Automotive Blog: all you wanted to know about cars

Posted in General | June 14, 2014  One comment

I am not sure about you, but I always strive to make the most of any situation I happen to find myself in. For example, whenever I buy a new car, which happens from time to time by the way, I want to make sure that the car is used by me the most efficient and effective way possibly.

One reason I started this blog is because I am passionate about cars. Cars mean a great deal to me, and I would be willing to go to a lot of trouble to ensure that my current car is in pristine condition, always spotless, always waiting for me to use it and have fun with it. In addition to this, for some time now I have been into car performance after one of my cousins introduced me to the concept already some time ago. I have taken the bait and right now, when I see a way to improve the engine control unit in my car, I strive to do it immediately knowing that it is going to improve the overall performance of my vehicle.

Things weren’t always like this. I am really glad that my cousin Jeff came along and introduced me to the concept. This whole car thing added a lot to my life making it more meaningful and definitely a lot more exciting. I wouldn’t be the same person were it not for my hobby. Now, you can find my very often in front of my house, messing with my car to make it even better. Even one of my neighbours recently commented that he can see me most of my time with my hands deep down in my car. I have to admit that I am proud that this is the case because I wouldn’t really want it any other way

Posted in General | June 14, 2014  2 comments

Impounded Car Insurance UK believe that as the current economic climate continues to squeeze away at the general public, there’s likely to be an increase in the number of consumers and households who are willing to commit insurance fraud. A survey by Equifax polled 2000 consumers, 67% of which saying that economic conditions will make people more likely to be less than truthful on an insurance application while 87%, who are most likely lying, claim that they’ve never at any point committed insurance fraud by being less than truthful on an insurance claim.

This research shows that there is a generational distinction in perceptions on what constitutes fraudulent behaviour, 19% of respondents aged between 25 and 34 years of age claiming it was slightly acceptable to over-estimate the value of goods that have been stolen or increase the cost of repairs when making an insurance claim, compared to the 7% of 55 year-olds. Half of the respondents acknowledged the consequences of fraudulent behaviour, including even just exaggerating the nature of a claim slightly, 48% of them believing that an insurance company will take legal action if a person is found to have lied on a claim, with more than half (54%) believing it would be reported to the police as fraud. 60% stated they’d expect to stop receiving cover if they’d been found to make a fraudulent claim.

The results of the survey have helped towards a paper published by Equifax that has attempted to compile what the average consumer really thinks and feels about fraud, the paper including statements made by numerous fraud specialists along with a professor of Criminology. It’s felt that not only has the poor economic conditions drawn people towards fraud, but that the economic problems themselves have changed how many consumers feel towards big business, many realising that sometimes to get the better deal, you’re best screwing over the industry that has spent your entire life screwing you. It’s become acceptable to lie in an attempt to get a better deal as many feel hard done by due to the difficult monetary conditions and economic collapse that this country has seen over the past few years.

People deciding to commit fraud, are at risk of rendering their insurance policies useless and hence run the risk of having their car impounded by the police. In such cases drivers will need to have an Impounded Car Insurance policy to release their car from the pound.

Has your car been impounded due to fraudulent activity? Visit us at www.impoundedcarinsurance.com and we can help you find a policy that will help you get your car released quickly and efficiently.

Posted in General | June 11, 2014  One comment

There are a good number of people who simply prefer to buy their cars new, every time they  they are ready to buy one. Then there are others who argue, “What is wrong with continuing to drive the car we have until it gives out entirely and/or the wheels fall off?” There is a certain motivation lying specifically behind a new car purchase. It’s roots are probably deeply found in the aspect of these car buyers not wanting to have someone else’s cast offs, in the belief that features like safety, comfort, style, image, convenience and reliability can only be gotten by purchasing a new car, right from the lot.  There could be many other reasons motivating the vast majority of new car purchases by Americans who need to buy a car, however the important thing to all car buyers is to choose the right car and to get the best available possible deal on your purchase.

According to recent studies, here are ten reasons why people prefer a new car, truck, minivan or SUV:

1. They Couldn’t Pass Up the New Look. Often, it simply boils down to the way the new models look, and car manufacturers know this, so they are continually redesigning the way their new cars look to draw buyers.
2. Leasing. The individual’s lease in their existing car is almost up.
3. Gas Mileage. Many of the new cars are designed with maximum ability to save on gas, while many older model cars are gas guzzlers.
4. Responding to Pressure From Spouse. While this may sound like a joke, its really true. People who are successfully married have learned to pick their battles, and this just may be one of them.
5. The Lure of Financing Incentives and Deals. Often, dealerships offer unbeatable promotions that make buying a new car really enticing.
6. Tech-driven Gadgets. There’s a certain percent of car buyers who just totally get off on all the bells and whistles that car manufacturers include on new car models. A buyer can be assured that all of them will work, and there’s even a warranty on all of them.
7. The Feel of a New Car. There are just some people who want a new car, each and every time  they buy one.  And sure, that irresistible “new car scent” is appealing, however it doesn’t last long enough.
8. Advanced Safety Features. In an effort to be the leader in sales, car manufacturers are continually addressing the safety features that will make their models stand out from the rest.
9. Unpleasant History With Old Cars. Many car buyers have a history of owning older model or used cars that ended up in the shop more than on the road, and the tradeoff of a cheaper buying price was offset by repair bills.
10. They Saw an Advertisement in the Classified Ads. Savvy car shoppers know to research the listings found in the classified ads before they ever leave home to physically shop for the car they will purchase.  Often, dealerships will include their specials and promotions within the classified ads showing their best deals on new cars for sale.

If you or someone you know is planning on buying a new car, regardless of whether it’s going to be a brand new model or perhaps someone else’s used car that will be new to you,  your best search effort will come from regular dedicated checking of the classified ads, where the cars for sale are always being updated, and you’ll find them to be priced to sell.

Posted in General | June 5, 2014  One comment

The cost of maintaining a car has been increasing and so has the cost of gas in the household, because of this increase in costs; there has been a need for eco-friendly driving methods for people who drive to work on a daily basis.

If you live in Brisbane, then you will be glad to know that driving schools in Brisbane have introduced eco-friendly driving lessons to make sure new drivers understand how to drive in a cheap and fuel-efficient method. Students are taught how to accelerate smoothly, braking methods, matching road speed and engine speed properly and using the gears in the right way. When these methods are used in the right way, they will not just reduce fuel consumption, but will as well reduce wear and tear on the car.

Statistics have shown that by using the right eco-friendly techniques you can save up to 15% in fuel usage and considerably reduce the exhaust releases. For qualified drivers and businesses, which manage fleets of vehicles, this can mean saving hundreds of dollars every year.

Driving schools in Brisbane have just introduced this fuel saving techniques into their driving lessons; however, for individuals who passed the driving examination some time back and are new to these methods, there are a few tips that might be helpful

Plan your advances to hazards early

While slowing down release the gas on time and spread out your footbrake. These decreases wear and tear on the vehicle, decreases the amount of gas used, is easier for your passengers and offers more time for pursuing vehicles to respond.

Vary gears at a suitable time

Several modern vehicles have a change light on the dashboard that turns on to indicate the best time to shift the gear, however, normally in a petrol vehicle the gear ought to be shifted once the revs get to roughly 2500 RPM, and in a diesel vehicle, shift gears once the revs get to roughly 2000 RPM.

You should also reduce speed after that change down – block shifting from 4th to 2nd gear or 4th to 1st is preferred than shifting down through every gear.

Confirm tire pressures

Confirm tire pressures each week and do a visual test at the beginning of each trip to know if they seem under inflated. Low tire air pressure leads to more rolling resistance and boosts fuel consumption consequently. It as well weakens the tire eventually, which might become risky.

Avoid pointless coasting

Keep away from pointless coasting i.e. placing the clutch down too soon causes the vehicle to free wheel and this utilizes more gas than letting up the gas when staying in gear.

Leave more room

Leaving more space between the vehicles ahead offers you more response time and a larger space over which to brake if the vehicle at the front stops abruptly.

Increase speed smoothly

Increase speed smoothly to avoid over revving the car. The quicker you accelerate the more gas is used.

Finally yet importantly, make sure the vehicle is not overloaded with unnecessary things like the roof stand or external storage because this provides wind resistance and increases pull.

Author Bio

Candice Hubbard has been in the forefront of fighting for ecofriendly driving techniques in Brisbane and she in fact introduced ecofriendly driving lessons in all the Driving schools in Brisbane. Because of her efforts people have been able to save on fuel cost because of the techniques they have learnt.

Posted in General | June 4, 2014  No comments

Every luxury car deserves to be treated with care and respect. Even if you rent a car from an Luxury Car Rental Los Angeles, you still need to make sure that you take care of it properly at any time you are given control over that car.

Luxury and exotic cars, due to their nature, might and usually do require meticulous care compared to regular cars. The reason this happens is that luxury cars and luxury cars and they need to look good at all times. There is no place for candy wraps left by your toddler or spilled coffee in a luxury car or an exotic one. After all, Exotic Car Rental Los Angeles is to ensure that exotic cars that you can rent there are top-notch.

It is very important to follow the recommendations of the manufacturer of a luxury car before and while driving the car. Even if you just rented a luxury car after carefully checking their luxury car rental rates, you still have an obligation to treat that car with the car it deserves. If you just rent it, you probably won’t be responsible for the maintenance of it as this is something that your car rental has to do on a a regular basis.

Posted in General | May 29, 2014  17 comments

Customizing a car is one of the best ways to increase the value of the car after it has been purchased. Cars depreciate over time, and customizing the car can help to keep the value of the car high for many years to come. Most people end up moving on from their car after a few years, and the car must have a good sale price. Also, some people intend to keep their cars for decades to come. The customizations that are done to the car are more than enough to keep the car useful even after it has been on the road for a few decades.

Changing The Engine

The engine in any vehicle must be kept up at all times. The engine is going to break down over time, and the driver must use techniques that will keep the engine running. Customized parts for the engine will keep the engine running, and other customized parts for the engine make the engine more efficient and powerful.

Changing The Wheels

The wheels on a car are hard enough to change, and having nice wheels on the car makes changing less necessary. The driver who puts quality wheels on their car will raise the value of their car. Also, the car will look much better than the cars that just came off the assembly line. There are many ways to make sure that the wheels on the car are perfect, and the value of the car will stay high when it has nice wheels.

Changing The Paint

Changing the paint color on a car is easy to do, and the unique paint job will raise the value of the car significantly. The new color can make the car look unique, and the new color can include flecks of gold or silver. These sparkling paint jobs help to highlight the contouring on the car.

The best way to make sure that a car is going to rise in value is working with a company that offers all the necessary parts and paints. Drivers should learn more about their cars, buy the right parts and invest in the future sale of their vehicle.

Posted in General | May 29, 2014  10 comments

The Yamaha Viking is a very versatile off-road machine. While some Viking owners use their machine for working around the farm, there are others who use it purely for recreational fun. Although the Yamaha Viking comes equipped with the basic essentials, installing a few aftermarket goodies will make it an even more exciting off-road machine. Here are a few of the must-have Yamaha Viking parts and accessories.

Roof-Mounted Stereo System
The presence of music helps to make the task at hand a lot easier. Music will liven up even the most difficult working environment. However, a roof-mounted stereo system is great for work or play. The sound system will certainly come in handy when going on an off-road adventure. The tunes will keep everyone entertained while setting up camp.

Upgraded Tires
The stock tires on the Yamaha Viking are great for riding on smooth trails. Unfortunately, the stock tires tend to become less effective when traveling on extremely rough landscapes. A set of rugged aftermarket tires will offer enhanced traction and better overall durability. In order to make the machine street legal, the stock tires must be replaced with a set of D.O.T approved tires.

Skid Plate
The undercarriage of the Yamaha Viking is very vulnerable when maneuvering around harsh terrain. If left unprotected, a stiff tree stump or rocky hill can cause major damage to the machine. The extra protection provided by a skid plate will to prevent any harm to the machine. Unlike some other parts, most skid plates are very easy to install.

Windshield
The installation of a windshield enables the off-road machine to be driven in a variety of different weather conditions. The windshield will help to keep the passengers dry during rainy weather. The windshield will also safeguard the rider from flying debris. Depending on the type of windshield, it may be able to be installed without any tools.

Lift Kit
Installing a lift kit is an easy way to enhance the ground clearance of the Yamaha Viking. Not only will the extra clearance improve the off-road capabilities of the machine, but it will also allow the owner to install bigger tires. The bolt-on design of a lift kit simplifies its installation.

LED Light Bar
A LED Light Bar is able to provide enhanced lighting without compromising the UTV’s electrical system.

Posted in General | May 23, 2014  40 comments

Modern vehicles are marvels in technological achievement. They can tell you when you need maintenance or whether your tires have enough air pressure. They can even alert you if you’re about to back into an object or small child. All of these features are built-in to most models rolling off the assembly line these days. However, there are some basic safety standards that won’t go out of style.

Mirrors are one of the least expensive, yet most effective, ways to help drivers safely navigate their vehicle. Since 1968, the law has required all vehicles to come equipped with, at minimum, a rearview mirror and a driver’s sideview mirror. They’ve since been improved with the use of convex insets and other innovations that offer a wider view.

Since the 1990s, luxury vehicles have been augmenting their mirrors with cameras mounted at strategic places throughout the vehicle’s exterior. Despite the recent petition to allow some automakers to completely replace car mirrors with cameras, the rearview mirror won’t become a thing of the past any time soon. There are several reasons for this fact.

1. They’re cheap and effective to use and replace. While on-dash and exterior cameras offer superior viewability from a wider range of angles, they’re still prone to the same problems that affect many pieces of technology:

They can crash
They can become obsolete
They can be hacked or otherwise tampered with
They can be expensive to repair or replace

2. Federal law and many state laws require autos to be equipped with mirrors and the process of changing the laws to reflect the wishes of the auto industry could be a long and arduous process.

3. We’re creatures of habit. Although many people embrace change and love technology, there’s still a large segment of the population that’s uncomfortable with such advances and who mistrust relying technology entirely.

4. If cameras replace mirrors, by law, the owners of older vehicles may have to bear the expense of upgrading their vehicles. The owners of classic autos may take issue with the changed aesthetics and appearance of their collector cars. Besides, you can’t check your hair in a camera.

You can shop for HomeLink rear view mirrors at many places that specializes in auto safety equipment. Once you purchase such equipment, make certain that it’s properly installed and that you know how to use it effectively.

Posted in General | May 20, 2014  No comments

The Toyota 4Runner has received some of the best marks for a do-it-all SUV. It’s got high marks in safety, interior and performance for an overall above average score for a midsize SUV. At under $30,000, it’s also one of the cheaper SUVs on the market. The 2013 Toyota 4Runner provided for better off-road capabilities, easy-to-use interior controls, high tech features and a powerful V6 engine. With a fuel economy of about 22 mpg, it’s better than some of its other midsize SUV counterparts. You can also tow some heavy loads in this vehicle as well as provide room for all of your passengers and cargo inside. For a base model, there are a ton of features included such as the Bluetooth, eight-speaker stereo, USB ports and auxiliary input jacks as well as heated power leather seats and infotainment for the upgraded 4Runner.

The all new Toyota 4Runner SUV inventory has received a lot of praise for also being an economical buy. It’s a better cost comparison than many other competitors in the same market. With ToyotaCare, drivers receive free two-year maintenance on the vehicle, but it also has high fuel economy for SUV, better depreciation value, better financing options and a low repair cost. While there are a few midsize SUVs that come close to the same luxury, they ultimately don’t have the same low sticker price as the Toyota 4Runner.

Posted in General | May 12, 2014  2 comments

Drivers need lawyers on a regular basis to help them in a number of situations. Any driver could benefit from hiring a Cincinnati Attorney knowing how much he could help him.

I was once driving on a highway when I suddenly saw a driver caught by the police standing on the side of the road. From the looks of it, he was accused of DUI, because he had to prove to the officers that he was sober. Unfortunately for him, it looked like his efforts were futile and the guy probably ended up contacting this Cincinnati OVI Attorney to help him to get out of this troublesome situation.

When you feel like you are in need of a lawyer, don’t try to ignore it and rather contact a Cincinnati Criminal Attorney as soon as you notice that you need him. Things will look a lot better once you have somebody at your side to help you with anything you might need help with. You need to try it out for yourself to learn how it feels to have somebody to defend you. From my personal experience I can tell you that the feeling is very empowering and enjoyable. When I know that somebody cares about it, I have more motivation to do many things in life.