Questions That You Should Always Ask The Prospective Seller Of Any Car You Are Interested In

After you've discovered a car you may want to purchase, call the seller and ask questions about the vehicle. I have provided a checklist of things to ask the seller so keep this list handy and use it when talking with the them over the phone. Many people are embarassed or afraid to ask questions about a car they are buying because they think they are being pushy or intrusive. This is simply not true. It's your money so don't be afraid to find out all you can about the car you are looking at.

The first question you want to ask is, "Why are you selling the car?" Put them in a defensive position and they must answer promptly. If they hesitate, they have something to hide. Why do most people sell their car? Maybe they lost their job, or there are too many things wrong with it and they don't want to fix it, they'd rather sell it to you. Maybe they bought a better new car and are selling it themselves. These are just a few of the reasons for someone to sell a car.



How many miles are on it? This is the moment of truth for most sellers. This can really reduce the selling price if there's too much mileage. The standard that is accepted by most is 15,000 miles per year. If they have more than that, you will find that websites like Kelly Blue Book and the N.A.D.A. have charts that deduct off the market value of the car for the excessive mileage.



Do they have all the maintenance records, proof of tune ups, and oil change receipts and other repairs or maintenance done on the car? You just nabbed them with three defensive questions in a row. They probably will not have this information, however,even though everyone SHOULD! This can be a powerful negotiating tool plus if you go to sell a car, it can bring a quick sale. This is especially true for higher line cars like Mercedes, BMW, Lexus, etc. These vehicles can be worth quite a bit less without the proper records.



The seller might say "No one keeps that stuff". Your reply will be "I do and everyone I know does. Without it, I have no validation that you properly maintained the car."



Have the seller describe the condition of the interior, the seats, make sure the dash is not cracked, find out about the paint, tires, A/C compressor, ask if the A/C runs cool and what type of AC system it has. Is there any other known issues or needed repairs that you should know about?



After you've asked all the appropriate questions and still think you're interested in the car, it's time to make an appointment with the seller to look at and test drive the car. This is where you find out if they were really truthful. If you discover right away that they lied to you about something you asked I would just walk away. If you caught them in one lie there is no telling how many things they could be hiding from you.

About the Author:

Gregg Hall is an author living with his beautiful wife and family in Navarre Beach, Florida. Find more about cars as well as car wax alternatives at http://www.5starshine.com

Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/automotive-articles/questions-that-you-should-always-ask-the-prospective-seller-of-any-car-you-are-interested-in-234747.html

Author: Gregg Hall

Are Ford Car Parts Easily Available?

When it comes to cars, the Ford Motor Company has been and remains one of the most trusted names in automobile manufacturing. Automobile manufacturing history fanatics probably will remember the first Ford car every built which was the Ford Model A. The Ford Model A was not as popular as the later model called the Ford Model T. Though it would be pretty hard to find Ford Car Parts for a genuine Ford Model A or Ford Model T, there will probably be genuine suppliers of Ford Car Parts for other Ford car models.

There are two well known models of Ford Motor Company vehicles – the Ford GT and the Ford Mustang. Nowadays the Ford Mustang is still being used by the company for races where this model is used as its official race car.





To get authentic Ford Car Parts for your prized Ford motor vehicle, you may need to specify to the supplier what year your Ford motor vehicle was introduced. At one website of a Ford Car Parts supplier, parts of cars for the following years were available: 1946, 1947, 1948, 1949, 1950, 1951, 1952, 1953, 1954, 1955, 1956, 1957, 1958, 1959, 1960, 1961, 1962, 1963, 1964, 1965, 1966, 1967, 1968, 1969, 1970, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1974, 1975, 1976, 1977, 1978, 1979, 1980, 1981, 1982, 1983, 1984, 1985, 1986, 1987, 1988, 1989, 1990, 1991, 1992, 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 1997, 1998, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, and now for year 2008 as well.





You might also be able to order Ford Car Parts by the model name itself. The known models for which Ford Car Parts might be available are: Ford Windstar, Ford Victoria, Ford Torino, Ford Thunderbird, Ford Tempo, Ford Taurus, Ford Super Deluxe, Ford Sunliner, Ford Starliner, Ford Sprint, Ford Skyliner, Ford Ranger, Ford Ranchero, Ford Ranch Wagon, Ford Probe, Ford Pinto, Ford Park Lane Wagon, Ford Maverick, Ford Mainline, Ford M-450, Ford M-400, Ford LTD, Ford Granada, Ford Gran Torino, Ford Galaxie, Ford Fusion, Ford Freestyle, Ford Freestar, Ford Ford 300, Ford Ford, Ford Focus, Ford Five Hundred, Ford Fiesta, Ford Festiva, Ford Falcon, Ford Fairmont, Ford Fairlane, Ford F550 Truck, Ford F450 Truck, Ford F350 Truck, Ford F250 Truck, Ford F150 Truck, Ford Explorer, Ford Expedition, Ford EXP, Ford Excursion, Ford Escort, Ford Escape, Ford Elite, Ford Econoline Van, Ford Deluxe, Ford Del Rio Wagon, Ford Customline, Ford Custom, Ford Crown Victoria, Ford Crestline, Ford Courier, Ford Country, Ford Contour, Ford Club Wagon, Ford Club, Ford Bronco, Ford Aspire, and the Ford Aerostar.





Some commonly purchased Ford Car Parts include: the Alternator, Carpet, Coolant Tank, Door Handle and Door, Engine Parts, Exhaust Manifold, Fender Flare, Floor Mat, Grille, AC Compressor, A/C Condenser, Bumper, Catalytic Converters, Electrical Parts, Exhaust, Fender Flare, Fenders, Fuel Tank, and Ford Header Panel. Of special interest among Ford Car Parts are the Headlight, Fog Light, Corner Light, Clear Corner, Backup Light, and Altezza Lights. There are also the Signal Lights, Tail Light, Side Marker Light, Sealed Beam, Projector Headlight, and Parking Light.

About the Author:

Mark is webmaster for Ford Car Parts and Ford Focus Car Parts and also Ford Engines

Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/cars-articles/are-ford-car-parts-easily-available-297917.html

Author: Mark Flanighan

Rent a Classic Car in Las Vegas

You can take the Deuce to hop around the major resorts in the Las Vegas Strip down to Fremont Street, or you may opt for the trolley, or better yet, just hail a taxi whenever you need to go to a particular Las Vegas venue. However, the most sensational ride that would definitely bear a mark on your Las Vegas experience would be to lease a custom built 1958 Corvette from one of the many classic car rentals in Las Vegas.

This baby will surely grab attention moving about on the Strip. But this is only an example of what you can actually drive around Las Vegas. As purposely mentioned earlier, there are a lot of classic car rentals in Vegas from which you can look for that ideal vintage car that you've always dreamed of driving. The smoothness and mere smell of leather upholstery, the wonders of a vintage convertible, and the elegance of a classic road machine will surely make your drive in Vegas unforgettable.



Of course, booking classic car rentals in Las Vegas is not only limited to tourists or first timers in Las Vegas. Classic car rentals in Vegas especially applies to couples, or even singles, who are vying to celebrate special events in a remarkably memorable style. Just imagine a tribute version of a 1934 Duesenberg or an authentic 1987 Rolls Royce Silver Spur limousine pulling up the driveway of a church or chapel to let a blooming bride make a classy and elegant entrance while the besotted groom interestingly watches the breathtaking scene.



Or if you want to surprise your significant other with an extra special birthday celebration packaged with stylish flair, then get your fingers busy looking for a vintage car from the classic car rentals in Las Vegas. And there is no missing in making mention of the fact that if you want to make your wedding anniversary extraordinary and memorable for your loved one, then leasing the tribute version of the 1965 AC Cobra would be most ideal. Of course, this is just giving you ideas of what great cars can be leased from these numerous classic car rentals in Vegas.



And you know what else is so great about these classic car rentals in Las Vegas? There are many ways in which you can rent the vehicle. You can opt to rent your desired vintage ride for several days, for 24 hours, or even for a five-hour period only.



Also, there actually some classic car rentals in Vegas that would let you drive the leased vehicle anywhere in the United States, so long as you won't mind paying the extra fees and perhaps insurances on top of their daily rates. Of course, that's limited to cruising around the United States without crossing the border to Mexico. The car rental would also require the vehicle to be picked up and returned in the lively city of Las Vegas.

About the Author:

Las Vegas Exotic Car Rentals: From 1928 to 2008 we have the LARGEST selection of Exotic, Classic and Luxury Rental Cars on the Strip! From Auburns to Packards, Voyager Classics Car Rentals has the largest selection of classics available for rent anywhere in Las Vegas.

Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/marketing-articles/rent-a-classic-car-in-las-vegas-540533.html

Author: Paul Fitzgerald

New Car Road Test – Go for a Test Drive Before Buying a Car

Are you planning to buy a brand new car this year? And you are already in dilemma which one to buy and which one not! Do not get confused. There are experts to guide choosing your new car. A car is worth buying if it passes the road test. So, the new car road test is a must before you actually buy it. It may happen that you are charmed by the look and features of the car that you have chosen. But the time you go for a road test you at once realize that the car is not made for you.

Where to go for a test drive:

It is wise to follow what the experts say while buying any kind of vehicle. Many of the cars for sale look like a new one. The best way to find out the truth is a test drive. A half-an hour test drive is sufficient to understand the condition of a car. Choose roads that have winding curves and rough surface. Highways are also a good option for test drives. Roads with frequent stop-and-go signals help to find out whether brakes are functioning properly or not.

What to check during test drive:

During test drive do not turn the music on as it will bar you from hearing noises made by the vehicle itself. Accelerate hard and take sharp but smooth turns. If there is problem in the car’s drive train or transmission then you will get a noisy drive. Modern diesel fueled automobiles do not make sound and give smoother ride. So, noise is an indication of problem in the vehicle. Take a couple of miles ride with and without the AC turned on to check the power drain.

Check the position of the steering wheel. See whether the seats are lighter and comfortable enough for you. Simplified dash board ensures easy operation. Use brake while driving at least 50mph to know the car’s emergency performance. If you are not driving a heavy vehicle then pressing clutch should not feel like working out at the gym. As you end your drive leave the motor running for a while and remove the oil-filler cap. Emission of white smoke is an indication of serious engine problem.

Choosing the right model:

It is not always that going for a hi-fi model will do. Your focus should be on purpose. You may have the money to buy a Ferrari or a Ford Mustang. But they are not a good choice for a traffic congested roads in a metro. Think about the condition of the roads where you are going to drive the car. If you need a car to pick your kids from school or drive down to your office every morning then a Ferrari will not do, although it has high speed and powerful engine. On the contrary, GMC trucks are heavy duty vehicles that are ideal for a family ride.

Now, you know the importance of road test and how to choose the right model. So, follow the tips to ensure the best buy. The more cars you take for test drive the easier it becomes for you to find the gem and weed out the lemons.

About the Author:

Ethan Williams is an automobile journalist. He writes car reviews and car buying guide; his favorite models are 2009 Ford Focus and 2009 Cadillac CTS. For latest car reviews, he recommends you to visit: www.caranddriver.com

Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/cars-articles/new-car-road-test-go-for-a-test-drive-before-buying-a-car-721836.html

Author: Ethan Williams

A Car Buying Story, Part One: Why and What?

My recent decision to buy a car was not really a voluntary one. I had a small accident in which my almost 20 years old Honda Accord was promptly written off. With such an old car even a small bend and broken headlight is already too expensive to repair, so the insurance decided they better give me $1,500, which was actually a good deal. But it left me without a car.

So shopping for car was in order. This was certainly an undertaking given that I haven't been following up on cars at all for about 8 years since I bought Honda Accord. I like driving, and do like good cars, I even like fixing the cars to some extent, but I'm no real enthusiast. I don't read articles on cars; I don't buy auto magazines or go to auto shows. I also usually do not start a conversation about latest models and features. Similar to a presidential candidate who is seriously "on top of things" only during the campaign -- once elected, the interests and priorities change a bit.





Anyhow, I knew I had to do some extensive research in order to be happy about what I'm about to buy. So I did that, and the amount of new information I've gathered was even larger than I expected. You know, today's cars are completely different things than those from 15 or more years ago. Features that did not even exist before became my main focus and motivation.





I spent several days online, just reading whatever I could find. And good thing is that all the car makers have very comprehensive websites where you can find all the information you need including the prices. It actually turned out that the prices I got off of these websites matched perfectly what I got in the dealerships -- and that is with all the additions like taxes, AC fee, delivery fee, pre-delivery inspection fee (PDI) and such.





I also read other sources, mostly looking for experience of other people. There are a lot of good resources on the Internet, just do a search and you'll find whatever you're looking for -- there is so much out there. Some of them I found useful are:





Car Buying Tips: http://www.carbuyingtips.com





An excellent website with the world of information about every aspect of car buying process. It will save you some headaches too.





Edmunds: http://www.edmunds.com





Sort of a "traditional" auto portal. Also covers all aspects of the topic -- from prices to safety. And, I've heard dealers refer to this site.





MSN Autos: http://autos.msn.com





Another general auto portal. I used it a lot when I was comparing specific features of different models -- it has a handy comparison little tool.





Automotive.com: http://www.automotive.com





Automobile: http://www.automobilemag.com





These two are also general portals, and I used them mostly to find specifications of older models including my Accord '89 for comparison with the new models.





After a few days I arrived to a set of features that I'd like to have:





New car





Or almost a new car. Before I had time to maintain and work on a car myself, but now, with the family and two small kids, I don't even have the time to think about the car, let alone do some work. And even having a good mechanic is not sufficient. With an old car, there is no mechanic that can guarantee anything -- you have to simply accept that you'll have unexpected problems. Before I was able to take that responsibility, but now, with a family and no time, I can't. So I needed not only a problem-free car, but also a concern-free car.





Make





I drove domestic, Japanese and German cars before, and thought I'm going to go with Japanese once more. I thought that would give me better probability of a hassle-free car for a good price. I did question this decision during the research, but in the end I stuck to it.





Safety





With the recent car accident I wanted safety above all. Even in a small accident like the one I had, you get to experience very strongly how utterly unprotected we all are on the road. You absolutely don't need a lot to get killed or injured. And nobody really has to make any mistake, let alone big mistake. One small, almost negligible thing happens, and there you are in a blaze of events ending with a crash.





The guy in front of me stopped short and I was fraction of a moment late to react and kicked him a bit. Not too much -- his car didn't suffer almost any damage except some scratches and dirt on the bumper. But then I started thinking "what if..." thoughts. It was fairly steep downhill, and if it were raining...! If there was a motorcycle in front of me instead of a mini van... If I was going faster and for some reason in a spur of the moment decided to avoid him by switching to other lane (full of cars)... If all of those things happened together... Even now when I think of those things, my stomach aches.





And then later while researching crash tests scores I watched official crash tests videos on the internet. Boy, I would recommend everyone to see at least one or two of those videos -- you'll get much more realistic picture about driving in a car. There are two organizations that perform crash tests and on their websites you'll find the safety information for many models:





National Highway Transportation Safety Administration (NHTSA): http://www.safercar.gov





Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS): http://www.iihs.org





The information on these websites is very educative and complete. It contains the descriptions of the tests, the results for many models and the video clips. You can also find a lot of general info accumulated in the years of research in this area. For example -- what is the impact in front, side or rear crashes, how does impact differ for front and rear passengers, how to protect your children, the implications of increasing number of large vehicles (SUVs in particular) on the road (you better buy a bigger car yourself), etc.





The tests videos can also be found (even more of them) by doing a search on the web. A lot of them are posted on YouTube.





So I figured I wanted air bags -- not only front ones, but also side and particularly curtain ones that protect rear seat passengers. The side and curtain airbags are not mandatory and they are not standard equipment. Some of the models do not have them even as an option.





ABS (Anti-lock Brake System) was also a must -- I hate sudden stops, and if it's raining or snowing, ABS can help a lot.





Other safety features like active stability control, traction control, active head restraints, car body designed to absorb the impact were also very desirable.





In the end AWD (All Wheel Drive) was something to consider as well.





Space





This was a tricky one. I had controversial requirements. Most of the time we need a small city car -- going to work, driving small kids to school, shopping, etc. Only sometimes we'll go for a longer vacation trip when we need larger trunk. Only sometimes we'll have parents, relatives or friends visiting when we need at least enough space in the back for two car seats and one or more adults. Only sometimes I'll need to carry a piece of smaller furniture or such. So should I buy a minivan if 95% of the time it will practically be empty? Or should I buy a small car and not be able even to go for a picnic? This question is actually even now, after I bought the car, still unresolved. Time will show how well I did on this.





Convenience





I did not need or even want things like sun roof, leather seats, body collared and heated mirrors, spoilers and such. Even power this or that wasn't important to me although I've learned that these days a number of even basic models include power options to a good extent. So I figured, I'll accept it if I have to, what can I do.





Fuel Economy





Very important. Gas prices are going up and the oil wars are going on -- need say no more. And over the years that you own a car it adds up. It is actually an excellent idea to calculate the total cost of the car over a number of years (including gas, insurance and other maintenance costs) and use that figure when making the decision. So I wanted the best fuel economy possible -- another controversial requirement.





I was actually hoping I'll find a good diesel car, but in Canada there aren't many of those since we have pretty high emissions standards so some of the good diesel cars do not qualify. And that is too bad. I rented small VW Polo a few months ago in Europe, and drove 900 km with 1.5 tanks! By specs it spends 4L/100km!! That's a money saver. And it actually produces such a nice feeling of independence -- you drive and drive and drive, and then drive some more, and the tank is still full. So sweet!!





With all these requirements I set off to dealerships one nice weekend. I figured I'll just go to an auto mall, and browse. I figured later this was really not the best way to approach things. After a whole day of looking at cars and test driving them, you get pretty tired and they all look the same at the end of the day. And after doing that for two whole days I got sick of cars and didn't want to buy one at all! But on the other hand I did collect a lot of information, and got the first impressions about driving them. Then I let that settle for a while and in the meantime explored options of buying a used car, buying one down-south in US, or in a dealership far away from the city where I could get a better price. Then, of course, I also needed to figure out the best way to pay for the car. Boy, this all takes time. It's a full-time project. But in the end I had my options laid out and made a decision.





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Read the rest on following pages:





Part Two: How?





Part Three: Models and Makes





Part Four: The Dealers

About the Author:

Michael Thornessen is a typical car buyer that has recently spent some substantial time and effort researching the auto market.

Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/automotive-articles/a-car-buying-story-part-one-why-and-what-227540.html

Author: Michael Thornessen

How to Check the Drive Belt

The drive belt in your car plays a minor part in the inner workings. There is nothing much to say about it really, except that it powers the air con, the water pump, power steering and brakes, and the alternator. And some other things too, but hey, nothing major, right? Anyway, if you hear a squeal from underneath the hood of your vehicle, then the law of averages dictates that it could be something to do with your drive belt. So let us flip that hood and have a look. In fact, even if you have not heard a squeak, it is a lot better to be safe than sorry, so join in.

You do not need to be a mechanic to check the drive belt of your car. This is good news, since if you are reading a guide on how to check a drive belt; you probably are not a very thoroughly trained mechanic. It will not even necessarily take long. You can do this every time you change your oil, to ensure the continued smooth running of things. But make sure the engine is switched off before inspecting anything in there, and if you are going anywhere near the fan make sure the engine has cooled completely before you touch it. Disconnect the fan completely, to make 100% sure it will not engage. Trust me, it is one of those things you want to be 100% sure about.

You are looking for deep cracks, splits and frayed edges in your drive belt. Or, more optimistically, you are looking for NONE of these things. If they do appear, it ids bad news and your drive belt will need replacing. If there are small cracks here and there it will not be a problem, but anything that looks like structural damage will need to be repaired or replaced. It is not something you want to risk leaving only for it to fail you when you need it. You are also looking for tension. This is a balance issue. Too loose and it will need tightening to avoid it slipping, too tight and it will need loosening so that it does not crack or snap. Just a light press on the middle or where the belt hangs above things, and if it goes down more than half an inch you will need to tighten it.

If it has any of the aforementioned major flaws, you will need to replace your drive belt. Remove the old one by first loosening it and then lifting it off, then take it to an auto parts store. There, they will be able to give you guidance on what kind of belt you need to replace it with, and how to do this. What you are looking for is a belt that is shorter than the one you are holding. The one you are holding has stretched with use. Buy one as long, or longer, and it will be coming loose before you have driven a thousand miles.

Have a fun and safe time on the road, and visit us to find the best deal on the insurance coverage you need. Get money-saving tips, free quotes for affordable auto insurance and helpful recommendations about your automobile policy at Auto Insurance Rates Direct today

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Levi_Quinn

By Levi Quinn

How to Change the Windshield Wiper Blades

How many times have you been sitting at the wheel of the car, and it starts to rain, you switch on your wipers and, as you look out through your windshield, you think "I am sure there used to be clear glass here. When did I replace it with a frosted window?" Even if it is not very often, the chances are that you have had underperforming windshield wipers at one point or another. If you have not been using your windshield wipers much recently, it is time to replace them. Bear with us, there is method to our madness.

If you have not been using your wipers recently it means that you have not needed to. This is, in all likelihood, because the weather has been sunny recently and you have had no need to brush aside the rain as it falls onto your car. Therefore, it is as good a time as any to be outside doing something that does not take very long at all. It also means that when that rain does start falling, you are not going to have the situation outlined above where everything goes blurry - because you replaced them when you did not need them. Clever, huh?

As with any replacement process, the first thing you need to do is get rid of the thing that needs to be replaced. Do this carefully, because the combination of metal and glass may be simply to die for in a new office building, but in a car windshield it tends to amount to a big crack in the eyeline of the driver. There is a tab on the underside of the wiper - while holding the wiper arm away from the shield, depress this tab and take the wiper off. Bingo. Now, while reaching for the new wiper, rest the wiper arm GENTLY touching the windshield. This will stop the wiper arm falling VIOLENTLY against the windshield and having the aforementioned smashy drawback.

Now comes the coup de grace - fitting the new wiper to the old arm. This may look like it is going to be difficult, and you may start to question whether in fact you need wipers. You do. Be brave, you are nearly there. Now, look at the wiper blade, where the attachment is to be made. See how one end of the plastic clip device is flat, and one is curved? Rotate the clip until the curved end is pointing towards the blade, and clasp the wiper wrong side up next to the wiper arm. See how the curve in the arm matches with the curved end of the clip? There you go!

Now that it is lined up, you need to drop the wiper on top of the wiper arm, and put the arm between the sides of the wiper, with the open end of the hook pointing towards the plastic clasp. Reposition the hook over the clip and pull up the wiper until they slide together. Pull that tight, so that everything snaps into place, and let down the wiper onto the windshield. Replicate what you have just done, and you have fitted your new wiper blades.

Are you putting off reviewing or changing your car insurance coverage? Visit our web site today at Auto Insurance Rates Direct for information on how to determine what coverage you need, then find it at a good price. Insure your whole family, including cheap car insurance for teenagers

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Levi_Quinn

By Levi Quinn

Should You Store Or Toss Your Snow Tires?

As warm weather spreads across the country thousands of drivers who put snow tires on their cars for the winter months will remove them and put them in storage until next winter. Thanks to advances in tire engineering, most drivers manage to get around on all season radials, avoiding the need to make seasonal swaps with their tires.

But for people who live in snowy areas of the country, snow tires provide the only assurance that they'll be able to move about when winter's fury is at its worst. Ice, drifting snow and other hazardous road conditions make using snow tires still a good choice, often the best move drivers can make when bad weather hits.

After awhile, snow tires begin to wear out, showing signs that they aren't doing their job as well as they should. Usually, drivers notice these changes as they attempt to get around after a storm, finding that their grip on icy roads isn't as confident as it could be. At this point, the tires many be at the end of their useful life and should be disposed of properly.

There are other ways that drivers can tell if their tires are at the end of their lifespan including:

Uneven wear - Tires begin to show signs of wear such as bulging in the middle or on the sides. If your tires are newer, than they could be defective. Check your warranty to see if repairs or a replacement is covered.

Noise, vibrations - Snow tires have a different sort of hum them than regular tires because of the tread. Likely, you are accustomed to this "tune" and can differentiate note changes. In addition, if your tires or steering wheel vibrates, inspect your tires to see if they are inflated properly or simply wearing out.

Pulling to the side - If your car is pulling to one side, tire inflation could be low. Inspect all tires for wear and tear, inflate per your owner's manual specifications.

If you have used the same set of snow tires for many seasons, this could be the year that they'll need to be disposed of. In that case, take your car to your favorite garage and have him swap out your winter tires for your regular tires. Leave your old tires at the shop, paying the disposal fee as required.

You can shop for new snow tires when prices are low which is usually during the warmest months of the year, stock permitting.

Matthew C. Keegan is a freelance writer who resides in North Carolina. Matt is a contributing writer for Andy's Auto Sport an aftermarket supplier of quality parts including Honda Civic rims and Ford rims

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Matthew_Keegan

By Matthew Keegan

Is it Time For You to Recharge Your Car Battery?

You jump in your car, insert your key in the ignition and nothing happens. Not a click or a cough or a whir. You think it could be the alternator but you suspect that your car's battery has given up the ghost. What's mysterious to you is that you've had the battery for under two years with many more years left in its life cycle.

No worries, you can avoid by a new battery by recharging your dead one. Yes, the battery that has given up the ghost will soon be live and kicking again if you follow my recharging steps:

Get Prepared - To recharge your battery, you'll need access to several tools, many of which you may already have. If you don't have a battery recharger, then borrow one from a friend. Some of the auto parts stores have one that they can lend to you too. Along with the battery charger you'll need a wrench or pliers, safety goggles, gloves, and a battery cleaner. A little tip for you: oftentimes corrosion is what causes batteries to die before their time.

Clean the Connections - You don't need to remove the battery from your car in order to recharge it. You will need to make sure that battery posts and terminals are free of corrosion; a wire brush will do as will a special battery cleaner you can pick up at the parts store.

Connect the Charger - Most batteries today are color coded meaning you can connect the black terminal with the negative clip and the red terminal with the positive clip. Check the battery terminal itself which will show a "+" symbol for positive and a "-" symbol for negative.

Let Her Rip - Once connected, you are ready to turn your battery charger on. Follow the gauge on the charger to know how long to keep it connected to your battery. When done, disconnect the charger and your once dead battery should be alive and kicking.

Always were the appropriate safety items (gloves and goggles) when working with a battery and make sure that you don't cross the connections which could damage the battery. If after taking these steps your battery won't hold a charge, then repeat it to see what happens. A battery that won't hold a charge is likely dead and will need replacing a step you can handle by paying a fresh visit to your favorite auto parts store.

Matthew C. Keegan is a freelance writer who resides in North Carolina. Matt is a contributing writer for Andy's Auto Sport an aftermarket supplier of quality parts including VW wheels and Nissan Altima wheels

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Matthew_Keegan

By Matthew Keegan

Car Windshield Installation

As a driver, there is a great chance that you've gone through the troubles of having your mirrors or car windshield cracked or nicked somehow. That's why people have considered installing DIY car windshieldw, because freak accidents happen all the time and chances are, almost everyone has experienced them. Perhaps a big car was driving past you and it ran over a rock which flew to your windshield. Perhaps a tree branch fell on your car and broke the glass.

Even a small chip or crack in your auto glass will be the cause of great trouble. If you've scouted around for professional car repair services, then you would know why a lot of people just let the crack alone. It's just a small nick, why would it matter, right? It doesn't seem worth the effort and the money that you would spend in a glass replacement service. However, there are serious consequences that come with neglecting this small damage to your glass. With that tiny crack is an opening that would let the elements slowly seep in to the inside of the glass. In time, the small amount of moisture in water or even in water vapor will eat through the strata of glass. It will severely weaken and subtly destroy the entire laminate. And just as the car basks in the hot rays of the sun during your drives, the weakened laminate will begin to expand because the moisture has turned into gas. That is when you see the spider web effect that grows around that small chip. At other times, the crack will simply extend, growing longer and longer slashing across your car windshield. These things can severely endanger you because they obstruct proper road visibility.

A DIY (do it yourself) installing car windshield kit is a popular choice for dealing with this kind of car problem. Home repair might just be all you need to avoid the exponential growth of your problem. It would be cheaper too, considering the amount most professional car window installers would charge you. Also, you might have no time to take your car to the shop. After all, these garages operate within the same working hours that we follow. Giving up your car for that small amount of inopportune time might lead to worse problems at work when there are unforeseen emergencies.

A home repair kit is easily obtainable. Checking out the nearest auto parts store in your neighborhood or even in department stores will reveal to you that these kits are cheap. Most of them cost from eight to ten dollars. The job of repairing the crack is just a breeze and will probably take no more than a few minutes as long as you follow directions and conduct the repair with presence of mind. DIY installing car windshield is really one of the best solutions.

If you happen to be in the Charlotte area there is a Charlotte auto glass store that offers professional help for your auto glass repair needs

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By Paul Aragones

Refurbished Inverters

Refurbished inverters are for those who cannot afford to buy a new one. These inverters are available in abundance. They can be purchased online also. While purchasing a refurbished inverter there are certain things which have to be kept in mind. Firstly, it should meet your needs. Second, check the condition of the battery. The batteries should be in very good condition, as the performance of the inverter will be largely based on that.

Thirdly, the price of the inverter is a consideration. Most of the companies selling refurbished inverters offer them at half the price of the original one. If you go to one of the auction sites on the web you may get an even better deal. Fourth, knowing the warranty period is important. Most of the companies offer at least a one-year warranty even in case of refurbished inverters.

Fifth, check out the past record of the dealer in terms of after-sale service. If something goes wrong in a refurbished inverter, you would need technical support to get the problem sorted out. Sixth, one should carefully go through the list of detailed information about various parts of a refurbished inverter. You should know the quality and remaining life of these parts.

Seventh, and one of the most important points, is to check whether the refurbished inverter you are planning to buy has been approved by a regulatory authority in terms of safety standards.

It is easy to get lured by offers made by refurbished inverter sellers, especially if you are buying online. Make sure that you are not dealing with a fly-by-night operator.

Inverters provides detailed information on Inverters, Power Inverters, Welding Inverters, Refurbished Inverters and more. Inverters is affiliated with Uninterruptible Power Supplies

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By Peter Emerson

Power Inverters

Power inverters are those which switch direct current (DC) to alternating current (AC). A power inverter comes to your rescue when a direct electricity supply is not available. In such situations an inverter provides current to run certain important equipment such as mobile phones and computers.

Power inverters come in different models, each one having a different capacity in terms of the amount of power that can be produced and the duration of the supply of power. One can operate more than one gadget with the help of a power inverter. But the capacity of the inverter should be at least 50% more than the combined wattage requirement of this equipment.

If one is using a power inverter inside a vehicle, then the engine should be kept running for around 10 to 15 minutes. This ensures that the car battery does not get discharged. Power inverters operate more efficiently if batteries are in good condition, so one should go for proper maintenance of batteries in order to get the reap the maximum benefits of a power inverter.

The cost of a power inverter depends on its wattage capacity. If one is camping it is advisable to keep extra batteries. If batteries have weakened try not to put too much load on the inverter, as it could shut it down totally. Those who use power inverters quite frequently, in vehicles, homes, offices or otherwise, should get their batteries checked at regular intervals. Power inverters vary in size also. There are large numbers of companies that sell power inverters. Before one shops for a power inverter, one should be sure about his or her requirements. One can get detailed information about the performance and utility of different models on Internet. One can log on to web sites which provide specific information about certain models.

Inverters provides detailed information on Inverters, Power Inverters, Welding Inverters, Refurbished Inverters and more. Inverters is affiliated with Uninterruptible Power Supplies

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By Peter Emerson

Auto Dealer Invoices

The process of buying a car from an auto dealership involves buyers making offers to dealers on the cars. Buyers need to arm themselves with the necessary information about the pricing and costs of cars in an auto dealership, because knowledge on these things can help buyers make a fair offer based on the actual cost of a car. Among the different aspects of the pricing of cars in auto dealerships, three of the most important include the invoice price of the car, the manufacturer’s suggested retail price (MSRP), and the incentives that manufacturers provide to auto dealers. All of these will have a significant effect on the offer that buyers make for cars.

The first step in the process of selling a car in a dealership is for auto dealers to buy cars that they would put on their lot from different manufacturers. Subsequently, the manufacturers issue an invoice to auto dealers for the cars. However, what manufacturers do not include in the invoice is the deduction in the price that they give dealers as incentive, which usually amounts to $500 for the dealer to sell their cars and in some cases, manufacturers also deduct a 2% holdback on the cars. In addition to this, manufacturers also put a manufacturer’s suggested retail price on the car, which are usually 12% to 13% higher than the invoice price. As expected, auto dealers would be more than willing to show their customers the invoice price of the cars they together with the MSRP to show that they are charging a fair markup on the car. In most cases, dealers even offer pries that are lower than the MSRP. What buyers do not know is that given the incentives and the deductions that manufacturers give to dealers, dealers are always assured of a profit even if they sell the car at a price that is near the invoice price. Given this, the traditional rule of adding 5% to the invoice price, which is considered a good offer price, ends up giving dealers about 10% to 20% in profits.

When making an offer for a car, buyers should be aware of how cars in an auto dealership are priced, which includes getting information on terms like the invoice price and the manufacturers suggested retail price. This is because being aware of the different aspects that goes into the pricing of cars in dealerships would allow buyers to make a fair offer to dealers based on what dealers actually paid for the car.

Auto Dealers provides detailed information on Auto Dealers, Used Auto Dealers, Auto Dealer Auctions, Auto Dealer Invoices and more. Auto Dealers is affiliated with Auto Glass Quotes

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By Peter Emerson

Welding Inverters

Welding inverters help improve weld quality and reduce operating costs. But one has to select the right kind of tungsten to get the maximum benefit from a welding inverter. Experts used to recommend the use of pure tungsten if you were using a welding inverter, but today ""rare earth"" tungsten is favored over pure tungsten. The use of rare earth tungsten has been made possible by new technologies developed in the filed of welding. The choice of rare earth tungsten depends on various factors such as the kind of welding inverters one is using and the metal which needs to welded.

Welding inverters often cost more than traditional welding equipment. Sometimes the difference could be as much as 100 percent. This often acts as a deterrent for many manufacturers, especially the smaller ones, who might not be able to afford a welding inverter.

But inverter technology can save as much 25 percent of your costs. There are other advantages also, such as better control over depth-to-width ratios. Welding inverters help one to weld at a much faster speed. It also reduces the time spent in welding, and cuts down on gas and tungsten consumption.

There are a number of models of welding inverters available on the market. Some companies are also ready to provide customized welding inverters to suit your requirements. There are certain technologies, easily available on the market, which help one to go for very light welding inverters. They are portable and can be easily accommodated in your workshop or factory. But sizes may vary according to the capacity of a welding inverter. So does the price. You choose one which suits your need. If you are not sure which one to go for, search web sites that provide detailed information about products of various companies manufacturing and selling these kinds of inverters.

Inverters provides detailed information on Inverters, Power Inverters, Welding Inverters, Refurbished Inverters and more. Inverters is affiliated with Uninterruptible Power Supplies

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By Peter Emerson

Auto Dealers

When it is time to purchase a new car, many people opt for a used car from a dealership.. However, most people believe that car dealers have a reputation of trying to trick people out of their money. Today’s car buyers need to be extra careful when dealing with them. There are some steps that buyers can take to help them deal with auto dealers without running the risk of overpaying for a car.

The first thing car buyers need to do is to assess their own financial situation. This is important as this can help a person know what he can afford, which can help him set a price limit for his purchase. Moreover, doing so can help a car buyer avoid being encouraged to buy a car he cannot afford. In relation to this, car buyers also need to decide on which car they want depending on their price limits. This is also important because it can help narrow down a person’s search for a car. Another important step is to canvass for the auto dealership that would offer the best deals on cars. If possible, people should also bring the ads of other auto dealers to the dealers they go to because this can give them a good leverage when it comes to the price negotiations.

When dealing with auto dealers, car buyers should not just settle for the rate that an auto dealer first gives for the financing of a car, because they can negotiate for the best rate possible. If the dealer cannot offer them a better deal, they can simply move to the next dealership. Car buyers should also avoid being loaded with things that they do not need, like rust proofing or tow packages by their auto dealers because doing so only adds to the price of the car.

Dealing with auto dealers can be tricky, so car buyers should be informed about the car-buying process in order to avoid being duped by some unscrupulous auto dealers. With the right information, car buyers are sure to get a good value for their money from the cars they buy.

Auto Dealers provides detailed information on Auto Dealers, Used Auto Dealers, Auto Dealer Auctions, Auto Dealer Invoices and more. Auto Dealers is affiliated with Auto Glass Quotes

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By Peter Emerson

Build Your Own Solar Panels From Cheap and Free Sources in Your Area - No Myth - No Hype

$30,000 is too much money for us mere mortals to slap down for a commercial solar panel array. And up until recently this was the only option available to most people.

But the fact is that many homeowners are finding that they can build their own solar panels for very low cost, using cheap parts available in most neighborhood hardware stores. And some are even finding free components at business around their area who consider the parts as scrap and want to get rid of them.

The fact is that we are not talking about a high-tech project here. In fact at this very moment in elementary school classrooms all around the world, 5th graders are using solar power to build sun powered cars, lights, mini computers, motors, fans and a vast array of other fun projects.

This is not rocket science folks, solar power is simple, and building solar panels is simply a matter of combining readily available parts together to construct not only panels but also the storage system for surplus power, as well as inverters to change the DC into AC that will power normal household appliances like, blenders, microwaves and Satellite TV systems.

Imagine the thrill of a $0 energy bill... Or better yet imagine selling some of that surplus energy back to the utility company for profit?

The good news is that there are plans available with simple instructions on where to get the necessary parts (some of them for free) and exactly how to assemble them in a manner that creates a professional looking panel that pumps out clean, free energy every sunny day for $200 USD or less!

The Plans To Build Your Own Solar Panels

Please understand that these plans cost a small fee but if you have searched Google and discovered the same crazy contraptions that I have then you already know that paying the cost of a McDonald's family outing is well worth the price

If you want to get your hands on the plans to build your own solar panels, then Click Here Now

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By Mike Hightower

How to Make Wind Power - Read This & Find Out

You can make wind power by building a wind generator. A wind generator has four distinct parts, the body, the hub and blades, the tail and the tower. It is also known as a windmill or a wind turbine. You can build the wind generator by following the steps below.

1) You should first make the wind generator's blade and hub through easily obtainable materials.

2) The motor should be obtained by buying or ordering it. It is the most important part of the wind generator as it converts the wind power into electrical energy.

3) Than you have to make the body of the wind generator through recycled materials like stainless steel chimney pipes of double wall. The stainless steel protects the internal moving parts and the motors well. You can get these pipes easily from woodstove dealers or chimney installers.

4) Than you have to make the tail of the generator. You can design and shape the tail with any colour and theme.

5) After that comes the part of the wind generator tower. You can either build the wind generator tower, or buy a readymade one, or get a free tower. The towers come in various sizes and shapes, from lattice work towers to huge metal towers of windfarms. You can get a free tower from various homes that are replacing their old TV towers by satellite TV. To have a strong flow of wind, the tower should be 15 feet higher than any obstruction located within 300 feet.

6) After you have built the wind generator, a bank of batteries is needed. You should also have a way for controlling the charging process of your batteries. To have frequent access to the batteries and monitor their charging, you have to place on the wall a small meter.

Thus you will be able to easily tell if there are any problems in the battery's charging. Also design a box for the batteries so that they do not get affected by temperature changes. Than you can take a wire of large diameter and connect the wind generator and the battery bank and an inverter can be hooked up for running your home's AC power outlets.

If you think the above steps are too complicated for you to follow, but you still want to learn how to build a windmill or wind generator, then please click here to get more detailed instructions

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By Alexander Belov

Equity in Football - The Pros & Cons of the Salary Cap Proposal

The gulf between rich and poor clubs has never been greater. The amount of money circulating in the game has never been greater. The amount of players instantly becoming multi millionaires and buying fast cars and large mansions have never been greater. However, more sadly, the amount of clubs, especially ones with a lot of prestige and history behind them, going under have never been greater.

There's always something wrong in seeing a football club, especially one which gets packed houses, struggle to break even and compete for a title. Just as the amount of money circulating has increased, the cost of staying in the game has increased as well.

Such large increases in wages put smaller, less rich clubs at a serious disadvantage in terms of challenging for titles and championships. As a result, many of these clubs have been forced to take financial gambles to be able to attract good enough players to remain competitive. This has backfired for some clubs such as Leeds United who in the space of 5 years went from being in the Champions League semi final to the English third division.

The question remains, can this wage spiral be controlled so that it no longer harms the smaller clubs? The answer is yes, and in football it's being used in just 2 countries in the world: the USA and Australia. Both Major League Soccer and A-League used what is known as a salary cap, which is a limit as to how much a club can spend on players' wages on a yearly basis.

The main advantage of such a system is that it ensures that each team is competitive despite their revenue and profits. It ensures parity and equity for the players and keeps the fans on the edge of their seats when it comes to challenging for the title as no one is shoo-in.

The major disadvantage of having a salary cap system in place is that it becomes very difficult for a club to retain its players. As a result, championship-winning teams rarely do stay together for another season. This is exactly what happened when Melbourne Victory won the 2006/07 in dominating fashion. The exodus of various players led to Victory having a disastrous season in 2007/08. The salary cap is an even greater disadvantage in football especially if other leagues do not have a salary cap themselves. As a result, the best players and talent will be taken away from leagues with salary caps, leaving fans with the leftovers.

Nevertheless, the risk of losing talent is not greater than the risk of losing clubs forever. While it may be a tragedy for clubs to lose star players due to a salary cap, it will surely ensure that fans still have a club to support.

Martin Sejas is the chief writer of http://www.SportsNewsFootball.com, a leading sports news football website known for its fearless and critical analysis of the major issues affecting the beloved game of football

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By Martin Sejas

SD70ACe VS ES44AC

Is Union Pacific the slowly dripping I.V. in the two builder market? When Union Pacific pulls the plug, will EMD flat-line? Virtually every modern locomotive on BNSF's Transcon is a GE product; CSX stenciled-in "4500's" on its SD70MAC's to make room for 700 series ES44AC's. Is this curtains?

I see a modern C628 in the SD70ACe; bulky, tough, and a product that itself functions adequately well. Its failure to bring in ES44-size profits, however, foreshadows that EMD's R&D will create a C636 on its next try. Poetic justice.

I grew up on the SD40-2. It is impossible to believe that the throngs of hundreds are fading; with them, perhaps their builder. I was too young to feel an Alco-enthusiasts pain. I understand it now.
Will the world allow a one-builder market? Will EMD be able to keep its costs down and its performance high enough to satisfy especially Union Pacific, and at least one or two other railroads-KCS, CN, NS? If EMD is extinguished, will locomotive building be a lucrative enough venture against GE and the GEVO to attract an upstart?

GE patiently awaited its opportunity. A Dash-7 was often spotted between SD40-2 bookends. EMD had the goods; GE got orders to keep the game fair.

AC traction stepped GE up. The railroads weren't concerned with history; they wanted a reliable product as cheaply and quickly as possible. When the R&D settled, GE won. We had the SD70MAC and the AC4400CW, the AC4400CW being nearly a 3:1 favorite.

EMD doesn't have the bankroll to stay in the business; GE could ride out slow locomotive sales when it got the occasional bone. If there is going to be a second builder, it is going to have to be big and strong enough to live in GE's doghouse for awhile.

Andy Fletcher's career as an artist started early. He began drawing trains-one of his first loves-from his own photos when he was still in school. In 1992, Burlington Northern Railroad asked him to design their popular SD70MAC Executive color scheme. Altogether, Andy has drawn over a thousand trains, from steam to modern diesel and cars, cabooses and other equipment. He has been commissioned to paint trains for many of the railroad historical societies and museums

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By Andy Fletcher

All Time Biggest 80's Music Hits and Why We Love Them So

The greatest decade of them all, the 80's!! Once again, here we are at the start of another memory lane. Travel with me once more as I recall some of the biggest music hits from the big 80's!! The hair was big, the music loud, and the hits never seem to end. Rock, pop, country, whatever the style, there is a certain favorite song for everyone. I find it amusing that the more commercials I see, the more I hear 80's classic hit songs. Just goes to show the longevity of this great music and of this great era!

So let's get this gig started shall we? Let's start with favorite pop hits. Everyone from Abba's Dancing Queen, to Whitney Houston's How Will I Know. Madonna's Papa don't Preach, to New Kids on the Block's The Right Stuff. Quirky little gems to say the least. But somehow, they have a permanent spot in my memory. I think I can even still do the N.K.O.T.B. dance!! What about the ever popular band Genesis and all the great 80's hits they had? Land of Confusion, No Reply at All, That's All, just to name a few. Then you can't mention the band Genesis without saying something about the ever popular, Phil Collins. Probably his biggest 80's hit was In The Air Tonight. Does anyone else do the air drum solo near the end of the song like I do? Please, please, please, let there be someone else that does it!! I've almost wrecked cars trying to get it out!! But, hey, back to the subject here. Who can remember The Police and their stream of hits? Don't Stand so Close To Me, Every Little Thing She Does is Magic, Every Breath You Take are just a very few of 80's hits from this great band. Not to mention Sting and his solo career. Do you remember the mega hit from Dire Straits called Money for Nothing? Guess who was singing "I want my M.T.V." in the beginning? You guessed it, Sting. There was a few big artists who kinda sorta crossed lines if you will in the 80's. Eddie Van Halen crossed over and played guitar for Micheal Jackson on his great hit, Beat It, and then Micheal did background vocals for Rockwell and his hit Somebody's Watching Me. Diversity is the name of the game here, with everyone in play.

Next, let's move over to the harder side of 80's rock. There was plenty to be had in this arena wasn't there? Everyone from Poison, to the thunder from down under, AC/DC. Who can't forget the power ballads of the 80's? I believe the biggest power ballad of all time has to be from Poison and Every Rose Has It's Thorn. Stadium rock was alive and well with mega bands like Cinderella and their 80's hit Save Me. Did anyone catch the Monsters of Rock concert from the 80's? If you did, you saw mega stars like Van Halen, Scorpions, and Metallica. It seemed as though the hits that were coming out were bigger and louder than anything else everyone has ever seen. One of the biggest stage presences ever was from the band Def Leppard and their In The Round, In Your Face tour. Talk about something new!! For those not familiar with this kind of concert, the band was in the middle of the concert hall, and the crowd was seated around the band a full 360 degrees. Not that anyone was seated mind you!! This was from their mega album Hysteria. The hits go on and on.

So there you have a few of the greatest 80's rock and pop hits. Stay tuned as there will surely be more to follow. Thanks much for sharing your time with me. Rock On!!!

For more great 80's hits and info visit http://80srockhits.blogspot.com

Glenn is a go to work Dad looking to supplement his household income

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By Glenn Black

Jeep Parts And Accessories For The Cold Season

Jeep Parts and Accessories for the cold season

What Jeep Parts are suitable for the cold months? That will depend on a number of factors. Jeep owners living in areas that truly experience winter are more likely to require exterior parts or accessories. Furthermore, they will also require more temperature-related interior accessories for their treks.

Exterior Jeep Parts and Accessories

Snowy winters have their ups and downs, and what you get for in scenery and seasonal diversity, you pay for in everyday comfort and transportation. Jeep Soft tops and hardtops can keep your Jeep from suffering the effects of constant snow.

Let's not forget those slippery roads. Good quality Snow tires can dramatically increase traction on snow-covered roads and help bite through the hindering snow, with little or no loss in street driving performance. Fortunately, Jeep tires can be purchased from a number of distributors.

Winter brings about several factors that affect visual perception of the road ahead, including rain and snow. Replacing your old wipers blades is always a good idea heading into winter. Companies like Rain-X provide a line of products, like wiper blades and products to repel rain and reduce interior fog. Ice scrapers are always a good idea, especially for those of us who work early and have to deal with ice-covered windows in the morning.

Interior Jeep Parts and Accessories

Protecting your Jeep interior is just as important. There are a number of interior Jeep accessories that can help your winter experience. If you drive a Wrangler, you will especially experience temperature changes. This is an excellent time to make sure your Jeep AC/Heating system is working up to specs.

It's also a good idea to protect your jeep interior from the snow, water, or mud that can be easily though accidentally brought in. Jeep floor mats, especially all-weather floor mats can help absorb these otherwise interior-destroying elements.

Driving your Jeep in areas where you can experience seasons has its ups and downs. Fortunately, Jeeps by their very nature are made to handle difficult conditions and there is no shortage of Jeep parts and accessories made to further accommodate this.

Chris Casarez was born, raised, and currently resides in Southern California. He holds a bachelor’s degree in Corporate Communication and is the Internet Marketing manager for 4 Wheel Drive Hardware, a Jeep Parts and Jeep Accessories supplier carrying a full line of Jeep products, including Jeep Soft tops, hardtops, tires, wheels, repair parts, lift kits, suspension and more

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By Chris Casarez

2006 Mercury Mariner Hybrid and Ford Performance Parts

The Mercury Mariner Hybrid uses both gasoline engine and electric motor, which gives a 50% increase in driving efficiency with a much lower emission. All this is achieved by the use of 6 powertrain components, which work in perfect unison. Ford motor has 40 patents in hybrid engine technology and 70 pending.

"The greatest appeal of the Mercury Mariner Hybrid is that it satisfies both your environmental conscience and sense of style. Mariner Hybrid retains the clean, tailored appearance of the conventional Mariner," said Peter Horbury, Executive Director, North American Design.

Being a full hybrid, the Mercury Mariner employs both series- and parallel-hybrid characteristics. The gasoline engine shuts down to conserve fuel during coasting, at stoplights, and at low speeds. The electric motor, drawing electricity from the battery, is able to drive the vehicle without assistance up to 25 mph.

It has 2.3-liter DOHC Duratec four-cylinder engine with 2 ac electric motors with 250 D-size nickel-metal hydride batteries in a compact, rear-mounted, sealed package. The vehicle could go up to 25 mph with only electric power. The gas engine automatically shuts down at stoplights, during coasting or while vehicle is crawling at low speeds. 2006 Mercury Mariner Hybrid has a greater fuel economy in city driving where electric motor runs the vehicle up to as much as 25 mph.

The Mariner hybrid has 16-inch, five-spoke aluminum wheels wrapped with 235/70R-16 all-season tires and a discreet air vent in the driver's side rear-quarter window that helps cool the rear-mounted nickel-metal hydride battery pack. It has an all-new Intelligent 4WD System, which automatically transfers torque from front to rear as required by road conditions without driver intervention.

Mariner powertrains include a 2.3-liter 16-valve I-4 and a 3.0-liter 24-valve V-6 Duratec engine. Both engines come with a standard 4-speed automatic transaxle.

It also features a front end with the vertical, satin-aluminum-finished waterfall grille framing the floating Mercury emblem. The fascia features a stacked-element theme with complex refractor headlamps over inset fog lamps. A high-impact-plastic (HIP) aluminum-look bumper insert and U-shaped air intake below the bumper.

Mariner has the latest level of the Personal Safety SystemTM, one of the most comprehensive and technologically advanced safety systems available in any vehicle in any class. Seat-mounted front side air bags and side air curtain air bags are optional.

"Mariner Hybrid fits perfectly with Mercury's design philosophy," says Richard Gresens, Mariner chief designer. "It's a stylish, elegant design with clean simple lines. It's an urban sport-utility, comfortable going to a club downtown, yet still possessing all of the capability and versatility of a sport-utility. At the same time, it's environmentally friendly."

To continue Ford's tradition of offering environment friendly, outstanding value and class leading amenities, auto parts companies like Partstrain offers top of the line Ford Parts. The customer has a choice from a vast array of Performance Parts, Replacement Parts, Aftermarket Parts and accessories. It offers new and used Ford auto body and engine parts, headlights, transmission parts, taillights, radiators, wheels, rims, and more.

You can shop securely for your Ford parts with Parts Train's online store at http://www.partstrain.com/ShopByVehicle/FORD The Ford OEM parts you need are in stock and ready to be shipped.

Jenny McLane is a 36 year old native of Iowa and has a knack for research on cars and anything and everything about it. She works full time as a Market Analyst for one of the leading car parts suppliers in the country today

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By Jenny McLane

A License to Thrill - Collecting James Bond Toys

For the true collector, the thrill is more than just acquisition; it's also in the chase. Collectors are rarely in it for the money; it's the excitement of finding the rarest, most obscure things that makes being part of the collecting hobby so much fun. Exchanging notes and showing off your collection to other fans is another big part of the fun; collecting can be like joining a secret club with members all over the world, exchanging tips on finding, restoring and displaying their collections. But of the many kinds of collectors in the world today (and there are collectors of everything from beer cans to rare stamps), probably the most determined treasure seekers of all are toy collectors.

And nobody, but NOBODY, has cooler toys than James Bond.

Since he exploded onto the movie screen in 1965, the suave superspy has been a front-runner in the toy world. And it makes sense; what other character in film and fiction has an entire secret division of the British Government busy making him ever more amazing gadgets? In his every incarnation, James Bond has had the coolest gadgets, the sleekest vehicles and the most deadly foes-all perfect to be translated into toys for the want to be spy-and the determined collector. James Bond toys cover a span of nearly fifty years, with each new movie generating its own variations for the determined Bonda-holic to collect.

Hobbyists collect James Bond toys for a wide variety of reasons. Some want to recover a lost favorite-the Bond toys were among the most popular boy's action lines of the early 1960s. Many are fascinated by the clever vehicles the spy has employed over the years, and collect die cast cars exclusively. Others fix their sights on a particular area-Bond weapons and secret gadgets for example, or Bond games. Still others collect Bond toys as part of a larger Bond collection; there are even a few Bond toys in "spy" museums in both the United States and the United Kingdom. No matter what part of the James Bond legend excites your collecting interest; there are plenty of great items to go around.

The Original Action (Figure) Hero

A.C. Gilberts James Bond Action Figure with spring-activated gun-firing action and their matching Oddjob figure with spring-activated throwing action started this category off with a bang (literally). Later incarnations in the action figure department included Action Man (GI Joe's British cousin) starring as 007 in several incarnations, as well as 8" versions by Mego and Exclusive Premiere's later six and a half inch versions. Collecting them all can be quite a challenge-the AC Gilbert toys are over 40 years old and many have simply fallen apart with age-finding one with its "shooting action" mechanism and firing cap gun is nearly impossible. And while Exclusive's line is still readily available, locating all of the "Bond Girl" figures to complete a full run can keep a collector busy for quite a while.

No Ordinary Car

Of course, the most prized bit of Bond-ailia had to be the superspy's trademark Aston Martin. The Aston has appeared as a battery operated car with bump-n-go action, two model kits, and even as an HO scale racer. But most collectors remember the original diecast cars from Matchbox and Corgi; detailed gems with real working ejector seats, pop out guns and rubber tyres. Over the years, dozens of manufacturers have made entries into the Bond motor pool, not only reproducing old favorites like the Aston, but also all the many other cars, planes, boats, submarines, mini-jets, rocket packs, helicopters, motorcycles and even spaceships that have appeared in Bond's film adventures.

Weapons, Mister Bond, Weapons

In 1965, it was the toy every red blooded boy wanted-(I had one and instantly became the envy of my neighborhood). A realistic black briefcase packing a sleek shell firing Beretta handgun, silencer, stock and scope-plus secret hidden daggers, 007 passport and code-o-matic decryptor, this is the ultimate prize for a Bond toy collector, and can set you back anywhere from $6-800.00 But what if the briefcase too big for your mission? For the subtle spy, American Character brought us the James Bond Vapor Paper & Action pen. With vanishing paper, projectile firing pen, a secret whistle and a built in booby trap to boot. While spy gadgets are no longer as big a part of modern day Bond offerings, you can't really consider yourself a true Bond collector if you don't have at least one of these.

Your Mission, Agent Double-Oh-Collector

If you're thinking of starting a collection with wide opportunities for expansion, James Bond may be the secret agent you're looking for. Starting with readily available die cast cars (like Johnny Lightning's recent version of the Aston) is an inexpensive way to begin. But be warned, just like every Bond mission, the stakes may mount up, as you discover the many games, action figures, secret gadgets and incredibly cool vehicles that you can add to your collection. Because collecting James Bond is a guaranteed license-to thrill.

If you enjoyed this article then you may like to read more about James Bond toys and other collectibles

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By Mark Hazard

A Solar Powered Service Truck - Come See How We Can Work All Day With Our Power Tools With Sun Power

This article will give our readers an idea of what is needed to build a vehicle that utilizes solar panels, a DC to AC power inverter and a battery bank to enable the use of 120 volt appliances and tools while mobile and away from any power. Our system is mounted on a four wheel drive Chevrolet pickup with a utility commercial shell.

Several solar panels joined together are called a solar array. For our purposes we used a 12 volt array. There are also 24 volt arrays as well as 48 volt arrays which are usually reserved for residential or commercial buildings. We will only deal with 12 volt arrays for this article. Our service truck has four Kyocera 125 watt, 12 volt panels on the roof of our utility shell. The formula for figuring how many amps that relates to is, 125 watts divided by 12 volts = 10.42 amps per panel or 41.68 amps for the set of four. To put things in perspective, a large auto type battery charger puts out 40 amps. This is a very high power system and is enough power to power our personal travel trailer for about two cloudy days.

The next major component of our system is a charge controller. The power from the panels goes to the charge controller which is a Xantrex 40 amp, three stage controller capable of taking the full power to the battery bank when maximum charging is needed. As the battery bank becomes closer to being fully charged, the controller "tapers" off to a lower charging rate until the bank reaches about 14 volts when it then goes into a "float" mode that basically just maintains the batteries charge to 100%.

Batteries used for renewable energy are not the same as starting batteries as used to start a vehicle. Renewable energy batteries have much thicker plates and are built for many cycles of being discharged and recharged than would be a starting battery. They also have much more capacity than a starting battery. We use four Concorde Sun Extender 6 volt batteries which are wired in series and parallel. This wiring configuration gives our battery bank about 440 amp hours of reserve power. These are AGM (absorbed glass mat) batteries which are sealed and are spill resistant and therefore pose no safety hazards as far as acid spills are concerned. Each battery has a 220 amp hour rating. When using a series AND parallel wiring configuration however, you end up with 440 amp hours. To illustrate the power here, remember most new homes have incoming power from the utility company of 200 amps!

Once we have all this power stored in our battery bank we need to convert it to usable ac power. This is accomplished by our 2500 watt inverter. The battery bank and the inverter are connected by very large gauge welding cables. An inverter takes the 12 volt dc power from the battery bank and changes it to 120 volts of ac power so that we can use household appliances such as coffee makers, microwaves for use in our travel trailer and most importantly on our service truck, for all our power tools.

Our system enables us to go out on new construction job sites and work all day even though there is no power to the building yet without the noise or expense of a generator. Of course the battery bank will be drained eventually and is why we built such a large one. A system should not be drained below 50%. The lower the discharge rate, the less life expectancy you will get from your batteries. Most of our equipment was purchased from Back Woods Solar in Idaho, who we found to be very knowledgeable and reasonable in cost. They also went the extra mile for us when we had questions. The cost of our system ran around $4,000.00 with us supplying all the labor.

http://www.myhvacparts.com/Education.htm http://www.myhvacparts.com Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Bud_Chick

By Bud Chick

The New Toyota Prius - A Popular Hybrid Car

The best selling and most popular hybrid car in the world right now is once again the Toyota Prius. The release of the Prius in 1997 launched the movement towards hybrids. Initially, the Prius didn't sell very well at all, however, sales start to increase as more models were introduced. In 2003 Toyota came out with their second generation hybrid vehicle making it car of the year according to Motor Trend.

People are buying hybrids not just for environmental and health issues, but also due to soaring gas prices. Out of all the available hybrid cars to select from on the market, the Prius is top of the list because of the price and simplicity.

The second generation of this car has improved upon the first one in many important ways. While the first version of the Toyota Prius had excellent fuel efficiency, air conditioning was the sole option available. Compared to the original, the enhanced version is roomier, faster and flashier. It is the first sedan of its class and size and has won numerous awards.

It employs the Synergy hybrid system used by all of Toyota's hybrid vehicles. It has a 1.5 liter 4 cylinder engine with smart valve timing along with an eternal magnet Ac synchronous motor. It has 110 horsepower (combining electric power with gas power) and 46 mpg fuel economy (city and highway mileage combined, as rated by EPA).

It also has an electronically controlled continuous variable transmission, anti-lock system and regenerative breaking. Benefits include 89% less emissions and tax credits.

Power windows, cloth seats, micron filter air-conditioners, cruise control, door locks, and keyless remote entry are included as standard features in the second generation Toyota Prius.

Climate, audio, and cruise control can be controlled remotely though switches on the steering wheel. A navigational system with bluetooth is one of the options customers have when buying the vehicle. The ignition is tuned on by a power button instead of the key which make it different to any other hybrid on the market. The dashboard contains an energy motor that tracks the power flow between the batteries, engine, and electric motor.

Although there appear to be more stylish hybrids on the road, the Toyota Prius stands out due to fuel efficiency, affordable prices and eco friendly features. If you're looking for practicality why not choose the pioneer?

For more informative articles about the Toyota Prius and other hybrid cars, please go to our web site http://www.ecoholistic.com

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By Malc Moore

2008 Garmin Nuvi 350 Portable GPS Navigator Review

The Garmin Nuvi 350 Portable GPS Navigator is one of the best products Garmin has put on the market. At $199, the Garmin Nuvi 350 Portable GPS device is a super price saving bargain.

Having just about everything you could want in a GPS navigator, the Garmin Nuvi 350 should be perfect for all your needs. Included with the Garmin is an audio book player, a picture viewer, an MP3 player, currency converter and much more. To name a few of the basic features, the Garmin 350 includes a built in picture viewer, mp3 player, audio book player, calculator and much more.

Advanced capabilities include language translation, text2speech, fastest route picker, and a software addon tool. Looking deeper, with the pre-installed North American map pack, you can choose from 3D or 2D display, as well as having the option for the Garmin Nuvi 350 Portable GPS to read upcoming street names outloud.

Garmin Nuvi 350 Portable GPS includes an AC charger, suction cup mount, vehicle power cable, dashboard disc, carrying case, quick reference guide and alread loaded maps of Puerto Rico and the entire North American continent.

Garmin hit a home run with designing a perfect user interface that's much easier to use than the other top GPS competitors. With the Garmin Nuvi 350 Portable GPS, sun-up and sun-down times are programmed to automatically change the screen brightness - something you won't find with other manufacturers. A super-cool feature is that when you power the device off and back on, it will always remember your last request so you don't ever have to tell it exactly where you're going again. The rest of the amazing features, you're just going to have to discover for yourself.

If you don't want to spend $1,000, go with the Garmin Nuvi 350 Portable GPS and it can do basically the same thing as the others can do.

Save $130 on the Garmin Nuvi 350 Portable GPS Navigator!

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Ryan_M_McMickle

By Ryan M McMickle

Generators - Break in Testing Your Generator

After installing a generator, the electrician should load test your generator. Some manufactures require you load test it at one time. Never do it 100% of the load. A new generator needs to break in. The way you break in a generator is by gradually adding the load. I usually start by introducing the lights and then wait ten minutes or more. Then repeat that process adding one appliance at a time, washing machine, dryer, water heater, and air conditioning unit. You are trying to introduce a small amount of load to the generator a little at a time.

Compare that to buying a new car. The automaker will tell you to take it easy for a few months until the engine is broken in. An installer should take care during installing a generator and gradually add the load to a generator. Resistance type loads like load banks need to be watched carefully. Resistance type loads pull more amperage and can get hotter and hotter. For instance, in your home, your electric cook top or electric oven are resistance type loads that can increase over time. As that goes up, it will increase the load on the generator. Some generators can only handle 60% of your resistance load.

Another break in test is the requirement of your oil change. It is not done the day of installation but is a necessary step. You should change your oil after eight hours of running time. They used to suggest you change it after 12 to 20 hours but that has changed. They are shortening the break in time. If you drive your car for eight hours, think of how many miles that would be.

You don't want the break in oil to stay in the generator. The wear of the engine will stay in the break in oil and will cause damage to the bearings and to the engine. You can see the metal shavings. They can get caught in the oil pump or the bearings. They can also get caught in the engine. It is crucial to keep up with your engine maintenance.

I would like to invite you to visit http://www.energyconsciousconsultant.com to find out how Farbe's Electric can give suggestions to reduce your energy costs to save money

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Robert_Farbe

By Robert Farbe

How Do You Make Wind Power Generators?

As you might have seen on Discovery Channel, wind power generators are fast becoming a choice amongst home owners who want to cut down on their monthly electrical bills. For some, making their own wind generator is a far more cheaper alternative than to purchase a factory produced unit that costs thousands of dollars each. So how do you make wind power generators for your home use?

A wind power generator makes use of wind energy to rotate a set of blades that in turn transfers the kinetic energy to a motor to produce a wild three-phase AC which is not usable by electrical appliances. This raw current is then fed to a rectifier to be converted to DC which is used to either directly power some of your electrical devices, or inverted to AC to power your AC appliances. Conventional models used to have batteries where the electricity is being stored, but in many modern wind power generators this electricity is goes straight to the home grid supply.

To make your own home wind power system, you would need to find a good sturdy material that would not break or bend no matter how bad the weather turns. PVC is the most widely accepted material to use to make the turbine blades for your system. A PVC pipe is best used for the blades because of its already curved form.

Old car alternator units make good electricity generators for your wind turbine. They can easily be found in scrapyards and do not cost much either. Be sure of the wiring though - get someone who is familiar with electrical connections if you must.

Wind power generators need to be placed high in order for them to work efficiently. You can make use of old satellite towers to place your wind power generators where there is little to no obstruction to the wind flow.

After all of these are constructed, you would need to know how to connect the electricity produced to either power some of your smaller electronic devices or connect it to your home's main power supply. In most cases, homeowners feed the current to their grid supply - utility companies often times buy the surplus electricity from you; a good way to earn some pocket money for a change.

With all these said, you of course need a sound building plan to know how to make your own wind power generator. For the more technically inclined person, the Internet is a goldmine of free resources with technical blueprints you can download and follow. There are also more user-friendly starter kits that you can purchase for a minimal sum that would guide you from A-Z how to make wind power generators for home use.

If your electricity bills are a headache every month, get a highly recommended home wind generator kit and make your own wind power generator to supplement your electricity supply and slash your power bills today

It would be absolutely nifty to be the first in your neighborhood to produce electricity for free!

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Joe_Herwin

By Joe Herwin

Old Home Vs New Home

While experts can't seem to agree from one moment to the next on the future of the housing market, one thing is unequivocally unanimous: what's happening with the market today. Even though sellers are flexing their muscles and making jabbing and punching motions in the air, we're still in a buyers' market. And yesterday is the time to buy. Now exactly what type of house to buy can only be answered by you, but maybe the following information will help to make your decision easier.

There are three options available to homebuyers today: buying a new home, buying an older home and building your own home. But because this article is not entitled "Olde Home vs. New Home vs. Building Your Own Home From Scratch," we're only going to address two of the three options: old homes and new homes, and there are pros and cons to each. Lets start with the old, then ring in the new.

Advantages to Buying an Old Home

The most obvious advantage to buying an old home is character. While new homes can be sleek, all lines and bold angles, they don't hold a candle to arched doorways, parlors, hand-carved banisters, stained glass windows, 12-foot ceilings, 7-inch baseboard, phone alcoves, octagonal rooms . . . and just the grandeur that defined the turn of the century.

Another benefit is that old homes have withstood the ravages of weather, children and pets for decades, even centuries. They're solid! What's going to settle has likely already settled. Not a whole lot in foundational "ahas"!

And not meaning to state the obvious, but here we are, old homes sit in old neighborhoods. Established neighborhoods. Some older homes have been passed down from generation to generation. Relationships develop over the life of a house and its occupants, and a watching-each-others-back mentality surfaces that can extend to folks buying into the neighborhood. You don't just buy an old home . . . you buy an extended family.

While builders may exhibit a propensity for razing indigenous trees, shrubs and grasses, leaving a freshly shorn pate with which to create! create! create! time has erased the folly of the earlier builders. What were once neighborhoods dotted with itty-bitty baby saplings have now become homesteads nestled within the canopy of trees in the prime of life.

Finally, because the most common means of locomotion were your own two feet, people built their homes closer to their entertainment. Or more aptly, they built their entertainment closer to their homes.

Disadvantages to Buying an Old Home

More work! If it seems that there's always something needing to be fixed or updated, it's because there is! Unless the building had been gutted and restored before you called it home, you may want to tuckpoint chimneys and stone foundations, level sloping floors, ground electrical outlets, remove cracked plaster, replace plumbing, update the kitchen, bath, furnace, windows, and yes, add central air. Although once the old home has been nipped and tucked, what a showplace it could be!

Asbestos. Enough said.

Old homes are notorious for their smaller closets, garages and storage spaces. Photographic data actually exists proving that people groups from the early 20th century were not all under 5-feet tall and skinnier than a runway model; however, that's not reflected in their homes. And don't think to use the basements for storage or living space, because many are nothing more than a soil-based cellar accessible only from outside the home.

Lastly, the layout of the old home is not conducive to large gatherings . . . at least gatherings with which folks can be in the same room at the same time. Yes, the parlor was big. Yes, the living room was grand. And yes, sometimes the foyer was spacious. But they all had one thing in common. None of them were open to the other.

Having now listed the pros and cons of old homes, it's time to address the new.

Advantages to Buying a New Home

The most obvious advantage to a new home is that everything's new. There's an emotional factor at play here. There's nothing like owning something that's brand new, never been used, whether it's a car or a home. Probably a lot like how Neil Armstrong must have felt before everyone else starting traipsing all over his moon.

Best of all are modern conveniences, such as a built-in dishwasher and stove, more bathrooms (and with shower heads!), and A/C, to name a few. While most of us might enjoy the occasional roughing-it of camping out, no one really wants to live at a campsite!

Builder's warranty. Whether it's one year or ten years, it's better than nothing!

And even though many new homes feature cathedral and/or trey ceilings, they're still more energy efficient than the older ones. Think insulation in the walls, ceilings and floors. Think double- or even triple-pane windows. Think 90% efficient A/C as opposed to, well, no A/C.

One HUGE bonus for new homes are the neighborhood amenities. Today, if you're not on a golf course, you're near one. If you don't own a pool, the neighborhood association will. Bike paths, common areas and playground equipment are the norm.

And last but not least, new homes are more user-friendly. Rather than just throwing a home together with all the essential parts, builders are taking into account the desires of the consumer. Open floor plan, split floor plan, functional basement, Jack-N-Jill baths, his/her vanities, first floor master, and the list goes on.

Disadvantages to Buying a New Home

Less individuality. Because buyers have many of the same desires, floor plans are becoming virtually indistinguishable from one another. There are exceptions, of course, but rarely do we find a reasonably-priced home that boasts a two-story library. Most of the rest of the disadvantages of new homes can be found by reversing the advantages of the old home. For instance, immature vegetation, foundational settling, longer commutes to downtown, etc.

In the end, however, it is all in the eye of the beholder, and there is a market for every style, age and color of home. The only right choice is the one that's right for you!

Lisa Buth is a Realtor at RE/MAX Action First in Louisville, Kentucky. She was licensed to sell real estate in 2003 and holds a certification as a New Home Specialist. Lisa feels that in every business, particularly the real estate industry, it's important to demonstrate honesty, integrity and professionalism. And she uses those qualities to help her clients be successful, whether buying a home or selling their home. The bottom line is helping people fulfill their dreams

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Lisa_Buth

By Lisa Buth