for you? You may have searched all over for these discount tires and you certainly find these on the Internet You can visit regular shops too Having discount tires are promotions of certain shops that offer tires from famous brands like BFGoodrich, Goodyear, Yokohama and a whole lot more It is possible to avail these tires at a much reduced price and yet of high caliber Just be sure that you know what your choices of tires are to fit in your vehicles

Also, there are certain shops that offer services for mechanics to do the job for you Plus, they offer warranties and return policies to complete the offer If this is done well, you will certainly have a worry-free lifestyle because you have managed your finances intelligently You were able to buy affordable tires without sacrificing its attributes

People never really care about what things they like and want so long as they know how to spend their money wisely It is also a way to reward themselves for jobs well done Patronizing discount tires could probably be one brilliant idea and it is one way of saving costs where vehicle maintenance is concerned If you do have managed time, effort and money, living life would be less of a problem and more of a challenge

Matthew Stanton writes an article about Discount Tires which will provide you with ideas on how and where to secure these tires. Simply visit this website at http://www.discounttiresinfo.com/

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Author : Paul Hata

A lot of things today can be obtained in an instant You can find instant food, instant houses, and a lot more Did you know that you can also convert your car in an instant and have it running using hydrogen technology? That’s true and once you convert your car, you now have a hydrogen fuel car

Perhaps you’ve heard a great deal about hydrogen fuel cars These cars are regarded as the car of the future If you want to have a hydrogen fuel car, you have to buy home kits The fuel cell kits are widely available both in local stores as well as major online stores The home kits can help you in converting your car into a hydrogen powered vehicle In the US alone, you can already find hydrogen fuel cars roaming the streets

The hydrogen fuel car kits are created by various companies You must be able to choose a kit that is reasonably priced and one that is of high quality After all, you will be using the car everyday and the incorporated system should be functioning properly to avoid any problems The kits are available in a wide range of prices In fact, the kits range from $150 to $200 This is small money compared to purchasing a brand new hybrid car that costs about $20, 000

Automobile companies are still making their final touches to the hydrogen fuel cars they have designed Soon, these cars will be sold to the public The question is, can the public afford a new hydrogen fuel car? Since the production of these cars is limited, it will also command a very high price Another problem is that there are not enough hydrogen stations to refuel

If you simply use the hydrogen fuel car kits, you will only use water to provide the car with additional power Well of course, you will need to use gasoline but at a limited amount Water on the other hand is available almost anywhere and scarcity is not a problem So what else hinders you to convert your car?

The car kits are quite affordable and even an ordinary income earner can afford it The benefits of converting to a hydrogen fuel car outweigh the disadvantages If you want to decrease your gas expenses, this is the right way to do it Aside from that, if you’re concerned with the environment, you will want to use hydrogen fuel because it does not give off harmful carbon emissions

If you have second thoughts about the hydrogen fuel cars, then gather other information resources online By the end your search, you will ne convinced that hydrogen cars are real and effective

As long as you’ve purchased the car kit, you will only need some cheap tools, know-how, and access to H2O or water Everything you need is included in the kit so you will have fewer worries As long as you follow the instructions carefully, nothing an go wrong

For those who are suffering from headaches due to the very high gasoline prices, purchase the hydrogen fuel car kits and soon, your headache will disappear You will be able to save some money and even save the planet you live in

This is the best time to make a change; a change for the better Convert your car the soonest possible time

What Are Hydrogen Fuel Car Kits
City Planets,
One Planets,
Shopping Planetsand
Business Planets

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Author : Lawrence White

The latest range of sports style cars from Kia, the Pro Ceed, are expected to be in high demand due to their competitive pricing, style and performance In addition to the existing value for money Kia offer, approved Kia dealerships have some very tempting special offers across the Pro Ceed range which reduce the cost even lower

Quality has not been comprimised All models come with alloy wheels, colour coordinated bumpers, door handles, rear spoiler, contoured front grille, and sleek black bezel lamps To complete the trendy style tinted windows are also fitted as standard

The interior has air conditioning and includes a host of interior audio applications, making the Pro Ceed range one of the most competitive cars in its class

Fuel economy plays a large part in the popularity of this sporty car With a very cost effective 58mpg and low CO2 emissions it fits well within the budget and price range of most people who are looking for excellent value and style in a car

The Pro Ceed offers generous head and leg room for the driver, front seat passenger and rear seat passengers Even people over six feet tall can comfortably drive or be a passenger without brushing their head on the interior roof Extra long doors make access to the rear seats easy With stylish leather trim on the seats, the Pro Ceed offers a comfortable ride over both rough and smooth road surfaces for all onboard

The boot offers ample storage space for a car of this size and style The rear seats fold to provide additional space when needed

Those who still regard Kia has only manufacturing cheap looking cars should take a look at the new Pro Ceed range If the badge were removed it may even be difficult to guess that this sassy sports style car was Korean This car is a real head turner which offers comfort and style across the range It is the ideal car for singles, couples and families who are looking for value for money and panache in a new car

The Kia Pro Ceed has been designed for the European market, as such the Pro Ceed can only be purchased within Europe Kia are not expected to alter their decision not to export further a field in the global market, they are concentrating on filling the gap of affordable cars which offer precision engineering, flair and style at very competitive prices

Kia are so confident in the manufacture all models come with an unrivalled 7 year or 100,000 mile warranty This in itself speaks volumes as to the confidence they have in the manufacture and reliability of the Pro Ceed

Approved Kia dealership are also offering a range of attractive and affordable repayment methods to anyone wanting to buy a new Kia Pro Ceed Go online to see the special offers and the finance arrangements the dealerships are currently offering Arrange to take a Kia pro Ceed for a test drive either online, by phone or by calling into your local Approved Kia dealership

To book a test drive in a sporty Kia Pro Ceed contact Charles Hurst Group

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