Car Tips

Weather and Car Cover Fundamentals

Selecting a car cover for your truck, van, SUV, or passenger car is a matter of finding one that fits your car and going with that one, right? Well, there is a lot more to it than simply purchasing a car cover. Size does matter, but so do quality, durability, and price. Let’s examine some of the fundamentals in selecting a car cover for vehicle.

Car covers — or weather covers as some prefer to call them — have been successfully covering vehicles for several generations now thanks to the ingenious and persistent work of designers who properly measure each new model to make sure that every cover is custom fitted. One of the first companies to get started in the business was Covercraft, founded in 1965 in Southern California. Covercraft, like so many American success stories, was a two man operation that outfitted car covers for street rods, import makes including Porsche, and for the aftermarket supply network. The company boasts of having produced 55,000 styles of car covers for just about every make and model of vehicle on the road. There are other brands on the market; however Covercraft is dominant and favored by automobile wholesalers such as the Auto Parts Warehouse.

When selecting your car cover, you will learn that a manufacturer can make several different car covers for one model. Basic covers offer limited protection from such hazards as bird excrement and flying debris while premium car covers offer extensive protection from the following:

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Be the first to comment - What do you think?  Posted by Zzotto - January 4, 2011 at 5:00 am

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Types of Air Filters for Your Vehicle

How often do you replace your car’s air filter? Every 10 thousand miles? 12K? 15K? During the life of your car – assuming you plan on keeping your vehicle for many years – you could easily go through 8, 10, even 15 or more air filters. Of course, that is if you choose to purchase disposable air filters every time your shop. However, did you know that you now have another choice, in a reusable air filter, which costs a bit more but will likely outlast your car? Read on for an informative comparison of the two types of air filters available for your vehicle.

If you maintain your own vehicle, you probably make regular trips to your auto parts store for oil, filters, wipers, and the occasional air filter. Concerning your air filter, your choices include Fram, ACDelco, Bosch, and Purolator air filters, all very well known and trusted brands. You are not likely to pay a whole lot for one, perhaps between $6 and $15, depending on your vehicle make, model, model year, and engine. For many people purchasing an air filter once a year is a simple procedure: see which one is on sale, buy it, toss the old one, and insert the new one.

Consumers are now discovering an additional option to disposable air filters, one that race car owners have known about for ages: reusable air filters. That’s right, instead of paper air filters that must be changed regularly and can contribute to overflowing landfills, drivers can now purchase reusable air filters made of cotton gauze and aluminum wire mesh. These higher air flow filters provide excellent filtration and are designed to increase horsepower and acceleration. K&N, for example, sells a line of air filters that are warranted to last one million miles, can be cleaned as little as once every 50 thousand miles, and are emissions legal in all fifty US states. Prices for reusable air filters range from as little as $30 to approximately $60 or more.

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Be the first to comment - What do you think?  Posted by Zzotto - January 3, 2011 at 9:00 pm

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Pssst: Wanna (not) Buy a Stolen Car?

Would you buy a used car–with cash–from someone you just met in the bar, and who walked you down a dark alley to show you the car? Not likely. How about from a well-dressed, friendly, middle-aged man or woman, who placed a classified ad in your local newspaper, and who meets you midday at a restaurant of your choice?

Oops! You may be more likely to be cheated by seller number two. That’s the story of Jennifer Warwa, who bought a minivan and had her mechanic examine it. The mechanic later said how shocked he was that Jennifer had been scammed:

“Because I met the gentleman who was selling the vehicle. Very clean cut. In his fifties. Very soft spoken…. And he went with her to get it inspected. There was just no sign that was the kind of person he was” the mechanic told CBC’s Marketplace.

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Educate Yourself To Amazing Car Finance

When it comes to making a car purchase, paying for it is a big part of the battle. Even mid level new cars run into the $20,000 range. Because of these prices, few people pay cash for cars anymore and statistically about 7 out of every 10 people use car finance to pay for their new vehicle. In order to get the best car finance possible, you need to understand how the whole process work.

First, you want to figure out where you are going to get your car finance. There are a number of institutions that can get you financing. Banks, credit unions, the dealership, or even auto manufacturers can provide financing for your new or used vehicle.

Second, with a car finance, you need to realize that whether you buy a new or used vehicle will affect your financing. As a general rule, interest rates will be lower on new cars than on used ones. Also, new cars can often qualify for financing over a longer period of time than can used cars.

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Do More Than Just Cover Your Honda Wheels

Out in the market today are many types of wheel covers specifically made for your beloved Honda. Honda wheel covers actually do more for your Honda than just cover your wheels.

Wheel covers are commonly mixed up with hubcaps. However, looking more closely at these two, wheel covers cover the entire wheel of your vehicle, while, on the other hand, hubcaps, cover only the hub, or the center of your wheel. These wheel covers are made from tough material – they are created and manufactured using plastic or metal retainers, so as to facilitate better and easier fastening to your Honda wheels. They are clipped on your vehicle’s wheel to accentuate your wheels and, at the same time, protect it from mud, grime, snow, dirt, water, and other elements that could prove to be damaging or corrosive to your wheels.

Honda wheel covers are not necessarily considered a requirement for your car, however, they can actually improve your wheels’ appearance greatly. You see, wheel covers have been created to cover your entire wheel and conceal from view the ugly bolts that attach your wheel to its axle. And along that line, it adds distinction and uniqueness to your Honda wheels to your Honda’s overall appearance.

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Be the first to comment - What do you think?  Posted by Zzotto - January 2, 2011 at 9:00 pm

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Check That Used Car

A new car may not be worth all that money you are planning on spending!

If you are on a really tight budget, and don’t care too much about the prestige of having a brand new car, purchasing a used car might be the best option for you. Why do we say that might be the better option?

All you have to do is pick up a used car listing to see that brand new cars lose anywhere from 30 to 40 percent of their original price in as little as two years. That’s a pretty steep number. Here’s another number, 65 percent – this is the amount you save if you buy a used car that is five years old instead of a brand new one.

Theoretically speaking cars of this age, as long as they have been well cared for will perform just as well and are just as reliable as their brand new counterparts. In fact, they may even be better customized for daily use since it has already been broken in and properly set up.

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Cars: The Used And The New Are Beautiful

Whether buying used or new cars, both options have advantages and disadvantages that the car buyer alone would be the best person to be knowledgeable about as he or she would know what would work well as according to his/her needs, wants, preference, budget and whim.

The following are basic factors to consider in buying a used or a new car:

The price.

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Car Buying Tips And Lemon Law Tips.

• Salesmen are more willing to haggle prices to close the deal when in the holiday season, as most people are too busy to think about buying a car at that time.

• Another time that is the best for getting a good deal is the period from July to October. Dealerships are trying to get rid of their inventory to make way for the new year models.

• Do some research online, and get some quotes – optimally along with some good rebates or incentives. Print out your results from the lowest quotes and bring it with you to your local dealer. Showing them the lower quotes might compel them to give you a better deal. If not, shop around some more.

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Be the first to comment - What do you think?  Posted by Zzotto - January 1, 2011 at 9:00 pm

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Car Battery Cleaning Made Easy

Did you ever go to jumpstart your car, and notice that you can barely see your battery underneath all the gunk? This ‘gunk’ is actually battery corrosion, which is formed by acid condensation. Since this is formed by acid, a basic chemical solution will do the cleaning trick. Battery acid is actually very easy to clean away with a common household item- baking soda! But still, precautions must be followed. This article will inform you step by step how to clean the battery while keeping safe.

First, you will need to gather supplies for this project. Most of these items you may already have in your home.
Safety glasses or goggles
Box of baking soda
Adjustable pliers with insulated handles
Screwdrivers with insulated handles
A small, stiff-bristled brush (an old toothbrush will work just fine!)
Assorted small open-end and box wrenches
Small metal or plastic scraper
Special battery tools, including a cable puller and cable terminal cleaning brushes
A turkey baster or small funnel
All-purpose household cleaner in a spray bottle
Sponges or clean cloths
A source of ample clean water such as a garden hose or a large bucket and sponge
Rubber gloves for protecting your hands

There are a few safety tips to keep in mind when getting ready to clean the battery. First of all, you safety glasses and gloves must be worn to protect your eyes and skin from sulfuric acid that can linger in the corrosion deposits. Also, this material can eat away at your car’s paint, so keep it away from that as well.

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Buying Tips For Used Cars

Resorting to buying used cars is not a bad idea. For some people who cannot afford to buy brand new cars, second hand cars offer valuable alternatives to saving money for other important matters.

In fact, in a 2005 survey, more than 60% of people surveyed are becoming more open to procuring used cars rather than brand new.

Attractive as it may seem, before you decide to make a purchase of and used cars models, there are some things you need to know and advice that will help you make the most of buying used cars.

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