Monthly Archives: January 2010

Author : Richard Barthallo

Water that has seeped into a vehicle can cause considerable damage to it Water can get into your vehicle through a flood or storm causing it to break down Sometimes your vehicle may accidentally fall into a river or lake causing it to become submerged in water If this takes place, then water removal is definitely needed However this is not a work that can be done by everyone Water removal from a vehicle needs to be done in a systematic and professional manner If you intend to do water removal on your own then it is best to take professional guidance so that your vehicle once again becomes road worthy

Sometimes your vehicle may be completely submerged in water including its interiors Water can ruin plush interiors Before embarking on the process, remove carpet and upholstery These items need to be thoroughly cleaned and then dried so that molds do not grow in them Anti-bacterial and anti-fungal solutions should be applied to the interior of the vehicle before you begin the drying process However, this treatment should only begin once all water has been removed

While dealing with the vehicle’s interiors remove the carpets and upholsteries from the vehicle and place it near a dehumidifier to vacuum out all the water Car padding should be treated in the same way Sometimes you may find that the carpets and upholsteries have been damaged beyond repair In this case it is better to throw away the old carpets and padding and get new ones in their place

The most important part of the entire operation is water removal from a vehicle’s mechanical parts Before working on your vehicle, take out all oil and lubricants Liquids should be taken out in order to clean any residue left in them to ensure the smooth functioning of the vehicle Replace filters if they have been affected by water damage The catalytic converter should also be replaced to ensure smooth functioning of the vehicle in future Flush out all water from the gas tank You may need to use a water removal agent to help you in this operation Once the tank is completely dry, you can fit it back into the vehicle and then fill it with gas

When conducting the process of water removal from your vehicle, pay attention to wiring and computer system The best thing to do if these parts have suffered water damage is to replace them so that you do not face any problems in the future Ignition coil, fuel injectors, wiring harness and the control modules need to be changed if they have suffered from water damage

The computer of the car is used to pin point trouble It is used to regulate many systems that operate the recent car additions such as DVD players, the mapping system and the life-saving air bags Water removal may not be enough to save the life of your computer It is better to get it replaced

Richard Barthallo is a water service advocate for Manhattan Water Removal Company and Water Removal Service

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Author : Terry Parker

Getting a new car thrills and excites Sometimes it is easy to get carried away in our initial response to a car No matter how much you like a certain vehicle, take it for a long, serious test drive

You should first plan on spending as long as possible on your test drive Fifteen minutes is not enough time You want to thoroughly examine the car and definitely have a mechanic check it out

Take a look at the vehicle overall Do the body parts line up? Does the paint match? Will doors open and close easily? Do the tires look like they wear evenly?

Check under the hood You may not know exactly what you are looking at, but thats okay Look for leaky hoses, worn belts, and dirty oil Ask the dealer to show you the automatic transmission fluid Smell it If there is a burned odor, steer clear The fluid should be clear and reddish Transmission repair costs are not pretty

Have someone show you the radiator water It should have a light yellow or green color Make sure all of the warning lights and gauges work Start the car and check all lights and functions And here is a no brainer make sure no warning lights remain lit on the dashboard

Look at the airbag indicator lights If these lights do not illuminate as you start the car, or if they stay lit after the car is running, they are not working correctly

Try on the seat belt Test the vehicle in the early evening to determine the headlight visibility If you already have a child safety seat, go ahead and install it Not all seats are compatible with all cars

Accelerate up to 35 40 MPH Is shifting smooth and steering straight? When braking, a pull to the left or the right could indicate a problem

If you buy via the classifieds, make sure to check the name on the title and match it to the name on the sellers drivers license Just to be safe

It would be nice to find the little ladys almost new car that was not driven more than 15,000 miles a year Of course, low miles on the odometer would be a big plus, too Even then, you can not assume that a low mileage car is necessarily in great shape

One major concern is odometer tampering So do your homework Ask for a detailed service history report If records were not kept, you can check things out for yourself with the vehicle identification number Provide this VIN number to your state vehicle history company to get a record of the cars former life

Remember, no matter how in love you are with a car, think twice before purchasing one thats been wrecked You do not need anyone elses problems There are dozens of other cars you could enjoy just as much

So test drive more than one car You will never regret a wise, well thought out purchase

Visit our website for more information on check engine light problems and used car buying tips.

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Author : Mike Trudel

As consumers discover the advantages of in-vehicle entertainment, the automotive industry is experiencing surging interest in further developing the automotive technology Features such as rear-seat DVD players and satellite radio have been especially successful Modern consumers’ desires for on-the-move infotainment may be further fueled by the needs of larger families and longer travel times

Indeed, vehicle manufacturers have indicated they will continue to use electronics to gain an edge with consumers A particularly family-friendly feature, in-vehicle entertainment systems are increasingly integrated into SUVs and minivans Children who once insisted “Are we there yet?” may now be the last to leave the vehicle when a favorite movie is in play

Rear Seat Entertainment (RSE) systems are factory-installed and integrated into the vehicle’s interior to allow rear-seat passengers to play DVD movies, watch broadcast media or plug in a game platform via an LCD color monitor The DVD player forms the core of the system, which can also play audio CDs and MP3s as well as display JPG format images

Automotive technology for video/wireless systems with tailored occupant options continues to be explored and fine-tuned With this technology, drivers can listen to satellite radio while passengers can separately use headphones to listen to MP3 players or watch DVDs

Due to the appeal of DVD-based RSE systems and mobile satellite television systems, the focus on the automotive infotainment industry has shifted recently Once a predominantly car audio systems-based entertainment market, audio-video-based infotainment systems have allowed the industry to realize the concept of multi-zone infotainment in passenger vehicles

Backseat television, the next big wave of in-vehicle entertainment, is becoming a reality with the introduction of Sirius Backseat TV (TM) When equipped with this service, parents can leave the DVDs at home and click on satellite television programming instead

According to a Sirius press release, Chrysler LLC was announced as the exclusive automaker to offer Sirius Backseat TV(TM) beginning with its 2008 model-year vehicle lineup Another press release in February 2008 announced an agreement to extend Sirius(TM) exclusive relationship with Chrysler through September 2017

The Sirius system boasts a dual DVD system, which can play different media at the same time through an innovative multimedia system While rear-seat passengers watch Sirius Backseat TV(TM), front-seat occupants can listen to Sirius Satellite Radio The system is operated from either the rear-seat entertainment unit or the radio head unit via an in-vehicle satellite video receiver and two small roof-mounted antennas The channel name, program title and rating are also displayed on the screen In addition, when the vehicle is in park mode, programming can be displayed on the multimedia screen for front-seat viewing

Developing technology that retains its shelf life and exceeds consumer demand is a challenging endeavor to fulfill And it’s the type of challenge OEMs and their suppliers expect to overcome for the in-vehicle market Given the developing nature of the market, parents who once struggled to get their kids into the car may have a new fight on their hands, getting them out

Mike Trudel, Freelance Writer.

Delphi Corp. is poised to apply its expertise and know-how to provide vehicle manufacturers and consumers with in-vehicle entertainment and connectivity. To learn more about Delphi Corp., please visit www.Delphi.com/4Innovation or www.Delphi.com/4Connected.

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Author : Thomas Pretty

Most people now realise that buying a brand new car is rarely advisable, the premium that you pay to be the first to drive a car away is huge It may have that new car smell but it will most likely be a waste of money Add the high rates of depreciation that accompanies most new cars and it would truly be foolhardy to buy new A far better idea is to look at approved used cars such as an Audi, BMW, Ford or Renault Unbelievable deals can be had when buying used, and when they have been approved by dealerships at least you know the condition of the car will also be good

When you are looking at an approved used car it is important to study all of the cars in that particular range For instance, the Audi A6, Citroen C6 and the BMW 6 Series could all be defined as saloon cars It is important to make comparisons such as whether the Audi has a better fuel efficiency than the BMW or whether the Citroen has better safety features than its German equivalent It is a long a studious choice that will take time and should be deliberated carefully; after all a car, new or used is an expensive item that is an investment as much as a vehicle

Depreciation rates make an approved used car the ideal alternative to buying new Recent reports have shown that on average a new car will depreciate as much as thirty five percent in its first year and a further thirty percent over the next five Hence, buying a car that is reaching the five year mark is usually advisable, especially when considering the prices of premium companies such as Mercedes, Audi and BMW In some respects the name of the game when buying a car is to minimise the damage it will cause to your wallet, this is why buying an approved used car, that can limit maintenance costs is worthwhile

Running a car is becoming increasingly expensive with rises in fuel costs and garage bills Fuel efficiency should be a major concern, keeping away from models such as the BMW X5 and instead buying a fuel efficient car such as an Audi A3 or the Toyota Corolla will limit the costs of fuel If you wanted to get an even more fuel efficient car however, hybrid cars are becoming increasingly popular thanks to their high efficiency and eco-friendly selling point With the environment becoming evermore etched on many people’s consciences the drive towards hybrid and other fuel efficient cars is unsurprising

Before you sign on the dotted line for any approved used car however a test drive is essential This will allow you to get a feel for the car and gain an awareness of any problems that may become apparent Remember however if you are driving a car of a sporty nature such as the Audi S3, BMW M5 or Alfa Romeo Brera do not be overcome by the performance and form an emotional attachment; it is important to keep a cool head and make a logical decision

It is usually worth taking someone with you who has a good knowledge of cars when you are thinking of getting an approved used one Their knowledge can be invaluable as they can have a look under the bonnet and check out the engine, from this they should be able to gain an understanding of the quality of the car more generally

Ultimately the choice of approved used car is yours, it is hard to not get attached to a specific car and only want that one; for instance mine at the moment is the Audi TT although I am still waiting for the newer models to reach the approved used stage Try and stay logical and make an informed decision, by following this advice motoring heaven shouldn’t be far away

Motoring expert Thomas Pretty looks into the downsides of buying new and why a car like an approved used Audi is a great way to make savings.

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Author : Dominic Donaldson

I would like to share a very personal experience with you It is a tearful tale about a hot hatch that had its beginnings in a world of genuine chamois and finished its life as a burned out wreck Lonely and dejected, this poor car ended its mechanical life without a trace of dignity and a far cry from the plush beginnings of immaculately paved driveways and privet hedges

In 2004 I had the utter displeasure of breaking down on the M25 My Space Wagon decided that the engine was to work no longer and promptly dropped it on the tarmac of the hard shoulder I was then forced to hire a car until I could locate replacement I ended up leasing a Volkswagen Golf GTi and after my lumbering automatic people carrier, it sent me into throes of automobile excitement This was an entirely unplanned situation I was not meant to fall in love with a car, I was not meant to become a petrol head, I had no intention of burning rubber and doing donuts; but something had happened deep inside and I can only assume that I’d been kind of ‘Clarksoned’

I immediately went through the local auto trader ads to locate my new beauty, but I just couldn’t afford to buy what my heart desired, and had to downshift as it were to an older model I decided that a Mark II from the late eighties was within my budget, and promptly ended my leasing contract to purchase the car of my dreams The minute my eyes met my Mark II model, it was love The test drive was a thrust fuelled drag race along the A127 and the hefty weight of the hot hatch steering made me feel like I was in my very own road movie, finding freedom and sticking two fingers up to the establishment I was ready to pack a suitcase and leave nothing but a cloud of dust in my wake

When I got the papers, I understood why there was such a rapport between me and my beloved VW We had met many years earlier, in my home town and travelled some miles together whilst a friend of mine was the rightful owner of this trusty automobile He had it bought for him, brand new as a gift for passing his test It was a gleaming trophy of success, wrapped with a ribbon on a driveway flanked by perfectly pruned privets We drove to the coast, through the countryside, along main roads and along dusty tracks to far flung lakes We went camping with it, picnicked from it and even had a fire side party using it as a stereo on wheels The love I felt towards this car was comparable to the way Sam Witwicky felt about Bumble Bee in the Transformer movie

Love alone however was not enough to keep my ageing automobile with me; the rust spread, things fell off and eventually it got swiped by some little oik and went out in a ball of flames just off the A12 The oik remained unharmed, just for the record Once again, I was sans auto, and set about finding a car Going to yet another leasing company, I once more headed for the Vee Dubs My recent experience of love and loss, which I likened to a personal movie, could only be honoured in one way I leased myself a VW beetle With a great series of films based on the ever personable Herbie, and a smash hit childrens animation with Bumble Bee; It was only right to choose a classic for my next adventure

Dominic Donaldson is an expert in the motor industry.
Find out more about VW Leasing and choose the Volkswagen to suit you and your budget at Amber vehicle Solutions.

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Author : Dror Klar

Why not hire a limousine? Any occasion is a great reason to hire a limousine and you will not regret it

If there is an event coming up you will want to make the occasion even more exciting by hiring a limousine A wedding is one of those times when you have enough to do without having to worry about transportation

Rest assured that your limo will pick you and the rest of your bridal party up at the correct time and will get you to the venue with time to spare You will not have to worry about making sure to fill your tank with gas, check the tires and oil, or any of the other details that come with car ownership

Once the wedding is over and it’s time to go to the airport there is even more for you to worry about You must drive around the parking garage to find a parking space and hope that your vehicle is safe while you are gone Then there is the matter of unloading all of your luggage and getting it into the terminal

All of this can be avoided when you hire a limousine The chauffer does all the driving so you can finally sit back and catch your breath after the day’s hectic activities Upon arrival at the airport you do not have to walk from the parking garage hauling a ton of luggage

Instead, you will park at the entrance of the main terminal and the chauffer will handle your luggage This is your day and you should relax and let someone take over the planning After all, you have been doing it all for months

Reduce the stress factor of planning an out of town trip by making reservations with a limousine service in the city where you plan to stay You should plan your itinerary in advance so that he limousine will be available to take you to and from meetings or on sightseeing tours You can relax and enjoy the sights while someone else does the driving

It can be something as simple as two friends going to dinner Although there is not really anything very special about that, a limousine would kick it up a notch Treat yourself special and hire a limo to the day spa for you and your friends

No matter what the occasion, you will not regret your decision to hire a limousine Relax and leave the driving to a safety conscious, professional driver

Dror Klar is an advocate and writer about top quality Limousine Services. learn more about his new sites
New York Limousines and Limousines

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Author : Tom Sample

There’s just something about shiny chrome that makes auto fans swoon Perhaps it’s the shine, or maybe the clean, classy look But whatever the case, chrome is an automobile mainstay that does require a little care From chrome plated accents to wheel and rim covers, chrome items must be cared for correctly to last and look beautiful Thanks to its properties, chrome can stay looking good all the time

When it comes to chrome, there are a number of other uses beyond auto rims, too Chrome is commonly used on appliances, furniture or more It’s chosen because it looks good and it’s generally easy to clean

Chrome plating itself is a finishing treatment that involves the application of the metallic sheen to a surface When properly created, it produces a mirror like image that’s a favorite look in automobiles, appliances and furniture alike Shiny, sleek and very modern looking, chrome plating is commonplace, but considered beautiful nonetheless

This metallic coating is considered the tops for all kinds of purposes, but auto especially This is because of the fact it is durable and generally pretty resistant to problems This, of course, doesn’t meant it can’t and won’t get dirty It does and it will

Chrome is subject to having grease get stuck on it in the auto world, food burned on it in kitchens and dirt and grime as well in other applications To ensure the chrome plating stays looking pretty and shiny does take a little work – but not much Thanks to its slick surface, chrome typically can be cleaned pretty easily A tiny bit of elbow grease is generally all it takes

Start out cleaning chrome by getting warm water and adding a very mild detergent to it Soaps such as dish detergents generally will do the trick when applied with a soft cloth or sponge Steer clear of abrasive materials as they might scratch the chrome, leaving it looking damaged

If a mild detergent won’t remove the gunk on the chrome, step up the cleaning process to include vinegar or even baking soda For burned on foods or grease, try specialty cleaners or silver polish

Remember, chrome is pretty easy to clean, but it doesn’t like abrasives Avoid harsh chemicals and serious scrubbing Rather, bathe the chrome surface in water and mild cleaners to gently lift off stuck on particles It might take a few tries to completely remove a burned on spill, but the effort will be worth it if no permanent damage is done to the surface

Chrome itself is pretty resilient when it’s treated with care Once it’s cleaned, a simple wax product can sometimes help a repeat of a stuck on stain getting stuck in the first place Just make sure to use products that are recommended for chrome and avoid any harsh scrubbing or abrasives When it’s treated with care, chrome will look beautiful for a lifetime If it’s abused, it will scratch and simply look awful

#1 Resource

Chrome plating.</a

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Author : Gary Witzenburg

If you’ve ever driven a Volkswagen Rabbit or Golf, you understand its 32-plus years of success around the world Volkswagen has made significant updates and improvements since its launch, and especially for the European 2009 Golf and the U S 2010 version

The 6th-generation Golf, introduced in Europe for 2009 and arriving stateside for 2010 will start at $17,490 Available in 3- and 5-door hatchback models (VW prefers to call them 2- and 4-doors), with a choice of eager 5-cylinder gas or peppy, fuel-frugal, turbocharged “clean diesel” TDI 4-cylinder engines, it is easily the best and most refined Golf ever As a result, a jury of international auto writers named it the 2009 “World Car of the Year “

The 2010 Golf wears a new “face” for the Volkswagen brand (good news, since not everyone was fond of the old one) with a wide, double-bar grille that blends smoothly into angled halogen headlamps Black window trim with no side moldings keeps the side appearance clean and simple Around back, a subtle, body color spoiler with integrated high brake light protrudes from atop the rear hatch Running lights blended into the lower bumper flank a black lower-fascia insert with cutouts for twin exhaust tips

Like its upscale division Audi, Volkswagen does finely crafted interiors Brushed metallic inserts embellish the instrument panel, door panels and center console, while bright chrome rings surround the instruments Between the major gauges is a multi-function onboard computer display that provides key information on the selected gear, fuel economy, odometer and more

All 2010 Golfs offer 8-way manually adjustable front sport seats with adjustable head rests and lumbar support The rear seats also have adjustable head restraints, plus a center armrest and 60/40 split folding capability to maximize cargo space when needed Heated seats are available with an optional cold weather package that also adds heated windshield washer nozzles

An 8-speaker AM/FM radio with single-disc CD player, MP3 CD readability and an auxiliary input jack comes standard on gas-engine models, while the pricier TDI cars come with a touch-screen 8-speaker system with Sirius satellite radio, in-dash six-disc CD changer with MP3 readability, theft deterrence and an auxiliary input jack

The standard 16-valve twin-cam 2 5-liter inline 5-cylinder engine pumps out a respectable 170 hp and 177 lb-ft of torque, while the smooth and quiet 2 0-liter 4-cylinder TDI turbodiesel—the same one available in VW’s notch-up Jetta sedan and coming soon in the midsize Passat—generates a more reserved 140 horses and a hearty 236 lb -ft of torque

A 5-speed manual transmission is standard on the base 3-door, while the 5-door gets a 6-speed automatic with Tiptronic control, which enables manual shifting with a tap of the shifter The manual-shift car goes from zero to 60 mph in 7 8 seconds and delivers 22 mpg city/30 highway EPA economy The automatic does 0-60 in 8 1-seconds with 23/30 mpg ratings

The 16-valve SOHC TDI direct-fuel-injected turbodiesel four, starting at $21,990 in the 3-door, offers some 30 percent better fuel efficiency than comparable gasoline engines Coupled to its standard 6-speed manual gearbox, it’s good for 8 6-seconds 0-60 and 30/41 EPA economy With the optional 6-speed Direct Shift Gearbox (DSG) automatic with Tiptronic, it delivers identical 0-60 performance and similar economy at 30 mpg city and 42 highway

We sampled a variety of U S -spec 2010 Golfs on twisty two-lanes and high-speed autobahns in their home country of Germany and found its base McPherson strut front and independent four-link rear suspensions excellent, and the TDI models’ somewhat stiffer sport suspension even better Rough-road ride was comfortably compliant, the power 4-wheel disc brakes were strong and fade free, and the typically crisp electro-mechanical, variable-assist, quick-ratio power rack-and-pinion steering gave us spot-on feel, feedback and accuracy

Both engines offered more than adequate performance, but, because it is torque that gets you launched and accelerating from a stop, the amazingly quiet and civilized turbodiesel feels stronger most of the time We look forward to extended time on U S roads, but we could not have been more impressed during our 2-day Teutonic test drive in Germany

Yes, German-car parts and service can be pricey, but VW’s warranty covers pretty much everything, including all scheduled maintenance, for the first three years or 36,000 miles, and the powertrain for five years or 60,000 miles If you’re thinking fuel-thrifty compact and looking at the wide selection of excellent Asian and U S models on the market, we suggest you widen your view to include VW’s new 2010 gas or diesel Golf

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